Four Seasons Ocean Residences - Luxury Living Takes to the High Seas

The Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts is getting ready to launch the newest fashion in luxury housing: sumptuous ocean residences aboard a private ship that circumnavigates the globe and spends more than 250 nights a year in unique ports from Antartica to the Amazon. Each year's itinerary will include major world events like the Rio Carnival, The America's Cup, The British Open Championship, the Grand Prix in Monaco and the 2010 London Olympics, and ship residents will enjoy unhurried on-shore excursions coordinated by their onboard concierge.

Encompassing 13 decks, this ocean bound city will have 70,000 square feet (6,503 sq. m.) of incredible public amenities including an 11,000 square foot (3,353.8 sq. m.) Four Seasons Spa and fitness facility. There will also be a European-style promenade with high-end retail stores and boutiques, four restaurants, a wine cellar, gourmet market, business center with secretarial and videoconferencing services theater, golf simulator, driving range and putting greens, walking and jogging track, swimming pool with cabanas and helipad. An onboard marina will take guests from ship to shore, offer scuba expeditions and launch jets skis or sailboats.

The Four Seasons Ocean Residences will include 112 one to four bedroom homes from 800 square feet (74.1 sq. m.) to 7,860 square foot (730.2 sq. m.) penthouse suites. All units will be wholly owned, with ownership based on a 50-year leasehold, and owners will be able to renew or sell the lease at the end of that term. Residences and penthouses will feature private entry halls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and spacious living room areas with sea views. Homes will also boast expansive terraces, a full-size gourmet kitchen and private entrance for staff. Prices will begin at $3.8M and range up to $39M for one of the penthouse plans.

In addition to the private residences for sale, 18 guest suites and 11 butler suites will also be available for purchase or rental for the exclusive use of residence owners and their guests. 220 Four Seasons crew members will be on board at all times to provide 5 star service for a maximum of 550 residents. Owners will also receive a $12,000 credit per year for food, beverage and spa services on board ship.

For reservations to attend private events around the world, or for more information and floor plans, please contact the Tonnesen/Storey Team of Prudential Americana Group Realtors at 1-702-596-7821 or register on our web site at: Four Seasons Ocean Residences

Las Vegas Foreclosures - Keeping Your Home

Las Vegas Foreclosures - Few things are as devastating as losing your home. About 30 percent to 40 percent of the people who get behind in their payments never even contact their lender. Many times they feel like the lender can't do anything for them, and they are ashamed to admit they can't meet their commitments. But foreclosure is not always inevitable, and in many cases it can be avoided with some outside help and a little work.

From the lender's standpoint, it's not uncommon that the sale of the foreclosed home is insufficient to cover the remainder of the mortgage. When the property has been damaged, or market values have dropped, the lender may end up with a bill in the tens of thousands for the difference. Despite what many people think, most lending institutions are not anxious to foreclose. It's a last-ditch effort to recover their money and minimize their losses, and it's an incredible hassle. Most lenders would rather avoid it, if possible.

Sometimes foreclosure can be avoided by getting on a different mortgage program with lower payments. Before you get too far behind, talk to a loan officer about the possibility of refinancing your mortgage to perhaps an adjustable rate mortgage or one with interest only payments. A few hundred dollars less on the mortgage payment may make the difference in being able to keep your home.

Many borrowers can qualify for a new payment structure with their existing lender under "special forebearance" if they've had an increase in their cost-of-living, such as unexpected medical expenses, or a decrease in wages. This payment structure will allow the owner to repay the lender in a given time frame.

Sometimes it is necessary to sell your home and find a new place to move into. Don't believe that it will be better to let the foreclosure happen, because after you lose your home, you will still need to find a new place to live. All too often, the price you will need to pay in rent will be almost as high if not higher than your current mortgage payment. Remember: The owner of the rental property needs to make his mortgage payment, too, so he's going to charge a rental payment that's higher than his mortgage costs. If your credit is bad from a foreclosure, the landlord will charge you even more because you are now a high risk.

In this case you will need to contact your existing mortgage lender to let them know you intend to sell the home and get their cooperation to allow you the time to do it. If your home is worth less than the mortgage and closing costs, the lender may even be willing to do a "short sale," that is take less than the property is worth, just to expedite the process and not have to go through formal foreclosure proceedings. The key thing to remember is, communicate with your lender. If they feel you are trying to do everything possible to meet your obligations they will be willing to work with you.

There are multiple sources for help that you should be aware of, and most lenders will be happy to hear that their clients are going to try to keep their home rather than just await a foreclosure. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development maintains a list of HUD-approved counseling agencies. Call (800) 569-4287 to find the agency nearest to you. FHA borrowers may even qualify to have HUD make a one-time payment to bring their mortgage current. If you need help refinancing in Las Vegas, contact Las Vegas mortgage broker Glen Tonnesen at 702-524-7216 for confidential assistance.

Verge Grand Opening Set for March 15th

VERGE will be having it's Grand Opening Ceremony for registered Priority Interest List clients and their agents on March 15th, 2007. As a registered Priority Interest List client of the Tonnesen Team, you are invited to attend, so come join us for the hottest party of the night to eat, drink and mingle with the key players of Old and New Las Vegas. Mayor Oscar Goodman will be there for the ribbon cutting and to give us his insights on the newly emerging downtown redevelopment. And Mark Stark, CEO of Prudential Americana and Darren Dunckel, the developer, will be keynote speakers about the Las Vegas Real Estate Market. This will be everyone's first look at what VERGE will really be like, and it should be exciting!

No reservations will be taken at the Grand Opening Ceremony, this event will be purely for fun and information! We do expect fully refundable reservations will be taken within a week or two of the grand opening, and at the anticipated release prices, these units should go fast. So don't worry if you can't be there on the 15th. We will send you the all latest information from the event immediately by email! As preferred agents in this project, our clients will have first selections during pre sale reservations.

For more info on VERGE, Las Vegas new affordable mid rise downtown development starting from the mid $100s, go to: VERGE The Grand Opening Ceremony will be held from 5:30pm until 8:30pm at 516 North Main Street. To register go to our web site at: www.greatlasvegashomes.com/verge_registration.htm We look forward to seeing you there!