5 Quick Kitchen Fixes for your Orlando Vacation Rental Home That Will Generate Bookings

This is a guest post by Lisa Sedore, owner of www.SunshineVillaOrlando.com. Please scroll down below for more information on her and her services.

What room comes to mind when you think of the heart of a home? Your kitchen, right?  Well, an Orlando vacation rental home is no exception to this rule. With just a few quick kitchen fixes you can pump some new life into a flat line rental kitchen and increase your bookings in the competitive Disney area vacation home market.

2. Dress Up your Window
What’s your style? Whether simple and functionable, county or elegant the window treatments say it all.  Try some mini blinds and valance or a cornice box hung high to enlarge the look of your window.  Highlight a modern sleek look with a Roman shade or bump it up with wood blinds for a touch of elegance.  Cute little cafe curtains add a homey county feel to a Florida home.

Read Also: How To Market Your Vacation Home To a Niche Audience

5. Shine Some Light
Some like it bright, some like little light.  Mix a variety of light sources to blend light levels in the kitchen.   Task lighting provides sufficient direct light to chop veggies or read recipes while ambient light creates warm glows that fill the space and warm our hearts.

Guests will take notice of the updates and modern fixes to your kitchen rewarding you with increased inquiries and more bookings.   After all … kitchens are the heart to all our homes!

Lisa Sedore (owner) is The Villa Manager, she is dedicated to providing vacation rental property owners the best solution to their business management and booking needs.   Her blog site, www.vacationvillablogger.com is an amazing resource for Florida vacation home owners and guests to find insightful information, join the conversation, and learn about how The Villa Manager can make the most of their vacation rental experience.   Lisa’s and her husband Mark are also the owners of their own vacation rental property in Davenport Florida.  Take a peek at how they created a magical villa close to Disney at www.sunshinevillaorlando.com

 

Orlando Vacation Home iphone App- Now This Is Just Plain Cool

One of my past clients, Dave Pollock, has recently developed one of the coolest iphone apps I’ve seen for a vacation rental. This nifty little app not only showcases his Sandy Ridge vacation rental home but also contains information on the Orlando area for tourists, which is very convenient for those traveling to the area.  From your iphone you can view photos and a virtual tour on the Blue Jay Way property and if you like it, you can even view the calendar and contact Dave and Lois to book it right from your phone! There is a tab for attractions, local news and even car rentals. My favorite part about the app are the cool Orlando facts that you can read over. . . did you know that Orlando sees an estimated 52 MILLION tourists every year? I didn’t, until I just read it on my iphone. This app is way cool and way handy, every owner and renter should download this into their iphone before traveling to the area. Don’t forget to become a fan of the Pollock’s vacation rental home on Facebook and you check out the iphone app here or download it in itunes. The best part about this app. . . IT’S FREE!

What To Look Out For When Renting a Condo Near Disney World

Condo vacation rentals are a popular option for those not wanting to stay in a cheap and sleazy Orlando hotel but are  looking for a value vacation rental alternative in Orlando. Many of the Orlando condo resorts offer a both five star amenities as well as top of the line decor all for often half the price of a vacation home. When shopping for a vacation condo in Orlando be sure to find out about these five things before booking the unit.  You won’t regret asking these questions.

1. What floor is the vacation condo located on?
It may look fabulous in the pictures and the view may seem incredible but if it’s on the second floor and it’s a five story building you may run into noise issues. The middle floors are usually the nosiest floors to be located on and though they offer a great view, they may not be the best option if you are traveling with a small baby who wakes easily through the night.  The last thing you want to be on your Orlando vacation is sleep deprived!

Orlando Vacation Condos For Sale Under $70,000

2. Does it have an elevator?
In follow up to the question above, if your condo is not on the first or second floor it’s vital to find out if the building has an elevator.  Believe it or not, not all Orlando condo resorts have elevators and you could be stuck walking up three flights of stairs everyday.  That may not seem so bad first thing in the morning but try doing it after you just walked three theme parks all day.  Happy camper? I think not.

3. Is it gated?
Most Orlando condo vacation rental resorts are gated but it doesn’t hurt to ask.  The benefit to being in a gated community is obviously security.  Often times you will get locals looking for a free place to hang out for the day who sometimes utilize the facilities of non-gated communities and it causes the pool areas to get overcrowded.  Go for the gates, you’ll be happy you did in the end.

The 9 Best Kissimmee Vacation Home Communities To Own a Vacation Home In

4. Does it back up to a shopping plaza?
Always ask what your unit backs up to.  Many of the Orlando condo resorts back up to shopping plazas or are built near commercial strip plazas.  This isn’t so bad if you want to be walking distance to a strip plaza but to walk out onto your balcony and watch Uncle Vito dumping the trash out at the local Italian restaurant everyday just won’t feel so glamourous.

5. How close to the pool is the unit?
In an recent post I briefly discussed how important it is to be close to the clubhouse and pool if you plan on using it.  Not only is it a pain in the rear to get into your car and schlep everything in and out everyday just to drive two minutes to the pool it’s more annoying if you’re not renting a car and you have to walk about 10 minutes in the blazing hot peaks of summer which, I promise, will suck the life out of you before you even get to the pool.  Always stay close to the clubhouse if you want an enjoyable vacation!

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Important Things You Need To Look For Before Renting an Orlando Vacation House-Part 2

Guest Post by: Dave Pollock

Also Read: Important Things You Need To Look For Before Renting an Orlando Vacation House-Part 1

All About Deposits

After you select an Orlando vacation home, and confirm the dates, you will have to put a deposit on the home. This is normally around $200.00 per week. If you are renting directly from a home owner, they usually accept a certified check, PayPal, or even a credit card. I’m okay with any of these forms of payments. If you use a credit card, you will most likely have to give your credit card number, name, and security code.  Not all people are comfortable giving this out, it’s up to you.  A security/breakage deposit is often also required. It will be around $200.00 and is returned after the house is verified it’s in the same condition as before you arrived. If you cancel your rental, it will cost you the deposit or the full rental amount if it is within a certain number of days before arrival. If you are not a risk taker, consider travel insurance or be prepared to give your neighbor an early Christmas gift. The balance owing is usually due around 35 days before your arrival date. Always read the terms and conditions before you decide to proceed with the rental.

Amenities
I wouldn’t rent a Florida vacation house unless it has the following amenities:  A South facing pool. Trust me, you will want this. I made the mistake once, and never again. If you get a cold snap, the sun can help make up for the colder temperatures. If you find the sun too hot, remember that 99% of the pools are covered by a screen that helps block the sun’s intensity. A covered lanai is also a must. A lanai is basically a part of the patio covered by a roof. This is great for eating lunch shaded from the sun or taking a break watching the kids swim. A games room is also valuable. Games rooms are great for those rainy days or a break from the theme parks. They are usually converted garages, that have such games as air hockey (good for the Canadians eh!), pool, electronic darts, and foosball.  Look for stools or chairs in the home pictures, to chill out and watch the pool game. Bring your laptop with you, because you’ll want the house to have Internet access, preferably wireless. This is great for researching day trips, restaurants, or other activities.  Calling home for free is very convenient. Homes should provide, free long distance calling to the U.S. and Canada.  Not to be forgotten, the basic amenities should be a fully equipped kitchen, cable TV and DVD players in each room, a large screen TV in the great room, stereo, games console, chairs and loungers on the patio, and house alarm.

Plan Ahead!

Before you leave for your trip, make sure you have been provided the required information. This includes the electronic door lock and/or lock box codes, house alarm code and instructions, property management phone number, and driving directions with full house address (great for a GPS). Bring change with you in case you hit a toll on the highway. It happened to me, it was around midnight and I hit a toll with no attendant.  Whoops no change! I kept going and hoped they would see I had a rental car and not fine me. For the record, I never received a ticket. Take note of where the closest grocery store and pharmacy are. The home owner’s house web site should have this. If not, when you get the address of the house, use Google maps to find them.

When you arrive at the home, take a few minutes and do the following: Take a walk around the house and if there is any damage, take a picture and then call the property management company. You don’t want to pay for someone else’s mistake. Take a stroll over to the pool, and if you paid for heat, make sure it feels warm. Take a drive over to the grocery store, which you research earlier right? Pick up food and a few cold ones. While you are at it, hit the pharmacy if you forgot to bring pain killers. Don’t want to make a run to the pharmacy if you have a headache.

After your vacation is over, and you are sporting the sunburn, there are a few things you have to take care of before you leave the home. Normally this involves removing the sheets from the bed, putting the used towels in the bathtub, start the dishwasher, put all trash in garbage can etc. After a few weeks you should also get the security/breakage deposit back, if you didn’t leave that spaghetti sauce on the carpet.

Renting a vacation home is a great way to spend a vacation with family and friends. If you do your homework upfront, you will most likely have a fantastic vacation with wonderful memories and dreams about next year’s trip.

About The Author: Dave Pollock and his wife Lois own a beautiful Davenport vacation home in Sandy Ridge. It’s the perfect retreat for anyone looking for an affordable vacation home with a private pool. The home is located  within a short 15 minute drive to Disney and other Orlando attractions. Consider renting the Pollock’s “Sun Retreat” next time you come to Orlando.  www.OrlandoHouse.me

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Important Things You Need To Look For Before Renting an Orlando Vacation House-Part 1

Guest Post by: Dave Pollock

Many people are turning to renting vacation homes in Orlando instead of the more traditional hotel rentals. Over the last five or six years my family has rented houses in the Orlando and Tampa, Florida area. This past spring we purchased a house in Davenport, Florida. Davenport is just outside of Orlando, 15 minutes from the theme parks.  We are currently renting this house as well as using it for our own personal vacation retreat.

Because I have been on both sides of the fence, renting a home and renting one out, I can give you several tips on renting a vacation home.

Start Your Orlando Vacation Rental Search Early

Six months or more in advance is best. This will take the stress out of renting a  home, especially if it is during the vacation season. The good homes go early, so the sooner you start the better.  The Internet is a powerful tool. Use Google to help your research. You can also search popular web sites such as VRBO
where Orlando vacation homeowners rent directly to customers or use a travel agent to help out.  If you inquire about a vacation rental home, directly to an owner, you should get a timely response, if not move on.
Do not rent an Orlando vacation home that does not have at least 8 pictures showing the exterior and interior of the home. This helps eliminate any surprises you might encounter when you arrive. Who wants to sit on a pink plaid couch or wake up to purple walls! Second to pictures, is a virtual tour which provides video of the home.  If there is no virtual tour provided, consider another home, it’s that important. Also, many home owners have a personal web site of their home which provides additional details of the home and surrounding area.  Not only is the additional information handy, it shows commitment on the owner’s part.

What You Need To Ask

How do you gain access to the home? If you arrive at midnight, do you have to go to a property management office to pick up the key? I’ve read a couple of horror stories where families have had to wait outside all night or rent a cheap motel until the next morning. At a minimum, the home should have a lock box with the key inside. You will be given the lock box code a few weeks in advance. Even better, a door lock with an electronic keypad. This allows you to punch in the code on the keypad, and presto you’re in the house. There should also be a lock box, in case the electronic keypad malfunctions.

Are you provided with a local property management phone number? Who are you going to call if the AC unit fails, the pool heater is not on, or toilet is plugged?  You should be provided with a phone number you can call 24/7. Do not call the phone number outside of normal business hours unless it is a real emergency. If you call after hours, and it’s not an emergency, it will cost you money. The pool heater can wait until the next day!

About The Author: Dave Pollock and his wife Lois own a beautiful Davenport vacation home in Sandy Ridge. It’s the perfect retreat for anyone looking for an affordable vacation home with a private pool. The home is located  within a short 15 minute drive to Disney and other Orlando attractions. Consider renting the Pollock’s “Sun Retreat” next time you come to Orlando.  www.OrlandoHouse.me

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If You Don’t Research Your Florida Vacation Home Neighborhood Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later

There is so much that goes into buying the perfect Florida vacation rental home. Many people think that it’s as simple as just jumping online and browsing for Florida homes.  Though that’s not a horrible place to start it absolutely shouldn’t be the first place.  Florida vacation rental homes are a very specialized niche and understanding that fact will help guide you down the right path that will save you the most time and money.  One of the major factors that play a huge role in choosing the right vacation rental home in Florida would be neighborhood research.  In my ebook “Everything You Wish You Knew Before Buying a Florida Vacation Rental Home” I go into all the steps in great detail but for the sake of keeping this short and sweet I’m going to touch on this very important subject.

Is The Potential Florida Neighborhood a Vacation Rental Hot Spot?

Much like hotels the Florida short term rental vacation home industry has a reputation. Anyone who has been to Florida and stayed in a vacation rental home understands the importance of staying in a neighborhood that caters to vacation home renters. If you are looking to purchase a home that will actually rent out to guests than the first thing to want to do is check out which neighborhoods rent the best.  There are many different ways to do this but one of the easiest ways is to hop on Trip Advisor and start researching what people are saying about some of the local vacation rentals. You can get a good idea of what some of the more popular vacation rental neighborhoods are just by reading the reviews.  You’ll start to see some of the same neighborhood names pop up over and over.

Top 20 Most Critical and Frequently Asked Questions About Buying and Owning an Orlando Vacation Rental Home

What Type of Rental Rates Can I Expect In This Particular Neighborhood?

Another important factor to consider is the potential booking revenue you can expect from the neighborhood you are considering buying your Florida vacation rental home in. You might love the community and absolutely adore the house but if the rental revenue is much lower in that neighborhood than the surrounding ones wouldn’t it make more sense to fall in love with another home that’s similar in price and going to bring you in a better return? Don’t make the mistake of thinking that because another community close by gets great rental rates that your neighborhood will too.  Know the facts.  You can check rental rates several places but one of my favorite and probably the easiest way to do this is to go on VRBO.com and look it up.  VRBO is an owner site so the rates advertised are by vacation rental home owners.

It Pays To Do Your Homework-Literally
I hope you put these tips to good use on when buying your Florida vacation rental property. As you can see buying in the right neighborhood makes all the difference in the world when it comes to rental revenue. If you would like even more great tips about buying a Florida vacation rental home or perhaps you’re looking for some type of reference to guide you through the process, check out my ebook “Everything You Wish You Knew Before Buying a Florida Vacation Rental Home” which is launching Dec 7, 2009 to everyone on the waiting list.

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Celebration Homeowners Go All Out For Halloween!

As I was driving through the town of Celebration today I saw two houses that made me hit the brakes, pull out my phone and start snapping some photos.  These two homes, directly next door to each other on Celebration Blvd, were so incredibly decked out that they could give Disney’s Haunted Mansion a run for their money. It at first appeared that the neighbors were one upping each other but as I got closer it appeared they actually teamed up on this project!  Take a look at these photos (they were taken on my iphone so not the best quality) and remember, don’t be greedy with your thoughts, comment below! My favorite. . . the aliens disguised as Halloween decorations!

Top 20 Most Critical and Frequently Asked Questions About Buying and Owning an Orlando Vacation Home

View Celebration Home For Sale That Would Be Great To Decorate For The Holidays

Who Wants a Vacation At The Reunion Resort in Orlando for Free with 20 of Your Closest Friends?

Looks like Nature’s Own has partnered with Reunion Resort in Orlando and will be giving one lucky family a pretty sweet family vacation.  Check out what the lucky grand prize winner wins:

Reunion Bank Owned Property List

1. Round trip airfare for up to twenty (20) people from the major commercial airport nearest the winner’s home to Orlando, Florida

2.  Three (3) Night housing accommodations (at multiple homes as necessary) for up to twenty (20) people (hotel taxes included)

3. One (1) family round of golf (“Event”) for twenty (20) people on one of the three signature courses designed by legends Palmer, Watson and Nicklaus based on course availability

4. Unlimited bicycle rental use for the families stay

5. A family cookout catered by resort for up to twenty (20) with menu to be discussed with winner based on provided menu options from Reunion Resort’s catering team.

Condo Foreclosures in the Reunion Resort

Oh yea and 10 First prize winners get a year’s supply of bread. . . make sure you ask for the kind with no high fructose corn syrup!

So what are you waiting for, go to the website and register today and while you’re here be sure to pop in and see The Pink Flamingo.

Schedule a Free Vacation Home Buyer Consultation

Top 3 Disney Area Vacation Home Neighborhoods That Have Water Parks

Whether you are looking for a place to cool for this summer or you’re in the market to buy a family friendly vacation home in Orlando these three communities boast the best private water parks in Orlando and are sure to not disappoint the kids!

1. The Reunion Resort
The Reunion Resort water park is the behemoth of all the Orlando vacation home community water parks.  It has a lazy river, twisting water slides, wooden boardwalk, water playground, full food and beverage service, sunny and shaded lounge areas and scheduled family activities Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Kids Crew adjacent to the Water Park. A huge plus about this water park is that it’s generally not as crowded since there is also another pool in Reunion.  I love to come here for the day with my daughter, she always has a blast and we don’t have to fight off mobs of soaking wet kids trying to fight for their spot in line at the water slide.  In order to take advantage of the Reunion water park you must either be staying at the Resort as a guest or purchase into their membership.  If you are considering buying a property in Reunion I would advise picking one up that already includes the membership.  That will save you about $20,000.

View All Properties For Sale in The Reunion Resort Here

2. Regal Palms
In my opinion the Regal Palms Water park in Davenport is second only to The Reunion Resort.  It offers the same type of activities such as a lazy river, water slide and kids splash area just on a smaller scale and usually it is a bit more crowded.  Regal Palms is an excellent choice for a vacation home for those on a budget and that want to enjoy the same amenities as a larger resort.  The water is warm year round and the kids will absolutely love you for taking them here.  To enjoy the facilities at the Regal Palms water park you must either be a guest of the Resort or an owner of a Regal Palms townhouse.  If you are an owner you have to pay $250 per month to be a member in good standing and utilize the facilities.

View All Regal Palms Resort Townhouses For Sale Here
3. Windsor Hills

The Windsor Hills Water Park in Kissimmee is a baby compared to The Reunion Resort and The Regal Palms Resort however, it’s still an excellent choice is you want to own in a five-star neighborhood at an affordable price.  The water park consist of one large water slide, a splash area with fountains,  a large pool area, convenience store, game room and fitness center.  The Windsor Hills water park is more of a giant pool with a large water slide and splash park.  It’s still alot of fun it’s just not as extravagant and large as the others.  The properties in Windsor Hills are beautiful and most come fully furnished with bookings already in place.  This community does extremely well with bookings and if your looking offset your expense of ownership for a vacation home near Disney this community is an excellent choice.

View All Windsor Hills Properties For Sale Here

Who Does This!!!

As a mother, this is a touchy subject for me and as I’m writing this I’m half ready to contact these “guardians” (if that’s what you want to call them) and just try to understand what the heck was going through their minds when they did this!

According to a story published yesterday on ClickOrlando.com two foster parents were found lounging at the Caribbean Beach Club Resort in Disney World while their two and four year old children were left alone upstairs in the hotel room on the second floor of the building. These are toddlers, children not even old enough in most cases, to tie their own shoes let alone babysit each other while their foster Mommy and Daddy work on their tan! WHO DOES THIS!!

According to the story, The house keeper walked in to clean the room and found the two toddlers, one in just a diaper and the other in only underwear, wondering the room alone.  The housekeeper waited five minutes for someone to return and when they never did she contacted her superisor to report the situation.  There was no food and water available to the children, the bathroom door was left unlocked and accessible and I don’t even want to think what could have happened if the children wandered out of the room onto the balcony or started roaming the premesis unattended.

The guardians were finally tracked down at the swimming pool and asked to return to their room where they had to explain themselves to the police.  The female guardian told police she was completely aware that the children were left alone and she does this all the time. The male stated that he was perfectly okay with them being left unattended.  The worst part about this is that the woman works as a counselor at a school in Michigan!! A school, as in a place where children go on a daily basis.

This whole act is just a pure example of 100% selfishness and carelessness on the legal guardian’s ends.  Those children could have been hurt while they were at the pool playing honeymoon.  It’s not even like they were in their vacation home laying out back by their private pool while the kids played inside. . .  If they wanted to vacation alone, they should have brought a nanny or went on a Disney Cruise where the kids could have been left under supervision.  Shame on them and I really hope the state finds some responsible, loving foster parents for those children.

The Pound Declined Against the Dollar on Friday, After UK GDP Declined 1.6% in the Fourth Quarter

Article Courtesy of: TORfx

GBP/USD GBP/EUR

Following on from last week, the Pound was unable to sustain a recovery against the Dollar on Friday, dropping to a one-week low of $1.4270 in New York, after a government report showed that the UK economy sank deeper into a recession in the fourth quarter of last year.

The Pound was still firmer against the Euro, peaking close to the resistance level at 1.0810, before consolidating near 1.0750 at the close of trading on Friday, despite the report from the Office of National Statistics, which showed that UK gross domestic product fell 1.6% from the third quarter.

The UK economy’s contraction in the final three months of last year was far deeper than previously anticipated, as consumer spending stalled and industrial production plunged by the most since 1980. According to Philip Shaw, chief economist at Investec Securities in London, said that the “headline figure is very disappointing…we see the economy shrinking until the middle of the year. It’s very difficult to see it gaining any momentum of recovery until the third quarter at the earliest.”

The Pound came under further selling pressure against the majority of the 16-most actively trading currencies, after the Bank of England’s chief economist Spencer Dale said on Friday that the British economy’s short-term prospects are “bleak”.

Consumer spending has declined 1% and retail sales also stalled, after bank’s kept lending conditions retrained, despite the most aggressive policy easing in the Bank of England’s history. Policy makers, led by the governor Mervyn King, have slashed borrowing costs from 4.5% in October to a record low of 0.5%. The Bank have also begun a period of quantitative easing through the purchase of government and corporate bonds with newly created money.

Bank’s are still reluctant to revive lending and spending on the highstreet and on homes has plummeted, as the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression wiped out £1.9 trillion off consumers’ wealth. The Pound fell 0.6% against the Dollar after the release of the data, which confirmed that the UK economy is in the midst of the worst economic contraction since 1980, when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister.

The UK economy shrank 2% in the fourth quarter, compared to the preliminary estimates of 1.9%, as the drop in construction was more than four times as much as initial forecasts. In addition, government spending rose less than expected at 1.3% and retail sales posted the smallest annual gain in over 13-years last month.

The 1.9% drop in sales was exacerbated with the alarming increase in unemployment, as the jobless rate rose at the fastest pace since 1971 in February. Companies were forced to slash jobs in an attempt to reduce costs, while HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe’s biggest bank by market value, said last week that about 1,200 UK employees may lose their jobs.

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has seen his popularity fade in the face of rising unemployment, said agreements that the government signed with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc and Lloyds Banking Group Plc require the banks to boost lending to help the economy recover.

Over the past week, Brown has embarked on a five-day diplomatic tour to try and raise interest in a combined attempt to boost global growth. He told journalists on Friday that “bank’s are now under an obligation to lend £50 billion. So the position that we were last year where the naming system had frozen, we are now seeing the results.”

Brown also quelled suggestions that he was planning a big new fiscal stimulus package, saying that measures in the UK’s annual budget next month will be “cautious” and “targeted”. The tone of the statement mirrored recent comments from the Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, who said that the Treasury must keep its deficit under control, after the government bond auction failed for the first time since 2002.

The Pound also declined on Friday, after a separate report showed that the UK current account deficit was wider than previously anticipated in the fourth quarter. A current account gap represent money the UK has to borrow overseas to pay for the goods and service that it import. The shortfall narrowed to £7.6 billion, from a revised 8.2 billion in the previous quarter.

The downside momentum surrounding the Pound may continue this week, according to Marcus Hettinger, head of currency research at Credit Suisse Group AG. The Pound may drop towards 1.0520 against the Euro before the ECB interest rate announcement on Thursday. The UK currency also dropped 2.4% in value against the U.S Dollar and may trade between $1.3500 and $1.4000 over the next three months, as equity markets struggle to hold on to their gains.

UK stocks retreated on Friday, trimming the FTSE 100 Index’s third straight weekly advance, despite reports that Barclays Plc jumped 24%, after Britain’s third biggest bank said that it passed tests conducted by the UK’s financial regulator and may not need to raise additional capital.

EUR/USD

The Euro was unable to break above $1.3600 against the Dollar on Friday, weakening steadily through the course of the day. The single currency was undermined by comments from the German Finance Minister Steinbrueck, who said that the Euro would be put in jeopardy if there was fiscal irresponsibility.

The single currency was also unsettled by renewed speculation that the European Central Bank would follow the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England in engaging in some form of quantitative easing policy. European stocks also fell, ending a six day rally, as the degree of pessimism sweeping through the global economy reduced investors’ appetite for risk.

Reports in Germany showed that inflation slowed more than initial forecasts in March and to the weakest level in almost 10-years. Energy costs slumped and the steepest recession since the Second World War has curbed price pressures, threatening a period of deflation if consumer prices drop towards zero.

The inflation rate, calculated using the harmonised method of consumer prices, fell 0.4% from 1% in February, the lowest reading since June 1999. A 50% drop in crude oil prices over the past year has pushed the inflation down, just as companies are shedding jobs and business investment to cope with the economy slump.

The focus this week will inevitably fall on the ECB interest rate announcement on Thursday, and given the tone of recent rhetoric from a number of governing council members, the market is positioned for another 50 basis point reduction. That would leave the benchmark interest rate at a fresh historic low of just 1.0%.

The accompanying press conference will also be key in determining the short-term outlook for the Euro, amid growing speculation that the ECB will have little option but to engage in some form of quantitative easing policy. Any suggestions of move in this direction will undermine the Euro, which was already under pressure against the Dollar going into the weekend.

The Pink Flamingo Says:  

With these latest trends in the fluctuating currency rates, more and more U.K invetors are opting to invest in Florida real estate which has seen record lows of late. Liquidating investment accounts and rainy day funds for buying power in the Disney short term rental market. Smart buying in today’s real estate market can equal the best return on your long term investment with prices so low they have nowhere to go but up as we near the end of this ten year real estate cycle a little later than anticipated.

Tigger Attacks Boy at Disney World

Yes this is actually real footage. . .

Tour Operators Going Under And How It Affects Your Villa Investment

I’m sure by now most of you have heard about XL Leisure Group, Britain’s third largest holiday company, going under and leaving stranded nearly 50,000 holiday-makers abroad.  Due to the skyrocketing price of fuel and the sagging economy it may not be the last story you’ll hear about a large tour operator going under.

 

How does this affect you, the investor who owns a small piece of the pie in Florida that just wants to get some solid bookings to help cover your expenses? It may have a bigger affect than expected due to the fact that 80% of the bookings that come through your management company are directly from tour operators such as XL Leisure Group. This means that if more tour operators start tanking you could also see a dramatic decline in your bookings.  This is not necessarily something to be too concerned about as I don’t think it will last long term and as the economy bounces back so will your bookings. 

My suggestion to you would be to contact your management company to find out if your bookings have been affected at all.  If they do not do business with XL than you have nothing to worry about however, it’s highly likely that they do and you should find out what their plan is to fill those bookings.  On the bright side, this may be a fantastic opportunity to those of you who depend on your own bookings.  With thousand of people out of a holiday they will most likely be looking online to make other arrangements.  Now would be a great time for you to start advertising your villa.www.VRBO.com is a great site to list your holiday rental villa on without having to pay any management fees.

In closing I just want to say that this is yet another reason why management companies need to start becoming more independent of tour suppliers.  If you are in the process of looking for a management company please find out how much of their bookings come from tour suppliers vs. their own marketing.  It’s very important and it DOES affect your rental income.

10 Things To Do With Your Kids In Orlando BESIDES Theme Parks

Just a quick note before reading this article- This was published 3 years ago, while most of this information is still relevant we highly recommend you download our free e-book (link above) for a more extensive list of some of the coolest things to do in Orlando that you probably have never even thought of.

There is so much more to living in Orlando than just Disney World and Universal Studios.  Orlando has so many fun things to do it could take you months just to explore everything.  I’m going to share with you 10 of my favorite things to do with my daughter as a local here in Central Florida.

1. Monkey Joes: This place is like your local birthday party on steroids! It’s a 15,000 square foot open room of nothing but gigantic bounce houses and a game area.  The kids go absolutely wild and it’s only $8 per kid to get in, adults are free.  They have several throughout Central Florida but the one in the Festival bay Mall is my favorite and you’re almost guaranteed they’ll take a pretty long nap afterwards.

2. Fun Spot: It is exactly what it sounds like.  A Fun Spot.  They have two locations, one in Kissimmee and one off I-drive.  The one off I-drive has a huge go-cart track and indoor two story arcade, massage chairs for the adults, Ferris Wheel (that you can’t miss from just about anywhere on Kirkman and I-Drive),an outdoor kiddie ride section and so much more.  Admission is free and  It’s $14.95 for an unlimited all day bracelet for the kids or you can pay per ride. This is a definite must do for those looking for something other than theme parks.

Download Our Free Ebook- 101 Activities To Do in Orlando with Kids. A Must Read!!

3. Leu Gardens: This place is really neat if you like nature.  It has a butterfly garden and some history behind it as well.  It’s a great place to go and relax, escape the busy lines and crowded parks.  Children under six or seven may get bored because it’s just a nature trails and gardens but the older kids could definitely appreciate it.  Children under 5 are free, K-12 are $2 and adults are $7

Download Our Free Ebook- 101 Activities To Do in Orlando with Kids.  A Must Read!!

4. Dinosaur World: The coolest place for young children with a fascination with dinosaurs.  The park has a fossil dig, caves, skeleton garden, bone yard and museum.  There is over 150 life size dinosaurs and it’s also educational.  It’s not exactly around the corner but it’s within a reasonable driving distance from south Orlando, about 45 minutes.  Kids 3 and under are free, 3-12 are $9.75, adults $12.75 and seniors 60+ are $10.75

5. Gatorland: If you’re not a native to Florida and you want to see some serious gator action this is the place visit. The park was recently renovated and has a pretty sweet splash park for the kids, live gator shows, a train tour of the facility, an aviary an much more.  It’s a lot of fun and you can probably see the whole park in less than 6 hours but if you wanted to could spend the whole day without getting bored.  It’s cheaper than a theme park but offers the same kind of fun minus the cool rides.  Kids 3 and under are free, 3-12 $14.99, adults $22.99 they also have stroller and wheelchair rentals.

Download Our Free Ebook- 101 Activities To Do in Orlando with Kids. A Must Read!!

6. The Central Florida Zoo: I hesitated whether to mention this or not because it’s not the fanciest of zoos however, they recently built a new splash park and it’s pretty nice.  As far as the zoo goes it has all of your usually zoo animals.  Monkeys, elephants, bears etc and the little ones are sure to like it but I recommend this to you because it not has the splash park, the price is inexpensive and it justifies the trip. The splash park at Gatorland is way better. . . just thought I’d add that. Kids 2 and under are free, 3-12 are $6.95, Adults are$10.95 and seniors are $8.95

7. Dr. Phillips Park: This a very local place to go.  You really won’t find many tourists here because they don’t know about it.  This park is so centrally located to all the action but yet so hidden in the midst of a residential area right off Apopka Vineland Rd. The park is totally futuristic and is not your typical slide and merry go round type park.  They also have a splash park for the kids that only $1 to get in and they will play for hours.  This is by far one of the best, free places to check out in Orlando.  Bring a lunch because they do not have a snack bar.  Definitely bring the kids here and let them run wild.

Download Our Free Ebook- 101 Activities To Do in Orlando with Kids. A Must Read!!

9. Old Town:It’s like walking into a time warp.  It has a very 50′s feel to it but with lots of cool rides and things to look at.  Every Wednesday night theyhave an Elvis impersonator and every Friday and Saturday night they have vintage car shows and pretty much something going on every other night of the week also.  It’s a lot of fun and admission is free you just have to pay to get on rides.

10: Magical Midway: Recently opened back up again for business this amusement style park, similar to The Fun Spot, is located off I-drive right near the Chilis.  It has go-carts, extreme style rides, games and bumper boats.  It’s a cool little spot to check out if you’re walking the I-drive strip.  The kids will like it and it also appeals the the kid is us as well.  Armbands start at 22.95 or you can buy individual tickets for what you want to do.