This year the 2011 Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo is “More than an 8 Second Ride,” come check out all the fair has to offer. Every year the year is a ton of fun for all ages. To start things off there is a Demolition Derby the night before the fair begins at 6:30pm with trials and 7:30pm is the racing; gates open at 4:00. There will be kiddie rides for the little ones and larger adrenaline pumping, carnival rides for the older ones. One could spend the whole day wandering through the exhibits, meeting new people, trying new food, and admiring the craftsmanship on display. The

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Property investors have been spurred back into action by stories of rising rents and accommodation shortages and are back in the market, according to the first BNZ-REINZ survey of 2012.

BNZ economist Tony Alexander said the latest survey revealed a lift in the number of agents feeling there are more investors in the marketplace.

“This is an important development in the context of the previous eight surveys when interest from investors was not seen to be changing,” he said.

“The increasing attention being given in the media to rental accommodation shortages and rising rents may be spurring investors back into action after retreating in the face of taxation policy changes.”

The survey found investors were especially active in Manukau City, where a net 52.6% of licensed real estate agents reported investor buying activity.

Other areas to see large numbers of agents reporting investor buying included North Shore City (50%), Dunedin City/Otago/Manawatu/Wanganui (40%) and Waitakere City (37.5%).

The survey also revealed the stark difference in investor activity between Auckland and Wellington, with a net 32.4% of Auckland City agents reporting investor buying activity against a net 11.1% for Wellington/Porirua/Hutt Valley.

Alexander also highlighted Christchurch for “attracting little interest from investors,” with a net -12.5% of agents seeing investors buying in Christchurch City.

Overall the survey revealed a sharp turn for the better in the residential housing market.

“Each of our eight major measures of housing market strength has risen over the past month to show a residential real estate market attracting more interest from investors, even more first home buyers appearing, buyers becoming more motivated than sellers, and prices more strongly perceived to be rising,” said Alexander.

Included in the survey’s positive results was an increased number of agents believing prices are rising (net 24% against 10% in December) and a sharp rise in agents seeing increased open home visits (49% against 0%).

Youve been looking online at homes for sale in Chicago. Youve identified a few that youre financially qualified to purchase and youd like to see them. Heres how to request showings.

How far ahead of time you need to request showings depends on where in Chicago the homes are located.

If the homes are located in the city closer to the suburbs than downtown, you might be able to see them with less than 24 hours notice. However, showings typically must be confirmed by the sellers, so dont expect to be able to see homes for sale in less than a couple of hours.

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Providence, R.I.-based startup accelerator Betaspring has raised $1.13 million of a planned $4.25 million for Betaspring Fund 100 LLC, according to an SEC filing. The news follows closely on Betaspring’s announcement that it has plans to move and expand, relocating to about 9,000 square feet at 95 Chestnut in Providence’s Jewel District. Owen Johnson, manager of Betaspring, said that the new funds would be used to fund an expanded roster of startups in each session at Betaspring through the end of 2013, which should add up to about 100 companies. To that end, Betaspring is about to start its first session of 2012, beginning in February, and Johnson said that already they have ramped up the number of startups to 16 from the last sessions count of 12. “Th

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This Saturday, August 13, 2011 the city of Prosser Washington will be hosting the 30th Annual Prosser Wine and Food Festival. The festival draws close to 2500 wine lovers from all over the region for an afternoon of fine wine and food. Stroll around tasting wine from 30 Washington wineries, enjoying food put together by local vendors, and trying beer from a couple local breweries as you enjoy the sounds of the local bands that will be performing.

The event will take place at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser Washington. Things will kick off at 2:00pm and last until 8:00pm.

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