Winter Park Resort broke ground this summer on the new Village Cabriolet!
The Cabriolet (aslo know as an open air gondola) will provide free transportation between the Vintage Hotel and the new base village at Winter Park. Dropping pasangers off in the new Base Village where they will be able to experience the new Winter Park once they step on the Cabriolet.
Once in place the Winter Park Resort bus shuttle for this particular route will no longer be utilized. People will be encouraged to park at the Vintage Hotel.
The Cabriolet will have the capacity to run 2,800 passangers per hour along with all of their equipment. Completion is scheduled for late Octover so be sure to stop by and ride the newest addition to the Village at Winter Park.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Choices, Choices, Choices- Countertops
You are ready to purchase or remodel your mountain getaway in Winter Park. One of the decisions to make is what type of countertop should you select? With so many material selections and price points, not to mention color choices, no wonder it is confusing. While no material is perfect for every application, we can simplify the material selections.
The old standby is Formica. It was the hottest material is the 1950's for countertops and now comes is a variety of colors. This man made material is prone to staining and scratching. It's updated cousin is laminate which not only comes in a plethora of colors, but also in varying textures. Although laminates resists stains and heat damage, it can be easily scratched. Prices range from $10-$30/sq ft.
Wood countertops come in and out of style. There are a variety of wood types available from light to dark colors like white oak to walnut and exotic woods such as tigerwood, teak and highly renewable sources like bamboo. Wood is typically used as an accent countertop. Wood must be maintained and since it is porous, cleanliness is a major concern. Wood is heat resistant. Because wood is soft, scratches can be easily removed, however, most homeowners prefer to keep the scratches and imperfections as it adds character and charm to their home. Wood countertops range from $35-$100/sq ft.
Countertops made of manufactured tile or porcelain are very very heat resistant and come in every imaginable color from solids to natural looking stone and granite. Although these ceramic materials are very hard and non porous (especially if glazed), they can chip. Clients must maintain the grout as grout can easily stain. Ceramic tiles come in various sizes, but typical dimensions are 4", 6" and 12" tiles. Costs range from $10-$30/sq ft.
Granite countertops are still the most popular choice for high end homes. Granite can be purchased in typical tile sizes or be custom cut for your counter tops. Granite is very durable and can take the heat. All natural materials should be periodically sealed. Granite is typically polished to a brilliant finish, but new textures trends include "leathered" and "antique". Edge finishes, such as bull nosing can dramatically increase the price. There are a variety of colors including black, green, blue and red and combinations of every hue. Patterns vary from solids to abstract. Costs range from $50-$200/sq ft.
There are a number of solid surface man made materials. Some contain 99% natural materials such as quartz and some contain 99% man made materials that look natural. These solid surface materials also come in a variety of colors and are typically custom sized to your kitchen needs. These easy to clean materials are non porous and manufacturers tout their cleanliness. Prices range from $75-150/ sq ft.
What should use choose? Your budget, style and usage will guide you. Mixing materials and colors is a trend that many designers are incorporating into kitchens. You may decide to use natural stone in high visiblity and high use areas and mandmade materials in low use and low visibility areas. Choose what you like and are comfortable with.
If in doubt, contact a certified and qualified designer. There are several here in Winter Park that can help guide you.
The old standby is Formica. It was the hottest material is the 1950's for countertops and now comes is a variety of colors. This man made material is prone to staining and scratching. It's updated cousin is laminate which not only comes in a plethora of colors, but also in varying textures. Although laminates resists stains and heat damage, it can be easily scratched. Prices range from $10-$30/sq ft.
Wood countertops come in and out of style. There are a variety of wood types available from light to dark colors like white oak to walnut and exotic woods such as tigerwood, teak and highly renewable sources like bamboo. Wood is typically used as an accent countertop. Wood must be maintained and since it is porous, cleanliness is a major concern. Wood is heat resistant. Because wood is soft, scratches can be easily removed, however, most homeowners prefer to keep the scratches and imperfections as it adds character and charm to their home. Wood countertops range from $35-$100/sq ft.
Countertops made of manufactured tile or porcelain are very very heat resistant and come in every imaginable color from solids to natural looking stone and granite. Although these ceramic materials are very hard and non porous (especially if glazed), they can chip. Clients must maintain the grout as grout can easily stain. Ceramic tiles come in various sizes, but typical dimensions are 4", 6" and 12" tiles. Costs range from $10-$30/sq ft.
Granite countertops are still the most popular choice for high end homes. Granite can be purchased in typical tile sizes or be custom cut for your counter tops. Granite is very durable and can take the heat. All natural materials should be periodically sealed. Granite is typically polished to a brilliant finish, but new textures trends include "leathered" and "antique". Edge finishes, such as bull nosing can dramatically increase the price. There are a variety of colors including black, green, blue and red and combinations of every hue. Patterns vary from solids to abstract. Costs range from $50-$200/sq ft.
There are a number of solid surface man made materials. Some contain 99% natural materials such as quartz and some contain 99% man made materials that look natural. These solid surface materials also come in a variety of colors and are typically custom sized to your kitchen needs. These easy to clean materials are non porous and manufacturers tout their cleanliness. Prices range from $75-150/ sq ft.
What should use choose? Your budget, style and usage will guide you. Mixing materials and colors is a trend that many designers are incorporating into kitchens. You may decide to use natural stone in high visiblity and high use areas and mandmade materials in low use and low visibility areas. Choose what you like and are comfortable with.
If in doubt, contact a certified and qualified designer. There are several here in Winter Park that can help guide you.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Winter Park Second Home Market
Buying a second home is not just for the extreme wealthy anymore. According to the National Association of Realtors 35% of the over all National Market is Resort and Second Home Properties.
The prospect of buying a second home can be an exciting one. A “home away from home” offers a person the opportunity to escape for the weekend or a vacation with family in a relaxing, less stressful environment than they are accustomed to in their daily lives. Splitting their time between two residences is a very attractive lifestyle for many. Others are looking for a place they eventually want to retire to.
More people choose the location of their second home based on where they truly want to live because it is a spot that is near and dear to their heart. A first home might have been purchased in a particular area due to financial consideration, proximity to school and work. But a second home is usually a place they long to be for the leisure time and the activities that they enjoy.
A second home is considered an investment due to the fact that it provides a tax break, much like a mortgage-interest tax deduction. It is also a way to diversify asset out of stocks. If the homeowner should decide to rent the property instead of live in it themselves, they will not only collect extra income, but may also be able to deduct depreciation. One should always consult their accountant on these advantages.
Winter Park and Grand County offers a lot of choices for folks who would like to invest in a second home in the mountains. There is a property for almost any pocket book. If you have never been to Grand County and enjoyed the beauty of wide open spaces and the multitude of out door activities you need to come take a look!
The prospect of buying a second home can be an exciting one. A “home away from home” offers a person the opportunity to escape for the weekend or a vacation with family in a relaxing, less stressful environment than they are accustomed to in their daily lives. Splitting their time between two residences is a very attractive lifestyle for many. Others are looking for a place they eventually want to retire to.
More people choose the location of their second home based on where they truly want to live because it is a spot that is near and dear to their heart. A first home might have been purchased in a particular area due to financial consideration, proximity to school and work. But a second home is usually a place they long to be for the leisure time and the activities that they enjoy.
A second home is considered an investment due to the fact that it provides a tax break, much like a mortgage-interest tax deduction. It is also a way to diversify asset out of stocks. If the homeowner should decide to rent the property instead of live in it themselves, they will not only collect extra income, but may also be able to deduct depreciation. One should always consult their accountant on these advantages.
Winter Park and Grand County offers a lot of choices for folks who would like to invest in a second home in the mountains. There is a property for almost any pocket book. If you have never been to Grand County and enjoyed the beauty of wide open spaces and the multitude of out door activities you need to come take a look!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
TRADE IN YOUR OLD CONDO!!!!!
Sterling Pointe, one of Grand County's newest developments is now offering a TRADE IN - STEP UP program!
An overview...
An overview...
- Go under contract to purchase a two or three bedroom condo, with attached garage
- List your old condo with a Grand County realtor
- If the condo sells prior to completion of your Sterling Pointe condo, you use that money for your purchase.
- If your old condo doesn't sell prior to buying your Sterling Pointe condo, the developers of Sterling Pointe will purchase your condo and you move forward on your brand new Sterling Pointe condo!
It's simple and assures that you can get out of the old condo prior to moving forward on Sterling Pointe!
Contact Team, Winter Park Partners for more details or to schedule an appointment to see the finishes, floor plans and what all of the excitement is about!!!
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