Building Real Estate Leads Through A Parade Of Homes

Most states or major cities host an annual Parade of Homes. These events are typically designed to showcase the ability of local builders and decorators, though some events also feature established, older homes. To learn more about how you can use a Parade of Homes event to advertise your business and build real leads, keep reading.

Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities

Parade of Homes offer great sponsorship and advertising opportunities that can get your business name and logo out in front of thousands of potential home buyers. Because most people attending a Parade of Homes event are those interested in houses, you're already targeting your marketing.

Look for sponsorship opportunities like logo placement on the tickets, signage at the properties or your advertisement on the map and brochure.

Have a Property Featured

If your local Parade of Homes focuses on already established homes and not new builds, then look into having one of your own listing properties featured in the Parade.

Most Parade of Homes look for properties that exemplify luxury and style, so focus on a listing that meets those requirements.

Meet the Curious

Most of the attendees at a Parade of Homes are curious members of the public who are looking for decorating ideas, want to see what new builders' innovations are out there or are simply interested in housing.

This can be a great opportunity to meet those people, even if it's just through milling about and starting light conversations. So, during your local Parade of Homes, take a day or two to hang out at a few of the houses. While you shouldn't be giving anyone a hard sales push, you should at least keep a few business cards in your pocket.

Network with Builders and Industry Professionals

Parade of Homes events also attract a number of builders and industry professionals, particularly those associated with the building of the properties. Take this unique opportunity to meet with and greet these builders and contractors.

Remember, a contractor or building professional is usually the first person to know about an impending real estate decision. So, setting up a referral trade agreement with a popular contractor can be a great way to build your business.

It's easy to build and generate leads at a Local Parade of Homes' events. Simply focus on the advertising opportunities, list a featured property, meet the attendees and take the opportunity to network with industry professionals while you have their attention.

Celebrate Turkey Day at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

November is an ideal time to be in the Big Apple: You can see fall foliage at its peak at Central Park, run in all five of the city's boroughs for the annual New York City Marathon, and catch some of the biggest names in comedy at the New York Comedy Festival. As if that weren't enough, New York also kicks off the holiday season with one of the country's largest and longest-running parades.

An annual tradition that dates back to 1924, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will make its way through the streets of New York City at 9 a.m. on Nov. 25 and end at approximately noon. More than 3 million spectators will be on hand to watch everything from helium balloons, marching bands and huge floats to performances by a star-studded lineup of celebrities that includes rapper Kanye West, pop stars Jessica Simpson and Juanes, and R&B singer Gladys Knight. A whopping 10,000 participants are expected to take part in the event.

In 2009, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade bypassed Broadway for the very first time in its rich history. This year the parade route will begin at 77th Street and Central Park West, head south on Central Park West, then turn east and march along Central Park South to 7th Avenue. The parade will turn and makes it way down 7th Avenue to 42nd Street, then travel east along 42nd Street to 6th Avenue. At 6th Avenue, the procession will move south again and march to 34th Street/Herald Square.

If you want to secure a good view, be sure to arrive at least three hours in advance; crowds begin to congregate as early as 5 a.m. In addition, don't forget to dress warmly! Temperatures can easily dip into the low 40s this time of year in New York City.

Here are five notable New York hotels located along the Thanksgiving Day Parade route:

Hilton New York: Set in the heart of Manhattan, this elegant property underwent a $250 million renovation and attracts business and leisure travelers alike with its fitness center, spa, meeting facilities and spacious guestrooms offering outstanding city views.

New York's Hotel Pennsylvania: Built in 1919, the historic Hotel Pennsylvania is located near Madison Square Garden, the Empire State Building, Broadway Theater District, Times Square and other New York City hot spots. Since 1919, no other hotel in the world has seen as many visitors - more than 27 million - than this midtown Manhattan gem.

Warwick Hotel New York: Built in 1926 by William Randolph Hearst for his partner, Marion Davies, the Warwick Hotel New York has drawn a host of celebrities from Elvis Presley and The Beatles to long-time resident Cary Grant, who made the property his home for 12 years. Murals on 54 serves Mediterranean cuisine rivaling that of any restaurant in New York City, and Randolph's Bar & Lounge invokes feelings of being in a cozy living room.

Wellington Hotel: Located just steps from Carnegie Hall, Broadway, Times Square and Central Park, Wellington Hotel features more than 500 tastefully appointed guestrooms, 85 one-bedroom suites, a 24 hour business center, gift shop and restaurant.

Excelsior Hotel: Only a short taxi ride away from Times Square is this four-star landmark in Manhattan's Upper West Side, which overlooks the American Museum of Natural History and Rose Center for Earth and Space. The on-site entertainment center, complete with a fitness center, library, conference room, surround sound and state-of-the-art television screen, is not to be missed.

Whether you plan to participate in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or be one of millions of onlookers lining the streets of Manhattan to see it in person, there's no question that this grand spectacle is the cream of the crop when it comes to holiday events.

Jeff Martinez is a writer/blogger for getaroom.com, a state-of-the-art lodging website that offers travelers the key to the lowest hotel rates on the internet. Call our call center at 800-HOTELS-8 (800-468-3578) to receive the benefits of opaque pricing with rates that are 10 to 50 percent less than other sites.

Spooky Fun Lurks at New York's Village Halloween Parade

We're one day into October and Halloween is fast approaching. Countless party lovers and trick-or-treaters throughout the country are already clamoring to don their ghoulish masks and sport their most outrageous costumes. Though parties, haunted houses and other Halloween events are never short in number almost anywhere you look, there's one celebration in particular that stands apart from the rest - but you'll have to be in the Big Apple to participate. New York's Village Halloween Parade, now in its 37th year, will take place Sunday, October 31, 2010 in Greenwich Village, which lies on the west side of lower Manhattan and is considered the bohemian capital of New York City.

When mask maker and puppeteer Ralph Lee founded New York's Village Halloween Parade in 1974, the event merely involved going house-to-house with his kids and their friends. Two years later, Theater for the New City organized the event on a larger scale as part of its City in the Streets program. Over a 36 year span, New York's Village Halloween Parade has evolved into the nation's largest public Halloween celebration. And if you're looking for a night parade of this caliber outside New York, don't bother - this is the country's only major parade to be held under the lights. Attended by more than 2 million people and seen by more than 1 million TV viewers, it's no surprise that the parade was named as The Greatest Event on Earth by Festivals International for October 31.

The Village Halloween Parade, which will get under way at 7 p.m. EST, will march from Spring Street to 21st Street along 6th Avenue. More than 50,000 people are expected to take part in the parade, including various marching bands, stilt-walkers, break dancers, jugglers, hundreds of puppets, and thousands of New Yorkers clad in outlandish Halloween costumes. If you're worried about accommodation, we've got you covered. The Wellington Hotel New York, which is located less than 2 miles from Greenwich Village, features more than 500 tastefully appointed guestrooms, 85 one bedroom suites, and Molyvos, one of the best Mediterranean restaurants you'll find in bustling New York City. And roughly a mile away is W Hotel - Union Square, a pet-friendly property that offers a fitness center, spa treatments, cozy bar and its signature Living Room Lounge.

If you want to join in on the fun, all you'll need to do is show up early wearing a costume. The family-friendly event is free and open to people of all ages. So head to New York, put on your wildest Halloween attire, and partake in arguably the most spooktacular Halloween event the country has to offer!

Irish-Americans: More Than A Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Part I

This is part one of a two-part series examining the history of both the Irish culture and Saint Patrick's Day. Saint Patrick's Day, named for Ireland's patron saint, will be celebrated on March 17th as it is each year. The Saint Patrick's Day parade has been observed since 1737 and was celebrated in New York City as early as 1762. The first commemorated event was held by the Charitable Irish Society of Boston in 1737, and since then, Saint Patrick's Day has been nationally observed as an ethnic celebration that has achieved primacy. The annual parade, one of the largest in America, travels along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and passes by the Saint Patrick's Cathedral. The wearing of the color green is part of the observance, as it is Ireland's national color. Let's not forget the traditional, delicious corn beef and cabbage, a dish synonymous with the Holiday, which is an American meal that is served on this special occasion. For the Irish-American community, Saint Patrick's Day is a joyous day spent with family, friends, beer (often green beer), whiskey, sentimental songs, and poetry. Once in a while, amongst revelers at the bars and pubs, rowdiness may lead to brawling. Images of the leprechaun and the shamrock are also included in American celebrations. Regardless of what goes on at festivities around the city, due to its immense success, the Saint Patrick's Day parade has served as an example that has encouraged the celebration of other European ethnic groups, as well.

Irish-American communities have been present in the United States for several centuries; to this day their ethnic identity has been particularly meaningful to them. They still brim with tremendous pride and honor due to their Irish heritage despite their passionate love for America.

From my research of the Irish in America, I would like to give a historical review in this article by elaborating on the early immigrant history of Irish-Americans. We will explore their primary reason for immigrating to America, view their struggles and hardships in adapting to the American way of life, and see how they, as an ethnic group, became the focus of prejudice, discrimination, harassment and violence. It is important to note that because the Irish immigrants were a positive minded people, they remained undaunted by poverty, illiteracy and severe hardships that faced them over the years. Irish-Americans have had the resilience to bounce back from all of this hardship, forging ahead to face greater and better horizons, gaining the respect and immense admiration of the American people.

Keeping Irish-Americans, struggles, resilience, pride and ultimate role in shaping America as we know it today in mind, we can start exploring the history of this important part of Americana. That history had originated in Ireland before it immigrated to the United States.

During the first part of the nineteenth century, there was a general tendency to divide family farms and plots into smaller partitions. This was of little use to the Irish farmers when it came to raising and supporting their families. They were subjected as well to the evils of landlordism often facing prejudice from wealthy Anglo-Saxon land owners they were relegated to living in slum like conditions. Since most of the Irish were not landowners; however, they had to lease the property from their English landlords in order to develop their crops. The lands were most often owned by absentee landlords, who attempted to charge the highest possible rents with the least amount of upkeep or service. The large number of middlemen who held land under the lords and acted as their agents made the situation even worse. Large numbers of Ireland's prime portions of land had been confiscated by English aristocracy, which they wanted to use for grazing. As a result, many Irish farmers were evicted from the land which they had been leasing for years. Those that remained had no desire to improve their farms, seeing that all their efforts would automatically revert to the landlord, who would be rewarded for collecting rent and then taking the labor of the Irish tenants. The commerce of Ireland was largely confined to agriculture, due to the natural resources and the environmental conditions of the island itself. In addition to farming, the small number of domestic weaving and spinning businesses that helped subsidize the means of several families all but ended with the explosion of industrialization that dominated the era. Frustrated and stripped of their land and homes, many Irish farmers suffered tremendous hardships. They were justifiably angry with the English for not being able to reap the rewards of their hard work in order to support their families.

The Irish people relied heavily on growing potatoes to both eat and to make money to support their families. As a result of the massive potato crop failure that lasted from 1845-1847, Ireland suffered from a devastating famine that caused nearly one and a half-million people to die.

The gold rush in California began to draw immigrants from every part of the world. America was expanding it offered promise and opportunity and everyone wanted a piece of the action. Steamship companies, railroad companies, manufacturing firms and private enterprises turned to Europe for workers. Ruthless businessmen hired unscrupulous agents to work on commission. They were sent to Europe with an array of irresistible pamphlets, advertisements, drawings and pictures. These smooth operators promised wealth that would prove most often to be an illusion. They convinced the downtrodden that land was cheap, that jobs were plentiful and that some day they could return to their home country as wealthy land owners. If those lies didn't work, as a last resort, the smooth operator would play his final card.

"My employer is willing to loan you the money to pay for your passage and lodgings, and when you begin to work in America you can pay him back out of your wages."

When disease ruined their crops, the Irish had nothing else to keep them in Ireland, and America offered hope, promise, the American Dream. America beckoned.

For those that were destitute, and that was most of them, they had no choice but to borrow money from whomever was willing to pay for their transportation. The price of the passage would cost anywhere from $12.50 to $25.00 a head.

Without further delay, the Irish packed their meager belongings, their household goods and their families and set sea for the land of promise. The steamship agents had booked as many steerage passengers as they could possibly squeeze on deck or in the bottom of the ship, making conditions unbearable, in order to make the trip financially rewarding. The emigrants on deck were subjected to rainy cold weather conditions and the dampness of the sea. Water and food was limited. Starvation, dampness and dirty conditions provided a breeding ground for cholera and death. Diarrhea was prominent among the passengers. Those not strong enough to survive the trip succumbed to death, and their bodies were weighed down and dumped into the tempestuous sea. One ship alone registered more than 200 people who died from disease and famine caused by these horrible conditions during the long and perilous journey.

Between 1847 and 1860, more than 1,000,000 Irish immigrants passed through the port of New York. Those that arrived were fortunate to be alive, having survived the terrible conditions after struggling to accumulate the passage money, either by a relative who helped them or from the so-called "loan shark", also known as the smooth operator.

Many of the Irish that arrived on the shores of America were poor, having exhausted their savings on the journey; those few who had any money left soon fell prey to the waterfront sharper who were trained con men. The Irish, as well as most immigrants who came to New York City during the mid 1800's, ordinarily lived in the tenement district, amid crime, filth and disease. They were forced to live in damp smelly cellars or attics, up to 10 people, men, women and children alike, packed into crowded single rooms where "undisturbed filth for so many years would reign." These tenement buildings were dangerous fire-traps and breeding grounds for murderous rodents that would kill babies in their cribs. Some of the Irish who couldn't find employment to pay rent lived in dirty shanties that surrounded the dumping places. They would sift through the garbage trying to find scraps for food, whether it was decaying vegetables, bread or even bones. Nonetheless, they were here in America, and many would make the most of their opportunity. In part two of this series, we will examine the history of Irish Americans once they settled into America.

Cool Places To Find Vacation Rental Properties

Go Trick-or-Treating at Disney while Sleeping in a Luxury Condo
Sleeping Beauty would opt for renting a luxury condo near her theme park if it wasn't for being the proud owner of that picture-perfect post card castle that dominates the Disney World landscape. But, if you are looking for an entertaining yet not-so-scary Halloween family adventure, a trip to Disney may fit the bill.

It's a Boo-tiful Time
In fact, if you want to plan your fall vacation centering around the Halloween theme, Disney offers holiday activities on 24 very special October nights where festivities start at 7 p.m. The party spooks all with several activities including "Mickey's Boo-To-You" Halloween parade. Get set for some fabulous and "bewitching" fireworks after the Main Street, USA parade with the nightly "Happy HalloWishes" spectacular. Children of all ages can come costumed to the park and trick-or-treat throughout Disney World, get their faces painted, fortunes told, listen to Halloween stories told and participate showing off their costumes in special kid-friendly parties called "Mouse-Ka-Rades."

Vacationing at a "Home"
Once tuckered out, wouldn't it be nice returning to a local condo rental "home" instead of a pricey, impersonal hotel room? The spacious accommodations alone make the choice quite obvious when "living" on vacation in a setting just like you have back home. Opting for a vacation condo rental near all the Orlando theme parks is a great way to obtain the luxurious private space of a vacation home at an affordable price. Your Orlando condo rental can be packaged with special holiday and seasonal deals available including theme park tickets.

Why Get Scared By Hotel Accommodations?
Your Orlando condo rental comes with at least three times the space and less cost than all the luxury hotel rooms ringing the theme parks in central Florida. Plus, this space is specifically well-appointed with amenities you welcome such as plenty of storage space for luggage hauling a week-long wardrobe, lots of counter and cabinet spaces, spacious living areas replete with home theater-type entertainment centers, along with private bed and bathrooms. You might get an adjoining door to the next room in a hotel and a 30-inch TV on a chest-of-drawers top. Plus, the ice cubes are where?

Keeping it Personal
This is a family vacation, is it not? Then, why separate family members in hotel rooms where the only chance to get-together is to crowd everyone in one room or meet in a common collecting area such as a lobby, shared game room or pool area. Your vacation condo rental will probably have all the "sharing" space you need including living room and dining areas. Some even come equipped with special game rooms and other amenities that do not have to be shared with any neighbors down the hall. Staying at an Orlando condo rental allows you to experience a special "on-the-road" bonding with family members creating memories that you can share forever. Furthermore, families with young children will find a vacation condo rental much more accepting to youngsters since the accommodations are familiar - like home.

You really need to take a look at securing an Orlando condo rental for your next vacation to Central Florida. Why spend good money on impersonal hotel rooms when you can rent a vacation condo so you can feel at home?

True Value is in the Eye of the Beholder - Property Valuation Advice

There are few more emotive issues than the estimated value of your own property.

Anyone who has been or is intending to remortgage in the foreseeable future will be aware that an independent valuation will need to be completed in most cases. In the current property market, this can be a harrowing and eye opening experience. It has become increasingly evident that property valuers have been taking a very lean view of the UK property market and this has significant implications for seller, purchasers, remortgagers and, most importantly, mortgage brokers and IFAs.

According to London-based data services company Hometrack, which delivers a good indication of a property's value, house prices fell for 18 consecutive months up to December last year, when the average house price in the UK climbed just 0.1 per cent.

For most areas, last year provided the poorest house price growth - if any - in more than a decade. There is no doubt that 18 months of average values falling, or at the very least the speed of growth falling dramatically, have diminished homeowner equity levels and dented consumer confidence. Hometrack's national average house price in December was measured at £160,900, down 1.6 per cent from £163,474 in December 2004.

Glut

From a seller's perspective, the messages are simple: supply outweighs demand and it is a buyer's market. In the first quarter of last year, the number of properties available soared by more than 30 per cent.

During last year, the length of time it took to sell a house grew by more than 20 per cent to eight weeks. In 2004, it took and average of 6.5 weeks from listing to confirmed sale. Importantly, the sale price as a percentage of asking price was down to 93.5 per cent last year, endorsing the point that buyers exercised significant bargaining leverage over sellers and negotiated large discounts.

In real terms, a seller who lists his property for sale at last year's national average of £160,900 will, on average, achieve an agreed sale price or £150,441 and have to wait on an agonising two months to seal the deal.

Even at this price it is a bridge too far for most first-time buyers looking to get their toe in the property market. But there is some light at the end of the tunnel. First time buyers accounted for 11 per cent of total buyers in the third quarter of last year, according to the National Association of Estate Agents. This was up from 7.7 per cent in August. Brokers should be mindful of the important market sector in their marketing plans, and a further interest rate cut in the first quarter of 2006 could really kick start the property market.

Remortgage

From a remortgage perspective, the implications are significant and a conservative valuation can conspire to make the professional mortgage broker or IFA look a bit silly.

Brokers and lenders witnessed and unprecedented level of down valuations last year - where the property valuation is significantly less than the customer's initial estimate. Most lenders require a valuation to be completed on remortgage applications, particularly where the loan-to-value ration is more than 70 per cent. The major issue facing mortgage brokers is taking a customer's estimate of their perceived property value on face value, as invariably it will be on the high side. This is where the fun begins.

Let us visit the sale process of a typical mortgage broker. You spend a good few hours completing a fact find, issuing an independent disclosure document and building the confidence of your client in your ability as a professionally-qualified, Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice-endorsed, FSA-registered adviser.

You tell your client that you have more than 4000 mortgage products to choose from and you will find him one that fits his need exactly. A key cornerstone of the selection is the LTV ratio and this is based on the customer's estimate of his property's value.

This estimate will be based on a few things: knowledge of other properties that have sold recently in his street or neighbourhood, the press and a large dose of gut feel.

Clearly many clients will have an over-inflated view of what their property is truly worth; it is an emotive issue and one that can really bite the adviser. Imagine then you have taken all the details required on the fact find, you have sourced a deal, it is tight on equity - but based on what you know and have been told, the deal fits.

The valuation rains on your parade as it comes in much lower than expected - lower than the customer's rose-tinted estimate, lower than the flowery estimate given by the local real estate agent.

Now meet the independent valuer. Independent valuers are a cautious lot, and the subject of much cursing and blaspheming.

From a mortgage broker perspective, however, remember one thing. As far as a customer is concerned, you sent that valuer to value their property, you are the focal point of their mortgage transaction - indeed you are the expert. So when the valuation comes back well below expectations it is you, the broker, that will be left to deal with the problem.

This can create several problems. First, the deal that you diligently sourced from your 4000 choices may no longer fit the lender profile. Second, you need to explain to the client that his net asset position is not as good as he had thought. Third, you will be left to resurrect a new deal without much credibility left.

Some may think it is possible to get a valuer to change his mind. This happens about as often as the moon is blue. In fact, it happens about as often as often as a valuer gives a higher valuation than a customer's estimate.

Remember a valuer will need to substantiate his figure with comparable - and recent - local sales, which is usually tough to argue with.

Even arranging finance for a new build can be fraught with danger. One such case recently saw a mortgage arranged for a new build. The customer had negotiated a discount from the builder's original asking price and, by definition, set a market price for the new property.

Imagine explaining to the customer that the deal he had got on his property was not as good as he thought because a licensed valuation down graded the new purchase by £15,000. This resulted in the deal not fitting the lender criteria and a distressed customer at loggerheads with the builder. The builder was happy to back out of the deal and sell the property to another customer, happy in the knowledge that the chances of the same valuer turning up were remote. The consequence was a very unhappy customer and a very traumatic process for all involved, including the mortgage broker.

So what do we do in these downward trend times? Hometrack estimates that property prices this year will rise just 1 per cent, citing affordability as the major barrier to entry for buyers. Halifax is a little more optimistic, predicting a 3 per cent rise. Either way, the head days of double digit growth of past years are gone. It really is a challenge as a professional mortgage broker to tread the tightrope between realistic property valuations and a disappointment.

POSITIVE

There are, however, positive signs on the horizon for the property market. First-time buyer activity has increased, usually a precursor for renewed vigour in the property market.

Estate agents have reported their first drops in available housing stock for nearly six months, another sign that activity is starting to move the right way.

Interest rates are stable, and the much vaunted interest rate cut to stimulate a slowing economy has not happened - yet. Inflation and unemployment levels will need to be kept in check to facilitate a cut in rates. All of these things may happen or continue to happen; they may not.

In the interim, mortgage brokers need to deal with the reality of a bear property market. At point of sale, be armed with the facts and be ready to re-adjust your customer's estimate of his property value. Check property websites before your sales call and get a feel for local area conditions and trends.

Not only will you be armed with the facts, you may just save yourself and your customer a lot of heartache. Additionally, it is not a bad idea to get to know your local valuers; you will find the same names keep coming up.

When push comes to shove and you need to explain the salient points of a valuation, or worse still a down valuation to a client, you had better know what you are talking about. Saving the deal could rest on it.

Finally, at point of sale, cover yourself. Explain to the client that you are basing your product recommendation on his estimate of property value and that it is subject to qualification from a licensed valuer.

Disney World - The Great Resort Debate - On Or Off Property?

For families planning a trip to Disney World, a major factor to consider is whether to stay on property at a Disney owned hotel or stay off property.

I must admit to being a big fan of staying on property, in fact, I have a big bias in that direction. There is something comforting about being in a secure little Disney bubble. It is comfortable. It is familiar. It is convenient.

There are, however, other more tangible perks to staying on property that you should consider before making a final decision:

• Extra Magic Hours - Extra Magic hours give you extra time in the parks. At least one park a day will either open one hour early or stay open three hours late for resort guests. While the park with the Extra Magic hours in the morning tends to be a lot busier the entire day, the evening Extra Magic hours do not tend to draw the same crowds. If you have a Park Hopper ticket, it may be a good plan to take advantage of the early opening at one park and and then move on to a less crowded park for the remainder of your day.


• Disney's Magical Express - The Magical Express is one of the best deals around. You say goodbye to your luggage at your local airport (hopefully for only a few hours!) and hop on an Orlando bound plane. When you land, just follow the signs to the Magical Express buses, check in, and you will be whisked away to your hotel. No baggage claim or car rental necessary. Your bags will magically appear in your room a few hours later! Just remember to carry on anything that you think you may need within a few hours of landing... important medications, park tickets, sunscreen, comfy park clothes or a bathing suit would all be good choices!


• Free Parking - All resort guests can self park free at resorts and parks. If you drove your own car, or rented one when you arrived, you can save $14 per day in parking fees by staying on property. If staying off property, be sure to add your hotel's parking fee, if any, to your theme park parking free to get your total daily parking fee.


• Advanced Dining Reservations - As a Disney resort guest you get an additional perk when making your ADR's.  Instead of making your reservations 180 days in advance for each reservation (calling every day for several days in a row) you can make all of your reservations at one time, 180 days from your check in date.  Disney calls this the 180 day +10 plan.  You can make one call and make your reservations for the next 10 days of your trip.  This can give you a 190 day window for some reservations - a HUGE advantage if you are trying to book the hard to get Le Cellier or Cinderella's Royal Table!


• Disney Transportation - Disney transportation is really pretty cool. Yes, sometimes there can be quite a wait if you are coming or going at a busy time. Yes, it can be crowded. And there is certainly nothing more frustrating that watching a loaded bus take off for the Magic Kingdom just as you breathlessly arrive at the bus stop! Overall, Disney transportation is a good thing. It is amazingly efficient, free, and will get you where you need to go in a reasonably timely fashion. Put away your road maps and don't worry about telling every one in your party where you parked in hopes someone will remember. Just hop on a bus, boat, or monorail, relax and review the first few items on your touring plan so you are ready to hit the ground running when you arrive!


• Key to the World Card - Is it a room key? A park ticket? A credit card? Why it is all of the above! It is so nice to have everything on one card. If you do not want to allow your children charging privileges just let the front desk know when you check in. Also, it is a good idea to have a "Keeper of the cards" in your party. Hand over your card after you enter the turnstile and then send that person off at a brisk pace to obtain a Fastpass for everyone in the group while everyone else walks at a relaxed pace to the first attraction.


• Package Delivery - No need to haul your purchases around the parks all day or worry about how you are going to keep your newly purchased goodies dry as you zoom down Kali River Rapids. Just ask that your package be delivered to your resort gift shop. No fuss no muss!


• Dining Plan - If you purchased a package deal for your travel, you have the option of taking advantage of the Dining Plan (or it's Quick Service and Deluxe) cousins. The dining plan is easy to understand and is very convenient. If you are smart about how you spend your credits, it will also save you a lot of money. It is also nice to have a pretty good idea of what your food costs will be before you ever arrive.


• Refillable Mugs - If you are a Coke addict...and I do mean the cola...then a refillable mug may be right up your alley. Purchase a mug at your resort for around $14 and you can get as many refills at your resort as you wish. Grab a drink as you head out to the parks for the day and another when you come in for a break, and by all means bring that mug with you when you head out to the pool! The longer your stay, the more cost beneficial your mug will be. Now you have an excuse to stay a few more days! The best part about the refillable mug is that it is will fit nicely in your suitcase and will bring back all of the fond memories of your trip every time you use it.


• It is affordable...or not! - If you must adhere to a strict budget or if you have saved for a splurge there is a hotel for you.


• Child Care - It's a vacation for Mom and Dad, too! Stash the kiddos at one of the kids "clubs" offered by some hotels and enjoy an evening out. It is a bit expensive, but can you really put a price on a romantic stroll around the World Showcase after Illuminations? Or a peaceful and quite dinner at Victoria and Albert's? It will be a fun night for all.


• Freedom to separate - You child may be old enough to do some exploring on their own, but not old enough to drive your rental car. Your toddler may need a nap, but your older child is just dying to see the parade. Staying on property and using Disney transportation allows everyone in your group to come and go as they please.


• It is just cool. - Enough said!

Well, since I said this is a debate about staying on or off property, I should probably mention some benefits to staying off property.

• Cost - While there are a range of price points for Disney hotels, you can almost certainly find a less expensive hotel off property. Even if you factor in rental cars and parking fees, you may still come out ahead by staying off property. You could also find a posher hotel with better amenities for the same price that you would spend on a Disney hotel.


• Car - Having a car can be nice. You can get around on your own schedule. Want to head to the outlet mall for some cheaper souvenirs? Need to stock up on some bottles of water at the grocery store? Need some bandages for that blister on your foot? It is nice to be able to hop in your car and take off.


• Convenient for other Day Trips - If Disney World is part, but not all of your Orlando vacation, it may be more convenient to stay off property.

Torremolinos - A Wonderful Coastal Town Where You Can Find Bargain Properties

Torremolinos is one of Spain's most famous seaside resorts and is located just 7km from Malaga city centre and just 10 minutes from Malaga international airport. During the 1980s it gained a reputation for being a cheap package holiday resort similar to Benidorm. However, in recent times it has been transformed into a destination ideal for families and remains extremely popular with Spanish residents. It has evolved into an appealing resort well-known for its clean beaches, excellent choice of restaurants, bars, hotels and many other activities. If you're looking to purchase a property in one of the more traditionally Spanish towns, yet don't want to be away from the coast, then Torremolinos has many bargain properties on offer at the moment.

The town itself appeals to both young and older visitors as it has an abundance of bars and restaurants catering to all types. During the daytime Torremolinos is alive with Spanish residents going about their daily lives. Every Thursday, Torremolinos holds its weekly market directly behind the Town Hall where you can purchase a range of goods from handbags, clothing, gifts, fresh groceries, etc. The old town is located in the heart of Torremolinos and is a great place for shopping, eating or just wondering through the small streets passing the time away. Properties located in this part of town tend to be older apartments without a communal pool and are usually occupied by Spanish residents. Another reason for its popularity is the fact that the town has great links to other parts of the coast and to Malaga city which is only a short bus or train ride away. If you prefer the hustle and bustle of daily life then Torremolinos town is your ideal property destination.

If, however, you prefer the more relaxing way of life and wish to purchase a property closer to the sea then Torremolinos has one of the cleanest beaches on the Costa del Sol. During the property boom not many new properties were built in Torremolinos in comparison to areas further down the coast and it therefore retained more of its Spanish charm. The old fishing district of El Bajondillo is found at the bottom of Calle San Miguel and here you will find excellent seafood restaurants, souvenir shops and the pristine beach. If you're looking for a property with a pool that is not too far from the beach then we recommend the area of Playamar. Properties in this area tend to be more recently developed complexes aimed at holidaymakers and tourists.

One of the most picturesque areas is La Carihuela - the old fishing village of Torremolinos. Here there is a beautiful promenade that links Torremolinos to Benalmadena port. A stroll along La Carihuela is the perfect past time and a wonderful way to relax and take in the fresh sea air. The sea breeze is refreshing, especially during the summer months when temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees. Here you will find couples, families, cyclists, rollerbladers, etc leisurely exercising along the promenade. You can browse at what the beach stalls have to sell, sip a cocktail in one of the beach bars, eat freshly barbecued sardines in one of the famous chiringuitos, and admire the many sand sculptures. It is a peaceful part of Torremolinos and epitomises exactly why most people purchase a property over in Spain. The lifestyle on the Costa del Sol is incomparable to any part of the UK and properties in Torremolinos are the most reasonable in this coastal area.

Torremolinos is also famous for its annual festivals, or ferias, as they call them in Spain. Their main feria takes place in the last week of September and is in honour of the town's Patron, Saint Michael. The feria of San Miguel is a very busy week-long festival of processions, parades and events. The Spaniards certainly know how to party and in this area of the Costa del Sol there is no exception. The week before Easter Sunday the locals also celebrate Semana Santa (Holy Week) with processions in Torremolinos on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Nearby you can also visit the spectacular daily Semana Santa processions in Malaga city centre (the largest outside Sevilla) as the frequent train services take you straight to all the action. The Dia del Pescaito (Fried Fish Day) takes place every year on the first Thursday in June at Carihuela Beach and is a brilliant day out for all the family, especially if you love fish! The Festival of Virgen del Carmen de La Carihuela is one of the most popular ferias in this area and takes place on July 16th every year. The climax of this spectacular event includes the procession of the image of the Virgen from the small church in La Carihuela through the streets and down to the seafront, from where she enters the sea.


The recent development of Torremolinos' now famous park has been a great asset to the area. Parque de la Bateria was finished in 2007 and boasts a lake, magnificent views of the coast, the most amazing childrens' play area and beautiful green areas filled with exotic plants and trees. Here you can take a stroll along the well-kept walkways, cycle along designated lanes, go jogging around the track or work out in the special outdoor exercise areas. The park is patrolled by guards pottering about on their segways and the grounds are beautifully maintained. It costs just €1.00 for the whole family to take a half hour boat ride in the pristine lake. We have numerous properties for sale in the area directly next to Bateria Park. This part of town, called Montemar is where you will usually find residential properties for those who wish to move to Spain permanently. There are a range of apartments and villas for sale in this popular residential district.

One of the most interesting places to visit in Torremolinos is the Crocodile Park. It is a wonderful day out for both adults and children where you can see over 300 live crocodiles and if you're brave enough you can even hold one - a baby one that is! "Gran Paco" (Big Paco) is their most famous resident and is the biggest crocodile in Europe - even without his tail which was bitten off by a younger male. Needless to say the younger male is now in the foyer as you walk in the park; but don't worry it's just his carcass! After biting off his tail, Big Daddy made sure he got his revenge and killed him a few days later. You cannot miss the guided tour by Enrique - he is the eccentric owner of the park who gets into the crocodiles enclave and gets extremely close to the crocodiles. It's a wonderful and exciting day out for all of the family. Torremolinos also has a large water park which opens during the holidays and is very popular with both children and teenagers as there are numerous water slides for both the very brave and for the little ones or those scared of heights. It is a great day out for all the family and you usually find discount cards in hotel receptions or at the airport.

For the golfers out there, Torremolinos is close to numerous golf courses - Guadalhorce, Lauro Golf, Alhaurin Golf and Torrequebrada to name but a few. If you prefer to live in a golf resort then we have numerous golf properties for sale that are near to Torremolinos.

Torremolinos is an exciting town that has retained its popularity with British tourists for over five decades since the resort was developed back in the 1960s. It is a traditional town that has outgrown its tacky image and is a great place to purchase a property whether you want to live her all year round or buy a holiday home. Here is where you will find real bargains in the heart of a Spanish coastal town as property prices of apartments and villas can be much cheaper than anywhere else on the coast.

Idealspanishproperty is fortunate to have a select number of bargain properties and repossessed apartments for sale in Torremolinos so if you are looking for your ideal home in this area then please contact us for more details.

The Relationship Between Disney and Florida Property Investors

Thinking about buying a home in Florida? Let your relationship with Disney lead the way...

It makes financial sense when buying property as an investment to secure a location that you can be assured will attract those who will want to rent your home. Property investors that can attain higher rentals and capital growth at the same time are obviously in a 'win win' situation.

Attaining a higher rental income

Letting your investment property out to a local family will secure you a regular income. However property investors looking for a higher rental income should look to holiday letting. Property investors who can rent their home to holiday makers on a regular basis will achieve higher returns. Its simple those who are on holiday for a short period of time are prepared to pay higher rent for their accommodation. A week spent on a holiday home can be the equivalent of a months rent for standard letting. The trick is to find an area where holiday makers are in their plenty. A location where the attractions and communications are available all year round. One such area is Florida Disney in Orlando.

Orlando Disney Florida is a serious location to invest.

With attractions and investment made every year by Disney the visitor rates are up to the sunshine state of Florida. Disney Florida commitment to its world famous theme parks is second to none. Every year there are new theme park attractions and improvements to old favourites. This investment will have visitors retuning again and again.

Disney Florida will always attract repeat visitors

There is always something new to do at Walt Disney World Resort. It's hard to experience it all in one visit. For new and returning Guests, there are never-ending new attractions, magical shows and numerous dining possibilities along with treasured, timeless favourites.

About Disney Theme parks

Orlando Florida is the location of Disney's world famous theme parks and is one of the reasons why Florida has become one of the hottest locations for overseas visitors. Served by two international airports and good road network this part of Florida is set for good sustainable growth.

The following theme parks are part of the reason for Disney's success in Florida.

Disney's Magic Kingdom

Journey to imaginary lands of adventure, fantasy, the past and the future. Some of the attractions at the Magic Kingdom Disney Florida include
Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, Country Bear Jamboree, Donald's Boat, Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Disney Florida Epcot centre

with dazzling shows, interactive experiences and amazing attractions Epcot is a must for visitors to Disney's Epcot centre. Some of the attractions include:
Mission SPACE, Test Track, Turtle Talk with Crush and "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience"

Disney MGM Studios

Entering the world of showbiz -- from the Hollywood classics of yesteryear to the best in popular entertainment. The MGM studious attractions include:
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, Fantasmic!,Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!,
"Beauty and the Beast" - Live on Stage.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Thrilling attractions, shows, the beauty of nature and the fascinating animals -- real and imagined Disney Animal Kingdom will always remain a favourite some of the attractions include:
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade, Festival of the Lion King, It's Tough to be a Bug!

Florida property investors with new ways to finance a Florida investment property, overseas property buyers will flock to the sunshine state for years to come.

Unique Demand in the UK Property Market

An incontrovertible truth in the UK is that of there being an extremely inelastic supply of housing. Predominantly due to the fact that development has already taken place to a saturated extent, and also a strong population of over 60 million, it is not so much the provision of more housing that plays its part in the housing market, but rather demand alone. In essence it is the demand for property that has the largest influence on housing prices, but of course, other factors also share the limelight.

Like any other modern economy, the device of the standard mortgage is heavily made use of, but still the lure of the sub-prime mortgage for those that would not necessarily be offered a mortgage under the traditional guidelines of assessment, has also affected the UK market.

This was most vividly depicted in the collapse of Northern Rock Bank in 2007, after its exposure to the US sub-prime crisis. Almost an exception to the rule, Northern Rock broke rank from what has traditionally been the structure of UK banks, but at the same time exhibited the temptation that all financial institutions have faced along the path of synthetic profits.

Invariably, UK banks are far more conservative than the average US bank, and they have usually prided themselves on their quantification of risk and underwriting strategies, and endeavored to keep their mortgage debt on their own balance sheets. After the Dot.com bubble burst, the US ended up with large liquidity in the financial system, and many financiers remunerated on a commission basis devoted their time to the devising of novel financial strategies to attract these funds.

Thus came about many derivative products, not the least of which was the securitization of mortgage debts in large parcels and offering them on the capital markets. This practice eventually perpetuated the current financial crisis as defaulting sub-prime mortgagors faced foreclosure by creditors, and the logistical nightmare of administrating huge parcels of mortgages, accompanied by the frenzy of competing with sellers in a falling US property market saw creditors suffer enormous losses due to bad debt. The number of write-downs that eventually appeared on the balance sheets of well established and trusted corporations still has the market in a trance...

Given that the UK property market is one of extremely elastic demand, it follows that market sentiment is a powerful indicator of the health of the UK property market. When Northern Rock announced its exposure to the evil of the US sub-prime mortgage crisis, consumer sentiment placed its tail firmly between its legs, and demand in the UK housing market was quickly out to lunch. For some time prior, the UK housing market had outperformed other international property markets. Some estimated that UK property was overvalued to almost 50% away from long term trends, and when Northern Rock made its debutant performance of insolvency, and requested help from the Bank of England, property in the UK turned south overnight. The inherent sensitivity of UK demand for property was once again paraded for all to see.