Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

This is a Governor’s Harbour Canal Lot on Jellico Quay of 0.2931 acres. corner lot with 2 sea walls and 200 ft. on the canal. Full 200 ft of dock already in placve on both seawalls. Governor’s Harbour is one of Cayman’s prestigious waterfront communities. Just 2 minutes away from Seven Mile Beach and easy accessto Cayman’s famous North Sound. Safe, secure anchorage on a lovely canalfront lot. Asking $349,000.

Read more on our Coldwell Banker Listing page.

This lot is approximately 1 acre, not too steep, in a quiet and small residential subdivision called Todman’s Peak Land, on Tortola. Asking $250,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for details.

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino is the first Green Globe-certified high-rise resort on Palm Beach. The resort on 12 beachfront acres on the northwest coast of Aruba received the prestigious Silver status under the Green Globe Earthcheck Certification program, the premier international certification alliance for sustainable travel and tourism.

Following the ongoing success of the resort’s Embrace Project to inspire staff and guests to revitalize cherished local landmarks, the certification recognizes the resort’s dedication to operating at the world’s highest environmental standards.

Susan Santiago, General Manager, said, “Supporting Hyatt’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, our service team has made environmental efforts a major focus. All of our associates, driven by our ‘Green Team’ are proud to be setting an example for others on island to follow. As global citizens, we embrace this responsibility and continue diligently working to improve efforts that preserve the natural and cultural resources of Aruba. Combined with Hyatt’s ongoing global sustainability program, Hyatt Earth, we’ve made a long-term commitment to reduce our environmental footprint through measureable and purposeful actions.”

Among standout practices, Hyatt Regency Aruba was lauded for: use of natural ventilation in the main lobby, befitting the resort’s tropical location while resulting in “substantial energy savings; use of premium environmentally friendly solutions, such as the planned introduction of biodegradable food trays instead of cheaper polystyrene trays; the roof garden with skylights for the Ruinas del Mar restaurant, hailed as “one of the few successful roof gardens in Aruba” in the Green Globe Certification Audit Report; community work by employees.

The resort’s volunteer EMBRACE Project (Employees Maintaining, Beautifying, Revitalizing Authentic Cultural Elements) effected the cleanup of two cherished local landmarks, the Bushiribana Gold Smelter Ruins and the Balashi Gold Mine Ruins, during 2009. Guests were encouraged to join volunteer staff in these morning-long cleanup efforts, and the resort rewards everyone with “Hyatt Force” t-shirts, snacks and drinks, transportation and tools for the work. These sites will see more work in 2010.

Hyatt Regency Aruba is on the leading edge of two of the hottest trends in travel: environmental sustainability and voluntourism.

Did you know the best kept secret in Bahamas real estate is on the island of Exuma?
While other islands in the Bahamas, such as Abaco, the Berry Islands and Eleuthera, are well known as beautiful second home destinations, Exuma hasn’t been in the spotlight as much.
But ask any boater or pilot familiar with the Bahamas to name their favorite home away from home, and they’ll more than likely tell you it’s Exuma.
What’s even more exciting is the new Grand Isle Resort at Emerald Bay on Great Exuma. This residential treasure is tucked away on an ocean ridge overlooking a crescent-shaped powder beach on the Atlantic.
The new 79-villa golf villa resort is surrounded by dazzling seascapes with luxury villas ranging from one to four bedrooms.
Available home sites offer panoramic views over the golf course and surrounding vistas.
Grand Isle is located near Sandals Emerald Bay Resort, an exciting island getaway that features a Greg Norman 18-hole golf course, full-service mega-yacht marina and private white sand beach.
What’s so special about Exuma when there are so many islands in the Bahamas to choose from?
Exuma actually is a chain of islands, comprising 365 cays (small islands and rocks). As its name implies, Great Exuma is the principal island in the chain.
Exuma’s home to the Great Exuma National Land and Sea Park. It’s an enchanting real estate playground dotted with hundreds of private coves and magnificent powder sand beaches, kissed by crystal clear water in the most exquisite shades of blue, turquoise and green. The coral reefs with their amazing sea life are amongst the most beautiful in the world.
Some of the world’s wealthiest people have owned second homes in Exuma, drawn by the beauty and incredibly peaceful existence of these sun drenched islands. If you’re into golf, diving, fishing and exploring, then Exuma may well be your second home destination of choice.

The third instalment in the “Green Guide” series of environmental education publications, sponsored by a partnership between the Central Caribbean Marine Institute and the Ogier law firm, will be available 15 April from schools, some retail outlets, government buildings and tourist attractions.

This most recent of three guides focuses on sustainability and takes a comprehensive look at the challenges facing the Cayman Islands, offering practical steps that organisations and individuals can take to contribute towards preserving island beauty and eco-health.

“Ogier has been a key partner in this movement, which aims to engage all who live and visit the islands with the overall global issues that the earth is facing today,” said CCMI’s Managing Director, Brenda Gadd. “The new Green Guide to the Cayman Islands, ‘Sustaining our Oceans and Islands,’ will illustrate some of the important choices we will need to make in order to reduce the pressures on the local marine environment.”

Green Guide #3 follows CCMI’s two earlier guides that set the stage for building interest in a local “green” movement. The first guide was designed to establish a fundamental understanding of what is threatened and how actions today can have important implications for the surrounding ocean.

The second Green Guide’s purpose was to illustrate that climate change is a natural and important earth process being altered by human activity. The implications for coral reefs on a global scale were outlined along with an international “call to action.”

Read more at CaymanNetNews.

This 3 bedroom condo is on the third floor in the west building in renowned Point Grace Resort, and is a corner suite features 2,612 square feet of luxury living.

Enjoy the sunset from your west end vantage. Although this home has never been in the rental pool, with 3 well appointed bedrooms, each with their own bath, it could do very well as a rental at this luxury boutique hotel.

Location: Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Asking $1,400,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for photos and details.

PM Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas has announced that the federation of St Kitts and Nevis will be the location for the Libyan Investment Bank.

As reported by CaribbeanPressReleases,
“‘The proposal that was made by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, when I was first here in Tripoli in July last year, has been finally accepted by the Libyan Government through expressions of support from the Prime Minister and will be located in St. Kitts. It is from this bank in the Eastern Caribbean that investment funds will flow for the financing of important projects in the Eastern Caribbean and the wider Caribbean region,’ said Prime Minister Douglas.

“He said the Libyan Investment Bank is important to St. Kitts and Nevis as his administration continues efforts to diversify the national economy and look forward for additional financing to support a number of importan developmental projects which are critical for the continuing advancement of the quality of life of the people of St, Kitts and Nevis.”

The British Virgin Islands have once again been recognized in several categories among the “Top 100 Caribbean/Atlantic” diving destinations in the SCUBA Diving magazine 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards, which highlight the results of an annual, impartial survey that allows SCUBA Diving readers to rate their favorite diving destinations. The British Virgin Islands were named the First Place winner for Top Beginner Diving, Second Place for Top Underwater Photography, and Third Place for Top Wreck Diving.

As described by Travel Daily News, “Set against a backdrop of unspoiled natural beauty, the British Virgin Islands allow visitors to explore and discover world-class diving, sailing, shopping, dining, and hospitality. After descending the depths to explore a century-old shipwreck, dive enthusiasts can enjoy a peaceful, relaxed, luxurious style unique to the BVI. BVI Wreck Week 2010, to be held June 12-18, tops the list of several exciting and high-quality dive offerings for the coming season. This will be the first year that the Dive Operators and the Tourist Board have partnered to host divers at various functions in the BVI.”

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines resumed flights to Aruba on Monday, 1 February 2010. Aruba will be served in combination with Curacao. KLM discontinued scheduled service to Aruba on 29 March 2009.

“This has proved to be a popular destination among customers,” said KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman. “The KLM services will supplement those operated by our subsidiary Martinair. This will allow us to offer our customers a great, complementary product on this route.”

The Aruba service will be operated with a Boeing 747-400, departing from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 09.35 on Mondays and Thursdays. The return flight will depart from Aruba at 15.25 (local time) on Mondays and Thursdays, arriving in Amsterdam at 08.00 the following morning.

4 U.S. demographic shifts for the coming years will become major forces in the housing markets of both the US and their 2nd home countries. According to Housing in America: The Next Decade, a new research paper authored by John K. McIlwain, senior resident fellow, Urban Land Institute/J. Ronald Terwilliger Chair for Housing, emerging trends in demographics and consumer behavior will result in a residential market very different from that before the recession.

The effects of widespread foreclosures and their drain on market values, and the loss and need to re-establish a private market residential finance system, will be felt more in the U.S. But shifts in housing demand triggered by baby boomers, their children, and by immigrant households will be felt offshore.

Currently, there is an unprecedented number of foreclosures and short sales on the market, and more homeowers are choosing to walk away from the mortgage rather than sustain a large financial loss through a short sale. This suggests a fundamental change from the long-held notion of homeownership as the ultimate American Dream. McIlwain explains that this disillusionment over homeownership - as a way to build wealth - could persist for decades to come, as those entering the housing market will be more apt to rent longer, and to place more emphasis on buying for shelter rather than investment purposes. The shift away from using real estate as a means to build an investment portfolio could be felt throughout the region.

The demographic waves identified by McIlwain include:

1. Aging Baby Boomers (55-64) will continue to work, many will stay in their homes until values recover, and those who can move or invest in a 2nd home will opt for mixed-age environments which offer active lifestyles. This group has lost a very large part of its wealth and ability to invest.

2. Younger Baby Boomers (46-54) also will not be able to sell their homes at what appreciation they intended, and may not move as quickly as in past years. Their ability to purchase 2nd homes will be greatly diminished because of flat incomes and less home equity. They also will be drawn to more compact communities that emphasize connectivity.

3. Generation Y, actually larger in number than the baby boomers, has grown up with computer technology. They value community, places - either virtual or actual - where they gather and share information. They are less interested in homeownership than previous generations, have smaller incomes, and want walkable, connected communities which are Green.

4. Immigrants (in the US), which already number over 40 million, will have a huge impact, especially when extended families are included - children, grandparents, grandchildren, etc. The tendency of immigrants to cluster, and to live in multi-generational households, suggests that they would prefer larger homes if they could afford them and in neighborhoods with a strong sense of community. Any investment in 2nd homes would mirror the “cluster” concept.

All of these 4 groups share the desire to live and work in more pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented, mixed-use environments. McIlwain concludes, “The suburban century is over. This is the urban century.”

Many will still be able to afford vacation home whole ownership, or fractional ownership shares in vacation destinations, and investments in a property for future retirement. But the numbers of those buyers who will be from the US - according to this study - will dramatically decrease, and their interests in the types of properties considered, with what is left of their disposable income, will - or has already - definitely change. Read more on McIlwain’s report at RisMedia, and visit the Urban Land Institute to learn about the global real estate community.