Heidelberg Real Estate

Due to the tourism interest, the island has been able to attract much of foreign investment. Even the tourism industry suffered setbacks in year 1996 and 2000, but still the industry has been managing the affairs really well.

As Anguilla has been a major attraction for the tourists, the real estate in Anguilla showed a pretty good trend. However, over the couple of past years, the in Anguilla has been confusing. The other islands in Caribbean have shown improvement in their position.

These pieces of land have been a major attraction due to the strong urge among the people to have a secondary home in a peaceful place where they could spend some quality time. But among all these islands, only the Anguilla’s has been a less focus for investors. One major reason for the struggling Anguilla’s has been the fact that Anguilla lags behind much in the infrastructure development which is required for the Anguilla for sale. The infrastructure includes all the basics like airport location, runway extensions, and new roads, and on top of these the closing of some of the very luxurious hotels in Anguilla.

As the other islands of Caribbean have been highlighted on the international exchange and international listings, Anguilla’s government finally took notice and now is working on many projects to revive the international exposure for Anguilla. The two major projects involve the golf course, Ritz Carlton and runway extension. This has improved the Bahamas‘ rentals and Bahamas‘ listings as well.

The present situation of the in Anguilla shows many homes on coastal land including the inland homes. The prices range of the inland homes range between US$ 350, 000 and US$ 500,000 which also contains homes with seven stars. But the problem with selling this lot of in Anguilla is that the foreign investors would even take the headache of improving the homes with corrosion if located on the coastal areas. So the international real estate for sale in Anguilla suffers the disadvantage of inland homes.

In addition to this, the international rentals and local Anguilla’s rentals for coastal homes in Anguilla’s real estate fall between US$ 450,000 to US$ 600,000. But again, the trend has been shaky as these homes are usually old fashioned. To counter this problem, the home owners are either advised to lower the prices of these homes or improve to give them fresh air in order to make them appear in the international listings.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Expired listing lead services such as the RedX and LeadSenders provide real estate professionals with a continual slow of leads from which to grow their business. The primary advantage of both services to REALTORS is that they enjoy a first-mover advantage over their competition. Agents that use these lead sending services get notified as soon as the prospective customer comes available. These services then provide users with the information that they will need to quickly make contact with the prospect, begin creating the relationship and finally convert the prospect into a listing or a sale.

Although similar, LeadSenders and the RedX (Real Estate Data Exchange) have some very significant differences. The most significant of which is the timeliness of the service. Where the RedX system provides expired mls listing leads in real time, the LeadSenders system provides information on a daily basis. In contrast, where the RedX software provides a prospect by prospect history, there is no way to easily create visibility on all of the listings that expired six months ago and have not re-listed.

In general, the services provided by the Real Estate Data Exchange are a little more comprehensive than those of LeadSenders. In addition to expired mls listings, the RedX also provides real time FSBO listings from multiple databases. The RedX also scours multiple databases to provide a comprehensive picture of both the expired and fsbo listings which allows the real estate agent to be much more informed when they first make contact.

In addition to those services, the RedX does provide an expanded menu of marketing resources that are not currently available through Lead Senders. These resources include tools to help REALTORS update their websites with the latest lead capture technology. For real estate agents that do not currently have a dedicated website, the RedX even offers a service to provide them with a turnkey solution.

Between the RedX and LeadSenders, both have their own unique benefits. As a result, it is ultimately up to the real estate agent to choose the system that will best fit his or her needs. When evaluating these types of lead generation systems, there are a lot of things to consider. Cost notwithstanding, the caliber of the leads as well as the technology used to identify prospects is one of the most important factors of consideration. If you are a REALTOR that is looking at these two systems, weigh the benefits of both and choose wisely.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

How do you currently generate real estate leads? Do you farm neighborhoods, publish a newsletter, have a lead generating realtor web site? Well, no matter how you get them I’m willing to wager two things;

1. They’re not so easy to get, and

2. You can always use more

While you struggle with trying to fill your leads pipeline, you can probably think of at least one agent who makes prospecting for leads seem like child’s play. But what is it exactly that they do so efficiently that you are not?

Of course the answer depends on lots of things, but let’s draw some ideas from an agent I know who worked with a builder of kiddie condos who did quite well at it.

Let’s call her Evette, which is not her real name, but it allows me to personalize the story in a way that you’ll be able to relate to.

Evette was a spark plug dynamo; full of energy, self driven and highly successful at what she did. And what she did best was market and sell lots of student housing units- mostly condos from what I could tell.

Hers was a 5 step process

1. She’d find raw land for her builder developer to purchase and develop

2. Try to set up partnerships with the seller of the raw land and her developer to offset the developers out of pocket costs while gaining controlling interest of the land

3. Would then list for sale all of the units the developer built as a result of the partnership

4. Then be positioned to resell the units when the students gradutaed from college and moved out of the area and

5. In some instances would be positioned to also get referrals to out of town agents for the relocating students.

As you can see, Evette had it going on. So, when I say meeting and working with Evette was a career changing experience you’ll know what I mean.

My attitude was the first thing that changed. I got over being paralyzed with awe by doctors, lawyers, judges, dentists and other high income earning professionals.

Initially, I felt inadequate when it came to marketing real estate to them. I just didn’t think I knew enough about real estate in general to come off as a competent professional.

But you know what? It turned out I knew more than all of them, and more than I needed to know to help them with their real estate needs.

I went on to find doctors, dentists, college professors, judges, insurance agents and garden variety investors to work with and had some mutually beneficial relationships for many years.

So, what does this mean for you? Actually, there are several things to take from this article.

If you’re not marketing to people with money you should. Some agents self sabotage by not aggressively pursuing leads with the financial wherewithal to buy real estate.

Instead, they market to folk who can barely qualify for mortgage loans and/or who have related and other difficulties to overcome before they can qualify at all.

Don’t let that be you – anymore.

Another thing to learn from this article is that one lead can multiply into 3 to 4 different income generating opportunities.

So, no matter how insignificant a client might appear to be treat them all equally well.

You never know when they might refer a friend or acquaintance to you, or ask you to help them purchase some investment properties, or seek you out to help them sell the first property you sold to them and help them buy another one.

It’s a well worn cliche‘, but it’s true; there’s no shortage of real estate leads for agents. You just have to know how to spot them.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

It can be quite exciting and inspiring to buy a home for the first time. However, it can be quite tiring and stressful if you are a first-time buyer. This article will give you a couple of tips that will help you make sure that the process of purchasing a house is enjoyable and stress-free.

1. Set your Budget

Before starting your research, we suggest that you think about financing this purchase. If you cannot pay in cash, you will have to borrow the required money through a mortgage. For a deposit, you will also need a lot of cash. Typically, it is between 5% and 10% of the value of the property you want to purchase.

2. Identify your Needs

Once you have set your budget, your next move is to look for a property that can meet your needs. Now, if you want the property located near a certain workplace, station, or school, you may want to mark them on the map. This will help you identify if the property is near the spot. Apart from this, you may want to prepare a list of all the stuff that you desire in your property.

3. Put your Home on the Property Market

Some buyers want to sell their existing home prior to looking for a new one. According to experts, it’s not a great idea to do so. If you have not put your existing home on the market, you may not be able to secure the deal that comes your way.

4. Start your Property Search

Ideally, you may want to start your research on the internet and the websites of popular real estate agents. Most of the websites allow you to filter the search results by the number of bedrooms, price, and location.

5. Sort the List

It won’t take you more than a couple of hours or days to create a list of properties that might meet your needs. So, what you need to do is create a shortlist list of the ones that can satisfy your criteria. It is not a good idea to look at a lot of houses in a day. The reason is that this will make you forget the details quickly.

6. Make an Offer

Once you have decided on a property that can meet your needs, you may want to decide on the price that you need to pay. It is important to keep in mind that every property comes with an asking price. And there is the price that you will be willing to pay. So, your role is to negotiate with the seller before making payment.

7. Agreeing on the Price

Once you have made an offer, it is up to the seller to accept or reject it. If they say that your offer is too low, you may have to offer a higher amount. Once the negotiation is over, your offer will be accepted and the deal will be done.

Long story short, these are some of the tips that you may want to keep in mind when looking for a home to buy for the first time.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

The first step to shopping for real estate in Nicaragua is to forget everything you know about the process back home… no matter where home may be.

Let me make one thing clear from the start. There are incredible bargains to be had buying property in Nicaragua. In fact, there is no other market in the Americas where insisting upon a 40% return on investment or better is reasonable. However, there are few similarities between the rules and regulations governing the real estate industries in North America or Europe, and Nicaragua. It’s because of this lack of similarities that foreign investors often get into trouble. There is a preconceived notion on the part of foreigners that the Nicaragua real estate industry is as carefully regulated as it is elsewhere, and it is this incorrect assumption that sets foreign investors up to be cheated. The only universal real estate investing rule that applies as equally in Nicaragua as it does anyway else is Caveat emptor, buyer beware.

Real Estate Brokers

Basically there’s no such thing in Nicaragua as a real estate brokerage that a Canadian, American or European would assume the term represents. There are real estate brokerage offices. Some even have familiar franchise names, but that’s where the similarity ends.

There is no mandated, formal training of real estate sales people, nor are there specific licensing requirements. Anyone can become a „realtor“ by paying for a merchant license or incorporating a Nicaraguan company. I’m not suggesting this means „all“ real estate sales people are incompetent or untrained… many are. In fact, there are a number of retired realtors who relocated to Nicaragua and maintain successful, upstanding businesses. However, there are many more who are not at all competent, and operate on the razor edge between honest business and outright fraud. Caveat emptor again!

There are no district or federal regulatory boards governing the real estate industry in place. Real estate sales are no more regulated than a vehicle sale transacted by a street vendor. Outright criminality is not ignored by authorities, but having the perpetrator jailed is unlikely to result in recovery of any money lost. The revenge should make a fleeced buyer feel better though. Nicaraguan jails exist to punish criminals, not rehabilitate, and they are Hell on Earth. Unfortunately though, most issues that can arise in a real estate transaction are considered civil matters by law enforcement and have to be treated as such. In short, whatever money you think you were cheated out of… consider it lost. Even with a judgement in the plaintiff’s favor, collecting money owed in a judgement rarely happens. So again, caveat emptor.

A serious shortcoming in the Nicaragua real estate market is that there is nothing similar to a Multi Listing Service (MLS). The lack of any form of MLS means there is no central registry of properties for sale, nor any information as to what a property sold for. The result is that it’s very difficult to decide what a house or commercial building in a particular neighbourhood is worth since there are no comparable property transactions to use as a guide. Appraisers base their appraisals on replacement cost mostly, and whatever else they provide is pure guess work. Ironically, banks require appraisals created by licensed Nicaraguan appraisers if mortgage funding is being requested.

There’s no such thing in Nicaragua as a listing similar to what most foreigners would understand the term to mean. Real estate shoppers will hear a realtor say that he or she has a listing, but it’s common to see two or more real estate signs on a single property. Likewise, the same property may appear on multiple real estate company websites and be advertised online by numerous different people. More confusing, the prices advertised may vary for the same house, sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars. Nicaraguans selling their homes rarely lock themselves into an agreement with one party wanting to sell their land, house or commercial building. If you want to sell something, the assumption is the more people trying to sell it the better. And by more people that can be realtors, the owner themselves, their family and friends, a neighbor, or a horse drawn carriage driver. This seems chaotic to a foreigner shopping for a retirement or vacation home, but it makes perfect sense to Nicaraguans. Without an MLS service that allows numerous realtors to show prospective buyers a listed property, letting everyone try to sell a property seems to be the best way to get exposure.

Another misconception foreign purchasers have when buying real estate in Nicaragua is that the seller is paying the real estate agent. This is sometimes the case, but even when it is the buyer may be asked to pay the commission. Yes, this is legal in Nicaragua. In fact, not only could there be a commission paid by the seller and buyer, but the real estate agent may have added an amount to what the seller actually wants in his or her hand. This too is legal. The worst case scenario is that the seller wants US$50,000 for his or her home. The sellers offers anyone selling the home US$1000 or a percentage. The real estate selling agent advertises the home for US$59,900, allowing for negotiating room. A buyer settles on US$55,000 but is told that in Nicaraguan the buyer pays the commission. Not actually the truth, but common enough that people think it’s a rule. The requested commission can be anything up to as much as 10%, or it can be a flat fee. Once all is said and done and the buyer agrees to purchase the property for US$55,000. In a case such as this, the ‚agent‘ will insist on a nonrefundable US$5000 down payment. At closing the seller receives the US$50,000 that he or she wanted and the selling agent pockets the rest.

I know of a purchasers who handed a ‚realtor‘ US$65.000 to purchase a 3 acre farm with a small house on the property. The ‚realtor‘ then went to the owner of the property and paid him US$20,000 to buy the land. It gets worse… the ‚realtor‘ never bothered to make the title transfer until the buyer discovered he was not the owner when he tried to pay long overdue taxes. In the end the property was purchased by a developer for little more than the original US$65,000, but 8 years of appreciation later. In another case Europeans purchase a home and overpaid US$85,000. Of course basing their offer on the European real estate values they knew, it was assumed they were getting a bargain. The ‚realtor‘ pocketed the US$85,000 and a commission he charged the buy as well. Again, perfectly legal in Nicaragua… so caveat emptor.

The way to navigate through what foreigners view as market chaos is to use a knowledgeable real estate consultant to find a property you want, negotiate the price, terms and conditions, conduct the necessary due diligence, validate the title and survey, and so on. This is a fee based service but far less expensive than a percentage sales commission, and far, far less than a costly mistake would be. One such service is Nica Investments, a real estate consultancy that assists foreign investors purchasing real estate or businesses in Nicaragua.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Wouldn’t you rather go to Tahiti? Are you a landlord with rental property whose value has significantly appreciated? Are you ready to cash in those profits and take that trip to Tahiti?

Before selling your property, check with your accountant who

will tell you that you will be paying $60,000 in Capital

Gains Tax to Uncle Sam. Your accountant will also tell you

that adding another $20,000 to your income by that sale is

called recaptured depreciation. This will bump you into the

next tax bracket and doom you next April 15th into sending

the IRS a check for maybe another $7,000.

Are you still ready to sell that property?

It looks like that trip to Tahiti is going to be sometime in

the far future…

But wait! You decide to check with your realtor and then

find out about a 1031 exchange to defer your Capital Gains.

Your realtor tells you if you buy another like-kind rental

property of equal or greater value, you won’t get hit with

the gains tax on the sale. That is all fine and good, but

it does not really get you out of the headaches associated

with collecting rent, keeping your unit occupied, finding

clean/classy tenants that won’t trash the place, nor does it

keep you from getting that 2am call to fix an overflowing

toilet. To top this off, now you have to pay more in

property taxes and must charge higher rent.

Hmm…maybe this idea is not the ticket to that South Pacific

paradise either.

This is the dilemma I heard from my financial clients again

and again. They were frustrated and felt trapped in their

current situation. So what is a frustrated income property

owner to do? After a lot of research and roadblocks, I found

the perfect solution that has changed the lives of my

clients and took away stress to bring enjoyment of life.

For anyone who is tired of being a landlord and who owns a

rental/commercial property that has gone up a lot in value,

take heart.

A 1031 exchange into a Tenant In Common Property may be your

answer.

There are very specific rules to follow set by the IRS, and

the entire detailed process is the subject for a future

article, but here’s the gist:

1-Sell your current income

property;

2-Before the close of escrow, you declare via a Qualified

Intermediary (also called an Accommodator, who is a

qualified third party) that you intend to do a 1031 exchange

into a Tenant in Common Property;

3-Work with a reputable

company to identify a property that you would like to

purchase an interest in;

4-At the close of escrow, your

proceeds are transferred by the Accommodator to purchase

your proportionate share of a larger „A“ rated commercial

building;

5-You may choose a business center, a medical

office building, or similar high-end property; and lastly,

6-You get a deeded interest in this property, so you can

keep it, resell it, pass it to your heirs, or even gift it

to charity upon your death.

The way that this works is all the new fractional owners, or

„Tenants in Common“ hire an ace Management Company to handle

all the property management tasks. The company finds and

keeps high quality tenants, does the maintenance and

upgrades, pays the property taxes, and handles all the day

to day crisis that arise. Probably the three most important

factors in this entire process are:

1-Your choice of company

that offers the properties for sale;

2-the Accommodator,

and;

3-the management company.

Make sure each of the three parts is a top notch with proven

track records. Anything less could spell disaster.

When this 1031 option is done properly, your benefits will

be:

Deferral of all Capital Gains,

A monthly contractual income (usually based on 6-7% return

on equity),

Building depreciation for tax savings,

Unlimited property appreciation potential, and

No more headaches of property management.

Good-bye Tenants, Trash and Toilets!

Hello Tahiti!

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

When the market is down, homes for sale can sometimes sit longer than homeowner’s would like. Generally, lowering the price moves it quicker because buyers want to feel like they got a good deal. However, lowering the price isn’t the only option, and it is helpful for homeowners to learn tips to help them sell their home fast.

1. Create Curb Appeal

When you sell a house, it’s important to remember that appearance is everything, and so are first impressions. The first thing a potential buyer sees is the outside of your house. Make sure your yard is well-kept, clean, and uncluttered. Replace any old or faded shudders, give the house a fresh coat of paint if needed, and replace outdated or worn gutters. In short, make it look as nice as possible on the outside so potential buyers want to see the inside.

2. Differentiate From Your Neighbors

There may be several homes for sale in your neighborhood or on your block, and you need to set yourself apart from them. Start by making your home memorable, which should also increase its value. You can get custom landscape designs, high-grade windows, or a new roof. Just make sure that you don’t go overboard with pricey renovations that may not pay off.

3. Update Your House

In a down market, buyers have a lot of options, and they don’t want a house that they need to fix up after buying it. Your job is to make them feel like they can move in and hit the ground running with their new life. Ensure that the doors, appliances, electrical, and plumbing fixtures are in compliance and good working order. Change the batteries in the fire alarms, make sure the molding and baseboards look nice, and update anything that is outdated or unattractive.

4. Clear the Clutter

Potential buyers need to see themselves living in your home, and it’s difficult to do when it is cluttered. Go through everything and either get rid of stuff or take it to storage. You want your home to look simple and clean so buyers can easily picture themselves there. Consider hiring a stager to help you make the most of your space, and create the right image for potential buyers.

5. Sweeten the deal

You may not need to lower the price of your home to sell it, but buyers still want to feel like they got a good deal. In that case, consider some perks. Offer a credit to go toward closing costs or offer to pay closing costs outright. Check with your realtor to see if there are specific deals buyers want that you can consider in your offer, as well.

Selling a house in a down market doesn’t have to be difficult, and homeowners don’t have to immediately lower their price. Start with one of these tips to help you with your homes for sale, and increase your chances of selling it quickly.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

Selling your home to a cash for property company can be advantageous for many reasons, and doing so doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to pack up and move out either. Nowadays, there are several property buying companies who are willing to buy your home from you and often times will allow you to rent the house from them after they take ownership.

One of the advantages of selling your home to a property buying company that you can get it done quickly. In today’s market, homeowners sometimes have to several months or even years to be able to sell their homes. If you’re able to sell your home quickly, you won’t have to worry about missing out on your dream home. Not to mention that any offer you make to a seller will be taken more seriously as they know you have the funds – you may even be able to save some money too. The process of selling your home to a property buying company usually takes less than two weeks. Plus, there are no real estate commissions to pay since no agent is required and the property buying company pays for all the legal fees involved.

Many of us often get into bad credit card or other debt and many times take out loans that use your homes as collateral, so falling behind on payments puts you at risk of losing your home. Selling your property for cash quickly can also help you avoid foreclosure and get you out of any other debts you have.

Another reason to sell your home to a property buying company is if you have to sell quickly due to divorce or separation in a relationship. Selling to a property buying company ensures that you will receive a lump sum of cash for you property in as little as two weeks. After the sale, you can either move to another location or rent the home from the property buying company, which should certainly be more affordable than a mortgage.

If you have to move because of a job relocation, quick cash for your property can be a huge relief. Doing so means you don’t have to worry about carrying a second mortgage or managing a bridge loan. You also wouldn’t have to worry about trying to keep your first property maintained while waiting for it to sell.

There are several reasons why it could be beneficial to sell your property to a property buying company. Quick cash for your home releases the equity in your home allowing you to settle your debt and start fresh. It’s up to you, though, whether to find another residence or to remain in the home paying a lower rental rate instead of a mortgage.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

When you’re in the market for your home it is crucial that you determine the value of your property – this will help you generate the desired buyers and eventually earn some profit. Even though this is not an accurate means to determine the value of the property it is in some way close, giving you a rough estimate of what you can expect against the sale of the property.

For those of you who have little or no information about property valuation, here is something that might help you –

Property valuation is the process which determines the economic value of real estate. The process typically seeks to determine fair market value, the price at which a knowledgeable seller willingly sells her property and a knowledgeable buyer will willingly purchase it.

There are a number of things that need to be considered for property valuation that will eventually make all things simpler for you; here are some of these mentioned for you –

• Consider the Local Area – One key factor to keep in mind is the local area as well as the current rate of property in this area. While most people consider all the other factors what they in most cases forget is the role of the local area in property valuation. The process and the value of the properties on the urban side will in all cases be different from those in the countryside. Therefore, when opting for property valuation keep in mind the local area too.
• Size of Property – On the second number of property valuation is the size of the property. If you think a bigger property will get you bigger money you’re absolutely mistaken and should understand that this will never be the exact case. The entire thing about property valuation depends on the number of rooms in the house, how well kept the house is and the requirements of the buyers. Keep this thing in mind so you never go wrong with the process.
• Choose an Estate Agent – A majority of the people think and believe hiring an estate agent can be an absolute waste of money, but what they fail to understand how the agents help them in the complete process of valuation, telling them exactly everything from what reduces the value of the property to what needs to be done in order to maintain the things and get them going.
• Recent Sales in the Area – Another important thing that determines the process of property valuation is the recent sale in the area where the property is located. There will always be a number of factors that determine the sales of properties in a certain location and it will in a way play a role in determining the value of your property.
• Standard of Presentation – Remember presentation is the way to many things and presenting your house well to the buyers will always be one of the smartest decisions you could take in all time. Make sure your house is clutter-free and clean; the pets are kept away and everything that your buyers need to see is well maintained. Keep in mind that the first impression you give your buyers will stay with them for the longest period of time and if you can make it a good one there will be nothing like that.
• Areas of Improvement – Every house has certain areas that can be improved and made to look better – this can help you get the maximum value for the house upon sale. Make sure you are open to any suggestions and are willing to make the necessary improvements to the property.
• Exterior of the House – Again, a majority of the people consider the interior of the house to be an important point but ignore the exterior and this is one of the biggest blunders of all time that could possibly play a role in reducing the value of the house to barely anything. Make sure the exterior including the gardens and the lawns are properly maintained and taken care of.

Property valuation can be a lot of work but if you can include these points mentioned above as the important ones then things could to some extent become simpler for you.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg

There is nothing more fun than an old-fashioned road trip. I love taking to the open road and exploring our country. Now, I’ve been a „road tripper“ for some time and though I love air travel, I love the road trip because that’s how you can really experience the country. So it’s time to get your favorite tunes and munchies ready and plan your open road trip adventure with these ten easy road trip travel tips.

1. Plan your trip. First, you need to determine where you’re going to go and then plan your trip. Planning doesn’t have to take a long a time, but you do need to know the route you’re going to drive and points of interest along the way that you’re going to want to stop and explore. Half the fun of a road trip is seeing the sites along the way. I like to MapQuest my trip and have that as my main plan of attack for my road trip. GPS is very popular these days and I recommend them, but you can’t always rely on them when you hit construction zones or accidents on your journey. That’s why it’s essential that you have a real map with you for the areas you’ll be traveling to and to plan alternate routes if necessary.

2. Make your hotel reservations BEFORE you go. Part of the fun when traveling on the road is stopping wherever your heart desires, but there’s nothing worse than a „no room at the inn“ experience on a road trip. You may not realize that there is a „Comic Book Trade Show,“ „Strawberry Festival“ or convention in town while you’re visiting and there are no rooms to be had. If you do not book your reservations in advance, not only are you running the risk of having to sleep in your car but also you can’t manage your road trip budget effectively. If you’re traveling with your family or a group of friends, consider staying at an all-suite hotel or even renting a time share, a great option for families taking a road trip. Did you know that 90 percent of people who own a timeshare don’t utilize it on a regular basis? Many great offers can be found at some of the bigger hotel chains that offer timeshares and many of them even have a washer and dryer. For my road trip to Scottsdale, I booked a fantastic one-bedroom suite with a kitchenette at a time share property directly through the hotel for just $100/night including tax at the Sheraton Desert Oasis Villas.

3. Give your car a full tune up before you go or consider renting a car. One week before you go on your road trip, take your car in for a tune up and ask your mechanic to ensure the car fluids are topped, air pressure in your tires is at its best for highway driving, and any other necessary concerns regarding your vehicle are addressed. Should you need to get something fixed, it is best to do it at a place you can trust before your road trip. Plus, it can be more expensive when it is a have-to situation. Also, make sure you pack a roadside safety kit just in case of an emergency. For me that kit includes my American Automobile Association membership card (Premier Membership). If you have a car that is no longer under warranty or has automatic roadside assistance, then a American Automobile Association membership is a necessity as it will save you a fortune in the unfortunate event you have a break down and have to have your car towed. If you’re at all concerned that your current vehicle is not „road trip worthy,“ then you may want to consider renting a vehicle for your road trip. I did this for my trip to Arizona as I found a great deal on a rental car and had the peace of mind for my road trip.

4. Pack your own food and plan a picnic. I used to be addicted to stopping at fast food joints on a road trip. There was something that felt fun about that on a trip but I’ve since learned that I prefer to pack my own food for my journey. It doesn’t just keep me eating healthier, but it also saves money, too, especially if you’re traveling with your family. Also, if you plan ahead, you may find that there is a great stop for a scenic picnic in your travels and packing a picnic is so much better than flying through the Drive-through. If you do make a stop, either for a picnic or to explore a cool sight along the way.

5. Bring great music or audible books with you! Music is truly the soundtrack of our lives and every road trip needs a soundtrack. I think of my trip to Seattle every time I hear a Phil Collins song from „No Jacket Required“ because that was the primary music I was listening to on that trip. I think of the Bahamas Harbor Island and the amazing walks on the Pink Sands Beach every time I hear Wilson Phillips music. It’s sort of like having a theme song for every vacation but hearing the music even today will evoke fun memories of wonderful trips. I also love catching up on books I’d like to read but somehow find it easier to listen to. That’s where audio books come in and you can download them to your mp3 player, iPhone, or other PDA device. !

6. Don’t forget to pack a boredom buster bag for the kids. One thing I’ve learned from producing for TV’s „The Travel Mom“ Emily Kaufman, is that if you’re traveling with kids, you need to make sure you have plenty to entertain them during your road trip. She calls this the boredom buster bag. Don’t forget to pack some kid music your children like along with fun travel games that include magnetic board games. DVD players are an option for really long trips and as long as your child isn’t prone to car sickness. Of course, electronic games will keep your kids occupied but I would encourage you to limit the time on these toys especially if you’re traveling through some great scenic areas. It’s an excellent chance to bond as a family and your child’s memory of the trip will be lost if they’re lost in a Game Boy.

7. Remember, a road trip is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. One of my all time favorite road trips was the day my niece, Jessica, and I drove 52 enchanting miles on the „Road to Hana“ on the island of Maui in Hawaii. I’ll never forget that the guide book said, „Remember, Hana is not a destination, it’s a journey.“ Hana is located about 52 miles from Kahului, however a typical trip to Hana takes at least three hours, as the road is very winding with approximately 620 curves over 59 bridges, 46 of which have only one-lane. This delightful road trip is a memorable journey that winds through a lush, tropical rain forest that is laced with tumbling waterfalls, black sand beaches, scenic lava cliffs, fresh fruit stands, and tropical hillsides. Jessica and I stopped at least ten times including one stop to picnic on that black sand beach. We took photos by waterfalls, delicious fruit stands and beautiful tropical flower gardens. You should treat your road trip vacation the same way we did our Road to Hana: Enjoy your road trip as a journey, not a destination.

8. Make good use of every stop. I like to plan my stops for fuel, food, and restrooms so that I utilize my time efficiently and don’t waste time making three stops instead of one. Probably the most important thing is that every time you do stop, make sure everyone in the car uses the restroom (even if they think they don’t have to right then). This will cut down on the stops you’ll make only for that purpose. Also, if you’re traveling with kids, and you just need to stop for the restroom, I recommend stopping at a Starbucks. Parents can get a coffee or an ice tea, the restrooms are clean, and there are not a lot of distractions for kids (like toys to buy) that a truck stop or gas station may have. Use the Starbucks store locator at their website to help you plan your stops before you go. Do be a „good egg“ and make a purchase at Starbucks while you’re there.

9. Avoid Trouble. When you’re on a road trip, you need to be street wise. Don’t be a target for crime by leaving your valuables on the seat in your car (DVD players, Game Boys, etc.) and don’t advertise you’re on a road trip with pillows and blankets every where. When you park your car, hide your valuables and road trip creature comforts. If you are proactive at keeping your „I’m on a road trip clues“ clearly hidden, any thief or troublemaker should just walk right by your car. Other street wise considerations is to always park where there is good light and foot traffic and make sure your windows are rolled up and the doors are locked whenever you leave your car. You may also want to purchase items like „the Club“ if you like that extra insurance for safety. Finally, when you’re driving, watch your speed. Speeding gives you the chance to get a ticket and more importantly, it decreases your time to react if the need should arise. If you are the driver, you are responsible for your passengers. When you see signs that say, „Speed limits are photo enforced,“ believe them. Other good driving tips include avoiding rush hour, especially in bigger cities, and whenever possible take turns driving with other people in the car. You’ll also want to avoid driving at night if you are not familiar with your surroundings.

10. Get a Go City Card and save up to 55% on attractions and theme parks at your vacation destination. Last year, I flew my 8-year-old niece, Alexis, and 10-year-old nephew, Tyler, out to Los Angeles for their spring break (using Southwest Airlines Reward Miles, of course) and we took a road trip down to San Diego. That’s when I discovered the money saving Go City Card for San Diego. With this card, I saved hundreds of dollars in admissions to Legoland, the Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Zoo and other attractions including a Whale Watch on the Pacific Ocean just by purchasing a Go San Diego Card.

Instead of paying individually for each local attraction, you pay one price for up to 40 attractions (depending on the city your visiting) and you get to create your own experience, tailoring your activities based on what you like to do, while also enjoying tremendous savings. For example, with the Go Los Angeles Card, you can choose one, two, three, five, or seven day cards at a low, pre-paid price to gain access to 40 included attractions. This saves up to 55% compared to buying tickets directly at Universal Studios Hollywood, LEGOLAND California, Knott’s Berry Farm, Paramount Studios, the Queen Mary, and many more attractions. Go City Cards are available in many cities and vacation destinations in the U.S. including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Honolulu, Orlando, Miami, Seattle, Blue Ridge and even Toronto.

Final Tips: Don’t forget your cell phone and make sure you’re „hands free“ when you do use it while driving. In many states, it’s the law, but it’s also down right dangerous. Always use your cell phone „hands free“ when you drive. Don’t forget to update your software on your mobile before you leave because you don’t want to be charged higher rates for roaming charges. Finally, it’s a real good idea to email a copy of your itinerary to other family members or friends in case of an emergency – this is especially a good idea for women traveling together. Now, drive safe and have fun!

You can get more details at my website at Best-Travel-Deals-Tips.com.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg