Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Recycle the coins you bring back from the islands, by donating them to the UNICEF Change for Good program. American Airlines, a large presence in the travel plans of visitors to the Caribbean islands, donated $1.2 Million for UNICEF in 2009.

American Airlines has been participating in the program since 1994. Last year, travelers donated $1.2 million in U.S. and foreign currency, the most ever for American.

The money is collected on select international flights and at Admirals Clubs and Flagship Lounges. Donations received in January and February are earmarked to provide assistance to Haitian children.

“American Airlines and its participation in the Change for Good program is invaluable to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for its ability to bring both funding and attention to UNICEF’s work,” said Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

“A little change goes a long way. We are so thankful for the generosity of American Airlines customers and the dedication of the committed American Airlines employee volunteers who choose to help improve children’s lives,” Stern said.

Change for Good is an innovative partnership between UNICEF and the international airline industry. Established in 1987, it is one of UNICEF’s best-known and longest-running partnerships. Currently more than 10 international airlines support the Change for Good program.

Thanks to the generous support of customers and participating airlines, Change for Good has generated over $90 million that UNICEF has used to provide a healthier, happier future for millions of children.

Send your unused foreign currency today to UNICEF. If you are unable to donate your foreign currency on an American Airlines flight or at an Admirals Club or Flagship Lounge, you can still support Change for Good by sending your gift to the following address:

U.S. Fund for UNICEF
ATTN: Change for Good Program
125 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038

The nature conservation charity, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), is launching a poster competition, ‘Why are Seabirds Important’ and offering prizes to students and schools. Winning students will receive the most comprehensive Caribbean bird book, ‘Birds of the West Indies’, a pair of binoculars, as well as their posters displayed in government offices and in the press. The winning students’ schools will also receive ‘Birds of the West Indies’ and $EC 300 to purchase books on nature conservation.

Environmental Protection In the Caribbean (EPIC) have begun the second and final year of breeding seabird surveys in the Lesser Antilles and are due to reach St Kitts and Nevis on the 28 June (weather depending) for a second round of surveys and outreach.

You can enter the competition if you are a student between 6 and 18. The poster can be of any size or media. Judges are looking for a design that is eye catching and will raise the profile of seabirds in the Caribbean. Work should address why seabirds are important to people and the environment and why they are important in their own right. For more information, contact Katharine Lowrie, klowrie@epicislands.org. The closing date is April 30, 2010.

Read more at ZIZOnline.

St Kitts, St Maarten, and Jamaica are the leading countries that are able to comfortably host major conferences within the Caribbean region, according to Ackroyd Birmingham, treasurer of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions and Conference Chairman.

“It’s really sad to know that only about five countries in the region have the ability and facilities to host conferences of about 400- 600 persons, as all of the other countries are unable to do so,” he said.

The conference director had high praise for the governments of St Maarten, St Kitts and Jamaica, noting that it will help to facilitate growth and advancement of those countries’ economies. He said that he is exceptionally impressed with St Kitts, noting that it’s the smallest country and has demonstrated its ability to host these conventions.

Birmingham said that St Kitts last hosted the convention in 2005, stating that they did an exceptionally good job at it, with the assistance of Nevis Cooperative Credit Union. St Kitts has expressed a strong interest in again holding the convention next year.

According to a recent survey by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC among its network of real estate professionals, in the last 12 months, 37% of sales professionals surveyed noted an increase in home buyers looking for homes that can accommodate more than one generation of their family. In addition, almost 70% of Coldwell Banker sales agents believe that economic conditions may cause greater demand for multi-generational homes in their market during the next year.

The Coldwell Banker respondents cited financial drivers as the No. 1 reason why home buyers or sellers are moving into a house with other generations of their family (39%). Twenty-nine percent said that health care issues are the primary reason, and 6% cited a strong family bond as the main factor.

Sellers with “mother in-law suites” or additional spaces that could accommodate a family interested in a multi-generational living arrangement should highlight this aspect of the home. Whether it’s a garage apartment or refurbished basement, this separate space can help one home stand apart from the others on its block.

Buyers must be clear about their exact needs. Some families may just want an extra bedroom or two for family members, while others require areas with a separate kitchen, entrance, handicap accessibility or even a larger garage for additional cars. Desired location may also be influenced by proximity to local hospitals, senior centers or other important activities to family members.

Extended families purchasing a home together should consider signing a written contract outlining everything from finances to chores and childcare. Each family should assess their situation individually and find a plan that works best for them.

Check with our Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates for advice and resources if you want to purchase or sell a home that might be suited for more than one generation.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC has just launched Blue Matter, a real estate blog that will feature many different voices on important real estate industry issues, the company announced. Contributors include Jim Gillespie, President and CEO, Mike Fischer, SVP of Marketing, Diann Patton, Consumer Real Estate Specialist, David Marine, social media strategist and Gustavo Gonzalez, a production specialist.

According to the company, In addition to the new blog, Coldwell Banker has and will move forward with combining smart social media strategies with its over-100 year brand heritage.

The company’s corporate Facebook page has over 6,000 fans, and thousands of agents have their own profiles / fan pages. In addition, @coldwellbnkr has over 4,000 followers on Twitter, and the Coldwell Banker On Location YouTube channel has over 750,000 views, the company stated.

For more information, visit http://blog.coldwellbanker.com.

The St. Kitts Water Department has issued a warning that the Federation could experience drought conditions in the coming months. St. Kitts and Nevis are among regional territories from Jamaica in the North to Venezuela in the South that are experiencing a dry spell.

The press release stated that, specifically on the island of St. Kitts, the “dry spell” is because of the decline in rainfall.

Engineer of Operations at the St. Kitts Water Department, Dennison Paul said, “Eventually, what is going to happen is that residents, particularly those in the higher elevation, for example in the Village area, Frigate Bay…would suffer first but eventually, significant proportions of our population are going to be out of water. In fact, just last weekend the Cedar Grove area was out of water and so the higher elevation would suffer first.

“What that means is that we would have to institute rationing of the water; meaning that certain sections of the island get their water maybe from six to four, another section gets from four to midnight. So we would have to ration water so you would not be guaranteed a 24-hour supply.”

According to projections, Paul explained that the current pattern is expected to continue until the end of the “dry season” which usually falls in May.

(resource: SKNVibes.com)

St Kitts and Nevis Federation will host the Queen’s Baton Relay from March 19-21, in celebration of the 19th edition of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. The Baton is scheduled to visit all 71 competing territories prior to the October 3 start of the games. This year’s Baton has been specially designed with a camera inside to take pictures of all the countries it visits, which are then broadcast on the Commonwealth Games’ website.

When the baton arrives, members of the NOC and Commonwealth Games Association, government officials and Former Commonwealth 100m champion Kim Collins will visit PM Dr. Hon. Denzil Douglas.

On March 20, the Baton will be passed in a series of three relays in St. Kitts-Nevis and will be handled by as many as 80-100 celebrities, elite and junior level athletes, government officials, sports association officials and military personnel.

The final day the Baton will be on display at the Silver Jubilee Anniversary Stadium, where the TDC/Coca-Cola Interschool Championships will be held the same weekend.

The Commonwealth Games began in 1930 as the British Empire Games and were originally held in Hamilton, Ontario. The Federation sent its first athletes to the games in 1978 and has competed regularly since 1990.

You’ve decided to sell. Look at your home through the eyes of a prospective buyer and be honest with yourself: what needs to be cleaned, painted, repaired and tossed out or given away? If you were buying this home what would you want to see? Your goal is to make your home look good, maximize space and attract as many buyers as possible.

The first and most important thing you want to do in preparing your house for market is to make sure it has good curb appeal. Curb appeal is simply the first impression a prospective buyer gets when driving by the house.

It has been said that up to 80% of the decision to buy a house is made before even entering the home, so it doesn’t matter how great your house looks inside if buyers won’t go through the front door. You could have the greatest floor plan, and the greatest decor, but if your house is unsightly from the outside, a lot of people will never ring the bell.

So by all means start on the outside of the house and use common sense. Keep the lawn mowed and watered, trim the shrubs, make sure there isn’t any peeling paint, and keep weeds out of the flower beds. Put some color in the landscaping and plant some flowers.

Make sure there aren’t any unsightly vehicles in the driveway. If you have an older car that looks its age, park it down the road or at a friend’s house. Keep the yard clean and pristine. When you can look at the outside of your house from the street and it looks better than it ever has, it is time to move to the inside of the house.

Here’s a checklist:
- Water, mow, weed, & edge lawn regularly.
- Trim hedges,prune trees, and tend to flowerbeds regularly.
- Mend cracks in walkways, driveway, walls, foundation, and patios.
- Patch up or repaint doors and windows with peeling paint.
- Clean and align gutters.
- Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
- Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
- Keep your garage door closed.
- Move old cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.
- Be sure your front door area has a warm, “Welcome” feeling.

Inside you want to make things look as open and bright as possible. Keep all the blinds and curtains open and the windows clean. If a room feels or looks cluttered, move some of your extra furniture into a storage space or a friend’s house. Remember, you’ll be moving anyway, so start sorting and have that garage sale.

Keep the inside of your house smelling good. Any senses you can stimulate when someone enters your house will help create emotional attachment to the home. Don’t overdo the aroma therapy, but make the house smell pleasant - no stale cooking odors, no pet odors, no diapers.

Keep everything as clean as you can. Give the impression that you take care of your property and care about your home. You want your house to look, feel and smell it’s best. Make those repairs you’ve put off so doors work well and the plumbing doesn’t drip. Purchase a couple of ceiling fans or small room fans to keep it cooler for showings.

Are you ready for Buyers:
- Repaint walls or replace carpets with neutral colors.
- Fix all cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic.
- Fix all cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
- Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork.
- Repair leaky faucets and showerheads.
- Clean and remove clutter to make your house appear bigger and brighter.
- Rent storage to keep the garage and attic clear.
- Remove excess or very large furniture.
- Hire a professional cleaning service once every few weeks while the house is on the market.
- Remove as many items from kitchen counters, closets, and attics to make your house seem more spacious.
- Make your kitchen and bathroom look as bright and fresh as possible.
- Use your nicer guest towels in the bathrooms.
- Hang up fresh curtains.
- Install new cabinet knobs.
- Make sure kitchen and bathroom are clean and odor free.
- Replace burned out light bulbs.
- Open drapes and blinds.
- Don’t let pets wander around the house during showings.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink or laundry in the washer or dryer.
- Make the beds.
- Put on soothing music.

Remember that people make emotional decisions. We justify with logic what we decide with emotions. Keep your mind open, try for a warm and bright interior, have great curb appeal, and you will be on the right path to preparing your house for the market. Our Coldwell Banker agents can answer any questions you have about getting ready for a sale, and advise you on the best timing for the highest price.

The St Kitts-Nevis government has committed to move forward several projects aimed at increasing employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the continued transformation of the economy. “We expect these projects will dramatically advance the process of transforming our economy from the pre-2005 sugar-based economy to a new and vibrant service-oriented economy with a vast array of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for our people,” said St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Douglas.

He said his government will move to advance the La Vallee Greens Project and the Kittitian Hill Projects as they are critical and are situated in the midst of rural communities that were significantly affected by the demise of the sugar industry.

He said his administration looks forward to the completion of the Ocean Edge Resort, the Silver Reef condominiums, the Sunrise Rise Villas, the Marriott Vacation Club and the continued and accelerated implementation of the Christophe Harbour Project Development and the Park Hyatt Project.

Douglas also expects the construction of at least three five-star hotels on the Southeast Peninsula and an increase of cruise ship passenger arrivals to over 1 million through construction of a new pier at Port Zante and the renewal of the town of Basseterre during his government’s new five-year term.

Read more at CaribbeanNetNews.

Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It is, however, also a business transaction, and must be treated as such.

Three of the most devastating things that can go wrong are:
^ Paying too much
^ Losing a dream home to another buyer
^ Buying the wrong home

When you have a systematic plan before you shop, you’ll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips on making the most of your home purchase:

Get the information you need
What price do you offer a seller? Is the seller’s asking price too high? Is it a deal? Your own research is important, as is the assistance of a Realtor. A professional Coldwell Banker Realtor can offer an unbiased opinion on the value of a home, based on many factors and a great deal of information. Without knowledge of the market, your offer could be too much. Or worse, you could miss out on a great buying opportunity. Hire the right person and trust that person to represent your interests.

Buy YOUR home
What do you need and want in a home? Sounds simple, but clearly identifying your needs and bringing an objective view to home shopping leaves you in a much better position. How much space do you really need? Too small and you may feel like you live in constant clutter. Too big and maintenance may become too daunting. Outline all of your priorities, and work on finding not just a great home, but a great home for you.

Check the title
Before you sign any document, be sure the property you are considering is free of all encumbrances. As a part of his or her services, a Coldwell Banker Realtor can supply you with a copy of the title to ensure there are no liens, debts, undisclosed owners, leases or easements against the title.

Update the survey
Before the purchase is completed, an updated survey is essential. This report will indicate boundaries and structural changes (additions to the house, a new swimming pool, neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.), and will guarantee that you are indeed getting what you pay for.

Minimize the unexpected
For $300 - $500, a professional inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of the home. His/her expertise can mean the difference between uncovering major flaws before or after you own a home. Make the final contract subject to the report’s findings.

Get pre-approved
It only takes a few days to get financing pre-approval. When you are shopping for a home, this gives you more power. A seller is more likely to consider an offer from a serious buyer.

Remember additional costs
Besides the funds for the purchase of a home, you’ll need funds for items such as loan fees, insurance, legal fees, surveys, inspections, etc.

Take a deep breath
Before you sign, ensure that all documentation clearly reflects your understanding and conditions of the transaction. Has anything been forgotten? Don’t rush. You could lose money, financing, or even the sale if you attempt to push things through too hastily.