TITUSVILLE - Vacation home owners in Titusville beware: You may soon become a lawbreaker.

On Tuesday, the city began considering a proposed ordinance that prohibits detached single-family home rentals for three months or less within most zoning districts, "in order to preserve the character and integrity of residential neighborhoods."

The measure must go through at least one more reading before a vote.

The ordinance came at the request of City Attorney Dwight Severs, who heard complaints from neighbors concerned about revolving residents and party noise.

But at least one vacation homeowner, whose Spanish-style, 1920s-era home sits in one of the affected zoning districts, questioned whether the measure was necessary.

"Titusville is not a party town," said Greg Valdyke of Titusville, who says Canadian snowbirds and employees on short-term assignments have rented his property. "Neighbors have inquired if there's anyone there, that's how quiet it is."

The ordinance won't apply to many properties, though. In an online search, most vacation rentals in town are condominiums or apartments, which aren't affected by the proposed rules.

Property owners also have some wiggle room within the proposed law. The provision doesn't apply to a single-family detached dwelling if it is located within 100 feet of any commercial zoned district.

Any property owner who qualifies for the exempted area needs to obtain a business license from the city.

Valdyke said he didn't mind getting a business license. But he doesn't think there's any reason for the city to even contemplate this ordinance.

"I think Titusville's got problems with sewer systems and potholes," he said. "We have enough things to spend money on."

Other governments in Brevard County have enacted rules regulating vacation properties.

Cape Canaveral recently approved an ordinance that bans most short-term rentals, 30 days or less, and restricts resort condominium rentals to commercial zones and other conditions.

Brevard County adopted a ban in May 2005 that prohibits private home rentals shorter than 90 days and requires a parking space for each bedroom in the house.

BY JESSICA RAYNOR
FLORIDA TODAY
Contact Raynor at 360-1016 or jraynor@floridatoday.com.

Single parents face several challenges when it comes to vacationing with their kids – not least of which is keeping costs under control. And while the main goal of your trip is likely to spend quality time together as a family, you should be able to have some adult fun in the process sans children. The travel industry has recognized this growing segment of the population and as a result, there are more vacation options for single parents now than ever before.

Of course, the majority of the families you’ll meet on your next vacation will likely be two-parent families. Some solo parents worry they and their children will feel out of place on their next cruise or at the all-inclusive resort. There are three things you can do – the first is get over it, and be proud of your kids and what you have accomplished on your own. The second is travel with a group that caters to single-parent families or take advantage of travel deals for single parents, where the majority of other travelers are likely to be in your same boat. The third is to pair up with another single-parent family – maybe you have a sibling or a close friend who is also a single parent. That way you’ll have adult companionship and the kids will have automatic friends.

Keeping Costs Down
Here’s the problem many single parents face when they try to book a vacation with their kids: Most prices are based on two adults and double occupancy. Obviously you don’t want to pay an adult price for your eight-year old who eats nothing but chicken fingers and won’t be enjoying a poolside pina colada. So what’s the alternative? You could pay the single supplement for yourself and then pay a kids’ fare. There are no clear-cut answers for saving money here – you just have to do the math and see what works for you. Single parents might also want to consider the possibility that booking an individual itinerary, rather than a package deal, might be the more economical route. Just don’t forget to factor in the costs of food and entertainment.

Booking a vacation rental is an excellent way to save money. There are no single supplements and you’ll likely have more room than in a resort or on a cruise ship. You’ll also have a kitchen so you can keep the dining out to a minimum. And vacation rentals aren’t just for weeklong stays at the beach anymore – you can rent homes and villas all over the world, a great way to spend a week with your kids in Europe, immerse them in the culture and have a home base all at the same time.

Think about visiting a national park. You need not be the Swiss Family Robinson – families of all shapes, sizes and leisure preference enjoy these trips. Best of all, you likely won’t have to go far from home to find a national park or seashore – there are many more than you probably realize, some perhaps within driving distance of your home. Accommodations vary widely – you can rough it at a campsite or relax at a rustic lodge. In any case, there’ll be no shortage of activities to choose from.

Single parents face several challenges when it comes to vacationing with their kids – not least of which is keeping costs under control. And while the main goal of your trip is likely to spend quality time together as a family, you should be able to have some adult fun in the process sans children. The travel industry has recognized this growing segment of the population and as a result, there are more vacation options for single parents now than ever before.

Of course, the majority of the families you’ll meet on your next vacation will likely be two-parent families. Some solo parents worry they and their children will feel out of place on their next cruise or at the all-inclusive resort. There are three things you can do – the first is get over it, and be proud of your kids and what you have accomplished on your own. The second is travel with a group that caters to single-parent families or take advantage of travel deals for single parents, where the majority of other travelers are likely to be in your same boat. The third is to pair up with another single-parent family – maybe you have a sibling or a close friend who is also a single parent. That way you’ll have adult companionship and the kids will have automatic friends.

Keeping Costs Down
Here’s the problem many single parents face when they try to book a vacation with their kids: Most prices are based on two adults and double occupancy. Obviously you don’t want to pay an adult price for your eight-year old who eats nothing but chicken fingers and won’t be enjoying a poolside pina colada. So what’s the alternative? You could pay the single supplement for yourself and then pay a kids’ fare. There are no clear-cut answers for saving money here – you just have to do the math and see what works for you. Single parents might also want to consider the possibility that booking an individual itinerary, rather than a package deal, might be the more economical route. Just don’t forget to factor in the costs of food and entertainment.

Booking a vacation rental is an excellent way to save money. There are no single supplements and you’ll likely have more room than in a resort or on a cruise ship. You’ll also have a kitchen so you can keep the dining out to a minimum. And vacation rentals aren’t just for weeklong stays at the beach anymore – you can rent homes and villas all over the world, a great way to spend a week with your kids in Europe, immerse them in the culture and have a home base all at the same time.

Think about visiting a national park. You need not be the Swiss Family Robinson – families of all shapes, sizes and leisure preference enjoy these trips. Best of all, you likely won’t have to go far from home to find a national park or seashore – there are many more than you probably realize, some perhaps within driving distance of your home. Accommodations vary widely – you can rough it at a campsite or relax at a rustic lodge. In any case, there’ll be no shortage of activities to choose from.

Even if you and the kids have your hearts set on a Caribbean cruise or an all-inclusive resort, there are ways to save. Be on the lookout for single-parent specials – this spring for example, Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos are offering all-inclusive vacations that waive the single supplement and host an adults-only cocktail party for the parents. VacationsToGo.com is advertising two Caribbean cruises for single parents this summer that include kids-only and parents-only activities, with plenty of time left over for togetherness.

Tips for Taking the Kids
- If you plan on leaving the country, make sure you and your child’s passport are up to date.
- Keep in mind that as of December 31, 2005, all travelers will need a passport to travel to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.
- If you are not the child’s sole legal guardian, have the other parent sign a notarized letter of consent if you plan on taking a minor child out of the country.
- Carry a recent photo of your child with you on the trip. Each day, make a mental note of what your child is wearing. This will be important and useful information if your child gets lost.
- Take all essential items for the children, like medication, in carry on luggage.
- If you’ll be renting a car, consider bringing your own car seat – chances are it is a better quality and more comfortable than the ones available from the rental car companies.

By Genevieve S. Brown

Back from summer vacation? Need another one? Beach and mountain vacation rentals are always more affordable in the fall season than in the peak summer or winter months. And this year, expect deals to become steals.

"It has always been the case in the off-season that owners are going to be a lot more flexible with price," says Brian Sharples, chief executive of vacation rental Web site HomeAway.com. But in 2007, even the summer has turned out to be a renter's market in some spots, as higher inventory and increased competition leave many owners in a position where they have to negotiate.

"My perception is that the reason there is lots of good stuff out there has much to do with the fact that there's just a lot of new supply," Sharples says. "There is so much inventory coming to market that there are places available at the last minute."

More rentals, fewer renters
The reason for the increased supply is twofold. A vacation property construction boom over the past few years has boosted the number of vacation homes out there—44 percent of vacation homes purchased in 2006 were new, according to the National Association of Realtors. Now falling home values have made renting out a home for extra cash a more appealing option.

"When everybody felt good about appreciation they didn't even need to rent," says Sharples. "Now that people have started to get concerned about valuations, we're seeing a lot more people moving into the rental market." HomeAway.com was launched in June, 2006, with 60,000 properties in 90 countries, and now has 95,000 properties in 100 countries.

In the ski resort town of Stowe, Vt., Annette O'Brien rents out her primary residence—a five-bedroom house with mountain views—about 90 days a year, in part to help pay a staggering $13,000 a year in property taxes. This year O'Brien says she plans to discount more than usual. "So far I would say demand has been slower," she says. "My inquiries are a lot less than they used to be."

A family affair
It's not Martha's Vineyard, but Stowe is even busier in the summer than during the peak winter ski season of December and January, O'Brien says. Families spend weeks hiking, biking, and horseback riding against the scenic mountain backdrop, enjoying the milder weather and avoiding the crowds of beach resorts. Between the peak summer and winter seasons, kids go back to school and rentals become cheaper, and this fall could turn out to be the best bargaining season in years.

"Basically all the rentals have been slower because there are so many now," says O'Brien. "Everyone is going to drop their prices in September and October. You can get a really good deal after the eighth [of October], and there's still plenty of foliage left."

Since renting a house for a vacation is usually a family affair, the peak seasons for rentals are directly related to school schedules, making July, August, spring break, and the weeks surrounding the Christmas holiday the busiest times at most mountain and beach resort areas. Ski areas remain popular in January. The off-season generally starts after Labor Day and runs through November, picking up again in the spring.

September, sometimes referred to as the "shoulder season," can be an ideal time to vacation, especially along the Atlantic seaboard where the air and water are still warm but the prices have cooled. "You get out of August and into September and you'll find a tremendous amount of availability in Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, or the Carolinas," says Sharples. "I've actually been to Nantucket in September and it was wonderful because you could park and have the shops to yourself."

tips for deal-seekers
Finding a good rental deal in the upcoming off-season may not be much of a challenge, but it still helps to know how to get your full money's worth. Pay attention to local school-district schedules and avoid renting during break periods, says Christine Karpinski, author of "How to Rent Vacation Properties By Owner" and owner of vacation rentals in Florida and the Tennessee mountains. Many southern schools begin in August and have a fall break either in the last week of September or the first week of October.

"The second and third weeks of September and the third and fourth weeks of October are going to be great weeks to find deals in Florida, Georgia, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head, S.C., the Tennessee mountains, Branson, Mo., and the Ozarks," Karpinski says. "And historically, the first week of November is the cheapest week." The Gulf of Mexico is still relatively warm at this time, she notes.

Dealing yourself out
To maximize the luxury factor, you might also want to look for rental homes advertised as "an eight-bedroom for the price of a two-bedroom," Karpinski says. Sometimes owners lock off bedrooms and rent a house for less, but you still get luxurious amenities such as a living room with cathedral ceilings and a spacious bathroom with Jacuzzi tub.

Remember, there is always room for negotiation in the off-season. Just don't push it too far. Many people who own second homes don't need to rent them out, and have just come out of their busy season with a lot of money. "Don't ask 'what is the best deal you can give me,'" Karpinski advises. "If your objective is getting the best place for the cheapest amount I don't want that kind of renter in my property. But it's okay to say, 'Hey, is that your best price?'"

Second homes are becoming more attractive for owners and vacationers who are seeking more personal accommodations for vacation rentals. VacationRentals.com offers a seamless online connection between rental property owners and vacationers.

Using a real estate marketing model, VacationRentals.com provides owners a comprehensive website to market their vacation rentals. The listing application is done in three easy steps. First, read the user-friendly guidelines, register, and then begin listing your property. After submitting property information for vacation rentals and verifying data, the listing is submitted. With each listing, owners may submit up to four property photos (eight for paid listings). VacationRentals.com also offers an online availability calendar on all listings.

Vacationers will find VacationRentals.com a user-friendly travel site for finding vacation rentals. Users simply click on a desired destination from the VacationRentals.com home page, choose a specific location for vacation rentals using online mapping service, and then view photos of available vacation rentals. Vacationers can choose the type of accommodations—from condos to houses or duplexes—and view details of each vacation rental, including price, size, amenities, local attraction, times available, and other details to make selecting a vacation rental property a pleasure.

With VacationRentals.com, property owners and vacationers can find:

Accommodations tailored to each traveler

Professional marketing of vacation rental property

Precise world wide vacation property rental service
To begin listing a property as an available vacation rental or to start searching for accommodations for an upcoming trip, visit vacation rental listing also provides a profile and direct link to the property owners, so travelers can contact owners with any questions or for further details about a chosen property.

About VacationRentals.com
VacationRentals.com is based on a new technology, which has recently experienced tremendous growth. With its real estate based website design, it has become the industry model for online vacation rentals. Founded in 1997, it is the creative merging of a construction industry database and a vacation planning concern resulting in the ideal online vacation home rental website.

Vacation Rentals Web Directory announces its launch. The first and only human-edited directory, the site is led by an experienced team of vacation rental experts who are dedicated to improving the vacations rental marketplace.

Fort Lauderdale, FL August 13, 2007 -- Vacation Rentals Web Directory, a new directory of vacation rentals, announces its recent launch. VRWD.com is the first and only vacation rental directory that provides a single gateway to the many thousands of vacation rental websites from all over the world.

VRWD.com is designed to provide a new advertising channel for vacation rental owners and publishers. Benefits of adding a listing to VRWD.com include increased search engine ranking and quality referrals. In addition, sites that are approved for listing on VRWD are issued a Trusted Vacation Rental seal that can be used to improve vacation rental public trust. Vacation rental listings on VRWD.com may be reviewed and rated by vacation rental experts, editors, customers and visitors.

"The launch of VRWD.com marks the new era in vacation rentals," says John Romano, VRWD.com chief executive officer. "With the increased popularity of vacation rentals over the past few years and with no standardization within the industry, VRWD.com provides a new and unique opportunity for vacation rental owners and publishers to get rated and gain trust among vacationers."

Submitting a vacation rental listing and using the Trusted Vacation Rental Seal is free. VRWD.com also offers paid submissions for featured and premium listings, which occupy a higher position under the search result pages.

About Vacation Rentals Web Directory
Vacation Rentals Web Directory (VRWD.com) is the world's first and only marketplace that reviews and rates vacation rental websites and vacation home listings from around the world.

The VRWD.com human-edited directory provides a single gateway to everyone involved in vacation rentals: Renters can find trusted vacation rental websites and homes for free, while vacation rental owners and publishers can become trusted members for free and receive many marketing benefits.

VRWD.com is committed to quality and reviews every submitted listing before approval. The site only lists vacation rental-related Web sites. VRWD.com is led by an experienced team of vacation rental experts who are dedicated to making vacation rentals a more consolidated and trusted marketplace.

For more information, contact:
PR Staff
Phone: 305-407-2747
3531 Griffin Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312