vacation home

As ski areas in the West begin to open, a still-struggling economy and variable weather patterns could adversely affect America's multi-billion-dollar ski industry this season.

It's that time of year when visions of beaches dance in one's head. Or perhaps you prefer a Rocky Mountain high. Whichever rocks your boat, now is the time to jump into a vacation home, real estate experts say. "It's absolutely a good time to buy," says Ken Kamen, president of New Jersey-based...

For sale: Three-bedroom homes with heart-stopping ocean views. Big properties. Resort nearby. Price: $139,000 Location: Not the Hamptons (or Malibu or Palm Beach) What, you thought it was 1950? No matter. If you're willing to fly to Managua, Nicaragua, and make the two-hour trek to lovely San...

Renting out a vacation home is a growing and largely unregulated industry. Pop the place up on Craiglist and a homeowner is in business. The National Association of Realtors reported that the number of second-home owners renting out their properties has increased from 18% in 2006 to 25% last year....