something crazy

Myrtle Beach Real Estate HOA

Home owners Associations are established to preserve, protect and enhance the community. The powers of a home owners association are derived partly from applicable law and partly from the bylaws and the recorded declaration. The services provided by your Home owners Association are varied and extensive. So the home owners association are usually jointly responsible for the full costs of maintaining the infrastructure and any facilities owned by their association and, via their payment of rates to the local authority, they are also contributing to the costs of maintaining the infrastructure of all other townships within the jurisdiction of their local authority. Most Associations have a set of Rules and Regulations as well as Architectural Guidelines.

Home owners associations are entities organized to govern the operation of common interest communities. Home owner’s associations are governed by a board of directors which are elected by the home owners. Home owner’s association boards are well-advised to use tact, persuasion, and reason whenever possible in the enforcement of their rules. They also have the power to impose reasonable fines for violations of the rules and regulations and to levy late charges for tardy assessments. Home owners Association are established to preserve, protect and enhance the community. They are non-profit corporations formed to “maintain” a subdivision (community, neighborhood).

Their dues range from around $20 to $70 a month, depending on the types of amenities and size of the community; although Home owner’s Associations may no longer prohibit property owners from displaying political signs on their property, even if deed restrictions or restrictive covenants purport to ban the practice. The Association is responsible for all maintenance and repairs to the common areas of the property, including the grounds, and the parking areas/roadways, as well as the exterior surfaces of the buildings such as doors, windows, skylights, decks, patios, stoops or sidewalks. Each owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of that portion of the landscape screen and/or entrance treatment that is located on his or her lot.

Generally the Home owner’s Association’s board meetings will be published and open to all resident members. The Board meetings, which are typically open to all unit owners, are usually held on a monthly basis. Even though the meetings are open, there is no obligation to allow non-board members an opportunity to speak or otherwise participate in the meeting.

Keep in mind that the rules and regulations of the Home owners Association are designed for the good of all homeowners and the community. Even though they may be strict, the Home owners Associations are established to preserve, protect and enhance the community.

For more information about Myrtle Beach Real Estate or about Myrtle Beach Condos visit us at myrtlebeachhomesonline.com

Adventure Cruising - The Cruise Holiday Of A Lifetime With P&O Cruises

Cruising needn’t be a sedate way of seeing the world - an adventure cruise could take you anywhere from the Amazon to the Antarctic.

If you are one of those people who still think a holiday at sea is just a pastime for the over-the-hillers with plenty of money, then think again. Adventure lovers can have fun in Alaska, discover there is more to the Persian Gulf than Dubai and visit the Viet Cong tunnels in Vietnam. You can cruise to little-known places such as Trabzon and Batumi in Turkey and Georgia in the Black Sea, Benghazi and Al Khums in Libya and Mangalore or Trivandrum on India’s west coast.

Cruising is an excellent way to get to know remote places in a short space of time. You can get right of the beaten track to remote places such as Antarctica, the Arctic and Galapagos. This is not for the faint hearted though as there are no ports at the destinations, definitely meaning no coach loads of tourists, so the only way on and off your ship is by an inflatable boat.

Cruise lines are investing massively in the exploration side of cruising. Expedition ships are generally smaller but this is because they are able to get into and out of remote ports. But if you book for the places you will see rather than the facilities aboard the ship you will not be disappointed. Having said that, Silversea’s newest addition the Prince Albert II will be the epitome of luxury, you can enjoy the thrill of true expedition whilst also enjoying the privileged lifestyle that is part and parcel of cruising.

In 2008 P&O Cruises are introducing 160 new tours ashore. Families will find there are some fantastic options for days out, from hours splashing around at a water park, to nature trails, pizza making in Naples, whale or dolphin watching or high-speed boat rides. There is an array of adrenalin fueled experiences for those wishing to push the boundaries, from roving island jeep safaris to zip wiring through rainforest canopies, glacier trekking, helicopter flights, river tubing through rapids or stingray encounters, the list is endless. Cultural adventures may tempt you too with many a destination offering the chance to indulge a love of art, architecture, history and cuisine.

A cruise holiday offers the chance to really see the world like never before. There are so many different options available now that a cruise is really specifically catered to your likes and dislikes. For instance if you prefer a quieter pace of life, sipping a wonderful glass of wine whilst watching the sun dip over the horizon, or reading a good book on the top deck or even just enjoying great conversation over a delicious meal then a children free cruise may be perfect for you.

Alternatively you may be an adventurous couple, perhaps on honey moon or even just having a final jaunt round the world before settling down to make a family, you may be interested in a more daring cruise. The chance to visit places off the beaten track and unknown to the every-day tourist, to see amazing wildlife in its own habitat and breath in breathtaking scenery that you might just miss with a traditional package holiday. The wonderful thing about a cruise is that you can enjoy all this and more but not have to miss out on all those little luxuries we have come to love in this day and age. Cruises also offer superb service with cruise staff really taking care of your every need.

Cruising in general is a unique and spine tingling way to travel. There is anticipation, excitement and wander lust every step of he way, including an ever changing panorama and the wonder of edging every closer to your next port of call.

To experience everything an adventure cruise has to offer P&O Cruises is an amazing choice. You could be having the time of your life glacier trekking, swimming with dolphins or zip wiring through a rain forest - the list is endless. http://www.jetlinecruise.com

Carnival Cruise Lines, Offering Excellence That’s Hard To Beat

Carnival Cruises are top of the line when it comes to “Fun Ships”. So if you are looking to have a vacation full of fun and entertainment 24 hours a day, hop aboard.

The most recognizable features of these cruise ships are their red-white-and-blue funnels built to resemble the tails of whales, and Fun Ship Freddy - a fantasy figure whose head reminds you of the Carnival ship funnel.

Their cruise lines travel to several destinations and they offer so much entertainment on board, once you get on you will not want to get off.

With live entertainment for all ages, you can take the kids along too. Carnival offers a Camp Carnival Children’s Program for ages 2-17. This allows parents to be able to spend time together while their children are with the ships experienced counselors. Your children will want to stay there all night long.

These ships have a full range of services that range from gambling to a luxury spa for those who want to unwind and relax.

Your cruise has no strict schedules, you choose when you want to eat, sleep, or play.

Carnival cruises are famous for the amazing variety of onboard recreations they offer their passengers. Every ship has at least two swimming pools, with waterslides. The ships’ casinos are a major attraction on Carnival cruises, and in their glitz and neon they compare well to those of Las Vegas. But the area of expertise of these cruises might well be in the cruise line’s approach to providing fine dining and snacks to all guests.

If this sounds like the perfect vacation to you, be sure to research the amenities of each ship before you book a cabin, because they will vary widely depending on the class of Carnival ship you book! Reservations can be made very easily through Carnivals very own travel agencies. They are well qualified and make sure you understand everything from the moment that you step aboard the vessel.

So what are you waiting for? Book your cruise now with Carnival Cruise Lines! You will wonder why you haven’t started cruising the waters before now.

Daphne Succes
Cruise Planners, License Cruise Specialist
http://www.babyletscruise.com
1.866.554.CRUISE

Curb Appeal - The Speed Dating of Real Estate

Whether you believe speed dating revolutionized the dating industry or not, you probably buy into the underlying premise - that first impressions are the key to deciding whether you want to get better acquainted. Selling your home is a bit the same. You put a for sale sign on your lawn, and people drive by to see if the exterior is appealing enough for them to take the time to view the interior. You see the point, whether its speed dating or selling your home, success lies in the presentation. Most of us wouldn’t dream of facing a roomful of dating competition without looking our absolute best. It’s a shame not to apply that same thinking to selling your home. After all, your home is likely your largest financial asset, and this is your best chance to maximize your return on that investment.

In real estate standing out from the competition starts with curb appeal. If you are having trouble understanding what constitutes curb appeal, take a drive around neighbourhoods in your approximate price range. Take note of which homes stand out and why. Generally what you’re looking for is a well maintained home, with the lawns, trees, shrubs and flowerbeds in good condition. Also notice what first catches your eye about the home, that’s called the focal point. Usually people choose to create a focal point around the front entrance. Notice which front entrances are most appealing, and what makes them so. Now drive home, park across the street from your home and look at it as if you were a buyer. Is your first impression positive? What are the pluses, what are the minuses? Have a friend look at your home, what do they think? Sometimes you may have to spend money to increase your home’s curb appeal, sometimes it may just be a matter of a little elbow grease.

Larry Hann is a St. John’s, Newfoundland based realtor who believes professionally staged homes sell quicker and for more money. Home staging is one of the many marketing tools he uses when selling St. John’s real estate

Austin Neighborhood Flintrock Falls

Flintrock Falls is a gated golf community in the city of Lakeway, Texas. Flintrock Falls is a relatively new neighborhood and features a Jack Nicklaus golf course.

The area is quite hilly and many homes have wonderful long distance Hill Country views. Some of the lots in Flintrock Falls are a bit small so some of the homes feel pretty close together. However, there are sections that feature large lots of up to an acre. Homes in Flintrock Falls are generally custom, but one production builder did start some homes in the neighborhood.

Being situated in Lakeway, residents of Flintrock Falls have the use of Lakeway amenities. The Lakeway City Park is a nice park on Lake Travis with children play areas, barbeque grills, a volleyball court, a sandy beach and walking/jogging trails. Lakeway has a network of hiking trails that are very nice. The Lakeway Swim Center is something that area families can join and enjoy.

Flintrock isn’t too far from downtown Austin, being a 30-40 minute drive away. Within 10 minutes is just about all the shopping and professional service one would need. The Shops at the Galleria and the new Hill Country Galleria Mall are close by. In addition, a large, regional medical facility is about to break ground in Lakeway. This will feature a 140 bed hospital with a 24 hour emergency room and helipad, medical offices, a hotel, day care and more.

Recreation is all around Flintrock Falls. Residents have a mandatory social membership to The Hills Country Club. With a full membership, residents have access to two Jack Nicklaus golf courses, two clubhouses and a number of dining options. With Lake Travis very close by, jumping into a boat at an area marina can be 10-15 minutes away.

Homes in Flintrock are currently (June, 2008) priced from the high $300,000s to almost $2 million. In addition to custom homes, there are smaller villa type homes in Flintrock Falls. Zoned as condo, there are truly lock and leave for anyone looking for a second home.

Flintrock Falls is served by Lake Travis Independent School District schools, which are some of the best in Central Texas.

Sam Chapman is an Austin REALTOR who has lived in the Lake Travis/Austin area for 19 years. He is very active in the community and schools as a volunteer and substitute teacher. Read Sam’s Austin real estate blog. He is very active in the community and schools as a volunteer and substitute teacher. Read Sam’s Austin real estate.

For Every Sunrise There is a Sunset - Lives on the Street

Day before yesterday I was travelling to a local mall by car, it so happened that I got stuck at every traffic light and waited atleast 200 seconds each. In those 200 seconds what I saw literally made my eyes red. At each red light, wherever our car stopped, a bunch of street children came rushing to beg. I strictly believe in not giving money to the beggars because they should earn a living, not beg. I must have seen around 5 to 10 children at each red light, and there are 8 traffic lights between my home and the mall.

When I returned home, I sat on the internet and started working on my next research : STREET CHILDREN IN INDIA. What I found nearly shook me and i made it a point to post it on my blog as a part of youth awareness. So below are a few facts about the social evil. Do read.

INDIA AND STREET CHILDREN: AN OVERVIEW

India, in its developing stage, has the largest population of street children in the world. Around 25 million street children live here, which is the combined population of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. In the UNICEF state of the world children report, the following facts came forward: 47% street children under the age of 3 are malnourished and around 2.2 million street children die before the age of 5.

40,000 street children die everyday in the world, 30% being Indians. In an era of development, the lives of these children are bleak and misty. They don’t know what their tomorrow is. And those who do know, are quiet. What they don’t understand is that a child is a man in miniature, and it ought to be treated like one.

CHILDHOOD CUT SHORT: TREATMENT OF STREET CHILDREN

Street children in India are a soft target as they are young, small, poor and ignorant about their rights. The condition of these homeless children often leads to them resorting to petty theft, robberies, drug trafficking, prostitution, murders and other criminal activities.

A level of fear and intimidation is created in their minds because of the behaviour of the police.

Police often takes financial incentives from these children in order to make money and in case the children fail to pay they are beaten up like criminals and given third degree. In some cases it has also led to mental disbalance and even deaths.

These underage vulnerable children if found doing wrong things should be sent to orphanages for self improvement instead of being tortured by the police and the general public.

Under the Juvenile Justice Act, no ” Neglected” or “Delinquent” juvenile should be put in police lock ups or jail. But this act is often ignored. Moreover, at the remand stage the law makes no distinction between a 6 year old orphan and a 15 year old child who has committed robbery and both are treated the same. THIS LEADS TO A CHILDHOOD CUT SHORT

THE MAJOR PROBLEM THEY FACE: AIDS

One of the major problems they face is AIDS. The street children at the railway stations are worst affected. 35% of them have Tuberculosis, the first symptom of AIDS. More than 5 million children all over the Indian streets are HIV positive.

Of these, GIRLS are the worst affected. They are Raped, taken away by Touts and sold in brothels. Not a single girls at the New Delhi railway station has been spared.

In 1997, the Inter Press News Service wrote an article stating that the street children in India are the most vulnerable to AIDS. The article brought forward the irony of one such girl, out of the millions, Uma(name changed) a 9 year old girl was raped by a gang of homeless boys at the New Delhi railway station, where she also lived. The same happened over and over again, this led to the poor child delivering a still born baby.

This is just one story, there are millions of children, both boys and girls, who have gone through worse.