Immobilieninvestment Digital

Buying off plan gives you the chance to choose your own floor plan from a variety of options. You can choose from a host of features and upgrades, ensuring that when you move into your new condo it is exactly what you wanted, finished to meet your unique specification to provide you with a home that you can be proud of and enjoy for years to come.

One of the first things you will notice when buying any condos off plan is that you will be able to enjoy a discounted price. Once the units are completed, the condo sales price usually increases as a result. Getting in early will help you get the best prices, but at the same time, the earlier you commit to purchase, the more likely you will be to buy completely off plan before the foundation is set.

Another reason you may want to consider condo sales off plan is that you secure ownership of your condo, but you get to enjoy a long settlement, which gives you some much needed breathing room when making such a large investment. Payment is normally only made once the project is completed and transfer takes place, this is just before you move into your new home and start enjoying your future.

Ensure you do your research into the developer, the architect, the builders and the engineers. Ensure that the complex you are looking at is being constructed by the best local construction companies and handled by the best developers, so you can buy with complete confidence.

Location is essential when looking at condo sales off plan. You want to try and choose an area which is considered prestigious, an area where you know you will get a good return on your investment in the future. Remember when looking in good areas, you will pay considerably more for single family home than you will for a condo off plan. Once the condo is completed, it is worth more, which means you have a good investment in a good area that you can enjoy.

There are certain very important factors to note when it comes to the contract that you sign. Read every line in detail, ensure you understand the contract and have your attorney look over it and help you with sections you don’t understand.

The first thing to note in the contract is whether there is a „Cooling Off‘ clause. These days all contracts should contain this clause when buying off plan. This clause gives you a set period of time where you can pull out of the contract if you change your mind for any reason. Check the contract thoroughly to ensure you are offered a cooling off period to put your own mind at ease.

Next you want to ensure that the full details of the plans you have chosen are detailed and added to the contract. This way in the event when your unit is completed there is something missing or not as you chose, you can have it rectified. This clause ensures you know what you are paying for and also ensures the contractor completes your particular condo based on your unique specifications.

Read up on the deposit clause, the warranties, inclusions, defects and completion dates.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

This article, part two of a series, will help vacation rental home owners learn more about marketing a rental property online. It is important to understand that people who are looking for a vacation rental home are generally looking for more than they can get with a brand-name hotel. They typically want space, privacy, laundry facilities and – almost always – a cheaper rate than if they stayed in a hotel.

The one major difference between booking a private vacation rental home and a branded hotel chain is that you know ahead of time what you will be getting when you book with a hotel chain. Plus, if things are not quite right, you always have the manager on hand to sort things out for you. On the other hand, vacation rental homes are almost always privately owned and operated, and in the past you never could be sure just what you would be getting.

The Internet has changed everything about marketing a rental property. Now, prospective renters can visit a website to view pictures and read information about a vacation rental home before making a final decision – which means that online marketing of a rental property should be a major priority.

The Benefits of Marketing a Rental Property Online

By marketing your rental property online, you have the perfect low-cost way of showing that vacation rental home to the world. Online marketing can put you on an even footing with the big hotel chains; in fact, it actually gives you an advantage. While their sites will be practical and informative, you can take time and TLC to make your site warm and welcoming while reassuring prospective renters that your vacation rental home will more than fill their requirements.

Plus, establishing a website for your vacation rental home gives you a global presence. While the vacation rental market in the United States may still be in its infancy, it is the norm in many other countries for families to stay in vacation rental homes rather than hotels. Marketing a rental property on the Internet can help an owner in the U.S. reach families from abroad and draw them to the home.

Putting Your Vacation Rental Home Online

There are several ways in which you can use the Internet for marketing your rental property:

• Create your own website
• List your vacation rental home with a property rental agent or manager
• List your vacation home on one of the many vacation rental sites

While all three options for marketing a rental property have their place, creating your own Internet site is essential. Having your own site gives you complete control of how your vacation rental home is displayed to potential renters. If someone contacts you wanting to rent your home, do you really want to send them to a site that contains other homes similar to your own? Remember, there are always other owners out there who are also involved in using the Internet for marketing their rental property and who will undercut you just to get the rental. Listing sites can help you reach more people, but in the end you want a renter to see your individual site.

Creating Your Own Site for Your Vacation Rental Home

Your website should consist of the following standard pages, which are all important for optimally marketing your rental property:

• Home Page
• Property Description
• Photo Gallery
• Visitor Information
• Rates
• Contact Information

The Home Page

The Home page is probably the most important part of your strategy for marketing your rental property, as this is a visitor’s first point of contact with your home. Make sure the design of your home page is simple, clean and uncluttered. Consider adding two pictures instead of just one to make your site stand out from the competition. One picture can be the traditional front-of-the-home shot, while the other image can be of something that sets the rental property apart – a great view, a beautiful sunrise, a scene by the pool, and so on. You can also consider taking a picture of the house lit up at night, which will certainly make the image memorable.

The Text

You will also need to write text that helps you with marketing your rental property. This step does not have to be difficult, but you should take time and give some thought as to what you want to say. You want to sell your home, not just state the facts. The text should help prospective renters imagine kicking back by your pool with a cool drink while watching the kids splash around. Set the scene first, rather than starting with a list of the best things about your vacation rental home. Be descriptive and use your imagination so that you are marketing your rental property in a way that will make the reader want to find out more.

In order to get some ideas of what to focus on in the text, ask yourself the following questions:

• What do you your family and friends love about the vacation rental home?
• What do you enjoy doing when you are there?
• Is there something you have found that you love but is not generally known about on or near your vacation rental home?
• What special features does your home offer?
• What would you want to know if you were going to rent this property?

General Picture Ideas

The use of good quality pictures of your home’s exterior and interior cannot be overstated for successful marketing of a rental property. In a highly competitive area such as Florida, pictures could make the difference between securing a booking or missing out. Sometimes a potential guest will be considering several properties with the same features and at the same cost. In this case, guests will undoubtedly choose the vacation rental home they like the look of. This means that quality pictures are critical for successful marketing of your rental property. Common faults are images that are badly lit, that are taken from strange angles, that feature pool decks and porches devoid of furniture, or that have inappropriate things in view (wet towels, piles of papers, and so on).

Some additional things you may want to consider when marketing your rental property with photos are:

• Consider using flowers. A fresh vase of flowers can be welcoming, but don’t go overboard, and don’t be tempted to move one vase of flowers around as you take pictures – it will look silly if the same vase keeps turning up in different rooms.
• Set the tables. In the formal dining area, open a bottle of wine, fill wine glasses, light candles and use napkins. In the kitchen dining area, set it for dinner with the family, with more casual place settings, a pitcher of lemonade, and so on.
• Make sure the kitchen of your vacation rental home sparkles. It should be spotless, with a bowl of fruit on the counter. Basically, you will want to make the home looked lived in and like you are just waiting for guests to arrive.
• Make the bedrooms welcoming by turning down the sheets, fluffing up the pillows, and placing magazines and books on night tables.
• Photograph the bathroom in the evening. Fill the tub, add lots of bubbles, light candles, have fluffy towels and perhaps a glass of red wine on hand to create an atmosphere.
• Use a digital camera so that you can take hundreds of pictures of your vacation rental home. Even if you are not a photographer, you are sure to get some good ones that you can use for marketing your rental property.

Marketing a rental property with your own website can be a part of a strategy that uses many other techniques, from print ads to online listings on real estate marketing sites, allowing you to attract more renters to your property. Future articles in this series will explore additional avenues for marketing your vacation rental home and their benefits to you.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

If you are in the unfortunate position of not being able to sell your house and keep asking yourself „how do I sell my house for cash“, especially if you want to get rid as soon as possible, this article will point you in the right direction. You will find out the best and most efficient way to sell your house.

This article will also go into the reasons why people want to sell their home and why some people need a quick sale. It will also go into the whole process of a quick sale and what to expect when exploring an alternative to the long drawn out process of the traditional estate agents.

The reasons why most people ask „how can I sell my house for cash“ and want a quick sale may differ greatly:

*Couples going through a divorce would find it beneficial to cut all ties as soon as possible, so selling the house and splitting the proceeds would be of benefit in a very stressful situation.

*People who are in debt and heading towards repossession will be able to cash in before they totally lose out.

*People who need to relocate in a hurry can use the cash to help set up their new home.

*People wishing to downsize to a smaller property

*People wishing to upsize to a larger property

*People who simply cannot wait for the long drawn out process through the traditional open market via estate agents.

For whatever reason you wish to sell, you will benefit from the cash outlay after the speedy completion.

The process for a speedy home sale is relatively easy and straightforward. You simply provide details about your home to an efficient cash buyer. They will then assess your needs, requirements and suitability for a cash purchase. They will then give you an estimated offer.

Assuming you are both in agreement, a viewing of your property will be arranged. If the homeowner would like to proceed then a written offer will be made. All associated costs such as solicitor’s fees and all other legal costs of selling a house will be borne by the cash buyer. There are also no hidden charges so you will not be caught out forking out for unexpected costs.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

If you looking to purchase a product which is offered by different companies, how would you decide who to purchase it from? If you are like most of us, you would simply pick up your smartphone and read online reviews about each company and make your decision on those reviews. Well, the same goes for anybody who is possibly going to use your real estate services.

With the internet and technology making it easy and quick to access information about anybody, your potential clients will search for reviews on you. The reviews and testimonials they find online could be the difference between getting new clients, or losing them to someone else.

Get a Testimonial From Your Client After Every Closing

It is important that you obtain a testimonial after every closing if your clients are happy with your real estate services. Typically, the time of closing is a happy time for the client, and therefore, a perfect time to ask for a testimonial. It is always harder to obtain that testimonial at a later time down the road.

Tell your clients that it could be short and just be a few sentences. Many don’t like writing long reviews and may not give you one because of that. A short testimonial that’s to the point is just as effective.

Take a Picture With Your Client In Front of the Property

Along with asking for a testimonial at the time of closing, you should definitely take a picture with your clients. It is always preferred to take a picture at the property. An effective picture is to take a picture in front of the property while your clients hold the SOLD sign or the keys. The picture can be taken when you meet your client at the property to deliver the keys.

Displaying Your Testimonials on Your Real Estate Website

The most important place to display your reviews and testimonials is on your very own real estate agent website. Your real estate agent website is typically ranked higher in search engine results than your Facebook page and profile pages on Zillow, Trulia, realtor.com, and other large real estate marketplace websites. Therefore, you’ll definitely want to display your testimonials on your agent website.

You should have testimonials clearly visible on your homepage along with a separate page that displays all of your testimonials. Your real estate agent website platform should contain an interface that allows you to enter reviews and testimonials along with pictures of your clients.

Post to Facebook

If someone is looking online for reviews about you, they’ll most likely land on your Facebook page. Therefore, it is very important to create a „Just Sold“ post after every closing. The post should contain the testimonial by your client AND the picture you took with them in front of the property. Be consistent and do this for every time you close on a property.

Ask Clients to Submit a Review on Zillow, Trulia, and realtor.com

Anybody looking for online reviews about you will also most likely end up on Zillow, Trulia, and realtor.com. All of these sites accept reviews and it is important that you build up the number of reviews and your rating on these large marketplace real estate websites.

The review is submitted by your clients from your profile page on each of these sites. A client can submit a review by clicking on the „Submit Review“ button that appears on your profile page. To make it easier for your clients, send an email with links to your profile page for Zillow, Trulia, and realtor.com.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

When putting up a property for rent or estimating the amount to be paid monthly by the tenant, the term rental amount comes up. But what does it mean?

Rental amount, also called rental value, refers to the sum of money that one has to pay for the temporary use of particular items, equipment, and services. Generally, its payment ensues weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or periodically.

Now, it is evident that one cannot determine the rental amount of property at random. Additionally, it can be neither too high nor too low to avoid putting off prospective tenants and incur losses for the landlord, respectively. The rental value depends on several factors that directly influence its rise and fall. In this article, let us have a look at what they are.

• Market Value of the Property

The market value measures the current standing and significance of a particular property in the real estate market. Suppose the acreage in question lies in an area or neighborhood with multiple public facilities and amenities like metro stations, convenience stores, hospitals, train stations, and so on. In that case, it will inevitably be in high demand. These factors would make the potential leaseholders appreciate the worth of the property, allowing its value to rise in the charts.

On the other hand, elements like increased pollution levels, a decline in safety, and stalled infrastructure projects in the vicinity of the property can result in a decrease in its market value. Subsequently, its rental rate or value would also drop.

• Prevailing Rental Rate

It would be strikingly eye-catching and off-putting for probable renters if the rent of a specific property is considerably higher than the rest around it. Too low a price would also defer tenants as they would believe that something is wrong with it. Thus, it is imperative to consider the entire area’s rental rate before setting one for a new house or land.

However, this comparison and reference must only be done to and taken from similar properties. For this purpose, one can take into deliberation the following characteristics:

• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Year of building and most recent remodeling
• Lot size
• Included facilities

Additionally, the money spent behind mortgages, maintenance, tax, and repairs, which owners have to pay when the property is left unoccupied, should be contemplated.

• Extra Amenities

Properties with additional facilities like parking spots, verandas, swimming pools, gardens, and so on will, without a doubt, command a higher rental amount. Furnished or semi-furnished houses with cupboards, fans, storage space, kitchen appliances, and beds will go for and fetch more rent than the non-furnished ones.

• Rental Rate

Rental rates estimate the suitable and acceptable amount of rent that a property occupant can and would have to pay. It lies at about 2.5% to 3.5% of the acreage’s market value.

However, the rental rate may differ depending on the property’s demand and supply disequilibrium. Nevertheless, the maximum and minimum values should not exceed 3.5% and 2.5% of the market value, respectively.

Ways to Value a Real Estate Rental Property

Primarily, there are five ways to determine the rental amount of a property after considering all the associated factors. They are:

1. The Sales Comparison Approach (SCA)
2. The Income Approach
3. The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
4. The Gross Rent Multiplier Approach (GRM)
5. The Cost Approach

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

After, over 15 years, as a Real Estate Licensed Salesperson, in the State of New York, I have never witnessed, any housing market, which behaved, the way, we are currently experiencing! I have seen Sellers, Buyers, and Neutral Markets, but today’s activity, and dramatic increase in pricing, and activity, seems unique! Probably, a combination of recent events, including: pandemic – fatigue (some, wanting to make changes, because of the horrific year, and its impacts); record – low mortgage rates; a prolonged period of limited inventory; etc, are significant factors, creating this overall – effect! Although home prices are, at record – highs, is this the time, for you, to sell your house? With, that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, review, examine, and discuss, 4 significant considerations, and why it matters.

1. Are you relocating?: Remember, it’s not only your house, but, most of them, which are experiencing escalating pricing, and demand! Therefore, if you sell yours, it’s very important, to fully consider, where you may move – to, and, why! Since, housing, in some regions, costs more, than, in others, if you are moving, to one of the lower – priced, areas, now, may be a great selling – opportunity! However, if, you are simply, trying to market – time, if it, simultaneously, costs a traditionally – high, amount, to buy your next house, it may not be, as much! Ask yourself, if you would be moving, if these conditions didn’t exist! Will you be able to earn a competitive wage/ salary, in your new location! It never makes sense, to act, rashly?

2. Your personal situation/ life, etc: Each of us, are individuals, with specific, personal needs, goals, priorities, and perceptions! How much do you enjoy, where you currently reside, and would, moving, give you similar enjoyment? No matter how much, you might profit, be careful, to avoid, selling, merely, to make a profit, with considering, all relevant factors!

3. If you sell high, won’t you, also, have to buy, at a higher price?: Depending, on your plans, and, where you move, and what you seek, if you relocate, to an area, where real estate pricing, is increasing, at a similar rate, and costs, a similar amount, what do you gain? However, if you are planning, to, either, rent, or move, to an area, where home prices, are, significantly lower, overall, it might make sense, if you consider, the bigger – picture!

4. Don’t try to market – time!: Although, you might, be successful, it is rarely, a good strategy, to attempt to market – time, unless/ until, you fully consider, all relevant factors, circumstances, and foreseeable possibilities! How long, will this specific, real estate market, continue, and how far, will it go? What are the potential, future, possibilities/ contingencies?

Wise home sellers, are fully prepared, for their next steps, after, selling! Are you willing to proceed, in the wisest – possible way?

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

When you plan to buy a home in a down market condition, it is very essential that you know all the things that will help you earn great deals from it. When there is a sluggish real estate market, the prices of homes decline. This is the most appropriate time to purchase a property as you will be able to buy it at a cheap price.

It is absolutely essential that you do your homework before buying a property. Know an area well before making any move. Learn about the price range of properties in that area. It will help you in bargaining with the seller and you can get a house within your price range.

You should remember that you are not the only buyer hunting for a particular property. To be sure that you do not have a competitor, get your mortgage pre-approved so that the seller knows that you are financially sound. He will be more interested in selling his property to you.

You should always hire a professional real estate inspector to be sure that everything in the house is in a proper state. It may so happen that the roof or the doors and windows are cracked and that might cost you heavily in the long run. So check everything properly before purchasing a property.

Always take assistance from a professional real estate attorney who knows well the real property law associated with any real estate deal. He can do all the paperwork on your behalf for real estate laws are very difficult for a normal person to understand. It is also advisable to look out for motivated sellers.

A motivated seller will always be motivated to sell his home and that too at a lower price. The motivated sellers have some compelling reasons behind selling a home. It will be helpful for you in making a great negotiation with the seller. By purchasing the property from a motivated seller, you are also helping him at the same time.

While purchasing a property during a down real estate market condition, you need to take care of all these things to crack big deals. Real estate industry is a place where you can make really good investments provided you have ample knowledge and expertise.

You can also take advice from real estate experts as to how they were able to earn profits when the market conditions declined.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

In any Listing Agreement there is a point in time when the agency relationship ends.

A Listing Agreement, as it is widely known, is none other than a contract between the rightful titleholder of an interest in land (the ‚Principal‘) and a duly licensed real estate firm (the ‚Agent‘), whereby the firm stipulates and agrees to find a Buyer within a specified timeframe who is ready, willing and able to purchase the interest in land that is the subject matter of the contract while acting within the realm of the authority that the Principal confers onto the Agent, and wherein furthermore the titleholder stipulates and agrees to pay a commission should the licensee ever be successful in finding such Buyer.

As in all contracts, there is implied in a Listing Agreement an element which is commonly know at law as an ‚implied covenant of good faith and fair dealings‘. This covenant is a general assumption of the law that the parties to the contract – in this case the titleholder and the licensed real estate firm – will deal fairly with each other and that they will not cause each other to suffer damages by either breaking their words or otherwise breach their respective and mutual contractual obligations, express and implied. A breach of this implied covenant gives rise to liability both in contract law and, depending on the circumstances, in tort as well.

Due to the particular nature of a Listing Agreement, the Courts have long since ruled that during the term of the agency relationship there is implied in the contract a second element that arises out of the many duties and responsibilities of the Agent towards the Principal: a duty of confidentiality, which obligates an Agent acting exclusively for a Seller or for a Buyer, or a Dual Agent acting for both parties under the provisions of a Limited Dual Agency Agreement, to keep confidential certain information provided by the Principal. Like for the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealings, a breach of this duty of confidentiality gives rise to liability both in contract law and, depending on the circumstances, in tort as well.

Pursuant to a recent decision of the Real Estate Council of British Columbia (http://www.recbc.ca/) , the regulatory body empowered with the mandate to protect the interest of the public in matters involving Real Estate, a question now arises as to whether or not the duty of confidentiality extends beyond the expiration or otherwise termination of the Listing Agreement.

In a recent case the Real Estate Council reprimanded two licensees and a real estate firm for breaching a continuing duty of confidentiality, which the Real Estate Council found was owing to the Seller of a property. In this case the subject property was listed for sale for over two years. During the term of the Listing Agreement the price of the property was reduced on two occasions. This notwithstanding, the property ultimately did not sell and the listing expired.

Following the expiration of the listing the Seller entered into three separate ‚fee agreements‘ with the real estate firm. On all three occasions the Seller declined agency representation, and the firm was identified as ‚Buyer’s Agent‘ in these fee agreements. A party commenced a lawsuit as against the Seller, which was related to the subject property.

The lawyer acting for the Plaintiff approached the real estate firm and requested that they provide Affidavits containing information about the listing of the property. This lawyer made it very clear that if the firm did not provide the Affidavits voluntarily, he would either subpoena the firm and the licensees as witnesses to give evidence before the Judge, or he would obtain a Court Order pursuant to the Rules Of Court compelling the firm to give such evidence. The real estate firm, believing there was no other choice in the matter, promptly complied by providing the requested Affidavits.

As a direct and proximate result, the Seller filed a complaint with the Real Estate Council maintaining that the information contained in the Affidavits was ‚confidential‘ and that the firm had breached a duty of confidentiality owing to the Seller. As it turned out, the Affidavits were never used in the court proceedings.

The real estate brokerage, on the other hand, took the position that any duty of confidentiality arising from the agency relationship ended with the expiration of the Listing Agreement. The firm argued, moreover, that even if there was a duty of continuing confidentiality such duty would not preclude or otherwise limit the evidence that the real estate brokerage would be compelled to give under a subpoena or in a process under the Rules Of Court. And, finally, the realty company pointed out that there is no such thing as a realtor-client privilege, and that in the instant circumstances the Seller could not have prevented the firm from giving evidence in the lawsuit.

The Real Estate Council did not accept the line of defence and maintained that there exists a continuing duty of confidentiality, which extends after the expiration of the Listing Agreement. Council ruled that by providing the Affidavits both the brokerage and the two licensee had breached this duty.

The attorney-client privilege is a legal concept that protects communications between a client and the attorney and keeps those communications confidential. There are limitations to the attorney-client privilege, like for instance the fact that the privilege protects the confidential communication but not the underlying information. For instance, if a client has previously disclosed confidential information to a third party who is not an attorney, and then gives the same information to an attorney, the attorney-client privilege will still protect the communication to the attorney, but will not protect the information provided to the third party.

Because of this, an analogy can be drawn in the case of a realtor-client privilege during the existence of a Listing Agreement, whereby confidential information is disclosed to a third party such as a Real Estate Board for publication under the terms of a Multiple Listings Service agreement, but not before such information is disclosed to the real estate brokerage. In this instance the privilege theoretically would protect the confidential communication as well as the underlying information.

And as to whether or not the duty of confidentiality extends past the termination of a Listing Agreement is still a matter of open debate, again in the case of an attorney-client privilege there is ample legal authority to support the position that such privilege does in fact extend indefinitely, so that arguably an analogy can be inferred as well respecting the duration of the duty of confidentiality that the Agent owes the Seller, to the extent that such duty extends indefinitely.

This, in a synopsis, seems to be the position taken by the Real Estate Council of British Columbia in this matter.

Clearly, whether the duty of confidentiality that stems out of a Listing Agreement survives the termination of the contract is problematic to the Real Estate profession in terms of practical applications. If, for instance, a listing with Brokerage A expires and the Seller re-lists with Brokerage B, if there is a continuing duty of confidentiality on the part of Brokerage A, in the absence of express consent on the part of the Seller a Realtor of Brokerage A could not act as a Buyer’s Agent for the purchase of the Seller’s property, if this was re-listed by Brokerage B. All of which, therefore, would fly right in the face of all the rules of professional cooperation between real estate firms and their representatives. In fact, this process could potentially destabilize the entire foundation of the Multiple Listings Service system.

In the absence of specific guidelines, until this entire matter is clarified perhaps the best course of action for real estate firms and licensees when requested by a lawyer to provide information that is confidential, is to respond that the brokerage will seek to obtain the necessary consent from the client and, if that consent is not forthcoming, that the lawyer will have to take the necessary legal steps to compel the disclosure of such information.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

To install or not to install?

This question is at the forefront of debates concerning the management of nursing homes. At present, the issue of whether or not to put security cameras in nursing homes and where these should be placed is extremely controversial and is far from resolved.

Merits of Installing Security Cameras in Nursing Homes

The most important argument in favor of security cameras is their deterrent value against abuse and substandard care. These security cameras have been given the moniker „granny cams“ and are said to be a positive step in reducing the potential for elderly abuse. Experts believe that granny cameras could singlehandedly restore public confidence in nursing homes because they give family members instant access to recently stored footage. They can, thus, closely monitor the well-being of their parents or grandparents.

Security cameras retail for at least $630 and may go up as high as $1,590. On top of this, there is a $20 monthly fee for accessing the server and another $10 monthly to upload images via a data-only line.

Drawbacks of Installing Security Cameras in Nursing Homes

Not surprisingly, the strongest opposition to the use of granny cams comes from the industry itself. Nursing-home operators and staff consider video surveillance a needless invasion of privacy. They fear that security cameras would make it so much harder to retain good staff and attract new ones. Moreover, they believe that use of security cameras will compromise a patient’s dignity, particularly when bathroom and bathing activities are filmed and then reviewed by security. Another argument used is the additional expense. After all, a nursing home would need not just one, but several, security cameras distributed in strategic places throughout the nursing home.

The Debate Continues

While not trifling, however, the costs of purchasing the equipment and the installation expense are comparable to the cost of updating housekeeping, food, or recreation services. This means that the purchase and installation of security cameras should be treated as necessary an overhead cost as staff salaries, for example.

Additionally, experts believe that security cameras help nursing home operators minimize their legal responsibility should an employee or a nursing home resident be found guilty of abusive behavior. By having digitally captured evidence on hand, nursing home owners can thereby reduce unnecessary and groundless litigation.

At present, a dozen state legislatures are actively considering passing the granny-cam legislation. Existing laws mandate that an operator must inform the staff ahead of time of the presence of cameras and their respective placements. Otherwise, video surveillance may be considered illegal. There are no law expressly prohibit the use of security cameras. What prevents their wide use, however, are practical barriers in the form of pricing and vehement opposition from the nursing-home industry.

So, to install or not to install security cameras?

Nursing-home operators vehemently answer „no“ while experts openly advocate their mandatory use. If you are a nursing-home owner, the added institutional cost would mostly likely make you cringe. If you are one of the many in search of a nursing home for a loved one, your answer to this question should dictate your choice of nursing homes. However, do not make it your only consideration. Check the facility’s history of deficiencies and citations from formal regulatory inspections.

It will be very difficult for this controversy to be resolved speedily because it is an issue that hits too close to home. It simply is not possible to put a price on safety, or negotiate dignity.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Animal Farm is one of the two greatest works of George Orwell, the other being 1984. Animal Farm makes satirical allegories of the totalitarian communism of Soviet Russia. The novel is regarded as one of the all-time bests ever written by any author.

Animal Farm is a novel of betrayed revolution. It presents the corruption that followed the revolution led by Lenin.

In Animal Farm, the characters are animals and human beings. Among the animals, many of them are pigs, who are more often than not rulers. Apart from pigs, we see three main horses, a donkey, a goat, some puppies, rats, the sheep (plural number), a raven, a cat and hens.

The animals are more allegorical than real. The interpretation of the meanings is often left to the reader, but generally the consensus is that they represent different classes. Again, the humans represent another class. Thus, the novel demonstrates multiple classes.

All animals are equal, but some are more equal than the others.

All animals are supposed to be of the same class, but in reality, some animals are of superior class.

Pigs: Old Major represents Lenin/Marx. He had introduced the animals to the song Beasts of England. Napoleon (allusion of Stalin), the villain, a Berkshire boar, gets more powerful gradually, with help of the puppies whom he uses as secret police. He drives out Snowball (allusion of Trotsky), from the farm and uses dogs to enforce his dictatorship. He changes the commandments to allow him have privileges such as eat on a table. He and the other pigs learn to walk upright and behave like those humans against whom they had revolted. Snowball, allusion of Trotsky, was working for the good of the farm and had won over most of the animals hearts, but was driven out by Napoleon and his dogs. Napoleon also had spread negative rumors on Snowball. Squealer (allusion of Molotov) is Napoleon’s minister of propaganda, and his main assistant for all practical purposes. He uses statistics to confuse the animals and show that they had improved quality of life, and the animals, with little memory of life before revolution, accept. Minimum is a poetic pig representing all the admirers of Stalin inside and outside Russia.

Humans: Mr. Jones, a heavy drinker, the disposed tsar. His attempt to recapture the farm is spoiled by the Battle of the Cowshed (Russian Civil War). Interestingly, Napoleon eventually becomes as much a drunkard as Jones. Mr. Frederick, the tough owner of Pinchfield, a neighboring farm, represents Hitler and his farm represents Nazi Party. Mr. Pilkington is apparently nice but is shrewd. He and Napoleon draw the Ace of Spades (the highest card in a card game) and begin a bad fight, symbolizing the tensions between US and Russia. Mr. Whymper (loosely alluring Western intellectuals) is hired by Napoleon to represent Animal Farm in the human society.

Horses: Boxer is the hardest-working entity in the animal farm. He is dedicated to the success of the farm. Boxer invests all his loyal, kind, dedicated self to the farm’s „good“ as portrayed to him by the farms leaders. His hoofs eventually splits and he is sent to death by Napoleon when he could not work any more (and Napoleon spread the rumor that he died peacefully in a hospital). „I will work harder“ was the motto of Boxer in any tough situation, and his brain-washed trust was shown by his maxim „Napoleon is always right“. Clover is Boxer’s companion. She works with Boxer and loves him and cares for him, and takes the blame on herself when Boxer splits his hoof. She is deeply respected by the three younger ones who eventually take Boxer’s role. Mollie is a third horse – a self-centered mare – who wears ribbons in her mane and eats sugar cubes (lives a life of luxury), and is pampered by humans. Later she leaves for another farm seeking better comfort.

Other animals: Benjamin, the wise donkey who could read also, represents the Jews and lives till the end of the novel. Muriel is a wise old friendly goat like Benjamin, but dies earlier in the novel from old age. The cat represents laziness, the rats represent some arbitrary people who roam around, the sheep represent the masses (and Napoleon manage the sheep such that he is supported and believed by them) and the hens represent the rich peasants. Moses is an old raven (bird) that sometimes visits the farm from Sugarcandy Mountain, a place where the hard-working animals go after death he claims. The puppies are the ones that Napoleon specially raises and makes a secret police out of them. They become one of the backbones of Napoleon’s power in the Animal Farm.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg