Caribbean vacation rentals offer a unique difference from other travel experiences. Holiday resorts such as “Villa Brigitte” are private vacation homes and residences offered exclusively to your group for a personal luxury holiday experience. Self catering vacation rentals are growing in popularity throughout the caribbean vacation market. Our villas, bungalows and apartments are in a superb beachfront location between Sosua and Cabarete on the dominican Northcoast. Indulge your dreams with this caribbean vacation retreat and learn why vacation rentals are exploding with popularity.

A vacation in the Dominican Republic means sunshine, beaches, and pampering yourself in a Caribbean paradise. Whether you choose to lounge in the sand, or venture out to sea in search of a perfect coral reef, friendly Dominicans are ready to point you in the right direction. Dine on the local restaurants and watch the sunset over Puerto Plata. However you choose to spend your vacation, as long as you spend it in the Dominican Republic, you couldn’t have made a better choice for your next holiday./

Buying a home is a big-time real estate investment and has to be done with great prudence. Knowing where not to buy a home is as important as are the dos and don’ts of buying a home.

Of the many top ten lists on CNNMoney.com, there is listed the top ten overvalued cities in America where it is better not to buy a home for the next two years or so. The report states a variety of reasons for the unfavorable market conditions.

Five cities in California – Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Sacramento and Stockton, figure among the top ten cities that have the least possibility of home price appreciation. Home prices have reached a new high (by nearly 60%) in these areas over the past two years. With an economy driven by agriculture and relatively higher unemployment rates anticipated for that area, the real estate market is predicted to slump in the region.

Although three cities in Florida are recommended as good real estate buys, the report also cites four others in Southwest Florida that fall among the very bottom of the list. With home prices here expected to plummet very soon, cities like Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda and Sarasota are those that one would do best to avoid for a year’s time or so, while buying a home or a condo.

Market prices are expected to decline in the Jersey Shore (New Jersey) area that saw a radical boom in the last two quarters. Although home prices in the third quarter have rebounded from the slight drop during the second quarter, the bubble is expected to burst soon and the overpriced market is likely to stabilize. The popular seaside cities of New Jersey, Atlantic City and Ocean city are anticipated to fall under the unfavorable list.

In Phoenix, Arizona, a hot favorite among investors last year, sliding home prices may to be an unavoidable occurrence in the next 12 months. With home prices dropping by more than $100,000 in some residential developments and investors trying to sell off their property, it is safer to wait for a year or longer before investing here.

Economists at Moody’s Economy.com also predict a sharp decline in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, California’s Inland Empire.

The bottom ten cities that are likely to see major drops in median home prices during the coming year are Stockton, (leading the list with a predicted fall of 9.7%), Merced, Reno/Sparks, Fresno, Vallejo/Fairfield, Las Vegas, Bakersfield, Sacramento, Washington, D.C and Tucson.

Given these fluctuating real estate market conditions, one should exercise a great deal of caution when investing in real estate. It makes sense to get the expert advice of a real estate agent to advise you about your next home purchase, since agents often have access to the most up-to-date real estate market data and neighborhood pricing trends.

In the past condominiums were not necessarily considered to be a good

investment for a variety of reasons, however that image has since

changed dramatically. With the high price of single family homes,

condominiums and townhouses are becoming more attractive to many

buyers such as singles, retiring couples that are downsizing and small

families that would like to purchase in excellent school districts.

However, for those home buyers that have only considered a single

family home as the definition of homeownership they may not be

familiar with what options are available in the form of condominiums.

Condominiums are buildings in which individuals separately own the air

space inside the interior walls, floors and ceilings of their unit,

but they jointly own an interest in the common areas that they share

such as the land, lobby, hallways, swimming pool, grounds and parking

lot. While many condominiums are designed to look like apartments or

are built in high rise city buildings, more and more builders are

designing them where they can be referred to as townhouses.

Townhouses are usually attached to one or more houses and can run the

gamut from duplexes and triplexes to communities with hundreds of

homes

In addition to paying a mortgage, each owner is responsible for paying

a monthly fee to the condo association, usually referred to as the

homeowner’s association which is made up of the unit owners. The fee

covers maintenance, repairs, grounds keeping and building insurance.

In the past condominium ownership suffered with a negative image for a

variety of reasons, however that image has since changed dramatically.

Once the thorn in homeowner’s sides, condominium associations have

worked hard in recent years to clean up their negative image where

disputes and lawsuits were once rampant. Homeowner’s associations have

become savvier and much more professional about property management

and have taken steps to prevent legal problems and disputes before

they happen. However, there are some disadvantages that still need to

be considered before you buy.

1) Monthly Homeowner’s Association Fee

If there is a homeowner’s association, you will usually have to pay a

monthly maintenance fee that is separate from your mortgage payment.

Many condominium owners factor this expense as similar to the costs

they would have incurred for someone to do the lawn care and other

maintenance if they owned a single family home. However, you should

watch for unnecessarily high monthly charges and ask to see a copy of

the latest financial statement from the homeowner’s association.

2) Less Privacy

There is also less privacy than with a detached single-family home.

Communal living is not always desirable for some people and the noise

level generated by living in close proximity to others can influence

some buyers to simply look elsewhere. Usually, the biggest concern is

about parking for the owners and for their guests. However, many

condominiums are being designed with their own garages and have common

parking areas available for guests.

3) CCR’s Can be Very Restrictive

CCR’s or Covenants, Codes and Restrictions are defined as the bylaws

that govern the use of the property. Most CCR’s are reasonable, but

some can be very restrictive. There usually are limits on the type of

exterior changes or improvements you will be able to make to the

property. In addition, you may find, among other things, that they

prohibit or restrict pets and the renting or subletting of units.

Make sure that you get a copy of the CCRs and review them (they

usually have a summary booklet) before you decide to make an offer.

4) High Tenant Ratio

Also, make sure you find out the owner-to-tenant ratio. Because many

condominiums are often purchased as investments, there could be a high

percentage of tenants in the building. Although this trend is also

changing, especially in condominiums which are located in urban areas

where they provide convenient shopping, access to transportation and

other amenities thereby attracting owners who intend to live in their

condos.

5) Resale Value

In some real estate markets, such as Las Vegas and Florida, builders

have overbuilt condominiums and townhouses and they are being sold at

a loss. However, in other real estate markets they have held their

value as an investment despite economic downturns and problems with

some homeowner’s associations.

While some of these factors would discourage some buyers from

purchasing condominiums, it may be just the right investment for

others because it suits their lifestyle. In spite of these

disadvantages, the high price of single-family homes in some real

estate markets such as California and the influx into the housing

market of more single homebuyers have made condos relatively hot

national investments. A professional realtor can assist and guide you

in showing you which are the great deals in your local market and

city.

Below is general discussion of various factors impacting property taxes in San Diego, California. The reader should consult their tax advisor for definitive guidance about property tax issues and not rely soley on the informaton below.

Property tax rates are capped in California due to the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 (”Prop 13″). Prop 13 was a ballot measure approved by the voters of California to limit property tax increases. The legislation also mandated that any future increases in property tax rates have the support of two-thirds of the Legislature for approval. This provision dramatically limited the ability of the legislature to increase taxes.

The property tax rate in California is 1% of the assessed value of real estate, plus any bonds, fees and special charges. Properties can only be reassessed when there is a change in ownership or when new construction is completed. Unless one of these reassessment conditions exists, Prop 13 allows for annual increases of up to 2% of a property’s value.

The passage of Prop 13 dramatically limited the legislatures ability to increase taxes. Despite this, municipalities desired a mechanism to subsidize the building of infrastructure for new developments, so in 1982, the Capital Facilities Act was passed. The act is better known by its legislative authors, Senator Henry Mello and Assemblyman Mike Roos (i.e. Mell-Roos Assessment).

According to the San Diego County Assessor, “Mello-Roos districts are established by local governments at the request of a developer to finance specific public facilities and services such as schools, roads and libraries. Mello-Roos districts were authorized by state law in 1982. This law allows any public agency to establish a Mello-Roos district, which then can issue the necessary tax-exempt bonds and impose fees to pay off these bonds.” Communities or districts that impose a Mello-Roos fee are distributed throughout the County but are most common is large new subdivisions.

In addition to the 1% tax rate allowed by Prop 13, Mello-Roos fees are a separate charge on the property tax bill. The duration of Mello-Roos fees are linked to the amount of time needed to pay off the bond, which is typically 20-25 years. Mello-Roos fees range from $174 to over $3000 annually, and the average fee for San Diego communities was $1,488 in 2006.

To get a general idea about the amount of property taxes you would owe annually on a property, multiply the purchase price of the property by 1.2%. For example, if you purchased a $400,000 home, your annual tax due would be around $4,800, plus special assessments (if applicable), and Mello-Roos fees (if applicable).

Consumers should be aware that tax rates for a particular area can increase as news bonds are added or decrease if bonds are paid off. In addition, Special Asssessments (if any) for new infrastructure can also impact tax rates.

When considering the purchase of real estate, single-family homes, condominiums or townhomes in San Diego (particularly in newer communities), propspective buyers should find out if the property has Mello-Ross or other Special Assessment fees, how long these fees will continue, and if the fees increase annually.

Over 1 million tax bills are sent out every year in San Diego County by the County Tax Collector. The tax period in San Diego covers the period from July 1st to June 30th. The amount owed is based on the assessed value of the property as of January 1st. The tax bill is mailed out in September or early October, and is due in two equal installments; first payment is due December 10th and the second payment is due April 10th. State law does not allow for extensions to pay the tax bill and late payments are subject to a penalty of 18% APR. For those wishing to pay by credit card, the Discover Card is the only option at this time.

For more information about property tax issues in San Diego or to obtain a definative answer to your property tax questions, contact the San Diego County Assessor or your tax professional.

If you are planning your holidays to Thailand, don’t miss the island of Ko Samui also called Koh Samui. Ko Samui is one of the most popular islands located in the Gulf of Thailand visited by millions of visitors every year. It is surrounded by many other small islands with lots of tourist attractions. People come to Samui to escape from the stress of regular world and enjoy the immaculate and serene beaches with blue waters waving towards from the long lost horizon.

Regular flights from Bangkok connect Ko Samui every day. You can get a flight to the island or choose water transport from Surat Thani. It would cost you 200-300 baht on a ferry to Ko Samui from Surat Thani. The ferry transportation to white sandy beaches of Samui would be an adventurous experience as you cross the rippling and waving waters.

Once you reach the island book a hotel room or resort immediately to refresh yourself and get prepared to explore the island. There are hundreds of hotels in this small island which provide affordable and luxurious rooms. Ko Samui hotels also provide spa resort services and extended villas for holiday makers who come with family and want complete privacy and freedom.

Ko Samui bungalows or luxury villas have been quite popular among tourists because of the freedom and privacy they provide. Almost all Koh Samui bungalows are located near the popular beaches of the island – Choeng Mon beach, Mae Nam beach, Bophut beach, Bang Rak beach, and Chaweng beach. You can take a quick walk to the beach whenever you wish from the bungalow you rent in.

The island is basically a leisurely escape in the mid of your holiday. Here, you have the complete freedom to lay lazily with cold beer in your hand near the beaches and enjoy the picturesque beauty of the blue water, white sands and fauna across the shoreline.

You can go for diving and aqua biking to some beaches like Bophut and Chaweng. Nathon, located on the southwest coast of the island is the capital of Koh Samui and primary centre for fishing and transportation. The other Koh Samui attractions include – Namtok Hin Lat water fall, Na Mueang waterfall, Ban Lipa Yai village for variety of fruit growing culture, buttery fly garden, snake farm and the coral beds of Laem Set and Thong Takhian.

An estimated 40,000 to 60,000 condo hotels are being developed for sale in the next 1.5 years. Who will buy all these condos? Is there a bubble in condo hotels? Does the consumer even demand condo hotel units?

The real estate markets may have slowed, but we all must remember that we have been setting records in sales volume. The slow down is a reversion to an average historical pace.

Unlike traditional condos, condo hotels have not been over-built or over supplied. In the Miami area alone there are 60,000+/- traditional condominiums on the market or coming to market. The national supply of condo hotel units is less than this figure. The 3 largest markets for condo hotels in The United States is Las Vegas, Orlando and Miami; these are also three of the strongest hotel markets with high demand from baby boomers for retirement residences. 78.2 million baby boomers will reach retirement age in the next 14 years. The demand for condo hotel is just beginning to awaken and supply is a fraction of the overall second home or hotel development market.

Also, unlike traditional condos, condo hotels can produce hassle-free rental income.

The hotel market is marking another record year and demand is growing, this market underpins the potential investment value of condo hotel sales. If supply of new hotel product is constrained by construction costs and as many existing hotel rooms are converted to condo hotel ownership, the economics for condo hotel owners could improve.

As mortgage lenders to the condo hotel consumer, we have had the opportunity to get to know many buyers and learn first hand their motivations and demographics. For the most part our clients have been real estate investment minded and savvy second home buyers who are seeking a second home for less than two to eight weeks per year for personal use. They have owned other forms of rental properties, and many have invested in commercial real estate. They often site the desire for appreciation and tax benefits before a ‘cap rate’ but they often have a thorough understanding of the income potential of condo hotels.

We are seeing a rise in the number of buyers who are using funds from a 1031 exchange to purchase a condo hotel unit. The average age of our borrowers is 51 years old, solidly in the baby boomer demographic. The majority are self-employed or with an average of 13-years in their present employment positions. Notably, a majority of these buyers have expressed interest in purchasing more than one condo hotel unit in various destinations, for personal use, diversification and to stagger seasonal cash flows from properties.

For over 20 years, the resort market for condo hotels has proven a viable alternative to traditional condominiums and second homes. The most numerous examples are in ski country, where families have purchased and used condo hotels as second homes with a rental program to offset costs. But this next generation of condo hotel buyers may look different as more people understand the advantages to this real estate product.

Broad acceptance of condo hotel as a second home market has yet to fully develop. The media is full of conflicting stories about condo hotels, and consumers are reasonably skeptical. The broad market is not the early adopters of any new concept, the niche buyers are the first consumers to embrace any product, and condo hotel is proving no different.

Some projects have niche themes to attract a specific narrow demographic of buyer. For instance, college alumni who wish to have condo hotel ownership for sporting events are purchasing. Downtown pied-a-terre locales that appeal to suburbanites or corporations who frequently send employees to a city center condo hotel destination are just beginning to come to market and attracting a new buyer class. Resorts that offer lifestyle services and amenities are finding ‘member-minded’ buyers who may live around the corner. These new consumers will define the next phase of this industry.

A condo hotel is more than real estate, it’s a lifestyle purchase, a long-term investment and a trend that is just beginning to identify its demand.

For many the idea of one day having your dream home is not buying a bigger home, but a home that you have built for yourself. A house that is unique and customized to your tastes and to your lifestyle. It sounds great but where do you begin to design your dream home? Here is a quick guide that can help you to design and build the home of your dreams.

The first step in any building project is to get an idea of what type of home you want. If you do not know yet then get inspiration from others. Drive around to neighborhoods that have the styles of homes that you like and take as many pictures as you can. You can also cut out pictures from magazines, newspapers, or print-out pictures you find on the internet. And do not just look at the outside. Browse through architectural and home design magazines for ideas about the interior of the home as well. Everything from plumbing fixtures to countertops and landscaping. Compile them all into a scrap book. This will help you to compare an narrow down the style of home that you like best.

The next step will be to make two lists of items for yourself. The first list will be those items or features that you feel your new home must have such as granite counter tops or an tankless hot water heater. The second list will be those items or features that are on your wish list like a fireplace or slate floors. When you have the opportunity, start pricing out the items on both lists. Be creative in your shopping and do not just look at the big box stores. This will allow you to create a realistic budget for your home and you may find that you will be able to include many of your wish list items.

At this point you will probably have a good idea of what your dream home will look like so you will need to seek some professional help. You will need to hire an architect to put your ideas down on paper. You may need to interview a few different architects to find one that you are comfortable with. If the design is not turning out the way you had expected then speak-up now. Once it is built it will be too late.

Make sure the whom ever you choose to make the final drawings has a full understanding of local building codes and zoning by-laws. In any case your final plans will need to be approved by the city and a building permit must be obtained before any construction can begin. If your plans are not approved you may be able to appeal if the issue is minor.

Once your plans are approved and you have building permits in hand it is time to look for a contractor. This can be done as the plans are being draw if you want to begin construction as soon as you have the city’s okay. Whichever way you do it be sure you are comfortable with your contractor and you have gotten references from his past clients. Any reputable contractor will not object to you contacting people they have done work for in the past.

Seek as much professional assistance as you feel you need to avoid any unnecessary surprises. Building your our home is not going to be easy, however the more homework you do in the beginning the more enjoyable the process will be.

The College Grove region (also know as the College Area) is located in central San Diego County, California. The community is located off Interstate 8 just east of Interstate 15. San Diego State University is located within the borders of the College Grove area.

The real estate and homes for sale in College Grove fall into the low to mid-income categories. The number of homes sold in a particular year is relatively high. For example, during the period from January through July 2006, approximately 211 single-family homes sold. Approximately 268 homes sold for the same period in 2005.

One method to analyze pricing trends for a particular community is to evaluate the median and average price of homes for a particular month, and compare that data against the same period last year. What follows is a comparison of the median price and average price of homes for the past seven months (January through July 2006), compared against the data for the corresponding time period in 2005.

The median price of homes represents the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The average price of homes is calculated by adding up the sales price of all homes sold in a particular month, and dividing that value by the number of homes sold.

The median price of homes in July 2006 was $545,000, compared to $497,000 in July 2005, which represents a 9.2% increase. The average price of homes in July 2006 was $583,476, compared to $528,602 in July 2005, which represents a 10% increase. Approximately 25 homes sold in July 2006 and 38 in July 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in July 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in June 2006 was $475,000, compared to $506,500 in June 2005, which represents a 5.9% drop. The average price of homes in June 2006 was $492,427, compared to $516,078 in June 2005, which represents a 4.1% drop. Approximately 38 homes sold in June 2006 and 40 in June 2005. The data provides evidence that there was a downward price trend in June 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in May 2006 was $522,000, compared to $518,500 in May 2005, which represents a 0.7% increase. The average price of homes in May 2006 was $544,812, compared to $537,085 in May 2005, which represents a 1.4% increase. Approximately 30 homes sold in May 2006 and 46 in May 2005. The data provides evidence that there was slight upward price trend in May 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in April 2006 was $520,000, compared to $495,000 in April 2005, which represents a 5.1% increase. The average price of homes in April 2006 was $523,421, compared to $524,306 in April 2005, which represents a 0.2% drop. Approximately 41 homes sold in April 2006 and 47 in April 2005. The data for April 2006 was mixed, as the median price showed a moderate increase from last year, while the average price had a slight drop.

The median price of homes in March 2006 was $515,000, compared to $489,000 in March 2005, which represents a 5.3% increase. The average price of homes in March 2006 was $564,690, compared to $499,856 in March 2005, which represents a 13.4% increase. Approximately 41 homes sold in March 2006 and 44 in March 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in March 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in February 2006 was $472,500, compared to $465,000 in February 2005, which represents a 0.50% increase. The average price of homes in February 2006 was $502,600, compared to $476,932 in February 2005, which represents a 4.6% increase. Approximately 20 homes sold in February 2006 and 25 in February 2005. The data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in February 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes was $530,950 in January 2006, compared to $483,000 in January 2005, which represents a 9.9% increase. The average price of homes in January 2006 was $528,416, compared to $551,904 in January 2005, which represents a 3.20% drop. Approximately 16 homes sold in January 2006 and 28 in January 2005. The data for January 2006 was mixed, as the median price showed a moderate increase from last year, while average prices dropped.

So what does the above data tell us? Overall, there was a 21.3% decline in the number of homes sold during this period from 2006 to 2005. Four months out of seven (February, March, May and July) demonstrated increases in both median and average prices from the same period last year. The magnitude of the increase ranged from half a percent to 10%. The months of April and January had mixed findings, with average prices decreasing slightly (less than 3.2%), and median prices increasing 5% to 10%. In contrast, the June data showed a downward trend in both median and average prices with a range of 4% to 6%.

The data above suggests that although there are monthly variations, on balance, homes in the College Grove area continue to demonstrate price gains. Continued monitoring of sale data in subsequent months is needed to identify enduring market trends.

Be sure to consult your Realtor on other factors that influence home pricing before buying or selling real estate in College Grove.

Lining the east coast of Florida are dozens of oceanfront condos, townhouses, and ocean view townhouses offering valuable property investment options. Whether you’re looking for a second home or a long-term rental property, finding the right waterfront property in Florida offers a multitude of options.

Florida’s Space Coasts is only 35 miles east of the Disney area, and home to a number of attractions and visiting areas. Although it is considered at tourist hotspot by many, hundreds of people relocate to the area for business and long-term stays. Properties range from executive rentals at Solana Lakes to attractive views from the Twin Towers in downtown Cocoa Beach. Oceanfront properties provide the flexibility of beautiful beachfront views, private beach side patios, and even fenced pools as an extra amenity. The penthouse at the Royal Mansions is a popular choice, as well as the Richard Arms at the Oceanfront Cape Canaveral. Both offer cozy and luxurious complexes as valuable waterfront rentals.

Ocean view condos are a rising trend, with multiple high-rises and condo units readily available. With the influx of long-term renters and vacationers, Florida’s East coast has become more accommodating to a particular type of buyer profile. Ocean view condo owners settle in areas in Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral, and popular venues include Perlas Del Mar, Port St. John, Snug Harbor Estates, Solana Lake, and Harbor Pointe. A condominium is usually less expensive than a house investment, and there are many condominiums clustered together in complexes along the East coast. Maintaining a condominium complex is easier by joining a condominium association where each condo owner simply pays a monthly fee.

Brevard County is also home to a handful of attractive oceanfront townhouses. Professional developers in the area have renovated and developed a number of prestigious and luxurious townhomes in an effort to attract long-term investors, renters, and homeowners. Oceanfront townhouses populate the areas of Melbourne Beach, Cocoa Beach, and Port Canaveral. Many offer relaxing surroundings and private ocean access. Those that are situated in private and gated communities offer additional amenities, including heated swimming pools, saunas, and full access to the boat marina. Whether these are furnished or ready for furnishing, Melbourne Beach with a host of activities is just minutes away.

Ocean view townhouses are another valuable opportunity for developers and real estate investors. These are independently owned and can be attached to other units. They are less expensive than free-standing houses, but offer flexibility for many owners.

Waterfront condo living in Brevard County is becoming a rising trend, and the top addresses in the area include Mystic Drive, Beach Park lane, Ocean Park Lane, and North Seaport Boulevard. Townhouses with ocean views offer spacious accommodations in a variety of attractive styles.

Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral continue to be some of the East Coast’s most coveted destinations for property, vacations, and real estate development. Finding the right waterfront property in Florida can take some time and research with an array of options available.