http://www.stjoeclub.com
The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) ("St. Joe") today announced that it is launching St. Joe Club & Resorts, a private membership club that will provide access to a diverse offering of benefits and privileges at Shark's Tooth Golf Club, WaterSound® Beach Club and Camp Creek® Golf Club in addition to other St. Joe® owned and operated facilities such as the award-winning WaterColor® Inn & Resort and Fish Out of Water® restaurant. As part of St. Joe Club & Resorts, the Company is expanding its vacation rental management services. Traditionally, St. Joe has only managed luxury homes in its real estate developments of the WaterColor and WaterSound Beach communities, but now it is offering luxury vacation home management services to homeowners in communities along the prestigious Highway 30A.
"Given the company's proven track record of managing award-winning club and resort operations and the increasing vacation-rental occupancies in this region of Florida, the timing is right to expand our luxury vacation home management operations," says Park Brady, CEO for The St. Joe Company. "This is a game changer for the business of vacation rental management on 30A. We believe our owners already have the best property management and resort rental rates. We are now giving our owners membership in and their rental guests access to St. Joe Club & Resorts. This significant competitive advantage will be of great benefit to the owners in the St. Joe Club and Resorts vacation rental program. In addition, we are providing a better value to our current club members through a more enhanced membership program."
Homeowners who have St. Joe Club & Resorts manage their vacation home may become members of St. Joe Club and Resorts, which will provide them and their rental guests access to amenities and benefits not available to the public. "We are adding value to homeowners for choosing St. Joe Club & Resorts rental management over that of other vacation rental companies," said Patrick Murphy, Vice President of Operations for The St. Joe Company. "Registered guests and the owners of St. Joe-managed vacation homes will have access to Camp Creek Golf Club, the WaterSound Beach Club and Shark's Tooth Golf Club."
St. Joe Club & Resorts amenities include the WaterSound Beach Club; three 18-hole championship golf courses-Shark's Tooth, Camp Creek and SouthWood; one six-hole executive golf course-OriginsSM; two tennis facilities; and a fitness center as well as numerous privileges including dining, recreational activities and social events. Four membership levels are available: Full, Limited Golf, Social and Resort and access to facilities or benefits are based on membership level.
"St. Joe has built a reputation of providing quality service as demonstrated through the numerous accolades the WaterColor Inn and Resort has received, including the recent Forbes Four-Star Resort rating," continued Murphy. "Striving to exceed this level of excellence is a guiding principle as we launch St. Joe Club & Resorts and a broader luxury vacation home rental program."
St. Joe Club & Resorts rental management is soliciting homeowners to join its program. St. Joe Club & Resorts offerings will begin January 1, 2014. As of March 1, 2014, Camp Creek and Shark's Tooth Golf Clubs will be private clubs and only members of St. Joe Club & Resorts and St. Joe Club & Resorts' registered guests will be eligible to play.
Replies
70
Beach Lover
Seems like a big part of it is that JOE refuses to put their properties out on VRBO, which is the first place most folks look for vacation rental properties. Two of our other neighbors are both over 80% leased up for all of their available weeks already. Our friends with only the three weeks rented are considering on pulling out of the JOE program already.
It occurred to me that it might be VRBO - amazing how they have become a gateway for so many transactions.
SWGB
So the rents are the same?
Then VRBO is driving the leads, but do the owners of the house on VRBO have any kind of management company?
Then VRBO is driving the leads, but do the owners of the house on VRBO have any kind of management company?
Beach Lover
So the rents are the same?
Then VRBO is driving the leads, but do the owners of the house on VRBO have any kind of management company?
Many rental companies advertise some or all of their properties on VRBO.
Beach Lover
Many rental companies advertise some or all of their properties on VRBO.All of our friends that rent are using the same experienced local rental companies that they have always used and seem to be getting exceptional rental results so far this year. With spring break starting in early March, if your rentals haven't begun to ramp up yet, then your management company isn't doing a great job.
SWGB
Many rental companies advertise some or all of their properties on VRBO.
I am aware of that. I'm just curious why JOE isn't using this lead generating medium?
Beach Lover
I am aware of that. I'm just curious why JOE isn't using this lead generating medium?Now that is a good question. Ran into a friend of mine over lunch whose has a friend working for a management company and they are reporting a tremendous amount of rental activity bookings for the season, so it clearly is not a lack of demand.
Edited
Banned
I assure you very few rentals on 30-a have 80% of there spring and summer rentals booked. go and ramdom pull up 10-20 rentals on 30-a. if they have 6-8 weeks total they're doing good
Beach Fanatic
I assure you very few rentals on 30-a have 80% of there spring and summer rentals booked. go and ramdom pull up 10-20 rentals on 30-a. if they have 6-8 weeks total they're doing goodyour Right!!
It's early. I have 4 1/2 weeks booked tons of
Looks ..,,but people still thinking :Vrbo:
SWGB
It may have changed, but I remember VRBO resulting in a lot of, ahem, "bargain hunters". One woman kept insisting that she had never paid bed tax and felt that it was illegal for us to charge her.
Of course there's the time honored, "All the kids are very well behaved, I'll be staying somewhere else, can I get a discount? They're just students..."
Of course there's the time honored, "All the kids are very well behaved, I'll be staying somewhere else, can I get a discount? They're just students..."
Beach Lover
It may have changed, but I remember VRBO resulting in a lot of, ahem, "bargain hunters". One woman kept insisting that she had never paid bed tax and felt that it was illegal for us to charge her.
Of course there's the time honored, "All the kids are very well behaved, I'll be staying somewhere else, can I get a discount? They're just students..."
JOE sent out an email last week advertising 35 percent off for spring break rentals. Kinda tells you what a great job they are doing. If you search homes available to rent in Watersound Beach, of which they don't seem to have many to rent, it appears that most of these houses remain available for most of spring break at this point.
SWGB
JOE sent out an email last week advertising 35 percent off for spring break rentals. Kinda tells you what a great job they are doing. If you search homes available to rent in Watersound Beach, of which they don't seem to have many to rent, it appears that most of these houses remain available for most of spring break at this point.
I honestly feel that Watersound isn't really on the radar of most families on spring break. Spring break tends to be a very social event and I doubt mom and dad want to drive the kids to Seaside or Rosemary Beach everyday. Lets face it Seaside is the epicenter and, unlike an earthquake, everyone wants to be standing in it or as closely to it as possible.
Beach Fanatic
JOE sent out an email last week advertising 35 percent off for spring break rentals. Kinda tells you what a great job they are doing. If you search homes available to rent in Watersound Beach, of which they don't seem to have many to rent, it appears that most of these houses remain available for most of spring break at this point.I had one on vrbo didn't want to pay 49,00 for property insurance. So I said ok. 500 refundable deposit no problem. Nope she said no one charged 500 she only pays 250. Needless to say she moved on.
Beach Lover
I honestly feel that Watersound isn't really on the radar of most families on spring break. Spring break tends to be a very social event and I doubt mom and dad want to drive the kids to Seaside or Rosemary Beach everyday. Lets face it Seaside is the epicenter and, unlike an earthquake, everyone wants to be standing in it or as closely to it as possible.
Our friends who rent their home for 20 weeks a year in Watersound Beach through another rental agency were fully booked for their entire 20 weeks, beginning on March 8th, three weeks ago. Our next door neighbors whom rent through vrbo have been fully leased for the entire season at $8,000 a week since mid January. Neither one had to offer discounts.
Beach Lover
As an indication of how JOE's rental program is going, I am getting daily emails advertising 30% off of spring break rentals from JOE. Our friends that rent through them do not have a single spring break week rented for the entire season.
beats on hood
We have a non-rental home in WaterSound. I have a broken foot. Even I can ride a bike to Seaside. WaterSound is very social, but not for kids seeking drugs and alcohol. Seaside is the epicenter for where the drugs are going down. Just watch what is happening near the bike parking areas in Seaside, and you'll see all of the drug deals. If I am able to ride a bike to Seaside from WaterSound, so can a kid whose family is renting in WaterSound and wants to get to Seaside and find drugs or alcohol.
Beach Fanatic
I really don't see the attraction for Seaside ,it has lost the quaintness it once had,just too busy for the kind of vacation I look for.I still love Sundog's, just wish there was another one a bit west of Seaside.
SoWal Guide
As an indication of how JOE's rental program is going, I am getting daily emails advertising 30% off of spring break rentals from JOE. Our friends that rent through them do not have a single spring break week rented for the entire season.
I've seen spring special emails from every rental company in town.. It's what they do this time of year for some, but not all, of their properties.. It is a marketing tool for kicking off the season every year.
Beach Lover
I understand the guests can't use the beach club (if they rent thru an outside company), but are they allowed to use any of the pools/amenities in Watercolor/Watersound, tennis, etc?
SWGB
According to the property appraiser's website the pools and tennis courts are owned by the Watercolor Community Association. According to state statute common areas owned by the association cannot be restricted and are available to both owners and their guests. Even if said owner is behind in association dues.
Beach Lover
I understand the guests can't use the beach club (if they rent thru an outside company), but are they allowed to use any of the pools/amenities in Watercolor/Watersound, tennis, etc?
For all current Watersound Beach club members, whom paid $20,000 for their memberships, are now having their guests denied access to the Watersound Beach club unless they fire their existing rental management companies and hire Joe to rent their homes. For those that have made the change to Joe, they are suffering from a lack of spring break rentals because Joe refuses to use VRBO as a marketing tool. Those that are not using Joe have experienced very heavy spring break rentals.
SWGB
Coondog, the Watersound Beach Club is a privately owned club and is not considered a common area or amenity. Joe has every right to restrict access.
I'm pretty sure the Santa Rosa Beach Club wouldn't allow people to offer use of their membership to rental guests either.
I'm pretty sure the Santa Rosa Beach Club wouldn't allow people to offer use of their membership to rental guests either.
Beach Fanatic
Coondog, the Watersound Beach Club is a privately owned club and is not considered a common area or amenity. Joe has every right to restrict access. I'm pretty sure the Santa Rosa Beach Club wouldn't allow people to offer use of their membership to rental guests either.SRGC allows member to make tee times for friends/guest at a discount even if member isn't playing.
Beach Lover
Coondog, the Watersound Beach Club is a privately owned club and is not considered a common area or amenity. Joe has every right to restrict access.
I'm pretty sure the Santa Rosa Beach Club wouldn't allow people to offer use of their membership to rental guests either.
Until several months ago, guests of members, including renters had access to the Watersound Beach Club. Those same guests are now banned unless you hire Joe to manage your property for 30% of the gross with the renters charged another 10% as an amenity fee.
SWGB
Until several months ago, guests of members, including renters had access to the Watersound Beach Club. Those same guests are now banned unless you hire Joe to manage your property for 30% of the gross with the renters charged another 10% as an amenity fee.
Right...
So what's the issue? It's a private business and ultimately a private club.
Beach Lover
Right...
So what's the issue? It's a private business and ultimately a private club.
When Watersound Beach was initially marketed to Owner's the Beach Club was marketed as a community amenity. When the Preliminary Application was filed with Walton County to build the Beach Club, then CEO Britt Greene, signed the application which contained that statement that the facility would be turned over to the HOA. Another issue is paying $20,000 for a membership, which included guest rights, only to later be given an ultimatum that unless you fire your existing management company and use Joe, we will take away the rights you initially bargained and paid for as part of your $20,000 initiation fee.
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