Monthly Archives: September 2011

Here is a article I found on second shelters:

This is a good way to gauge where you should buy your second home if you plan on leasing it to supplement income. As you probably know, the sluggish, morose economy continues to drag down the travel industry: one publication I know ceased their entire travel section due to lack of ads. But there is one segment of the industry that is still showing a heartbeat:  vacation home rentals.

That’s why 76% of current vacation homeowners think now is a great time to buy a second home. According to those gurus over at HomeAway.com, and the latest HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report (released today), more than two-thirds of owners who have vacation properties in areas where summer is the peak season reported occupancy rates of 76 percent or higher, with an average nightly rental rate of $240.67.

Looking at the average occupancy rate for the hotel industry between June and August, it was only 68 percent, with an average room rate of $101.90.

“While various segments of the travel industry are experiencing a general weakness, the latest HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report shows that rentals of vacation homes clearly experienced strong results this summer, with continued strength expected as we approach the year-end holiday travel period.  In particular, the Gulf Coast region extending from Florida to Alabama bounced back this summer, perhaps more quickly than anyone anticipated.  Finally, vacation rental owners are feeling confident enough about their businesses to say that now is a good time to buy a vacation home – more than three-fourths of owners polled affirmed this sentiment,” says Brian Sharples, Chief Executive Officer of HomeAway.

More than half of vacation rental owners say they spent more money on improvements to their vacation home in the past 12 months than they did on improvements to their primary residence. One-fourth of vacation rental owners say their bookings for the last four months of 2011 are higher than for the same time period last year.

Here’s the top ten markets where traveller demand is on the rise– buy here:

1. Venice, Fla. (up 367%)
2. Fort Morgan, Ala. (up 347%)
3. Indio, Calif. (up 337%)
4. Miramar Beach, Fla. (up 313%)
5. Port Aransas, Texas (up 281%)
6. Carillon Beach, Fla. (up 265%)
7. Charlottesville, Va. (up 260%)
8. Sonoma, Calif. (up 237%)
9. Rockport, Texas (up 226%)
10. Sunnyside, Fla. (up 223%)

These are the new markets rocking and rolling for vacation home owners, go figure:

1. Galena, Ill.
2. Mesquite, Nev.
3. Colorado Springs, Colo.
4. Charleston, S.C.
5. San Clemente, Calif.
6. Rockport, Texas
7. Hollywood, Calif.
8. Bradenton, Fla.
9. Amelia Island, Fla.
10. St. George, Utah

Have you been considering a home in the Rockport area, either as a primary residence or a second home? Most of those who have, automatically consider an existing home that is for sale.  The reasons for thinking along these lines are many including, “We live out of town and cannot oversee the building process”, “It’s more expensive to build a new home”, “We have never done that”, etc.

The fact of the matter is that in many cases it is less expensive or comparable in price to build than to buy an existing home.  Builders and sub-contractors are hungry, building materials have not increased in price as have other commodities, many sellers offering vacant lots are willing to sell them at a loss as many were purchased with the thought that they could buy, flip and make a profit…not the case. Sellers of vacant lots are not “sentimentally” tied to their property the way homeowners are to their house, thus offering more negotiating power for a buyer. Add all of these factors together and it is understandable that often you can build a new home that offers exactly WHAT you want, exactly WHERE you want for LESS than a comparable 20-30 year old home. Furthermore, when you buy an older home, you are often buying a product that was built prior to recent building codes and/or windstorm requirements. When a house listing states that it has been totally remodeled, that does not mean that rusted exterior nails and hangers don’t exist or that the drywall has been taken down and adequate insulation installed (neither of which you could tell by looking at the home, nor could an inspector ). There are just too many factors to ignore when it comes to the feasibility of building your own home.

Shoreline Real Estate is now offering our “TO BE BUILT” program. This comprehensive concept includes finding the right lot for you with respect to size, water proximity and your budget.  Whether it is a modest single story home on a slab, or a mega beach house on the water, we have a portfolio of floor plans that you can choose from. If nothing we have in house tickles your fancy, we will line you up with one of our preferred architects to create your one of a kind custom home. Then I will align you with builders that fit your criteria. You will have the opportunity to meet with each one personally and select who you feel most comfortable with. All whom you will meet are reputable local builders with years of experience on the Texas Coast.

I will walk with you every step of the way through the process from lot selection, floor plan selection, specifications, choosing the right builder, financing, etc. If you live out of town, I will be in touch with you on a regular basis, reporting progress (including photos) as well as any unforeseen obstacles that are occasionally part of the process.

If you are thinking of buying in the Rockport area, I urge you to pause and digest this information. This is a great time to choose your lot, choose your plans, and build what you want according to YOUR lifestyle.

Contact me, Steve Vincent at 361-772-1322 or email steve@shorelinetexas.com to further explore your building options. Together we can “Make it Happen”.