Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

When experts ask buyers what project most affects the selling price of homes - not counting the first impression made by the outside of the house - they reply,” It all starts in the kitchen!”

Kitchens and master bathrooms are the big selling points in any house. That is what will move the home (a sale depends on other factors too). But how profitable is it to update your kitchen in this market? Or purchase a home knowing you will have to remodel the kitchen and baths?

A kitchen remodel can be costly and at least a major inconvenience for a home owner, but it can also be very rewarding - with an excellent return on investment. If your home is competing against homes with beautifully updated kitchens, those properties will certainly sell first, all other factors being equal.

Typically, kitchen remodeling will give you one of the highest home remodeling returns, at about 80-100% return on dollars spent. Maybe a major remodel may be more than you want to tackle. If so, consider minor remodels, which can be just as effective in highlighting the home - and the small enhancements can use some of the good features in your kitchen. Here are a few ideas for minor changes:

* Tile the backsplash behind work areas and stove
* Add color - if your counters are one color, accent with tile, stainless steel appliances, and fashionable countertops
* Do something interesting with the hardware

These and many other remodeling jobs will add value to your home, whether a new purchase or to help sell your house. Decide on a budget and shop materials and designs. Also, be honest with yourself if you have the patience and carpentry abilities to do the work yourself. If not, check with our Coldwell Banker office for referrals to local builders who do home remodeling.

Keep in mind that some investments are worth the money, and a local Coldwell Banker agent can give you an idea of whether the remodel will keep your home competitive with market values.

This lot has it all. Less than 150 ft from North Sound but with guaranteed views for ever. A very unique lot. Priced at rate of inferior properties to sell quickly. 0.39 acre, 1 back from the sound. 137′ of waterfront. Asking $495,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more details.

(photo not of land for sale)

When experts ask buyers what project most affects the selling price of homes - not counting the first impression made by the outside of the house - they reply,” It all starts in the kitchen!”

Kitchens and master bathrooms are the big selling points in any house. That is what will move the home (a sale depends on other factors too). But how profitable is it to update your kitchen in this market? Or purchase a home knowing you will have to remodel the kitchen and baths?

A kitchen remodel can be costly and at least a major inconvenience for a home owner, but it can also be very rewarding - with an excellent return on investment. If your home is competing against homes with beautifully updated kitchens, those properties will certainly sell first, all other factors being equal.

Typically, kitchen remodeling will give you one of the highest home remodeling returns, at about 80-100% return on dollars spent. Maybe a major remodel may be more than you want to tackle. If so, consider minor remodels, which can be just as effective in highlighting the home - and the small enhancements can use some of the good features in your kitchen. Here are a few ideas for minor changes:

* Tile backsplash behind work areas and stove
* Add color - if your counters are one color, accent with tile accents, appliances - even stainless steel, and countertops
* Do something interesting with the hardware

These and many other remodeling jobs will add value to your home, whether a new purchase or to help sell your house. Decide on a budget and shop materials and designs. Also, be honest with yourself if you have the patience and carpentry abilities to do the work yourself. If not, check with our Coldwell Banker office for referrals to local builders who do home remodeling.

Keep in mind that some investments are worth the money, and a local Coldwell Banker agent can give you an idea of whether the remodel will keep your home competitive with market values.

The Seven Stars Resort in Turks and Caicos is offering 40 percent off as part of a winter special. With the discount, rooms start at $390 a night through March 31. A three-night minimum stay is required.

Also in March, the 125-room hotel is offering seven nights for the price of five. The March is Special package includes continental breakfast, and kids under 12 eat free. The deal is available the entire month of March.

The resort recently opened the Deck, a bar complete with couches and daybeds, on the sands of Grace Bay beach. To reserve, call (866) 570-7777 or visit www.sevenstarsgracebay.com.

In the general elections held yesterday, the Labour Party won for an unprecedented 4th straight time. A massive Labour crowd descended on Central Basseterre to celebrate the victory on Tuesday morning after all the results were in.

The elections, which had long been anticipated, were delayed by a series of court injunctions brought by the People’s Action Movement against the Government to stop the re-alignment of the constituency boundaries, which was recommended by election observers after the 2004 elections. The matter is still before the court and the elections were fought on the existing boundaries.

The electorate had become frustrated with the injunctions and finally celebrated when Prime Minister Douglas and his ministerial colleagues announced the date of the elections on January 7 at Baker’s Corner before a 5000 plus crowd.

The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party won 6 of the 8 seats in St. Kitts, while the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) won 2 of the three seats in Nevis.

The last available lot in a small, covenanted, unique residential community on the point that extends from Cane Garden Bay. Glorious views of North West shore of Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and St. Thomas in the distance. Breathtaking sunsets. Very buildable with access via concrete road. All utilities close at hand. Half acre. Asking $2,500,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more details.

Last week, we identified overpricing as the most common reason why real estate in the Bahamas, or anywhere else for that matter, won’t sell.
There are other reasons that will influence the sale of a home as well.
Sometimes, a home may not show well because of its age.
A lot of the older homes in the Bahamas, charming as they may be, look worn.
These homes are competing against spanking new houses in
manicured, gated communities with amenities.
Chances are they’re in need of a real estate facelift.
Fortunately, if the house has been generally well maintained, tented for termites and has a solid roof, most of the work will be cosmetic in nature and relatively inexpensive.
A new coat of paint and a good cleaning can make the world of difference.
When it comes to pricing and the condition of a home, the owner is the boss.
Start with your front yard or, if you’re selling a townhouse or condo, your front doorstep.
The yard should be well kept with a good, raked lawn and trees should be pruned ^ not straggly. A terracotta pot of bright flowers at the freshly painted front door set the tone for viewing.
Make sure windows are sparkling and de-clutter your home as much as you possibly can. Remove any magnets or material from fridge doors and put away most of your nick knacks.
This will help buyers visualize what they can do in terms of putting their own personal stamp on the house.
Try and confine your living to as few rooms as possible so the best rooms, your living room for example, are always in ready condition for showing. The fewer rooms that are untidy, the fewer to clean for the showing.
Let your Bahamas Real Estate Association licensed broker guide you in the sales process.

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. ( AAI), today launched a sale for travel to all the airline’s destinations with fares starting as low as $44 (restrictions apply). Travelers may purchase these sale fares at AirTran, via AirTran Airways’ reservations system at 1-800-AIR-TRAN or through your travel agent. For Spanish, call 1-877-581-9842.

These special fares are available for purchase through February 9, 2010, and are good for travel February 5, 2010, through March 10, 2010, for Florida, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Nassau, Bahamas, and Cancun, Mexico. Travel to all other destinations is valid February 5, 2010, through May 26, 2010. Prices included in this sale are available for one-way travel and do not require a roundtrip purchase or an overnight stay.

Examples for Aruba:

Orlando - Aruba - Off-peak $109, Peak $129
Atlanta - Aruba $129 $149

The Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF) will debut June 4-10 at the Radisson Hotel & Resort in Palm Beach.

The island-based festival will be headed by AIFF founders Giuseppe Cioccarelli and Jonathan Vieira, with Claudio Masenza as artistic director.

Backed by government funding and sponsor dollars, AIFF is being organised by local film producing company Aruba Film Productions. Italian film producer Cioccarelli, a 20-year veteran of the film industry, and Vieira, a prominent local film-maker and musician, will serve as producers of the festival.

Writer, director and producer Masenza serves as a member of the Venice Film Festival selection committee and promises an eclectic array of 20-30 films from the Americas, Europe, India and Asia.

The fest will feature 20 to 30 films, focusing mainly on indies. The AIFF’s mission is to encourage, educate and activate young Aruban film-makers. Throughout event, film professionals will be conducting workshops and master classes, and student film-makers will be invited to screen their work for critique.

For more information, visit the AIFF site, and read the Screen Daily article.

Last week, we identified overpricing as the most common reason why real estate in the Bahamas, or anywhere else for that matter, won’t sell.
There are other reasons that will influence the sale of a home as well.
Sometimes, a home may not show well because of its age.
A lot of the older homes in the Bahamas, charming as they may be, look worn.
These homes are competing against spanking new houses in
manicured, gated communities with amenities.
Chances are they’re in need of a real estate facelift.
Fortunately, if the house has been generally well maintained, tented for termites and has a solid roof, most of the work will be cosmetic in nature and relatively inexpensive.
A new coat of paint and a good cleaning can make the world of difference.
When it comes to pricing and the condition of a home, the owner is the boss.
Start with your front yard or, if you’re selling a townhouse or condo, your front doorstep.
The yard should be well kept with a good, raked lawn and trees should be pruned ^ not straggly. A terracotta pot of bright flowers at the freshly painted front door set the tone for viewing.
Make sure windows are sparkling and de-clutter your home as much as you possibly can. Remove any magnets or material from fridge doors and put away most of your nick knacks.
This will help buyers visualize what they can do in terms of putting their own personal stamp on the house.
Try and confine your living to as few rooms as possible so the best rooms, your living room for example, are always in ready condition for showing. The fewer rooms that are untidy, the fewer to clean for the showing.
Let your Bahamas Real Estate Association licensed broker guide you in the sales process.