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Vacation Rentals Need Property Management

April 15th, 2011

If you have a place that you only live in part of the year, you may want to consider renting it out the rest of the time. That way you can get some income to make your house payment, and you won’t have your home just sitting empty. Even if you don’t still owe on your home, renting it out for the extra money can be a great way to get cash that you don’t need to work for. A word of caution, though, in that you want to be careful who you rent to. Some people are much more careless with other people’s things, and you don’t want them destroying your home. A great way to find good renters is to use a property management company.

Because of a tight economy, a lot of people who have vacation homes can’t sell them, so they are renting them out. By getting a company to handle that for you, you don’t have to worry about where you are or what you’re doing. All you have to worry about is collecting the money that the property management company sends you and spending it however you like. Having a company manage your property isn’t free, of course, but the cost of it is generally worth paying for, since you avoid all of the hassle of trying to manage the property yourself. It can be particularly difficult to manage property if you don’t live nearby.

You can also have repairs scheduled and taken care of, and you can avoid the worries and problems that come with allowing a piece of property to sit empty and vacant while you’re living somewhere else. There’s too much chance of your vacation home being broken into and/or otherwise vandalized if you leave it empty for months and no one is around to check up on it.

Vacation Rentals Need Property Management

February 11th, 2011

photo credit: Skaneateles Suites

5 Popular Beach Vacation Rental Locations

August 31st, 2010

photo credit: rhett maxwell

A beach rental property can be a good choice when vacationing. Finding the best vacation spot can seem a little daunting, but here is a list of five popular beach vacation rental locations to help with the final decision.

Myrtle Beach

Located in South Carolina Myrtle Beach is a popular destination with a wide variety of attractions for the whole family. In addition to the beach, there are also numerous miniature golf courses, Boardwalk on the Beach which has the Ripley?s Aquarium, and live shows to be enjoyed.

Monterey

This city in California has several beautiful beaches and parks for fun in the sun, surfing and playing in the waves. Other things to do in the area include visiting the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium or taking a walk along Cannery Row visiting the various shops and restaurants finally ending up at the Fisherman’s Wharf.

Atlantic City

New Jersey is a popular destination for beach goers and Atlantic City has a lot on offer. From Casinos to the Atlantic City Boardwalk there is something for everyone. Visit the Absecon Lighthouse, the 3rd tallest lighthouse in the United States.

Long Beach

Long Beach has a reputation for their beaches, but there is more to the area than that. Take a walk through the Long Beach Museum of Art with its breathtaking ocean views or explore the historic Queen Mary during a guided tour. Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and more are only an hour away.

Miami Beach?

Florida is known for their beautiful white sand beaches. Miami Beach is a place to see and be seen on their seven mile stretch of beach. Other activities that can be enjoyed in the area are shopping and the local nightlife at the various night clubs in the area. Play a round of golf at the Miami Beach Golf Club or pamper yourself at a spa.

The choice is yours. Look into one of these five popular beach vacation rental locations for your next trip, and enjoy the luxuries of home away from home.

5 Popular Summer Vacation Rental Locations

July 30th, 2010

photo credit: the_tahoe_guy

Planning a good summer vacation in todays economy has led many to look into rental locations that offer family plans and time share packages. Among the most popular, are locations that provide the illusion of a home away from home. Vacationers are finding affordable summer rental locations to be more economical than the traditional hotel atmosphere.

Paris, France offers an array of cozy bed and breakfasts’ with affordable rates throughout the city. Private homes in the village of Montmartre cater to the visions shared by the thousands of visitors who pour into the eighteenth arrondissment in search of artistic inspiration. With attractions such as the Louvre, Notre dame,Tuileries Garden, quiet Parisian cafes and The Lamacck Caulaincourt metro station providing transportation, Paris is surely among the top 5 popular summer vacation rental locations.

Kissimmee and Orlando Florida provide a combined 6297 vacation rental locations. People coming and going from Disney world are planning their trips on-line and receiving affordable prices from property managers. The average five bedroom and four bathroom apartment, in a resort community close to Disney, can range anywhere from 139 dollars to 184 dollars a night. With selections of town homes, cottages and condos near the beach or downtown Kissimmee as well as Orlando are good selections for a family vacation.

For more personal owner contact, Lake Tahoe offers private family homes that allow family pets consideration, when planning extended vacations. From 200 a night to 2700 a week families have access to hiking and fishing as well as a local casino. Property managers provide clean, safe environments that leave guest feeling as if they have been visiting family. With Lake Tahoe being among the most popular summer vacation rental locations most families return once within four years.

Daytona Beach, Florida has a long record of summer rentals. Families rent rooms and homes for specific time periods convenient for those planning around spring break or summer vacation. Live entertainment is intended to give visitors a lasting impression. Prices vary by season, those who return year after year have standing rental agreements, assuring their family’s residence when on vacation.

10 Popular Beach Communities To Buy a Home

July 14th, 2010

photo credit: The.Rohit

The first beach comes to us from North Carolina. Nags Head Beach, The Outer Banks to be exact. This beach is a 130 mile string of barrier islands. This beach has immaculate beaches, vast fishing, and some remarkable history as well as sight seeing.

St. George Island State Park Beach, St. George Island, FL will be our second beach. This beach can be found in Florida?s panhandle with the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay on each side.

Glorietta Bay Beach, Coronado, CA. is in third place with year round humid weather, a calm surf area, and a place to have a nice family picnic with tables and a park.

Bowman?s Beach, Sanibel Island, FL is our next top spot. Being located on the gulf side of FL, with an impressive place for shelling, low waters, and white sandy beaches.

Hilton Head Island Beach, Hilton Head, South Carolina will be our fifth spot. This popular little island has 12 miles of beach and ample room for whale watching.

Indiana Dunes State Park Beach, Michigan City, Indiana is 6th. You?ll have 3 miles here to wander around the soft sand and vast in the sun.

Our 7th beach is Bathtub Beach, Stuart, FL. If you are looking to find a place that is great for surfing, this would be it. The surf can get big here and the reef offshore produces a lagoon like result of shallow, calm water.

Stewart Beach, Galveston, TX is next with a lot of beach options. Volleyball, sand castles contests and concerts for the entire family.

Higbee Beach, Cape May, NJ is ninth. Great place for bird and whale watching during the season. However, this beach is also a clothing optional beach.

Last but not least is Mayo Beach, Cape Cod, MA. Here you will find plenty of fishing to do. A playground for the kids across the street and calm waters to relax you while you bath in the sun.

10 Popular Winter Communities To Buy a Home

July 9th, 2010

photo credit: Poldavo (Alex)

Winter Haven, Florida
Dubbed the “chain of lakes” city because of the canal connected fresh water lakes that run through the area. The 2008 reported population was 26,487 and is now over 33,000.

Yuma, Arizona
The area boasts clean air, mountain views, and riverside attractions. As a popular and fast growing community, the people of Yuma put their focus on “A Commitment to Community” and maintaining a focus on citizens needs.

Indio, California
Another fast growing popular area, Indio, California, has a 2010 reported population of 84,393 with an additional 8,800 people choosing Indio as their winter home destination.

LaQuinta, California
As the “Gem of the Desert”, LaQuinta was dubbed by Robb Report in its 2003 Best Places to Live issue as “America’s Ultimate Golfing Destination”. LaQuinta, with its mountain views and multitude of amenities is another fast growing winter community.

West Palm Beach, Florida
Known for its amazing golf courses, rich arts and culture and beautiful weather this highly populated area had to be among our 10 popular winter communities to buy a home.

Jekyll Island, Georgia
Located just off the coast of Georgia, in Glynn county, this island boasts beautiful beaches and a rich history. A wide variety of wildlife also resides within the islands inland marshes.

Laughlin, Nevada
Known by many in the southwest to be the preferred destination over Las Vegas, Laughlin is comprised of venues for top entertainers, golfing, boating, shopping and much more. Laughlin is a growing winter home community.

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
As the water wonderland of New Mexico, the city of Truth or Consequences has geothermal hot springs, lakes, and rivers and also boasts clean air and mountain views.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Bursting with amenities like 60 miles of sandy beaches, savory restaurants, exciting night life, shopping, cultural activities, historic sites and much more.

McAllen, Texas
As tropical paradise, McAllen offers everything from birding and nature tourism to fine dining, shopping, and exciting sporting events. Just cross the boarder from Mexico, and you will find bargain shopping, sightseeing and cultural dining. All these factors help make McAllen one of our 10 Popular Winter Communities To Buy a Home.

Tips for Selecting a Vacation Rental

June 30th, 2010

photo credit: Jeff Kubina

When your family has made a decision as to where you will spend your vacation, it is time to start looking for the perfect house which will accomodate all of your needs. You need to remember that this is where you will spend a week or two eating your meals, resting, having family time together, and sleeping.

Before you rent a home there are some major factors to consider. The most important factor is if you can view recent photos of the interior and exterior of the home. You can read words about how great the master bedroom is with its own bath; however, there is no mention that it is a regular sized bed and the bathroom is so small it is difficult for one person to move around. If you have pictures this will solve these issues.

Your family should compile a list of “must haves” and another list of “options.” The list includes everything your family will need to be satisfied. This will include everything from a television, ample number of bedrooms, to offering a bbq. Your option list might include items that you would enjoy but are not mandatory, such as outdoor speakers.

Your family should also list the activities in which you hope to participate. You might want to be near an area where you can hike, or close to the ocean so you can hear the waves crashing to shore. Another consideration is the dates of your vacation. You might need to work around a school schedule or time restraints at work. Following this you should call the owners or property managers and speak to the people directly. Have your questions ready to ask.

During your conversation ask what amenities are included. Also, get information about interesting activities in the area as well as restaurants. Find out if the owners live in the area and if they have a full-time management team. Ask how long the home has been used as a vacation rental. Finally, when you look at the pictures, can all of your family members visualize having a great time in this home?

10 Tips for Buying A Beach House

June 18th, 2010

photo credit: antonious (www.anthonyaphoto.com)

Few things are more satisfying than a vacation spent at the beach. Thanks to the current real estate market, beach houses are more affordable than ever. Here are some tips for buying a beach house that will provide your family with great memories for years to come.

1. Become familiar with the areas you are considering. Spend enough time to know whether the lifestyle and attractions fit your family’s needs.

2. Make a list of what you require in a beach house. Think about number of bedrooms, full kitchen, etc..

3. Talk to people who already live in the area. Get a feel for the locals, since they are your potential neighbors. Ask people who have lived in the area for a few years what they like and any concerns they have.

4. Speak with local real estate agents. They have the knowledge to help you find the perfect beach house.

5. Find out the costs of taxes, insurance and other additional costs, so you can make an informed choice.

6. Have any potential house inspected by someone who is familiar with the unique challenges facing a house built close to water, such as flooding.

7. If you will be using the home seasonally, plan the cost of having someone local maintain the grounds. You may also want to install a security system that contacts a local friend in the event of a problem.

8. Make sure there’s enough to do. Staying in a beach house is fun, but what about when the novelty wears off and the kids need an outlet for their excess enthusiasm?

9. If you are only planning on staying seasonally, consider the potential revenue if you rent the house when you aren’t there. Also discuss any insurance costs related to this option.

10. Make sure there’s enough room for any “toys” such as boats, jetskis, kayaks, etc.. It’s helpful to have a garage available to store these items, rather than having to pay for seasonal storage.

10 Popular Winter Vacation Rental Locations

June 9th, 2010

photo credit: unforth

For comfortable and affordable vacation rentals in a reasonably mild climate, try these ten locations:

1. Grants, New Mexico: this is a great jumping-off point to explore nearby national monuments such as “El Morro.” Grants has a lot of small-town charm blended with spectacular scenery in the Land of Enchantment.

2. Albuquerque, New Mexico: close to several Indian gambling establishments, an impressive art community, and a surprisingly metropolitan feeling, this city is surrounded by mountain and desert vistas. This southwest jewel offers easy access by air or by highway.

3. Kissimmee, Florida: whereas Orlando lies about 30 minutes northeast of Disney World, the neighborhoods surrounding Kissimmee are right next door to Disney’s southern entrance. Visitors will find many homes and condos for rent at a significant discount, compared to Orlando addresses. Rather than booking a hotel, consider a one or two-week house rental booked through a realtor in Kissimmee.

4. Winter Park, Florida: again, consider booking a longer visit through a realtor. There is no place quite so charming as Park Avenue, for shopping, strolling and unique upscale restaurants. Winter Park reeks of old money, in a good way. Its downtown offers a slice of pre-Disney Central Florida, with low-key destinations such as the Tiffany stained glass collection at the Morse Museum of Art, and the scenic boat tour on neighboring lakes and canals.

5. Southwest Georgia: surrounding the small city of Bainbridge, there are many outdoor opportunities for boating, fishing and nature exploration. An extensive list of local, state and national parks is located in this area. If you like a remote vacation away from theme parks and crowds, southwest Georgia is beautifully traffic-free. Try renting a cabin or houseboat at a fish camp on the Chatahoochee River.

6. Austin, Texas: this location can’t be beat for a lively music scene and a friendly crowd. Although not as urban as Nashville (Tennessee), Austin has alot to offer with many gatherings and themed festivals throughout the year.

7. Sarasota, Florida: the Ringling Museum is not just about the circus. The main museum boasts the private collection of John Ringling, including an astounding array of oversized 17th-century oil paintings by European masters. The beaches of southwest Florida are mellow with spectacular sunsets.

8. Titusville, Florida: there are only a few more shuttle launches left before the program is over, in case you have a launch viewing on your bucket list. This bedroom community near Port Canaveral offers easy access to the Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, and the completely natural (clothing optional) Canaveral National Seashore. For surfers, the world famous Ron Jon’s surf shop is just down the road.

9. Jekyll Island, Georgia: many single-family homes here are available for weekly rentals. For family-friendly bike riding, this is a great location. The island boasts many trails, no tall buildings, and very little traffic. Beaches are not as scenic as Florida, but fewer crowds are the big benefit.

10. Flagler Beach, Florida: from this location, you could explore the historical monuments of St. Augustine, or take a two-hour drive to get to Disney World near Orlando. The tiny city of Flagler Beach boasts a quaint and charming wooden fishing pier and a compact, walkable downtown area. It is located about 20 minutes north of Ormond Beach and 40 minutes north of Daytona, but looks nothing like its high-rise neighbors. Flagler has an authentic small-town feeling with very few national chain hotels. Several condo properties are available in the neighboring town, Ormond-by-the-Sea. Flagler’s beaches are so unbuilt, unused and unspoiled, you won’t believe you’re still in Florida.

How to Plan Your Vacation Home Selling Strategy

June 2nd, 2010

photo credit: Diego_3336

Locate a Realtor: If you don’t live in the state of your vacation home, you’ll need to research who might be a good fit for listing your vacation house. If you already have a realtor in your current state, ask him or her for a referral. Your realtor will get a referral percentage and you’ll be able to trust the person you’re working with. Interview the realtor you’ve chosen to make sure you have the goals during the listing of your home.

Determine the Price: With your new realtor, sit down and determine what listing price you’re both comfortable with. You should also be on the same page about when to drop the price of your home if it doesn’t sell after a while. Know the bottom price that you will be able to take in order to sell. Knowing your limits ahead of time will help you decide on what offers you will be abel to look at seriously.

Staging: If your home is furnished, make sure it’s arranged in a non-cluttered way and is most appealing to the eye. Place decorative, fresh flowers for ambiance and if any updates need to be done, complete those before listing the property. Remember that the best odds for selling your home quickly is when it’s staged correctly and updated as much as possible.

Time of Year: If you live in a beach home in Florida or California, people typically house-hunt year around. In places like Colorado or other cooler places, the peak time for house hunting is April and May with sales remaining strong June and July. Families are looking to move when it’s warm and between school terms. Other local factors, such as lay-offs, can be a factor in how quickly you sell you vacation home.

In planning your vacation home selling strategy, remember that it’s important for you and your realtor to agree. Your realtor will have your best interest at heart, so try to listen to her advice and weigh all of your options before making a decision.