So you are considering selling your lake house. It may be scary in these tough economic times and you may need to consider staging your lake house to make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and to get the price you desire. Staging your house is the act of setting up your house in such a manner that it is appealing to potential buyers.

To be really effective, you should look at both the interior and the exterior of your lake house. Here are three tips to get you started with the exterior of your lake house:

1. Go stand on the street to see what clients see when driving up to the house. Be aware that any negative impressions they get outside the house (landscaping not maintained or non-existent, peeling paint, etc.) is just going to make them think that the house itself has not been well taken care of. So even if you have spent the time and money to fix up the interior, it would all be wasted if the clients get a bad first impression as they drive up to the house.

2. Next, step outside your front door and close the door; then stand on the stoop and look around for 5 minutes. While the Realtor fumbles for keys and tries to figure out how to open the door, the clients are standing behind and looking around. So what are they seeing? Dead plants, old Halloween decorations in the middle of January, cobwebs? Again, not a good first impression!

By taking the time to clean the entry, your buyers will see you have made an effort to care for the lake house. If you have furniture on your front porch, you might want to put a fresh coat of paint on them as well for that extra touch of care.

3. The backyard will likely be the last place your prospective buyer looks as many Realtors will hold the best for last – the lake. If the lake is visible from the house it will certainly make a lasting impression. Now the lake is the biggest selling point, the yard and walking path to the lake should be well maintained. Trimming back overgrown shrubbery and trees, raking up unwanted straw or leaves, and mulching plant beds is a good start. Adding a fresh coat of paint to the existing furniture, new furniture or accessories such as bird baths, globes, etc are also a plus. If you have a dock at the lake, is it in good condition or does it need some TLC?

And the biggest tip of all? Think of yourself as the potential buyer looking at your lakefront house for the very first time. What impressions do you get? Would you buy your lake house? What changes would you like to see made before you put an offer to purchase your house?

And don’t worry about spending a lot of money to get your house ready to sell you’ll recoup it when your house sells. Proper staging helps you sell your lake house in a shorter period of time and at the price you want.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Waterfront Houses USA, an internet advertising service. Find a Lakefront House For Sale or Lake House For Sale in the US and Canada.

Many lakefront real estate agents are utilizing internet technology to grow their real estate business. Sadly, most are still operating as they did before the internet began. As more and more clients are using the internet to find lake real estate, agents are realizing that they need to establish a strong internet presence.

There is more than one way to use the net to your advantage if your selling and dealing with large numbers of people through both the listing and selling stages of a real estate transaction. Building and maintaining a good database can be to some extent set on auto pilot as people can opt in and opt out of the process online via the website interface.

Real estate agents and brokers now see the value in providing short video clips, usually 2-3 minutes long to act as a virtual tour of the property being marketed. Youtube allows users to create online profiles and upload videos that can then be embedded and distributed through contact lists, websites, and blogs without having to learn any programming.

Blogs and videos provide near instant benefits to search engines by providing continually updated content. This also provides syndicated data that users can subscribe to. As real estate agents now see the real advantages of the process, many are now using this knowledge to carve out a niche and establish themselves as an authority in their area.

The real estate business is still a people business. You have to network in your local area to establish yourself as a local authority. The internet helps to establish you as the lake real estate agent authority online and smart agents have created marketing strategies that utilize the web to reach their goals.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Waterfront Houses USA, an internet advertising service that provides Lakefront Real Estate in the US and Canada. Learn more on Lake Real Estate available in your area.

The 639 acre Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is located along wooded banks and shore line of Lake Bob Sandlin in East Texas. The 9400 acre lake was once settled by the Caddoan people as far back as 200 B.C. who it is believed to have settled the land for it’s abundant wildlife, fishing, and trade.

During the French and Spanish explored the area and built relationships with the Caddo, Choctaw, Cherokee, and Kickapoo Native Americans in the late 18th to early 19th century. Today the area is mainly used for farming, ranching, and recreation.

Lake Bob Sandlin is now best known for its recreational activities and fishing. Largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie are just some of the species of fish the lake. Activities like water skiing and wakeboarding are popular among boaters, while hiking, camping, and mountain biking are popular activities off the water.

Nature lovers and bird watchers will find an abundance of wildlife and birds that can be visible year round. Eagles can be spotted flying through the area during the wintertime.

In 1977 Lake Bob Sandlin was impounded southwest of Mount Pleasant, Texas. The lake is 65 feet deep at its deepest point. The lake experiences water level changes of around two to three feet each year. The water is moderately clear with a visiability of two to four feet deep.

Real estate is big around the lake with many of the homes being either lakefront or lake view. These homes make great vacation, seasonal, rental and even primary homes for those seeking to own a place on the lake. Most of the existing homes have either a dock or boat house.

The Peninsulas is a great choice if you are looking for a custom or luxury home in a gated community. With a 24 hour manned security house, this gated community features 163 of the best acres along the lake. The amenities include a member’s only private beach, a swimming pool, docks, and a lounge area. Golfers, there are several public and private golf courses within thirty miles of the lake.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Gated Communities USA which features the best Gated Communities in the USA and Internationally. Find information on Texas Communities.

categories: real estate,house,home,property,lake,texas,family,travel,vacation

A lot of people are seeking more options for owning a vacation home. Fractional home ownership provides a somewhat new concept that is a cross between sole ownership and timeshares. The middle ground allows owners to own a deeded share in a vacation home.

Fractional home ownership is similar too but also vastly different from timeshares. With a timeshare, the buyer purchases a 1 or 2 week block of usage in a resort property. You can also trade your time at your resort for time at another resort within the network.

In fractional home ownership, homes are divided into deeded shares that can be brought and sold through real estate agents. The homes are divided into 2 to- shares. In other words you have to 1/13 ownership in the home.

In a 1/13 ownership situation, you as the owner get 4 weeks of usage per year, or 1 week of usage each season. Other attractive options include ownership shares. In this scenario, the owner has 1 week of usage each month.

Many fractional ownership homes are located in private communities with 24 hour security patrol services. Many also have private amenities like pools, spas, docks, etc. Some fractional ownership condos and town homes share amenities with other owners in the building.

Fractional ownership homes will have a homeowners association formed. The owners then pay HOA fees to a property management firm that is contracted to ensure the property is cared for and things like the utilities, insurance, taxes and maintenance are paid.

There are several attractive reasons to buy fractional ownership in a property. Even if the owners could afford to buy the property straight out, fractional ownership provides the opportunity to truly vacation without all the responsibilities and expenses that come with being full owners. In additional you still own a share of a deeded property that will continue to increase in value.

Closing Comments

Fractional ownership may not be right for everyone, but does provide more options for vacationers who are looking for affordable options for ownership.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Waterfront Houses USA, an online marketing service that provides Lake Homes in the US and Canada. Find Montana Lake Homes.

There are many benefits to living in the Communities at Branson Creek. Set on the backdrop of the Ozark Mountains, this premier private community in Hollister, Missouri has been featured in Where to Retire magazine on their list of the Top 100 Master Planned Communities.

Inside Branson Creek you’ll find several neighborhoods with a wide variety of activities. Each neighborhood inside the community is designed around a specific theme with loads of amenities and upgrades.

Branson Creek covers over 7,500 acres of land. This environmentally mindful community prides itself on protecting its environment. The community features a championship golf course, hiking, tennis, and boating.

Troon golf manages Branson Creek Golf Club’s championship golf course. The course was designed by architect Tom Fazio and has been ranked as one of the Top 10 New Courses in 2000, the #1 Public Course in Missouri and #66 on the Top 100 list of “The Greatest Public Courses in America” by GOLF Digest and Golf magazine. Golfers will find the course physically and mentally challenging.

Branson Creek residents will enjoy exclusive access to the Murder Rock Golf and Country Club. The championship golf club and and’-hole golf course was created by the Landmark Land Company, Inc. The course has some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. Some of the amenities enjoyed by residents are a fully stocked Pro Shop, state of the art fitness center, tennis, swimming, lounge, and casual dining.

Residents can pay a yearly rental fee for access to the Creekside Marina on Table Rock Lake. The marina offers 60 boat slips and a private swimming and picnic area for your enjoyment.

One of the premier neighborhoods in Branson Creek is The Estates at Oak Knoll. This gated neighborhood features homes set to the backdrop of the beautiful Ozark Mountains. The neighborhood is conveniently located to shopping centers, restaurants, and other activities in Branson.

Other communities in Branson include Oak Knoll, Fieldstone Villas, the Bluffs, and Cliffs at Murder Rock.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Gated Communities USA which features the best Gated Communities in the USA and Internationally. Find information on Missouri Gated Communities.

categories: real estate,house,home,property,golf,mountains,lake,finance,business,vacation

Powder Horn Golf Community is a luxury master planned community located in Sheridan, Wyoming. the community is is nestled in the Big Horn Mountains and offers beautiful views, lakeside views, tennis courts, and a championship caliber golf course. Homes and land are available for sale or rent a unit for a dream getaway.

The championship golf course in Powder Horn has five different tee boxes on each hole which makes the course suitable for all skill levels. The course was named by GolfWeek’s magazine as one of the “Best Residential Golf Courses” in 2009. The luxury clubhouse is over 30,000 sq ft in size and is loaded with amenities. The large patio and fire pits make excellent gathering locations to discuss the events of the day. Enjoy a meal in the restaurant or a drink in the bar. The pro shop has everything you need to improve your golf game.

The community features two tennis courts with a Nova Pro Bounce surface. There is an active tennis community that holds regular social events and tournaments. Players can get equipment, supplies, and lessons from the local pro shop.

Residents also have access to the resort style swimming pool, children’s pool, spa treatments, and a state of the art fitness center.

Outdoors men will enjoy the abundance of wildlife, trout fishing, and taking the boat out on the area rivers and lakes. Hiking, horseback riding, and ATVing the miles of trails in and around the community during the Summer. Winter activities include snow skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.

Wyoming offers a close proximity to local national landmarks close to The Powder Horn include Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore. Residents of Wyoming enjoy the tax benefits of no personal State income tax.

This master planned community has won many awards including: Designated National Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary; Travel and Leisure Golf’s “America’s Top 100 Golf Communities”; Mountain Living Magazine’s “Best Development in the High Country”; Where to Retire Magazine’s “Top 100 Master Planned Communities”.

Creekside, golf course, and mountain views are available on most home sites and homes for sale. There is no time restrictions on constructing your dream home. Custom homes are subject to height, size and setback regulations.

Deck Homes are available in 2 floor plans to choose from and Patio Homes are available in 4 floor plans. Both provide low maintenance home choices. The Cottages are located near the Clubhouse, pool, tennis courts and golf course and offer low maintenance living and three floor plans to choose from.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Gated Communities USA which features the best Master Planned Communities in the USA and Internationally. Find information on Golf Communities.

categories: real estate,house,home,property,land,wyoming,golf,mountain,lake,finance,business,travel

Callaway Gardens located in Pine Mountain Georgia is best known for its beautiful landscapes, natural forests, mountain views, lakes, and championship caliber golf. These amenities provide a stunning place to live year round or as a second home destination for a quiet getaway.

Pine Mountain is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is located conveniently from Atlanta and Columbus Georgia. The area features many activities and events through out the year. It’s no wonder Callaway Gardens has become the premier community in Georgia.

The community covers approximately 2500 acres just outside of Pine Mountain. Featuring the world’s largest man made beach around Robin Lake, this white sandy beach stretches 1 mile along the banks of Robin Lake. This has become one of the most popular sunbathing and swimming locations in the area. There is also over twenty miles of paved bike paths that meander through the community.

No matter what your skill level, golfers from around the world have a fondness for the legendary Mountain View Golf Course. Golf Digest and Golf Magazine have both named the Mountain View Golf Course as “One of the Best in The US”. The pro shop offers the latest and greatest golf equipment and apparel. You can also get one-on-one instruction from local golf pros. Finish off your day in the luxurious clubhouse.

If tennis is your game, then the Mountain Creek Tennis Center has everything you’ll need. The center features ten lighted tennis courts, a fully stocked pro shop, and professional instruction from local tennis pros. Tennis magazine has bestowed a five star rating on the Mountain Creek Tennis Center.

If you love to fish or have just always wanted to try fishing, Callaway Gardens has a fly fishing school and guided fishing trips. You can also rent a boat and venture out on your own. The lakes are fully stocked with some of the largest bream, bass and shellcrackers in the South.

Club membership is available through the Callaway Gardens Connection. Recreational membership upgrades allow members with access to the communities fishing, tennis, and golf centers. Cultural memberships are built-in to the HOA fees.

Pine Mountain Builders constructs homes using the EarthCraft(TM) House standards. These homes are energy efficient and very low maintenance and focuses on reducing the energy usage and conserving the earth’s resources.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Gated Communities USA which features the best Gated Communities in the USA and Internationally. Find information on Gated Communities in Georgia.

categories: real estate,home,house,property,finance,business,golf,mountain,lake,vacation

RedTail Mountain is a master planned community that provides mountain living at it’s best. Located in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee, RedTail keeps with the heritage of mountain and rustic living.

RedTail Mountain can be found about 20 miles from Boone North Carolina and home buyers looking for rustic single family homes, town homes, and cottages have a lot to choose from. The community is conveniently located to area shopping, festivals, theaters, and museums for your entertainment.

RedTail Mountain has over 720 acres of beautiful wooded mountains and a local semi-private golf club. The community has a spectacular par 72, 18 hole golf course managed by Troon Golf(R). The course has elevation changes of over 400 feet with majestic mountain views surrounding the course.

If you are looking for one on one help with your short or long game skills, Sam Adam’s Golf Academy provides the help you are looking for. Golfers receive personalized instruction from area pros. The 18,000 sq ft clubhouse is a great place to relax following your round. The clubhouse features a members lounge, pro shop, and a restaurant that is perfect for hosting formal get-togethers such as receptions and parties.

Residents will also enjoy the planned tennis complex, equestrian center, and a fitness center. The tennis courts will provide all weather tennis courts with lights. The equestrian center with stables and acres of paddocks and miles of mountain trails. The fitness center will include a deck overlooking the valley, outdoor fireplace, heated pool, spa treatment rooms, outdoor natural amphitheater, and an outdoor entertaining area with a summer kitchen, bistro and a playground.

If you love to snow ski, then you’ll find some of the best snow skiing available just 30 minutes away on Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain in North Carolina. Those into water sports and boating will enjoy Watauga Lake located 12 miles from the community. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails is also available for your enjoyment.

The community offers a variety of options from rental cottages and lodges to single family homes situated along the golf course fairway. Ready to build lots and acreage is also available with mountain views and secluded woodlands.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Gated Communities USA which features the best Gated Communities in the USA and Internationally. Find information on Equestrian Communities.

Gutters, as many of you already know, are responsible for capturing the rain runoff from your roof during a storm. The gutters then through either a above ground or underground method discharge the water away from the foundation of the home. This process when functioning properly helps to protect the exterior of the home, foundation, and basement from moisture damage.

Often times when gutters are installed on a home owners tend to forget that they need to be cleaned on a regular basis. When neglected, gutters tend to get clogged over time with leaves and straw. As gutters become blocked, the water can’t drain out as needed and the water will backup and overflow the gutter walls into the eaves on the home. This will eventually cause the wood on the eaves and the roof to rot and put unnecessary weight on the gutters.

It is important that two times a year you get your gutters cleaned. Many people think that if they don’t have trees around their home that they don’t need to clean their gutters, but that’s not the case. Birds and the wind can aid in debris ending up in your gutters. You may need to get your gutters cleaned four times a year if you have a lot of trees in your yard.

Many gutter installers offer a service contract to the homeowner where the installer will clean the gutters twice a year. These contracts often come with a limited warranty since the installer is able to inspect the gutters on a routine basis and catch minor problems before they become major repairs.

If you choose you can clean your gutters yourself. Just be sure you do it safely. Always use caution when climbing a ladder or walking on the roof. If your home has a steep roof or is taller than one story, you may want to consider letting a professional handle the job. Saving a few bucks is not worth getting injured over.

Final thoughts

Clean gutters are a critical part of maintaining the exterior and foundation of your home. It is important and worth every penny to keep them in working order. You’ll be glad you did.

Hubert Miles is a blogger for many websites and the webmaster of Lakefront Properties. Get more information on Lakefront Lots websites.

Maintaining and cleaning your gutters is a critical part of the exterior maintenance of your home. This is a job that you can do yourself provided you do it safely. Here are some safety tips you before starting the job.

1. Make sure the ladder you use is sturdy. Set it squarely on the level ground. Move away any straw, mulch, or anything that will hinder the ladder from setting firmly on the ground.

2. If you are using an extension ladder and have to lean it against the gutters, cut a small 2×4 at least as wide as the ladder and place it inside the gutter. This will give you a firm area to lean the ladder against and reduce the risk of damaging the gutter.

3. When you are on a ladder, never lean out to the left or the right of the ladder. Always keep your hips square with the ladder to maintain your balance.

4. Don’t climb past the top 2 rungs on the ladder. By climbing past this point you risk losing your balance and causing the ladder to tip over.

5. If you decide to clean the gutters from the roof, use a safety harness for protection from falling. Never try to lean out over the gutters.

6. Never try to walk on the roof during rainy, icy, or windy conditions.

7. You should wear shoes with non-slip soles like sneakers or work boots while working on a ladder or working from the roof.

8. You should wear heavy duty leather gloves to keep your hands from getting cut up on sharp metal edges and the tips of screws on the inside of the gutter.

9. Safety glasses are a good way to keep trash and roof granules from getting in your eyes while cleaning the gutters. This will help protect your eyes from getting scratched or irritated.

10. Always stay clear of electrical lines.

While cleaning your gutters is a good way to maintain the exterior of your home and it’s foundation, by following these safety tips you can do it carefully.

Hubert Miles is a blogger for many websites and the webmaster of Lake Properties. Get more information on Lake Properties websites.