TOP

Brittany Portofino Masterplan

Portofino is truly a product of careful masterplanning. It strikes at the heart of that delicate balance between luxury and functionality, affording its residents only the best of both worlds. The amenity areas are so designed to respond to the exacting needs of its residents and at the same time maintain the Old-World charm of this Italian-inspired community.

For one, there is Monte di Portofino: the grand and highly exclusive clubhouse of Portofino Heights. From the outside, it stands as an imposing structure that is unmistakably Italian. Inside, an array of amenities that befit the stature of those it wishes to indulge: a Roman bath-inspired lap pool; a grand ballroom and three function rooms; basketball and badminton and tennis courts; a fully-equipped gym; gazebos; and an al fresco dining area. It also has a meandering River Park, designed skillfully by world-class architect Paolo Alcazaren, with a mini-amphitheater and a scenic jogging trail surrounded by green open spaces.

     And then there is Parco di Portofino, the main amenities area in Portofino South. It plays home to family-centered activity centers such as a gym and sauna; badminton courts; a swimming pool; and a fitness center.

     For Amore, a host of amenities await its residents. It features a community hall, swimming pool, lush gardens, fountains, outdoor gathering places and a convertible court for the residents’ enjoyment.

     Outside Portofino is Mercato di Portofino, the 15-hectare commercial area that will set off an exciting lifestyle for those fortunate enough to be called residents of this Italian-themed community. It will have quaint retail shops, restaurants, boutiques, bistros and a Petron gas station. Also just outside Portofino is Fernbrook Gardens, the popular weddings and events venue, which had just opened shop in the Metro south.

     Portofino’s strategic location allows greater accessibility to this fine Italian-themed community. Commercial and business districts are just a short drive away using the Filinvest Toll Exit then the Daang-Hari Link Road and the Molino Boulevard. Aside from these, the latest access road is via San Pedro, Laguna Link Road. And soon, the Daang-Hari South Luzon Exchange.

Portofino is very near the South’s lifestyle destinations. It is exhilaratingly close to the Alabang Town Center, Festival Mall, SM Southmall and SM Molino, to name a few. It is also very near hospitals such as the Asian Hospital and Medical Center; the Ospital ng Muntinlupa; the Parañaque Medical Center; and the University of Perpetual Help Medical Center. For schools, Portofino residents have more than enough options as it is close to De la Salle Zobel, Woodrose, San Beda Alabang and Southville International School.

TOP

Brittany Portofino Location

The exclusive communities of Portofino can be accessed in several ways. As it is in the heart of the thriving “New Alabang,” it can be reached through the Filinvest Toll Exit along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Another way is through the Molino Boulevard connection, a shorter route to the Coastal Road leading to Manila. Also, a planned SLEX interchange road will directly connect Portofino and the San Pedro Link Road.

Featured Articles

How to Stage Your Home for a Sale

Steps

1. De-clutter, clean, and/or organize all rooms in the house. This should be your very first step. Get rid of or pack up anything you don't think you'll need to use right away. Clean your drawers and cabinets (potential buyers will open them up to look inside) and put anything you think you might need in a small, organized box in and out of the way.
2. Address any and all repairs that need attention. Inspect your house inside and out to search for cracks, etc. The small investment of time and money will mean a bigger return when it comes to the sale price. Don't forget to check for leaky faucets, squeaky doors, and burnt-out light bulbs. You may even want to consider repainting your walls with neutral colors so that they appear fresh and clean.
3. De-Clutter, clean and organize kitchen counter tops and cupboards. Counter tops and shelves should not be filled with food and appliances. You want your kitchen space to appear large, clean and functional. Make sure your dishes are stacked correctly, turn your cups and mugs so that they're all facing the same direction, and make sure everything (including your spice jars) are clean and in order.
4. Keep the bathroom as bare as possible, never leave your personal items in view when showing your home. In fact, depersonalizing your whole property is a powerful selling tip. Buyers will be more attracted to your house when they can imagine themselves living there. To make your house look lived-in without looking like anyone actually lives there, pack away into storage:
   • All family photos
   • Holiday souvenirs
   • Trophies & certificates
   • Collectible items
   • Children’s artwork
   • Home Gyms that haven't been used in months
5. Whether selling professionally or by yourself, make sure you have some fliers made up with details and photos of your house for prospective buyers to take away with them.
6. Know that when the house has a showing it should appeal to all five of the senses:
   • Sight: Open the blinds and drapes to let in natural light. Keep clutter away and consider keeping your pet out of the home for that day.
   • Smell: Put out flowers and candles in the main rooms of the home and a colorful bowl of fruit on the dining table.
   • Taste: A hot pot of coffee helps with taste and smell also.
   • Hearing. Turn off the sound on all television sets and computers, and have some easy listening or jazz music playing in the background softly.
   • Touch. Have your guests sit on the softest couch, and make sure everything is clean and dust-free.
   • Space. When showing guests around your property, let them enter the room first. In smaller rooms e.g bathrooms, stay at the door. Too many bodies in too small a space causes a problem.
7. Make sure you put away or hide any major appliances you don't want to sell. If you want to take your antique chandelier you should take it down before you show the house. Otherwise, a potential buyer may see it and want it for herself.

Video

Tips

• You are putting your home on display, so present it well! If you don't think you have an eye for presentation, ask one of your friends or family to prepare your house for you. If you can't see a problem with clothes lying around and sticky floors, get someone else to present your house for you! Pay them if necessary - as presentation is so important in presenting your house.
• Remember: you are decorating your home for someone else so keeping that in mind will help you to make purchases that will appeal to the masses.
• De-clutter your home as well as deep cleaning will work wonders, and will show to potential buyers that the house is in stellar condition.

Warnings

• Every room in the home, including the garage and decks, should be absolutely clean. Empty waste baskets and garbage pails daily. Try to keep pets out doors along with their litter boxes and food bowls during showings. Try to relax during this stressful process.

Things You'll Need

• You may need to make a few purchases - maybe new bed covers, sofa pillows, flowers, etc. Make the purchase needed to update the home so that it will show well. You will certainly see a return on your investment.

Related wikiHows

• How to Determine if There Is a Housing Bubble in Your Neighborhood
• How to Prepare Your Kitchen for a Quick Sale
• How to Sell Your Own House
• How to Inexpensively Increase the Value of Your Home
• How to Buy a House
• How to Sell Your Own House

Sources and Citations

• http://www.thestagingsource.com/home-staging-tips.htm has free staging information
• Eden Prairie Homes - The Kristin Bolinske group in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Stage Your Home for a Sale. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Home Equity Loans and Mortgage Interest Rates
By Mary Stasiewicz

American spending will slow because it is more expensive to borrow, and because consumers will see less of an increase in home equity to borrow against. Oil prices have dropped and may help offset some of the obstacles in the marketplace, suggesting that consumers may slow down, but prices are unlikely to go into reverse unless mortgage rates continue to be lowered.

In the current economy, home equity loans are available as sub-prime loans in any amount from the equity in the collateral to 100%. A few non-conforming home equity lenders will even offer 125% of the home value balance less the first mortgage balance. If a property has both a first and second mortgage equal to 100% of the property value and interest rates have dropped below both mortgage rates, the lender may do 100% refinancing.

Lenders who are involved with 100% financing will obligate the borrower to acquire private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI is temporary and will be canceled when the home value goes up and the balance decline causes the loan to drop below 80% of the mortgaged property. There is no PMI required with home equity loans.

The most common methods used to refinance high rate home equity loans is an equity line of credit or a home equity loan. Both types of equity loans have reasonable closing cost depending on the state in which the borrower lives. In a home equity loan the cash is disbursed up front, while in an equity line of credit the funds are reserved for the borrower and he may draw on them as needed. This is referred to as the draw period. Both a second mortgage and an equity line of credit may have a fixed interest rate or an adjustable rate tied into an index.

If a property is mortgaged above 80% of the fair market value, the mortgage lender will require a higher rate of interest. If a second mortgage is close to 100% of the security used for collateral the lender may ask for a premium on the loan to offset the risk taken.

A mortgage lender holding a home equity loan in notice of default scenario, would have to buy out the first mortgage to protect their interest in the property. If the home had an 80% first mortgage and a security value of $100,000, the second lender, in order to protect his interest at foreclosure, would have to satisfy the first mortgage to acquire the property.

If the second mortgage only made both 1st and 2nd mortgages equal to or less than 80% of he property value the interest rate would have little or no premium. Home equity loan rates will vary depending upon equity to value, credit score and loan amount.

Mary is a free lance writer who publishes home finance articles online. She suggests the following home loan resources: Home Equity Loans to 125%, Home Equity Loan Rates Online and Second Mortgages Rates Online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Stasiewicz
http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Equity-Loans-and-Mortgage-Interest-Rates&id=329496