Newsletters
Glorious Days on Washington State Beaches
Published on 05/18/12 by May, William Victor — ... read more
Professor John Edwards: Insects & Music
Published on 03/30/12 by May, William Victor — When I first began to help out with the Gallery Concerts Organization, one of my favorite not-for-profir groups, I met a gentle white haired man with a goatee who glowed with his enthusiasm for the music. Later I was to learn he glowed about just about everything. If the term "twinkle in his eye" was created for anyone it was John.... read more
Twas the Night before Vacation Rental Christmas
Published on 12/31/11 by Covey, Jan — The Christmas and New Years Holidays are a big season in almost every vacation rental market. Read how one plucky manager gets through the hub bub.... read more
The Good Life at Packwood White Pass
Published on 12/27/10 by Garten, Veronica — Of course I am prejudiced. Having lived in the city for a long time I knew what I was getting into. In July of 2010 I moved lock stock and barrel to the small town of Packwood in south central Washington State, just outside the entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. My new job was to be manager of the Chateau Timberline Hotel, then being taken over by my company Sunspot Resorts.... read more
Emilie's Ski Blog Visits New Paradise Basin at White Pass
Published on 12/24/10 by Westphal, Emilie Kippen — I just got back from a great ski at White Pass. (That's in South Central Washington State) and I just gotta tell you they have opened up 767 new acres of terrain in Paradise Basin. Its that area up and behind the original highest lift. That area that we all dreamed of skiing for a long time.... read more
Labor Day 2010 - Another Flea Market Bonanza
Published on 09/09/10 by May, William Victor — Well it was another great Flea Market this Labor Day weekend in Packwood. Hundreds of vendors from all over the Northwest and some from across the US and Canada. Unofficial estimates are that there may have been 10,000 people on Saturday - but hey who's counting.... read more
Vacation Road Trips Start at the Dentist
Published on 04/01/10 by Adair, Gail — Operating a vacation rental business can be fun and profitable but it also an opportunity to do some good in the world. Now property owners and managers can do that by participating in a public program that offe... read more
Sunbanks Resort - Little known Secret Location
Published on 03/31/10 by Taylor, Penny L. — Warm weather took me on a drive to Central Washington state, to little known Banks Lake and SunBanks Resort. Toasty hot in summer it boasts warm warm water unlike most big lake resorts.... read more
Drive to Sunbanks Resort in Central Washington State
Published on 03/15/10 by Taylor, Penny L. — Warm weather took me on a drive to Central Washington state, to little known Banks Lake and SunBanks Resort. Toasty hot in summer it boasts warm warm water unlike most big lake resorts.... read more
Become a Vacation Rental Angel
Published on 03/01/10 by May, William Victor — Operating a vacation rental business can be fun and profitable but it also an opportunity to do some good in the world. Now property owners and managers can do that by participating in a public program that offe... read more
Chief Joseph Welcomes Everyone
Published on 12/17/09 by May, William Victor — Can I invite you to the most unique and remote mountain lodges in Washington State? It is called Chief Joseph Lodge and sits dead center in the middle of the state and five miles up from the summit of Blewett Pass highway. Click here to take a look. www.ChiefJosephLodge.com. There are photos, vid... read more
Snoqualmie Pass Real Estate, Mortgage, and Economy
Published on 12/14/09 by Wolter, Thomas — KEEPING ON KEEPING ON - For the fourth week in a row the markets moved sideways, with one index slightly up, one a bit down and the third flat. Recently, there haven't been any extreme weekly market moves in the indexes, up or down. Investors aren't quite ready to believe things are as good as some ... read more
Complaints, Compliments and Compassion
Published on 11/19/09 by May, William Victor — For a number of years our company has been donating vacation rental use to a wonderful group called OutdoorsForAll.org (Formerly SkiForAll.org). Their mission is to enrich the quality of life for children and adults with di... read more
Everything Robert Fulgham Learned in Kindergarten
Published on 11/01/09 by May, William Victor — I stumbled onto an Internet posting the other day that told me it has been twenty years since Robert Fulgham wroteEverything I Really Need to Know I Learned in kindergarten.... read more
Remembering the "Thank You" Game
Published on 09/01/09 by May, William Victor — Surprises are great. And thank you's are best. In an industry like property management that requires attention to detail, constant supervision and reconciliation of occasionally conflicting goals between guests and owners it is too easy to forget the little personal things that make life worth liv... read more
Ocean Shores and Westport are Beaches Like No Other
Published on 08/01/09 by May, William Victor — A truth in advertising disclaimer is required first. Although I haven't lived in the area in almost 40 years, I must admit that I did grew up in several towns on the Washington Coast. Up until 4th grade the town of Raymond was where my parents lived and, you know how that goes, so did me. After th... read more
World's First Vacation Rental Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
Published on 03/18/09 by May, William Victor — The every increasing cost of advertising on the mammoth impersonal vacation rental listing websites has spawned innovation. On April 6th, the Vacation Rental Industry Association, with the help of Plumbob Publishing is unveiling the first every Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for Vacation Rentals. T... read more
You Can Still Go On Vacation
Published on 03/09/09 by May, William Victor — What will happen if unemployment hits 8% in the US? If you passed remedial math in school you know that means 92% of folks are still employed. While the 92% may be holding back on expenses but life goes on. The employed will continue to buy groceries, clothes, cable TV, phone services and - make n... read more
Lotus Hale Hawaiin Villa Vs. Poipu Grand Hyatt Hotel
Published on 01/09/09 by May, William Victor — The Grand Hyatt at Poipu Kauai Hawaii is a real gem. If you want beauty and pampering this is your place - provided you want to a small room, high prices, less privacy and a hike to everything you might want to do. For just about $400 per night you get one of the 602 motel 6 size rooms. Better appo... read more
Barack Obama Endorses Vacation Rentals
Published on 11/24/08 by May, William Victor — The next President of the United States has effectively endorsed the entire concept of Vacation Rentals by renting a private home in Kailua on the North Shore of Oahu, a Hawaiian Island. He is staying there for a week with his wife Michelle and two daughters. He is staying at a secluded beach re... read more
