Of course, of you buy a 5-10 year old house, you're likely to need to do some repairs/replacement during the 5-8 year holding period you're looking at anyway. - One advantage to buying a newer home is that you're more likely to get some on the in features already- granite countertops, open floor plans, etc.
If you are uncertain about how much to give, just to tip based on your bill. Generally, 10% - 15% of the bill is the most proper amount. For the tour guide and the driver, 10-70 RMB (1 - 10 US dollars) a day per person is adequate.
When planning your cruise, check with your travel agent or the cruise line about the tipping policy. Often the recommended tips, which run from about $10 to $20 per passenger per day, are published either in the cruise brochure or on the cruise line Web page. The cruise director will also remind passengers about how much and whom the cruise line recommends you tip.