FVRMA

Recruit Fellow Vacation Rental Managers!

Executive Director — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:48:24 +0000

Recruit vacation rental managers in your area and tell them to join FVRMA – together we will support our legislative initiatives in Tallahassee – after all, we all benefit, why not support the group that works for you! In return, you might be eligible to receive a free Kindle, a complimentary registration for the 2012 FVRMA convention in May, or even a $100.00 AMEX gift card. Just remind your referral to enter your name on the “sponsored-by” line on the membership application.

FVRMA Enters Partnership with HD Supply

Executive Director — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:01:00 +0000

FVRMA members are guaranteed the lowest published, maximum-discount prices on any item you order from HD Supply. Click here to take advantage of this incredible member benefit!

Another one in the Win Column: FVRMA Bill Signed into Law by Governor Scott

Executive Director — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:23:31 +0000

Another one in the Win Column:

FVRMA Bill Signed into Law by Governor Scott

The FVRMA initiated bill, HB 883, passed the Florida Legislature in the closing days of the 2011 Session, and was signed into law by Governor Scott!

The 2011 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature concluded on May 6 and irrespective of the general negative undertones that defined this session, the Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association (FVRMA) had a successful session. As session began, FVRMA’s top priority was to pass HB 883 which would prohibit local governments from regulating, restricting, or prohibiting vacation rentals based solely on their classification, use or occupancy, change the classifications of vacation rentals from “resort dwellings” to vacation rentals and provide us a seat on the Advisory Council to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation! Were there set-backs? Yes. Were there needed compromises? Unfortunately, yes. But in the end, we prevailed and have etched out our segment of the hospitality industry in Florida!

Our Lobbyist, Lori Killinger, from the Lewis, Longman & Walker law firm, and her team began working with several of FVRMA’s board members in 2010 and devised a statutory resolution to the issue of sprinkler installation. That resolution amended the State Fire Marshal’s statute and clarified that a property owner shall not be required to install fire sprinklers in an existing residential property regardless of its use as a rental property.

We continued our efforts in 2011 and achieved this tremendous victory! We want to give our Legislative Counsel, Lori Killinger, Senator Greg Evers (R-2), and Representative Mike Horner (R-79) a huge “thank you” for their combined efforts on our behalf. Thanks also go to the FVRMA Legislative Committee and especially our outgoing and incoming Presidents, Paul Hayes and Brad Lear, for their unrelenting dedication to this effort.

Thank you for your support as FVRMA continues to fight for vacation rental managers!

Vacation Rental Business Expands in Florida

Executive Director — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:31:29 +0000

Vacation Rental Business Expands in Florida

Royal Shell Vacations has purchased Waterstone Resorts & Vacation Homes, Royal Shell announced today.

The purchase, made Tuesday for an undisclosed amount, brings Royal Shell to a total of just more than 1,000 vacation rental units, said managing broker Don DeLuca.

“It’s a good fit,” he said, noting that many of the more than 300 units Waterstone manages are in the Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach area where Royal Shell has few. Royal Shell already has a strong presence in Sanibel and Captiva and also in Naples, DeLuca said.

Sanibel-based Waterstone was formed in 2005 to manage vacation rentals along the Gulf coast. Royal Shell Vacations was founded in 2006 on Sanibel. It’s one of a family of affiliated companies founded by the Roberts family based in Wilmington, Ohio.

CEO Larry Roberts Sr. founded R & L Carriers and R.L.R. Investments more than 35 years ago. Today R.L.R. Investments’ real estate holdings range from transportation and distributing to hospitality and retail properties.

Until last year, Royal Shell operated primarily on Sanibel and Captiva.

But then the company formed an alliance with Fort Myers-based real estate brokerage Denny Grimes & Co. to bring Royal Shell into that market, starting in early December.

Royal Shell also opened up a Naples office last year.

The latest expansion is part of the company’s strategy of creating a “one stop” provider of a broad spectrum of real estate sales and rentals in Southwest Florida, DeLuca said.

See original source here.

HomeAway: Booking a Reservation on Nasdaq

Executive Director — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:25:59 +0000

Backed by a group of well-known VCs that include Austin and Redpoint Ventures, HomeAway (AWAY) operates the world’s leading online marketplace for vacation rentals of privately owned homes, condos, villas and cabins. Travelers use HomeAway’s sites free of charge to locate, compare and select rentals using its online search tools, content and availability calendars, while property owners can access millions of travelers for a fixed annual fee (typically $300 per listing).

HomeAway plans to raise $204 million by offering 8 million shares (26% insider) at a price range of $24 to $27. At the midpoint of the proposed range, the company will command a market value of $2.2 billion. HomeAway plans to list on the Nasdaq under the symbol AWAY. Morgan Stanley (MS), Deutsche Bank Securities (DB), Goldman Sachs (GS) and JP Morgan (JPM) are the lead managers on the deal, which was expected to price today.

Business

Having spent the past several years aggressively making acquisitions, HomeAway is now to continue reading click here…