The Lure Guide Center

Breaking The Real Estate Bubble Myth

Bubble? What bubble?

At the root of the Real Estate Bubble Myth is the fact that interest rates are on the rise and the inexplicable truth is that, all of a sudden, everybody is so worried and concerned about it. Interest rates have been steadily on the rise both in the United States and, by reflection, in Canada since mid-2004, so I will leave to psychiatrists and psychologists the arduous task of explaining the newest, interest-rates phobia. I will, however, delve into the reasons as to why interest rates have been on the rise for these past 18 months.

Interest rates are the most important mechanism of Monetary Policy used by Central Banks to expand or reduce the available pool of capital at any given time. Central Banks use this mechanism to control the level of aggregate demand for goods and services, a primary cause of economic fluctuations. By reducing the money stock the cost to the banks for using the available capital is raised and passed on to consumers with a mark-up factor. This, in turn, discourages consumer spending on goods and services and, conversely, stimulates consumer saving. The effects are widespread and reverberate throughout the economic basket including, of course, real estate. What, however, pays to bear in mind is that it is not so much the amount of the increase that is important but, rather, the time given for the economy to adjust. The effect of a one percent interest rate hike in one month is going to be very different - and much more dramatic - than the effect of a one percent rate hike in six months, and this is a fact very well known to both the Federal Reserve System and the Bank of Canada.

So much so, in fact, that David Dodge, the Governor of the Bank of Canada, as well as Alan Greenspan, the outgoing Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank and Ben Bernanke, the nominee for the Chairman position are all proponents of gradual interest rates increases. Prof. Bernanke in particular, in fact, has gone even as far as postulating an inflation-targeting approach designed to keep inflation in check at 2 percent over two years. All number-crunchers out there, therefore, consider this: the posted annualized U.S. rate of inflation calculated monthly for November, 2005 using the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is 3.46 percent, so all the Feds are talking about is a -1.46 percent inflation-targeting reduction programme over two years. That amount should be easy enough for everyone to absorb and it certainly does not look nearly as ominous as the doomsayers are all too fond of depicting.

Contrary to the belief of many ‘bubbleologists’ and the uneducated guesses of ill-informed consumers, a rise in interest rates is actually a welcome variable for the economy and, moreover, it is specifically the tool needed to keep a bubble from bursting. An economic bubble as it is widely known - or perhaps it isn’t - occurs when speculation causes prices to increase, thus producing more speculation and subsequent price increases. The bubble bursts when prices of goods are so absurdly high that consumers either refuse or cannot afford to purchase, thus sending demand tumbling down. As real estate markets in North America have seen more than a fair share of speculation in recent times, it follows that a cooling-off trend through higher interest rates will have the beneficial effect of consolidating market wealth achieved thus far. The bubble would be likely to burst if no pressure were applied on speculation, thus increasing prices even further and causing demand to lower and finally collapse. Allowing the economy to get an even footing through a slowdown of capital appreciation and, at the same time, allowing real wages to catch up is exactly the tonic needed for a healthy foundation. Higher interest rates, moreover, promote domestic saving and attract foreign capitals thus reinforcing both the Greenback and the Loonie, another beneficial factor in finance albeit not in trade.

So, what is the prognostication for 2006? Real estate consumers need to look no further than at the prices large developers are asking - and collecting - today for new construction slated for completion by the end of 2006 and beyond. Prices for residential condos in the planning stage or just under construction sold ‘on paper’ today are about 10 percent higher than prices of equivalent existing resale units, which goes a long way to point out where big players think the real estate market is heading. The basis of this buoyance is that consumer confidence is stronger than ever. Just before the Holidays, in fact, the Feds reported that the Index of U.S. Consumer Confidence has risen to 103.8 from 98.3 in November, the second highest level since August, 2005 when the Index reached 105.5, a reflection of lower energy prices and an improved job market environment. Moreover, preliminary estimates already show an 8.7 percent rise in Holidays spending in the United States and a 7.6 percent rise in Canada over the same period last year. There is no valid reason to believe, under the circumstances, that consumer confidence applies to everything but real estate and that an economic bubble would affect only real estate markets and nothing else. Furthermore, Real Estate Boards across Canada and the United States report that inventory levels are ’seasonally normal’ - an indication that the anticipated glut of housing due to the inability of homeowners to meet mortgage payments has failed to materialize thus far. In fact, those who worry that adjustable-rate mortgages are a potential financial time-bomb ready to explode should be informed that while there has been a surge of new adjustable-rate mortgages over the past twelve months, especially in the United States, they account overall for less than 10 percent of the total existing inventory of mortgages held by banks. Furthermore, many adjustable-rate mortgages have allowed consumers to fix rates up to 10 years, and it is only borrowers of sub-prime mortgages that face monthly-payment adjustments after three years - which therefore means that the problem, if there is a problem, will come due in 2008, not in 2006. Interest rates increases have absolutely no impact whatsoever on the vast majority of mortgagors who have locked in already.

In conclusion, therefore, it certainly appears that the Real Estate Bubble theory belongs more to Greek mythology than the reality of our times. There is in progress right now a reduction of real capital values, which will continue for some time as the direct consequence of the markets taking a breather. This trend is expected to settle real estate markets to new, more commensurate pricing levels before appreciation will surge upwards once again. Where the difference will be seen more likely than not is in the annualized rate of appreciation: gone are the times of twenty percent capital appreciation increases from year to year. As interest rates are steadily, gradually increasing, expectations in economic circles range from a conservative 5 percent to an optimistic 10 percent housing appreciation in value by this time next year. But there is no question that real estate markets still have a way to go to make up for years of decline. Those who theorize the collapse of the housing market by comparing it to the stock market are fundamentally incorrect. At its core the housing market, like the stock market, is all about supply and demand. However, the difference is that investors base their decisions to buy into stocks on future potential whereas investors base their decisions to buy into housing on inherent value. Moreover, externalities as varied as immigration, internal migration trends, marriage trends and cultural precepts as well as generation gaps affect real estate markets whereas they are totally missing in stock markets. As such, real estate markets just do not ‘crash’ like stock markets. There is not going to be in real estate the infamous Black Monday - October 19, 1987 - when the Dow Jones collapsed 22 percent in value in one day. When people buy into stocks there is no guarantee whatsoever that the companies they are buying into will be still in business five, ten, fifteen years down the road. Real estate markets, conversely, are far, far safer.

In the absence, therefore, of external negative influences the likes of wars, terrorist attacks or devastating virulent pandemics - which, on the other hand, would affect the entire economy - and until such time as consumers exhibit confidence and purchasing power the way they have been doing thus far, there is no reason to fear bubbles of any kind anywhere in real estate. Hence, do not expect to hear a popping sound any time soon.

Luigi Frascati - EzineArticles Expert Author

Luigi Frascati is a Real Estate Agent based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and maintains a weblog entitled the Real Estate Chronicle at http://wwwrealestatechronicle.blogspot.com where you can find the full collection of his articles. Luigi is associated with the Sutton Group, the largest real estate organization in Canada, and is based with Sutton-Centre Realty in Burnaby, BC.

Luigi is very proud to be an EzineArticles Platinum Expert Author. Your rating at the footer of this Article is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Instant Approval Credit Cards Online

You probably already get propositioned many times a day as you browse through the Internet for “instant approval credit cards.” Many legitimate companies do offer incentives for you to sign up for an instant approval credit card online. The most convenient of these incentives is the gratification of knowing that with very little hassle you can enroll in a credit card program, no matter what your credit score. However, if you do enroll in an instant approval credit card online, there are some details that you should be aware of.

What You Should Know

First, as with an agreement you sign, it is important that you read the fine print. Make sure you know what you are signing up for when you apply for your instant approval credit card. Before you even fill out any forms, it is important that you determine whether or not a company is actually legitimate or not. Thus, take time to perform ample research online. Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure that they are registered and have no complaints against them. Do a simple online search for discussion boards that may reference a particular company. Also, make sure that you thoroughly review the terms of the agreement. There may be a hefty interest rate that you will have to pay if you cannot pay off you balance each month. You may even be required to pay fees in exchange for the convenience of having instant access to a credit card.

How the Credit Card Companies Benefit

Companies that offer instant approval credit cards online know that consumers look online for fast return. They want to purchase items and see the results of their work almost instantaneously. For this reason, they have found that offering instant approval credit cards is an ideal way to get clients that like results. The companies benefit from the convenience of offering the instant approval by either imposing annual fees or steep interest rates. If you can pay the entire credit card balance off, then you won’t have a problem with the high rate. The real problem for people occurs when they lock into an instant approval online credit card program and charge a lot of money to the card, but then have no means of paying the balance down in a short amount of time. Thus, they spend a lot of money on high interest rates.

What Not to Do

When enrolling in an instant approval online credit program of any kind, keep in mind that your information is important. Not only too many illegitimate credit card companies sell your information to marketers, but you also run the risk of lowering your credit score with each credit card that you open and close. Therefore, the best method is to invest in only a few credit cards a build customer loyalty with a specific company. You can find the instant credit card approval online relatively simple — just stick with the company so that you build a history.

Credit card companies know that if they offer instant approval credit cards, they are highly likely to get clients quickly. The Internet and related technologies have facilitated the movement of business and information at lightning speeds — literally. If you are enrolling in an instant approval credit card online, the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to do your research about a particular company and then read the fine print carefully. Good luck — and happy spending!

For more about instant approval credit cards online, Robert Alan recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com

Can This Relationship Be Helped?

I have been counseling couples for 35 years. Quite often individuals come in for help wondering if it is really possible to save or improve their relationship. Perhaps their partner is totally uninterested in working on the relationship. Perhaps their partner is an alcoholic or drug addict. What are their chances of saving their relationship?

Since two people always get together at their common level of woundedness, here is what I say to the partner who has sought my help: “As long as you choose to remain in this relationship, there are things for you to learn. Each partner contributes their 100% to the relationship. While it is often easy to see what your partner is doing that is harmful to the relationship, it is often difficult to see what you are doing. Yet until you learn about your part in this relationship system, you will take your own dysfunctional behavior with you into another relationship. It’s generally a waste of time - unless there is physical abuse - to leave a relationship before healing your own end of the system. The time to leave is when you have learned to make yourself happy regardless of what your mate is doing. When you learn to take 100% responsibility for your own feelings and needs, and if your partner is still behaving in ways that are unacceptable to you, then it’s time to leave. You need to discover how to respond to your partner in ways that are loving to yourself and that support your own joy and highest good.”

When the partner who is available to counseling does his or her inner work, one of two things happen. Either the other partner likes what is happening and becomes more open, or the relationship becomes more distant and difficult. I tell my clients that it is a 50-50 deal - half the time things get better and half the time they get worse. They need to be okay with either outcome. If fact, I encourage them to let go of the outcome and just be in the process of learning how to take loving care of themselves.

Let’s take some examples. Craig is unhappy in his marriage because his wife, Gloria, is often angry and judgmental toward him. Craig sees himself as the victim of Gloria’s unloving behavior, blaming her for his unhappiness. However, Craig is a equal part of the relationship system. He generally reacts to Gloria’s anger with compliance, giving himself up in his covert attempt to control Gloria’s anger. He believes that being a “nice guy” will control her feelings and behavior. So, while Gloria is attempting to overtly control Craig, Craig is attempting to covertly control Gloria. Until Craig starts to speak his truth rather than give himself up as his form of control, he will feel resentful and distant with Gloria. If he has the courage to take loving care of himself by speaking his total truth without blame or judgment, and take loving action for himself based on his truth, then either things will get better or they will get worse. The only way Craig will be able to be honest and take care of himself is if he is willing to lose Gloria rather than continue to lose himself.

Marilyn is married to Martin, a non-abusive functioning alcoholic. The problem for Marilyn is that when Martin drinks, which is every night, he completely disconnects from her and she feel very lonely with him. She’s tried in many ways to get Martin to connect to her, but nothing has worked. Most nights, Marilyn just watches TV, feeling sad and alone.

Until Marilyn decides to do whatever she needs to do to make herself happy, nothing will change. If she decides to take classes, get together with friends, join a support group or go to Alanon, she will no longer be a victim of Martin’s decision to withdraw through alcohol. If Marilyn continues to take care of herself over a time - six months to a year - and nothing changes, then she can decide to leave. Or, she can decide to stay and just continue making herself happy. The possibility also exist that when Marilyn stops pulling on Martin to make her happy, he may decide to deal with himself rather than be left alone most of the time.

Can this relationship be helped? Maybe. Do your own inner work and find out!

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including “Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?” She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: www.innerbonding.com or mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.

margaret@innerbonding.com

Divorce Online Sevice - Why Should We Lose Money And Time Applying For Divorce?

Attempts to use the worldwide Web as an effective means of struggle against bureaucracy are undertaken constantly and sometimes successfully. Today it is possible to fill in a tax declaration, apply for bankruptcy or to receive a legal consultation. And lately there are sites offering online divorce services.

It is usually easier to marry than to divorce, especially if the spouses who wish to do so must divide their common property as well.

Divorce is extremely difficult business in rich families. For wealthy Americans in this case, it is accepted that the former husband or wife may pay rather large sums of money for the divorce process. It is not enough that the divorce in itself involves strong emotional stress, so they also pay an extra thousand on top of the $10-20,000 to lawyers to carry out this occupation, and sometimes it is even more.

Why should we lose the money and time applying for divorce, if there is the cheap and fast alternative - divorce online. You find the site, take your mouse, you press on the button - and you are a divorced person. With a minimum of formalities, as in Las Vegas, for the conclusion of a failed marriage appears the divorce.

To terminate a marriage on site, a couple wanting to apply for divorce need only a credit card and a computer with access to the Internet. The divorce case was finished within 30 minutes and cost $199.

People who hate discussing and relaying specific instances in dialogues with lawyers use the services of the site. In the virtual world of divorce, the couple that does not require court, after inputting all necessary data for divorce, merely prints the forms, signs them, and sends them to the judge. That is all.

The high cost of lawyers has not forced people to refuse divorce. The deep reasons for divorce lie in the emotional - sensual sphere. The most painful and unpleasant situation is dialogue with a third party hired to engage in and bear your personal problems in general divorce discussion.

The founder and head of a company like Legalhelper.org that supplies online documents for divorce disagrees with the opinion of opponents that cheap divorce can minimize the importance of divorce. It is true that the divorce will cost them only $199 but this will not push the majority of people to end less-considered marriages faster and more often. Similarly, the high cost of lawyers has not forced people to refuse divorce. The deep reasons for divorce lie in the emotional - sensual sphere. The most painful and unpleasant situation is dialogue with a third party hired to engage in and bear your personal problems in general discussion.

Note that Legalhelper.net provides an easy-to-use, quick, and economical online method for creating completed legal forms from its site for your uncontested divorce (either no-fault divorce or fault divorce).

About The Author

James Wood - Software programmer for 15 years

Find Out Why Fruity Lubes are Magnificent and When to Use Sex Lubricants

Not decided which sex lube to purchase? These questions will probably be discussed in this tremendous water based lubricant blog post.

Fruity Lubes are not simply for intercourse. Slicking up for single fun is one of the most common uses for lubes, fruity oils and fruity lotions. Using lubrication during one on one fun is safe, wonderful and practical. You yourself will want your marital aids to go in and slide as far as possible.

If women are looking for a lubricant which is safe to apply with all dongs stick to a water-based sex lube, there are lots of tasty varieties out there like lime. And there are some that tingle. Add a spice of luxury into your sex life with Glass Dildos.

Veteran users will already know what sexual lubricant is most perfect for them. But if you yourself are buying a lube for the 1st time we would like to recommend the following. It?s wise to start off with a water-based sexual lubricant. Water-based sex lubes don?t stain and fruity lubricants are likewise totally safe to experiment on all sex toys. If you want to try a water based lube for oral play we recommend you get one of the succulent blackberry flavoured ones. Anal supporters tend to go for heavier lube because these sex lubes are a little longer lasting. Remember, the more fruity lubricant you have the more good sex you can have.

Types of Bridal Shower Favors

The first types of bridal shower favors that you will need are door prizes.Traditional bridal shower games include games like Toilet Paper Wedding Gown Designer, The Life Thread Game, and Balloon Pop Games.

Next you will need bridal shower favors that you can hand out as game prizes.You can save money by buying a pre-printed set of bridal shower invitations, or by making your own.Other possible bridal shower ideas for themes include: Hawaiian theme, Western theme, Beach theme, tropical theme, kinky theme, or Victorian theme.Bridal showers with themes will need to find games that incorporate an element of the theme into the game.For example you can use the bride’s favorite movie as inspiration for the bridal shower’s theme.The final things that your bridal shower ideas will need to be applied to are bridal shower games.The bridal shower decorations that you will need include: table cloths, napkins, centerpieces, glasses, draping fabric, banners, and wall hangings.The theme of the bridal shower should reflect something that the bride-to-be likes.In addition to bridal shower invitations and decorations, your bridal shower ideas also need to be translated into bridal shower favors.Finally you will need bridal shower favors that can be given to all of the guests just for showing up.Next you will need to take your ideas and apply them to the decorations for the bridal shower.Bridal Shower Themes, Ideas and Decorations

The first step in planning a bridal shower is to come up with a list of bridal shower ideas for possible party themes.The cost of the bridal shower invitation will be based on the material that it is made out of, the vendor that offers the bridal shower invitations, how many invitations you order, and if the invitations are customized.

After the theme for the bridal shower has been selected the next step will be to pick out an invitation design that compliments the bridal shower theme.For example a western themed bridal shower may offer games that incorporate props like cowboy hats, cowboy boots, and lassos.Your decorations should reflect the theme of the bridal shower, and they should offer an aesthetic function as well as a practical function.

The Many Benefits of Microdermabrasion

There are numerous microdermabrasion benefits. One of the most noteworthy advantages is that there is no downtime after treatment. Microdermabrasion evolved from a technique called dermabrasion. Dermabrasion has been around for decades and was used to treat severe scarring by polishing the uppermost surface of the skin with an abrasive, metallic attachment. This highly effective technique requires recovery time, not to mention anesthesia. Microdermabrasion is gifted with a gentler, less invasive skin-resurfacing technology.

Microdermabrasion employs specially formulated creams that are packed with the power of micro-crystals. These ultra-exfoliating creams are designed to take skin care to a new level, especially when combined with a re-surfacing wand. The re-surfacing wand gently buffs or massages your tissues and drives out dead skin cells, oil, and entrenched contaminants. A brand new skin surface is revealed, healthier and revitalized. The treatment is painless, and should feel like a deep tissue massage.

This “lunch break facial” accommodates even the most frantic schedule. Not only is the treatment quick, it’s also versatile. You can luxuriate in microdermabrasion benefits from home, at your favorite spa, or your doctor’s office. Many home systems can even be incorporated into your morning routine. Ask your local salon about package deals.

Perhaps the most relished of all microdermabrasion benefits is that there are no discomfort-causing chemicals, scalpels, or lasers involved. Microdermabrasion does not utilize any of these tools, therefore effectively erasing all risks, recovery time, and commitment for comparable results. Microdermabrasion improves the appearance of skin texture, large pores, acne and acne scarring, dry or dull patches, sun spots, age spots, rough skin, blackheads and clogged pores, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, and dermal circulation.

Unlike cosmetic surgery and other invasive skin enhancing treatments, which cost thousands of dollars, microdermabrasion is just a fraction of the cost. Home kits can be bought for as low as $20. Professional spa clinicians and medical professionals offer microdermabrasions treatments for as low a $100. Frequently, many health spas, beauty salons, cosmetic surgeons, and dermatologists offer discounts when you combine other services or opt for ongoing treatments.

Microdermabrasion fuses beauty and health into a single treatment, providing a safe alternative to invasive, skin-resurfacing techniques. So with peace of mind, indulge your skin with one of the most innovative and effective skincare techniques to come along in decades. As always, consult your doctor or skin care specialist on any treatment program.

Microdermabrasion Info provides detailed information on microdermabrasion, a progressive skin re-surfacing technique that targets wrinkles, lines, superficial scarring, stretch marks, acne, and sun damage. Microdermabrasion Info is the sister site of Acne Treatment Web.

Peyote Is Not Bad For You

Peyote is not harmful.

It has been shown in a recent study that there is no relation between using peyote and brain damage or psychological problems. This hallucinogenic cactus is often used by American Indians in religious ceremonies.

Also, in McLean Hospital, researchers from Harvard found that members of the Native American Church performed better on some psychological tests than other Navajos who did not regularly use peyote.
Since 1994, for 300,000 members of the Native American Church, it was legal the usage of peyote as a religious sacrament. Five years of study showed that the hallucinogenic substance is not a dangerous one even if used frequently.

John Halpern, a psychiatrist of McLean conducted the study. The study has been made on 60 persons who used peyote at least 100 times, comparing them to 79 persons who did not use peyote frequently and 36 persons who seldom used peyote but who have a history of alcohol abuse. The results showed the last ones were worst on the test. It is not proved that peyote has a pharmacological effect that improves human health.

Harrison Pope, the senior author of the study and director of the biological psychology laboratory at the hospital said: “It’s hard to know how much of it is an actual sense of community they get (from the religion) and how much of it is the actual experience of using the medication itself,”

‘Reassurance’ for religious users

The researchers argue that their findings should offer “reassurance” to the 10,000 Native American Church members serving in the military who were barred from using peyote before new guidelines were adopted in 1997.

They wrote in their paper published in the Nov. 4 issue of Biological Psychiatry: “We find no evidence that a history of peyote use would compromise the psychological or cognitive abilities of these individuals,”

There must be a clear distinction between religious and illegal use of peyote. They assumed that other hallucinogens such LSD could be dangerous.

No ‘flashbacks’ observed

The mescaline, which is a substance contained in peyote, is described as more sensual and perceptual in comparison to LSD, and also less altering of thought and sense of self. The peyote does not seem to produce “flashbacks” in the same way as LSD.

This study was funded by National Institute on Drug Abuse, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A NIDA spokeswoman would not comment on the study.

“The thing that excites me most about the paper is that the study was actually done”, said Lester Grinspoon, a Harvard Medical School psychiatry professor who was not involved in the research. “The U.S. government and NIDA, in particular have been rather balky about allowing studies of psychedelic drugs of any kind before.”

I grew up in Tulsa and then moved out to Los Angeles. I’ve been here a few months and already I scream in traffic at people. www.thelosangelesnewsblog.com/

Discover the Symptoms of Losing Your Hair

The correct term for losing your hair is alopecia. The most common sort of alopecia is male pattern baldness and affects roughly over a quarter of guys and women. This type of baldness is typically forever.

Permanent hair loss comes in 3 forms. Male pattern baldness will often start to develop in the extraordinarily early part of a males life, with hair loss beginning as young as twenty years old. The normal first signs might often include loss and baldness of hair follicles around the top of the head and furthermore at the hairline above the forehead. The result will be partial or full baldness. For hair loss advice and treatments including laser visit Advanced Hair Studio.

Girl pattern baldness is similar to male pattern baldness resulting in permanent hair follicle loss. This type of hair loss and baldness is frequently developed after a mother gives birth to her child. The hormone imbalance causes hair loss although girls do not naturally experience total hair loss.

The last kind of permanent hair loss is by Cicatricial. This happens when inflammation in the scalp causes scarring of the scalp and the hair strands fall out forever and never come back. The gentleman may lose hair folicles in different sections, or even spread all over the scalp.

With permanent hair loss the astonishing solution for loads of men and women will often be to seek advice from a baldness clinic in order to gain back hair regrowth.

Spiegel Grove, the Largest Florida Keys Shipwreck for Scuba Divers

The latest shipwreck dive site in the Florida Keys for scuba divers is the USS Spiegel Grove. This is a former US Navy Landing Ship Dock that was sunk in 2002 to create an artificial reef in Key Largo, much like the Duane and Bibb ships were in the same general area. The Spiegel Grove is 510 feet in length and 84 feet wide making it the largest of the shipwrecks accessible to scuba divers in the Florida Keys. This wreck sits at a depth of 134 feet near Dixie Shoals and the depth at the highest point of the ship is about 60 to 65 feet depending on the tide level.

The Spiegel Grove had been lying on her starboard side after initial sinking and was reported to be a great dive. Hurricane Denis which greatly affected the south Florida area, actually made this wreck dive even better. The waves and surges from the hurricane were strong enough to push the entire ship to an upright position much like how the Duane is sitting. This resulted in better orientation of the ship for scuba divers especially since there are some swim throughs located throughout the wreck.

Most of the scuba dive operators in Key Largo have dive trips to the Spiegel Grove since this site is the latest rage in the local scuba diving. Since it is a deep dive, advance certification is required. Scuba divers can also dive the Spiegel Grove as part of their advance certification course. The dive plan for this wreck is very similar to that of the Duane. The dive site is often in an area with heavy currents so as soon as divers jump in the water, they have to go grab a line and pull themselves towards the front of the dive boat where the line is attached to the descent line. Divers then pull themselves down towards the wreck. Unlike the Duane which has descent lines on both ends of the ship, the Spiegel Grove has three lines since it is a much larger ship. The ascent and safety stop is on these same lines since the currents can be strong at any depth. It is highly recommended that any cameras and other devices are secured by lanyards since losing them in these currents is possible.

As one descends on the Spiegel Grove, one will see just how large this ship is. This will keep many divers excited. Lots of divers in the area have dived the Spiegel Grove before and are only happy to dive it again to explore the different compartments accessible in the wreck. This ship is also unique as it has a large crane in the stern area since it was used as a landing ship dock. For enthusiasts interested in the beauty of shipwrecks themselves, this will be considered a great dive. The only downside to this dive is the amount of marine life on the wreck. Barracuda, large angelfish and other fish can be spotted on the Spiegel Grove but not nearly as many as on the Duane. This is why some divers may still prefer the Duane over the Spiegel Grove if marine life is their primary interest in scuba diving. But the Spiegel Grove is still a relatively new dive site compared to the Duane so in time, the amount of marine life will increase at this site making it even better in the future. Both the Spiegel Grove and the Duane are highly recommended dives for all scuba divers with a minimum of advance certification when diving in the Key Largo area.

Clint Leung is a NAUI certified Master and Rescue Scuba Diver. He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com) , an online retailer/designer specializing in premium quality scuba diving activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has numerous information resource articles on scuba diving as well as free eCards.

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