The new PLP government has promised it will re-introduce a ceiling on the maximum level of real property tax on high end homes.

This is great news for the high end and second home markets.
The government also says it will reduce the stamp tax payable on real estate transactions above $250,000 from 12 to 10 percent.

Buyers stand to save 2% of their total cash outlay.
Real estate prices have adjusted to more realistic levels in recent years, so these added incentives are welcome.

If you’ve been thinking about investing in real estate, this is a good time to start the process.

Before you look at homes, shop around to see what rates and terms the banks are offering and ask them to provide a detail of the full costs, as well as the various plans they offer.

Pre-qualify for a loan so you’ll know what you can afford.

This will position you to make an offer, should you find your dream home, and not lose out to another party whose financing is in place.

Let your Bahamas real estate agent guide you.

* Your leading Bahamas real estate source

Jewel of the Bahamas

Is it the pastel pretty historic village or the celebrated pink sand beach that pulls people to Harbour Island? Maybe the fun little restaurants and bars?

What makes the island a magnet for the rich and famous trying to escape the spotlight?

I guess you’ll just have to go down and see for yourself.

Harbour Island listings

^ Your Harbour Island Real estate source.

PLP Returns to Office After 5 Year Hiatus

(.>

(Prime Minister-elect Perry Christie (left) and his former law partner, outgoing PM Hubert Ingraham. Nassau Tribune photo.)>

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) swept into office yesterday in a landslide victory.

Prime Minister-elect Perry Christie said the people clearly determined that the country needs a change of direction and promised to tackle social issues.

Christie served as prime minister between 1992 and 1997.

Unofficially, the PLP won 29 of the 38 seats with the defeated Free National Movement (FNM) taking the rest.

Outgoing Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced he will resign as leader of the opposition, give up his seat and enter private life. Ingraham served a total of three terms.

The fledgling Democratic National Alliance (DNA) failed to capture a seat.

* Your Leading Bahamas Real Estate Source.

PLP Returns to Office After 5 Years in Opposition

^ Prime Minister-elect Perry Christie (left) and his former law partner, outgoing PM Hubert Ingraham.Nassau Tribune photo.

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) swept into office yesterday in a landslide victory.

Prime Minister-elect Perry Christie said the people clearly determined that the country needs a change of direction and promised to tackle social issues.

Christie served as prime minister between 1992 and 1997.
Unofficially, the PLP won 29 of the 38 seats with the defeated Free National Movement (FNM) taking the rest.

Outgoing Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced he will resign as leader of the opposition, give up his seat and enter private life. Ingraham served a total of three terms.

The fledgling Democratic National Alliance (DNA) failed to capture a seat.

* Your Leading Bahamas Real Estate Source.

Bahamians Head to the Polls

Bahamians go to the polls today to elect a new government for a five year term.

For the first time, three parties are offering a full slate of candidates in the historic general election.
They are:

^ The incumbent Free National Movement (FNM), running under a banner of “Trusted Leadership,”

^ The official opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), which “Believes in Bahamians” and

^ The fledgling Democratic National Alliance (DNA), campaigning on “The Vision 2012 and Beyond.”

A record 172,000 Bahamians have registered to vote. The Bahamas traditionally has an exceptionally high voter turnout and we’re proud of it!

Today, the polling stations are a riot of the colours of a traffic light ^ red (FNM), Yellow (PLP) and green (DNA).

The air’s charged with excitement.

There are 38 seats at stake.

We enjoy a healthy parliamentary democracy, modelled after the Westminster system and inherited from the British.

It’s The Feeling!

Clean and uncluttered, it’s easy to picture yourself in this environment. This home sold very shortly after it was staged under the direction of broker Heather Peterson.

The size and price may be important, but the way a home “feels” is a big factor, too when it comes down to deciding whether or not to purchase a home.

Although this is pretty widely known in the industry, a study conducted by Jessica Edwards, a Coldwell Banker consumer specialist, confirms the point.

It could be the view of another Bahamas island, the patio with an outdoor fireplace, or the sitting area in a kitchen.

Something often strikes a chord with the purchaser.

Edwards’ survey of 1,000 men and women found they rely on how they feel and how their lifestyle fits into a home when house hunting. I think the ratio would probably be similar here in the bahamas.

In fact, 28 percent of the women and 25 percent of the men put more emphasis on their feelings about a home than they did on the layout, size, or price (assuming it is within their budget).

The majority of women (62 percent) and men (61 percent) surveyed knew during the first visit if a home was right for them.

The study shows just how much emotion can play a role in the home buying process, Edwards says.

So while price and lay-out may be huge factors, “feeling at home” is also important.

The findings underscore the importance of home staging techniques to enhance a property’s appeal. Techniques include “depersonalising” a home so that buyers can picture themselves living there.

Get rid of clutter, make some superficial upgrades such as fresh paint and minor repairs and depersonalise the home. Let your Bahamas real estate agent guide you.

* Your Bahamas real estate source.

It’s The Feeling!

Clean and uncluttered, it’s easy to picture yourself in this environment.

The size and price may be important, but the way a home “feels” is a big factor, too when it comes down to deciding whether or not to purchase a home.

Although this is pretty widely known in the industry, a study conducted by Jessica Edwards, a Coldwell Banker consumer specialist, confirms the point.

It could be the view of another Bahamas island, the patio with an outdoor fireplace, or the sitting area in a kitchen.

Something often strikes a chord with the purchaser.

Edwards’ survey of 1,000 men and women found they rely on how they feel and how their lifestyle fits into a home when house hunting. I think the ratio would probably be similar here in the bahamas.

In fact, 28 percent of the women and 25 percent of the men put more emphasis on their feelings about a home than they did on the layout, size, or price (assuming it is within their budget).

The majority of women (62 percent) and men (61 percent) surveyed knew during the first visit if a home was right for them.

The study shows just how much emotion can play a role in the home buying process, Edwards says.

So while price and lay-out may be huge factors, “feeling at home” is also important.

The findings underscore the importance of home staging techniques to enhance a property’s appeal. Techniques include “depersonalising” a home so that buyers can picture themselves living there.

Get rid of clutter, make some superficial upgrades such as fresh paint and minor repairs and depersonalise the home. Let your Bahamas real estate agent guide you.

* Your Bahamas real estate source.

It’s The Feeling!

Clean and uncluttered, it’s easy to picture yourself in this environment.

The size and price may be important, but the way a home “feels” is a big factor, too when it comes down to deciding whether or not to purchase a home.

Although this is pretty widely known in the industry, a study conducted by Jessica Edwards, a Coldwell Banker consumer specialist, confirms the point.

It could be the view of another Bahamas island, the patio with an outdoor fireplace, or the sitting area in a kitchen.

Something often strikes a chord with the purchaser.

Edwards’ survey of 1,000 men and women found they rely on how they feel and how their lifestyle fits into a home when house hunting. I think the ratio would probably be similar here in the bahamas.

In fact, 28 percent of the women and 25 percent of the men put more emphasis on their feelings about a home than they did on the layout, size, or price (assuming it is within their budget).

The majority of women (62 percent) and men (61 percent) surveyed knew during the first visit if a home was right for them.

The study shows just how much emotion can play a role in the home buying process, Edwards says.

So while price and lay-out may be huge factors, “feeling at home” is also important.

The findings underscore the importance of home staging techniques to enhance a property’s appeal. Techniques include “depersonalising” a home so that buyers can picture themselves living there.

Get rid of clutter, make some superficial upgrades such as fresh paint and minor repairs and depersonalise the home. Let your Bahamas real estate agent guide you.

* Your Bahamas real estate source.

Abaco Unplugged

Living on an outer Bahama island is special.

It starts with the sun peeping out of the horizon, bright pinks and reds streaking across the sky. And it ends with the great orange orb slipping below the horizon in another spectacular show of colour.

In between, there’s the laid-back, peaceful feeling of small village life and endless water activities. If you go to the mainland, there’s the wonderful ferry or boat ride back home to look forward to.

All of the headaches of life become insignificant. Just ease back into the dock slip in front of your home, kick off your shoes and unplug.

Listing Details

* Your leading Abaco real estate source.

Here It Comes

The sky’s been washed clean blue from the recent rains and the sun’s out. Everything’s fresh and green. Nassau is dressed in pastels and looks beautiful.

Nassau Real Estate