Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

The performers have been announced for Aruba’s 8th Annual Music Festival to be held October 9-10 at the Aruba Entertainment Center. Two nights highlighting internationally-acclaimed artists will feature live performances by multi-Grammy Award-winning band Earth, Wind & Fire, Colombian icon Fonseca and Latina pop star Paulina Rubio.

“For the last seven years, the Aruba Music Festival has brought top music talents from all corners of the world to our island, entertaining visitors and locals alike. We are confident that this year’s exceptional line up will continue to mark this festival as a success,” said Aruba’s Minister of Tourism and Transportation, Edison Briesen. “With our perfect weather and uniquely rich culture, the Aruba Music Festival is just another reason to book a vacation to Aruba this fall.”

Primary host hotels for the 8th Annual Aruba Music Festival are the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino, the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, and the Westin Resort, Aruba.

To read about hotel packages offered, visit Aruba.com or call 1.800.TO.ARUBA. For more information on the Aruba Music Festival, please call 1-800-390-4936.

BACARDI, the giant rum distiller, will sell its production facility and Nassau Bahamas real estate to a company headed by a former government minister.
The Source River Limited headed by Tennyson Wells, a former attorney general in the FNM government, expects to close the deal by the end on September. Wells is a well-known Bahamas real estate developer and has just launched his newest venture, Lyford Hills near the Lyford Cay enclave.
Source River issued a news release saying the company is comprised of nearly 40 Bahamian investors “including several former Bacardi employees.” It plans to turn the facility into a bottled water production facility.
Bacardi confirmed it signed a contract to sell the production facility and real estate in west Nassau to The Source River Limited.
It says this is the best business decision to make for the long-term growth and competitiveness of the company.

Bacardi provided jobs for 114 employees, pumped more than $13 million in annual tax revenue for the country and was a good corporate citizen.
The company will be missed, but we’re happy that members of the Bacardi family will continue to live in the Bahamas.
The new bottled plant is expected to create significant employment.
As for the real estate purchased on the western end of Nassau, we await an announcement.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recently surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process. Using a third-party research firm, International Communications Research (ICR), they used questions such as “How long did it take for you to know that the last home you purchased was right for you?” and “If you found the home of your dreams but had concerns about its security, would you still be interested?”

“The results were surprising,” said Diann Patton, the Coldwell Banker consumer real estate expert. “Not only did we uncover some of the inherent differences between men and women, but we also pinpointed a number of ways that the two genders are actually the same. For example, both men and women are increasingly concerned with having a space to work in their homes- something we would not have seen 40 years ago.” Patton continued, “We also found that feeling insecure about a home’s safety is a deal-breaker for most people, regardless of gender.”

As reported by RISMedia,

“Below are some key highlights from the Coldwell Banker Real Estate study:

Women may be inclined to make up their mind more quickly than men.
-When asked how long it took before they knew their home was “right” for them, almost 70% of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, vs. 62% of men. Conversely, significantly more men needed two or more visits: (32% of men vs. 23% of women).

Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job.-55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family (those that do not live in their household) than to their job, compared to only 37% of men.

A home’s security is a deal-breaker for both men and women.
-64 percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51%).

Couples say that no one “wears the pants in the relationship” in terms of major financial decisions.-When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70% of respondents living with their significant other said it’s actually mutual.
-However, 23% think that they, themselves, wear the pants in the relationship, not their partner. More men than women said this (26% vs. 20%, respectively).

Men and women agree on how they would use a spare room, for the most part.
When the respondents were asked how they would use an extra 12 x 12 room if it could be anything they wanted, men and women agreed on the top three most popular, and very practical, responses:

-Bedroom: 25%
-Office/Study: 15%
-Family Room / Den: 11%

However, men really do want a “Man Cave.”-Interestingly, out of the 8% who indicated they would turn that spare room into an entertainment center, it was a preponderance of men leading the charge. In fact, four times as many men as women said they would use the extra space for recreation / entertainment.”

According to Patton, “These results further validate how critical it is for couples to recognize each other’s differences and work together, from picking a neighborhood to how to use a spare room,” she said. “Online tools and the expertise of a real estate professional can be particularly helpful for couples, especially if they work together step-by-step along the way.”

Contact your local Coldwell Banker agent or office for expert real estate information.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recently surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process. Using a third-party research firm, International Communications Research (ICR), they used questions such as “How long did it take for you to know that the last home you purchased was right for you?” and “If you found the home of your dreams but had concerns about its security, would you still be interested?”

“The results were surprising,” said Diann Patton, the Coldwell Banker consumer real estate expert. “Not only did we uncover some of the inherent differences between men and women, but we also pinpointed a number of ways that the two genders are actually the same. For example, both men and women are increasingly concerned with having a space to work in their homes- something we would not have seen 40 years ago.” Patton continued, “We also found that feeling insecure about a home’s safety is a deal-breaker for most people, regardless of gender.”

As reported by RISMedia,

“Below are some key highlights from the Coldwell Banker Real Estate study:

Women may be inclined to make up their mind more quickly than men.
-When asked how long it took before they knew their home was “right” for them, almost 70% of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, vs. 62% of men. Conversely, significantly more men needed two or more visits: (32% of men vs. 23% of women).

Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job.-55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family (those that do not live in their household) than to their job, compared to only 37% of men.

A home’s security is a deal-breaker for both men and women.
-64 percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51%).

Couples say that no one “wears the pants in the relationship” in terms of major financial decisions.-When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70% of respondents living with their significant other said it’s actually mutual.
-However, 23% think that they, themselves, wear the pants in the relationship, not their partner. More men than women said this (26% vs. 20%, respectively).

Men and women agree on how they would use a spare room, for the most part.
When the respondents were asked how they would use an extra 12 x 12 room if it could be anything they wanted, men and women agreed on the top three most popular, and very practical, responses:

-Bedroom: 25%
-Office/Study: 15%
-Family Room / Den: 11%

However, men really do want a “Man Cave.”-Interestingly, out of the 8% who indicated they would turn that spare room into an entertainment center, it was a preponderance of men leading the charge. In fact, four times as many men as women said they would use the extra space for recreation / entertainment.”

According to Patton, “These results further validate how critical it is for couples to recognize each other’s differences and work together, from picking a neighborhood to how to use a spare room,” she said. “Online tools and the expertise of a real estate professional can be particularly helpful for couples, especially if they work together step-by-step along the way.”

Contact your local Coldwell Banker agent or office for expert real estate information.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recently surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process. Using a third-party research firm, International Communications Research (ICR), they used questions such as “How long did it take for you to know that the last home you purchased was right for you?” and “If you found the home of your dreams but had concerns about its security, would you still be interested?”

“The results were surprising,” said Diann Patton, the Coldwell Banker consumer real estate expert. “Not only did we uncover some of the inherent differences between men and women, but we also pinpointed a number of ways that the two genders are actually the same. For example, both men and women are increasingly concerned with having a space to work in their homes- something we would not have seen 40 years ago.” Patton continued, “We also found that feeling insecure about a home’s safety is a deal-breaker for most people, regardless of gender.”

As reported by RISMedia,

“Below are some key highlights from the Coldwell Banker Real Estate study:

Women may be inclined to make up their mind more quickly than men.
-When asked how long it took before they knew their home was “right” for them, almost 70% of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, vs. 62% of men. Conversely, significantly more men needed two or more visits: (32% of men vs. 23% of women).

Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job.-55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family (those that do not live in their household) than to their job, compared to only 37% of men.

A home’s security is a deal-breaker for both men and women.
-64 percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51%).

Couples say that no one “wears the pants in the relationship” in terms of major financial decisions.-When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70% of respondents living with their significant other said it’s actually mutual.
-However, 23% think that they, themselves, wear the pants in the relationship, not their partner. More men than women said this (26% vs. 20%, respectively).

Men and women agree on how they would use a spare room, for the most part.
When the respondents were asked how they would use an extra 12 x 12 room if it could be anything they wanted, men and women agreed on the top three most popular, and very practical, responses:

-Bedroom: 25%
-Office/Study: 15%
-Family Room / Den: 11%

However, men really do want a “Man Cave.”-Interestingly, out of the 8% who indicated they would turn that spare room into an entertainment center, it was a preponderance of men leading the charge. In fact, four times as many men as women said they would use the extra space for recreation / entertainment.”

According to Patton, “These results further validate how critical it is for couples to recognize each other’s differences and work together, from picking a neighborhood to how to use a spare room,” she said. “Online tools and the expertise of a real estate professional can be particularly helpful for couples, especially if they work together step-by-step along the way.”

Contact your local Coldwell Banker agent or office for expert real estate information.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recently surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process. Using a third-party research firm, International Communications Research (ICR), they used questions such as “How long did it take for you to know that the last home you purchased was right for you?” and “If you found the home of your dreams but had concerns about its security, would you still be interested?”

“The results were surprising,” said Diann Patton, the Coldwell Banker consumer real estate expert. “Not only did we uncover some of the inherent differences between men and women, but we also pinpointed a number of ways that the two genders are actually the same. For example, both men and women are increasingly concerned with having a space to work in their homes- something we would not have seen 40 years ago.” Patton continued, “We also found that feeling insecure about a home’s safety is a deal-breaker for most people, regardless of gender.”

As reported by RISMedia,

“Below are some key highlights from the Coldwell Banker Real Estate study:

Women may be inclined to make up their mind more quickly than men.
-When asked how long it took before they knew their home was “right” for them, almost 70% of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, vs. 62% of men. Conversely, significantly more men needed two or more visits: (32% of men vs. 23% of women).

Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job.-55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family (those that do not live in their household) than to their job, compared to only 37% of men.

A home’s security is a deal-breaker for both men and women.
-64 percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51%).

Couples say that no one “wears the pants in the relationship” in terms of major financial decisions.-When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70% of respondents living with their significant other said it’s actually mutual.
-However, 23% think that they, themselves, wear the pants in the relationship, not their partner. More men than women said this (26% vs. 20%, respectively).

Men and women agree on how they would use a spare room, for the most part.
When the respondents were asked how they would use an extra 12 x 12 room if it could be anything they wanted, men and women agreed on the top three most popular, and very practical, responses:

-Bedroom: 25%
-Office/Study: 15%
-Family Room / Den: 11%

However, men really do want a “Man Cave.”-Interestingly, out of the 8% who indicated they would turn that spare room into an entertainment center, it was a preponderance of men leading the charge. In fact, four times as many men as women said they would use the extra space for recreation / entertainment.”

According to Patton, “These results further validate how critical it is for couples to recognize each other’s differences and work together, from picking a neighborhood to how to use a spare room,” she said. “Online tools and the expertise of a real estate professional can be particularly helpful for couples, especially if they work together step-by-step along the way.”

Contact your local Coldwell Banker agent or office for expert real estate information.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recently surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process. Using a third-party research firm, International Communications Research (ICR), they used questions such as “How long did it take for you to know that the last home you purchased was right for you?” and “If you found the home of your dreams but had concerns about its security, would you still be interested?”

“The results were surprising,” said Diann Patton, the Coldwell Banker consumer real estate expert. “Not only did we uncover some of the inherent differences between men and women, but we also pinpointed a number of ways that the two genders are actually the same. For example, both men and women are increasingly concerned with having a space to work in their homes- something we would not have seen 40 years ago.” Patton continued, “We also found that feeling insecure about a home’s safety is a deal-breaker for most people, regardless of gender.”

As reported by RISMedia,

“Below are some key highlights from the Coldwell Banker Real Estate study:

Women may be inclined to make up their mind more quickly than men.
-When asked how long it took before they knew their home was “right” for them, almost 70% of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, vs. 62% of men. Conversely, significantly more men needed two or more visits: (32% of men vs. 23% of women).

Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job.-55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family (those that do not live in their household) than to their job, compared to only 37% of men.

A home’s security is a deal-breaker for both men and women.
-64 percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51%).

Couples say that no one “wears the pants in the relationship” in terms of major financial decisions.-When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70% of respondents living with their significant other said it’s actually mutual.
-However, 23% think that they, themselves, wear the pants in the relationship, not their partner. More men than women said this (26% vs. 20%, respectively).

Men and women agree on how they would use a spare room, for the most part.
When the respondents were asked how they would use an extra 12 x 12 room if it could be anything they wanted, men and women agreed on the top three most popular, and very practical, responses:

-Bedroom: 25%
-Office/Study: 15%
-Family Room / Den: 11%

However, men really do want a “Man Cave.”-Interestingly, out of the 8% who indicated they would turn that spare room into an entertainment center, it was a preponderance of men leading the charge. In fact, four times as many men as women said they would use the extra space for recreation / entertainment.”

According to Patton, “These results further validate how critical it is for couples to recognize each other’s differences and work together, from picking a neighborhood to how to use a spare room,” she said. “Online tools and the expertise of a real estate professional can be particularly helpful for couples, especially if they work together step-by-step along the way.”

Contact your local Coldwell Banker agent or office for expert real estate information.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recently surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process. Using a third-party research firm, International Communications Research (ICR), they used questions such as “How long did it take for you to know that the last home you purchased was right for you?” and “If you found the home of your dreams but had concerns about its security, would you still be interested?”

“The results were surprising,” said Diann Patton, the Coldwell Banker consumer real estate expert. “Not only did we uncover some of the inherent differences between men and women, but we also pinpointed a number of ways that the two genders are actually the same. For example, both men and women are increasingly concerned with having a space to work in their homes- something we would not have seen 40 years ago.” Patton continued, “We also found that feeling insecure about a home’s safety is a deal-breaker for most people, regardless of gender.”

As reported by RISMedia,

“Below are some key highlights from the Coldwell Banker Real Estate study:

Women may be inclined to make up their mind more quickly than men.
-When asked how long it took before they knew their home was “right” for them, almost 70% of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, vs. 62% of men. Conversely, significantly more men needed two or more visits: (32% of men vs. 23% of women).

Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job.-55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family (those that do not live in their household) than to their job, compared to only 37% of men.

A home’s security is a deal-breaker for both men and women.
-64 percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51%).

Couples say that no one “wears the pants in the relationship” in terms of major financial decisions.-When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70% of respondents living with their significant other said it’s actually mutual.
-However, 23% think that they, themselves, wear the pants in the relationship, not their partner. More men than women said this (26% vs. 20%, respectively).

Men and women agree on how they would use a spare room, for the most part.
When the respondents were asked how they would use an extra 12 x 12 room if it could be anything they wanted, men and women agreed on the top three most popular, and very practical, responses:

-Bedroom: 25%
-Office/Study: 15%
-Family Room / Den: 11%

However, men really do want a “Man Cave.”-Interestingly, out of the 8% who indicated they would turn that spare room into an entertainment center, it was a preponderance of men leading the charge. In fact, four times as many men as women said they would use the extra space for recreation / entertainment.”

According to Patton, “These results further validate how critical it is for couples to recognize each other’s differences and work together, from picking a neighborhood to how to use a spare room,” she said. “Online tools and the expertise of a real estate professional can be particularly helpful for couples, especially if they work together step-by-step along the way.”

Contact your local Coldwell Banker agent or office for expert real estate information.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recently surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process. Using a third-party research firm, International Communications Research (ICR), they used questions such as “How long did it take for you to know that the last home you purchased was right for you?” and “If you found the home of your dreams but had concerns about its security, would you still be interested?”

“The results were surprising,” said Diann Patton, the Coldwell Banker consumer real estate expert. “Not only did we uncover some of the inherent differences between men and women, but we also pinpointed a number of ways that the two genders are actually the same. For example, both men and women are increasingly concerned with having a space to work in their homes- something we would not have seen 40 years ago.” Patton continued, “We also found that feeling insecure about a home’s safety is a deal-breaker for most people, regardless of gender.”

As reported by RISMedia,

“Below are some key highlights from the Coldwell Banker Real Estate study:

Women may be inclined to make up their mind more quickly than men.
-When asked how long it took before they knew their home was “right” for them, almost 70% of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, vs. 62% of men. Conversely, significantly more men needed two or more visits: (32% of men vs. 23% of women).

Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job.-55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family (those that do not live in their household) than to their job, compared to only 37% of men.

A home’s security is a deal-breaker for both men and women.
-64 percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51%).

Couples say that no one “wears the pants in the relationship” in terms of major financial decisions.-When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70% of respondents living with their significant other said it’s actually mutual.
-However, 23% think that they, themselves, wear the pants in the relationship, not their partner. More men than women said this (26% vs. 20%, respectively).

Men and women agree on how they would use a spare room, for the most part.
When the respondents were asked how they would use an extra 12 x 12 room if it could be anything they wanted, men and women agreed on the top three most popular, and very practical, responses:

-Bedroom: 25%
-Office/Study: 15%
-Family Room / Den: 11%

However, men really do want a “Man Cave.”-Interestingly, out of the 8% who indicated they would turn that spare room into an entertainment center, it was a preponderance of men leading the charge. In fact, four times as many men as women said they would use the extra space for recreation / entertainment.”

According to Patton, “These results further validate how critical it is for couples to recognize each other’s differences and work together, from picking a neighborhood to how to use a spare room,” she said. “Online tools and the expertise of a real estate professional can be particularly helpful for couples, especially if they work together step-by-step along the way.”

Contact your local Coldwell Banker agent or office for expert real estate information.

It’s official. The dredging of the harbour in Nassau Bahamas to make way for the world’s largest cruise ships has started.
The dredging is part of a major development plan to revitalize the heart of downtown Nassau, including a section of once prime Bahamas real estate that has deteriorated over the years.
Frans Thomassen, project manager of the Netherlands-based Boskalis International, confirmed to the local media that the work has started.
Upon completion, Nassau Harbour will be able to welcome the Genesis Class vessels ^ the largest in the world.
The idea also is to shift the container terminals from Bay Street to the artificial island of Arawak Cay. The sand from dredging will be used enlarge the cay.
A new road will bypass Saunders Beach to the west to allow for an extension of the beach park.
Long term plans call for converting the deteriorating section Bay Street into an exciting new real estate development that will showcase city living on an island. High end homes, a marina and an art district are on the drawing board.