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How to Buy a Grill
2007-06-21 21:57:00
With the first day of summer upon us, it’s definitely barbecue season. Whether you lean toward burgers, hot dogs, kielbasa, portabella mushrooms or veggie burgers, just about everyone loves a summer barbecue! eHow has a great article on what to look for when purchasing a propane grill. Pointers include looking for a meodel with a drip ...
More About: Tools , Products , Grill

The Family Compound is Making a Comeback
2007-06-20 16:31:00
Years ago, unless you were a Kennedy, a Forbes or a Cabot, your family probably didn?t own a ?compound? on the beach or anywhere else. While America?s wealthier families owned acres of oceanfront, lakefront or mountain land and built multiple dwellings so that family members could convene without having to actually live together, the majority ...
More About: Family , Design , Buying , The Family , Pound

Housing Market on the verge of a Rebound?
2007-06-19 15:38:00
According to a number of indicators, the residential real estate market may finally be on the verge of turning back into positive territory. While there are still some markets in distress, (primarily those where prices had risen most steeply during the boom times), there are a number of statistics that when taken together promise at ...
More About: News , Buying , Selling , National , Market

Are you planning on a Remodeling Project at your Vacation Home?
2007-06-18 21:33:00
If so, its good to be aware of some of the pitfalls of the process, so you can save yourself time, money and aggravation. Even if your project is moderate in size, it?s recommended that you negotiate a contract that protects your interests in the event any problems crop up that are related to your ...
More About: Design , Planning , Home , Project , Vacation

Proceed with Caution When Purchasing Abroad
2007-06-14 22:07:00
When buying a vacation home or investment property abroad, particularly in nations outside the U.S., Canada and Western Europe, it’s advisable to go one step beyond a standard building inspection. While building codes and standards in the U.S., Canada and most other highly-developed nations are stringent and followed to the letter in most cases, building codes in less developed nations may be far more relaxed and may be enforced more loosely. Of course, this is of more concern when purchasing in a high-rise building or in an area prone to hurricanes, earthquakes or other natural disasters. Strong building codes that are strictly enforced, especially in areas where there could be hurricanes or earthquakes, help protect your vacation home investment. If a building is not constructed with adequate foundations and structural support (including using enough and the right types of rebar, using the proper cement mix, etc.), the building is much more likely to be damaged or even collapse ...
More About: Road , Broad

Full Service or Discounted Real Estate Selling Model
2007-06-13 22:16:00
I’m selling my home. Which makes more sense? As the real estate market slowed over the past year-and-a-half, there has been a business and legal battle being waged for the future of the real estate industry. On one side are the new real estate business models represented by surging Internet property search sites like Trulia, PropSmart, Zillow and others. The phenomenal growth of these businesses and other emerging alternatives to full service real estate professionals such as fee-for-service or discounted commission firms have been competing in a market with more sellers than buyers. At the same time, the Department of Justice has been pursuing the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and several large Multiple Listing Service (MLS) providers alleging anti-competitive practices. It has been a spirited fight so far and the outcome is still far from uncertain. What is certain is that the Internet and technology-driven changes that are inexorably at work in the real estate indust...
More About: Selling , Estate , Real Estate , Model

Major Insurers stop issuing new home owner policies on U.S. East Coast
2007-06-08 16:11:00
The increasing awareness of the potential impact of global climate change is nowhere more acute than in the property and casualty insurance industry. Two major insurers, Allstate and State Farm are already posing restrictions on writing new polices in some east coast states, due to historic and predicted future weather-related risks. OK, so what to do ...
More About: Buying , Insurance , Home , East , Stop

International Deal: Condo near the beach in Dominican Republic
2007-06-07 16:20:00
Check out this 2 bedroom condo only 5 minutes from the white sand beaches in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Your very own slice of tropical paradise! Find out more on Viviun.
More About: International , Buying , Beach , Condo , Deal

Helpful Hints on Buying a Second Home: First, Take Your Time
2007-06-06 17:07:00
When it comes to deciding where you want to buy a vacation home, it pays to do some strategic thinking. After all, there are so many places to choose from. And it isn?t as if you won?t have a roof over your head if you don?t buy a second home today. There are a lot of ...
More About: Buying , Time , Home , Hints , Econ

How can I Save on my Second Home Insurance Coverage?
2007-06-05 16:05:00
With insurance premiums growing every year and with some areas offering few companies to choose from to provide coverage, there are several ways to lower insurance costs on your vacation home. An informative article from smartmoney.com offers some useful tips on how to lower premiums on your second home.
More About: Finance , Insurance , Home , Save , Econ

10 Little-Known, Super-Affordable Vacation Home Destinations, Part 2
2007-06-04 17:33:00
Here is the second half of the list of top 10 little-known yet affordable vacation home areas: 6. Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada: Cape Breton is considered one of ?50 places of a lifetime?, and was named the second best sustainable tourist destination in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine. There are four major ...
More About: Buying , Market , Home , Vacation , Super

10 Little-Known, Super-Affordable Vacation Home Destinations, Part 1
2007-06-01 21:31:00
Here are the first five of 10 little-known yet very affordable vacation home destinations: 1. Galena, IL: Galena, IL is located in the Northwest corner of the state, and boasts hiking, biking & walking trails, farm stands and farmers? markets, an array of 19th century architecture (85% of the buildings in town are listed on the ...
More About: Buying , Market , Home , Vacation , Super

How can you keep an eye on your vacation home when you are miles away?
2007-05-31 19:06:00
If you own a second home, chances are you will be spending some time there this summer. As a second homeowner, I find that having good neighbors near my seaside cottage in Nova Scotia eases my mind about in what shape I can expect to find our place when we open the door, especially since ...
More About: Tools , Products , Home , Vacation , Miles

Decrease your yard-related maintenance and water usage
2007-05-30 15:27:00
Now that spring is finally here, it?s time to think about how to make your second home yard and landscaping more beautiful and easier to maintain. With the near-record drought in the Southeast and soaring temperatures in the desert Southwest, owners of vacation homes in those areas are looking for ways to decrease both yard-related ...
More About: Gardening , Landscaping , Water , Maintenance , Yard

Long-term Hawaiian Real Estate Investments (Really Long Term?)
2007-05-29 21:58:00
Lo’ihi Development Co. is getting ready to start offering ocean view lots in Hawaii for only $39.95! But, there’s a catch…The parcels won’t actually be available for another 10,000 years (or more). That’s because the lots are part of the Lo’ihi volcano, which is currently submerged some 3,000 feet below the ocean’s surface. “Owners” will get ...
More About: News , Products , Buying , Estate , Real Estate

10 Tips for Happy Second Home Ownership
2007-05-24 15:57:00
MSN Money has a very informative article covering 10 things to keep in mind to make sure that your experience as a second home owner is a happy one. Some of the tips include: Know yourself - Make sure a vacation home is really the right choice for you. Consider all the costs - Don’t forget to factor ...
More About: Buying , Selling , Finance , Tips , Home

Should you take global warming into account when looking for a vacation hom
2007-05-22 16:42:00
There are many people who are beginning to think that prudence and not panic is the sensible stance to adopt when considering where to buy. If this is a factor on your radar screen as you consider a second home purchase, you will find some thoughtful pointers on the subject in this article from Realty ...
More About: Global Warming , Buying , Vacation , Global , Local

Don?t miss SIMA07 in Madrid!
2007-05-19 16:52:00
The SIMA expo in Madrid , Spain is coming right up May 29 - June 2. SIMA is the largest international real estate expo in the world, attracting over 160,000 visitors and over 800 exhibitors. Exhibitors include both residential and commercial real estate firms, financial institutions and more. The general public can get into the expo for ...
More About: International , Buying , Miss

The ?greening? of second homes
2007-05-18 17:09:00
Vacation homes have been sprouting throughout North America for 150 years or more. Now, these sprouts are becoming increasingly green, as a combination of good intentions, guilt and the quest for bragging rights spur owners of second homes to go green. Via New York Times You can read the 2nd annual green issue of 2ndhome Journal here.
More About: Design , National , Homes , Econ , Greening

Selling: Surviving a Home Inspection, Part 2
2007-05-17 15:42:00
In Part 1, I detailed what?s generally involved in a home inspection from the seller?s point of view. In this part, I?ve included a list of things you can do to make your home inspection go more smoothly. Start outside Repair minor things like loose steps, rotted trim, disconnected gutters, and anything else that can be ...
More About: Tools , Selling , Home , Sell

How would you feel about having a bank sending YOU a check every month?
2007-05-16 16:37:00
With a reverse mortgage, you might say that after a lifetime of making payments, that turnabout is fair play. Would you like to keep your current home after you retire but think you can?t afford it? If you are 62 or older, there is a choice you might like to explore. It?s called a reverse mortgage. ...
More About: Finance , Check , Ending , Ever , Send

Selling: Surviving a Home Inspection, Part 1
2007-05-15 15:40:00
Most real estate contracts in the U.S. contain an inspection contingency clause, which is a provision to allow the purchasers to have the home inspected for any major defects or problems prior to signing a final purchase agreement. Inspections generally take place pretty quickly after an offer is accepted, and generally take two to three ...
More About: Tools , Selling , Home , Part , Sell

Is there a better way than to find your dream vacation property?
2007-05-14 16:33:00
Yes. You might want to consider engaging the services of a buyer?s agent. This can be especially useful to anyone seeking a vacation or resort property. As anyone can attest who has tried it, searching for property can be a very time consuming task. Find ing just the right property in a distant locale that will ...
More About: Tools , Buying , Property , Vacation

One piece of hardware can make your dream of a treehouse second home a real
2007-05-13 16:31:00
Lots of kids have treehouses. If you drive through virtually any town in America, whether rural or suburban, you?re bound to see remnants of treehouses from days-gone-by all over the place. But that?s one of the big issues with treehouses: they don?t last very long. Between the wind blowing the trees, the seasonal expansion and ...
More About: Hardware , Design , Products , Home , One Piece

Seven destinations where Americans are buying abroad
2007-05-12 15:55:00
Tom Kelly, author of ?Cashing in on a Second Home in Mexico: How to Buy, Rent and Profit and Real Estate South of the Border? has compiled this list of the top international markets for second home buyers. Bay Islands of Honduras Belize Panama South Coast of Mexico Croatia Languedoc, France Turkey Via AOL
More About: International , Buying , Here , Destinations , Americans

Vacation home sales hit record in 2006
2007-05-11 16:21:00
According to the annual National Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey despite the downturn in the U.S. housing market, the sale of vacation homes rose to record levels in 2006. During the same period, sales of investment properties in the second home market dropped significantly, lowering the overall share of this market segment to 36% from ...
More About: News , Market , Sales

International Deal: Oceanfront Cottage in McIvers, Newfoundland
2007-05-10 16:14:00
This cute little one bedroom, one bathroom bungalow is located on an oceanfront lot measuring 67×80. While definitely not a mansion, the view of the Bay of Islands is priceless. There is a full basement for expansion, and a large boat house. $54,900!!! Via mls.ca
More About: International , Buying , Cottage , Local , Deal

6 modern design resources for your second home
2007-05-09 15:50:00
What does the owner of a second home with a more modern aesthetic do when looking for furniture? Often the nearby furniture stores in more traditional vacation home markets will carry more ?traditional? and often ?country? furniture choices. While traditional furniture often works well as an accent piece in a modern home, having your GlideHouse ...
More About: Design , Products , Resources , Home , Sign

Top 5 historic second homes
2007-05-08 22:07:00
Second homes have a long tradition both in the U.S. and abroad. From the historic palaces in Europe to the cottages of Newport, RI, everyone who was anyone had a second home. Of course, it seems that the Vanderbilt?s had more than their fare share (considering everywhere I turned to compile this list I was ...
More About: Historic , Homes , Stor , Hist , Tori

Restoring the native landscape at your second home
2007-05-08 16:51:00
The USDA Forest Service has a great article titled ?Basic Instructions for Restoration and Native Landscaping Projects?. The State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources came up with the guidelines. Here are a few from the list: #2. Gain an understanding of the native plant communities in your area. #4. Get to know your site. This includes ...
More About: Landscape , Gardening , Home , Stor