Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

As reported by RISMedia, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC announced the launch of the first-ever international home search application for iPhoneTM and AndroidTM-powered devices. The Coldwell Banker Real Estate mobile application enables users to easily search for property listings and recent home sales in 28 countries in North America, Europe, Central America, Caribbean, Australia and South America.

The results of these searches as well as the search itself can be saved in a personalized ‘My Coldwell Banker’ account newly created from the user’s smartphone or added to an existing account with coldwellbanker.com by logging into the site directly from the handheld device. Unique to the Coldwell Banker application, searches that are saved to an app-created ‘My Coldwell Banker’ account will automatically generate notifications of new properties and open houses, alerting the user to updated results right on the device’s homepage.

“While the desktop computer remains a proven screen, Coldwell Banker recognizes that today’s technologically-savvy consumers are also using smartphones to access information on-the-go,” said Michael Fischer, senior vice president of marketing for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “We are committed to improving the consumer experience and will continue to introduce innovative technology such as this mobile application to provide our customers with up-to-date home data the moment they want it and to wherever they may be.”

Contact any of our Coldwell Banker affiliate offices in the Caribbean for your real estate needs.

As reported by RISMedia, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC announced the launch of the first-ever international home search application for iPhoneTM and AndroidTM-powered devices. The Coldwell Banker Real Estate mobile application enables users to easily search for property listings and recent home sales in 28 countries in North America, Europe, Central America, Caribbean, Australia and South America.

The results of these searches as well as the search itself can be saved in a personalized ‘My Coldwell Banker’ account newly created from the user’s smartphone or added to an existing account with coldwellbanker.com by logging into the site directly from the handheld device. Unique to the Coldwell Banker application, searches that are saved to an app-created ‘My Coldwell Banker’ account will automatically generate notifications of new properties and open houses, alerting the user to updated results right on the device’s homepage.

“While the desktop computer remains a proven screen, Coldwell Banker recognizes that today’s technologically-savvy consumers are also using smartphones to access information on-the-go,” said Michael Fischer, senior vice president of marketing for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “We are committed to improving the consumer experience and will continue to introduce innovative technology such as this mobile application to provide our customers with up-to-date home data the moment they want it and to wherever they may be.”

Contact any of our Coldwell Banker affiliate offices in the Caribbean for your real estate needs.

Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) chief William Wong has issued a strong statement about non-Bahamian brokers selling real estate in the Bahamas.
Wong has urged banks and people to immediately stop using unconventional methods to sell real estate here. He said Bahamas property is being illegally auctioned online.
Wong pointed out that the real estate industry is reserved for Bahamians or permanent residents with the right to work. They must also hold a valid Bahamas Real Estate Association licence.
“It’s wrong, I cannot go to Florida and sell real estate.
“What they should have done is work through local agencies, but they think the Bahamas is another state of the U.S. and they could do whatever they like.”
The Nassau Guardian, in reporting the matter, said American companies are advertising auctions for Bahamas property to “bargain hunters” in New York.
One listing claims that 10 lots totaling 2.5 acres located on a Bahamas island will be offered to New York prospects for the first time.
The starting bid on seaside lots, valued at $595,000, will be $29,000 with each lot including 200 feet of beachfront, the ad claims.
Sales by auction are reportedly on the increase as a result of the U.S. mortgage meltdown with American lending institutions calling in bad loans.
While the process may seem innocent, Wong told The Guardian it’s outside Bahamas law.
“This is not their territory, this is our territory, our advantage and not theirs,” he said. . “These banks need to call the local contact, which is BREA, and ask them how to go about this.”
But it goes deeper. Real estate agents outside the Bahamas do not know the lay of the land and are not familiar with our laws.
The Bahamas is part of the Commonwealth and we inherited our legal system from Britain. The Bahamas makes its own laws.
Just as a Bahamas real estate broker does not know the ins and outs of U.S. law, the same is true in reverse to American brokers.
A local realtor knows the truth about property, including neighbourhood data, the geographic lay of the land and any pitfalls ^ such as land that’s below sea level and prone to flooding.
Be safe and use a Bahamas Real Estate Association licensed broker.

A cooperative has been established in Nevis to look after the interest of the Sea Island cotton farmers. Director of Agriculture Keithley Amory explained that the establishment of the Nevis Sea Island Cotton Co-operative Society Ltd (NESICOPS) was part of the Nevis Island Administration’s plan to diversify the economy and refocus on a crop that had a lucrative market and a willing buyer.

According to Caribbean360, “‘This move was due in part to a renewed interest in farming by young enterprising persons, the increase in price that was being offered for this crop and the need for Nevis to have once again an export crop to generate foreign exchange for the country,’ he said.

“‘To complement the diversification process, the department undertook to revive and form new co-operatives to ensure that the diversification process was successful and specifically the refocus on Sea Island cotton production.’”

Among the objectives of NESICOPS are to promote the social and economic interest of members in accordance with cooperative principals; assist members to improve their cotton production; and encourage and assist in conducting educational programmes, designed to stimulate a favourable interest in cooperatives and cotton production.

Read more about this development to strengthen the Nevis economy at Caribbean360.com.

This modern Caribbean style home 3/2 is well situated within a short distance to the famous Eagle Beach. Located on 640m2/6889 sq. ft lease land, the build up area is 144m2/1553 sq ft. It consists of 2 bedrooms, 1 bath on the ground floor, and a master bedroom on the upper floor. Travertine marble floors thoughout the house. Currently under construction, the asking price is $329,000, or with pool, $345,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more information.

The Bahamas took centre stage Sunday night when 150 million TV viewers tuned in for the Miss Universe Pageant.
As Bahamas real estate professionals, we couldn’t be happier because the beauty of our country received such widespread exposure.
And we were the venue of history as Venezuela claimed its second straight victory with beautiful 18-year-old Stefania Fernandez taking the Crown in a dazzling ceremony at the world class Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.
Imagery of the Bahamas ^ from the gorgeous beaches of Abaco and Harbour Island to a small monastery on the country’s highest hilltop in Cat Island ^ flashed across the world as the 15 finalists strutted their stuff on stage.
There were scenes of Junkanoo festival dancers in dazzling costumes dancing to the African beat of goatskin drums, lush tropical gardens and amazing seascapes.
The Imperial Ballroom at Atlantis was turned into an underwater wonderland with huge screens projecting prisms of light streaming through waves; the light changing from blues, turquoises and purples.
Pageant co-owner Donald Trump lavished praise on the Bahamas, saying we beat out 17 other countries to host the event.
He said the Bahamas government should be proud of itself and the Bahamas looked fantastic. He had high praise for Kerzner International, the Atlantis owners, and was impressed with the way Paradise Island has been developed.
The motorcade earlier in the event took the world’s most beautiful women past both high end real estate developments and charming homes of yesteryear. The backdrop was truly lovely.

Beach Bay Ridge, on Grand Cayman, offers buyers the chance to purchase oceanfront about 22 feet above sea level, with outstanding views of the blue Caribbean. Homes that have been built in this area are valued in the range of US$2,500,000 to US$3,750,000. Lots sell for about $320,000 for 0.62 acres.

On top of already heavily discounted pricing, you can now save up to 3 1/2% off the total closing costs of anything you buy in the Cayman Islands by way of Government & Realtor discounts. Call the Coldwell Banker Cayman office for further details and check to see if the property you are interested in qualifies for the program.

Three Cays Villa is available from $4500 USD per week - this oceanfront 4 bedroom villa is located in Turtle Tail, Providenciales Turks & Caicos.

The main villa features 3 bedrooms and 4000 sq ft of indoor outdoor living space. There is a separate one bedroom guest house with its own bathroom and laundry.

Sitting on 165 feet of oceanfront, this property is just under 1 acre in size and offers plenty of privacy for those clients wanting a peaceful vacation in Turks & Caicos Islands.

Three Little Cays villa features electric gates and is a walled property - daily maid service is provided each morning and is complimentary.

August - mid December 09 rates start at $4500 USD per week, there is a 10% accommodation tax which will be added. When booking a vacation home you avoid the 10% hotel tax.

To view this magnificent oceanfront property visit our website at www.coldwellbankertci.com, RENT tab, Vacation Villas - Three Little Cays.

Tourism Advisor to the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Mr. Alistair Yearwood recently told the Department of Information that the impact of direct British Airways flights has been substantial.

“Has it been a success? Yes it has been. The information I have is the allocation of seats on the plane into St. Kitts have been filled. The flight is shared with Antigua because it goes London Antigua St. Kitts. St. Kitts Antigua back to London…in Nevis we are definitely benefiting from it especially in the summer months because the British travellers tend to vacation in the summer…Speaking with some of the small hoteliers, they are noticing the British guests coming in. So it’s having a positive impact. Obviously, it will have a greater impact once the Four Seasons reopens in 2010.”

Mr. Yearwood noted that though Nevis had been receiving a number of visitors from the United Kingdom market, the island also appeals to visitors from the US, and traditionally 65 percent of its visitors came from that part of the world.

He continued, “British Airways is probably the second largest airline in the world and so it automatically gives St. Kitts Nevis a bigger presence in the media, in the eyes of the travel industry, because they don’t take charter airlines seriously - whereas they will take the likes of British Airways, Delta, American Airlines and Virgin seriously.

“So it has definitely increased the profile, the physical presence of St. Kitts and Nevis in the UK market specifically,” Yearwood said.

The increase of number of direct flights also will be beneficial to island tourism. Even in a recession, Delta is considering a 2nd direct flight.

So book your travel now, and visit with our Coldwell Banker office about real estate while you are here.

(resource: SKNVibes)

Peter Island Resort and Spa in the British Virgin Islands has a new look after a complete refurbishment of all 32 Ocean View rooms and 20 Beachfront Junior Suites.

The rooms have been renovated with new soft furnishings and lighting to create a fresh, relaxed environment.

The resort is situated on a private island in the heart of the British Virgin Islands and is home to numerous secluded beaches, coves and pools.

From the source, “One of the world’s preferred destinations, the resort immerses guests in what we call relaxed elegance. So exceptional is the experience, it prompted Conde Nast Traveler to invite couples to name Peter Island “…one of the ‘Best Places to Stay in the World’ and ‘Top 20 Islands’ in the world.

Peter Island offers a diverse range of activities including scuba diving, hiking, tennis and deep sea fishing.

Visit Peter Island’s web site for rates and accommodation information.