Have you slept undersea lately? is the hotel motto at Jules’ Undersea Lodge. Jules’ once served as an undersea research facility, and in fact it still does, but now it’s opened its accommodations to paying guests and become a hotel of sorts.

Located in Key Largo, Florida, the lodge is the only one of its kind in the world and actually requires a scuba dive 21 feet below the sea’s surface for admittance. The small surroundings feature hot showers, a stocked kitchen, books, music and videos but the main attraction is the huge window which looks out at the sea as the fish come around to check out the new inhabitants. And the number of fish is actually very impressive as the surrounding mangrove lagoon is a natural habitat for them, but the Jules’ Undersea Lodge also serves as an artificial reef.

For those who feel a little worried about the accommodations, rest assured the structure is monitored 24 hours a day and has independent support systems as well as redundant backup systems. And if you’ve never gone scuba diving before, the three hour aquatics class will get you up to speed so you can easily and confidently make the dive to the hotel.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Much like FSBO or property that is For Sale by Owner, Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) is a great way to find a vacation rental property without the hassle and expense of dealing with property management companies or realtors.

By searching for a vacation rental property on VRBO you not only get to save money and some additional hassle by eliminating the middleman but you also get a huge variety of properties to choose from. VRBO has properties from every state in the United States in addition to cabins and beach rental units in a huge number of beautiful and exotic locales.

You can also choose your vacation rental based on specifications other than location, look for beach front property or a vacation rental that is close to local attractions. You can find a rental based on the number of bedrooms and the style of home you’d like to stay in.

Be wary though when using VRBO, this is just a resource for finding your vacation rental property, it does not guarantee that the people renting their property are being honest or fair in their pricing. It’s up to you to do your own research to determine that you’re getting what you bargained for.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Is your dream to wake up each morning and gaze out across the water, watching it gracefully lap the edge of your property? If it is then there are some great deals to be had in today’s housing market but there is more to consider than just the price and the view. Buying waterfront property is a big investment that can make your dream come true or turn into a nightmare.

Your first step is thinking about what you actually want to do on the water near your home. Are you a boater, a skier, a fan of fishing or are you content to simply sit and watch the water. Once you determine what the waterfront property will do for you then you need to examine the properties you see with that in mind and visit them at different times of the day and week. What seems like a completely peaceful lake on a Wednesday evening might be a loud and raucous party place on the weekends. And remember that sound carries.

You’ll also need to check out the local laws concerning the shore of your property and the water itself. Some states declare all of the state’s water as public property and they have strict guidelines on what you can do to the land butting up against the water. Learn everything you can before you dive into buying waterfront property.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Do you own a vacation property? Do you want to make some money when you are not there? If so, you should learn what it takes to successfully rent a vacation property? This may seem like a long, difficult task, but nothing could be further from the truth. From the day you buy your property you should be thinking about how you can rent it in order to bring in some extra money. Who knows, you may be able to earn enough in rental income to cover part or all of your mortgage. (more…)

Popularity: 3% [?]

photo credit: woodleywonderworks

Is now the best time to search for a vacation property? Many people will tell you yes because the cost of these properties is on the way down in many parts of the county. The poor real estate market is working in the favor of the consumer. Not only does this mean that there are more options out there, but you will also find that prices are more affordable than ever before.

Even though cheap vacation properties can be appealing you need to make sure that the time is right for you. Sure, the market may be calling your name but if you cannot afford to make a purchase you need to stay in the background for the time being. In other words, a deal is not good if it does not suit your life and finances.

In addition to vacation properties selling for cheap you will come across a large number of foreclosures as well. Buying a foreclosure means you can get the vacation home of your dreams without paying market value. In most cases, foreclosures are even more affordable than homes that are simply ?marked down? because of a bad economy and market.

If you have been thinking about buying a vacation property and your finances are in order, now could be the time to buy. Just make sure you are truly ready to make a purchase, and that you are not doing so only because of the low prices.

There are many people shopping far and wide for the right vacation property. Are you going to join them? If so, saving money should be your first order of business. Remember, it is a buyer?s market.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Looking to escape the winter blahs, or maybe just get away from your day to day routine? Maybe its time for you to purchase a vacation home.

A lot of thought should go into the purchase of a vacation property before you make the leap as they are generally pretty pricey and you’ll only be using them for short periods of time, unless you plan on becoming a snowbird and spending half your year in the warmer climates. Before you purchase a vacation home make sure you’ve done a lot of research so you know that the area is exactly what you want. You may think that being on the beach is all you’ll need, but after a few weeks you may find that you’re actually a bit bored, or that the local restaurant scene offers nothing for you. If possible, rent for a couple years in the area to really see if you think this is the best place to have a vacation home.

Then its time to review the real estate market, price of homes in the area, and price of insurance and any condo fees. Home owner’s insurance is something people often over look when purchasing a vacation home, but many ideal winter hot spots face some serious weather during the off season which can mean home owner’s insurance can actually cost as much as the monthly mortgage payments.

Once you’ve determined that the location and finances are a fit, its time to look at yearly maintenance, especially when you’re not at your vacation property. Lawns still need mowing, in hotter climates you’ll still need to run air conditioning, in colder climates you will have to watch for water leaks or pipe breakage.

Finally, when it’s all ironed out you can sit back and enjoy your vacation property and live in luxury in your own home.

photo credit: Toprural

Popularity: 5% [?]

A vacation rental property is a great investment if the time is right. But before you decide for or against this move, you need to know the pros and cons of owning a vacation rental property. There are some things that are sure to excite you, and others that you may not be as gung-ho about. Of course, this is the case with most investments. If everything was fun and games and a great return guaranteed, everybody would be doing it. (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

photo credit: makelessnoise

Are you thinking of buying a vacation rental property? If so, you should be aware of the pros and cons. For the sake of keeping you positive about buying, you will first want to take a look at the benefits. Of course, this does not mean that you should make a purchase before you consider all of the potential drawbacks as well.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

photo credit: Lauren Murphy

Something to consider, FEMA will not help you restore your vacation property. With the great floods that have devastated the Midwest, many Wisconsin homeowners were distraught when they discovered that FEMA would not help them replace or recover any of the costs associated with their resort homes. (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

photo credit: carterjk

If you’re looking to make a profit with your vacation property then you may have to approach it a little differently. First of all, stop thinking of it as your vacation property and consider it your little money maker. You’re going to need to get a lot of renters to turn a profit and the competition can be stiff. (more…)

Popularity: 6% [?]