Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty’s Robert Arthur and Harbour Island recently grabbed the spotlight in a special edition of the HGTV show House Hunters International.
The programme, consistently one of the cable network’s highest rated, gives its audience an inside look into home buying and the real estate market.

The June 8 show was especially important because Arthur’s hometown of Harbour Island was voted the fifth most popular choice from among House Hunters International’s list of the best locations to live.

This is the second time Arthur, a top international Coldwell Banker sales agent, has been featured on House Hunters. Harbour Island Bahamas real estate is some of the most sought after in the country.

Online voters selected the tranquil and relaxed destination of Harbour Island as a top pick from among some of the most desirable places on earth to call home. “The serene island, part of the Bahamian Out Islands, is about 1.5 miles wide by about 3.5 miles long and is located just off the larger Eleuthera Island. It is known for its turquoise waters, pink sand beaches, flower-lined lanes and New England style architecture,” House Hunters said in its promo.

Arthur, a former film producer, and his clients, the Australian/Bahamian couple Toby and Tracy Barry, part owners of the elegant Landing hotel in Harbour Island, were shown viewing three pieces of Harbour Island real estate.
The Barrys wanted one of the classical, Bahamian style homes Harbour Island is famous for.

It had to be in the village and have at least three bedrooms. They wanted a water view (they didn’t want waterfront) and a yard big enough for their four children. A kitchen with an eat-in area was important so that Toby could cook while the family socialized. The couple also needed parking for their three golf carts.

The Barrys found their Harbour Island dream home, and the house search and happy ending were aired on House Hunters International.

For Arthur, owner of Arthur’s Bakery and Café on Harbour Island, the invitation to appear on House Hunters a second time was an honour. “It was a great privilege because up until that time, that was not something they did, according to the producer,” Arthur said.

And it was also thrilling to promote Harbour Island Bahamas.
Arthur said the House Hunters producer fell in love with the jewel of Eleuthera, particularly the architecture of the old homes, on the first shoot in 2008.

Arthur is a top producing Bahamas real estate agent. He also is a volunteer fireman, member of the Hurricane Relief Committee and a minister of Jehovah Witnesses.

Customer Service and Lead Generation were the focus of the annual Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates Broker’s and Manager’s conference held June 17-21 in St. Martin, FWI. Coldwell Banker business owners and their management staff attended and shared ideas both on generating new business and better ways to service customers who find us online.

The highlight of the conference, held at La Samanna on the French side of the Island, were the technological initiatives presented by Larry Burke, Director of IT for the company. Among the many new concepts on the horizon are individual company Facebook and Twitter pages, complete with listing data and links back to their own websites. Individual agent pages and individual listing pages were also displayed.

Using cutting-edge proprietary technology, Burke demonstrated many new applications that will ultimately lead to a dominant web presence and an industry presence second to none. When a web visitor finds us online, we want their experience to be fulfilling and give the information they want. We will be using all these new tools to achieve this goal.

Heather Goodman, Marketing Director for the company, introduced new marketing concepts for the year ahead, including website directory links and on-line advertising at some of world’s leading newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

Attending the conference were 22 Brokers and Managers from many of the island countries of the Atlantic and Caribbean. Also in attendance was Jim Gillespie, President & CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation and Beth Makatura, VP & Director of International Services. The meeting was hosted by Coldwell Banker Real Estate St. Maarten & Coldwell Banker Caraibe.

Check back often to our Aruba Coldwell Banker site and watch for the latest in technology to be available for your use.

COLDWELL Banker Lightbourn Realty’s Robert Arthur and Harbour Island recently grabbed the spotlight in a special edition of the HGTV show House Hunters International.
The programme, consistently one of the cable network’s highest rated, gives its audience an inside look into home buying and the real estate market.
The June 8 show was especially important because Arthur’s hometown of Harbour Island was voted the fifth most popular choice from among House Hunters International’s list of the best locations to live.
This is the second time Arthur, a top international Coldwell Banker sales agent, has been featured on House Hunters.
Harbour Island Bahamas real estate is some of the most sought after in the country.
Online voters selected the tranquil and relaxed destination of Harbour Island as a top pick from among some of the most desirable places on earth to call home.
“The serene island, part of the Bahamian Out Islands, is about 1.5 miles wide by about 3.5 miles long and is located just off the larger Eleuthera Island. It is known for its turquoise waters, pink sand beaches, flower-lined lanes and New England style architecture,” House Hunters said in its promo.
Arthur, a former film producer, and his clients, the Australian/Bahamian couple Toby and Tracy Barry, part owners of the elegant Landing hotel in Harbour Island, were shown viewing three pieces of Harbour Island real estate.
The Barrys wanted one of the classical, Bahamian style homes Harbour Island is famous for.
It had to be in the village and have at least three bedrooms. They wanted a water view (they didn’t want waterfront) and a yard big enough for their four children. A kitchen with an eat-in area was important so that Toby could cook while the family socialized. The couple also needed parking for their three golf carts.
The Barrys found their Harbour Island dream home, and the house search and happy ending were aired on House Hunters International.
For Arthur, owner of Arthur’s Bakery and Café on Harbour Island, the invitation to appear on House Hunters a second time was an honour.
“It was a great privilege because up until that time, that was not something they did, according to the producer,” Arthur said.
And it was also thrilling to promote Harbour Island Bahamas.
Arthur said the House Hunters producer fell in love with the jewel of Eleuthera, particularly the architecture of the old homes, on the first shoot in 2008.
Arthur is a top producing Bahamas real estate agent. He also is a volunteer fireman, member of the Hurricane Relief Committee and a minister of Jehovah Witnesses.

Fully refurbished Cayman style house built in 1940. Situated on a large 1 acre lot with an abundance of mature fruit trees. Just a short walk from terrific snorkeling. In Stake Bay on Cayman Brac’s North Side. Asking $335,400.

Visit our Coldwell Banker listing page for details.

While looking for real estate articles on Aruba, we found the ArubaRealEstateGuide.com, a comprehensive site with not just listings, but mortgage information, a map of the island with listings and rentals, information on the developments under construction in Aruba, and much more.

Aruba is home to expats of 79 nationalities, with large sub-communities of Hindus, Jews, and Chinese that keep their holidays, traditions, and culture.

Oranjestad is a prime example of the melding of the cultures. There are 3 museums in downtown which offer views into Aruban history. Fort Zoutman, built in 1796, is Aruba’s oldest existing building, is now a museum itself.

At the other end of the cultural spectrum is the new Divi Resort, that offers country club living in 45 residences with fitness center, pools, daily housekeeping, and golf.

All these topics and more are covered on this site - take a look and learn more about Aruba, then contact Coldwell Banker to discuss your real estate opportunities.

Emily Talbot, of Examiner.com, rated Shambhala at Parrot Cay as one of the top spas in the world, in her series of best spas around the globe.

The exclusive resort is located in the British West Indies on a 1,000-acre private island in the Turks & Caicos chain. About an hour and a half flight from Miami, celebrity guests frequent this hideaway.

There is an assortment of accommodations ranging from a choice of rooms, beach houses and villas. The 60 accommodations are “Island styled” with pale bleach pine floors, white washed walls, four-poster beds, white terracotta tile roofs and white railed verandas.

Read details at Ms. Talbot’s post in Examiner.com.

Visitors choose the Caribbean as a destination in large part because of its beaches and water sports, and Grand Bahama has its share of gorgeous waterfront.

Not only are there several public beaches, such as William’s Town Beach, Gold Rock Beach, Lucayan Beach, and more, but many resorts have their own private beaches where vacationers can get away from the crowds.

The beaches in Grand Bahama are known for their white sands and the crystal-clear water is part of the experience. Read more about the Beaches of Grand Bahama at YourBeachVacation.net.

Hillside home on Tortola, with Cistern and A/C. Asking $590,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker listing page for details.

Long Bay Beach Resort and Villas is partnering with Dive Tortola to offer a 3-night Dive Tortola package priced from $692/person, based on double occupancy, good through Dec. 20, 2009. The package features tropical accommodations on the hillside or water’s edge; special diver’s breakfast; one-day car rental; one two-tank dive with gear and instructor; and tax and service charge. *Five and seven night packages are also available with additional dives included in longer stays.

From the press release in PRNewsWire, “An underwater wonderland of huge boulders, sponge covered canyons and soft coral gardens awaits divers in Tortola, this pristine corner of the Caribbean. Plus, sheltered waters have virtually no currents, making Tortola perfect for underwater photography and for enjoying scuba diving. Flamingo Tongue Snails, seahorses and slender filefish seek refuge amid colorful soft coral branches as rays, barracuda and sea turtles swim by in the crystal blue waters of Tortola.

“Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas, a casually elegant plantation-style resort ideal for diving, sailing and spa indulgences, nestles among verdant hills overlooking its mile-long white sand beach. Its 157 beautiful guest rooms and villas are hidden away on a 52-acre estate, giving guests a feeling of exclusivity and privacy. Long Bay is a member of Elite Island Resorts, the second largest independently owned hospitality group in the Caribbean, known for its eco-friendly, casually elegant resorts, stunning locations, and caring, personal service. For reservations, call (800) 345-0356.”

The many golf courses of the Bahamas highlight the natural beauty of the islands, and if you play, will add another dimension to your trip to the Caribbean. Many were designed to use the terrain of the islands as part of the challenge of the play, and to give golfers a unique experience of our island beauty.

The course of the Radisson Cable Beach Casino and Golf Resort, on New Providence Island, is a challenging 7,040 yards. Rates are $95 for 18 holes.

The South Ocean Golf and Beach Resort offers a 6,707 yard course known both for its beauty and how the natural features of the island were used in the design. It features narrrow fairways and tricky water traps. Rates for non-guests or members are $90 for 18 holes.

The Lucayan Park Golf & Country club, near Lucaya Beach, is a manicured course designed to be challenging, and includes many play hazards.

The Reef Golf Course on New Providence Island has a quiet, peaceful atmosphere in a setting of beauty.

Many of the golf resorts offer golf vacation packages. Check with the resort or your travel agent. Leave some time on your trip to talk to a Coldwell Banker agent about our real estate opportunities.