HI! Good news is all around us...Here are some of my notes from our business meeting this morning.

Times of change are upon us and there are some things to consider when promoting your vacation property for sale to today’s buyer. Buyers today are really doing their homework, are eager for the best deal out there and want something turnkey with good rental history.
I feel we should consider selling many of the properties here on the Islands as a vacation rental business rather than just any old vacation home.
 First, we need to prove that it's a profitable business. Selling your vacation home as vacation rental business could be very attractive to prospective buyers. I always like to have the last year or two's rental revenue history. Many buyers seek vacation homes that they can rent out for part of the year to defray expenses. Buyers may even pay more for a property with proven rental income. If you don’t have the history, I can look to other comparable units and quote projections. The more information, the better in my opinion! At the end of a long day viewing properties I want prospects to have a clear idea of what will be the best property for their needs and providing them with everything under the sun up front will put the most well presented properties in the front of their minds while they mull over the days viewings at dinner.
Second, having the right realtor representing you in the marketing and sale of your property is paramount. Extensive web exposure, extensive web exposure, extensive web exposure…..I cannot stress this enough. This, coupled with hundreds of other things I do keeps my listings in the foreground locally and globally.
As a seller, if you have an established personal website for your investment property and other portals such as VRBO.com you can transfer your listing to the new owner at a minimal cost…Now you are really ahead of the game!!!
Think of the advantage of saying, "Property with a great rental history and complete website is included." Now you're selling an established business rather than just another property.  Lets get to it and get it SOLD!

Feel free to give us your thoughts on how you think the economy is shaping up and how it will effect our real estate market!

NEW YORK – Aug. 14, 2009 – With the launch of an economic recovery all but certain this year – many experts say it’s already begun – the debate among pundits has turned decidedly alphabetical. In other words, what letter will the rebound resemble – U, V or W?

Typically, sharp downturns like the current one yield equally rapid, or V-shaped, upswings. But the worst recession since the Great Depression has been anything but typical, with housing and credit markets devastated. In a USA TODAY survey, 63 percent of economists said the recovery will be slow and gradual, or U-shaped.

Yet 37 percent said it will be moderate or fast. And a smattering of experts say the rebound will look like a W, with a precarious economy sliding back into recession before turning around for good. USA TODAY presents the case for each scenario:

Consumers aren’t spending
Sharp downturn followed by slow and gradual rebound

Most economists, including Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, predict a slow and gradual upturn. To be sure, the telltale recovery signals have been flashing green lately. Factory output and new orders grew last month at the fastest pace in two years. The government’s cash-for-clunkers program has lit up a moribund vehicle market.

And with inventories of stores and manufacturers depleted, factories must soon ratchet up production just to restock.

Pricing CRS

1. What are Citizens’ shutter requirements for residential property located in the WBDR?

The table below lists the opening protection classifications and relates them to the eligibility requirements.

Hurricane Eligible -everywhere

Rated Glazed- Eligible except for Dade and Broward

Basic- Eligible except for Dade and Broward

Not Rated- Not eligible

Wood Panels- Eligible except for Dade and Broward

None- Not eligible

2. Where do I have to live for this to affect me?