Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Perhaps you’ve been thinking of getting away this winter, somewhere not too far from home that has warm tropical breezes, white sandy beaches, award winning restaurants and clear blue water.

We would like to welcome you to visit us in the Turks & Caicos Islands……..

Providenciales, often referred to as “Provo,” has all the modern conveniences of home while remaining a top beach vacation destination. The island features an 18 hole golf course, deep sea fishing, bone fishing, duty free shopping, scuba diving, a casino, parasailing, tennis, jet skiing and so much more.

Along the breathtaking 12 mile Grace Bay Beach, located on the north side of the island and protected by a barrier reef, are the many hotels and resorts. Some of these properties have suites currently listed for sale.

If you are thinking about diversifying your assets and would like to own a “little bit of paradise” we would be happy to show you the properties available in Provo as well as all the other islands in the TCI.

Turks & Caicos Islands…….the Chic New Address for Real Estate

Feature Listing…….The Reef Residences - $419,000

The Reef Residences located in the Grace Bay Beach area feature a fitness center, large free form pool and lush landscaping.

This one bedroom suite measures approximately 788 sq ft, all furniture and appliances are included in the sale price.

Located only 120 yards from one of the best snorkeling and swimming areas on Provo.

Reef Residences are suited for long term tenants and short term vacation rentals.

Contact Graham Canham at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Turks & Caicos for additional information on this Featured Property.

MLS #: 089785
Email: grahamcanham@coldwellbankertci.com
Cell: (649) 231-4790

Announcing the Turks & Caicos 5th Annual Conch Festival

Join us on Saturday, November 29th at noon in Blue Hills, Providenciales for the Turks & Caicos Conch Festival

Three live bands are featured and see over 20 restaurants compete in the 2008 Conch competition - who will have this years best recipe?

A portions of the proceeds from the festival will go to assist the rebuilding of the Conch Fishing Industry in South Caicos.

For more information on the festival go to the website at www.conchfestival.com

Saturday, November 29th at noon in Blue Hills, Providenciales.

Turks and Caicos has come first in the Condé Nast survey of the most popular Caribbean destinations making a giant leap from its previous position of 10th in 2007.

This remarkable shift has seen the islands retain their appeal despite the recent brush with Hurricane Ike earlier this year which caused “no significant” damage according to officials.

Comprising over 50 islands covering an expanse of 193 square miles, the British overseas territory, Turks and Caicos, is found 575 miles off the coast of Miami. 2009 is set to see the island host some exciting events including the Indy Turks and Caicos Grand Prix in February and the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship which they previously hosted in 1999.

The President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Enrique De Marchena Kaluche, comments that: “While recognizing that each Caribbean nation is confronted with challenges that are as unique as its cultures and have distinctive appeal to tourists, there are certain shared goals on which the industry must come together to attract not only higher numbers of visitor arrivals, but also a higher calibre of vacationer.” Condé Nast’s poll sees The Bahamas and Jamaica take 2nd and 3rd position respectively and the CHTA’s continued efforts are set to enforce measures for sustained growth over the next few years.

North Caicos is known as the ‘garden island’ of Turks and Caicos and is the 3rd largest island in the archipelago. With a population of less than 2000 people North Caicos is an exclusive location for those wanting to get away from it all and The Royal Reef Resort situated at Sandy Point is a development that offers just that; an area renowned for its natural, unspoiled beauty.

A truly calm tropical paradise, with pure blue waters, white sandy beaches and a barrier reef, the area is said to be the Caribbean’s best kept secret.

The beaches are beautiful. Wish you were here!
The beaches of the British Virgin Islands come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re paddling out to drop in on a set of waves surfing Apple Bay, lying on the pristine, white sands relaxing in the sun at Elizabeth Beach or slipping in your anchor at the always-popular Deadman’s Bay, every beach in the BVI is unique. And best of all, with the endless skies and inviting water, you can plan a new beach adventure every day you’re here.

Tortola
Apple Bay Beach
Island: Tortola - Apple / Capoons Bay
Apple Bay Beach is just over the hill from Long Bay. Here, on any day in season you can see at least a dozen surfers from all over the world. The bay is also known for its full moon parties at Bomba’s Surfside Shack, as well as the Friday night fish fries hosted by local residents under the banyon trees. In the evenings, you can usually find music playing at one of the bay’s two hotels and several local restaurants.

Brewer’s Bay Beach
Island: Tortola - North Shore
Brewer’s Bay, once the site of several sugar plantations and distilleries (hence its name) is just around the eastern point by boat or over a steep hill by car from Cane Garden Bay. Ruins can be seen on the beach and along the road going out of the bay to town. In winter, the campground here is home to an interesting group of travellers who return year after year. The water offers some of the best snorkelling on the island because of its many reefs.

Cane Garden Bay
Island: Tortola
Centrally located on Tortola’s north shore, Cane Garden Bay is a long, lovely, curved bay sheltered from heavy winds, making it a favoured anchorage for boaters. Attracting both tourists and residents, an abundance of activities can be found here: boating, windsurfing, water-skiing, and swimming. Some of Tortola’s most popular bars and restaurants line the beach, and island music can be heard at many of these spots nightly.

Elizabeth Beach
Island: Tortola - East End
Elizabeth Beach is without doubt, one of the widest on Tortola, providing sun worshipers plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the beautiful views of the British Virgin Islands.

Josiah’s Bay Beach
Island: Tortola - North Shore
This beach on Tortola’s East End has a long and wide swath of sand that makes it ideal for sunbathing. There is a small beach bar on the beach and several guest houses and restaurants nearby. At certain times in the winter when the waves reach their optimum peak, it is a favourite surfing spot.

Lambert Bay
Island: Tortola - North Shore
Lambert Bay, also known as Elizabeth Bay, is one of the north shore’s finest beaches and is a favourite picnic spot for residents because of its sheltering palm grove and fine white sand. A resort is located behind the beach.

Long Bay
Island: Tortola - Long Bay
Long Bay is a mile-long stretch of white sand beach, perfect for a tranquil sunset walk. A resort and several guest houses line the eastern portion of the beach. The western end, fringed with palms and seagrapes, offers greater solitude and good swimming.

Smuggler’s Cove
Island: Tortola - West End / Soper’s Hole
Located at the western-most end of Tortola, Smugglers Cove is secluded, sheltered, serene, and hard to reach. The road to it is unpaved, but passable. The water is exceptionally warm, clear, and calm. Snorkelling off both points is good and sometimes sea turtles can be found swimming close by.

To view original article click here

My husband and I visited the BVI in June 2003, and went out on 2 day trips with them on the WhiteSquall2 to Norman Island & the Indians, and we loved it so much we booked another day out to Virgin Gorda. We were introduced to the WhiteSquall2, by Maggie who I believe owns/runs WhiteSquall2, we met her on Long Bay beach…..we are truly grateful we met her, as we had some fabulous memories of our days out with them. We loved our time in the BVI, and always talk about it, and plan to return one day, hopefully not too far away in the future.
Do not miss taking the opportunity to go out for a trip on the WhiteSquall2 when in Tortola, as the crew, scenery, snorkelling , swimming and whole experience is something not to be missed. It was a true dream!!

This article was a direct quote from a user of tripadvisor, you can read the full article here

With the world’s financial markets hurting, what to do with the cash? Stick it under your mattress or buy a home in the British Virgin Islands? We’re still doing fine down here and with a shortage of property look set to continue to do so.

Suffolk Court Completes Phase 1 - Listing ID#2228

Suffolk Court is an oasis in paradise, surrounded on three sides by water. It is located in the Bahamas’ second city of Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. All five buildings face directly onto the water and enjoy private boat docks. They are also nestled around a pool and jacuzzi area in a lushly landscaped setting. The buildings themselves are five storey’s high (with an elevator) and are designed in a ’Island Colonial“ style with soft pastel colours. Beneath this gentle look, concrete and steel construction - with impact-rated doors and windows, offer state-of-the-art storm protection. The buildings feature 1-bed condominiums on the first floor, 3-bed condominiums on the second, third and fourth floors and 2 massive penthouses on the top floor. All condos feature balconies, great rooms and of course, stunning water views as standard. Each condominium provides generous accommodation ranging from 1,030 sq ft to 3,371 sq ft with masses of storage and a large covered terrace straight off the master suite. Imagine sipping your morning coffee there… The penthouses have everything you have read and more, including 2 terraces and a library. In this gated community there are plenty of private parking available - even private docks to moor your boat! Prices start at 440,000……See Listing ID#2228

Make sure to check our Google Earth Map listings. Now you can see satellite images of property and zoom in and out to see the entire Bahamas. On the listing there is a link Go to Map and on the home page there is a General Map.

Can you believe that 2009 is just around the corner. At this time of year I usually like to look back at the state of the real estate market and see how world events and the economy has influenced our real estate market on Grand Bahama Island. What a roller coaster ride we have had this year with the world economic meltdown leading to a potential global recession, tourist numbers down in the Bahamas, Royal Oasis still closed, a 2 year legal battle over the Grand Bahama Port Authority ownership still going on, huge growing unemployment in the US and in the Bahamas, big multi-million dollar Bahama projects stalled and the list goes on. The PM in his nationally televised address has warned people to live within their means to help get through these tough times. If you are a pessimist and think the glass is half full you probably think that everything will continue to get worse and you probably think that there is no real estate market in the Bahamas and especially on Grand Bahama. If you keep watching the gloom and doom on TV this makes you feel even lower and there does not seem to be any good news anywhere. I agree these are very challenging times and it is easy to think that things will not get better. But have heart and faith because this is just a down cycle and we may be getting close to the bottom. And…as they say when you hit bottom there is only one way to go and that is not down. So what is the other prospective from the glass is half full prospective. Well for one the US has a new President and a new USA TODAY/Gallop Poll says that Americans have soaring hopes for the incoming Obama administration. In fact 65% of Americans believe that the USA will be better off 4 years from now. That is good news because that means that there is Hope for our neighbors just 68 miles to the west. And if there is Hope for America there is hope for Europe and this contagious thing called Hope can spread across the globe. This Hope translates to consumer confidence and consumer confidence in the USA and the world translates into abundance for our little Grand Bahama. When there is confidence foreigners will travel and spend money in our economy and invest in our beautiful Bahamas. The economic trickle down will affect the cab driver, the straw vendor, the business owner and the real estate market. From a historical perspective the economic melt down resulting in huge Stock Market drops are not as bad at Black Monday 1987 or The Great Depression. World governments having learned lessons from the past are doing their best to stabilize the world economy. It will be a tough road ahead but according to many experts we are on our way to recovery. Unfortunately, there is uncertainty and fear in the market as these recession/recovery cycles do take their time and people are worried about their jobs, their retirement accounts, their investments and their future. I know everyone wants to know what does all this news mean to our Freeport Property Market. Well as I have always said if you own a home it is still a great investment and you should be comfortable knowing that historically even with the ups and downs in the economy Real Estate has always over time proven to be the BEST investment you can make. If you are trying to sell your home today you must be realistic with the pricing if you want to sell. It is a very good time for motivated sellers and aggressive buyers because both parties want to make a deal. My job as a Real Estate Broker is to act as a middle man and bring these buyers and sellers together. Even though the market is slower than its been in a while, we have been helping buyers and sellers make deals over the last few weeks because real buyers and real sellers who are willing to make a deal can. If you absolutely must sell in this market as many of you must do for many different reasons, then you have to be prepared to accept less for your property as it is clearly a buyer’s market and buyers want great deals. If you are not willing to reduce your prices then you should take your home off the market so you don’t waste your time and end up disappointed. So believe it or not this could be the right time for you to buy or sell or buy and sell if you are willing to make a deal. Flexibility is the key and when a real buyer and a real seller meet… both parties can win and accomplish their objectives. Our local banks are willing to lend money and if you are in a financial position to buy this is a great time because prices are going to rise as the Hope sets in and the world recovers from this slump prices will begin to rise. If you have property and want to wait sit back and relax and watch your property appreciate. If you want to sell get going and contact your real estate broker today and let them now you are ready ! If the time is right for you don’t be a WOULDA COULDA SHOULDA buyer or seller but be a savy investor or satisfied seller. Now may be the time for you. Good Luck, Have Hope and we will Talk Real Estate Next week.