Between May and October you might be able to hear a lot of wedding proposals, guests-lists debates and girly cake testing sessions. However the honeymoon destination and organization is often set aside due to more ‘essential’ topics. In order to make your first wed days as fantastic as possible, we made a selection of the best places in Indonesia to set your honeymoon days off. The Indonesian archipelago counts more than 17,000 islands so from Bali, Raja Ampat, Flores, Sulawesi or Sumatra, the possibilities are endless. These islands encompass thousands of dialects, cultures and ethnicities, placing Indonesia as a dream destination for all honeymooners.
A honeymoon in Bali is everlastingly mainstream – this Hindu island sits the world’s biggest Muslim country, and its coast is home of the best beaches on the planet.
Avoiding large resorts and hotels is easy in Bali. Many little and unique villas offer incredible beach views in a more local environment. Either facing the Indian Ocean and resting in a Coconut grove beside temples or traveling to the south of the island toward surf breaks you will find the place where relaxing and discovering the Indonesian culture will match perfectly.
Feeling the atmosphere of the country itself is essential. Head to Ubud – a town in the heart of staggering rice paddy and waterway valley scenes. The area is enclosed by conventional towns which are home to some of Bali’s most gifted artisans and skilled workers. Investigate towns by bike and try your hand at Balinese cookery. Get down to a cascade or have your late pre-marriage ceremony favored by a Balinese cleric. Facing any of these landscapes you will find many villas and hotels and some more in the city.
Only 40 miles east of Bali easily connected to its sister island by boat or even with a short flight. You can appreciate a wide range of watersports including amazing snorkeling sites and plunging on the coral reefs of the close-by Gili Islands. White sand and fine accommodations, the daring honeymooners can head inland, trekking to Sasak towns, waterfalls and notwithstanding handling the incomparable Mount Rinjani on an overnight outdoors experience.
Many tourists are drawn to Indonesia hoping for an Eat, Pray, Love experience. But as newly married couples, you will see easily why people describe the islands as spiritual, too. Definitely a good honeymoon spot to think during your wedding and after wedding preparation.
Take Java, Indonesia’s most crowded island could appear to be overpowering at first. Yet move far from the urban areas and you’ll discover unlimited perspectives of verdant rice paddies, beguiling towns and undiscovered beaches. Java is not presented in many honeymoon catalogs, but it does not mean there is no destination for it. Many hotels are now offering great honeymoon packages for their newly married guests. Following the development of tourism, the housing has also increased consequently. The island keeps its strong identity through its own culture, natural beauty and history: perfect for a honeymoon stay.
Right between Sumbawa and Flores, the Komodo archipelago is a preserved ecosystem synonym of nature and unique beauty. The archipelago is honoured with mind blowing shorelines extending from volcanic dark to unadulterated white or delicate pink sand. Dynamic coral reefs, top of the line scuba diving spots and the notorious Komodo Dragons will be your daily activities.
Perhaps not the major destination for honeymooners, the island offer however incredible outdoor activities from Kelimutu Volcano hiking and its surrounding landscape to astonishing seabeds.
Sumba is an island in eastern Indonesia, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands and in the province of East Nusa Tenggara. Quite unknown from touristic catalogs and still considered as a remote island, Sumba is quickly becoming a potential “New Bali’s” destination. If the name doesn’t sound familiar to you, maybe an image of its white-sand beach will have more success. Like in any Indonesian destination, the range of activities goes from remote surf spot to explore, to tropical jungles and magnificent bays to dive in. Sumba will be a the dreamed destination for adventurer-honeymooners.
And of course, elected Best hotel in the world by Travel & Leisure, the eco resort Nihiwatu is not to be missed!
Until recently a hidden heaven on the eastern part of Indonesia, Raja Ampat has bloomed into a new travel destination, while keeping it natural. It consists of 1,700 islands, all located in the far east of Indonesia, creating an archipelago in the West of Papua.
Known as one of the most remote places in the world, you might have the chance to discover incredible landscapes of untouched nature. This feeling of loneliness and adventure may be the perfect mixture for a paradisiac honeymoon.
Situated between Borneo (Kalimantan) and the Maluku Islands, Sulawesi is a place of adventure for honeymooners and nature lovers. From cities to remote villages and diving spots, Sulawesi will offer you an unconditional romantic experience through Indonesian culture and landscape. Its coastline defined by sandy beaches and coral reefs will make you discover an infinite variety of fish. While the interior lands are mountains and jungles and intense wildlife. This spot of paradise is just waiting for you, honeymooners.
So isn’t Indonesia the best honeymoon destination in the world? Adventure addicts, calm seekers or nature lovers, there are as many destinations as couple profiles. No need to search further, you found newlywed’s heaven !
When it comes to buying a home, there are more things to consider than you may realize. After all, it’s a lot more complicated than walking into the grocery store to buy a gallon of milk!
Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases the average person makes. As such, you can expect there to be a lot of preparation, negotiation, and paperwork involved. In addition to obtaining a mortgage and signing the paperwork, there are a number of other tasks that need to be completed before you can open the doors to your new home.
Here’s a quick crash course in Home Buying 101: what service providers you need to hire while purchasing your new home.
Ideally, you should start talking to lenders before you even begin looking for homes—and get pre-qualified for a mortgage as soon as possible.
Pre-qualification involves reviewing all of your finances, including income, expenses, and savings, with a lender.
Then, the lender will do some math and let you know exactly how much the bank is willing to loan you.
From all of our years of experience, we suggest using a local lender. Contact us for a list of the best in the Ann Arbor area. Continue reading →
If you’re actively looking for a new home to buy, it may be tempting to try and do it yourself, without a Realtor. After all, the agent isn’t really working for you, right?
There is a common misconception that real estate agents are only working for sellers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth!
When you’re buying a home, a real estate agent can help you make the right financial decision while maintaining your sanity.
Real estate agents live and breathe real estate, so they know how to navigate the market unlike anyone else.
An experienced Buyer’s Agent will keep you on top of the market, show you hard-to-find homes for sale, negotiate your buying terms, handle the bulk of your paperwork, and more. And it won’t cost you a penny!
In fact, here are the 4 things real estate agents do to eliminate stress from your home-buying process. Continue reading →
Should you be renting vs buying? There are some people who have not purchased homes yet because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.
As Entrepreneur Magazine, a premier source for small business, explained in their article, “12 Practical Steps to Getting Rich,”
“While renting on a temporary basis isn’t terrible, you should most certainly own the roof over your head if you’re serious about your finances. It won’t make you rich overnight, but by renting, you’re paying someone else’s mortgage. In effect, you’re making someone else rich.”
Christina Boyle, Senior Vice President and head of the Single-Family Sales & Relationship Management organization at Freddie Mac, explains another benefit of securing a mortgage vs. paying rent:
“With a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, you’ll have the certainty & stability of knowing what your mortgage payment will be for the next 30 years – unlike rents which will continue to rise over the next three decades.”
As an owner, your mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings’ which allows you to build equity in your home that you can tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee the landlord is the person with that equity.
Interest rates are still at historic lows, making it one of the best times to secure a mortgage and make a move into your dream home. Freddie Mac’s latest report shows that rates across the country were at 3.94% last week.
Whether you are looking for a primary residence for the first time or are considering a vacation home on the shore, now may be the time to buy. Let’s get together and talk about your options and see if buying is better than renting for you! 734-761-3060 or info@bouma.com. Start your home search here!
Recently, Freddie Mac reported on the benefits of homeownership. According to their report, here are the five benefits that “should be at the top of everyone’s list.”
Every three years, the Federal Reserve conducts a Survey of Consumer Finances in which they collect data across all economic and social groups. The latest survey, which includes data from 2010-2013, reports that a homeowner’s net worth is 36 times greater than that of a renter ($194,500 vs. $5,400).
In a Forbes article, the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun reported that now the net worth gap is 45 times greater.
When you purchase a home with a fixed rate mortgage, the majority of the payment (principle and interest) remain constant. On the other hand, rents continue to skyrocket. Your housing expense is much more stable if you own instead of rent.
According to the Tax Policy Center’s Briefing Book -“A citizen’s guide to the fascinating (though often complex) elements of the federal Tax System” – there are several tax advantages to homeownership.
Most surveys show that a major factor in purchasing a home is the freedom you have to design the home the way you want. From paint colors to yard accessories, you don’t need a landlord’s permission to make the house feel like a home.
The National Association of Realtors recently released a study titled ‘Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing.’ The study explained:
“Homeownership does create social capital and provide residents with a platform from which to connect and interact with neighbors…Owning a home means owning part of a neighborhood, and a homeowner’s feelings of commitment to the home can arouse feelings of commitment to the neighborhood, which, in turn, can produce interactions with neighbors.”
There are many benefits to homeownership, in addition to these top 5. Have you been considering purchasing a home, but aren’t sure where to start? Check out our state-of-the-art home search here. If you’re ready to get out and view a few homes, contact us at The Bouma Group, Realtors today at 734-761-3060 or email info@bouma.com and we’d be happy to help!
Want to visit the gym more? Finally complete the home improvement project you’ve been working on? Save money for that new watch/car/house/vacation? January 1 is the perfect time to jump start your goals. If you’re like most people, according to Money Magazine, you probably have “stay fit,” “spend less,” or “enjoy the most out of life” on your list of New Year’s resolutions.
Did a few real estate goals make it on your list, too? You’re not alone. Here are a few of the most popular home-buying or home-selling goals, and a few tips on how to achieve them.
You’re ready to take that first step to home ownership in the New Year. You likely already have an area or neighborhood in mind, and you have a few features that you’d like in your new home.
How to keep it: Buying a home is a major project. It may be easier for you to achieve this goal if you set smaller, more manageable goals, such as putting aside money every month for a down payment, reviewing your budget, and researching reputable lenders. Continue reading →
For many first-time home buyers, the idea of a 20% down payment is terrifying. It’s one of the biggest obstacles to homeownership. Maybe you want to own a home some day, but the thought of saving up thousands of dollars for a home purchase has deterred you from seriously considering it.
Believe it or not, it is possible to save enough money for a down payment and make your dreams of homeownership a reality. Here are just a few of the ways that you can start saving.
When saving for your first home, you’ll need to stick to a budget. Awareness of how much you spend can help you figure out where you can cut your costs. Consumer.gov outlines a few tips for creating a budget here.
Even if you don’t plan to buy a home for a few years, figuring out how much you can afford will make your savings goal more concrete. Don’t forget to include taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance in your monthly payment calculations. Here is an affordability calculator to help. Continue reading →
Scrolling through online listing photos, scouting for the best neighborhoods, and pondering décor in your new home is fun. But the home search itself is not the only enjoyable experience; the entire home buying process can be pleasant when you have access to the best tools.
First determine what price, location, size, and any special features your new home must have. Then you can hone in on your favorite properties by searching for additional features that you would prefer.
What do you want your monthly mortgage payments to be? We have an easy mortgage payment calculator you can use to find out how much you can afford for a home. This tool takes into account the length of the loan, the interest rate, and annual tax and insurance to calculate how much you will pay every month.
Owning a home is a dream for many people. You have the opportunity to invest in a place of your own and build equity, not to mention carve out a space that reflects who you are and what you love.
However, worries about down payments, property taxes, maintenance, and insurance (and student loans) can make buying a home seem like wishful thinking, which is why you may prefer to rent a home or apartment.
But is renting cheaper than buying a home? There are more than just financial costs to consider. Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renting.
As a renter, you’re paying hundreds of dollars a month to live in your community, and if you want to move, it’s much easier. But renting a home doesn’t offer you investment opportunities.
Unlike paying off your home loan and building equity, the money you pay when you rent goes straight to the property owner or manager.
As this recent Forbes article explains, your credit score often does not factor in your on-time monthly rent payments, so renting a property is not a great way to build credit.
Additionally, renting doesn’t provide you with any tax benefits. If you own a home, however, you can deduct mortgage insurance and property taxes, and exclude capital gains when you sell.
Not all costs are financial. There are opportunity costs of renting a home instead of buying a home, and customization is one of them.
There may be rules and regulations in your rental community that prevent you from changing your space to fit your style, such as painting the walls or upgrading the kitchen. These rules may also prevent you from living with a pet.
Owning a home means you can create your own space (with your choice of countertops and kitchen cabinets), you can invest in home improvements, and you can live with your furry companion.
Forming deep connections with your neighbors is likely not high on your priority list if you’re a renter, especially when you consider that you will only be living in the community for a short time. If you desire to get to know your neighbors, home ownership is a better option.
Renting gives you flexibility and little maintenance to worry about. Buying a home is a long-term investment that gives you a space you can customize, helps you build credit and equity, and connects you with your community.
We want to help you make the best decision, and we have important real estate market resources that you can use to help you decide if renting is cheaper for you than buying a home. Just give us a call at 734-761-3060 or email info@bouma.com and we can talk about your plans!
If you are planning a wedding and still looking for your Las Vegas wedding photographer, the place to be Friday night is Veils, Tails & Cocktails where you can meet many of our photographers featured in our fashion galleries and in Real Weddings in 2014 Spectacular Bride issues.
While we had no images handy to post for these two Vegas photographers, they will also be at the show and have amazing work. Please make sure you stop by and visit them.
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