November 2004
November 24, 2004 Hello, Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to our monthly newsletter created specifically to help you find your perfect second home property. Inside you will find tips on finding and financing your second home, details on a wide variety of destinations worldwide, and information on pre-screened real estate specialists. IN THIS ISSUE EscapeHomes Top 10 Second Home Destinations to Celebrate the Holidays Thinking about looking for a second home while on vacation during the holidays? Here's how to plan the perfect 'scouting' trip 'Hot Market' of the Month: Charleston, South Carolina Featured Property: 'Waterfall Chalet' nestled between the Blue & Pocono Mountains The Perfect Stocking Stuffer for the Second Home Buyer or Vacation Property Owner New Second Home Destinations and Agents Read about EscapeHomes in U.S. News & World Report Top 10 Places to Celebrate the Holidays Big Sky, Montana Crested Butte, Colorado Jackson Hole, Wyoming Lake Tahoe, California Maui, Hawaii Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Santa Fe, New Mexico St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Sun Valley, Idaho Whistler, Canada Learn more about these towns *Listed in alphabetical order Thinking about looking for a second home while on vacation during the holidays? Here's how to plan the perfect 'scouting' trip. So you know you want to buy a vacation home. And you generally know the geographical area and your price range. You've vacationed in the general area from time to time. Now you're ready to narrow the field, and pick the town perfect for you. What's the best way to go on a scouting trip for your ideal vacation home destination? Here's one roadmap. Read More... This Month's "Hot Market" - Charleston, South Carolina Charleston is the heart and soul of both the old and new South, and is once again the thriving epicenter of art, culture, style, and taste in South Carolina. Today, the peninsular city is the center of a thriving multi-faceted community; a place where the range of lifestyles and home styles is as varied as you will find anywhere in the country including ante-bellum mansions, resort and beachside homes, planned communities, and yes, even plantations. Charleston offers something for everyone: cultural attractions and events, top rated restaurants, beautiful gardens to tour, pristine beaches, and above all that wonderful "southern charm". Full of history, beauty and grace, it is no wonder that this quintessentially Southern city frequently lands on the list of favorite destinations and friendliest cities. Read More... Featured Property: 'Waterfall Chalet' nestled between the Blue & Pocono Mountains With million dollar views and 400' frontage on the waterfalls! Built in 2000, this amazing home has 2,700 sq. ft. of 'open' living space with 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, large loft & greatroom, plus an additional 4th child's bedroom/playroom in the finished basement. The interior is tastefully decorated with an antique 'winter sports motif'. >From the deck you can see over 3,000 unspoiled acres of mountainous terrain. Included with the unique architecture of the "Prow" design of the house, and the mountain views, is a 120' cascading waterfall on the property just 100' from the deck. The soothing sound of the falls is easily heard throughout the house when the windows are open. Additionally, the house is situated in the Eagle Rock Golf & Ski Resort, a four season resort with something for everyone. There is the 18-hole Arnold Palmer designed golf course, the 14-trail/3-lift ski area, with snow tubing, two lakes, swimming pool, restaurant, lounge, spa, equestrian center, basketball, baseball, tennis, volleyball, archery, hiking, canoeing, fishing, etc. Read More... The Perfect Stocking Stuffer for the Second Home Buyer or Vacation Property Owner Have you prepared your 2004 holiday gift list? If you will be shopping for any of the 6 million Americans who own a second home or vacation property, here's a unique gift idea. Stuff their stockings with "Road Map to Your Vacation Property Dream." Christopher Cain wrote the book after owning a seaside villa at Kiawah Island, SC, for 16 years. The book provides practical tips and tactics on furnishing, budgeting, trading, and getting rentals for your property. Cain outlines many of the strategies he used to generate extra rentals for his Kiawah Island property. Read more... New EscapeHomes Second Home Destinations and Agents EscapeHomes is pleased to introduce several resort area specialists who have recently joined our preferred network of real estate professionals. They cover a broad spectrum of second home destinations, lifestyles, recreational activities, and vacation properties. Please take a look at their personal biographies, peruse their listings, and drop them an email if you are interested in learning more. They are professionals you can trust and will do whatever it takes to help you find your dream vacation property! UNITED STATES DESTINATIONS Alabama, Lake Martin: Mickey Phillips Alaska, Big Lake: Margarat Billinger Arizona, Gold Canyon: Tom Campbell Arizona, Phoenix: Cythia Leggitt California, Elk Grove: Michael Steele California, San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach: Linda Spreafico California, Sonoma: Laura Richards and Jim Wheelock Colorado, Breckenridge: Ken Deshaies Colorado, Steamboat Springs: Doug Labor Colorado, Winter Park: Gary Glenn Florida, Miami: Kathy Olarte Florida, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key: Nancy Bristow Hawaii, Maui: Mathew Dauenhauer Hawaii, Oahu: Sandy Aslin Massachusetts, Cape Cod: Deborah Kenney Montana, Red Lodge: Dorothea Lowe New Hampshire, Bedford: Deborah Mallon New Hampshire, Loon Mountain: Susan Chenard New Hampshire, White Mountains: Joy Tarbell North Carolina, Boone: David & Barbara Thomas North Carolina, Holden Beach and Sunset Beach: Martha Lee South Carolina, Hilton Head Island: Andre Cilliers South Carolina, Hilton Head Island: David Pautler South Carolina, Kiawah Island: Harry McHugh Utah, St. George: David Ellis Utah, Salt Lake City: Terry Jackson Wisconsin, Geneva Lakes: Oneida Wheeler Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells: Rudolph McCormick INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS Bahamas: Elbert Thompson Canada, Whistler and West Vancouver: Anne LeBlanc Mexico, Cabo San Lucas: Jay West Mexico, Puerto Vallarta: Mariana Camargo U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas: Juliet Smith Read about EscapeHomes in U.S. News & World Report Pick up a copy of the December issue of U.S. News & World Report to see what destinations EscapeHomes has selected as the Top Emerging Second Home Markets! Order a copy today: Thank You Finally, thank you for being a loyal EscapeHomes user. We will continue to provide you with valuable tools and information to help make your dream of owning a second home a reality. Sincerely, Amanda Sturges Editor EscapeHomes.com The Smart Source For Second Homes (800) 937-9090 (415) 252-9500 Amanda@EscapeHomes.com NewslettersPressAbout UsContact UsPrivacy StatementTerms of Use