resort

The Real Estate Market in British Columbia

British Colombia, Canada, is well-known throughout the world for its gorgeous and dazzling mountain views, vibrant and bustling cities, a strong and diverse culture, and its numerous recreational activities such as the stunning golf courses and best ski condos. In British Columbia, the BC real estate market has always been a booming business. However, due to the recent down turn in the economy, the British Columbia real estate market had experienced a brief cooling off period. Now, this exciting and beautiful Canadian province has started to make a strong recovery. A distinct bounce back in consumer demand has turned a possible gloomy 2010 into a very strong year for home sales. A boost in consumer confidence, increased consumer demand, and low mortgage interest rates, have all played an important role in improving the British Columbia real estate market.

Real Estate developers are not only attracting retirees, but they are also attracting an innovative young work force. Many developers are responding to consumer demands for a private piece of paradise where people can enjoy the beautiful scenery, but still have access to a vibrant and culturally diverse city such as Vancouver. Whether you are looking for a cozy and private residential home or looking for new real estate investment opportunities, British Columbia provides many real estate options for the informed investor. Investors and home buyers are recognizing these opportunities. For instance, the average annual MLS (R) residential price in the province is expected to rise 2 per cent. In 2010, many experts are also expecting to see another increase of 4 per cent in the price of real estate. More specifically, home sales in 2010 are projected to increase an additional 8 per cent.

The interior housing markets of British Colombia are also seeing vigorous consumer demand because of stronger market conditions and current low mortgage rates that are boosting home sales. Vancouver, BC has recently seen a large jump in quarterly sales. According to figures released by the Canadian Real Estate Association, Vancouver is fast becoming one of the hottest real estate markets in Canada. As well, Vancouver and Victoria have declared near record sales this past fall.

Many regions across the Province are now seeing strong home sales. For instance, home sales in the Fraser Valley and the city of Victorian have seen a rapid growth in home sales. In fact, sales in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and Victoria have boosted the province\’s overall home sales total to almost record levels. In December of 2009, The British Columbia Real Estate Association reported that Multiple Listing Service (R) residential sales in the province have made a remarkable increase this past November. However, it is important to note that the demand in these residential sales markets is expected to level off in 2010 as demand is exhausted and home prices begin to rise again.

With the current low interest rates available on mortgages, many experts suggest that it may be a good time to look at the real estate investment opportunities in British Colombia. As the economy slowly rebounds, one may find themselves with a lucrative investment in a beautiful province.

If you are looking for BC real estate, or even just the best ski condos around the area, then look no further! We offer the best locations and prices!

categories: ski resort,real estate,housing,BC,british columbia,victoria,vancouver,resort,business,market,skiing,mountains,mountain,snow

resort

Luxury Homes and Private Communities in Hoover Alabama

Alabama has much to offer in the way of luxury homes within private and gated communities. Hoover is the biggest suburb of Birmingham in north central Alabama. The city is located in Jefferson and Shelby Counties with a population of nearly 73,000. By all estimations, the Hoover area is expected to continue to experience growth over the next decade.

The Hoover area is situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The beauty of the local landscape has led to the development of many planned communities and resorts. The area has both public and private amenities like golf courses, spas, tennis courts, and fitness centers.

The Hoover area has a median home price of about $248,000 as of October 2009. This is up from the 2000 median home price of $176,400, but down from the $363,800 median home price before the recent recession. Most real estate experts feel that is downturn is only temporary and that prices will rebound over the next few years.

The Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa is just one of the many private resort communities in Hoover. Ross Bridge has luxury homes priced from $240,000 to over $1,000,000. More affordable options like town homes are available from $220,000 to $260,000 and condos are priced around $169,900.

Ross Bridge Resort and Spa has become famous around the world. This luxury hotel features 259 rooms and a 12,000 square foot spa center, dining rooms, meeting rooms, tennis and fitness facilities, and a championship golf course.

The golf course is home of the Regions Charity Classic and is the newest course on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. This resort 8,191 yard golf course was featured in the New York Times and called “some of the best public golf on Earth.” Hoover also has many local amenities with a multitude of entertainment, dining, shopping, and cultural options.

Other featured attractions in the Birmingham area includes the Alabama Adventure theme park, the Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, Birmingham Museum of Art, the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame, and the famous Talladega Superspeedway.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Gated Communities USA which features the best Gated Community listings. Find information on South Gated Communities.

categories: gated community,private community,planned community,real estate,home,house,property,resort,golf,alabama,business,finance

resort

10 Ways To Sell Your Oceanfront Home Fast

1. Pack Belongings. Clean out any old magazines and newspapers. Pack up your belongings that you do not need like decorations or figurines. Pack up and relocate any clothing that you wont need to open up the closets in the home. Clean up the garage and remove large items. These tips allow buyers to see how their possessions will look in the oceanfront home without all of the clutter.

2. Wash your windows and screens, especially on the oceanfront side. This lets more light into the interior and dirty windows are a turn off.

3. Give your oceanfront home a deep cleaning. Wipe down the doors, door knobs, and light switch plates to remove dirt and fingerprints. Clean the floors and shampoo the carpet. Clean any appliances and dust the furniture. A clean home makes a great first impression and shows the buyers that the ocean home has been well taken cared of.

4. Make room brighter by replacing blown and dim light bulbs to make rooms brighter. Before buyers arrive, turn on the lights and open the curtains to let as much light as possible in.

5. Make any repairs that you can find. Minor repairs like door adjustments, torn or missing window screens, caulk on exterior doors and windows and interior counter tops and tubs, broken or missing electrical cover plates, and dripping faucets will make a good first impression. Don’t know what to repair, why not get a sellers home inspection. This will show you what the buyers home inspector would see and give you the opportunity to repair the items before the buyers knows they were ever an issue. You can also market the ocean home as being pre-inspected.

6. Spruce up the landscape. Cut the grass, trim back the brushes and trees, put new straw or mulch in the flower beds, and edge the driveway and walkways. Plant a few colorful seasonal flowers and place a few potted plants around the entrance to liven up the landscaping.

7. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

8. Clean dirty gutters.

9. Change the front door hardware and house numbers.

10. Get rid of odors in the home. Shampoo the carpeting and wash the curtains to make the house smell fresh and clean. If the carpet is worn and won’t come clean, maybe you should replace it. The new carpet will add value to the home. This added value will probably be a lot more than the expense of the new carpet. Also, open the windows to let some fresh air in.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Waterfront Houses USA, an online advertising service that offers Oceanfront Homes and Ocean Homes For Sale available in the US and Canada.

resort

Fractional Home Ownership Provides New Option In Second Home Ownership

Thinking about buying a vacation home is a big deal with many different choices available. In recent years a new concept has emerged called fractional home ownership where owners share both the ownership and the responsibilities of a vacation home.

Fractional home ownership is similar to timeshares, but its differences make them standout. In a timeshare, the owner is purchasing a block of time that can be used annually at the resort. This block of time, generally 2 weeks, can be traded with other timeshare owners for vacationing at other resorts inside the group.

In fractional home ownership, homes are divided into deeded shares that can be brought and sold through real estate agents. The homes are divided into 2 to 13 shares. In other words you have to 1/13 ownership in the home.

In a 1/13 ownership situation, you as the owner get 4 weeks of usage per year, or 1 week of usage each season. Other attractive options include ownership shares. In this scenario, the owner has 1 week of usage each month.

Resort towns and communities feature fractional ownership homes inside gated communities with twenty four hour security. Entrance to the community requires a gate pass that would have to be obtained from the guard house. Most homes offer pools and spas among their amenities. Condos or town homes fractional ownerships usually share amenities.

Fractional ownership homes will have a homeowners association formed. The owners then pay HOA fees to a property management firm that is contracted to ensure the property is cared for and things like the utilities, insurance, taxes and maintenance are paid.

Fractional home owners cite many reasons why they purchased using this method. Many could afford to buy the home, but felt the fractional ownership met their needs. In addition they liked the concept of not having to care for the home, pay someone to clean it, check on it weekly, etc. They still have a deed to a the property that will appreciate in value.

In Closing

Fractional ownership may not be right for everyone, but does provide more options for vacationers who are looking for affordable options for ownership.

Gated Communities USA is an online guide that provides information on Fractional Ownership and Luxury Homes in the US.

categories: real estate,home,house,property,lake,vacation,business,finance,resort,second home,travel,timeshare