Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC officially launched the new version of its website, www.coldwellbanker.com, which has been in beta form since December 2009. Wholly re-thought and re-designed, the site features optimizations that completely alter and enhance the experience of searching for a home online, the company stated.

The site includes a variety of new features, such as:
-BlueScape Search - Taking cues from popular music recommendation websites, Coldwell Banker developed BlueScape, a visually-driven real estate search platform to help “dreamers” find just that–the home of their dreams. Instead of limiting search options to zip code or the number of bedrooms, users begin the search by rating abstract images with a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” from landscape scenery to images of snow mobiles and taxi cabs. At any time, users can submit a query and the BlueScape technology will identify homes that are a good fit using all properties available through ColdwellBanker.com nationwide.

-Keyword Search - For those who prefer a more traditional approach to searching for a home, Coldwell Banker has added keyword capabilities to its general real estate search function so that consumers can more easily narrow down the properties they are interested in viewing.

-Similar Properties – Coldwell Banker also added a “You May Also Like” feature that offers additional homes of interest, based on a range of characteristics from properties consumers select as “preferred.”

-Expansive Use of Video - Taking advantage of the popularity of Coldwell Banker On Location, the brand’s YouTube channel which has had more than 13,000 videos posted by agents and 1.3 million video views in a bit more than one year, the new site integrates video into real estate search.

Additional capabilities of the ColdwellBanker.com site include:
Technology that immediately identifies the current location of visitors via their IP address, offering up homes for sale in that area; Join Us: a recruiting resource enabling brokers to promote job opportunities and create local career pages; Learn: helpful real estate news and tips for consumers, such as real-time industry articles from the Associated Press and Home File: Place for consumers to store, share and organize a limitless amount of property searches, sales associate and real estate office information and industry articles.

Coldwell Banker also included integrated video and social networking capabilities to the new site. Visitors will have access to an array of videos powered by Coldwell Banker On Location, the company’s branded YouTube channel, offering behind-the-scenes looks at towns and neighborhoods, tips and timely news on real estate topics and video listings of homes for sale.

(resource: RISMedia.com)

“The annual Highland Spring HIHO event starts today in BVI, with an racing fleet to include stand-up paddling (SUP), a new popular sport which involves racers paddling 12+ foot boards with a large paddle.

“Both windsurfers and SUP racers will tour the British Virgin Islands for 6-days. Race #1 in Eustatia Sound off the Bitter End starts the competition. Racers will cover over 100 miles as they travel from Virgin Gorda to Anegada, back to Virgin Gorda, down to Beef island, down the Sir Francis Drake Channel, then to Jost Van Dyke.

“On Tuesday is the event’s signature Anegada race, a 12-mile run from the North Sound to Anegada. Additional races from Anegada back to Virgin Gorda, then Virgin Gorda to Beef Island, down the Sir Francis Drake Channel and around Sandy Cay will follow.

“The Highland Spring HIHO event is unique in that it combines great racing with a yacht flotilla. All participants are accommodated aboard a fleet of captained Moorings yachts. The event is complimented with great parties and nightly entertainment. Started in 1979, the Highland Spring event is one of the longest running windsurfing events in the World.”

(from BVI News.com)

July 22-25 will be the 4-day Summer Sizzle BVI 2010. Attendees will experience a non-stop lifestyle escape weaved with the trendiest fashions, upscale parties, island tours and sailing excursions. Designers this year include two-time Project Runway finalist and fashion favourite Korto Momolu, renowned couturier Claudia Pegus, and BVI´s own Kristin Frazer of Trefle Designs.

As reported by BVIPlatinum.com, “The Summer Sizzle line-up consists of a Culture & Style Welcome Bash Pool Party sponsored by the Ministry of Education & Culture, a Sunset White Fashion Fete; an entire day sail excursion to Virgin Gorda; a VIP after-party, and other fabulous activities. One of the major highlights that many attendees look forward to is the highly coveted Summer Sizzle fashion show. Top models will be featured from some of the world´s best agencies including Ford, Elite, Major Models, Q Models and Identities Tortola. Clothing will be showcased by Millhouse menswear of Trinidad, and American designers Kevan Hall and Cesar Galindo.”

Originally just a fashion show to promote BVI, Summer Sizzle has become a fashion and lifestyle event. For more information, visit SummerSizzleBVI.com.

Summer Sizzle leads into BVI´s 56th Annual Emancipation Festival held the first week of August. International guests will have an opportunity to kick off festivities and experience the aura of carnival.

As reported in GoCaribbean.about.com,

“Now through Dec. 19, families traveling to the British Virgin Islands can take advantage of some friendly rates at the upscale Rosewood Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda.

“Mom and dad can pick up a second guest room for the kids at half off the usual nightly rate (rooms start at $450), while bigger groups can make use of free nights in the resort’s three- and four-bedroom villas.

“Book four nights in a villa and receive the fifth free, book five nights to get two free, or book a stay for 10 nights or more and receive four additional nights gratis. Villa rates begin at $3,500 per night.”

For more information on the Little Dix Bay Resort, visit About.com’s web site.

5 Things to Know About Homeowner’s Insurance

1. Know about exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood, earthquake, or wind damage as standard items. These types of coverage must be bought separately.

2. Know about dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are covered for a risk, there may be a limit on how much the insurer will pay. For example, many policies limit the amount paid for stolen jewelry unless items are insured separately.

3. Know the replacement cost. If your home is destroyed you’ll receive money to replace it only to the maximum of your coverage, so be sure your insurance is sufficient. This means that if your home is insured for $150,000 and it costs $180,000 to replace it, you’ll only receive $150,000.

4. Know the actual cash value. If you chose not to replace your home when it’s destroyed, you’ll receive replacement cost, less depreciation. This is called actual cash value.

5. Know the liability. Generally your homeowner’s insurance covers you for accidents that happen to other people on your property, including medical care, court costs, and awards by the court. However, there is usually an upper limit to the amount of coverage provided. Be sure that it’s sufficient if you have significant assets.

Check with our Coldwell Banker office for answers to your specific questions on buying real estate.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the addition of Puerto Rico to the growing family of Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates.

Puerto Rico has long been the gateway and hub for many of the Islands in our region. As some of you may know, Coldwell Banker Isla del Coqui is one of the largest and most successful real estate companies in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Coldwell Banker Isla de Coqui has had a terrific track record for over 20 years and has been the top producing brokerage in their marketplace, with 7 offices and approximately 226 sales associates.

Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates Managing Director Jim Reed said, “With the addition of Puerto Rico to our region, Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates now boasts 51 offices and over 500 sales associates throughout the Island countries of the Atlantic & Caribbean. We are excited about the growth and the potential synergies that Coldwell Banker Isla de Coqui brings to our group. We are proud to welcome Puerto Rico to Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates.”

Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates is the Coldwell Banker Master Franchisor for the Caribbean and Atlantic Island region. For further information on Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates, please contact the Managing Director, Mr. Jim Reed, at (561) 691-8130 or email jireed@mindspring.com.

About Coldwell Banker®
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier full-service real estate provider. In 2009, Franchise Times magazine’s prestigious Top 200 issue ranked the Coldwell Banker system number one in real estate for the ninth straight year and number eight among all franchisors. The Coldwell Banker System has approximately 3,200 residential real estate offices and more than 110,000 sales associates in 41 countries and territories around the world. The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in the industry in residential and commercial real estate, and in niche markets such as resort, new home and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® division. It is a pioneer in consumer services with its Coldwell Banker Concierge® Service Program and award-winning Web site, www.coldwellbanker.com. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, the world’s largest real estate franchisor. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Accordian to a recent post on Guardian.co.uk, quoting Colin Clubbe, head of conservation at Kew Gardens, plant life in the Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos Islands, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, and Montserrat is threatened by over-development and climate change. He explains, “Conservation is one of biggest challenges for these islands. But effective conservation is impossible if the government of these Territories or other countries do not support the protection of habitats for endemic and native flora and fauna. There is a strong element of short term thinking by governments in many of these islands and globally. Effective conservation has to be a central part of government policy and development strategy.

“When I say short-term thinking is an issue on many islands, you can see it in the lack of control surrounding development, the building of tourist hotels, and roads and the effect this has on nature. Even a small impact on habitats can still be significant for plants and animals, especially critically endangered ones. The fragmentation of habitats, such as by roads can lead to the extinction of species….

“While tourism is one of the biggest sources of revenue for many of these communities, many governments do not take into consideration the fact that tourists come to look at the natural beauty. The development of the islands needs to be balanced by the protection of the wild places and the setting up of nature reserves. Governments are slowly moving to do this but perhaps not quickly enough. Tourism has exploded on these islands in the last thirty years with some devastating effects.

“While tourism is one of the biggest sources of revenue for many of these communities, many governments do not take into consideration the fact that tourists come to look at the natural beauty. The development of the islands needs to be balanced by the protection of the wild places and the setting up of nature reserves. Governments are slowly moving to do this but perhaps not quickly enough. Tourism has exploded on these islands in the last thirty years with some devastating effects.

“I think it is very important to encourage civic pride, to make people proud of where they live, and their local biodiversity; this helps save species. We have held naming competitions for plants which currently only have Latin names, wanting people to come up with local names. This makes people enthusiastic about saving species and making sure they are looked after.”

He concludes, “It is true to say that islands reflect what’s happening in a wider environment around the world. These extreme climate events are becoming more frequent and conserving native biodiversity is becoming increasingly challenging.”

Read his full statement at Guardian.co.uk.

There are plenty of details to take care of before you introduce your home to the public ready to sell. Here are a few suggestions on how present your property as the best it can be from the day it hits the market.

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments? You can do this with a condo entrance as well. Be objective.

Call our Coldwell Banker office with your questions, and ask for a thorough market analysis before you set a price.

10 years ago, Nanny Cay was largely undeveloped. Now, the location is a busy destination for tourists and residents, accounts for 300 jobs, and houses 440 motor cruisers and sailing yachts. The marina has been running at full capacity for the last 3 years.

The marina co-founder, Cameron McColl, is in the preliminary stages of planning a $30 million-plus expansion that would increase the marina’s capacity from 180 to 410 slips, including 15 megayacht slips for boats up to 200 feet in length.

Initial meetings with Town and Country Planning, Disaster Management and Conservation and Fisheries have taken place, and an environmental impact assessment is under way.

The BVI Athletics Association will host the BVI Invitational on Saturday, June 26 at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds. The one-day meet will run from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The meet will showcase Virgin Islands athletes competing against their regional counterparts from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Puerto Rico, Antigua, St. Kitts, Anguilla and the Dominican Republic. St. Kitts is expected to field the biggest and strongest contingent. Athletes from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Montserrat are also expected to be in action.

Events on the program that targets Under-17, Under-20 and Open Division athletes, will include: 100, 200, 400, 800 metres and 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 metres relays. Field events will include the long jump, javelin throw, discus throw and high jump.