Colony crossroads
An undisclosed term sheet that lays out The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association’s settlement guidelines was submitted to U.S. bankruptcy trustee William Maloney the evening of July 26.
Read more on The Longboat Observer

Ken Doucette, Owner/President of VacationRentalHotSpots.com states, “I am very proud to announce our latest venture with ABetterStay.com offering additional unique Florida vacation rentals for travelers and those looking for the best vacation possibilities. The relationship provides a hassle-free environment with some of the best available nightly rates, expanded options, quick and easy access along with a dedicated guest services team.”

VacationRentalHotSpots.com is a premier Florida-centric vacation rental site offering more specialty lodging than any other as a result of integrating technologies, strategic partnering, Internet Marketing and being flexible. Specialty lodging is another term for vacation rentals.

ABetterStay.com hosts over 1,500 vacation rental properties, timeshare resorts, condo hotels and boutique resorts throughout North America and Europe. “ABetterStay.com’s network of resort properties, will provide a wide array of choices for Vacation Rental Hotspots’ customers,” said Steve Reich, Senior Vice President of Sales at LeisureLink, Inc., parent company of ABetterStay.com. “We are very pleased that VacationRentalHotSpots.com chose to join our affiliate program and look forward to delivering great value to their customers.”

Suzy Venn, Director of VacationRentalHotSpots.com, points out “Our affiliation is cutting edge because it integrates traditional booking methods with new on-line booking engine technology. It simply satisfies everyone. We are not replacing any channel of business. We are enhancing our services becoming a more well-rounded and versatile resource for the Florida vacation rental industry, offering more affordable and less restrictive solutions with instantaneously reserving on-line!”

Traditionally, vacation rental reservations are made by initiating contact with the owner/manager through phone or e-mail. Traditional booking methods are still prevalent. However, Suzy mentions “some rental guests are exhausted by the traditional method. The solution is newly integrated technology allowing guests to view and book on-line. No phone calls or e-mails required. It’s becoming more seamless.”

VacationRentalHotSpots.com offers many other popular vacation rental destinations as a result of affiliating with ABetterStay.com, including Myrtle Beach, Hawaii, Hilton Head Island, Bahamas and more. To discover options, simply type in your desired destination in the search field.

To view the new vacation rental on-line booking engine, visit: http://www.vacationrentalhotspots.com/booknow.php

For personal assistance with making an on-line reservation, call Guest Services: 877-819-2802 or 877-228-7066 (Admin Support)

About VacationRentalHotSpots.com
This is a family owned and operated company, based out of Daytona Beach, FL and founded in 2006. They represent all types of Florida vacation rentals and provide FREE search tools to their global visitors.

About ABetterStay.com
ABetterStay.com is a premier online source for booking vacation rentals, condos, resorts, timeshares, bed and breakfasts and other alternative, high-value lodging. Specializing in popular destination vacation properties, ABetterStay.com offers multi-room accommodations with more space, privacy and amenities than typical lodging, often at a lower price. Powered by LeisureLink, Inc.’s distribution and revenue management platform, rates and promotions are updated in real time; guaranteeing consumers will always find the best deal on ABetterStay.com, eliminating the need to comparison shop from site to site.

Steve Reich
Senior Vice President, Sales
LeisureLink Inc. ™
626-696-4530
SLReich@LeisureLink.com

Source: Florida Vacation Rental BlogSpot

Timeshare – What It Truly Means

I hope you are not headed for your Webster, if not, then don’t even bother to consult Mr. Google because I’ll do it for you right here and now. So, let’s unleash it, Timeshare to the greatest of laymen amongst us, is defined as a portion of property shared or split among a number of owners, simple. At least we have an idea now, so we can proceed. This kind of property sharing involves among other things the cost of managing and maintaining the property or properties. Though large percentages of timeshare properties are condos, it shouldn’t be surprising if you discover motor home timeshare, hotel time share, cruise timeshare or even campground timeshare.

Options are increasing each passing day. But where did this idea come from? The concept of timeshare property is credited to Europe of 1960s, it’s noted that property rates were soaring at that period, making it difficult for people to pay for full time vacation houses. This scenario led to the ownership sharing concept which proved ideal for most people because it significantly reduced the costs of conservation and other related charges. It also served to enhance the wealth of real estate developers, because it presented them an opportunity to easily market and sell properties to large numbers of people. The vital point to remember about timeshare though, is that timeshare properties are owned by a number of individuals with no close ties, e.g. a standard home ownership.

Timeshare is also defined technically as property whose owner has definite time to share with you and possess in a property. But because many more properties are being turned into timeshare, accommodating timeshare alternatives cannot be tossed out the window. Adaptable or flexible timeshare gives owners the choice of selecting more than a single timeshare destination plus more than one particular time of the year.

Most timeshare properties are located in warm and temperate destinations e.g. Florida where majority of people favor as vacationing locations. They could also be found in cold weather destinations especially in the vicinity of skiing resorts. Timeshare properties are usually fully furnished and majority are either two or three bed roomed with a number of shower rooms, kitchen and entertainment room. Don’t be surprised if you encounter timeshare properties that offer indoor or outdoor swimming pools. These features are increasingly becoming common of many timeshare properties these days.

The classic period of a timeshare possession unit is a week at minimum. Prices vary depending on the different time of the year that you own the timeshare. The best example to illustrate this is the fact that rates of timeshare ownership in April in Florida are lofty than in August. So timeshare ownership rates can be said to be season and demand depended. In some resorts you’ll find color coding tailored differently for different seasons and demand for that particular season. Red could therefore be used by some resorts to indicate high demand, and the corresponding price for that timeshare will be higher for that season.

Timeshare are also inheritable, which means parents can pass it to their kids just similar to any other real estate property. That makes timeshare property ownership a great investment option as well as great vacation. Majority of people rent their timeshare property to others when they’re not using it themselves.
This gives them twofold benefit, first, they earn rent and second appreciation of the unit as time passes.
You should also note that timeshare properties are tradable and could be swapped with other properties in many cases. Timeshares being season and demand driven also means that while owners of red season timeshare properties could find it easy to exchange their timeshare units; it may be difficult for owners of low season timeshare units to do the same with theirs and get high demand timeshare unit in exchange.

Time shares could be bought through financing, but most of the resale properties bought through the individual owners are paid in cash. Timeshare maintenance costs, management costs, swimming pools and the tennis courts maintenance costs are covered by timeshare owners. Fees differ and it’s a good practice to inquire first before purchasing a timeshare.

Timeshare properties come in many types; examples are fixed week, the deeded timeshare, and the fixed unit timeshare, all of which allow you to own them at particular time of the year. There is also a floating time agreement that offers you flexibility in terms of dates that you wish to use your timeshare. Reservations are on first come first serve basis as many timeshare owners would prefer that option. Your rights to use timeshare are limited to leased timeshare. This gives you no more rights after your lease period elapses.

Alex Higgins: Snooker legend who always found controversy off the table
Stalking round the green baize like a man possessed, the people’s champion blew away opponents with a fast and furious style which made him the biggest character ever to wield a cue.
Read more on Daily Mail

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Island Real Estate has worked out of the same location since 1970. Our web site is www.IslandReal.com and we offer Real Estate Sales, consulting, Vacation Rentals, Property Management, Association Management, and Home Away service 7 days per week!

From Home you Can Market your Vacation Rental Property

I worked for other people for the first fifteen years before I realised we would never get rich like that. So I set up on my own. Then for the next fifteen years I was travelling the world, setting up companies, getting sales, handling finance with hardly any time to spare for the family. Had a wonderful time. I just wish I’d started earlier.

So I’d like to help others to start their business and here is a simple way to go about it.

We do it oursevles with a property of our own, and enjoy it, even though it is pin money for us now.

I run a free blog site to help vacation rental owners to market their property properly using the web.

Here is how to start your development.

Find an area where there is little property development, but a high tourist trade. We found the Highlands of Scotland. There is very little development there – difficult to get domestic water supply to this region, as rainy as it is.

Compare the high season rental income between different areas, and compare property prices between popular regions. You are looking for a reasonable income against a low property price.

We started it by looking through several tourist areas and comparing the vacation rental income. Strangely, the vacation letting rates were close to each other but the cost of buying properties was very different.

Then we had to think through the problem of managing a property at long range. You need people to do the cleaning for you, and you will definitely need builders and local suppliers. You’ll have problems if you cannot visit the site frequently. Best to try for your first property somewhere near where you live, within driving distance

Research the area

It is important to search for some national statistics about the tourism business, to find out how long is the season, and whether there is off-season business.

You need to research the area, talk to agents, lawyers, but remember they are selling you something – themselves. Better by far to talk to other owners and neighbours. You’ll get far more valuable information from them.

Market through the internet

Now to market your property through the internet.

First of all, behave like a customer and dial in a few search terms to find holiday properties like yours. See what turn up on the first pages.

The search terms that you and your customers use normally are vital to your web site design. The website url, title, description, and opening text on the index page, page one should all concentrate on your critical keywords.

Your area is a problem. If you choose “vacation property USA” your site will be on Google page 3,000 and no one will find you. It is a bit better if you say “vacation rental Florida” but the same problem applies. Better to go for “vacation property, Saratoga” You could get up to page 4 or 5 there. You can find and evaluate keywords if you go to “Google suggest keywords” and use the facility there. Also look at the Google advice to webmasters on setting up your site and making it suitable for Google. Their notes are easy to understand.

Vacation rental directories

There are vacation property directories. A few are free, and might be worthwhile as inbound links but they will not produce much in the way of bookings and referrals. They make their money in other ways, by selling advertising, or books or tours. Your mention in their directory is just a traffic builder for them, and a service for their site visitors.

Agencies

Some of them are agencies. These will take you on their books and do the marketing job for you but at a steep cost – 30% or more, commission, most of them. Take care with these, though you should experiment with one in the first year until you gain experience and can dump them later as your site builds up traffic. Some of them want to take all your high season period and market it, but give you no guarantee to get business. Bad news, this lot. You might find an agency which will let you market the high season yourself and just take the shoulder season.

You’ll just be another name on their books though, and they’ll put no real effort into selling your property. These agencies will not put a link to you on their own site – they prevent people from finding you direct.

But some vacation directories will do a good job for you if you pay them 0 or more a year for a good position. They’ll put on a photo of your site, sometimes more than one, and a description, a link to your web site and a straight through to you e-mail link.

Ring round some vacation rental property owners in other areas, non competitive with your area, and ask them on the phone for their experience of internet marketing. Some of them will be reluctant to talk, but at least a third will tell you how they do it and what works for them.

Finally you can select several good ones, which have been recommended to you and which seem to get high on many pages and use them.

Good luck. Within a few years you may have a big vacatgion rental rental company.

John

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How To Find Cheap Hotels With Great Facilities

When looking for cheap hotels in an area, it is also important to check the hotel has all the facilities you require. Like making any purchase, when looking for a cheap hotel be realistic, a cheap 3 star hotel will certainly be basic, however all hotels of any star rating should at least be clean and comfortable, usually with a reception and bar. Often you can find boutique hotels that are very cheap, sometimes family run and the service in these types of hotel will often be fantastic. Some of the modern build 3 star hotels are excellent with the major brands providing modern, clean bedrooms with minimal facilities.

A cheap 4 star hotel will usually have plenty of facilities, though not always leisure facilities. It is always worth stretching to a 4 star hotel if possible as a 4 star rating when booking a cheap hotel will always provide some level or security and more often than not at least a good minimum level of comfort and service levels regardless of cost.

Even if on a budget we would advise that a 2 star hotel would not be advisable unless you are prepared to rough it, 2 star cheap hotels will be incredibly basic and not much can be expected for these. 2 star hotels are great for students, travellers and back packers who wish to spend as little as possible.

When viewing hotel facility pages on a hotel website I would always beware of hotels that do not display many images and certainly avoid hotels displaying no images. If a hotel has facilities, bedrooms and an ambience it is a proud of then it will ensure it provides the best images possible. If there are no images of hotel, especially a budget of cheap hotel, then it is advisable to avoid it at all costs.

When you are looking to save money by booking a cheap hotel, ensure it displays its facilities correctly, details its location (ideally a map) and has a number of clear images of the outside, interior and importantly a typical looking bedroom at the hotel. Don’t forget, you will spend more time in your bedroom than the rest of the hotel, so if the image displayed of the hotels bedroom is not looking good then it is advisable to avoid booking with the hotel. The bedroom image would be the best the hotel had to put on the website or the most realistic representation of the run of house bedrooms so it is a fair chance that this is what you will end up in, if booking via a hotel booking website.

The one aspect of a hotel that you cannot determine from the facilities and probably the most important is the service levels. However even on an internet website there can be clues, often the description will mention that it is a friendly hotel providing good service and if a hotel has chosen to add this to its description it is often that this is key to the hotels management team. This will not always ring true however a cheap hotel with poor facilities can often be lifted by an excellent staff and service level.

The charming village of Duck, North Carolina is a perfect vacation destination. Duck, NC offers beautiful, clean beaches, a bike & walking path and an impressive catalogue of wonderful boutique shops and restaurants.
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Vacation Rental Properties – The Best Value For Your Family Vacation

More and more travelers are discovering vacation rental properties all over the United States. Unlike traditional accommodations in a hotel or motel, finding the right vacation rental property can be one of life’s greatest joys. Have you ever spent a week in a hotel where all the kids’ clothes are thrown all over this 12 by 12 room? That’s no fun.

Vacation rentals in a place such as Hilton Head Island, South Carolina offer families their own homes away from home. Establishing this way to vacation with your family reduces stress and increases the pleasant memories you’ll take home afterward.

Many vacation rentals are actually much less costly than a comparable hotel room or suite. The reason is simple – the overhead for an owner’s single-property vacation rental is much lower than the promotion fees built into the rates of a major hotel chain. It follows the Coca-Cola example: the can costs 1.5 cents, the ingredients cost about a nickel, and the advertising and marketing cost 35 cents a can. How would you rather spend your money, on promotion or on product?

Convenience, flexibility, and variety of accommodation (Home – Villa – Condo) are just some of advantages of choosing vacation rental properties. One of the great advantages to vacation rental properties is space, especially in a home or a villa that has multiple bedrooms. Rarely can the average priced hotel room compare to a vacation rental. And that’s just the beginning.

It’s unlikely that Mom wants to spend much of her vacation in the kitchen, but vacation rentals give you that option. What’s even better is that all the necessities are furnished – plates, silverware, pots and pans, coffee maker. A budget-constricted family utilizing a well-equipped kitchen on vacation can reserve some funds for that special event – to see a show, to shop for treasures in specialty outlets, to book a jet ski rental, charter fishing trip, or even a daring afternoon of parachute sailing above the waters of the Calibogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean you always wanted to try!

In Hilton Head Island, there are a few vacation rental companies that offer invaluable advice when you book with them. Dealing with a good one such as Hilton Head Rentals provides you with a Local’s perspective about all the interesting things to do, and can help make your vacation even more memorable. Whether it’s golf, fishing, tennis or what restaurants to try (or which to stay away from!) we are locally based, not sitting in some “boiler room” based in India or New York and trying to answer questions about Hilton Head.

Vacation rental companies exist to help you get the most value for your hard-earned dollar. Professional reservations staff truly wants to help you get the kind of priceless memories that will last forever. So the next times you’re thinking “hotel or a vacation rental property?” consider the above and weigh the advantages.

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