Cayman's star swimmers Shaune and Brett Fraser, put their optimism in the pool down to sheer hard work, excellent coaching, and the fact that they have trained for years with the legendary Ryan Lochte. 
They are Cayman's best hopes for Olympic glory when the London Games start in just a few weeks 
time. 
Shaune, 24, said: "We're in a situation to do pretty well in London. We've done some pretty good times going into the competition. 
The brothers both compete in three events. Brett, 22, is in the 50 meters, 100m and 200m freestyle and Shaun is in the 100m and 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly. 
They have trained for the last few years in Florida with American star Lochte. Lochte is vying with Michael Phelps to be the sport's supreme athlete, having beaten his arch-rival in the recent US Olympic trials. 
Shaune said: "Obviously, Ryan has proved that he might be the best swimmer in the world. He's right up there with Phelps, and training with Ryan you learn how to be the best, he works really hard to reach his peak."




Source:compasscayman.com

Last week, supported by friends and family, year 11 and 13 students celebrated their graduation from St. Ignatius Catholic School. 
The Year 11 certificates were presented by Reverend Canon Joseph Mallia, Pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Allen Park, Michigan. While the Year 13 certificates were presented by the Premier, Hon. W. McKeeva Bush. 
The Year 11 Chamber of Commerce Student of the Year Award was presented by His Excellency, the Governor, Mr. Duncan Taylor, to Prateek Jagadeesh. Prateek graduated with a 4.16 grade point average, won five subject awards and took part in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities throughout Years 10 and 11. Prateek was also awarded the Ernst and Young Achievement Award for Academic Excellence 2012. Mr. Jeff Short of Ernst and Young presented him with a beautiful framed certificate and a check for $1000. 
Rev. Canon Mallia gave the graduation address. He told the students how important it was that they were aware that they didn't just graduate, but they were able to graduate from a Catholic school. He cited Pope Benedict's words that "the essential task of authentic education at every level is not simply that of passing on knowledge, essential as this is, but also of shaping hearts." He challenged the graduates to continue to be thinkers and not just to accept everything they hear, especially in the world of technology. 




Source:compasscayman.com 

 

Property - such as small condos and single-family houses that you rent out  are fantastic investments due to there always being insufficient housing, and you'll find there are always lots of people who are able to rent but are not in position to purchase their own home. Due to the high price of owning a home, and the reality that it is usually purchased with borrowed funds, there will always be available tenants, those who are unsure of taking on such a financial commitment. 

The main advantage real estate provides offers is leverage. Having a small amount of cash - or possibly no cash at all, in a few cases - you can buy property worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The second advantage is the price appreciation that occurs in real estate, whether it's through inflation, or remodeling, or just the fact that buyers and sellers are working in a fluctuating market, usually with only a little understanding about the real value of property. 

The house that you just bought yesterday for $60,000 may be worth $65,000 to another person. Locate that person and you have made yourself $5,000. Cost may also be elevated as a result of the law of supply and demand. The supply of housing is growing progressively, with the population which is expanding, through both the consistent flow of immigrants looking for a place to reside in and our reliance in the traditional way of growing our families. As long as the supply of housing fails to keep up with the demand, prices will continue to increase. 

Additional elements affecting the price of property will be the general economic condition in your area, the state of the surrounding neighborhood, the condition of your home, the financing terms, time-frame involved, owner financing, down payment, amongst other factors.

 

Become a Property Investor - 10 Important Secrets 

Where investing in Cayman Islands real estate is concerned, everyone has certain goals and aspirations. However, we have discovered that there is certain information that every aspiring real estate investor should know: 

1. Compare Property Values and Rents 
The best way of measuring a property's market price is often the sale prices of nearby properties. Exactly the same is true for area rents. Low cost can frequently be justified with a reasonable rent and tenants who are able to afford a higher rent are able to afford to purchase a property instead, so reasonably price rent is necessary. 

2. Be Cautious - Tax Laws and regulations May Change 

Don't base your tax investment on current tax laws and regulations. The tax code is continually altering, and a great investment is a great investment no matter what the tax code. The best property using the right financing is what you need to search for as an investor. 

3. Focus On Something You Know 

Begin in a market area you are familiar with. Whether you concentrate on fixer-uppers, house foreclosures, starter houses, low-down payment properties, condos, or small apartment structures, you will benefit from experience by concentrating on one area of investment real estate properties. 

4. Be Aware Of Costs Moving In 

Understand financial statements thoroughly. What exactly are operating expenses? What exactly are loan obligations? Vacancy costs? Taxes? What does the cash flow statement look like? All these are key issues that must definitely be addressed prior to making a concrete investment. 

5. Know Where Your Tenants Are coming From 

If the previous rent increase was recent, your tenants might be thinking about a move. If tenants possess a short-term lease, they might be living there only to attract trusting purchasers. It's also vital that you collect the tenants- security deposits at closing. 

6. Measure The Tax Situation 

Taxes are a fundamental element of effective property investing, plus they frequently make the difference between positive and negative cashflow. Be aware of the tax situation, and find out how it can be altered to your benefit. It is a good idea to speak to a tax consultant. 

7. Investigate Insurance Policy 

If seller's coverage is dependant on lower-than-current replacement value, your insurance cost may increase whenever you pay a higher purchase price. 

8. Confirm Utility Costs 

Request the local utilities to confirm recent utility expenses, particularly if these costs are incorporated in your tenant's rent. 

9. Talk To Your Accountant 

Taxation is a key factor of successful property investing, so be sure you locate an accountant who's experienced with the constantly changing tax code. 

10. Inspect 

Make certain that you always execute a thorough inspection of the property before purchasing it. Never, ever buy any property without at least studying the site. In some instances, employing professional personnel to look at the structural mechanical system might be a good investment.