Last minute housing DEALS-wow!

[SimonV]

Thanks for your thoughts, Lisa. As you can tell, it concerns me when prices threaten to drop through the floor as it is simply an unsustainable policy. Many people have gone out of business or been laid off in the tourist business in central Florida this past 18 months and, while there have been (and continue to be) some great deals on various kinds of accommodation, it is not a long-term solution for the vacation providers - and that obviously has ramifications for consumers like us, too. Deals like $55/night would have been unheard of 4 or 5 years ago and the industry needs to regain its sense of balance price-wise. Otherwise, a lot more people will go out of business, the amount of choice will diminish significantly, and prices of those left will go UP a lot more as the price pendulum swings ever more wildly.

The thing that most concerns me, though, is talk of a near 10% price rise in theme park tickets in the new year as I don't think the parks have done anything in the last 12 months to justify that kind of increase - which will put more pressure on the associated providers (hotels, restaurants, etc) to keep things affordable.

But then perhaps we are getting into pure debate territory here and I'll have to end up moderating my own comments

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by SimonV
Cruise lines often have last-minute sales for 'distressed stock' when they let cabins go for as little as a tenth of brochure value simply to fill a cabin, but is this a bad analogy for holiday homes?

The situation with cruises is completely different. First of all, you are dealing with a major corporation, not an individual property owner. But besides that, the cruise company knows that once you are on the ship, you are a captive audience. You'll buy drinks at the bar, gamble in the casino, shop in the shops, tip the staff, buy photos, pay for shore excursions, etc. In fact, many people mentally rationalize that they can spend more onboard since they paid less for the trip itself. Believe me, the cruise company isn't stupid.

A rental home/condo is different. It is most likely owned by an individual/couple. They can't afford to practically give away the place. The only money they get from you is the rent.

Does that mean you can't get a place for $55/nite? No. I'm quite certain you can. But shop around - if everyone is charging $85 - $100 and one place is only charging $55, be suspicious. FLeisure may have overstressed his point, but to a large extent you do get what you pay for.

As I have posted, we recently rented a 3-br condo at Windsor Palms. It was not the cheapest unit available that week. But it had 3 TV's, VCR, DVD, CD/cassette stereo, ceiling fans in each room, premium furnishings and other amenities that weren't in the cheaper units. So comparing by price alone can be very deceiving.

As in all things, buyer beware. If it sounds too good to be true, it might be.

Steve

 

[JANNYANS]

I don't always agree with fleisure but I have to on one point he has made in this thread .It is better to have a home empty than rent it out at a ridiculous rate .Yes there are certain things that need to be paid whatever but if a home is empty then the water bill is lower -the electricity and gas are lower -you don't lose a minimum of 10% in taxes and there is no cleaning charge .
At a base rate of $55 per day the owner is practically subsidising the vacationer -but I agree there are owners who do not see it this way.I personally have a base rate below which I will not go at any time Part of the problem is the costs of flights -especially from uk and tickets -people rarely get bargains on these so they look to the only thing left in order to save money -the accommodation and try to get it as cheaply as possible -after all we all like a bargain and who can blame them .Unless the owners are educated not to undervalue their homes then this situation will go on although I also have to say that some management companies do not help with the low rates they offer some of their owners I mean no one in particular as I do not deal with a mc who gets me bookings but I know there are some out there who do not treat their owners well and as long as people can rent homes with free cars thrown in or 7 nights for the price of 6 they are going to expect the sametype of deal from private owners.

IMHO the onus is on the owners to value their property and not let themselves be sold short .

 

[foxyfee]

I also own a villa in Rolling Hills and I would rather it sat empty than let it out for that rate. We don't look to make money on our villa but if we rent it out it must cover the costs of that rental. When you factor in all the costs including taxes (12% in Osceola Country) to rent out then $55pn the owner is subsidising the vacation.