Condo-Hotels – A New Second-Home Alternative to Time SharesWritten by Leon Altman
Condo-hotels have evolved as a better, more reliable second home alternative to time-shares. They are usually attractive, high-rise hotels on ocean or in other prime locations, and range in price from mid $200,000s to over 1 million, depending on size, location, and amenities.Many of biggest names in hotel industry have condo-hotel buildings, including Hilton, Four Seasons, Clarion, and Ritz-Carlton. Donald Trump has numerous condo- hotel facilities across country, including a building in Fort Lauderdale and another in Sunny Isles, Florida. In general, condo-hotel properties have been highly successful with all or nearly all units selling out within months of first offering. For example, Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne is a beachfront property with 188 condo-hotel units, all of which sold out a year before building was even finished. Needless to say, values of condo-hotels in this building have gone up significantly. There are several reasons for popularity of condo-hotels. When you purchase a property, you purchase a condo unit in hotel. Unlike a time share, you have access to property whenever you want, and it is put into a rental pool when you are not in residence. Although developers can’t guarantee properties will rent, management by a well-known hospitality group will typically result in several weeks of rental income. This is one of biggest appeals of condo-hotels because rental income can offset some of costs of owning a vacation property. In addition, management company takes care of renting unit, using their connections and expertise. You don’t have to worry about any of these details. Most rental agreements split income 50/50 between management company and owner. However, some properties offer more favorable arrangements, and this is another aspect to consider when deciding which property to purchase.
| | Artistic Exhibit Embraces Indiana’s Past & PresentWritten by By Melody Schubert
A picture paints a thousand words. The beauty of art is that an artist can provoke emotion with several brush strokes. For each person who views painting feelings and memories will be unique. Indiana is home to many extraordinary artists like T.C. Steele. At Indiana Historical Society we explored one of many wonderful exhibits called The Art of Healing. The Art of Healing took us back to explore work of sixteen prominent Indiana artists including T.C. Steele, Carl Graf, Otto Starke. These artists contributed to a mammoth project 1914 resulting in an estimated quarter mile of artwork. Hidden within confines of one of nation's oldest county hospitals in Indiana were a series of historic and unprecedented of mural paintings. A painting can take you back to happier days. The Wishard art collection of murals originally celebrated opening of new wings for patients within hospital. Artists who worked on this extensive creative project also slept and ate at hospital. What they created were priceless pieces of art that helped lift spirits of patients. Project supervisor and famous Hoosier artist William Forsyth regarded this work as "the most ambitious and monumental work yet undertaken by Indianapolis artists." Artists represented in collection include William Forsyth, Wayman Adams, William Edouard Scott, J. Ottis Adams and T.C. Steele. The exhibit raised awareness of restoration needs to preserve these timeless pieces of art. Patrons who visit History Market gift shop in Indiana History Center continue to support project. Each tax-deductible donation or purchase of calendar’s, note cards, magnets, and screensavers related to exhibit at gift shop helps continuing efforts to restore and preserve these cherished paintings. Once restored, murals and paintings will return to public areas of Wishard Memorial Hospital, Indiana's leading public hospital.
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