Read Your Contract Before Booking a Vacation Rental

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As more and more people become aware of the bargain vacations that are possible by booking a luxury vacation rental, vacation rentals have become increasingly more popular. As a result more and more vacation home owners have decided to add their vacation homes to the rental market.

However, many renters fail to read the contract they are required to sign, and make the mistake of signing a surprisingly one-sided contract that absolves the owner or rental agency of all liability. The renter signs away all rights to recourse if the property is inaccessible, when there is a power failure, or when vital appliances fail to work. Obviously, any one of these calamities could ruin a vacation, and renters should not have to buy expensive trip insurance to protect themselves.

Some rental contracts pressure the renter to buy breakage insurance in case something breaks during their stay. Of course all rental contracts state that the tenant is responsible for damage they have done to the property during their stay. However, we have been in business 16 years and have never had to charge a guests credit card for damages. That is because we know that some things such as furniture are prone to break from time to time. However, we always give the guest the benefit of the doubt and would not hold the guest responsible for any damage that was not intentional or malicious.

The guest is put in an extremely vulnerable position if the owner or rental agency cannot deliver on their part of the bargain, because often these contracts require that the full amount of the rental be paid at least 31 days in advance. Thus, owners are put in the unfair position of trying to get their money back after having signed away their rights in the vacation rental agreement.

A more reasonable contract would require 50% of the rental in advance and the rest upon arrival, as well as a willingness to give a full refund if the property is not habitable at the time the guest has reserved. Also, a good owner will be willing to hold that deposit and allow the guest to rebook if there is a family emergency that prevents the guests from arriving at the time they have reserved.

If the agreement is too one-sided, you should look elsewhere in booking a vacation rental.
Below are some important things to look for in reading your vacation rental agreement.

1)The contract pushes you toward purchasing trip insurance. If you are renting from a reputable owner or rental agency, you should not have to pay the added cost of trip insurance that will add 7% or more to your cost.
2)The contact pushes you toward purchasing yet another insurance, accidental damage insurance, by requiring a large deposit if you dont buy their insurance, or by holding you strictly accountable for any damage that might not even be your fault. As indicated above, we have never found it necessary to charge a guests credit card for damage because we felt that anything that was broken was not intentional. If it were intentional, the insurance policy would not cover it in any event.
3)The contract absolves the owner or rental agency of responsibility for having the property in habitable and accessible condition with all appliances working. You should avoid at all costs any property if the management refuses to take any responsibility for your not having the vacation that you have paid for.

As a final note, you should remember that the way the vacation rental agreement is written is a good indication of how you will be treated when you arrive at your destination. If you sign a one-sided agreement, you should not expect to be treated fairly if anything goes wrong. It has been our experience that sometimes things do go wrong. What separates good vacation rentals from bad ones is a good maintenance staff and a dedication by management to taking care of problems as soon as they happen.

Mexico Becomes First Choice For Many Second-home Buyers

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Home to many popular tourist destinations, such as Cancun, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Baja California, Mexico is also fast becoming a popular destination for those looking to purchase a second home for vacation, retirement or investment.

As more and more families seek to balance their hectic, high-stress lifestyles, having a second home is gaining appeal as a way to get away from it all, reduce stress, participate in recreational activities and enjoy more quality time together, and all while making a good investment for the future.

Located north of Central America, Mexico is an exotic and affordable choice for second homes. At nearly three times the size of Texas, Mexico boasts over 5,500 miles of coastland. The country is graced with a temperate climate year round.

Because real estate in domestic locales such as Arizona and Florida has become so expensive, vacationers and retirees are seeking out more affordable locations. Mexico is an attractive alternative due to its tropical climate, lower cost of living and welcoming attitude towards foreigners.

Its affordable real estate allows U.S. investors to purchase a luxurious second home at prices 20% to 50% less than they would pay for a comparable property back home. And, as demand for these properties increases, owners can expect their investment in Mexico real estate to appreciate.

A variety of quality properties is available for foreign investors seeking second homes in Mexico. Developers are meeting the surge in demand by constructing resort-like, master-planned communities brimming with luxurious amenities such as golf courses, infinity pools, full-service spas, state-of-the-art fitness centers, fine-dining restaurants and exciting entertainment venues.
International buyers appreciate that Mexico offers an attractive infrastructure similar to that of the U.S. It boasts good main roads, Internet access, cable television, good cell phone reception, and availability of many American-style products and services. New and improved airports and frequent flights to and from major U.S. cities, make Mexico easily accessible.

Though Mexican law once prevented non-citizens from purchasing property within 31 miles of the coast, the government has introduced a system known as fideicomiso (fee-day-e-co-me-so), a title-holding trust that allows non-citizens to own property inside of the restricted zones. Therefore, many of the new vacation homes being developed and marketed to foreign investors are built near Mexicos beautiful beaches.

Financing for properties in Mexico has become easier to obtain as developers work in tandem with lending companies in Mexico to offer favorable loan packages to international buyers. In addition, U.S. lenders are starting to offer loans for properties in Mexico.

Mexico is clearly worthy of consideration for those looking to own a second home that will provide years of enjoyment and also offer the potential for appreciation and profit in the future.

Doctors Excuse 101 Fake Doctors Excuse Can Be Your Ticket To Freedom

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Do you feel as if you are a prisoner of your own job? Or do you feel that you have no freedom because of your schedule and commitments? Do you want to have some time off so you can enjoy your life even for a few days? Then fake doctors excuse notes can help you. These fake doctors notes can be your ticket to that much wanted freedom. Take a vacation, take a break and get the from that you wish for.

To get fake doctors notes, you do not need to go to a clinic or hospital, feign sickness or even pay a medical assistant to forge you a doctors note. You do not need to have a doctor friend make a false statement saying that you need some time off for sickness recuperation. Whether you want a day off, a few days off, or even a long vacation from your work or commitments, then fake doctors excuse notes from the Internet can meet your needs.

To get your very own collection of fake doctors excuse notes, simply go online and download all kinds of fake doctors notes. Once you have downloaded them, edit some parts to input your name and other important information. Last step is to print it. Now, you now have a very authentic looking fake doctors note that you can use to have your needed break.

Whenever you need the time to take a break or a vacation, these fake notes from all kinds of doctors can help you with the excuse that you need.

The Florida Panhandle A Terrific Place To Invest In Real Estate

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We have vacationed in Northwest Florida, Walton County in particular, for twenty years – and love it! The best, uncrowded beaches in the country – reasonable cost – great restaurants – terrific beach properties to lease! So we are very enthusiastic about the area – but what about the economic realities of investing in Florida — at this time?

Northwest Florida has a vibrant and steady tourist business, with low unemployment. The brand new Panama City International Airport, projected to open in January 2010, will make the area quickly accessible from virtually anywhere in the United States and Europe. It is expected to provide a major boost to the areas economy, and should increase demand for real estate.

We believe the Florida panhandle is a solid place to buy real estate, and that real estate values, though flat right now (January 2008) are likely to move sharply upward, especially for oceanfront and Gulf view properties. But thats our view! Here are some other folks opinions on the area.

CNN Money.com (Feb. 12, 2007) highlighted Panama City, Florida as the #1 place to buy real estate in the United States.

American Express says that the Florida panhandle is one of its Top Ten tourist destinations in the United States. The Florida panhandle is second only to the Orlando area in Florida tourism. Northwest Florida beaches are among the best in the world, attracting over seven million visitors annually – more than any other East Coast beach area.

Real estate professionals in Walton County say that prices are less than during the peak year of 2005. But they are expecting closings to increase, as more deals become available. Many residences are priced below the cost to build. “If you are looking for a property to hold on to for the next five years, the time to purchase is now. We are still very undervalued compared to other regions of Florida.”

The St. Joe Company (NYSE:JOE), whose corporate headquarters are in Jacksonville, FL, is the largest landowner in the Florida panhandle, owning some 718,000 acres of development land – half of it less than ten miles of the coast. St. Joe has been a big player in the area for a long time, beginning as a timber company but realizing in recent decades that the value of its holdings was far greater as investment property. So now theyre in the vacation home development business, with a great deal of activity centered on Walton County.

According to St. Joe’s Investor Relations Department the long term outlook for Florida panhandle real estate is particularly upbeat.

Long-term economic and population trends continue to favor Florida, whose economy is fundamentally solid and diversified. The state’s population is forecasted to increase by three-fourths (to 28.6 million) by 2030. Its demographic growth rate regularly outperforms that of the rest of the United States: since 1970, the State’s yearly rate of growth has outpaced the national average by 100%. By 2010 Florida will pass New York to take its place as the nation’s third most populous state.

Florida’s solid, diversified economy regularly outperforms the U.S. mean, with a burgeoning tourism industry, plenty of high-tech jobs and a strong high-tech manufacturing sector. A large military presence with a number of active and expanding bases provides stability to the region’s economy. Within the Florida panhandle, Walton County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Florida and the U.S.

Florida is the commercial center of the Americas. Geographic location, as well as economic and political stability, places Florida at the heart of trade and business throughout the region. Vacation property sales to retirees remain robust, and Florida is a favorite spot for retirement relocation.

Northwest Floridas beaches are the states second favorite tourist destination, behind only Orlando. They draw over seven million visitors each year, more than any other stretch of beach in the eastern United States.

Beaches in the Florida panhandle rate as some of the most beautiful in the country and the world. Beaches in Walton, Bay and Gulf Counties have been selected for the number one ranking by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, an authority on beach quality and author of America’s Best Beaches.

Northwest Florida enjoys a very favorable climate, with mild winters, lots of sunshine and clear days. Northwest Florida is located in U.S. Climate Zone 8, the same climate zone as renowned vacation areas such as Hilton Head (SC), Amelia Island (FL), Kiawah Island (SC) and St. Simons and Sea Island (GA). Floridas beauty and variety of landscape is well-known. The Emerald Coast has a distinct geography, culture and cuisine that is very different from Miami or Orlando.

Northwest Florida entertains approximately seven million visitors annually. According to Visit Florida, the states tourism and visitor agency, 33 percent of these visitors are from households with incomes over $75,000 and 16 percent are from households with incomes over $100,000.

The number of private resort developments in the Florida panhandle is increasing. At communities like Seaside, Rosemary Beach, WaterColor and WaterSound Beach, oceanfront lots have sold for $40,000 per linear beachfront foot to prosperous families who have chosen Northwest Florida.

The new Panama City airport now under construction is expected to be in operation by February 2010. It will be a major international airport, thus opening the Emerald Coast to easy access from both coasts, the Midwest, Canada and Europe. Previously, access to the area by air was limited to regional airports.

Economists expect that the new airport will become a strong economic development engine for the area. Throughout history airports have a powerful track record for increasing economic development activity.

The new Panama City airport will be the first major airport built in the United States in almost fifteen years. As a large-scale greenfield airport location, it offers unique opportunities and unmatched flexibility for companies dependent on air transport and logistics infrastructure.
Examples of how airport construction stimulates local economies may be seen in Huntsville, AL, Savannah, GA, Jacksonville, FL, Fort Myers, FL and Northwest Arkansas. All of these airports have stimulated significant adjacent development.

The State of Florida projects that over its first decade, the new airport is likely to create 8,000 new jobs and at completion a total of 13,000 jobs. An important comparison is the construction of the new Southwest Regional Airport in the Ft. Myers/Naples area in 1983, which had a tremendous impact on real estate values. Since the airport opened in 1983, total residential real estate values in the region have increased an average of 11 percent annually.

Fortune Magazine (October 14, 2007) highlighted the St. Joe Company as one of the Ten Best stocks for 2008, citing the long-term potential of the company and its development business situated in the Florida panhandle. The article says: “When Florida real estate does rebound, investors will be kicking themselves for not recognizing today’s $28 stock price for St. Joe Co (JOE) — Florida’s largest private landowner — as a rare opportunity.”

In the quickly shifting economic climate, it is important to research and ask questions before making any investment choice. Yet the truth is that the Florida panhandle is a rarity, with a delightful climate and stunningly beautiful, mostly empty beaches. As you sit on the pristine, white sand with your feet in the emerald clear Gulf water, with pelicans and gulls flying overhead and dolphins cruising by you can see that there are some very important intangibles here. Northwest Florida is a very special place – and they’re not creating any more beach property!

Explore the Land of Exotic Villas and Vacation Homes – Italy

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Explore the Romantic Italy Italy, the romantic city to fall in love with, attracts huge masses of tourists every year. This has also increased a great demand of Italy rental vacation homes (location saisonnire italie) in the major cities of Italy. Italy has the most beautiful picturesque and extravagant villas that entice you blissfully to spend your every vacation in Italy.

When visiting Italy, it may come to your mind what is so special about Italy? Italy has all from culture, cuisine, history, art and style of its own to outstanding beaches. If you want to experience Italy to the fullest then look out for Italy vacation rental homes or Italy rental villas. If you want to eat, sleep and drink the romance of Italy then Italy vacation villas can fulfill your desires.

Look out for the beautiful and charming vacation villas or rental homes in Tuscany, Italy where outdoor food markets and outstanding national parks abound. Search for beautiful Italy vacation villas in Sicily where you can travel to quaint villages or can experience the gentle breeze along the beach. Browse through the rental homes in Milan where you shop until you drop. If you are very much interested in knowing history, then you can look for vacation rental homes in Siena where you can stay and explore the history with leisure.

There are many Italy vacation accommodations that cater to all your needs like cabins, cottages, condos, private homes, luxury villas, and beach homes to choose from.

Best Time to Visit The most favorable season to book vacation villas is spring that is from April to May and autumn that is from October to November. During these periods, the weather is at its best with moderate temperatures and cool breeze. It is better not to book rental homes during summer as prices are high and climate is too hot. Mostly, shops and restaurants are closed during this season as most Italians go on holidays.

Attractions and Activities There are many attractions across Italy that makes you spellbound. Sicily has amazing museums and galleries. Staying at vacation rental homes in Sicily, you can enjoy sun-baked beach paradises, majestic beautiful mountains, amazing art and dense forest. Explore the other main cities of Sicily to walk through enticing artisan shops and stunning beaches.

Nightlife and Restaurants Restaurants, bars, cafes, inns and discos – present here offer you fun and time to romance. Nightlife in Italy is very exciting and some of the world’s famous restaurants are present here. Tourists staying in rental vacation villas on the seaside towns can enjoy the food of Italy’s best restaurants just about anywhere in Italy. They can have great fun and frolic at night in the trendy clubs, live music arenas and DJ bars.

Accommodations Italy is the homeland of beautiful vacation villas, rental apartments and seaside holiday homes (maison vacances Italie). Whether you are interested in Italy for art or architecture, hiking or skiing, beaches or restaurants, nightlife or romantic evening, these accommodations help you explore the most and have holidays filled with fun.