Thursday, December 17, 2009

Breaking news!!

Southwest Airlines will be flying into Panama City, FL starting in May of 2010. (Just in time for summer vacation!) They have released the 4 major hub cities: Orlando, Nashville, Houston, and Baltimore. View this link for more details: http://travel.southwest.com/specialoffers/offerDetails.html?id=29191323

Not only will this help to increase tourism in our area, but it will boost your rentals dramatically!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Winter Rentals

If you have a vacant long term rental then please keep on reading!

Here is a list of things we are doing:

We have reviewed our marketing program and we are doing everything possible to drive tourists to our properties. Our internet placement is the best, we are located right at the top on Google Adword searches, Vacation Google House, and Paperclick adds. Homes are featured on VRBO, Vacation Rentals, Triphomes, Second Porch, Trip Advisor, Rentalo, Gulf Coast, Hutz, Com Walk, Perfect Places, Homeaway, Vacapedia, and Facebook.

Additionally, we are offering several specials, and discounts on our properties. During our low season months, we are implementing a Tour of Homes showcasing select properties upon demand to encourage rentals. Our national, and international E-mail campaign is targeted to generate rentals during mid, and low seasons. If you have any suggestions, I invite you to share them with our staff.


If we can not rent your property, then there is no income.
So what can you do to help? Read on!

My first recommendation is for you to make sure your property is in good condition. As a management company we will do everything possible to maintain your property, but please understand that if it has not been maintained prior to coming on our program, then it going to take time/money to get it in the best condition for your guest's. We also perform bi-yearly assesments, and make recommendations at this time. Remember, a happy renter = a repeat renter!

Finally...Lowering your rental rate

As painful as this may seem, please understand that in most circumstances lowering your rate can make a difference. As we enter the winter season, here are some reasons you should consider lowering your rental rate.

1. We are in an area that is heavily saturated with rentals.

2. The rental season is slowing down, and monthly rentals are great opportunities during this time to help cover costs.

3. During the months of November,and December very few people vacation or relocate due to the Holidays. That generally means that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are slow times for our industry.

4. The current state of the economy is wreaking havoc on the real estate, and rental market. So many properties are going into forclosure or approaching it. That means the property owners and investors are renting their properties for anything they can get. I mean anything...I have seen some ridiculous low rates on beautiful beach front properties. This is driving rental rates down, just remember, Spring is around the corner!

These tough times call for tough decisions. St. George Island Vacation Properties wants to rent your property, please contact us and let us know if you have any suggestions for specials or advertising, and if you are willing to negotiate your rental rate.

Thanks for being a part of our St. George Island Vacation Properties family, and understanding as we strive to fill your properties with the best possible guest's at the most reasonable rental rate.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Stormy Weather Is Clearing Up

Hurricane season is now officially over!
The clouds are clearing out, and the sun is trying shine on St. George Island as you can see on our webcam. http://www.stgeorgeislandvacationproperties.com/webcam.php

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Weather Alert For Homeowner's

A storm system dumping heavy rain in southern Texas will take the form of a springtime storm as it spreads across the Gulf Coast and into the Southeast, bringing wind-driven rain and severe thunderstorms later today. Flash flooding will remain the main threat in the Southeast, however, gusty storms will develop along the Gulf Coast later today.


Flash Flood Watches are in effect from southern Louisiana to southwestern Georgia and Florida`s panhandle in anticipation of heavy rainfall arriving later today.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

SGIVP Facebook

Become our friend on Facebook, and become a fan of our page! http://www.facebook.com/home.php?

Preventative Maintenance Plan For Your Home

Monthly Services

-Change A/C Filters
-Close and reopen all water shut offs to prevent them from seizing up
-Check all water sources for proper operation
-Check ranges for proper operation
-Check and reset refrigerator settings if needed
-Check all screen work, and screen doors
-Check boardwalks, decks, and docks for protruding nails, wood rot, etc.
-Add enzymes in all tub/sink drains, and toilets to help keep drain lines, and septic systems functioning properly. *Done only by request-Add $3.00 monthly
-Treat all metal objects for corrosion-Doorknobs, dead-bolts, hinges, and other door hardware. Electrical receptacle, and light switch covers, exterior ceiling fans, telephone and cable television connection boxes, hurrican shutter boxes, and anything else that may require attention.
-General overall inspection

Bi-Monthly Services

-Clean tub and shower drains if needed.
-Vacuum air conditioning drain lines during the months of May-September to help prevent clogs, which cause water damage to the interior of a house.


Bi-Annual Services


-Inspect entire roof system and attic area for problems such as missing shingles, plumbing vent covers deteriorating, attic insulation out of place, air conditioning vent piping secured, etc.
-Clean shower head, and faucets
-Change smoke alarm batteries
-Check heating systems in Sept.
-Check cooling systems in early Spring


Annual Services

-Tighten all ceiling fan blades
-Clean refrigerator condensing coils



Cost of services: $30.00 plus, $6.00 per bedroom, $6.00 per bath, plus parts.

Signature needed authorizing SGIVP to pay Phipps Maintenance no later than 15 days after billing date.

Lighting of the Lights

Join the annual lighting of the holiday lights on St. George Island. Santa will arrive on a fire engine for the kids. The lighting will take place at dark. Lighthouse tours will be available. For more information call (850) 927-7744.
Date: December 4, 2009
Location : St. George Island
Category: Community Events / St George Island
Contact : St. George Island Visitor Center and Museum

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Historic Annual Christmas Celebration

The Historic Apalachicola Christmas celebration will light up Apalachicola from 4:00-8:00 p.m. the streets of downtown Apalachicola will be lined with luminaries and filled with holiday spirit. Merchants will be open late the sounds of carolers will echo through the streets filling the evening with Christmas spirit. Santa will arrive on a shrimp boat at 4:00 p.m. at the City dock on Water Street, across from City Hall. Santa will hear children's Christmas wishes and carolers will sing. Join us for an old fashioned Christmas celebration! For more information contact the Chamber office at (850)653-9419.
Date: November 27, 2009
Location : Downtown Apalachicola
Category: Community Events / Apalachicola
Contact : Apalachicola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Contact email : info@apalachicolabay.org

10 Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Home

In a dour housing market, wouldn't it be nice to know that your remodeling project would pay off when you went to sell the property? Remodeling Magazine evaluated the top remodeling projects, how the cost-to-value has changed since the housing market implosion, and which projects are still worth the investment. Using the magazine's "Cost Vs. Value Report for 2008-2009," let's look at some of the best projects you can undertake and recoup the majority of your cost.

Upscale Projects
Siding Replacement (fiber-cement or foam-backed vinyl).

With the economic slump, home buyers aren't being dazzled by bells and whistles as much as they are improvements that will ensure lower repair and utility bills. Although replacing current siding with fiber-cement has lost value from 2007, it still nets an astonishing 87% ROI. If you prefer a foam-backed vinyl product replacement instead, you can still look to recoup 80% of your cost.

More from Investopedia

» 10 Insurance Tips For Homeowners

» Cheap Home Renovations That Pay Off

» Home Renovations That Don't Pay


Window Replacement (vinyl or wood)

Windows are not only an aesthetic feature. For most homeowners, they represent one of the easiest ways to lower home heating and cooling bills. By replacing your current windows with more efficient vinyl or wood ones, you can save on your utility bills, attract future home buyers and net a nearly 80% (vinyl) or 77% (wood) return on your investment.


Bathroom Remodel

Depending on the size and amenities of your desired bathroom, you could expect to pay over $50,000 to tear out walls, repair joists and wall studs, change structural elements and make major layout changes, such as switching a toilet and shower. However big the price tag, you can still expect to recoup nearly 71% of the cost (which would be $36,400 if you have a $50K bill) when you go to sell. This project increased its value since 2007, while its sister project - adding a complete bathroom - fell in value.


Major Kitchen Remodel

Kitchens are typically the most frequently used room in a home, so it makes sense that investing money here is going to pay off when it comes time to sell. While a major kitchen renovation is usually the most time-consuming and expensive home improvement job (averaging more than $110,000), it's also one of the most profitable. Regardless of the size of your financial layout, you can expect to get a nearly 71% ROI.


Deck Addition (composite product)

With families cutting their entertainment budgets, they're spending more time at home, so it makes sense that adding a deck (composite, not wood) is a good investment. You can plan on recouping 63% of your total job cost to boost your home's value by nearly $24,000 if you paid the average job cost of $37,000.




Mid-Range Projects


While all of the mid-range projects dropped in value versus cost since 2007, there are still numerous projects that will net you a significant ROI. Here are a few of the best bets for your money:

Deck Addition (wood)

If your bank balance can't swing the higher price tag that comes with composite decking, you may still be able to afford a wood addition on to your home. While a wood deck would cost you, on average, in the neighborhood of $10,000, the resale value it will add to your home is more than $8,600 - an 81.8% return on your investment.


Siding Replacement (vinyl)

Fiber-cement or foam-banked vinyl are often more preferable siding upgrades, but getting vinyl siding replacements instead is still a good choice. You can recoup nearly 81% of your cost which, if the job cost you more than $10,000, means you could add more than $8,200 to your home's value.


Minor Kitchen Remodel

With belt-tightening in style, people are turning to minor kitchen improvement projects instead of major overhauls. It turns out that that choice is not only frugal, but financially wise. While major kitchen remodeling jobs can still, on average, return a nice 70% ROI for homeowners, minor kitchen remodeling jobs net an even higher 79.5% return.


Attic Bedroom

Anytime you can add bedrooms, you're going to add to the overall value - and listed purchase price - to your home. If your attic's dimensions allow you to convert it to a bedroom, you may want to consider investing the money to do so. You'll add some sleeping space and net a nice 74% return when a new buyer puts your home under contract.


Basement Remodel

If you're fortunate enough to live in an area with a water table high enough to permit basements, you should think about squeezing all the value you can out of it. By remodeling and finishing a previously-unfinished basement you can expect to get nearly 73% of your investment returned with a higher list price, come time to sell.

Conclusion

If you have savings or access to reasonably-priced credit, it's worth it to consider home improvement projects that will produce the best return for your time and money. Make sure you work with a reputable, licensed contractor (to avoid costly errors or budget overruns), and before you undertake any project it's a good idea to check and see if it could significantly increase your property tax bill.

While it may still make sense in the long-run to undertake the project and add overall value to your home, you may need to make a few budgetary changes so that you don't get caught off-guard when the tax bill comes.

Monday, October 26, 2009

The 46th Annual Apalachicola Seafood Festival

The Florida Seafood Festival is a 2 day event annually drawing thousands of visitors to the historic town of Apalachicola in scenic Franklin County. The Festival is held at the mouth of the Apalachicola river under the shady oaks of Apalachicola's Battery Park. The festival features delicious seafood, arts and crafts exhibits, seafood related events, and musical entertainment. Some of the notable events include Oyster Eating and Oyster Shucking contest, Blue Crab Races, Cooking Contest, Parade, 5k Redfish Run and The Blessing of the Fleet. This year, SGIVP is working hand in hand with the Seafood Festival committee in a "In Your Dreams" giveaway. Tickets can be acquired from the t-shirt booth for a $1.00 donation to the ABC School. All funds raised are donated to the ABC School. Drawing to be held Saturday, November 7th by Miss Florida Seafood before the Tracey Lawrence concert, and announced at that time from the main stage. Here is a direct link from the Seafood Festival website. http://www.floridaseafoodfestival.com/SGIVPinyourdreams.html

Friday, October 23, 2009

More Flights To Our Area May Boost Tourism

For more information, please contact:
Franklin County Tourist Development Council Administrative Office 850-653-8678

Southwest Airlines' Arrival To Boost Tourism in Franklin County

Southwest Airlines will soon begin flying the North Florida skies, thanks, in part, to the efforts of a seven county tourism and economic development group, of which the Franklin County Tourist Development Council (FCTDC) is a member.

Coastal Vision 3000, which markets the Northwest Florida region as "THE Beach," has been wooing Southwest Airlines for years. Southwest this week announced its plan to start flying from the new Panama City International Airport when it opens in May 2010. On the local level, Franklin County tourist officials have already begun to target airports in both Panama City and Tallahassee to tap into this regional marketing effort.

"Within this region, we have the best venue for nature-based tourism as well as uncrowded beaches, lighthouses and a variety of historical and cultural attractions," says Helen Spohrer, Chairman FCTDC. "Southwest Airlines and the new international airport will make Franklin County more accessible to the world."

From Southwest Airlines' Blog, BlogSouthwest.com:

"We're bringing low fares and GREAT service to the land of sugar-white-sand beaches, incredibly gentle blue waters, and an amazing variety of visitor accommodations just in time for vacation season, Summer, 2010! Up until Southwest's arrival, this part of Northwest Florida has been plagued by high fares and a lack of full-sized airline service. We're going to change that. Southwest's entry into the Panama City market will make it possible for all of America to experience the incredible beauty of Northwest Florida!"

Southwest officials say the airline plans to make a substantial commitment to providing affordable and consistent air travel to the Northwest Florida market. According to Bob Montgomery, vice-president of properties at Southwest Airlines who attended the press event in Panama City last week, "We will be bringing two daily flights from four destinations which makes eight non-stop flights. That's almost 2,000 seats coming into the Northwest Florida region every day. By December you'll have an announcement on fares and schedules and by May 2010 you'll see our canyon-blue jets flying over your white, sandy beach and clear waters."

Coastal Vision 3000 Chairman Buddy Runnels calls Southwest Airlines' announcement "a game changer" for tourism and economic development in Northwest Florida. "The Northwest Florida business community, from Perdido Key/Pensacola to Carrabelle, has a lot to be proud of... this is a great day for our entire region," he said.

About Coastal Vision 3000

Coastal Vision 3000 is a membership organization of regional stewards representing tourism and economic development interests in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf and Franklin counties. Business and community leaders established the organization to create a consistent, branded identity for the seven-county region to increase national and international awareness, support local tourism and economic development professionals, and grow the market.

Franklin County's Tourist Development Council joined the organization in 2008. There are ten tourist-related businesses or organizations in the county that are also members of THE Beach including the Apalachicola Bay Chamber, Camp Gordon Johnston, Carrabelle Chamber, Collins Vacation Rentals, Franklin County Tourist Development Council, Prudential Shimmering Sands (St. George), Resort Vacation Properties, St. James Bay Golf, Apalachicola Photo Tours, Sandy Beach Realty and Water Street Hotel and Marina.




Post Office Box 819 • Apalachicola, Florida 32329
17 1/2 Avenue E • Apalachicola, Florida 32320
866.914.2068
850.653.8678

Wednesday, October 21, 2009


Hey, Glynis from St. George Island Vacation Properties, welcome to the homeowner's blog. My goal is to: update you on your rental property, events coming to our area, connect with other homeowners, and keep you updated on how our company is striving to maximize rentals on St. George Island. I will also be uploading pictures of the island!

We have a number of projects in the works. We want to show our homeowners that we have their best interest at heart, and our guests that we are the Premier Company on St. George Island. A couple of new additions have been added to our website. For starters, we recently added a webcam, and it has been quite a hit with our guests! Not only do they get to see what the weather is like, but it also makes them want to visit more often! Another feature is the option to chat with a live reservationist. Last but not least, we have incorporated a life like avatar of myself with my voice updating visitors to our site about our specials, calendar of events, weather and charities we are partnering with to help make a difference.

I invite you to suscribe to our homeowner's blog. I would like to get to know you, and hear any suggestions you may have for us. Also, if you are not an existing homeowner with SGIVP, but are interested in joining our family you are welcome to suscribe, pass the word around. We like to work hand in hand with our homeowners, and strive to keep them informed in any way we can.