Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

With the hurricane season well underway here in the Caribbean, a few thoughts at preventative care and 1st-line reaction seem timely.

Homeowners should begin their disaster preparations by developing a plan. A good plan includes not only an emergency preparedness kit, with important papers, food and water, and extra blankets and flashlights, but also a well-thought out plan for how family members will evacuate and communicate-making sure that everyone in the family is familiar with the plan and knows what to do and where to go in case of an emergency.

Homeowners who live in high-risk areas should have a “go-bag” ready in case they need to leave quickly; including a change of clothing, insurance policy and agent contact information, and toiletries as well as money, an evacuation route and a place to stay. If you rent your property, it is only common sense and considerate to leave a hurricane preparedness information packet for your guests.

It’s smart to catalog all of your possessions using a digital camcorder or camera and move expensive items to a higher location such as a second floor or attic. This is also true if you are an absentee owner and leave your own possessions in an empty or rental property.

Make sure your home is properly insured against natural disasters, since many plans don’t cover earthquakes, hurricanes and floods-especially in high risk areas-and consider supplemental disaster insurance policies that cover losses from specific catastrophes that traditional policies don’t cover. Homeowners should first review their existing policy to determine what’s covered since supplemental plans can cost a few hundred dollars to several thousand each year depending on the type of disaster and the home’s location, size and type, and then determine their area’s disaster risk. If you are a condo owner, then be sure you know what the association policy covers and what is left to you.

In the event of a hurricane, reinforce doors and windows against strong winds. Hurricane film is an inexpensive, clear plastic film that keeps glass shards from becoming dangerous missiles and can be left in place year-round, however it can’t prevent heavy winds from blowing in the entire window frame. Another less expensive alternative is plywood; its downside is that it’s temporary and is often put up at the last minute when a hurricane is approaching. An easier but more expensive alternative is roll-up or accordion-style storm shutters that are permanently attached to a house. The most expensive option may be high-impact windows, made of two panes of tempered glass separated by a plastic film. They are always in place and since they look like standard windows, they don’t affect a home’s appearance. Many homes in the Caribbean do have hurricane shutters. Know what you have available.

Preventative maintenance can also lessen property damage. Leaky roofs and foundation cracks can let water into a home more readily and weaken the structure, so it’s important to make repairs quickly. It’s also good to clear gutters and drains, invest in a battery-powered sump pump, and prevent sewage backup by installing a check valve, which allows waste to only flow one way. It’s also smart to catalog all of your possessions using a digital camcorder or camera and move expensive items to a higher location such as a second floor or attic.

If flood waters do make their way into a home, be proactive within the first 24 hours. Before entering the home, check for any visible structural damage. Turn off all water and electrical sources, even if the power isn’t currently operational. Before making repairs or removing any water, fully document the damage by taking photos or video and notify your insurer as soon as possible. Wear waders or waterproof boots and rubber gloves because water could be contaminated by sewage or household chemicals. After the insurer has approved removing the water, use a sump pump or wet vac, open doors and windows, and remove wet contents, including carpeting and bedding, to mitigate mold damage.

For more information, visit www.houselogic.com.

(resource: RISMedia.com)

Once the home of Admiral Nelson’s wife, Fanny Nisbet, this grand 30 acre property was originally built as a sugar plantation in 1778 and it remains the Caribbean’s only original plantation house to be located on a beach.

Much of the grandeur and colonial charm remains and, naturally, there’s a croquet lawn to complete the picture of colonial good living. Rooms are located in 16 comfortable Plantation-style cottages and Lanai suites scattered throughout the property on either side of the Avenue of the Palms ^ a stretch of lawn from the 18th-century Great House down a short distance to the beach.

There are many excellent facilities and you’ll certainly enjoy high standards of service, accommodation and cuisine, with a great weekly beach barbecue. The Nisbet Plantation has been voted one of the best small luxury hotels in the Caribbean by travel magazines.

The offer is 7 nights for the price of 5, and free upgrade to full board. Valid for stays 10-9 through 12-21-2010. Includes 7 nights accommodation in a Superior Room, return flights, and private car transfers. Based on double occupancy. Visit Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, or call 0845 643 6548.

The St Kitts and Nevis government has lifted a 15-year ban on the importation of jet skis into the twin-island federation.

The ban on the water sport craft used at certain beaches was imposed after an accident at sea. The victim suffered significant injury to the head from the propeller of a jet ski. Recent developments have prompted the authorities to reverse the ban.

“Over the last 15 years, the propulsion technology for jet skis has changed, thereby eliminating the propeller blades in favour of jet propulsion, which is a much safer technology,” Minister of Information, Senator Nigel Carty said in a post-Cabinet media briefing. He added that new guidelines on how and where jet skis are to be used have been created and approved by the Cabinet. These will ensure that the sport craft remain safe for those who use them and for those on the beaches where they are authorised for operation.

“This then can only add to the development of the tourism product resulting in increased intake for the local tourism industry,” the Information Minister said.

(resource - Caribbean360)

e360’s latest 2nd Home Trend Report, conducted this past June/July, shows positive signs for the Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates, throughout the Caribbean. The report surveyed existing second home buyers on preferences for timing, attributes, location, and pricing of an additional second home purchase.

Of those 45% indicating that they are in the market for a second home, Mexico was the top international destination with more than half of the total interest. More impressively, of the remaining 54% who indicated that now would not be a good time to buy, 79% indicated that they would be likely or very likely to purchase in the next 2 years.

As consistent with current market trends, lifestyle and vacation attributes are the leading motivator at 46%. Investment purposes showed 41%. Second home purchases for the purpose of retirement ranked 3rd at just over 11%.

The desire for a second home geared for vacation purposes is not a surprising finding. E360’s Global Research Analyst, Chad Martin, said “This is a consistent trend with the preferred attributes of the buyer being water views and proximity to water or mountain activities.” Lake and ocean views combined for an overwhelming majority of the preferred attributes surveyed with mountain views coming second.

Martin added that while spa and medical facilities have exhibited recent high growth rate forecasts in recent studies, respondents did not translate that growth into the highest motivation for second home purchases. Green-based second homes also did not show the highest appeal, nor has golf amenities translated into sales.

The appeal of being close to the water with an ocean view should help keep our beautiful Caribbean Islands as an attractive 2nd home location in the next few years. Contact a Coldwell Banker agent with any questions you have on investing in our real estate.

The government of St. Kitts and Nevis is working to reduce bureaucratic red tape and make it easier to do business in the federation. Currently there are eight steps to incorporate a company locally, which involves interfacing with many government agencies.

Reviews will be undertaken to simplify and lessen this process and make the application a one-stop job.

The reforms were prompted after the federation was ranked number 76 out of 183 countries in the World Bank Doing Business Project, which provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement. The rankings are from the Doing Business 2010 report, covering the period June 2008 through May 2009.

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr. Denzil Douglas announced a major expansion project at the Robert L Bradshaw International Airport in St. Kitts. The announcement was made in conjunction with the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) and Veling Ltd.

The partnership agreement between SCASPA and Veling features the building of a world-class and luxurious Private Air Terminal Facility at RLB Airport, for use by all local Fixed Base Operations agents, to service private air travellers in this region of the Caribbean.

The government hopes the facility will substantially increase private aircraft visitations.

Pros and Cons of Going Condo

Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in many markets, and they’re ideal for those who appreciate a maintenance-free lifestyle. But before you buy, make sure you do your legwork. These are some of the important elements to consider:

^ Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to hold extra belongings.

^ Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you dread yard work, this may be the perfect option for you.

^ Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.

^ Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not home - good news if you like to travel.

^ Security. Keyed entries and even security personnel are common in many condos. You’re also closer to other people in case of an emergency.

^ Reserve funds and association fees. Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees decided by the condo board, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity.

^ Resale. The ease of selling your unit may be dependent on what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar.

^ Condo rules. Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets, or don’t allow owners to rent out their units. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer.

^ Neighbors. You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or town home. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors.

Check with our Coldwell Banker Agents with your specific questions on any condo purchase.

The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis will implement the Value Added Tax, or VAT, Nov. 1, 2010. The tax is expected to affect all forms of consumer spending, including entertainment.

Once a business exceeds EC$150,000 per year, it would be required to register with the Inland Revenue Dept. Also, if a group will bring in a performer to the islands, they will have to register. The VAT will offer tax reductions for some equipment.

Consumers should expect an increase in the prices of alchoholic beverages served at entertainment events.

Edward Gift, head of the VAT office, explained, “That is something we may have to accept as a society. Remember the consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco has negative effects on the whole society. They increase healthcare costs as there are a lot of diseases related to the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, and we as a society have to pay for those persons to be taken care of. The taxes on those items would be increase slightly. They may try to reduce the price, but at the end of the day they have to make sure they collect the VAT.”

Read more at SKNVibes.com.

Culture Love, a new recording by the Green House Band, that plays at the Oualie Beach Hotel on Nevis, is a new CD and a hit already.

The band was formed by one of the Federation’s (St Kitts and Nevis) top musicians and producers, Jazzique Chiverton, who said that he made sure he got the most talented individuals together to make the band one of, if not the best, in the Federation. The band is made up of brothers Todd and Mel Pemberton, who play the drums and bass respectively. Duane “Thompson” Morton is lead vocalist.

Members of the Green House Band have put great thought and work into the album. They claimed that it is not about having an album released in their name, but about putting out great music and showing other homegrown artistes and bands who aim for that international appeal that this is the way to do it. The CD is predominantly love songs with a touch of Caribbean culture.

For a good review of the sounds and songs, visit SKNVibes.com.

1. Remove clutter and clear off counters. Throw out stacks of newspapers and magazines and stow away most of your small decorative items. Put excess furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too.

2. Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the interior of the home.

3. Keep everything extra clean. A clean house will make a strong first impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been well-cared for. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers. It’s worth hiring a cleaning service if you can afford it.

4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows to air out the house. Potpourri or scented candles will help.

5. Brighten your rooms. Put higher wattage bulbs in light fixtures to brighten up rooms and basements. Replace any burned-out bulbs in closets. Clean the walls, or better yet, brush on a fresh coat of neutral color paint.

6. Don’t disregard minor repairs. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained.

7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. For added curb appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Patch holes. Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. Add a touch of color in the living room. A colored afghan or throw on the couch will jazz up a dull room. Buy new accent pillows for the sofa.

10. Buy a flowering plant and put it near a window you pass by frequently.

11. Make centerpieces for your tables. Use brightly colored fruit or flowers.

12. Set the scene. Set the table with fancy dishes and candles, and create other vignettes throughout the home to help buyers picture living there. For example, in the basement you might display a chess game in progress.

13. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Show off the view if you have one.

14. Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and toothbrushes. When buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel pampered. Add a new shower curtain, new towels, and fancy guest soaps. Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight.

15. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room and let your Coldwell Banker agent know where they’ll be.

16. Lock up valuables, jewelry, and money. While a real estate salesperson will be on site during the showing or open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time.

17. Leave the home. It’s usually best if the sellers are not at home. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.

Ask any of our Coldwell Banker real estate agents if you have any questions on the best way to show your home to prospective buyers.