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What does it mean when a housing market has an increase in second home ownership? The number of second homes in England rose by 2.6% in 2009 following a contraction in 2008 of -0.4%. This rise, which equated to 6,212 additional second homes, pushed the total to an all-time record of 245,384. Does this indicate further investment in second homes to let or an increase in wealth? Low mortgage rates in the UK could also be a factor as well as favorable currency exchange rates.  On the down side it  could be interpreted as difficulty to sell a second home with a lack of buyers seeking a typical second home.

From a social perpective does second home ownership mean real estate stock laying empty when others could do with a home. Does second home ownership push up house prices making it even harder for people to get a foot on the housing ladder?  

Liam Bailey, head of residential research at Knight Frank, comments: "The number of second homes in England has been steadily rising over recent years. The recession and credit crunch saw this trend falter in 2008 - when the total fell by 912 (or 0.4%). The recovery in 2009 - with an additional 6,212 English second-homes, marked a return to long term growth.

More figures here : Second Homes Increase In England

Barbados real estate tends to be at high end of the scale when searching for property to buy in the Caribbean. Barbados is home to celebrities and the rich who are attracted to the friendly nature of the people and unspoilt beaches not too mention the superb climate.

The small island that has attracted a huge amount of international real estate investment mainly from the UK, Canada and US. Recent property developments tend to be constructed with wealthy buyers in mind.

See an good example at Portico Barbados a contemporary apartment block on the beach with prices starting at a cool $4,950,000

Weston Resort Changes Everything

Weston resort Barbados presents rare opportunity to buy property in Barbados at prices not seen before in Barbados. It is an opportunity to benefit from the real estate market in Barbados where tourism can create a regular income for property owners. Imagine an Investment Real Estate in Barbados

Phase one includes 21 one to four bedroom apartments (many with sea views), large free-form pool area with sun terraces, plus beautifully landscaped gardens and pavilion house reception.

All just 40 metres from the beach and situated in 'The most charming and sophisticated of all Caribbean Island destinations'

Prices

1 to 4 Bedroom Gated Condominium Development

Price: USD 144,000 to USD 480,699

More Here Weston Resort, St James, Barbados

British Musician, and TV presenter,Mylene Klass has caused a huge debate in the UK about a home owners right to self defence when an intruder breaks into their home. Unlike in the US where burglars are fair game upon trespass the British law is a lot more complicated.

Myleene Klass was warned by police for waving a knife at teenagers who were peering into a window of her house late at night. She was in the kitchen with her daughter upstairs when she spotted the youths in her garden just after midnight on Friday. She grabbed a knife and banged the windows before they ran away. British police warned her she should not have used a knife to scare off the youths because carrying an "offensive weapon", even in her own home, was illegal.

Klass's spokesman, Jonathan Shalit, said the former Hear' Say singer was "utterly terrified" by the intruders and "aghast" at the police warning. "All she did was scream loudly and wave the knife to try and frighten them off," he told the Sunday Telegraph. "She is not looking to be a vigilante, and has the utmost respect for the law, but when the police explained to her that even if you're at home alone and you have an intruder, you are not allowed to protect yourself, she was bemused." 

British law allows for self defence but it has to be reasonable and proportionate and nothing to do with revenge. In the past British home owners have been jailed for assault as a result of what the law deemed as excessive force on Burglars.

Surely once an intruder steps into your house or real estate seeking to steal or harm you and your family they should lose all rights?

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