| Author |  Topic  |
sammibabe
United Kingdom
387 Posts
Joined: 19 May 2003
Status: offline |  Posted - 21 May 2008 : 15:10:31  
| | Hi, a question we asked a few years ago, those of you who are villa owners would you buy again? What are the best and worst bits. Asked this a few years ago and had a pretty mixed response. We bought a timeshare as a sort of go between but that has not worked out so well. So wondered if this is something we ought to think about again. I don't do package holidays or hotels! Thanks guys | | Report this post to a moderator |
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Carla
 United Kingdom
9275 Posts
Joined: 13 Feb 2002
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sammibabe
United Kingdom
387 Posts
Joined: 19 May 2003
Status: offline | |
ncmurray
United Kingdom
624 Posts
Joined: 19 Apr 2004
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mfairhurst
 United Kingdom
2291 Posts
Joined: 07 May 2005
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luckylady
 United Kingdom
4494 Posts
Joined: 17 Apr 2004
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Cruella DeVilla
 USA
10698 Posts
Joined: 18 May 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 21 May 2008 : 21:49:14
| We bought 2003 and wish it had been sooner!
Just got back from a day at Universal and melting so coming home to throw yourself in the pool is marvelleous.
We stayed in a hotel, albeit it a posh one in Puerto Banus two weekends ago and it was just noisy and full of inconsiderate guests.
Having our own place we find it really difficult to contemplate anywhere that involves a hotel! |
CDV
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Edited by - Cruella DeVilla on 21 May 2008 21:50:09 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Kazzie
 United Kingdom
4467 Posts
Joined: 26 Feb 2005
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GrahamC
 United Kingdom
3439 Posts
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chrizzy100
 USA
7231 Posts
Joined: 26 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 02:59:31
| I don't really like having to go to FL so offen.....there is a lot of America out there...and I miss seeing it...but I'm hoping to live in FL 5 months of the year so then I can travel again...
I would not buy a second home if I had to rent it out to keep it...or could only visit once a year...
I plan on buying another house somewhere else at some point...looking to downsize where I live now to do that while houses and land are so cheap...so I must like something about owning a holiday home...:) | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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brendawilliams
 United Kingdom
1514 Posts
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
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sundowner
 United Kingdom
1285 Posts
Joined: 17 May 2005
Status: online | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 09:39:23
| We love our villa and go 3-4 times a year. Rob jokes that he has his own personal parking bay at Home Depot and wonders whether they would call him if he did not go in at least once a day lol
I wish we had bought years ago when we first looked and I wish we had the money to visit more often and not rent it out. Having said that, it is so nice when someone stays there and compliments us on all we have done. |
Mary
www.villasflorida.com/florida-vacation-rental-3392.aspx
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canarypam
 United Kingdom
1115 Posts
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
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Jules
 United Kingdom
2007 Posts
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
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TrishT
 United Kingdom
288 Posts
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 13:07:45
| No regrets would definately do it again, we all love our villa, but as Brenda said wish we knew more then that we know now and had been more prepared, worst bit, cost and worry mostly over gaining bookings, enjoy setting up the advertising, and managing enquireies and bookings, hear some lovely feedback from guests makes you feel really proud  Most of all love knowing that its there for us and that feeling when we step back thru the door, us and the kids all feel home, everyone knows there room where everything is and where everything goes,our haven just perfect for all 10 of us  | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Robert5988
United Kingdom
1522 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 13:55:47
| It is self-evident that we all love to have our second home in sunny Florida - who wouldn't?
However the OP asked about regrets as well, and surely the majority of us have concerns about the costs involved; especially with the huge depreciation in property prices in the last couple of years.
I know when I sit down and carry out an honest appraisal of the costs involved in running my property - including loss of interest on the capital that could be sitting in a bank(I don't have a mortgage) and the 25% devaluation of the US$ since I bought 5 years ago, the sums are frightening.
Those who have seen the value of their property depreciate must have even more concerns. The sub-prime crisis affects a lot of Brits in the USA as well.
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sammibabe
United Kingdom
387 Posts
Joined: 19 May 2003
Status: offline | |
Robert5988
United Kingdom
1522 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 23:17:38
| quote:
So is this a good time to buy? Is the thought that it's gone as far as it's gonna or gonna go some more? All opinions only, I know
Who knows?
All you can say is it is a better time to buy than the last 2 or 3 years.
The US speculators are not rushing to buy property in Florida at the moment, even the distressed sales.
UK buyers have the additional complication of 'guessing' which way the $/£ exchange rate will go! | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Tonish
 United Kingdom
338 Posts
Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 23 May 2008 : 00:24:41
| Who knows indeed Robert.
Financially, I believe there will be bargains to be had for buyers in Florida for the next two years or so, but that's only a personal opinion. Just looking at the number of foreclosures at the moment, the glut of property, it looks to me that prices will fall for a while yet. But buying in Florida isn't just about the money. For regular visitors it makes sense on another more fundamental level, having a home from home. Having a little piece of something you simply can't get in the UK. If you bought as an investment a year or two ago, it looks like it needs to be for the long term.
I'm still actively considering buying, but I'm now looking slightly further afield than Orlando. I fancy Captiva, but the prices haven't dropped enough yet!
The outlook for the $/£ exchange rate is probably more important to me in this regard than the state of the property market. There are many of us who get paid in dollars, and being based in the UK has been painful to say the least. It doesn't look like changing to any great degree any time soon, given that the MPC have basically said they're not cutting interest rates in the foreseeable future and the Fed have been slashing theirs.
But for the average UK buyer, prices in Florida look great at the moment and if I had the cash, I wouldn't hesitate. There are some really great deals out there at the minute. |
Tonish | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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blott
 United Kingdom
22287 Posts
Joined: 22 Feb 2002
Status: online | |
Robert5988
United Kingdom
1522 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 23 May 2008 : 08:58:34
| quote:
Just a polite note that we seem to be progressing into the realms of the pros and cons of purchasing Florida homes which means that this thread needs to get moved to the Public Owners' area unless we stick to the original question of "Would you biy a vllla again".
Blott,
How can we answer the OP's question without discussing the 'pros and cons
Surely the only 'con' is the financial aspect.
Without that the thread becomes a succession of 'I love my home' posts. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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