Win a Coastal Home

Only 32 days left to enter - one entry per day - for a chance to win a beach house in WindMark Beach, FL. WindMark Beach is a beachfront resort community on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida's NW panhandle. The community is located close to St. Joseph's Peninsula State Park Beach on Cape San Blas.

Hurricane Evacuation Prep

With hurricanes and tropical storms in the news, it is a good time whether you are in the projected path or not to consider getting your things in order to be ready for an evacuation should the need arise. Click here to review an article with some basic tips on packing for a hurricane evacuation.

Keeping your important documents and sentimental items that you do not have on display in sealable storage containers is a great way to have items already packed and ready to load into the car upon an evacuation notice being issued.

Hurricane Gustav

Hurricane Gustav appears to be on track to enter the Gulf of Mexico in the next several days. Already, cruise ships are being diverted. Tropical systems are another issue for coastal homeowners to contend with - especially in the SE and the Carribbean during the months of August and September. There are a multitude of things that can be done to attempt to protect one's home and a storm in the news brings many of these considerations to the forefront.

If you have storm shutters, now is a good time to check and make sure they are in working order and that you have all the hardware necessary to install them. For example, for some of the panels, wingnuts and proper tracks are required. If you are unsure about how to install the shutters or need assistance, it is a good idea to plan ahead and not be trying to figure this out, or have to try to buy parts, when there is a threatening storm.

Vacation Rentals

Should you market your coastal home as a vacation rental, it is important to make sure your home stands out as a quality property so that you will establish a repeat client base. Came across this article that identifies some steps to take to make your vacation rental more desirable.

Coastal Home Decor

Decorating a coastal home, or one that you want to have a coastal flair, is great fun and you can locate many unique pieces that will accomplish your special seashore style. Searching through some of the larger sites can be somewhat time consuming because keywords are not always the most obvious. Visit Coastal Home Shoppe to find some items that may meet your decorating needs.

Eveyone needs a "fun" bathroom - why not give your guest bath a surfing, tropical fish, sea glass, dolphin or sea turtle theme? Think beyond the typical palm or seashell shower curtains. Be creative & have fun!

Coconut Palms

Living along the coast affords opportunities to enjoy growing tropical plants - either in your garden or in decorative pots for accenting your home. Check out an article on how to grow a coconut palm from seed - using a coconut by clicking on the link above.

I have actually done this and it is great to have a coconut palm to accent the deck.