DETROIT . With bidding stalled on some of the least desirable residences in Detroit's collapsing housing market, even the fast-talking auctioneer was feeling the stress.
"Folks, the ground underneath the house goes with it. You do know that, right?" he offered.
After selling house after house in the Motor City for less than the $29,000 it costs to buy the average new car, the auctioneer tried a new line: "The lumber in the house is worth more than that!" As Detroit reels from job losses in the U.S. auto industry, the depressed city has emerged as a boomtown in one area: foreclosed property.

It also stands as a case study in the economic pain from a housing bust as analysts consider whether a developing crisis in mortgages to high-risk borrowers will trigger a slowdown in the broader U.S. economy. The rising cost of mortgage financing for Detroit borrowers with weak credit has added to the downdraft from a slumping local economy to send home values plunging faster than many investors anticipated a few months ago. At a weekend sale of about 300 Detroit-area houses by Texas-based auction firm Hudson & Marshall, the mood was marked more by fear than greed. "These people are investors and they know the difficulty of finding financing. They know the difficulty of finding good tenants. They're cautious," said realtor Stanley Wegrzynowicz, who attended the auction.

HOW LOW IS LOW?
The city, which has lost more than half its population in the past 30 years and struggled with rising crime, failing schools and other social problems, largely missed out on the housing boom that swept much of the country in recent years. Prices have gained less than 2 percent per year in the five years since 2001, when the auto industry entered a renewed slump.
Steve Izairi, 32, who re-financed his own house in suburban Dearborn and sold his restaurant to begin buying rental properties in Detroit two years, was concerned that houses he thought were bargains at $70,000 two years ago were now selling for just $35,000. At least 16 Detroit houses up for sale on Sunday sold for $30,000 or less. A boarded-up bungalow on the city's west side brought $1,300. A four-bedroom house near the original Motown recording studio sold for $7,000. "You can't buy a used car for that," said Izairi. "It's a gamble, and you have to wonder how low it's going to get."

Detroit, where unemployment runs near 14 percent and a third of the population lives in poverty, leads the nation in new foreclosure filings, according to tracking service RealtyTrac.
With large swaths of the city now abandoned, banks are reclaiming and reselling Detroit homes from buyers who can no longer afford payments at seven times the national rate.
Michigan was the only state to see home prices fall in 2006. The national average price rose almost 6 percent but prices slipped 0.4 percent here, according to a federal study.
The state's jobless rate of 7.1 percent in January was also the second highest in the nation, behind only Mississippi.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU BUY FOR $1 MILLION?
Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was greeted with applause when he announced last week that two condominiums in the city's revitalizing downtown sold for over $1 million each.
But investors, including some from out of state, proved far more cautious at Sunday's auction.
In the most spirited bidding of the day, a sprawling, four-bedroom mansion from Detroit's boom days with an ornate stone entrance fetched just $135,000.
Dave Webb, principal at Hudson & Marshall, said Michigan had become a "heavy volume" market for his auction firm in recent years, although bigger-money deals were waiting in California, a market he said was ready for the first such auctions of repossessed property in years. "These people that are buying have got to look at holding on for five to seven years," he said. "The key is holding power."

Even with the steep discounts on Detroit-area properties, some buyers handed over their deposits with a wince. "I'm not sure it's congratulations," said Kirk Neal, a 55-year-old auto body shop worker who bought a ranch in the suburb of Oak Park for $34,000. "My wife is going to kill me." Realtor Ron Walraven had a three-bedroom house in the suburb of Bloomfield Hills that had listed for $525,000 sell for just $130,000 at the auction. "Once we've seen the last person leave Michigan, then I think we'll be able to say we've seen the bottom," he said.

wwww.totallyflorida.com

Request more information on ICON Apartments.

Icon is a new concept for holidaying in Ibiza

Create a home away from home. Exclusive apartments, beautifully designed, stylishly decorated, every element needed to holiday in style.

It's not just the apartment; it's about living the VIP
lifestyle

Offering a holiday environment different to anything else on the island.

Different, because Icon know exactly what is needed to enjoy every aspect of the island, the very best way.

Premium Amenities:

- Exclusive apartment, beautifully designed, elegantly decorated
with fine art and accessories.
- Air conditioned, with fully equipped kitchens & bathrooms.
- Entertainment area: Plasma screen with surround sound
- All icon apartments will be equipped with an apple
iBox loaded with the most currently releases films and
music with internet access and skype phone
- Airport pick up available.
- 4 tickets/Guest list for 2 night of VIP club entry to major Ibiza clubs.
- Discount boat hire and skipper: choice of 45 foot Sunseeker
Seahawk or a 75 foot motor yacht.
- Welcome pack on arrival: guest will be greeted with a fridge full
of essentials, (at icon no one will be checking into apartments in
the middle of the night, to find no supplies). The welcome pack
includes: water, milk, fresh fruit juice, bread, butter,
bacon, eggs and snacks
- Icon will be looking after their guests with 2 cases of cold beer
and 2 bottles of wine in the apartments ready for their arrival.







If you are interested in owning your own Ibiza apartment, we will be adding this to our line up shortly. Please contact us for more info.

It's finally official: Back To The Future: The Ride is closing, soon. The simulator ride, once one of the big, signature attractions for Universal Studios, has been rumored to be closing, to make room for a new, fresher attraction, for almost a year -- Universal officials nearly closed it in October before unexpectedly dropping a deadline and giving it new life. Now, however, the Universal Studios website includes a notice indicating the ride will close after March 30. There is no word regarding what will go into the building next. To date, Universal has never responded to rumors that a replacement ride would be themed on anything from The Simpsons to The Fast and the Furious to Harry Potter.

The ride uses simulator motion technology and a large-screen movie projection system to give visitors the illusion they are traveling in the DeLorean car/time machine featured in the movie franchise. The three movies, released in 1985, '89 and '90, star Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.

The ride was nearly original to Universal; the park opened in 1990, and Back to the Future: The Ride, in 1991. Since then it has drawn a huge, loyal following. But it also has been the subject of critics who've said Universal had neglected the stalwart in recent years.

www.totallyflorida.com

Some St Patricks day humour.


John Cleese's Letter to America

To the citizens of the United States of America. In light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately. Her Sovereign Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, will resume monarchicalduties over all states, commonwealths and other territories (exceptKansas , which she does not fancy), as from Monday next. Your new prime minister, Tony Blair, will appoint a governor for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determinewhether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, thef ollowing rules are introduced with immediate effect:1. You should look up "revocation" in the Oxford English Dictionary. Then look up "aluminium," and check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have beenpronouncing it.2. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'colour','favour' and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters, and the suffix "ize" will be replaced bythe suffix "ise."

3. You will learn that the suffix 'burgh' is pronounced 'burra'; you may elect to respell Pittsburgh as 'Pittsberg' if you find you simply can't cope with correct pronunciation.

4. Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels (look up "vocabulary"). Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as "like"and "you know" is unacceptable and inefficient form of communication.

5. There is no such thing as " US English." We will let Microsoftknow on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take account of the reinstated letter 'u' and the elimination of "-ize."

6. You will relearn your original national anthem, "God Save TheQueen", but only after fully carrying out Task #1 (see above).7. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday. November 2nd will be a new national holiday, but to be celebrated only in England . It will be called "Come-Uppance Day."

8. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not adult enough to be independent. Guns should only be handled by adults. If you're not adult enough to sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist then you're not grown up enough to handle a gun.

9. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. A permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

10. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and this is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean.

11. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric immediately and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

12. The Former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you havebeen calling "gasoline") - roughly $6/US gallon. Get used to it.13. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called "crisps." Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with mayonnaise but with vinegar.

14. Waiters and waitresses will be trained to be more aggressive with customers.

15. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will bereferred to as "beer," and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as "Lager." American brands will be referred to as "Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine," so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

16. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie MacDowell attempt English dialogue in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater.

17. You will cease playing American "football." There is only one kind of proper football; you call it "soccer". Those of you brave enough will, in time, will be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American "football", but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).

18. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the "World Series" for a game which is not played outside of America . Since only 2.1% of you are aware that there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable.

19. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.20. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due backdated to 1776. Thank you for your co-operation.

Onward with Egypt tourism

Ranked as the world's 28th largest, Egypt's tourism continues to gain popularity. As major growth engine of the national economy, the trade currently employs over 10 percent of the total labor force providing 2.2 million direct and indirect jobs. Through 2006, it is expected to grow further with an increasing capacity to generate more employment. Closing figures for 2005 continue to exhibit clear signs of resilience and growth as Egypt expects to end the year with more than 5 percent growth over 2004. Within the coming years, tourism's role will continue to grow in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) contribution, job creation for young nationals, and return on investment as the country fulfils its expectations of doubling international tourist arrivals and room nights, as well as realizing increases in investments by 2014.

The Arab republic's unrivalled base of tourism products ranges from cultural heritage to pristine coastlines, natural, religious, sports tourism and special interest offers. Diversifying the list even further are golfing, yachting, therapeutic and incentive travel packages. This week, the International Association of Golf Tour Operators awarded Egypt the Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year Award. The yachting scene is being led by the country's top Red Sea destination El Gouna - the pioneer in the ultra-luxury/super-yacht tourism serving a tourism triangulation together with Aqaba and Taba.Government and private investments have flourished over the last couple of years, upgrading tourism infrastructure including, construction and refurbishment of modern airports all over Egypt. Cairo, Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, el Alamein, Borg al Arab, Marsa Allam, Luxor and Aswan now have airports built to international standards with most facilities operated by specialized international airport management. New Cairo Airport's capacity will soar to 20 million passengers, from 10 million, before the end of 2007. Parallel investments have been made in the nation's transport system, utilities, telecommunications and IT networks. In line with developing leisure tourism, vast expansions and developments have begun from the South Sinai to the Red Sea areas along the Mediterranean such as Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, Sahl Hashish and Marsa Allam, and in Luxor.As an emerging destination for residential tourism (a well-guarded secret its Arab neighbors have long perfected since years ago), Egypt is now selling itself to nearby European countries as a snowbirds' get-away. Europeans are flocking to the Red Sea, buying and owning a second home in a country with a warmer climate year-round.To date, Egypt's hotel inventory is extensive spanning thousands of hotels in all categories, from international to national hotel chains. There are 85,000 hotel rooms under construction to date, located as far southeast to the new and upcoming seaside resort destination of Marsa Allam/ Port Ghalib. This is one vision - the BOT or build-operate-own-transfer project by Kuwaiti billionaire Nasr Kharafi - seeing growing momentum since inception.Another large-scale integrated development project underway lies on the northwest coast of Marsa Matrouh. It still is the Med's most pristine, virgin shores to this very day.

Mega-projects in both aforementioned coastline destinations have attracted unprecedented foreign direct investments.In an effort to oil the wheels of positive change, Egypt works hard to develop its new tourism brand capturing the diversity of the offerings. It will be communicated to all media through relevant messages to various niches and targets. For a global marketing strategy, it will utilize new technologies and online media channels to ensure interactive communication with the audience.Foremost, Egypt will also launch a massive national communications and tourism public awareness campaign designed to generate a broader level of awareness on the importance of the industry. Tourism officials vow to highlight the direct impact on the economic welfare and prosperity of Egyptians, the role to plays in promoting the economic growth and development, support for culture and improving the quality of life. The goal will be to sensitize Egyptian nationals towards tourism, for each citizen to actively take part in creating and embracing the art of welcoming the visitor.Currently, Egypt is also opening up to China, India and South America, while forging with expanding market share in potential markets in Central Europe, Canada and the USA.Statistics show from January to November 2005 some 117,113 Americans traveled to Egypt booking 2,481,229 room nights. In November alone, 18,791 Americans arrived spending 230,183 nights.Hence, Egyptian Ambassador to the U.S. Nabil Fahmy is set to broaden this approach with the US market. At the mid-December opening of the King Tutankhamun Exhibition dubbed Golden Age of the Pharaohs in Florida, Fahmy said, "What we've been trying to do is put the full face of Egypt before you. Bringing the exhibit to America for over a year more effectively shows what Egypt has to offer in terms of culture, history and antiquities. To build understanding between peoples is the ultimate goal of this great effort in bringing the Boy King to the United States."

www.desertpearlsales.com www.sunsetpearl.com www.coralseapearlsales.com

With good quality residential property costing from around £30,000, buyers are looking to this new market where large property price increases are expected.
Many investors are now buying in Brazil as much for the predicted rise in property prices as for the rental income.

The strong performance of the Brazilian economy is showing good growth and a trade surplus.
Tourism in the north east of Brazil increased by just over 26% between 1995 and 2000, with 2.5million Brazilian and international holidaymakers visiting the area last year.
With 7,500km of coastline, thousands of kilometres of beaches and over 300 days of sunshine per year, the Government is now promoting Brazil as a place to come both for tourists and investors.

The friendly and hospitable Brazilian people who always know how to enjoy themselves!
The beautiful country, lovely beaches, great nightlife, wide range of cuisine and relaxed pace of life.
The perfect weather and climate - no hurricanes or earthquakes, and in the north east you have warm sunny weather all year round.
The exceptional value for money you’ll enjoy when shopping and eating out.
Exceptional customer service - where else would a pharmacy deliver your medicines at 4am?

Brazil, where life is one long party

One of the most vibrant and exotic countries in the world, Brazil is famous for its sun-kissed beaches full of beautiful people, bustling cities, sexy music and dancing, teeming festivals and football-mad population. Nowhere in the world do people know how to enjoy themselves more, most famously in the annual celebrations of Carnival.

In Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil has two of the world’s great cities. Rio de Janeiro boasts Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach and numerous parks and gardens, not to mention Corcovado Mountain, with the statue of Christ the Redeemer at its summit. São Paulo is a cosmopolitan mega-metropolis with a diverse, ethnic population while Brasília, the country’s space-age capital was built from nothing in the late 1950s. It’s the gateway to Brazil’s vast interior, including the mighty Amazon, perhaps the richest wildlife reserve on the planet.

Now thanks to Totally Florida Plus, you can have your own dream home or investment property in this wonderfully exciting country. Our development of apartments and villas is situated in Bahia, not far from Salvador, one of Brazil’s leading tourist attractions. It’s a project of the very highest quality including hotels, luxury properties and a full range of leisure and entertainment facilities. Contact us today for moe info.

www.totallyflorida.com homes@totallyflorida.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Desert Pearl Apartment Resort?

The Desert Pearl resort can be found near the shores of the Red Sea, in the town of Hurghada, Egypt. About 15 km south of El Gouna.

How many properties will there be at Desert Pearl?

This resort will comprise 225 units. There will be 44 studios, 48 one-bedroom, 117 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom apartments.

Are the properties freehold or leasehold?

All the properties are freehold.

Who is developing Desert Pearl?
Worldwide Destinations are the developers.

Has the Developer got land title?
Yes, the developer has full legal title to the land.
What Licenses have been granted?All the necessary licenses and planning permissions have been obtained. (Copies are at present being translated and will be included in the Due Diligence document).

When will construction begin?
Construction has already started.

When will the property be completed?
The properties will be completed in March 2008.

What are the payment terms on the property?
Pre-launch prices start at £17,600. (sold out, now £19,800) We facilitate an effortless payment plan in five simple steps. First payment of 10% deposit. Three further payments of 10% in the remaining 12 month period. A final 60% upon completion paid with either an arranged mortgage* or cash.One off full 40% down payment will grant every buyer a free Lifetime Lawyer membership worth £3,995, which will cover the completion cost of your purchase.*Mortgage subject to status.

Is there a Pre-Launch Special Offer? Yes!
The first 50 units can benefit from above scheduled payment terms. If full 40% is paid Client can receive Lifetime Lawyer Pack (normally priced GBP 3,995) free of charge. For further information, call Lifetime Lawyer on Freephone: +44 (0)8000 320 966, Fax: +44 (0)1480 450876.

Can the properties be bought in a company name?
No, not at this time.

Can you inform me of a legal firm that could help me?
Lifetime Lawyer - please see point above, or alternatively, our lawyers in Egypt: United Lawyers: +2 010 1138400, Tel/Fax: +2 065 346 20 71/72.

Are mortgages available?
Yes, a capital + repayment type mortgage, subject-to-status, on 60% of the purchase price is available at 7.9% flat rate for a maximum period of 10 years.

What is the name of the bank handling the mortgage?T.B.A.

What are the details of the mortgage package?
Refer to document: ‘Desert Pearl Mortgage Package’.

What is the yearly maintenance fee?
The yearly maintenance fee will be GBP 500 per annum.

Is there a builder’s warranty on new build, if so how long?
Yes, warranties for new build are for one year.

What type of running costs should the client expect?
Apart from the annual Real Estate Tax of EGP 500 (approx. GBP 50) and the annual maintenance fee of GBP 500, there will be utility (water + electricity) charges substantially lower than by European comparison.

What is the construction of the building?
The foundation of the building is reinforced concrete. The construction is of brick.

What will be the orientation of the apartments?
The apartments will face South-East.

What will be the layout of the development?
There will be 12 buildings forming the whole site. Each building will have 5 floors each with 4 apartments per floor. Each of these buildings with 20 apartments will have a lift for their own use.

Will the apartments have sea views?
Apartments on the third, fourth and fifth floors will have sea views.

Will there be a rental pool?
Yes, with rental prices based on our achievable rental return calculations – refer to our DP Rental Return document.

How long is the rental season?
12 months.

What are the expected rental opportunities in the area?
Refer to final page of brochure.

What is European Design & Finish?
Normally in Egypt a new build property is sold as a shell, doors or windows are not installed, walls and floors are not finished, kitchens and bathrooms are not equipped. European Finish includes; polished ceramic floors, tiling in kitchen and bathrooms, windows and doors installed, all electrical installations, pre-installation for digital TV platforms as well as sockets for telephone, television and data lines. Fitted kitchen with base units, stainless steel sink, granite worktops and mixer taps. Bathroom sanitary fittings in white porcelain (toilets, sinks, baths showers) with mixer taps and extractor fans. Bedrooms with fitted wardrobes.
Are the properties sold fully furnished? Furniture and kitchen appliances are not included in the sale price, but will be available as furniture packages.

What are the quality specifications of the properties?
See above.

What are the purchase costs?
Registration of the unit and lawyer fees will be £995 all in.

What are the lawyer’s fees involved in the purchase of the apartment?See above.

Is there a Real Estate Tax?
There is an annual Real Estate Tax of EGP 500 (approx. GBP 50).
Is there any Stamp Duty?No.
Is there any Government Tax?No.
Is there any Capital Gains Tax or V.A.T?No.
Is there any Inheritance Tax?No.
Can I sell my property at any time?Yes.

What is the general overview of the area?
The town of Hurghada, known as Al-Ghardaka in Arabic was founded in the early 20th century as a fishing village, with over 40km of coastal resorts and spectacular beaches. The Red SeaRiviera has fast become a community of mixed nationalities and cultures. The permanent summer weather and leisure activities, including desert safaris, diving and golf, make this the most popular resort in Egypt. With its crystal clear water, untouched reefs and a multitude of ship-wrecks, Hurghada has become one of the most popular diving and snorkelling destinations in the world.Nearby lie the stunning resorts of Sahl Hasheesh and El Gouna, both exclusive destinations offering residents and tourists fantastic views of the desert, mountains and natural lagoons. At the heart of the El Gouna Resort is the Abu Tig Marina, the most beautiful harbour on the Red Sea designed around the spectacular El Gouna Golf Club, an 18-hole, PGA professional golf course.

What are the facilities in development, immediate and surrounding areas? Swimming pool and bar, gardens, internet café/business centre, gymnasium, games room and laundry – all within a gated environment. For information on surrounding area refer to brochure.

How long are the seasons in Hurghada?
The Red Sea Riviera’s warm climate makes it an ideal destination at any time of the year. There are two seasons: a hot summer, which runs from May to October, followed by a mild winter for the remaining months. Temperatures range from a minimum average of 15ºC (59ºF) in winter, with cool nights, to 30ºC (86ºF) in summer, with comfortable warm nights.

How accessible is the area?
Flight time from the UK is 4.5 hours with scheduled weekly flights. Charter flights from Germany are almost daily. Flights from other major European cities include Munich 3.5 hours & Rome 3 Hours.

How do you get there?
Egypt's national air carrier is EgyptAir, and Air Sinai also has good connections in Egypt. Most travellers come into Egypt through Cairo, although people are increasingly disembarking at Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada (Al-Ghardaka) and Sharm el-Sheikh. These airports are serviced by a number of smaller carriers and charter companies with direct connections to Europe.
Are there any websites you can recommend?http://egypt.travel


More info at www.desertpearlsales.com or info@desertpearlsales.com

Sales in Hurghada Egypt continue to outsell everything else. Property for sale in Hurghada is being snapped up very quickly by savvy European investors. Buying apartments in Egypt in such places as Hurghada and Sahl Hasheesh has never been easier. Desert Pearl in Hurghada is now selling phase 3 (also known as Coral Sea Pearl) earlier than planned due to the huge demand for Holiday/Investment properties in the Red Sea Riviera area.

At Sunset Pearl in Sahl Hasheesh, the proposed new Marina is something to behold. You can see an animated flythrough at www.sunsetpearl.com

All the current info can be found on the following sites. Dont lose out, contact us now while a few units remain. Now selling Phase 3 at Desert Pearl Hurghada Egypt

www.totallyflorida.com

www.desertpearlsales.com

www.sunsetpearl.com

Newly Refurbished for 2006!On Sale: $349,000!

Why Florida?

Innovation -- not Euros, Yen, or Dollars -- is the currency of today's global economy. Innovation fuels productivity, attracts investment, and stimulates economic recovery. Where innovation thrives, so will the successful enterprises of the 21st century.

Nowhere else is the spirit of innovation more evident than in the State of Florida -- a location quickly getting a reputation as the "Innovation Hub of the Americas". The region's pro-business, pro-technology climate, combined with easy trade access to key growth regions of the Americas, provide a fertile environment for establishing and growing businesses.
Learn why businesses are awakening to a side of Florida that's much more diverse than orange juice, theme parks and beaches…

1: Florida's Technology Leadership
Florida has a robust base of technology-driven business, with more than 18,600 high-tech companies employing more than 258,800 high-tech/high-skill workers.
Among U.S. states, Florida ranks as the…
- 4th largest "cyber-state" for high-tech employment
- 3rd largest state for high-tech companies
- 3rd largest exporter of high-tech goods and services
Florida has a significant and growing presence in "new economy" sectors, such as: Life Sciences, Information Technology, Aviation/Aerospace, Homeland Security/Defense and Financial/Professional Services.

2: Florida's Global Gateway

Florida is the strategic and economic center of the Americas. Geographic location, combined with economic and political stability, put Florida at the center of trade and finance throughout the hemisphere.
South Florida, in particular, boasts a multi-cultural and multi-lingual workforce that's skilled in facilitating international trade throughout the region. In fact, the Miami area has often been called the business center of Latin America.

3: Florida's Entrepreneurial Environment

The state hosts a variety of tech incubators, accelerators and university-based research hubs.
Florida has four of the top cities in the nation for entrepreneurs, scoring high in entrepreneurial activity, small business growth, job growth and risk (Entrepreneur Magazine).
Florida ranks high on the “Small Business Survival Index”, which rates the policy environment for entrepreneurship across the nation.

4: Florida's Global Connectivity

Florida's connections to the world run deep, both literally and figuratively…
Florida has one of the world's most extensive multi-modal transpiration systems, featuring international airports, deep-water shipping ports, and an extensive highway and rail network.
Florida is "wired for success." The state has multiple hubs that allow for high-speed data transmission from around the U.S. to Europe, Latin America and Africa.

5: Florida's Business Climate

Recognizing the need for global competitiveness, Florida's invitation for investment includes:
Incentives for job creation, investment and training.
Additional incentives for rural, urban core, enterprise zone and brownfield investment.
Expedited permitting.
Capital availability and assistance, such as: enterprise bonds, micro-loans, and venture capital.

6: Florida's Workforce Talent

As the 4th most populous U.S. state, Florida offers a diverse and available workforce.
Florida receives the largest in-migration of all U.S. states.
Florida's "A+ Program for Education" dramatically boosts the State's investment in education.
State-sponsored workforce training programs give new and incumbent workers access to skills training for the demands of "new economy" jobs.

7: Florida's Business-Friendly Government

State and local governments have automated access to many of government's most vital business-oriented functions (visit www.myflorida.com).
Florida has a pro-business, pro-technology agenda for policy-making and business climate improvement.
Business sector associations advise legislators on the issues impacting global competitiveness. Some key players in "new economy" stewardship are: Aviation/Aerospace Alliance, BioFlorida, Florida Defense Alliance, and IT Florida.

8: Florida's World Renowned Quality of Life

Already the world's #1 travel destination, many visitors recognize the "play here, stay here" philosophy and choose Florida as their permanent home.
Since 2001, Florida has earned top rankings in Harris Poll's "most desirable place to live" survey.
Florida offers a very competitive cost of living, with ample affordable housing and NO PERSONAL INCOME TAX.
Florida is a state of choices -- urban, rural, suburban, multi-cultural, and more.

9: Florida's Economic Development Partnerships

More than any other state, Florida's economic development goals and initiatives have been developed and embraced as a statewide vision. Economic development organizations regularly combine forces to help existing and prospective businesses find the right location(s) to match their needs.

10: Florida's Growth Economy

While many regions struggle just to maintain the status quo, Florida's economic engine continues to surge forward. To put Florida's size and momentum into focus, consider the following:
If Florida were a country, it would have the 15th largest economy in the world.
Florida has the 8th largest economy in the Western Hemisphere.
Beyond the State's own output, it also serves as a platform for trade throughout the Americas.

Some of the hottest vacation accommodations in Central Florida are hiding in plain view, cloaked so completely in the commonplace that they are in a sense invisible. Thousands of single-family homes, town houses and condominiums clustered in newly built subdivisions near Walt Disney World are in fact vacation homes available for short-term rental. They cater to economy-minded group travelers who can save hundreds of dollars in hotel bills by renting an entire home instead of a number of adjacent rooms.In the past two decades, vacation rentals have moved from the fringes of the region's lodging industry to its mainstream.

The Central Florida Property Managers Association, which represents rental agencies, estimates that there are now 20,000 to 25,000 rental properties in Polk, Osceola, Orange and Lake counties, most clustered near the theme parks."We like to call it a cottage industry, no pun intended," said Ted Garrod, Osceola County Zoning and Code Enforcement director. "It started as an unregulated business 15 years ago and has grown to include 205 communities at last count."Yet it remains stealthy. Most of the region's estimated 700 property-management companies market fewer than 100 houses each.

Although the renters pay resort taxes, no one has yet studied the effect they're having on hotels, which are suffering falling occupancy levels throughout Central Florida.More and more such short-term rentals are in the market. Garrod said that almost every new subdivision near Disney World now includes at least a section of vacation rentals.Individuals own most of them. Some buy the dwellings strictly as investments, while others want to milk some income from their vacation home. Many are like Leslie Nixon, a Briton who began coming to Central Florida with his family in the 1990s and caught the state's real-estate bug. Nixon bought a home near Walt Disney World in 1998. He loved the property but was less than thrilled with the cost of ownership. So he put his four-bedroom house on the short-term-rental market, creating a cash flow that offset some of the expenses."It seemed a good way to cover some of the costs of running the house," Nixon said. "We really can't think of any problems. It doesn't cover all the costs, but it certainly helps."'Whole neighborhoods'Britons helped launch the industry in Florida. Renting vacation homes is far more common in Europe than in the United States, but management companies say Americans are catching on. The business is young, and like many new enterprises, it is far from consolidated."It is a very fragmented industry," said Steve Trover, chief executive officer of All Star Vacation Homes in Kissimmee. "It grew dramatically in 2005 and 2006 with the big wave in second-home buying. In the Orlando area, there is a very large amount of property that is being rented out."Osceola and Polk counties have special zoning for rental subdivisions."There are whole neighborhoods in Osceola and Polk that are composed entirely of rental homes," Trover said. "Since the average home has four bedrooms, that is the equivalent of about 75,000 hotel rooms."Many are packed with bedrooms, most with baths and televisions. What looks like a garage door from the outside might really be the wall of a home theater or a billiards room. And pools are standard."We rent pools with houses attached to them," Trover said. "A lot of people today want the privacy of their own pool, and you can't get that at a hotel."Kendall Griffin of Chicago rented a vacation home in Kissimmee this month."Our experience is wonderful," said Griffin, who shared the house with his girlfriend and two other couples. "Cost is the main reason -- it's a lot cheaper than renting hotel rooms. And the communities are clean and safe. And you don't have to go out and eat every night."Management companies are striving to improve the experience.

Houses and condos that rent for four days or more typically are fully outfitted. In some cases, refrigerators are stocked in advance, and maids and chefs are provided for an extra fee."We have an in-home grocery service, and we are even working on offering in-home massages, though we don't have that yet," said Russ Kraft, general manager of Global Resort Homes, which manages houses in three Disney-area subdivisions. "We are trying to take the guest experience to the next level."Consolidation expected Kraft said the market exploded during this decade as housing construction boomed and investors gobbled up property. He said the market is now ripe for consolidation."I see somebody coming in and trying to consolidate a few companies into a recognized brand," he said. "That could happen, and I'm sure it will make it harder and harder to compete."It is already happening. ResortQuest, a division of hospitality-industry operator Gaylord Entertainment, is the first large company and manages 16,000 rentals throughout the country, though none in Central Florida."Given our size and the number of units we have, we view ourselves as a brand," said Peter Weien, ResortQuest's chief operating officer. "People who book with us at Hilton Head in the summer will come back when they want a home in one of our ski markets."ResortQuest has invested heavily in an interactive Web site that allows vacation planners to book online, something most smaller companies can't afford. Weien said that vacation rentals, which not long ago were a sideline business for real-estate brokers, are becoming part of the hospitality industry."Vacation rentals started as an adjunct to the real-estate industry in many markets," Weien said. "That's changing."Nigel Worrall, president of Florida Leisure Vacation Homes in Kissimmee, said that despite the recent growth, vacation homes are still a niche market catering to extended families and small groups from businesses. But he said small groups planning extended stays are coming to appreciate the value of a house."It's all about what average customers can get for their money," Worrall said. "You can rent a vacation home for an amount similar to a hotel room, but you get a whole house with a pool. That has an appeal."

If you are considering buying your own Vacation home, drop us a line at homes@totallyflorida.com or www.totallyflorida.com

Florida is one of the top 3 states for migration in the country.

Florida is one of the top 2 states in the country for job creation and has led the nation in job creation for 41 straight months.
Florida is one of the top 2 states for population density, with a higher density than California. This translates to more favorable supply and demand conditions for investors.
Florida Is the #1 Relocation Destination, the #1 Vacation Destination and the #1 Second Home Destination based on surveys and polls conducted by Harris and data collected by Relocation researchers.
Population Migration
800 New Residents Still Move To Florida Daily!
Florida is #1 for net internal migration into the state
Florida Is Projected by the U.S. Census to Become the 3rd Most Populous State by 2011

In June 2005, SeaWorld Orlando announced that they were planning a third park in Orlando and in August 2005 the plans were approved by Orange County.

Why Romania?

Totally Florida Plus is pleased to announce a special deal with Trans eastern Homes at Legacy Park near Disney in Orlando. "The Towns at Legacy Park" is offering through Totally Florida Plus 2 bed 2 bath town homes which are "FULLY FURNISHED" for an amazing low price of just $179,000 (91,000 UK Pounds)

These 2 bed town homes are minutes from the area attractions and represent great value for money are very sought after by vacationers from all over the world who chooses to stay in a home rather than a cramped hotel room while in the Orlando area on Vacation. They have all the usual onsite amenities including a huge communal pool.

Should you require it, we also have arranged a guaranteed lease back programme with a local management company who will provide bookings and take care of the normal day to day running of a Vacation/Investment home. These units are built and ready to go, brand new and never lived in. They are of course zoned for Short Term rentals.

Standard Features Outside Your Home
Concrete block & stucco construction first floor, wood and stucco second floor
Underground utilities
30-Year dimensional shingle roof
Attractive architecturally designed elevations
Designer exteriors paint color schemes
Neighborhood style street lights
Concrete driveway, entry walk & patio
Vapor-proof, steel-reinforced monolithic concrete foundation
Termite protection
Fully sodded & professionally landscaped lots with automatic sprinkler systems
Fiberglass raised panel front door with Schlage locks
Door chime with push button
White aluminum window frames with screens
Raised panel metal garage door pre-wired for automatic opener (per plan)
Coach lights (per plan)
Exterior hose bibs (per plan)
Covered lanais (per plan)
Covered entryways
Neighborhood Features
Professional landscaped common areas
Community pool
Convenient to shopping, dining, schools & health care
Added Value of a Transeastern Home
3 Quality inspections with customer and Builder
Homeowner orientation
Builder Warranty
Homeowner's Association with protective covenants
Partnerships with First Florida Title and Liberty Mortgage permitting us to offer customer service & incentive benefits

Inside Your Home
High-speed structured wiring for phone, video and computer, including Cat-5 data lines and RG-6 quad shield coaxial cable
Complete fire wall between town homes
Ceramic tile flooring-foyer, kitchen & all wet areas
Luxurious carpeting over 4lb. rebond padding
Under staircase storage (per plan)
Full security system with single keypad
Abundant closet space with vinyl clad shelving
A/C vents in master closet
White Clasique 2-panel doors & bi-folds
Textured knockdown finish on all ceilings
Smoke detectors per code with battery backup
Telephone pre-wire in all bedrooms & kitchen
Cable TV pre-wire in all bedrooms & living room
Ceiling fan pre-wire in all bedrooms & living room
Decora white rocker switches throughout
Antique brass interior hardware
White colonial 3 1/4" baseboards & 2 1/4" casings
Washer & dryer connections with exterior dryer vent
Marble window sills
In Your Gourmet Kitchen
Quality wood door cabinets with 42" uppers
Breakfast bar (per plan)
GE electric range with self-cleaning oven
GE range hood
Automatic 3-cycle dishwasher
1/3 HP garbage disposal
Ice-maker line pre-plumbed
50/50 stainless steel sink with Moen chrome faucet
Energy Savers
R-30 ceiling insulation, R-11 frame wall insulation
R-4 masonry wall insulation
12-seer HVAC with programmable thermostat
Disclaimer
All selections noted may be replaced or substituted with like or greater kind product, materials, or manufacturer at the sole and absolute discretion of Builder. Oral representations cannot be relied upon as correctly stating the representation of the builder.

We don't expect these to last very long, if you have an interest, drop us a line today. homes@totallyflorida.com

http://www.totallyflorida.com/

Egypt continues to outsell everything with units at Desert Pearl getting harder to find. Phase 1 is completely sold out and only a handful are availbale on Phase 2. We are selling Phase 3 earlier than planned but the demand has agents scrambling to find units for thier clients. Sunset Pearl is also proving to be very popular although not officially released, savvy investors are seeing the billions of dollars of investment in the whole area of Sahl Hashessh and Hurghada and they want to be a part of that growth. Property Development in Egypt, especially on the Red Sea areas is at an all time high with huge multi national company's investing heavily in land for building. To be part of this incredible part of the world. Contact us now at Desert Pearl or Sunset Pearl

As many of you may have already noticed, our homepage has recently undergone a major facelift. Our main priority was to tighten things up a bit and make your browsing experience here at Totally Florida Plus a pleasant one.

If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to reach us via e-mail: homes@totallyflorida.com.

Desert Pearl Hurghada Egypt Sales Continue To Climb!

As fast as we can release the apartments at the Desert Pearl Beach Apartments project in Hurghada, Egypt, savvy investors are snapping them up! Phase 2 was released last week and already only a handful of units remain available, as buyers from the UK, Scotland and Europe indulge in a feeding frenzy to get deposits on anything available. Phase 3 which is also going to be known as Coral Sea Pearl, is not officially released but we are able to offer a certain number of units to our clients. With the Red Sea known to be one of the most beautiful places on earth it’s no wonder Egypt’s real estate market is just booming and buyers all over Europe continue to snap things up.
www.coralseapearlsales.com www.desertpearlsales.com www.totallyflorida.com

Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton this morning announced two new projects at the resort: a luxury resort and golf course community in Bonnet Creek and a mixed-use commercial center for "value-conscious" guests just outside the western edge of its property.Disney is partnering with the Four Seasons hotels and resorts on a 900-acre site that will include a luxury hotel, 18-hole championship golf course and single-family and fractional ownership homes.

The hotel is expected to open in 2010, and the current Osprey Ridge golf course will be renovated and rebranded as a Four Seasons property.The mixed-use development, with 4,000 to 5,000 units of low- and mid-priced lodging, will take advantage of the recently opened Western Beltway to bring visitors coming from Interstate 75.

The development will be built just outside the Disney gateway at the western edge of its property.That development will feature a pedestrian-friendly retail center with dining, shopping and small-scale entertainment venues.

Many homeowners who are trying to sell their homes have been asking, “Where are all the buyers?” The simple answer is that these homeowners need to look in the mirror. That is because every seller is waiting for his or her transformation into a buyer.

The typical scenario is that a seller will put their home on the market and wait for the offers to come in. However, in many cases the offers are not coming in due to the current market’s “adjustment”. And this has lead to a surplus of homes for sale and a scarcity of buyers. That is what happens in a slowdown; a logjam of buyers trapped in their current homes as sellers.

As a home seller, if you are going to “wait until the right buyer comes along”, or “wait for the market to catch up to your asking price”, then you could be waiting for a long time. Unfortunately, many sellers will make the mistake of holding out for an unrealistic price well beyond the point that it makes economic sense to do so. These sellers will be missing the opportunity to get a good deal on their next home. By waiting (and hoping) for the market to change in their favor, these sellers are forgoing the benefits of the current buyers’ market. You can’t have the best of both worlds. If you are holding out for an unrealistic sales price, then you are predicting that we will find ourselves in a sellers’ market – or at least trending in that direction. And we can’t be in both a buyers’ market and a sellers’ market at the same time.

So if your home is not selling, trust me, it has nothing to do with whether your Realtor has been effectively marketing your home. Rest assured, Realtors are competent and have plenty of motivation, especially in today’s market. Bottom line: it’s the price. You’re probably trying to sell your home for more than it is worth. But don’t blame the Realtor; many are working overtime to market their listings while they struggle to convince their clients to price their homes realistically.

Every house has a fair market value, defined as the price point at which a seller is willing to sell and a buyer is willing to buy. And these two points don’t always converge smoothly. Both parties need to be realistic. And in a buyers’ market that means that there is more pressure on sellers to be flexible on price. That is because buyers have the ability to walk away and make an offer on a comparable home. Despite the uniqueness of your home, buyers have a lot to choose from, and very little invested emotionally in any given home. Case in point: many buyers are now putting offers in on multiple homes at the same time, and in other cases, walking away from previously inked deals when sellers won’t remedy minor defects.

As a seller, you have to ask yourself whether you stand to gain more by waiting. Will you be financially better off if you sell your home one or two years from now for, say 10% more as compared to selling it today at fair market value? In other words, does it make sense to list a home currently valued at say, $1 million, for $1.1 million, and wait until next year (or beyond) to get the higher price? Or would you be better off if you sold it today for $1 million?

Before you start “running the numbers”, realize that this is exactly what many sellers are currently doing. They think their homes are worth more than they are and they stubbornly hold on to an artificially high price point. Generally most sellers are emotionally stuck on an arbitrary number and have trouble accepting a lower price. They feel as if they are losing money. But you can’t lose what you never had.

Back to the numbers. In our example, we need to consider more than just the sale of your current home. We need to consider your next real estate transaction as well.

Suppose you want to buy a new home in the $1.5 to $2 million range. If you wait out the year(s) to sell your current home for $1.1 million, you might pay close to $2 million at some point in the future for a home that you could potentially buy today for $1.5 to $1.8 million. So if you hold out too long for your sales price, you can find yourself in a situation where you are paying more than you should for your next home. Is it really worth it?

If you wait it out, you are contending with uncertainty and the prospect of gaining $100,000 more on the sale of your current home, but paying $200,000 to $500,000 more for your next home. That is a costly mistake.

On the other hand, if you sell now at the fair market value, you will get what your home is worth and you will enjoy a buyer’s discount on your next home – potentially saving big bucks.

Keep in mind that you are in the same market that everyone else is in; subject to the same buying trends and price pressures. The anxiety you are feeling as a home seller is probably the same anxiety that other sellers (one of whom you are going to buy from) are feeling. And you don’t have to be sitting on $1 million worth of real estate for this to apply to you. It holds true at any price point. In simple terms, it is highly unlikely that you will receive a sellers’ market premium on the sale of your current home and a buyers’ market discount on the purchase of your next home.

When the market turns in favor of buyers, as it recently has, your best bet is to price your home correctly and move on to buying. Start by consulting a competent real estate agent and taking their advice on the value of your home. And finally, realize that it is human nature to feel that you may have under-priced your home if a buyer is quick to accept your asking price. But the flip side to that is that buyers can feel that they are over-paying if sellers accept their offered price too willingly. In fact, this is just the principle of fair market value at work; the convergence of what a seller is willing to accept and what a buyer is willing to pay.