Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Purchasing your first home in the Beautiful British Virgin Islands is exciting, but it is also a daunting experience when you move your old things in and realize that both you and your old furniture don’t fill the area or the requirements of a real home. Often, you will have to budget carefully to be able to obtain the products you need but still be in a position to save for a rainy day. It is important to make sure that you purchase quality items where it counts, and only scrimp in the areas which will not affect your daily life. It is essential that you first obtain the things that you need to enable you to live in your home comfortably and build on your furniture and decor in time and at your leisure. Here are a few tips to help you to choose what to buy and when to buy the items which you will need for your very first home.

1. beds are one of the most important items you will buy for your home so it is important that you choose a product that will last. It is not a good idea to purchase a used mattress or an extremely cheap bed as they will only fall to pieces and you will be losing lots of money. Do not choose to buy a head board and footboard no matter how beautiful they are over a quality mattress. You might have an attractive resting place, however the rest you will get on a cheap mattress will not be good enough. If you’re not able to purchase a quality mattress immediately, buy comfortable airbed and sleep on that until you have enough money saved for a good bed mattress. A comfortable airbed will often cost around a hundred dollars, and after you have finished with them they can always be used for any guests you may have coming to stay.

2. Outfit the dining area with a table and chairs which can be used for dual purpose when needed. Dining area furniture can be bought fairly inexpensively at discount furniture stores. Choose a table that can be extended for a game night or for when you have company over, and select upholstered chairs that will be comfortable for visitors should you sit around after dinner. Upholstered chairs are also easily moved into the living space for when you have visitors over and can be easily dressed up with slip covers for seasonal parties.

3. Choose a good solid sofa. Not including your bed, your sofa will be the most important item of furniture within your home and is likely to get the most use. It should to be comfortable, durable and upholstered in nice fabric of your choice. It does not need to match your other furniture as this can be covered easily to fit in with your sofa.

4. Search for deals on chests of drawers and wardrobes. These products are very good for storage and look elegant inside a hall or living space, as well as in the bedroom. If there is a lot of closet space in your home, you may decide to place them in there out of sight to hold linens, Compact disks or movies rather than clothes.

5.Make sure you have enough light. Many houses have bright, harsh overhead light fittings which are helpful when cleaning and when you need to see every corner of a room, however these are not friendly on a daily basis. You can purchase affordable lamps at discount stores and use them to soften the edges of the room without restricting the and causing you to feel like you are living in a cave.

Buying your first home is a very exciting time, however it is important to purchase the basics for your home first and then build on this to ensure that you have enough money and also that you are happy with how your furnishings look together, it is very easy to get caught up in the excitement and impulse buy which will be a disappointment in the long run. Buying a first home is one of the biggest milestones in life so make sure that you enjoy it!

A DREAM COME TRUE VILLA is a luxurious 6,500 square foot 5 bedroom, 6 bath vacation waterfront home on an exceptionally private estate blessed with breathtaking views of Virgin Gorda’s Savannah and Pond Bays and the Sir Francis Drake Channel in the BVI.

Price:$3,500,000

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Minister of Education and Culture and Moorings Mariner Inn owner, Myron Walwyn, captured the Pioneer of the Year Business Award at the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) award ceremony at the Scrub Island Resort and Spa.
Walwyn, who was not present at the event, was recognized for his significant contribution to the tourism and hospitality sectors in the BVI, his establishment of a successful law firm in the peak of the recession and his commitment to the community, the operation of several well established businesses under his management company, as well as his commitment to encouraging BVI Islanders to book their vacations right here in the BVI were also recognized.
Chairman of the Board, Dr. Birney Harrigan, in her remarks said: “His law firm is committing 100 hours of legal assistance, a quota that has been exceeded every quarter. As an attorney who remains diligent to helping all persons in the BVI community with justice; as a businessman he has invested in several ventures and served on various Boards throughout the community. He remains steadfast in his commitment to empower young people to help them find their rightful place in the territory and further their contribution to the community.”
The award is awarded annually to the entrepreneur who has played a major role in the development of the tourism and hospitality sectors in the BVI, his overall performance, what the entrepreneur’s vision for the future is, his ability to develop new ideas and products, and originality and distinctiveness in business operations and sales.

Source:bvinews.com

This newly constructed, 5,165 sqft, four bedroom residence is composed of two separate buildings connected by a covered porch. This house is situated on a 1.4 acre site in Belmont Estates and is within walking distance of the beautiful Long Bay and Smuggler’s Cove beaches. Enjoy spectacular 180 degree views from Little Tobago to the west, to Jost van Dyke to the north to Cane Garden Bay to the east.

Price:$2,700,000

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Tastemakers, seasoned gourmets, chefs and winemakers from around the world, have started to arrive in the British Virgin Islands. They are to join residents of the British Virgin Islands, to participate in the five dinners of the 2011 Virgin Islands Winemakers Dinners, which will be held between November 16th and 20th at exclusive private villas and special locations in the British Virgin Islands.
The BVI Tourist Board is a major sponsor, together with Allivictus, OHMS and Caribbean Cellars. Mr. Ajit Mathew George, Founding Chairman of the BVI Charitable Fund stated that $100,810.26 in net proceeds from past Virgin Islands Winemakers Dinners have already been distributed to 9 beneficiaries in the British Virgin Islands. An itemized list of who received these net proceeds is available to review under BVI Charitable Fund on www.winemakersdinners.com.
The five award winning international winemakers who will be in attendance, and personally pour their wines, include Michael De Loach of Hook and Ladder Winery, Russian River Valley, California, USA; Gonzalo Lainez of Bodegas Roda, Rioja, Spain; Philippe Marchal of Maison Louis Jadot, Burgundy, France; Jim Bernau of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Oregon, USA; and Regina Martinelli of Martinelli Winery, Russian River Valley, California, USA. All the winemakers are volunteering their time without any compensation and donating their wines.
The wines, all of which have been personally selected by the above winemakers, will be carefully paired with five course gourmet dinners prepared by superb chefs from throughout the world, under the leadership of Executive Chef Mathayom Vacharat from St. John’s Catering.

Source:bvinews.com

Have you always dreamed of having your very own home theater? Do you have a spare room in your BVI Home? Here are 10 reasons to indulge yourself and invest in your very own home theater system!

1. Endless Options. To enjoy the comforts and conveniences of home can be more enjoyable. With today’s blue ray, 3-D, dvd, cable, or satellite you can view nearly everything you want to in your own home. You choose, put it on your screen and watch things how you want to.

2. Go far without going out. When you have a home theater all the action and drama comes to life and will keep you on the edge of your couch, bed or dining table. You are able to bring all the entertainment to you instead of going out of your home and encountering busy streets, using gas, time and effort

3. Relax. You’re in your own home, so make yourself comfortable. It isn’t Broadway, so you don’t need to bother getting dressed up, filling the tank or calling a sitter…but if you wish to anyway, go right ahead. You can be as comfortable as you want to and be safe in the knowledge that there will be nobody showing up who isn’t invited.

4. Choose your Settings. You know all about compromise. Want more light, but your partner would like less? Or what about different sound levels for different things you watch. You can set your home theater up your way and adjust the settings to your taste to make your viewing experience perfect for you and your spouse.

5. For frugal flick fans. You may love movies, but a ticket nowadays can cost more than a decent meal. Queues, limited seating and sky-high snack prices damper the experience of visiting a movie theater, particularly when it can be done your way without needing to pay. You will no longer need to worry about checking showtimes and planning around them. No longer will you need to pay admission fee, you choose what popcorn to pop, what else to snack on, whether you wear shoes or socks or not and how you are comfortable sitting, laying or standing to watch a film. Save lots of cash along the way and you can make a trip to the theater when ever you want to!

6. Surreal Sports. If you like football it is much cooler to watch those hard hits and close-up replays on a screen. For all your sports, highlight shows and dozens of channels, home theaters really are a home run. A home theater allows you to enjoy the game without having to be there without the possibility of being stuck behind a 6 foot 8 fan or perhaps an annoying couple making out. In your own home you can create whatever scene you want for the game, or even DVR the event or watch just part of it.

7. Satisfy everyone. You will want the best system you can buy for the money you have available, and you can have all your friends and family enjoy the benefits as well. You will no longer need to trek to the different destinations your team are playing at. Bring the action right into your own home with a home theater system that livens your senses, sets the atmosphere you want and when, and keeps visitors coming back for more. Perhaps you should start charging admission.

8. Free up family time. The home theater is here to add excitement and fun to any evening of the week. Whether you work long hours, travel or shuffle the children everywhere they need to be, there’s very little time to plan activities with your family. Having a home entertainment system means you are able to get home from work, press a button and have access to viewing entertainment for the entire family. If you have a large group in your own home, have everybody take a turn in choosing a channel as necessary.

9. So where should you sit? The home theater enables you to plan a seating arrangement to suit your tastes, you could even make a themed room like a bar or try to recreate the feel of an actual movie theater, the options are endless with your own home theater. Whether you would like the theater to be situated in your bedroom, basement, garage, kids’ room, a home theater really is an investment which will add value to your life and property value alike.

10.Best of all – You can do it all over again, when ever you feel like!

So what better way to enjoy your favourite movies, programmes or games than in your sweats on a comfy sofa with your favourite snacks in your own home theater.

LaVida is a brand new, luxurious, fully air-conditioned 5 bedroom, 7 bathroom beachfront villa in a secluded, private setting. Every room faces west with 8′x10′ sliding glass doors that provide ocean and beach views as well as breathtaking sunsets.

Price:$5,500,000

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So you have decided to make your dream of waking up everyday to the beautiful white sandy beaches of The British Virgin Islands a reality and you have found your dream home. Now for the tricky part – Moving with your children.

Overseas moving with children isn’t always easy. Nevertheless, if you have done some research and are completely prepared both you and your children can grow and learn from this experience.

Why Overseas Relocation with Children is Challenging?

children see their homes as the place in which they feel comfortable and secure, it is where they have school, family and friends close by. This is the place in which they learned their language skills and cultural codes. A lot of children will still be in the process of finding out how to socialize effectively, as well gaining a sense of control.

For children moving abroad is much like cutting the umbilical cord. In the middle of their learning process they’re going to have to start again: find new friends, get accustomed to a brand new home, neighborhood, school, country, become familiar with a new language and adapt to new cultural codes.

Relocating Overseas with children is difficult for you as a parent not only are you currently busy with all the errands, you’re also dealing with a roller coaster of emotion, excitement, fear, sadness. All of this can take its toll on energy and attention which can cause short tempers, induce chaos in the home, and in turn affect your ability to help your children.

Relocating Overseas with children - Important Things to remember

children might rebel - This is their way of trying to gain some influence in the situation which they cannot control.

Your children may have mixed emotions - One day your son or daughter might be thrilled and excited, then blue and depressed the next.

Responses from children will be different based on their developmental age - Moving with small children isn’t like moving with pre-teens or moving with teens and some might question if abroad moving and adolescents “go” together?

children vary in personality - This influences the time a young child may take to adjust to the move. Some youngsters are naturally outgoing and have the ability to make friends immediately while for many other children it may take several weeks.

Special needs children - If your little one has special needs, it’s most important to check so that you know the education options and resources within the new location.

Being conscious of the down sides when you’re planning for overseas moving with children, and following some suggestions can make an optimistic experience for both you and your children.

Relocating Overseas with children - Advice for children of any age

Inform your child about the move as quickly as possible - Explain to them your reason for moving overseas, however don’t think you need to provide all the details immediately. Give them some time to digest this news, and consider it.

Communicate with your children at all times - Let your children feel that they can ask you anything they need to, answer all their questions as best you can. Be truthful and open as this will help your children to feel confident.

Stay positive about the relocating overseas – Tell them all about the new experiences, encounters and opportunities which will be available to them in the new country. Your children can sense the way you are feeling so if you are positive about the expatriate experience they are more likely to be too.

Let your children know that they can help with the moving tasks - children should get involved in packing and unpacking their own room. It may be a good idea to ask them to prepare their own special moving box to include all their own personal belongings they feel they might need during the move. Upon arrival in the new country you can ask your children to arrange their new room.

Help your children plan their goodbyes - Some would like to have a leaving party, while others may want to have a few friends over. Allow them to to exchange gifts, e-mails, telephone numbers, addresses etc.

In the destination country explore the new place – Take them to their new school, or kindergarten. Show them around the neighborhood. discover where the shopping mall and parks are, etc.

Overseas Moving with children. Recommendations for fun activities

To make overseas moving with children fun, relaxing as well as educating there are some activities suggested below. Depending on what age the children are will depend on what activity you think will be best suited.

Children Coloring Pages

Childrens coloring-pages If your child loves to color, he/she’ll love this particular activity, and you’ll get some spare time to focus on the moving abroad tasks. This is an excellent activity for children to complete on the flight. You will find many websites that provide free coloring pages.

Coin Collecting for children

This can be used as a hobby to help your children learn about the currency of the destination country, and the value of money. It is likely children will be intrigued by the change in currency.

Planes Activities

The majority of you will be flying by plane to the destination country. For a lot of children this is their first flight. Why not take this opportunity to keep them occupied by explaining the history of flying and even build some model planes.

Cameras for children

Photography is a terrific way to get a children involved in the moving abroad adventure. What’s better than letting your children take pictures of friends, family and school? Or how about letting them take pictures of the new country and sending them back home. What a good way to keep in contact!

Scrap booking for children

Another fun activity for collecting memories is scrap booking. You may either do it as a family activity, or let your children scrapbook on their own or with friends.

Language Games

Hangman, scrabble, crosswords, and many more exciting games are a very good way to rehearse your child’s vocabulary in the new language. You will find some good foreign language learning software’s that the children might enjoy.

Electronics for children

Children are becoming tech-savvy from a younger age, and the market offers a multitude of electronics for children from leapfrog items to Mp3 players, game boys, and ipods. Most of the electronics are educational, small, convenient to carry while offering hrs of great activities for the children.

Journals

Some children might discover that keeping a journal enables them to cope with the difficulties of moving overseas. It’s where they are able to freely express all their feelings, without the worry that they may offend anyone and knowing they cannot be judged.

Origami for children

This can be a great and educating craft for children, especially when you’re on the road. You just need papers, scissors, coloring pens and an origami instructions book.

Trivia for children

A great activity for families on the road. You can play it everywhere, and simultaneously your children are now being educated.

Books for children

Many books about moving overseas offer suggestions for families and children on how to cope with the transition. Some books are interactive and leave space for coloring, writing, pasting and many more activities. You should select a book based on your child’s age.

Geography for children

So what would be more appropriate than teaching your children some geography? Demonstrate to them where your destination country is situated. How far away it is from your home country, What the climate is like etc.

Audiobooks for children

Digital audiobooks are extremely enjoyable. You are able to choose together with your child a common story and download it for their MP3, Ipod device, computer or other wireless mobile device. Even when your child isn’t an enthusiastic reader, he/she will enjoy the spoken audio experience.

Minister for Education and Culture Honorable Andrew A. Fahie congratulated thesuccess of the Territory’s students for their performance in the 2011 Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Examinations.
Minister Fahie said that of the nine OECS countries, “The British Virgin Islands has maintained its number one standing in the 2011 CXC Mathematics examination with an 83.12 percentage pass rate.” The education minister continued, “Also, I am pleased to report that of the nine OECS countries, the British Virgin Islands has maintained its number one standing in the 2011 CXC English examination with a 72.22 percent pass rate. This is good news!”
The minister attributed the Territory’s success at the regional level to initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Education which include PowerSchool and the overall use of technology in schools.
“Preparation is never time wasted. Over the past four years, through many initiatives like the use of PowerSchool technology in schools, we continue to prepare our students and teachers so that they can help us move our education system from good to great.”
The Minister congratulated all students, teachers and parents for a job well done. The Ministry of Education and Culture supports the work of the Caribbean Examination Council, the leading provider of examinations for secondary schools in the English-speaking Caribbean.
He added, “These results are a testament that our students are excelling. These results are a testament that our 98 percent secondary level pass rate reflects credibility. These results are a testament that PowerSchool is making a positive difference in our students’ lives and in our education system.”

Source:bvinews.com

As the seasons change from Autumn to fall, thoughts tend to turn towards the warmth and luxury of a roaring fire inside your BVI Home, particularly if a night time chill causes you to retreat inside earlier than you’d like! Outside fire places can be very appealing they bring warmth and also the sweet aroma of burning wood on chilly fall evenings.

Outside fire places draw family and friends together to talk, eat together or celebrate, and you can easily extend your outside living deep into fall and early winter if there’s a warmth source. This is the main reason fire pits, fire places and chimneas are fast becoming a popular deck and patio accessory. The additional benefit is that they are a great place to cook (from simply roasting marshmallows and chocolate to baking a pizza) along with a comforting source of light that gives romanticism to any occasion.

Purchasing an outdoor fireplace is a decision which needs to be considered thoroughly. Is this type of deck and patio accessory really what you are looking for? Is it the right decision for your family and your home? Prior to going out and get a brand new outside fire place, consider these essential details -

Pros

Fire places could make your patio the your favorite space and be a popular place to spend time with friends and family.

The aesthetic worth of a genuine-fire smell and also the soothing seem of the crackling fire.

The exercise and satisfaction of creating your own fire and chopping up your own wood if you opt to get out there and harvest it yourself.

Also, outside fire places are often the only method to legally have a fire on your property. If you reside within city limits there may be laws against having fires which aren’t enclosed.

Cons

Safety factors are always the most crucial responsibility around any fire. You have to be prepared to keep a close eye on your fire for the whole time it is burning, particularly if you have young children who may put their hands into the fire or on the hot surfaces.

Maintenance regimes may differ in time and intensity based on which kind of fire place you purchase, but it will be a regular and necessary task. You will have to empty ashes and cast iron fire places will require regular care to prevent rusting.

If you buy a fire place which has a pit design with no chimney or flue then smoke may hover at head level and cause annoyance to both you and your neighbors. Fire places with no flue burn less effectively and often smolder a lot more because of insufficient air flow.

When you are considering purchasing an outside fire place, consider where you will be using it. If you are planning to use it on wood decks or in close proximity to flammable material this could be hazardous, specifically for clay fire places which are known to fail and break unexpectedly. Cast iron fire places often stain the surface they are placed on.

An easy solution for outside warmth and light is a tabletop fire bowl, which typically lights with a clean-burning gel fuel. To cover a larger area, there are portable options like a chimnea or fire bowl. The chimnea is similar to a potbelly stove, and enables a fire to light rapidly, burn more than a conventional fireplace and keep smoke from your eyes. The design also safeguards against rain extinguishing the flame.

Fire bowls are available in many styles and sizes, so are easily adaptable to many outdoor situations. Adding a grate over the top and it can be used for cooking, choosing one with wheels may be beneficial to you as then it is possible to transport the fire to wherever the party is happening. Fitting it with mesh screens reduce sparks.

You should read and stick to the manufacturer’s instructions which will advise you how to use and put out your fire bowl. For example, putting a fire bowl near structures, trees or overgrown roof-lines ought to be avoided. So ensure you read the instructions and follow the same safety precautions you would with an open fire.

A fire pit may also be designed and built to be a permanent fixture on the patio area. They may be built of stone, brick or concrete and will provide both warmth and cooking facilities.

A conventional fire place with chimney is definitely the most impressive option for outside entertaining all year round, but they do not have to be traditional in the way they look or function. For structural integrity and adherence to safety codes, it is always best to employ a licensed designers and builders who will have a greater knowledge of the type of fireplace that would best suit your surroundings.

An outdoor fireplace will enhance your life more than any luxury appliance you may purchase for the inside of your home, just imagine getting home at the end of the day and enjoying a glass of wine round a warming fire. Families and friends have been brought together to chat and share stories for many years and this is something that is available for you to enjoy all year round.