Tag Archive: St Lucia Villas

Why Vancouver’s Real Estate Prices Are So Crazy

It has been a somewhat rocky road for the real estate industry in Canada since the real estate market crash a few years ago, but how rocky that road depends on where you live. The Vancouver Real Estate market has actually done quite well to bounce back, taking just about two years to recover to the all-time highs that were experienced just before the crash, and median home prices are now hovering around that level. Therefore, what is the current view of the Vancouver Real Estate market?

Vancouver Real Estate Market

Demand and Supply whether you are discussing the real estate market or any other market, demand, and supply is often the driving issue behind the economy. When there are too many houses for sale and not adequate buyers, the market stagnates and therefore prices will go down.

On the other hand, if there are too many buyers and not adequate houses to sell, prices can inflate for the reason that we turn out with bidding wars when numerous buyers want similar houses. This scenario sounds good to those individuals who are selling; however, it generally drives prices well above average and can finally have a bad effect on the industry.

West Vancouver Real Estate Market

This is actually what has been happening in the West Vancouver Real Estate market during the spring of 2011. Houses have been selling well above the list price (up to $350k higher sometimes) as many buyers wanted to purchase the same house. This pushes the median property price even higher in this already exclusive Vancouver borough. However, this kind of market is not sustainable and should level out soon. Know more here!

North Vancouver Real Estate Market

Although the North Vancouver neighboring municipality is not seeing similar highly inflated sales prices, certain houses are attracting a lot of buyers and are selling above the asking price. However, the North Vancouver real estate market is much more stable, and the average prices remain closer to the all-time highs.

Vancouver Real Estate Market Outlook

The Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board publishes monthly statistics based on data delivered by its approximately 10,500 members. Factors such as the number of homes sold, the number of listings, as well as the prices of homes sold are considered, allowing the Real Estate Board to compare data month-to-month and year-to-year. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver then publishes those statistics so we can find out what the Vancouver Real Estate market is doing.

Figures released show that the overall market is generally balancing. This is just because in recent months there have been more sellers than buyers, so prices even out as demand and supply level off.

Therefore, what does this mean for anybody looking to sell or buy a house at the moment? Unless you want to buy in West Vancouver or on the west side of Vancouver – where prices are rising well above the Vancouver average, a balanced Real Estate Market should indicate a good time to sell or buy. More details in site: http://www.demopoliscreditunion.com/top-12-tips-for-selling-your-downtown-vancouver-condo/

Do I Invest Into Vancouver Real Estate or Buy Into the Markets?

Thousands want to invest in Vancouver because the area looks good and house prices are fairly strong. Investors, especially, love real estate because it’s easy to move and offers short and long-term potential. It’s easy to see why more investors look to real estate in Vancouver than in the markets but is that the smartest choice? Can real estate provide you with a long-term investment solution or should you consider the markets? Check here!

A Strong Housing Market Doesn’t Guarantee a Return on Your Investments

There’s no doubt that in recent years the real estate in Vancouver has strengthened but it does not guarantee anyone a return on their investment. For instance, investing in Vancouver real estate is about buying a home for a decent price in a good location. You want the home to increase its value over several months or years. And, you have to sell when the prices are high and buyers are chopping at the bit. Unfortunately, people have lost money on their homes, both their residential home and the investment home they rent out. While real estate can be valuable, it doesn’t guarantee any results.

Diversity Is Smarter Than One Basket

Buying into the markets can be a good idea but again, it carries risks. What’s more, putting your investment chips into one basket is a risk because the sector could tank at any moment. To avoid taking huge losses, it might be wise for investors to look at several different investment solutions rather than the one. Of course, you need to do a lot of research to find the most suitable investments for you. It’s a smart idea to invest in Vancouver but you need to do what you’re doing. At the same time, diversity is often slightly better, especially if you’re risking larger sums of money. For more information, visit: http://www.demopoliscreditunion.com/things-to-do-in-st-lucia/

Know Your Options before Investing in Vancouver Real Estate

Whether you want to invest money in the markets or real estate, you need to know what you’re doing. For example, you need to find homes with an affordable price tag and that’s also likely to increase over the years. You need to research up-and-coming areas as well as study the market’s history; the economy is another factor to consider. As said, having a diverse investment portfolio may be slightly better than a solo market. Invest in Vancouver and see results. It is possible but you do need to invest wisely, no matter how much you’re risking.

Be the Smart Investor

Investing is about having a calm head and a wise mind. You cannot run into this without first knowing the risks and rewards. It’s also important to understand investing as a whole and what happens after the initial investment is made. For instance, you purchased a piece of real estate; will you rent it or sell it on? These are the things you have to consider before you step into the investing world. Vancouver real estate can be a smart investment field to look into but the markets have potential too; think carefully before you invest.

Things to do in St Lucia

Saint Lucia is an island located in the Caribbean and is full to the brim with activities and things to do and beautiful St Lucia villas to stay in. If you are able to tear yourself away from the beautiful surroundings that you find yourself in, then we highly recommend doing the following during your stay on this island paradise.

Go out of the norm.

Saint Lucia is an impressive and stunning island. By staying on land you are are only seeing a fraction of what this beautiful island has to offer. You can catch a Catamaran from Rodney Bay and Capella Marina and sail on down to Soufriere Bay. Most of the excursions include extras such as lunch, visiting a volcano, going to the botanical gardens and not to mention the quick swimming stop that happens on the way back. By doing all of this you can see what the beautiful island has to offer from a distance which will make you value it a whole lot more. Another way you can get to see another part of Saint Lucia is by going hiking in the rainforest. However, this is not for people who just want a quick glimpse of the island. By doing this you will be investing at least 3 or 4 hours into the hiking but the reward is worth it. You will get to see the island up close and personal. For any hike that you want to do you will first need to get permission from the Forestry Department, but it will be worth all the extra work when you are blessed with the incredible views that await you. Read more!

Under the sea.

If you think that Saint Lucia is beautiful above sea-level, wait until you see her from below. It is highly recommended that you go scuba diving during your stay on this island so that you can see everything that this beautiful island has to offer both above and below. There is also the option of going on dive boats if you don’t fancy suiting up and doing it yourself – and also most hotels offer this type of excursion so try not to miss out and enquire as soon as you arrive.

For the people that can’t stay still

For those who like to have their heart racing Saint Lucia will not let you down. Whilst it is known for its peace and relaxation, there are also options for people looking for thrills. Here you can zipline through the rainforest. If you head on over to Rainforest Sky Ride, you will be greeted with a choice of 10 zip line adventures (and also a calmer tram ride) through the islands forest. The view from here is incredible as you zip through it at lightning speed. As with any getaway island, here you can find water parks. But Saint Lucia improves on that, Splash Island Water Park offers a park full of inflatable water sport items that allow you to climb, hop and jump your way through them, as if it were total wipeout. Here you will be happy as you challenge yourself to jump from one to the other and at the end of the day you can return back to the villa and relax.

To sum things up, Saint Lucia is more than just a pretty face; it offers a range of activities that will keep each and every member of the family happy. The only thing that is missing from Saint Lucia is you, so what are you waiting for, your villa waits. Check out this site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucia

Seven Steps to Villa Rental Success

If you are looking to rent a villa but you don’t know where to start from, you are not alone as finding the perfect getaway for a holiday isn’t always easy. However, there are ways to set yourself apart from the herd and get the villa rental you want without having to break your budget. This article will break down the process of finding the perfect villa rental into 7 steps.

Put a Budget Together

When putting your budget together, don’t just look at the difference in the hotel price and the villa rental price. There is a need to factor in what needs to be paid as an initial down payment, household supplies and the food you will purchase. You can assume you won’t be paying restaurant prices for every meal but you will most likely be buying toilet paper and coffee. It is important to get a consensus from everyone about what household expenses will be shared if you are traveling with a big group of people.

Research

One important step to villa rental success is research. There is a need to conduct comprehensive research on your destination, the company you will be reading through and the actual home you are interested in before signing an agreement. After conducting this research, you should be able to answer the following questions:

  • Do you trust the owner or agent? There are lots of hyper-local websites to search for villa rentals so it is important to decide what you want in an agent and find someone who is able to fulfill those criteria.
  • What are you getting exactly? Before signing any agreement find out what amenities are included in the home and have a contact for any follow-up questions you may have.

Be Flexible

It is quite unrealistic to expect that the kitchen in your villa rental will be as fully equipped as the one in your home. This is why it is absolutely important to have an idea of what you need and what you can live without so you can pack accordingly.

Try to Pay Using a Secure Payment Method

A lot of villa rental websites usually have secure payment programs in place, this is good in the sense that the rental homeowner will never have your bank information or credit card number. You can check out the Better Bureau’s Website to see if any has had any problems with using any payment method on the website or check online for customer reviews.

Get Insurance

There are some rental agencies that have a policy built into their rental agreement; however, it is not a bad idea to get your own. There are some products that provide you with protection before the trip if you decide to cancel and during the trip in the event of an emergency.

Villa rental does not have to be stressful; carrying out thorough and advanced planning can make your holiday an enjoyable experience and can also help to ensure that you will be able to book the type of vacation home you desire at an affordable price.

Real Estate Web Design Mistakes Not To Make With Your Site

A misconception that many people have with their website is that more traffic is better; however with many types of sites this is not fully accurate.  As a real estate agent or broker, you are trying to squeeze every lead out of your website that you possibly can.  As a real estate professional your job is to sell and the first thing that you think of is “I need to have a killer website”.

Looks That Can Kill You

All Flash Websites or Splash Pages – Flash was the ‘it-thing’ in the late 90′s and early 2000′s as it added that visual appeal and made a website stand out from the rest.  It has more down sides though in today’s market as search engines cannot fully read and follow all of the content and links that are embedded in that .swf file.  Keep in mind that many mobile and tablet devices cannot show flash content, so you have limited your viewers experience greatly and potentially lost a lead as they cannot view your real estate site fully.

All javascript menus

Search engines can read javascript to a certain extent though and having a full blown javascript menu may look high tech, it is actually hurting the ability for your website to be crawled fully by the search engine.  Users of smart phones and tablets can have a hard time navigating the site depending on how large your menu is.  They may just leave the site because they cannot find what they were looking for fast enough.

There are also the javascript menu’s that entirely utilize images, some look really nice but once again you are throwing usability out of the window.  The page load time will be increased greatly as it has to load each image into the navigation.  CSS is very flexible and can create just as good of looking, if not better menu’s then javascript.  CSS will load faster, be search engine friendly and can work on all devices.

All graphic website

These are the sites that were beautifully made in Photoshop or other design software and simply cut into pieces and a websites was created.  Problem with a lot of these types of real estate websites is they really only have one real purpose and that is to look good.  The property listings are either not there or are framed inside of a small box that makes usability difficult.  Load times are extremely high, so you are not making your viewers wait for all of those pretty graphics to load…oh wait they already closed your site and went to the next because they were tired of waiting.  Search engines need content in order to properly place your website within their algorithm, problem is your content are all in images that the search engines cannot read.

iFrames

I am still amazed that real estate web design companies and IDX providers still think that framing the content in a website is the best solution.  It is by far one of the worst things you can do.  In the picture below you will see a simple website layout; the large box in the middle would be where the property listing information would go in the iframe.  To most it looks normal, like many other websites.  What lies beneath the code is another story and one that will get you nowhere with the search engines.

Not Mobile Friendly (Responsive)

Some people may argue that their website does not need to be mobile friendly, or as it is called in the industry responsive. We live in a NOW society where people want results NOW and not later, even if that later is a few minutes of having to go to a computer.  You have about 15 seconds to capture that viewer’s attention before they leave and look elsewhere.  If your website is hard or even impossible to navigate on a mobile device you are losing out not only on potential leads but sales as well.  Remember with a cell phone they can simply click on your telephone number to call you, they do not have to type in anything once they are on your website.

Having property listing information easily available to mobile users is just another sales tool you have to be better than the other real estate brokers and agents in your area.  If you have the knowledge of knowing what marketing tactics are better for your real estate business, why not go after those tactics and utilize them to the fullest? More details here: http://www.demopoliscreditunion.com/save-money-when-buying-and-selling-real-estate-with-a-realtor-2/

In Conclusion

I am not against any “non professional” web designer or graphic artist building your real estate website, just keep some of these points in mind when laying out your website ideas on paper first.

You want your website to give you the best possible advantage it can in helping your real estate business get to and stay on top of the local market.  If you are using some of the design flaws I have laid out above, please consider getting them fixed as at the end of the day it can only benefit your business more.

Villa Rentals in St. Lucia

vacation villa rental

St. Lucia is really a beautiful island, packed with lots of historical sites, perfectly quaint villages, amazingly gorgeous mountains, and even a drive-in volcano. There is always plenty to see and do while you are on the island and every visit to St. Lucia is certain to be one you won’t forget. Of course, choosing the right villa in St. Lucia is an important part of creating a memorable vacation and there are a few tips that can help you along the way.

St. Lucia Villa Rental can be highly preferred over hotels and even resorts. When you have your own private villa, you can rest assured that you have the privacy and space you need to really feel at home. A villa gives you the chance to unpack, stretch out, and enjoy all of the comforts of home.

Choose a Company that Treats You with Respect

When looking for a St. Lucia Villas for rent, the company you choose matters as much as the villa that you choose. You want a company that treats you with respect from the first contact until your vacation has ended and you want a company that will work hard to help you find the property that is ideally suited to your needs, no matter what they may be.

Choose a Villa Owned and Managed by the Renting Company

When you work with agents who have hundreds or thousands of properties, you can run into many pitfalls. The owner of the villa may decide that they want to use it instead of you or you may run into a villa that is nothing like the way it was described. Some companies use photos that are deceptive or that are many years old, leaving travelers to arrive at their destination only to be disappointed. The right company will provide not only exceptional service, but will offer their own maintenance, gardening, and housekeeping professionals because they will own and manage the property themselves.Learn more updated news from http://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/discover-your-luxury-villa-vacation/article/2114858/6-reasons-rent-luxury

Choose a Villa that Suits Your Needs

You don’t have to pay a fortune to find a great villa rental in St. Lucia, and you should definitely take the time to find a rental that suits your needs. Look for a villa with a spacious design that lets you really bask in the St. Lucia sunlight and look for amenities like on-call concierge service, a pool, free Wi-Fi and modern appliances and design elements.

Choose a Company with More to Offer

vacation villa rentalWhen looking for the perfect St. Lucia Villa rental, you want to choose a company that can make your travel experience complete and that can really help you make the most of your visit to the island. Look for a company that is well connected to or that even owns other travel-related businesses on the island. When you choose a company that can handle virtually every aspect of your vacation and that has a great reputation with travelers and on the island itself, you can rest assured that you will have a better trip.

Elaine Day is the web projects coordinator for Islander Villa Escapes. She is a 33-year-old writer who lives in Vermont and loves working for the Islander family of companies, which includes Real St Lucia Tours, the island’s leading excursion company!

Top Awards for Caribbean Holiday Destination – St. Lucia

villa-rental

St. Lucia has again been voted the ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’ by top travel professionals worldwide, for the 5th year in succession. This well-deserved accolade is in recognition for the island’s tourism providers being rated the best location in the world for weddings, honeymoons, and true romance.

The beautiful Caribbean island of St. Lucia belongs to the chain of islands known as the Windward Islands. Locally named as ‘Helen of the West Indies,’ the island enjoys a wealth of exotic charm and together with an ever-growing popularity in music and dance. Stay out late and join-in the annual St. Lucia Jazz festival to fully appreciate this amazing spectacle.

Think of the going to St Lucia Villas in Caribbean Islands and the immediate pictures to strike the mind are that of exotic palm-fringed sandy beaches, warm turquoise waters of the sea, splendid music, exotic food and a truly unique culture. There are more than 7000 Caribbean islands to choose from, with each promising a unique charm of its own—selecting one for a truly memorable holiday can be a daunting task. Here are three destinations in the Caribbean that you can consider for your next beach holiday under the warm tropical sun.

There are lots of gorgeous and awesome sun-drenched resorts and beaches, mostly are along with the North East side of St Lucia, in which plenty of its island’s hotels as well as holiday rental for great accommodation are found. With fishing boats and swaying palm trees dotted along the shoreline, quiet village life goes on, where artists and photographers can often be seen capturing the Caribbean way of life on canvass or color photos. The island’s famous Piton mountains are included in the Unesco World Heritage list of preserved locations, but you can also discover a wealth of other natural Caribbean attractions including one of the world’s rarest drive-through Volcanoes.Click site at http://akasha.stlucia.cc/the-villa/highlights/

Arriving by plane or boat onto the island, holidaymakers traveling northwards will notice the huge landscapes of mountainous forestation covering much of the island. You will soon experience the people’s amazingly rich and cultural warmth, which is extended to all visitors, each with their own particular Caribbean smile.

With stunning golf courses and fabulous sea-fishing opportunities, St. Lucia is an ideal holiday destination for sportsmen and women of all ages, who will simply love the range of facilities.
St Lucia Villas plays host to a superb range of Caribbean villa rentals and a choice of holiday apartment accommodation, offering a competitive alternative to the volume of five star hotels and popular all-inclusive resorts that have attracted tourists in recent years.

villa-rentalExploring the island’s busy capital Castries, visitors will appreciate being well catered for, especially around the lively markets, shopping parades and restaurants. Although busy cruise liners deliver large numbers of day visitors in the season, it’s probably best to avoid the center on days when the ships arrive in port.Get some tips at https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/exotic-estates-launches-maui-villa-vacation-sweepstakes-300543034.html

It’s comes as no surprise, that ever popular St. Lucia Villa rental has also recently been voted the Best Caribbean Island in 2010 award by the Porthole magazine.
Search holiday villas in St. Lucia and other holiday villas worldwide!

Renting a Villa on the Tropical Island of St Lucia

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Imagine walking onto an exquisite piece of property. The buildings are majestic and spacious, towering like castles. Now, imagine a warm sea breeze blowing over your entire person and you are taken away, mentally—and almost physically—to another reality. Are you dreaming? Well, if you consider spending your vacation in St Lucia Villas is a dream, then so be it.

This new visitor has decided that the sheltered island experience of an all-inclusive hotel is just too far removed from the island reality. They want to go shopping in the local market, explore the countryside, and go on the various island tours without the restrictions of the all-inclusive hotel policy. It basically boils down to one thing: they want freedom. And what better way to experience that freedom than own a part of the local real estate, by renting or downright purchasing in St Lucia Villas.

And who can hold it against them? No one, really, except for the diehard advocates of the all-inclusive hotel experience. As a fellow traveler, trust me, the all-inclusive hotel experience does get boring after some time. To be quite frank, it’s boring compared to the villa rental experience.
It’s only recently that villa properties have caught on in the Caribbean, especially Saint Lucia. The island has been mostly dominated by hotels and guest houses, but then came another type of visitor; the type who wanted to experience life on a Caribbean island first person.

It was only recently a couple of friends of mine were describing their wonderful experience in ‘paradise.’ They were describing this place in St. Lucia where they rented a villa, which was overlooking a picturesque bay by the name of Savannes, which is situated near another bay called Honeymoon Bay. Coincidentally, these are both located in the south of the island of Saint Lucia, in a town called Vieux Fort, just a 10-minute drive from the Hewanorra Airport.Checkout website from https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/22457-winter-tourism-dalmatia-rent-a-luxury-villa-for-celebrations for more details.

My friends were going on about the villas in that area having the architecture of the 18th century castles, but with the amenities and luxuries of the 21st century. I informed them that St Lucia is one of the Windward islands, meaning that it—along with the other islands in that group—are in the direct path of the Atlantic ocean winds, hence the solid, and wind-resistant design of the villas; sort of like practical aesthetics.

luxury villa rentalsWhen I heard that it was not so far from the airport, my face scrounged, because I have had the misfortune of lodging in a guesthouse situated near an airport and, believe me, I was beyond insomnia. The distasteful look on my face quickly turned into a relieved expression, accompanied by a sigh of relief, as I was promptly reassured that the convenience is truly a blessing, as there are no flight paths above the area where the villas are located, therefore, ultimate peace and quiet. Read review here!

What piqued my curiosity with regards to my friends’ vivid account of their stay at this tropical haven, is their mention of a central pool bar. I was a bit skeptical of this, so I questioned them further, because that sounded like a hotel setup. Their combined confirmation was the last nudge I needed. I most definitely had to go in St Lucia Villa rental to rent a villa with this exquisite spot.