A lot of people ask us as part of their search for a condo, which ones are better investments. Personally, if I knew the answer to that 100%, I would be writing this from my own private island. Alas, that is not the case and I write in my home office, looking out at the snow.

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to investment condos. A lot of it depends on what exactly you are looking to get out of it. Some people think of investment condos as rentals, while others are thinking of sales value down the road.

If you are looking to buy a condo to rent out, then there are a few factors you need to consider.

First, don’t just buy the smallest and/or cheapest unit you can find. Not too many people are going to want to live in it – would you? Instead, think of who your target market is going to be. If you want singles, then one bedroom condos would be fine. Once you get to couples (with the possibility of children), then you are going to want to think more in terms of larger units with two bedrooms.

Speaking of which, there has been a recent hue and cry over the lack of condos that are suitable for families. Sure, there are a few tired old buildings with three bedroom units, but they are few and far between. Where are the new units? What are the options for the families that don’t want a house? Or those than can’t afford a house? Before I get to really ranting, I just wanted to point out that condos need to be equal opportunity. They are not just for singles or couples or empty-nesters. Some people want to raise a family in the sky. Time to do something about it. Anyway, on with the article…

Location is also going to have a bearing on your target market, or on the available pool of renters who will make up your market. If you want primarily university students, then look to buy near U of T, York, Ryerson, etc. Don’t forget the smaller schools and colleges, such as George Brown or Sheridan. There are a lot of students in Toronto, so there are a lot of options for you to appeal to them.

The flip side of course, is that if you don’t want student renters, don’t buy near where they would want to live!

If you want doctors and nurses and interns and the like, then you are going to want to buy along Hospital Row, or not too far from it. Yes, there are more isolated facilties around the city, but stay close to where the biggest renter pool is likely to be.

Many people often ask about new condos versus resale as rental properties. This is a hard one, but my gut feel is that new buildings are not the best bet. Maybe if you are going for a 1,200 square foot penthouse with a view to die for, but a simple one bedroom just puts you in the pack with everyone else. If a 300-unit building has 30 people buy to rent out, you are going to be facing some stiff competition to get a renter into your unit. You may be best to simply avoid that sort of competition and look for resales or smaller new developments.

Speaking of competition, this might be a good time to delve into a discussion of rents and their recent decline. With all the condo action in Toronto the past few years, many units have been built and many have been bought to rent out. As with any market, supply and demand dictate pricing. When there are more units than renters, there is more and more competition to get those lease dollars. Thus, rents go down.

Even with a decline in rental amounts, if you are buying as an investment, you need to look at the larger picture. Don’t expect to pay your mortage and condo fees – and make a profit. Those days are gone. But add up all the monthly expenses and if you get a rental amount that is not so much less than you are spending, then you have to think about it more in terms of your mortgage only costing you $100 a month. Even if it is $300 a month, that is significantly less than if you were paying everything yourself. You don’t get much for nothing these days, so be happy that someone is helping subsidize your mortage.

Now, there is another group of people who are thinking more about sales in the future. Some may be buying a condo off plans with the thought of flipping it once the building is done. I don’t want to repeat myself, but basically re-read what I said above about buying in a new development to rent. Being one of the herd is not always a good thing.

It used to be that buying new and selling it after living in it for a few years was guaranteed profits. Not so much anymore. Land costs and building costs are up, plus builders know they can get more for their product. Thus you have to think more strategically these days.

There are three things I generally advise when people ask me what to buy that will increase over the years.

First is to buy large. Buy as big a condo as you can afford. This is for two main reasons. The first is as above, so as not to be one of 100 one bedroom units for sale in a building. The second is that a large segment of future condo buyers are going to be empty-nesters and downsizers. Many older couples will be leaving their larger homes and they are not going to want to live in a 650-square-foot one-bedroom condo.

Second is to look for up-and-coming areas. Of course, that leads to the question of what areas are up and coming. Anywhere the prices are not through the roof. Areas where there are very few new developments. Areas you see or hear or read about. Take the Queen East corridor – that is going to be the next King West, mark my words. Have you heard the terms Leslieville or Studio District or Corktown bandied about? There’s a reason for that…

Third and last is to try to find something as unique as possible. Again, when it comes time to sell, you need something to help you stand out from the crowd. Many people don’t want the norm, they want something interesting. Think about a loft, especially a conversion. Something with a unique layout or different location. Anything that is not the same as 99% of your competition.

I know this might be a lot to digest, but trust me, read it through and think about it. There are a lot of options out there and you need to narrow them down to only the best ones for you. Of course, every situation is different, but that is why the end result will have a different shortlist for everyone.

And that is what helps to keep the market unique and allows people to make money in real estate.

If you’re currently renting or are looking to downgrade from a large home, this may be the perfect time to purchase a condo. While condominium units were once not treated with the same level or respect as single family homes, the real estate market and people’s perceptions have changed. Condos grow in value just like homes and purchasing one now, especially while price are low, makes a lot of sense.

The number one reason to buy a condo instead of continuing to rent is saving on rent. If you’re paying $1500 in rent right now, you can expect for that rent amount to creep slowly toward $1800 over the next several years. Rental management companies are notorious for incrementally increasing a rental rate higher and higher. In the next five years, you can expect to pay several hundred dollars more for the same apartment or rental home.

However, if you purchase a condo, your mortgage payment will stay the same for the long run. You won’t have to worry about coming up with more money for rent or adjusting your budget so that you can afford the same place you’ve been living in. Having a stable housing payment can be a relief as rental prices go on the rise.

If you decide to purchase a condo, make sure to live in it for at least two years. When you live in it for 48 months or longer, you’ll see the financial benefits of owning rather than renting. During that time, rental rates will have increased at least twice and you’ll be saving money by owning your own condo. Not to mention during that time you’ll also have the added benefit of increasing your credit score with on time monthly mortgage payments.

Before you jump into the purchase of your condo, there is an important consideration you need to keep in mind.

As a condo owner you’ll be working directly with the condo management company. These companies take care of the grounds and handle all of the exterior needs of the condo buildings. Be sure to do some research on the condo management company. Find out whether they run any additional condo complexes. Drive through those complexes, in addition to the one you’ll potentially be living in, and see how they’ve taken care of the grounds. Evaluate how they are doing so you can get a good sense of how responsive they are to issues that may arise. For example, a well manicured grounds, working parking lot lights and signs that are in good shape are all signs of a good condo management company.

You can also ask around the condo complex and get the scoop on what it is like to live in the community. The residents can give you a feel for how well the condo management company is doing. Looking up the company in the Better Business Bureau is also a good measure of security.

If the housing market hasn’t quite rebounded in your area, a condo can be a good choice. Research the management company carefully and you’ll be able to make a smart purchase.

Condominiums in the Tampa and Clearwater area have become a popular choice for those seeking to buy second homes, real estate investments, or for those desiring a break from outside maintenance and upkeep. This is due to the multitude of benefits associated with condominium living. Combine those benefits with the beauty, abundant sunshine, pristine beaches and coastline of the Tampa Bay area, and attractions like: Busch Gardens, Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World and you have a winning combination that pays for itself again and again.

How so you might ask? Why should you consider a condominium over a single-family dwelling for example? When you buy a single home, you will need to purchase homeowner’s insurance to secure financing from most lenders and also to protect yourself from loss due to fire, theft, etc. When you purchase a condominium, the insurance is included as a part of the monthly maintenance fee; most lenders therefore, don’t require you to purchase separate homeowners insurance policy.

If you buy a single-family dwelling you will have to maintain your home and your lawn yourself, whereas, condo owners can spend their time doing other things while someone else mows the lawn and cleans out those gutters! Upkeep and maintenance are included in the Condominium’s maintenance agreement, and these owners are more than happy to pay a monthly fee in order to not have to worry about getting these things done themselves.

For the most part, condominium maintenance fees are reasonable when you add up the costs involved and how much it would cost for you to hire someone to do these things for you. On the Florida beaches you will find higher condominium maintenance fees and this is because there is simply much more maintenance that comes with owning a home near the ocean. On the other hand, owning a condominium slightly inland can save you a lot of money on the purchase as well as the monthly maintenance fees.

The safety of your family and the security of your real estate property are of course, very important to you. While the owners of single-family homes may choose to equip their homes with expensive alarm systems, most condo owners have the benefit of gated security, which provides 24 hour protection, even when you’re away. Such security also makes it harder for the “unlawful” to spot an unoccupied dwelling. Single homes, whose owners are away, are easier to detect due to such things as: uncut grass, no lights on in the home, and no activity around the home. At a condominium complex, there is always some kind of activity, which helps to conceal that you’re away from your property.

Condominiums provide some pretty terrific amenities right there on the property. Some of those amenities are: fitness rooms, pools, spas, restaurants, hair salons, tennis and golf to its residents. It would be impossible for a single home owner to duplicate some of these amenities and cost-prohibitive to acquire some of these amenities. Keep in mind that the more amenities there are in a condominium, the higher the maintenance fee can be. It costs money to keep up the amenities for the residents to enjoy. Amenities are what makes condo living so popular though. In the long run, the more amenities the condo has, the more saleable and desirable the condominium will be on a resale.

Real estate investors will find that some condominiums, depending on the condo restrictions, are easily rented out short or long term. If you and your family use your condominium only part of the year, consider leasing it out for additional income for yourself. Have your real estate agent check the restrictions for you before making an offer for purchase. Not all condos are alike on this policy.

Now that you know about the many benefits to owning a condominium, add the undeniable value that owning a condominium in the Tampa Bay area of Florida’s West Coast holds for you. Now you will have a place to escape to when the temperatures up north get down right cold! You won’t ever have to worry about no vacancies at hotels, and resorts either. The beach and ocean with bountiful amounts of sun are at your doorstep. Your Tampa or Clearwater area Florida Condo offers you the opportunity to get away from areas that are overcrowded with tourists, and yet you’re only a short drive from Florida’s most popular attractions. If you’re looking for a way to make some additional income, consider renting out your condo unit when you head back north in the summer.

Contact your Tampa Bay area realtor today to get started on finding the condominium property that meets your needs. They can assist you whether you’re looking to buy a first or second home, a retirement home, or investment property.

A mastery of the Spanish language isn’t necessary to understand that a place called Bonita Springs is bound to be pretty easy on the eyes. This destination is located on the coast of Southwest Florida amongst several other hotspots like Naples and Fort Myers, but it deserves a special look due to its rapid recent growth, abundance of activities, and rich coastal beauty. Bonita Springs is a little bit traditional, a little bit modern and definitely worth more than a passing glance.

As far as history goes, Bonita Springs has a typically colorful Floridian background. The nomadic Calusa Indians, Ponce de Leon and his fellow Spanish explorers, pineapple farmers and ambitious land developers have all left their mark on this stunning swath of most desirable beachfront. Its inhabitants and visitors have been diverse, but it just goes to show that incredible natural splendor has a way of humbling and uniting us all.

Experience the wonder for yourself by starting your visit with a stop at Barefoot Beach. This stretch of sand is just as appealing as it sounds, and will make you kick off your shoes with glee and stay for a while. This is one of those beaches that make the list of nationally recognized places on the map as far as pleasing its visitors and representing Florida’s best assets. In addition to the expected white sand and sparkling waves, Barefoot Beach also contains a large nature preserve, so as you enjoy the walking trails, cabanas and concession stands, be sure to note the fact that the land has been kept a little wild and untainted, too.

Another highly ranked region of Bonita Springs is Lovers Key Park. It is one of the state’s most frequently visited parks, and the thousands of people who are drawn to the fantastic beaches and facilities can’t be wrong. Birds of all kinds, from the waders to the divers, will catch your eye as they search for the dinner each evening and tidal lagoons will expand your vision of what Florida terrain is really all about. Eco-tourists and wildlife dabblers will all appreciate the opportunity to mix a little bit of nature appreciation into the leisure of a beach vacation.

As far as activities that will get your heart pumping, Bonita Springs has you covered. This entire region of Florida is a golfer’s paradise, and you’ll find dozens of public, private and resort courses around every bend. Tennis, fishing, swimming and boating will also add a dash of action to this relaxing getaway. Who knows, you may end up burning a few calories without even realizing it as you stroll and sightsee to your heart’s content.

To enrich your mind as well as your body, spare some time for one of the museums in town. Science, aquatic life, the lesser known details of Thomas Edison, and the colorful progression of the city will all be made clearer once you’ve toured the instructional offerings of Bonita Springs. While you’re in town, be sure to do some shopping and grab a bite to eat as well; the charming array of sights will only further convince you that it was a smart choice to make this the site of your probably long-overdue getaway.

The population and size of Bonita Springs have grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years, meaning that the secret is out. A visit here is a visit to a place that knows how to show people a good time while keeping a laid-back vibe, further illustrated by the fact that there are dozens of vacation rentals on hand to make staying here more comfortable than seems possible. Unpack your suitcases in a roomy beach house or cuddle up in a cozy cottage; seeing things from the vantage point of a private property with all the trimmings will no doubt add an element of adventure and privilege to the trip without necessarily diminishing your bank account.

Go online today as you start to plan your getaway. Bonita Springs Vacation Rentals, top-notch diversions and the immeasurable loveliness of Florida’s Gulf coast will all combine to achieve the kind of escape that’s worth bragging about, so prepare to send some postcards to a few jealous co-workers. It may just inspire them to create a holiday of their own.

Florida’s counties number 67, and are home to over 18,000,000 people. Thirty-nine of Florida’s counties are part of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, meaning they are densely populated. Not surprisingly, these counties are found all around the coastal region of the state. These densely populated counties are found from Jacksonville to the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area, and also from the Tampa area to the Naples area. The largest concentration of population in Florida’s counties is in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach region, with over five million of the state’s people. In fact, this area constitutes the largest metropolitan area in the entire southeast of the United States.

The ten counties in Florida with the highest populations are:

Brevard County – 536,161

Polk County – 574,746

Lee County - 590,564

Duval County – 849,159

Pinellas County – 917,437

Orange County – 1,066,113

Hillsborough County – 1,174,727

Palm Beach County – 1,266,451

Broward County – 1,759,591

Miami-Dade County – 2,387,170

Although seniors certainly live in these counties, surprisingly, they are not as high a percentage as you might think. Of the largest of Florida’s counties, in Miami-Dade, seniors account for 18% of the population, in Broward County, for 20%, and in Palm Beach, 28%. There are 16 other counties that have a senior population of more than 30%. Of these, three counties, Charlotte, Citrus, and Highlands counties, actually have the highest concentration of senior citizens of counties in the entire United States that have more than 10,000 people. Each of these counties has more than 40% senior citizen residents.

There are nine states that do not impose a state income tax, and Florida is one of them. The state’s sales tax is 6%. However, Florida’s counties can opt to levy a discretionary special local option sales tax. The highest tax allowed is 1.5%. Currently, the following counties charge this maximum amount:

Calhoun County

Escambia County

Gadsen County

Jackson County

Leon County

Madison County

Monroe County

Seniors who are planning to relocate to Florida will want to learn more about Florida’s counties and what each one can provide. You can find a great deal of Florida relocation information for each of Florida’s counties through a number of different websites. Here are some good resources to start with:

The US Census Bureau has an excellent tool for looking at information about Florida’s counties. You can find a wide array of statistics and demographic information for the entire state of Florida or for an individual county.

You could also look at information like county or local newspapers, regional Florida magazines, or even by joining some online forums about the counties where you are considering moving. When you’ve limited your choices down, make a visit to the county for some first-hand impressions.

What was once considered the home of the future is here today. Smart homes have become reality and not just for the eccentric and wealthy. Through the use innovative technology, home owners are able to turn their homes into state-of-the-art machines that can be manipulated and monitored from anywhere in the world.

Today’s smart homes can be monitored and controlled from any cell phone. Homeowners can send text messages from their cell phone to activate heating or turn on lights. Smart Homes equipped with cameras inside the house can send real time images directly to a cell phone.

No longer are families limited to just watching television. Smart homes integrate the latest computer technology to turn entrainment into an interactive experience. Families with ‘intelligent homes’ are able to watch movies, play video games and surf the internet all from the living room. The desktop PC and has become the media center PC, with unlimited potential and integration into the life of the family. Media Center PC can even be used for video communication through VOIP technology. New streaming internet channels are coming online that will give viewers an unlimited variety of shows and games that cater to their specific tastes. Settings can even be personalized for different family members so children are not exposed to inappropriate material on the television or the Internet.

Smart home would also be security conscious and aware of its occupants’ well being, monitoring whether someone has a fall, and control temperature and light settings, depending on what is happening outside. Intelligent security devices can distinguish between family members and intruders. Inexpensive web cameras can be turned into security cameras, and monitored from any computer over the world wide web.

There are plenty of intelligent devices available for your home. As smart homes become increasingly common place home owners will benefit from more time and more enjoyable lifestyle. Smart home technology means controlling the homes environment in a way to suit and enhance want to live the way you.

Sovereign Homes is dedicated to building homes that incorporate the latest technology to improve your life and make your home more enjoyable and comfortable. Sovereign Homes will meticulously design and implement a program tailored to your specific needs. From the inception of architectural and interior design to the completed project, we offer a full gamut of building services, undertaking projects as small as a kitchen remodel to new residential construction.

There’s nothing like living in a brand-new home. It’s clean and fresh, all the appliances are totally up-to-date, and there’s no wear-and-tear from previous owners. One of the other major advantages if you buy early enough you get to choose the colors and many of the finishing details, so your home is truly custom built. If you’ve been thinking of moving to Naples Florida, or already live there but want to upgrade to a new home or condo, you’re in luck, because there’s a serious building boom on and your choices are virtually limitless.

There’s the Valencia Golf and Country Club, which is building new single family homes in Collier County. With Spanish influenced architecture and high end finishing, these are some lovely, nice sized homes for families of any age.

If you already own a lot, Kaye Homes is a popular developer of quality homes, and their great prices certainly don’t give away the fact that their quality is superb. They’ve got many styles to choose from, and the bonus of having something custom-built is you get your pick of finishing styles and colors.

If a condo is more what you’re after, then Heritage Bay Terrace might be just the thing. These are spacious suites in a gated community right beside the 27-hole golf course in east Naples.

For condos, there’s also Reflection Lakes. This community of town homes offers affordable luxury living for families or singles. Close to all amenities, this is a great place for just about anybody. Twin Villas within Reflection Lakes offers a little more square footage for those who need it. But if floor space is what you need, you’ll be glad to know that town homes aren’t all there is in this community. There’s a nice section of single family homes with square footage up to about 3,260.

Verona Point is another town home development. These are nice sized homes, and there’s a pool and recreation area, tennis and basketball courts, as well as the nearby lake.

Another gated community of single-family homes is Village Walk of Bonita Springs. This is a lake-front community complete with a pool, fitness center, tennis and basketball courts, and a playground for residents and their families to enjoy. Residents can also enjoy boating and fishing on the lake and biking on all the beautiful paths through local parks.

Speaking of parks, Emerson Park has plenty of nature trails to walk and bike on. This community of single family homes also has a ball field for baseball and soccer, as well as Tennis and basketball courts and a playground for the little ones. Plus it’s Lakefront. Plus it’s affordable and the homes are moderate-to-large sized, between 1,500 to almost 2,000 square feet.

The truth is, I could just go on and on about all the new construction going on in Naples. There’s also Bella Terra, featuring both town homes and large executive homes. There’s Orange Blossom and Heritage Bay, and Chesapeake Cove, and all of these offer a diverse variety of home styles to choose from. But this list would get boring if I kept rattling off your options. If you want to see the gorgeous, high quality new homes in Naples, just contact me and we can find just the right home for your needs.

Do you desire a unique Italian holiday experience? Then you should consider holidaying in the Amalfi Coast Holiday Villas. Stretched across the mountainous coastline, these villas offer a picturesque scene. The road along the Amalfi coast stretches on the whole Gulf of Amalfi. If you travel from Sorrento to Salerno, in South of Naples, along the famous Amalfi coast, you will face one of the most fantastic drives of your lifetime. The undulating road passing through the towns and villages, developed above the rocky cliffs of the Mediterranean Sea provides some breathtaking views.

The Amafli coast villas offer plenty of accommodation and ensure that tourists are near facilities like restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and markets. All this entails the fact that you are never left bored. You can find some lovely Amalfi villas at the charming seaside town of Amalfi for rent, with harbors in close vicinity. From here you can take boats to Salerno, Positano and the Island of Capri.

These villas have colorful cottages complete with painted courtyards. The winding laneways and the well kept gardens present a welcome panorama. Some of the holiday villas have cathedrals near them. Positano is located at the southern end of the Amalfi coast, some 56 km from the South of Naples. It is a hillside village with an exotic selection of Amalfi Coast villas for rental purposes. Positano is a stunning town where you can find an array of shops ranging from bars, restaurants to smart boutiques, presenting a classic Italian ambience. There are several Amalfi coast villas on the slopes of Monte Tre Cavalli. This is an ideal place to begin if you want to explore Amalfi coast.

These villas offer a dream vacation and can be enjoyed even if you are in large groups. There are many properties where as many as 20-30 people can be accommodated at one time. In a contrast there are certain Amalfi villas where only couples can stay. These villas offer a cozy and romantic ambiance for a perfect holiday or honeymoon.

Florida is a great state to see by recreational vehicle and there are certain times of the year, which are best to go. In the summertime the humidity is very high and if you are in an RV you’ll need to run the air conditioner all the time and this of course will cost you a significant amount of money in diesel fuel for your generator if you are dry camping.

Even if you are plugged in at in RV campground, which are numerous in Florida that will not stop the humidity and each time you go outside you will be hot and sweaty. The wintertime is the best time to see Florida by RV and there is so much to see.

My favorite spots in Florida are from Pensacola to Panama City, as that area is growing and is being rebuilt after the hurricanes; it is very nice. You will also very much like Key West, as it is a hopping and happening place. Naples Florida is very nice with great restaurants and so are the areas by Sanibel and Captiva Islands. There are some great museums in Fort Myers Florida to check out.

Tampa Bay is also a pretty fun place. Of course Miami is a happening spot 24 hours a day and the west coast of Florida above Miami has some of the nicest beaches around. If you are traveling by RV you’ll love Orlando, as it is very RV friendly with lots of places to stay. Of course there is the Kennedy Space Center and also Disney World. I recommend putting Florida on your list of places to go to in your RV this year. Please consider all this in 2006.