Copyright (c) 2008 Terry Hely

Finding suitable Florida accommodation is usually done online using one of the proliferation of accommodation affiliate websites. When you take into account the combination of over 4 million overseas visitors to Florida each year, plus the internal domestic market, it’s easy to see how lucrative this market is and why so many sites are trying to get their slice of the pie.

It has become commonplace with websites that cater to this market to refer to ALL accommodation as either “hotels” or “vacation rentals”, when in fact much of the accommodation they list is neither. The term “vacation rentals” in particular tends to be used to include all types of vacation lodgings when in fact the term is meant to apply only to lodging that has self-catering facilities including a wet area (sink etc), refrigerator, microwave, etc.

It is only when you dig a little deeper, usually when reading the fact sheet for a particular property, that words such as “hotel”, “resort”, “condominium”, “townhouse” and “vacation rental” start to be used to differentiate one choice from another. So what do these terms actually mean to the person making a booking? What are the differences between them that might influence your final decision on what to book?

** Florida Hotels

Hotels are nearly always located at, or in reasonable proximity to, the major vacation destinations. The accommodation consists of a serviced room (aka suite) with a bed, TV, chairs and essential furniture plus an ensuite bathroom and toilet. Private laundry facilities are no available. Meals are usually available in the hotel restaurant or on an eat-out basis.

Higher rated hotels usually offer facilities such as gymnasiums, pools, spas and saunas. At the bottom end of the price range, hotels may only offer the basic accommodation without any guest facilities. To keep abreast of current market demands, many hotels are now providing a choice of traditional hotel suites as well as units complete with a kitchenette for basic food preparation or a fully equipped kitchen for total self catering. In effect they are offering serviced apartments within the hotel complex.

Hotel tariffs are per room per night with extra person charges for persons that exceed the standard occupancy.

** Florida Resorts

In many cases there is little to distinguish resorts from hotels. Most resorts are also located at or near the most popular locations. Many are large high-rise complexes and operate under the same brand-names of the better known hotel chains such as Sheraton, Westin, Holiday Inn etc. Resorts usually offer a range of guest facilities and entertainment that surpasses hotel accommodation.

Swimming pools, games rooms, water sports equipment, tennis courts, kids clubs are all typical of the features and facilities that are inclusive with resort accommodation although there will be variations between different resorts and different locations.

Themed resorts are common in Florida, especially in the Orlando, Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista entertainment park areas. Golf resorts dot the landscape all over Florida, which is not surprising given that there are over 1100 golf courses throughout the state. As with hotels, resort accommodation is often a choice of room only or fully equipped multi-bedroom suites with kitchen and laundry facilities (ie.. an apartment).

Resort tariffs are per room per night with extra person charges for persons that exceed the standard occupancy.

** Florida Condominiums & Townhouses

These can be best described as multifamily housing complexes with common facilities such as recreation areas, sidewalks, parking lots, etc. Whereas the condo (aka apartment) owner owns the inside of their unit, a townhouse owner owns the complete unit, including exterior surfaces and the land on which the unit is built.

More often than not, condominiums are located within a high rise property serviced by elevators. Condos in a low rise will generally involve a walk-up from the entrance via a communal staircase, something that needs to be considered if climbing stairs is a problem for anyone in your party. Townhouses are usually one or two levels above ground level and the stairs are internal within the unit.

Condos and townhouses have kitchens fully equipped for self catering, an equipped laundry and will nearly always include all linen and bedding. They are generally suited for holiday makers who prefer their accommodation away from the high rise complexes, have little or no need of in-house guest facilities and prefer to manage their own provisioning and meals.

** Florida Vacation Rentals

This is where the most confusion occurs, because if “vacation rental” is correctly interpreted as having “self-catering facilities including a wet area (sink etc), refrigerator, microwave, etc.” then the term can be applied to some units within hotels and resorts, serviced apartments, condos, townhouses as well as detached private dwellings. One vacation rental might be a 1 bedroom beach shack 3 miles from town, another might be a fully equipped apartment in the Sheraton. Same description but very different properties.

The above notwithstanding, most vacation rentals will have separate bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, one or more bathrooms plus laundry facilities including washer and dryer. Towels and linens are usually provided and daily maid services and other hotel conveniences are often available. When the rental property is a domestic dwelling and not part of a vacation complex, it is unlikely there will be any maid services available.

Unlike hotels and resorts with per person or per night pricing, vacation rentals usually have a set price for an entire rental with a maximum number of persons allowed. Extra person charges apply to additional guests accepted at time of booking.

Most one-bedroom units sleep a maximum of four using a sleeper/sofa in the living room. Most two-bedroom vacation rentals sleep a maximum of six, and most three-bedroom vacation rentals sleep up to eight.

The sleeping arrangements for rental houses will vary depending on the number of bedrooms, verandahs, sleep-outs and the individual layout of each one determines the maximum occupancy. Before making a booking for your Florida accommodation, it is important to read the fine print carefully to see exactly what each property offers.

People are having hectic life in the fast moving world of today. They don’t have time for themselves or spend few leisurely moments by being near nature. So they stand aloof from the nature.

But now the trend has changed. People are growing health conscious and look for spending leisure time to recoup the lost energy. So in the process they are now they are are mingling holidays with their monotonous life. They look forward to spend either weekends or enjoy a short holiday trip to revitalize their mind, body and soul. Now for deciding about the place for spending holidays, internet travel portals come to your aid. These online sites save your precious time and money by helping you to get the booking done online by using credit cards. UK Holiday cottages online have come up in a big way to provide the online booking facility. These cottages have spread throughout Scotland, England, etc.

You can get the online booking done for staying at these cottages at www.oas.co.uk. This original holiday cottage portal website has many attractive features like it contains brief description of the places where these cottages are located besides the description of the interior of the cottages. Moreover these cottages are located at the choicest areas. These areas encompass exotic sceneries, beaches; wild life etc.You can look holiday cottages Sussex and holiday cottages Lake District while planning for your destination for next holidays. These places are bound with splendid natural beauty which would refresher you.

We value your hard earned money and promise you that your every penny spent by holidaying here would be rewarded. So mesmerizing would be your experience that you would like to visit this place again and again by availing of this online holiday cottages portal for deriving the best benefits of online booking. We bring time to time or seasonal offers of discounts on the booking rates.

Whether you are starting a small or large landscaping on a slope it can often be difficult to decide where to begin when it comes to landscaping yards. The difficult process is trying to come up with ideas for landscaping yards. Just remember when landscaping yards that the design you choose will give people their first impression of you and your home. So be sure your yard reflects you whether that be a yard with a lot of vegetation or a clean, simple yard.

Many don’t realize that visitors and passers-by will judge a house and its occupants by their first impression of the yard. This is why you need a perfect balance between design and function when it comes to landscaping yards. Although this doesn’t mean you have to design your yard for other people. You can choose to landscape your yard the way you want, but just make sure it gives off the right impression to people.

Elucidation Search of Landscaping on a Slope:

When it comes to landscaping yards you should always take into account your functional needs. This means you should define what functional means to you first and then design your yard around it. There may be those who want many plants and flowers in their yard while others want a yard that is very easy to maintain. For those who want a yard that is easy to maintain then a lot of trees won’t be good. Although for those who enjoy trees and don’t mind spending time raking this may be a good option.

Just Go Ahead:

For those who want a designed look when landscaping yards it is a good idea to include borders and bricks to have clear paths with an organized feeling. Not only will this make your yard look good, but it will also make your garden easy to maintain. Other popular design ideas when landscaping yards includes using fountains and ponds to give an exclusive look to your property. This option may cost you more, but for some it is worth the extra money when they see the results. For more info see http://www.onlinelandscapedesigns.com/Landscaping_Design/Bungalow_Landscaping.php on bungalow landscaping techniques.

These are just a few basic ideas for landscaping yards since they are of landscaping a yard is much more complex. However, these basic ideas can help you start planning for your own landscaping. Always remember that planning is the key to seriously designing your yard. You don’t want to spend out a lot of money and take a lot of time only to have it undone later when you decide you don’t like how it looks.

Home landscaping is a great way for you to make your yard uniquely your own, with your favorite flowers, herbs, and architectural elements. And you can do your home landscaping in stages, as long as you have a “master plan” when you begin.

If you need ideas, there are plenty of places to find them. Your local garden supply store, the Internet, and your friends or family are all sources to whom you can turn for advice on home landscaping. Even a drive through a neighborhood of well-landscape homes will inspire you, and you can start making your yard more than just a nice lawn!

First, let’s break it up into a few stages.

Stage One — Getting To Koh Samui

To get to Koh Samui the easiest and most expensive way would be to fly from Bangkok. The only airlines that fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui are Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways. Bangkok Airways is usually the cheaper option while Thai Airways is the flagship airline of Thailand.

The way many get there is by taking a train or bus down to Surat Thani and then taking the ferry across. I’d recommend trying to get a bus that has it’s destination as Koh Samui from the new Southern Bus Terminal (if you’re at the Southern Bus Terminal right near a big mall and there is no air conditioning, that’s not it, that’s the old one). To get to the new Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok the best advice I can give you is to Google the address Phutthamonthon Soi 1 in northern Thonburi which is on the other side of the river opposite Bangkok. Technically it is in Thonburi but it’s part of the extended Bangkok metro area. So, if you get a bus directly to Koh Samui you do not have to worry about how to get to the Koh Samui ferry and get across to the island.

If you do not get a direct bus ticket to Koh Samui try to get a bus-boat or train-bus-boat ticket from a travel agent directly to the island. You will wait for possibly long periods waiting to get a short bus to the ferry once you arrive in Surat Thani but at least you know everything is sorted. Try different agents to get the fastest ferry possible if speed is important to you. There are some private companies that do high-speed boats but this is not consistent so you need to search.

If you do have to worry about how to get to the Koh Samui ferry and get across from Surat Thani, take note of a few things. There will be taxis (probably tuk tuks or songthaew’s, the former you’ll see in Bangkok and the latter are pickups with benches in the back) at the bus station in Surat Thani which will take you to the ferry. The problem is, there are different ferries to take. Probably you will be taken to a travel agent who will book you on the ferry they send the tourists on, but if you can get a trip to Donsak through the songthaew or from a local travel agent, you will find the fastest ferries to Koh Samui there.

For more on getting there, the Koh Samui airport site has good information on all the ways to get to Koh Samui at http://www.samui.org/airport/

Stage Two — Staying in Koh Samui

You may want to find a nice Koh Samui bungalow to rest after the trip from Bangkok. I would suggest going to Chaweng Beach as it is the most populous area of Samui and the stunning beach calls out for your camera to take a picture. Chaweng is on the other side of the island from Nathon pier, the getting off point from Samui. There are many places to stay on that beach so I recommend just getting there and finding a place with a reasonable price that you like.

To get around Samui Island you will need to take songthaews or taxis. These drivers love to rip off Thai and foreign tourists alike. Since air conditioned taxis will charge minimum 100 baht to get anywhere, know you should never pay more than 60 baht for a songtaew. Bargain and stand your ground, as always, with a smile.

Stage Three — Getting to the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan from Samui

From Samui, getting to Koh Phangan is easy. Simply get a ferry from Nathon pier. There are many travel agents across the road from the pier who will give you a fair price. Alternatively, if you are in Chaweng you can take a short trip to Maenam or Bophut on the north side of the island which have speedboats to Phangan.

Then, you can find your way from there. Have fun at the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan and remember to be safe.

Are you familiar with the different types of housing that you can purchase?

Read this article to find out!

If you are on the market for a new home, it is important that you know the difference between a single family home, a townhouse, and a condominium.

Familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each so that you make a wise decision about your home purchase.

Single Family Homes

The single family house is the most common type of housing in the United States. This type of housing dwelling designed for a single family and has its own land.

The house and the land are purchased and sold together. Unlike townhouses and condominiums, single family types of housing are not attached to other homes. Aside from regulations from your neighborhood or subdivision, you are free to do whatever you would like with your home.

With a single family home, you are responsible for the cost of maintaining and repairing the home, whether you do it yourself or pay someone else to do it.

In addition, landscaping and lawn maintenance are also your responsibility. If you want to have a pool or playground in your backyard, you will have to provide such amenities.

The good thing about single family homes is that you have the freedom to make whatever changes you with. Improvements to your home can greatly increase the resale value, which is already higher than that of other types of housing.

Townhouses

A townhouse is the middle-ground type of housing between a single family home and a condominium. They share characteristics with both types of housing.

In most cases, a townhouse is attached to at least one other house. When you own a townhouse you own the home as well as the property on which the home sits.

Since townhouses are a part of a larger community, you can usually find many of the amenities that you might find with an apartment.

This includes swimming pools, fitness centers, tennis courts, etc.

While you are responsible for some of the maintenance and repairs, it will not be to the extent of that of a single family dwelling.

Townhouses are often part of a Home Owner’s Association, to which you are required to be a member.

Condominiums

A condominium, condo, for short, is a type of housing that is best described as an apartment that you are able to own. When you purchase a condo, you own everything inside your walls and share ownership of common areas with your neighbors.

Often condo ownership requires you to pay a monthly fee that covers repairs and maintenance to the common area. The condo association handles exterior maintenance and repairs, but in many cases, you contribute to the cost through dues or assessments.

Condo prices are often more affordable that those of single family homes and townhouses. There are often a number of amenities available for you to use. You have a minimal responsibility for exterior maintenance and repairs.

It can be hard to resell a condo. They are known to spend a longer time on the market than other types of housing.

When you are looking for Atlanta apartments for rent, you need to be able to have as many choices as possible. There are most likely certain things that you are looking for when it comes to GA apartments for rent. These can include the number of  bedrooms and  baths in the apartment, whether or not utilities are included with the apartment, internet and cable access and laundry facilities. All of these factors figure in to the GA apartments for rent that you consider. Make sure you find out as much as you can about Atlanta apartments before you make the decision to rent. 

 

One of the first things that you need to consider when looking at Atlanta apartments is the number of  bedrooms. If you are renting the apartment just for you, you can consider how much space you need. If you are just looking for an apartment for yourself, you can rent a one bedroom or a studio apartment. If you want an apartment for a family, you may look at Atlanta apartments with two or more bedrooms. There are plenty of space opportunities when choosing GA apartments for rent. You are better off to have too much space than too little. 

 

Many GA apartments for rent come with utilities right in the lease. When you are renting Atlanta apartments, you need to be sure that you understand if the utilities are separate or if they are part of the lease. If they are part of the lease, the lease may be a bit more in the Atlanta apartments, but you might also end up saving money in the long run. 

 

Most GA apartments for rent come with satellite or cable hookup available.  If satellite TV is important for you, then you will need to look for Atlanta apartments that can offer you this service. If you need an internet connection, as most people do, then you need to find Atlanta apartments that offer access to WiFi, cable or DSL. 

 

Look for Atlanta apartments that will suit your budget and your lifestyle.  Take a look online at a guide to GA apartments for rent and find those that you like and will fit in with what you need. Many of these online guides will even show you photos of the GA apartments for rent. Once you find a few Atlanta apartments that you like, you can then start to look at them. It is best to look at the apartments beforehand before you decide to just rent. 

 

It is important that you find the right amount of space as well as amenities that are important to you when you are looking for Atlanta apartments. There are many GA apartments for rent from which to choose. Look at a guide, find one with the bedrooms and bathrooms that you need as well as extras such as utilities, cable and internet access. Once you narrow down your search, visit the apartments yourself to find the perfect place that you can call your new home. 

 

If you’re looking for a condominium, checking out the condo board is imperative. No matter how great your condo is, the board can mean the difference between a pleasant living situation and a hellish nightmare. The board is an important part of condo life and should play a part in your decision to buy. Attending at least one board meeting is something that everyone looking at a condo unit should do before making the decision to buy.

What is the board and why do you need one? The condo board is a group of people who uphold the CC&Rs (covenants, conditions & restrictions), address rule-breakers with warnings, fines and other methods of dealing with infractions, who vote on changes to the CC&Rs, building, policies and other issues associated with the property held in common. You need a board in a condo to make decisions, through an established process, about issues arising in the condo. Whether it is deciding when to replace the roof or mediating a dispute between two neighbors, the condo board performs many necessary tasks that keep the condo running well. Or, at least, it should.

Condo board members should be happy to talk to you about the condo, events, policies, CC&Rs, etc. Be wary of board members who resist all polite inquiries concerning the board and its conduct. While you don’t necessarily want a board that interferes with your daily life, you also don’t want a board that is unapproachable.

How are meetings conducted? You should sit in on one and see. Are they reasonably orderly and productive, or do they devolve into arguments and name-calling? Are there clear procedures that the meeting is conducted by? For instance, one might have a number of “Old Business” issues, some “New Business” issues and a period of time where people can lay issues before the board for consideration.

If the board employs a manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the condo, how approachable and professional is s/he? Do other residents speak well of the manager’s attitude and handling of the condo’s affairs? One or two disgruntled people out of ten may not be cause for alarm, but if most of the people you speak to are disgruntled about the manager’s conduct, you may well have reason to reconsider having to deal with them on a day-to-day basis.

Another aspect of the condo board is the operating budget and reserve. The operating budget covers things like lawn maintenance, pool care, etc. The reserve is for repair and replacement of things as they inevitably wear out or break. A condo’s reserve and operating budget should be flexible to meet rising costs and emergency issues. A condo that cuts reserve money and amenities to keep dues low may be a cheaper option, but the costs of replacing a roof with no adequate budget for it may require a large assessment from each condo owner. It’s wise to avoid saving money now only having to pay an unexpected levy.

The condo board is an important part of condo life and should be taken into consideration when you are considering a condo for purchase. You could get the best condo in the most ideal location, but if you have a condo board that makes life harder, it detracts from the space that you are paying for. Time taken to ascertain that the condo board is one that you can live with is always well spent.

Searching for real estate can be an overwhelming process. There are so many choices, and it can be difficult to decide what property is right for you. However, there are things you can take into consideration when you are looking for Midway real estate. When you consider certain things, you will be more apt to find the property that is right for you.

If you are looking for a property that is low maintenance, you might want to consider a townhouse. If you get a townhouse, you will have the comforts of home without dealing with some of the things people do not care for when they purchase a home.

With most homes available for purchase, you are going to have a lot of yard duties. However, when you buy a townhouse, you will not have those same obligations. That makes it easier for people who are older, as well as those who simply do not want to have a lot of yard work.

Even though there is not a lot of yard space with a townhouse, they are still roomy inside. Just like traditional houses, you can get townhouses that are different sizes, so you will be able to find one that fits your size needs.

Townhouses are also affordable. Townhouses tend to be cheaper than traditional homes, so you are able to find a great deal when you buy one. This is another reason they are a popular choice for those in the market for a new home.

If you want your dream home, you might want to consider looking at land in the Midway area. You can then build your home on that land and get the home of your dreams. You will be able to build a custom home to your own specifications, so you will get exactly what you want.

If you go this route, make sure you look into zoning requirements and building guidelines for the area you have chosen. Look through the available land and building plans until you find something that is right for you.

You can also browse through the listings of homes that are for sale. You can find many great homes listed, and you will not have to go through the trouble of building. Right now is a great time to look at property for sale, as you might be able to find foreclosed homes as well as short sales. This can save you quite a bit of money. When you know where to look, you can come across quite a bit of these properties.

There are several options for buying property, and you want to be sure to pick the option that is best for you. Look over the prices of the homes, along with the features, and find the one that is perfect for you.

It is a great time to buy in the real estate market, so make sure you look through all of the channels so you can get the best deal possible. Take advantage of the current state of the market and find a great deal on property.

Vacationing in Puerto Vallarta condo rentals can be a really pleasant experience. Condo rentals in Puerto Vallarta provide all the right ingredients to make your stay an unforgettable dream. The ingredients include all the facilities for comfortable living.

 

Features of Puerto Vallarta condo rentals

Condominiums provide very convenient and reassuring facilities for the holiday makers no matter where they intend to spend their vacations. When it comes to Puerto Vallarta condo rentals, you need to be more specific about its features. Well, here are some of the outstanding points about them:



Location – Usually, condo rentals in Puerto Vallarta are situated in the Marina or near Banderas Bay with a breath-taking view of the ocean front. Vacationers can enjoy the privacy of the beach with an extended view from all the rooms overlooking the ocean. Puerto Vallarta condo rentals are conveniently located where all the necessary items are easily accessible too.

Prices – Prices of Puerto Vallarta condo rentals depend on the season and the facilities provided. Luxurious condos with all the modern amenities are highly priced during prime seasons. The rich and famous generally opt for these condo rentals. There are many optimally priced condos too with decent furnishings for the common vacationer.

 

Furnishings – Air-conditioned bedrooms with comfortable beds are taken-for-granted  issues in Puerto Vallarta condo rentals. Bedding, linen and laundry are usually provided for.

 

Kitchen – A condo rental in Puerto Vallarta has a well-equipped kitchen with microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and a host of cooking utensils. Vacationers can have a wonderful time cooking according to their preferences.

 

Parking – Parking space for automobiles and motor-boats is included in most Puerto Vallarta condo rentals.

 

Entertainment – A condo rental in Puerto Vallarta provides satellite television with DVD and VCR players and stereo systems. Vacationers can choose to watch movies or sports action from a vast video library. Internet facilities are also provided.

 

Added Attractions In Puerto Vallarta

Living in condo rentals of Puerto Vallarta affords the vacationers insight into a variety of other attractions available in Puerto Vallarta. The vacationers can live a subdued life in the condo rentals and at the same time enjoy the adventures of the nearby places.

Scuba diving – The marine life of Puerto Vallarta is varied and colorful. People living in Puerto Vallarta condo rentals generally go for scuba diving and snorkeling in the bay to discover the host of fishes, sharks and dolphins living there.

 

Water sports – The protected and calm waters of the bay allow the vacationers staying in the condo rentals of Puerto Vallarta the leisure of swimming, parasailing and skiing. A great variety of water sports attract the tourists here.

 

Fishing – The waters around Puerto Vallarta are considered a great fishing destination. All types of fish including marlin, sailfish, dorado are caught by using fishing boats. Both fresh-water and salt-water fishing can be done here by the people living in Puerto Vallarta condo rentals.

 

 

Other Activities In Puerto Vallarta

Apart from what’s been mentioned, there are some other activities that you could get involved in to learn more about the life in Puerto Vallarta while you are there. Here are a few of them:

Golf – Golf courses are located near the Puerto Vallarta condo rentals. Vacationers can register in any of them and have a whale of a time. A short walk or even sponsored bus rides take the tourists from the condominiums to these courses.

 

Shopping – Shops, boutiques and art galleries throng the area near Puerto Vallarta condo rentals. Everything from low-cost trinkets to highly-priced art pieces is available here. Designer clothing and department stores are easily accessible from the nearby condo rentals.

 

Restaurants – Termed the culinary capital of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta has about 250 restaurants catering to the different clientele staying there. Vacationers living in the Puerto Vallarta condo rentals can savor the taste of varied international and Mexican cuisine in the restaurants around these condo rentals.

 

Night life – A honeymoon couple from a condo rental in Puerto Vallarta can enjoy all kinds of music and drinks in the night spots here. Discos and open-air beaches captivate the vacationers with live music bands and dancing.

 

The Puerto Vallarta culture can be enjoyed only by living in the condo rentals here. No amount of description can capture or surpass the wealth found here. Staying in a condo rental in Puerto Vallarta is the only way to experience it.

The Golden Hill region is located near Downtown San Diego County, California. The community is located between Interstates 5 and 15, just south of the famous Balboa Park.

For the period observed (January through July 2006 compared against January through July 2005), the number of homes sold remained relatively consistent. Approximately 74 single-family homes sold in 2006 and 76 homes sold 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 $572,000, compared to $425,000 in July 2005, which represents a 34.6% increase. The average price of homes in July 2006 was $551,875, compared to $466,636 in July 2005, which represents a 19.5% increase. Approximately 8 homes sold in July 2006 and 11 in July 2005. In summary, 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 $451,500, compared to $540,000 in June 2005, which represents a 16.4% drop. The average price of homes in June 2006 was $457,600, compared to $514,846 in June 2005, which represents an 11.1% decline. Approximately 10 homes sold in June 2006 and 13 in June 2005. In summary, 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 $500,000, compared to $430,000 in May 2005, which represents a 13.9% increase. The average price of homes in May 2006 was $545,067, compared to $465,727 in May 2005, which represents a 10.5% increase. Approximately 15 homes sold in May 2006 and 11 in May 2005. In summary, there was an upward price trend in May 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in April 2006 was $442,500, compared to $510,000 in April 2005, which represents an 8.3% drop. The average price of homes in April 2006 was $448,071, compared to $512,067 in April 2005, which represents a 10.9% decline. Approximately 14 homes sold in April 2006 and 15 in April 2005. In summary, there was a downward price trend in April 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in March 2006 was $415,250, compared to $437,500 in March 2005, which represents an 8.2% decrease. The average price of homes in March 2006 was $451,886, compared to $428,375 in March 2005, which represents a 5.5% increase. Approximately 14 homes sold in March 2006 and 12 in March 2005. The data was mixed for March 2006, as the median price dropped and the average price increased from the same time last year.

The median price of homes in February 2006 was $452,500, compared to $512,500 in February 2005, which represents a 6.7% drop. The average price of homes in February 2006 was $483,128, compared to $503,625 in February 2005, which represents a 1.7% decline. About 8 homes sold in February 2006 and 8 in February 2005. In summary, there was a downward price trend in February 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes was $455,000 in January 2006, compared to $500,000 in January 2005, which represents a 9% decline. The average price of homes in January 2006 was $446,280, compared to $467,483 in January 2005, which represents a 1.3% drop. Approximately 5 homes sold in January 2006 and 6 in January 2005. In summary, there was a downward price trend in January 2006 compared to the same period last year.

So what does the data tell us? Well, the data above does not reveal a consistent pattern. The home prices for May and July 2006 were up year-over-year in the range of 10% to 35% from the same period last year. However, prices were down 1% to 16% during January, February, April and June 2006, compared to the same time last year. The data for March 2006 was mixed, with the median price dropping 8.2%, and the average price increasing 5.5% for the same time last year. Given the ups and down described above, a longer period of evaluation is needed to determine if a clear pattern emerges. Contact an experienced Realtor to obtain additional insights about the pricing trends in the Golden Hill real estate market.