Tom-House-Blog

May 25

Hilton Head Plantation Homes for Sale

Hilton Head Plantation homes for sale vary by neighborhood (there are four distinct neighborhoods within this 4,000 acre gated plantation), square footage, price point, view, location and architectural style.  Hilton Head Plantation is an exceptional private community located on the north end of Hilton Head and is one of the most diverse plantations on the Island, offering spectacular waterfront views of Skull Creek and Port Royal Sound. 

There are approximately 3,800 homes within Hilton Head Plantation at price points for nearly every buyer.  Known for its extraordinary leisure opportunities and family-oriented activities, Hilton Head Plantation real estate offers the upscale amenities of the Country Club of Hilton Head, four 18-hole golf courses, tennis courts, the Skull Creek Marina, leisure trails, swimming pools and more.  Please contact HiltonHeadHomes.com for more information on Hilton Head Plantation homes for sale.

May 17

Our Experience With an Elvis Wedding

Last week my wife and I flew to Las Vegas to attend the wedding of one of her cousins that she was close to. We had no idea what to expect, being told only that the event would be dress-casual, whatever that means. What we discovered when we showed up for the ceremony was something we could have never expected to find. We experienced what had to be the best Elvis Presley wedding in Vegas of all time. We’d never been to an Elvis wedding before and so we really had a good time. The music was very cool – he sang a lot of songs — and the “Elvis” we had singing was in fact, quite good. He also serenaded the bride down the aisle to meet her groom and that was pretty cool too.

We talked with the newly married couple afterward at the reception in town and they said they only paid about $500 for the entire ceremony that included everything! That’s thousands cheaper than we paid on our own wedding and Elvis wasn’t even there! They were tempted by all six of the different Elvis wedding packages but they really did want it all. They took the time to decide what was most important to them and spent their money on that. In this case it was their honeymoon. All things considered, she said, the had the best Elvis Presley wedding in Vegas they could have possibly had and were thrilled about it.

Apr 17

Move Out of That Shoebox Brother

Funny that I was just blogging about space in my last blog entry and now come to find out my brother and his family have outgrown their home in Wilmington, NC, and are looking to move into something more spacious.

This past weekend they went down to the Brunswick Islands in North Carolina and took a look at some Holden Beach NC real estate. I think that house we rented in Surfside Beach made him realize that he really didn’t have to live in shoebox size home that he bought back when he was a bachelor and living alone. Now he has a wife, four growing children and a couple of dogs and he needs something much larger.

He liked most of the Holden Beach NC real estate that he looked at but he especially loved that they had a lot to show him in his price range. I think they found a few they want to make an offer on but haven’t decided on which one for sure yet. It’s unfortunate when you hear there are a lot of properties sitting around and then come to find out the majority of them aren’t even in your price range. He was lucky he had the great real estate agent that he did. She’s working pretty closely with him and his family to find the ideal piece of Holden Beach NC real estate ideally suited for him and his family.

Mar 23

Our Spacious House Rental

If you’re looking for spaciousness, quality and a good price on vacation rental property take a look at these Surfside Beach house rentals in South Carolina. These are located on the Southern end of Surfside Beach, just south of Myrtle Beach. It’s a quiet beach and excellent for fishing, boating and water sports of all kinds. Or, if you prefer, hours of endless beachcombing. The beach provides easy access to both the ocean and the inlet.

In these Surfside Beach house rentals you’re very close to the Grand Strand and all that Myrtle Beach has to offer. When you stay in one of these Surfside Beach house rentals you’ll have everything you need for a perfect vacation. From spacious houses with fully equipped kitchens and dining areas, living rooms, separate bedrooms and baths. Amenities sometimes include swimming pools, Jacuzzis, hottubs and saunas. I found these rentals to be some of the best I’ve ever stayed in so I keep coming back year after year.

The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum will exhibit “From Tree to Treasure:  An International Invitational Exhibition of Turned or Sculpted Wood” from January 15 through April 26, 2012. Regular gallery hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday.

Mar 19

It Feels Good To Be Working Again

Are you unemployed and looking for a new job? Or maybe you are retired but realize you need to make more money, perhaps through working a part-time job? Then you must consider being an independent travel agent where you work from your own house and set your own hours.

This is an unbelievable opportunity as I found out for myself. You’ll get exceptional training from a staff of seasoned, professional travel consultants and you’ll have the opportunity to learn as you grow your independent travel agent business. And you can work as much or as little as you want to! The experienced consultants that are training you are knowledgeable in all sorts of travel including worldwide vacation, group and corporate travel planning so you will be taught everything you need to know from experts in the field. As an independent travel agent you’ll get their support 7 days a week.

On the company’s website there’s a Frequently Asked Questions page that I found very helpful with many of the questions I came up with. Training is a really important factor to becoming successful in the travel industry and this program is designed so that anyone can quickly learn the ropes and begin making money fast. I did it, and you can too. It will feel really good to be working again, believe me.

Jul 18

Cape May Cottage Rentals

I wanted to go explore the historic city of Cape May, N.J. People travel from all over to tour the picturesque, tree-lined streets, perfectly landscaped gardens, and the multitude of Victorian buildings. Did you know Cape May boasts the second largest concentration of Victorian houses, behind San Francisco? It’s true.  It’s also been designated a National Historic Landmark city in order to preserve the gingerbread architecture that defines the city and draws in tourists. It’s really very special and quaint.

When it came time for me to select a rental to stay in I had to listen to my heart and chose one of the Cape May Cottage Rentals. Victorian houses are large and it was just me so a cozy cottage felt just right.

After strolling through town and admiring the beauty of the area, I spent the first day at Higbee Beach. This is one of the most popular beaches in Cape May due to its wide expanse of soft, white sand and generally gentle surf. But it wasn’t all that crowded on the weekday that I was there.

There is a long pier off the beach that is perfect for a casual stroll out towards the ocean or for just sightseeing. I spent at least an hour just watching the fishermen casting their lines out into the ocean. Other good beaches in the area include Windsor Avenue Beach, Grant Avenue Beach, and Broadway Beach.

I’ll be returning to Cape May again soon and I’m hoping to be able to stay in the same type of Cape May Cottage Rentals as I did this time.

Jun 01

Asheville log cabins

Have you ever wanted to spend your vacation in a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina?GreyBeard Realty has a number of Asheville log cabins available to select from. Many of these homes have wrap-around porches, some with rockers that permit you to sit, relax, and enjoy incredible views. Whether you want to be nestled in a secluded wooded setting with creeks running nearby or be in a cabin sitting on mountainsides with beautiful vistas, they have enough Asheville log cabins for you to find the perfect one for you.

Check out the website at GreyBeard Realty < where they have a really comprehensive search engine to help you find the type of property you’re hoping to rent.

May 11

Murrells Inlet accommodations

Coming to coastal South Carolina for a vacation this summer? There are plenty of places to stay but none will compare to the Inlet Sports Lodge in Murrells Inlet. Inlet Sports Lodge is a retreat for outdoor enthusiasts who live for the thrill of rugged adventures but still like to enjoy a little luxury on the side.

At these Murrells Inlet accommodations, you can mix deep sea fishing with fine dining, follow a challenging hike with an afternoon at a pristine beach or embark on a day of golf…all while soaking in the quiet serenity of Murrells Inlet from an upscale suite. Created by outdoor lovers and catering specifically to adventure travelers, Inlet Sports Lodge is unlike any other hotel along the East Coast.

Murrells Inlet accommodations at Inlet Sports Lodge offer top notch amenities such as a mini-kitchens with full-size refrigerators, custom china, granite counter tops, showers with body jets, 400 sq ft studios, 800 sq ft suites, outdoor heated pool, corporate meeting room, restaurant and bar, concierge services and much more.

May 03

Aspen Ritz Carlton

I can’t imagine any better place to stay when visiting Colorado than the Aspen Ritz Carlton. They offer an uncompromising level of service, first-class amenities, and definitely memorable vacations.

Aspen is a recreational, social and cultural mecca for people from all around the globe. It’s celebrated for many things including world-class skiing and snowboarding, acclaimed cuisine and one-of-a-kind shopping. The four local “super quartet” of mountains: Aspen, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk will make any ski lover giddy for a lifetime.

The Ritz-Carlton, Aspen Highlands sits at the foot of a 12,500 ft. mountain with stunning views and 125 trails. This ski-in/ski-out village is surrounded by terrain for every class of skier and includes the legendary “Highland Bowl.” Grow accustomed to your ski valet greeting you each day, or pursue pure relaxation and renewal in our pool areas or at the well-appointed spa and fitness center. With a special mix of authentic Western ambience and renowned Ritz-Carlton service, Aspen Ritz Carlton is a place you’ll want to return to again and again.

May 02

Johnson City TN wheelchair lifts

AeroFlow Healthcare offers a variety of Johnson City TN wheelchair lifts that allow you to transport your wheelchair or scooter on or in your vehicle. They carry quite a few different lifts and are able to find the right fit for most vehicles and budgets. They’ll help you in deciding which is the right lift for you and then will professionally install it and service it should it be needed.

Of all the Johnson City TN wheelchair lifts I looked I like the Harmar AL500 Lift best. It’s a premium universal outside chair lift and one of the few available for a Class II hitch-equipped vehicle. According to the website it was designed using universal tensioners rigorously used in public transportation. It is one of the safest and most universal outside lifts available. There is no chair modifications, cumbersome attachments or extra equipment to store with the AL500. It sure sounded like a winner to me!

Apr 29

Hilton Head homes for sale

If you’ve been considering a move to South Carolina you must check out the Hilton Head homes for sale. This is an awesome island on which to live your life. Hilton Head Island is known as the most family-friendly destination in the world.

Hilton Head Island’s weather is ideal for those wanting to explore the outdoors and soak up the sunshine. The Hilton Head area features a balmy, subtropical climate year round.

The largest barrier island off the Atlantic coast between Long Island and the Bahamas, Hilton Head is located 40 miles north of Savannah, GA, and 90 miles south of Charleston, SC. You’ll have everything you need on this 12 miles by 5 miles wide island you’ll be proud to call “Home”.

When you take time off from looking at Hilton Head homes for sale there’s plenty to do in the area. Favorite sights include Harbour Town and the Lighthouse (the heart of The Sea Pines Resort), the Coligny Circle area (the beach, shopping and dining all at one location), Shelter Cove Harbour (with fireworks every Tuesday night, June through August) and Old Town Bluffton (historic structures, art galleries and eclectic shopping).

Apr 28

Myrtle Beach builders

Of all the Myrtle Beach builders in the area only SunBelt Homes is built on trust and reliability. They have been building top quality homes to the Grand Strand area since 1986. With 10 floor plans to choose from they are sure to have just what you want in your future home.

Much more than cookie-cutter homes, these Myrtle Beach builders specialize in fully customized homes. They will work with you to build you the home you want to live in. To insure that you are 100% satisfied with you SunBelt home they will follow up with you 60 days and again at 11 months after completion to guarantee you are content.

Nov 28

Introduction to the Brunswick County North Carolina beaches

Sunset Beach North Carolina is a true example of the saying  “Great Things Come In Small Packages.”  It’s only three miles in length, but its a wonderful getaway from all the hustle and bustle.  To get onto the island you have to cross a floating bridge, which is North Carolina’s only one still in operation.  Check out some Sunset Beach Real Estate and hopefully we’ll see you soon!

Nov 05

Check this… my friend’s blog also!

Surfside Beach House Rentals

He’s best at it but I am still learning

Oct 26

My hunt for a retirement community in NC

I have been trying to find the perfect North Carolina retirement community. Being such a diverse state, there are a lot of options out there, but I am leaning toward the oceanfront towns on the southern end of the state. The Brunswick County area covers this region and includes beautiful neighborhoods such as Ocean Ridge Plantation and Winding River Plantation. I have vacationed there now a couple times and I think the Brunswick County area is the optimal place for a retirement community in North Carolina. Whether you’re focused more on amenities like prestine beaches, or you just want to get away from it all, check out the retirement communities in NC. I have found Doug at Carolina Plantations real estate very helpful in my saerch for NC retirement community. Get in touch with him on his website or feel free to email me directly or leave a comment on here if you want me to share some of my own thoughts and findings about these communities.

Thanks for stopping by my new blog and good luck if you are also on the same search for a retirement community in North Carolina!