On Site Caravans in Australia - Ten Steps to Follow Before Buying One

The main points are:

Do not purchase the caravan without first speaking to park management. Remember, you are buying a caravan off the owner. You then need to know the conditions of having it remain on site at the park. Ask for a copy of the Occupation Agreement. It includes park rules, annual costs, inclusions and other details. It should be lengthy. If it is only 2-3 pages long, then it is possible that the agreement does not comply with the legislation concerning on site caravans. The Government Act in NSW concerning on site vans in Holiday Parks is: "Occupation Agreement. Holiday Parks. (Long Term Casual Occupation) Act 2002". Discuss future plans with park management. How long can you anticipate having your caravan at their park? Do they have plans to replace your caravan with a cabin in 1-3 years? If so, will you be asked to remove your caravan or will they relocate to another site within the park? Does the caravan comply with local council and park regulations? Discuss this with park management. Sometimes caravans may be sold because they don't comply so you may have to get this work done. Discuss what you can or can't do to your caravan. If you want to add a deck for example, you will need to ensure that it is within site boundaries. You may have to get approval to even paint your caravan. Check out other caravans for sale within the park and nearby parks. If there are many for sale, try and find out why? A good park should have a low turnover of caravans for sale. What is included in the sale? Some include all furniture. Take photos of the interior at the time of inspection if it does. Do your sums! If you are not going to use the caravan on a regular basis, it may be cheaper to stay in one of the park cabins rather than paying out all your money for a couple of weekends each year. Investigate the park further. Will it be crowded when you plan to stay? What type of clientele do they attract? Is it oriented towards children? Is it pet friendly? We suggest you stay in an on site cabin for a night or two to get a "feel" for the park. Does the asking price sound reasonable? It it is too much, don't be afraid to ask why. Compare its price to other caravans in the same or nearby parks.

The most important thing to realise is that you are generally buying from the person who owns title to that caravan. It may be towable (a requirement if the caravan is in a flood liable area) or it may be on stumps or "tied to the ground". You are not generally buying rights to the space it currently occupies, just the caravan itself. You then need to pay an annual fee to the management of the caravan park for the privilege of having your caravan on site. This fee and what it covers varies form park to park.

If you follow these ten steps, you will be far less likely to be disappointed with your purchase. Remember, you are not just buying a used caravan. You are investing in your spare time and holiday aspirations.

How to Narrow Down Your Vacation Home Search

Are you thinking of getting a vacation home?

There are so many properties for sale in nice climates these days that you really should have no trouble whatsoever finding your perfect property.

There's one issue that people run into, and it has to do with the fact that there are so many available listings for sale that it's hard to figure out your priorities and how to narrow one down.

Here are a few things you can do to narrow down your selection by choosing the best vacation home for your needs.

First up is the easiest one, which is deciding on the kind of property you would like. If you are single for example, you may only want a smaller condo where you take a friend or two to relax. Those who already have children or planning on having them in the near future will be looking more for a large condo or even a town house.

The second decision you need to make is the location. Do you want something directly on the beach? Maybe you'd like something a bit more removed, in which case you can probably find a nicer property for the money.

Last, but certainly not least, is deciding on a budget and sticking to it. You should be able to get a mortgage no problem if you have a good credit rating, but make sure the repayments are easily affordable. You don't want that dream home to end up a millstone around your neck!

All of these things will make an often difficult process (albeit an exciting one) a bit more simple.

Finding the Ideal Holiday Home

Britain has many wonderful holiday spots for us all to enjoy. But having found your ideal location, the next thing is to find somewhere to stay. And having finally fallen in love with the place you may well decide to locate a permanent holiday home there. But how do you go about doing that? Well, the Internet is a pretty good place to start.

There are many options open to you when trying to find the holiday home that is just right for you. You can purchase new or pre-owned and there are plenty to choose from. Most companies selling holiday homes have their own websites and just by switching on your laptop or computer they will help you make your choice. If you have already found your ideal holiday spot you may be able to view the properties on offer at the location. However, if you want to spread your search for holiday locations the internet is a great place to start. Many companies have properties at several locations, thereby widening your choice.

When choosing the ideal vacation property there are several things you will need to consider. How much room will you need? How many bedrooms will you require? Your decision will depend on how many guests you intend to have staying. Will it just be yourself and family, or will there be friends and extended family coming to stay?

Whichever property you choose to buy you will enjoy first class facilities. Typically modern holiday units will have a lounge and dining area, a fully fitted kitchen, single or double bedrooms - some holiday homes contain as many as three bedrooms, shower, and toilet. It is also worth checking out the warranty on the home as well.

More expensive, but exuding absolute luxury, are log cabins. Otherwise known as timber lodges they make absolutely wonderful vacation properties. They come with a choice of interiors and offer such extras as matching bedding, blinds and accessories, fitted carpets or hardwood floors, a wide choice of built in wardrobes - complemented by matching draw units, beautiful bed and bathroom furniture and luxurious light fittings.

It should be noted that purchasers of holiday homes will have to pay annual site fees, though some companies include the first years fee in the purchase price.

With such a wide range of choice of properties at such a wide range of locations, finding the ideal holiday home can be a real pleasure though often no easy task.

Renovating in France - Learn French, Save 10,000!

Here's a true story about renovating in France and how learning to speak a few French phrases can save you thousands and thousands of dollars.

This concerns some friends of mine who are renovating an old French farmhouse. It's a "longere" to be precise, which roughly translated means "long house". Way back when it was first built, several hundred years ago, what farmers would do was to build themselves a house and then just add bits on the end when they had a need. Frequently that was more space for goats, sheep, pigs or cows. An extra room would be added to suit whatever animals were going in. If it was for a growing family the room was made a bit better quality - but not much!

It is all on one level. Upstairs was for hay or grain - which also did a fair job of insulating. Walls were built from local stone - a couple of feet or more thick. No foundations of course, just built on the ground. With walls that thick they hardly move in centuries, and as long as the roof is in good condition these are prime French renovation material. These old French farmhouses usually don't have much in the way of sanitation. Often just a soak-away - which is basically a hole in the ground. If you want to renovate you need to put in a modern system or you don't get planning permission. Only sensible really.

Mains drainage is usually out of the question because these old French farmhouses are usually in the middle of a field. What you have to get is a septic tank system called a "fosse septique". A three or four thousand liter tank (around a thousand gallons US) takes all the household water and there's also a sand and gravel filtration that handles run-off. This is eventually pumped into the nearest ditch. It's not drinking water quality but it's fairly clean. Anyway, back to the story. As is recommended with any renovating in France, my friends got three quotes. The first guy wanted 16,500 Euros which was thought a bit high, but they waited for the remainder of the prices. The second came in at 9,000 Euros. The third, a comparatively low 6,500 Euros - a ten thousand Euro difference. That's a lot of money in any currency!

Now my friends had gone to the trouble of talking to several French people, including the son of an acquaintance who worked for the water board (and who helped with the plans). Each company was given exactly the same full specification. What might have happened if they had not spoken some French? They were not fluent at the time but they took on the challenge. I know people in that situation who would have just taken the first quote because it was easiest - and would have been ten grand out of pocket! The strangest thing happened on the day of the installation. The builder who had given the cheaper quote turned up to start work, bringing an expert with him to help. The "expert" was the guy who had given the first quote of 16,500 Euros - but apparently was more than prepared to do the work for the builder for 6,500 - or in fact less if you consider that the builder would probably have made something.

Top tip if you are considering renovating in France? Well it has to be to learn some French. If it cost you a hundred dollars to save 10,000 I would say it was money well spent!

Whitby Holiday Homes - A Beautiful Place to Stay

There is no doubt that Whitby is one of the most scenic and beautiful places to stay in Great Britain. This North Yorkshire coastal town is adored not only by local residents but also by the many visitors who make the trip to this memorable location each year.

Holiday homes in Whitby are often in high demand with Whitby being an extremely popular tourist destination. There is a variety of accommodation available but Whitby holiday homes tend to be a popular choice with many visitors. This is because having a holiday rental home located on the top of the beautiful cliffs near the Whitby coastal line presents not only fantastic scenery but a peaceful and magnificent haven to take some time out and get away.

Many Whitby holiday homes are located just a short distance from the town centre either by foot or in the car. Not only this but Whitby holiday rental homes are kitted out just like a real home and come with all the basics and some luxurious amenities. These can include; shower, toilet, wash basin, en-suite bedroom, microwave, cooker, gas fire, shaver point, colour TV, electric heating, and fridge/freezer. You will tend to find everything you could possible need in these beautiful Whitby holiday homes and the surroundings near by.

Whitby holiday homes are available in moderate to large sizes to suit your needs and accommodate yourself and your family. A holiday rental home is a great excuse for a getaway and can really make holidaying much easier. With these self catering homes, you can do as you please and do what you like.

Within the vicinity of these Whitby holiday homes you can find local pubs, takeaways and restaurants, as well as shops and tourist attractions. If you make the short trip into the centre of Whitby you will find Whitby Abbey and the famous 199 steps, along with quirky gift shops and famous fish and chips.

What sets Whitby apart from other holiday destinations, is that travelling only a short distance away from your Whitby holiday home, you could find yourself in Robin Hood's Bay or Dalby Forest. If you'd rather stay and have a wander around the cobbled streets of Whitby, you could always invest in some famous Whitby Jet or take a trip on a fishing boat. Whitby is truly a magical setting for any trip and is sure to make lasting impressions.

Be Neighbourly In Your Orlando Vacation Home

People who choose to stay full time can have numerous reasons for doing so. They could be Disney employees thus enjoying the luxury of a very short journey time to work, since the majority of vacation rental villas are very well situated to access Walt Disney World and all it has to offer. Some residents own vacation homes in and around where they stay and they like to be close at hand to keep an eye on their property and look after their guests themselves. Others may have some kind of occupation related in some way to the hospitality/vacation industry. Then again you may just find some friendly folks who like the idea of having new and different neighbours every few weeks!

Having full time residents nearby can be a great thing. They very much enjoy visitors to their area and those who settle there full-time are well used to new neighbours every one or two weeks and are very friendly and keen to learn you are enjoying your stay and having a fabulous vacation.

Just generally walking about the resort your vacation villa is in, you are bound to pass some local residents who are always ready to greet you with a smile and genuinely wish you a "nice day". If you have questions about the local area or attractions, I am sure you will find them only too happy to help.

That said, since these people are resident full time, one should always be remember to be courteous to them whilst still making the most of your vacation.

Local residents need their sleep too!

Generally there are safety and courtesy rules in all residential areas for "quiet times" at the pool. As a rule of thumb these tend to be 11pm-7am. One of the most tempting times to forget about these rules is for those visitors who have travelled from far away (e.g. U.K.) and need to make huge adjustments to time changes and body clocks. On the first morning of these guests' vacation, they will tend to waken very early and it is strongly advised to resist the urge to come straight down to the pool until it reaches what everyone would agree is a slightly more reasonable time.

Stay in a resort based vacation home...

You will find a great many of Orlando vacation villas have been built in resorts that offer communal areas. These can include any combination of the following: a communal swimming pool (in addition to your very own private pool at your holiday villa); a games room; a fitness room; a shop; a café; basketball/volleyball courts; tennis courts; childrens play areas. Any of these areas offer the ideal opportunity to meet people from all over the world- both full time residents and other holidaymakers like you.

Showing your neighbours common courtesies will encourage them to extend a warm welcome when you return for another vacation at a later date and then your villa experience really will be like a "home from home" since you already know the neighbours!