Blog

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

Bill Gates' Favorite Burger Joint

Published on 12/01/10 by May, William Victor — Over the decades there have been numerous stories here in the Northwest U.S. about how the favorite restaurant of Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, was an old fashioned burger stand not far from Microsoft's campus. You might like it too. read more

Nothing Beats Chateau Chocolate Cake

Published on 10/01/10 by May, William Victor — Years ago when I operated an advertising agency we sure thought we worked long and hard. Not to reveal my age, but I remember when we had to "spec" type, courier the details to a type setter and then wait days while it was set and returned to us. We then had to paste the galleys onto art board along with photos or other art to arrange the desired final ad. 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

Do's and Don'ts for Vacation Rental Listing Websites

Published on 02/01/10 by May, William Victor — We are revisiting how Vacation Rental Listing Directory Websites operate. In the last issue, their successes and failures were outlined. (Go to the Newsletter Directory to read the first part in this two part series). You were promised a list of do's and don'ts that we would like to see them all read more

Complaints, Compliments and Compassion

Published on 11/18/09 by May, William Victor — She wanted to go to the beach. It was to be a special trip with her daughter who had special needs. Larger homes were her preference, but a plain ocean front condo was her budget. She asked for a first floor home and a vendor to provide oxygen. 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

The New World of Publishing

Published on 01/23/09 by May, William Victor — I have been in, around, up to and about communication, journalism, advertising, marketing and publishing for a lot of years in one form or another. But this is a new era. The era of online publishing. Our company Plumbob Publishing is a thrown back to the era when journalists actually tried to veri 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

Breathtaking Photographs Are Closer Than You Think

Published on 04/19/05 by Mcintyre, Jonathan — Nothing, and I mean nothing, can help sell your rental more quickly to a perspective tenant than a great photo. There is little that ameliorates a poor website more than clear, representative and numerous photos highlighting the best your vacation property has to offer. Does your home have a beaut read more

How to get sued, without really trying.

Published on 10/11/04 by May, William Victor — It is easy to become wildly enthusiastic about the money-making aspects of buying and renting your own vacation rental home, what with the many factors contributing to the rapid growth of private vacation rentals: internet advertising, low interest rates, an emphasis on leisure and the post-911 read more

Vacation Rentals In Afghanistan

Published on 09/05/04 by May, William Victor — I kid you not. The LA Times is reporting that Estullah Rooz, after years of fighting Soviets, rival Mujahedee and the Taliban, the man known as the Commander Mullah is going corporate. And how you say? Well, he's building the first Swiss designed and pre-fabricated Vacation Rental homes on Lake Qarg read more

Be Selfish If You Donate Your Rental

Published on 04/19/04 by May, William Victor — New owners of Vacation Rental homes quickly learn how many friends they really have. And I don't just mean cousin Jenny and her 12 screaming kids who would love to spend every week end at your lake house this summer chowing down on your hamburgers and chips. No, I am referring to all the truly great read more