Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Luxurious 3-bedroom apartment of 2650 SF on Seven Mile Beach now available. Both the master bedroom and living room open onto a gorgeous unscreened patio overlooking the blue Caribbean. 12 ft. ceilings and designer furnished. Perfect white sand beach. Enclosed parking garage, tennis and pool entertainment area. No daily tourist rentals insures your privacy in this beautiful oceanfront location. Complex has been recently renovated with no expense spared to upgrade and enhance your investment. Asking $1,650,000.

As part of their new Community Foundation to foster guest involvement in education and community outreach in the Turks and Caicos region, Grace Bay Resorts, the parent company for Grace Bay Club and The Veranda Resort, has introduced their first Adopt-A-School initiative.

Through the combined efforts of Grace Bay Resorts, the Turks and Caicos government, and local contractor Projetech Ltd, guests of both Grace Bay Club and The Veranda now provide long term repair and refurbishment assistance supporting over 395 students in elementary and high schools that were not only damaged from Hurricane Ike, but also have been historically neglected due to lack of local funding.

The Adopt-A-School program, launched in fall 2009, currently operates on a quarterly basis and invites guests to join staff on day excursions to the North and South Caicos Islands delivering much needed supplies and labor.

Due to the growing interest in volun-tourism initiatives, Grace Bay Resorts expects to increase this initiative to operate on a monthly basis in late 2010. To date, the adopted schools include: Iris Stubbs Primary School, Marjorie Basden High School, Charles Hubert James Primary School and Adelaide Oemler Primary.

Grace Bay Resorts has committed an initial donation of $100,000 for a minimum of one year for the Adopt-A-School and Community Foundation. Once the refurbishment of these schools is complete, funding will go to support the upkeep of the equipment and educational programs on-site.

Grace Bay Resorts’ Community Foundation Program has also identified additional areas in need of guest outreach including the re-development of local community parks, a scholarship program for staff members and breakfast programs for underprivileged children in the Providenciales area.

In addition to the Community Foundation, Nikheel Advani, COO of Grace Bay Resorts recently announced a partnership with The Bodhi Tree Foundation, a non-profit organization charged with mobilizing support from travelers and the tourism industry to protect places and people around the globe. Founded on the “Power of One” philosophy, Advani, an advisory board member on the foundation, has pledged to match each $1 guests donate per room night towards the cause. For more information visit www.thebodhitreefoundation.org.

Read more at HotelsMag.com.

St. Kitts and Nevis has announced November 1st 2010 as the date for the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) in the twin-island Federation. Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said there are too many indirect taxes at different rates that make the system complex and it will replace several taxes.

Douglas said, “A VAT would streamline the tax system by replacing the Consumption Tax, Hotel and Restaurant Tax, Cable TV Tax, Traders Tax, Vehicle Rental Levy, Export and Rum Duty, Telecommunications Levy (IDD Calls) and Parcel Tax.”

He said that the proposed VAT must be seen as an opportunity to completely reform the existing tax structure. VAT will apply to many services which have not been bearing their fair burden, even though they are full beneficiaries of the economy.

“A VAT regime will provide some measure of fiscal stability as it is capable of generating reliable and consistent revenues for the Government,” said Douglas. He added that in many developing countries, like St. Kitts and Nevis, the tax base is narrow, so governments must rely on relatively high tax rates to generate revenue.

“Fortunately, we have managed to keep our tax rates relatively low and attractive notwithstanding our small size, but we must enhance the coverage of our taxes if we are to continue to keep our tax rates sufficiently low to attract investment and foster productivity. Successfully reforming our tax system will involve shifting from a reliance on a narrow international trade base plus a limited domestic production base to a broader consumption base. This is precisely what a tax like the VAT will do,” said Dr. Douglas.

Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have implemented VAT with positive results for several years. Belize, Dominica and Guyana have also introduced a VAT since early 2006. Our fellow OECS countries such as, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada have recently introduced VAT, while Saint Lucia is currently working on the implementation of VAT within the next year. The implementation of VAT in the Federation will foster harmonization in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.

For more information on VAT, read ZIZOnline, and St Kitts-Nevis Observer,

The Government of the British Virgin Islands has announced a new coin release celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Peanuts™, the famous cartoon strip featuring Charlie Brown and his dog, Snoopy.

The character of Snoopy first appeared in Charles Schulz’s Sunday comic strip in October, 1950 and he is now one of the most recognised and loved cartoon characters in the world.

Snoopy is most renowned for two things… laying on top of his doghouse and his best friend, a bird called Woodstock. Over the last 60 years, this iconic character has featured in numerous films, animated series and merchandise as well as the comic strip where it all started.

CoinNews.net said, “The work of Charles Schulz is described as, ‘the most shining example of the American success story,’ whereas his character, Charlie Brown is an example of, ‘the great American un-success story’ in that he fails in practically everything he does which makes him such a likable character.”

An official Peanuts™ commemorative, the design of the coin depicts a classic image of Snoopy laying on the rooftop of his doghouse with friend Woodstock perched on his feet.

Approved by Buckingham Palace, the obverse of the coin bears a fine effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.

To view the coin, visit POBJOY.com.

Aruba Prime Minister Mike Eman appeared with Marriott International CEO Bill Marriott Jr. last week in Aruba as Marriott announced that Ritz-Carlton would proceed with a 320-room luxury property to open in late 2012 along the last strip of prime beachfront on Aruba’s Palm Beach. The announcement was preceded by years of discussions with past administrations.

The plan generated hot debate among Aruban residents about how best to combine Aruba’s tourism growth and hotel development with preservation and protection of the island’s natural resources.

“Due to a rapid expansion of hotels and condominiums over the last 20 years, we are concerned that we are left with too few vacant public beach areas,” Eman said. “The fact that we are looking at the addition of such a prestigious hotel as the Ritz-Carlton reduces this pain for us. We hope to work with Marriott to achieve the vision of our new government to emphasize sustainability and durability in the development of our tourism industry for both the people of Aruba and our visitors.”

Marriott added, “Marriott has a large presence on Aruba with more than 1,400 rooms and 1,500 employees, many of whom are from Aruba,” Marriott said. “Our new Ritz-Carlton will generate up to 1,000 jobs for full-time hotel employees and construction workers, and more than 90% of these workers will come from the local population.”

The new hotel will be energy-efficient, consume low amounts of fresh water due to desalinization procedures and will build public beach access into the overall hotel design.

Palm Beach, on the SW coast of Aruba, has constant trade winds, brilliant white sand, and a central location on the island. You can spend an hour walking from one end of Palm Beach to the other, stopping at the hotels along the way.

Read more at CaribPro.com.

If you think nothing’s moving in Bahamas real estate, think again!
Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty broker Colin Lightbourn just closed on the sale of a gorgeous condo on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
The condo at Yolanda was on the market for $2,300,000. After a 30 day process, the condo is in the hands of a happy new homeowner with both parties delighted with the Bahamas real estate transaction.
The new luxury home owner is settling into his spacious penthouse overlooking the harbour with panoramic views of the water and Nassau. With his private gym and a swimming pool ^ and only a few minutes walk to a beautiful white powder sand beach - he’s already enjoying the balmy climate of the Bahamas.
Paradise Island is linked to Nassau by bridge. It’s a short walk to the world famous Atlantis resort and marina and near the professional golf course at Ocean Club Estates, which features some of the most luxurious homes on Paradise Island and in the Bahamas
While the Bahamas saw a sharp decline in second home sales last year as part of the global downturn, there’s been a spike in activity in recent months.
Our Abaco real estate agent, Mailin Sands, has been very busy with showings in the last couple of months and has several properties under contract. And Pleasants Higgs, our agent in Hope Town Abaco, already has two sales tucked under her belt for the month.
Abaco is a popular second home destination to North Americans, in particular.
William Wong, outgoing president of the Bahamas Real Estate Association, also reports that the second home buyer market appears to have picked up.
The Tribune of Nassau, which interviewed Wong, says buyer traffic and inquiries have jumped by 15-20 per cent year-to-date.
And The Bahamas Real Estate Association is optimistic about the future of the industry in the islands.

Simple and inexpensive updates can add appeal to your home and help catch the eye of prospective buyers. Check with your Coldwell Banker realtor for more ideas, but consider one or more of these to spruce up your home for sale.

*Colors - Use welcoming colors. Paint trim, eaves, and shutters a warm brown and brighten the front door with a deep blue or another soft color.

*Benches - Place wrought iron or wood benches beside the door or under trees in the front yard, to give the idea of welcome and comfort.

*Lighted path - Use energy-efficient solar lights to lead visitors to the front door and illuminate the entry after dark. Also use shrubs and colorful plants along the walkway to the front.

*Wall lanterns - Use lanterns on each side of the front door to welcome buyers. A dark doorway is not inviting.

*Clean the yard and front porch - don’t let clutter and trash spoil that first impression given a buyer.

These ideas should get you thinking of inexpensive quick fixes you can do to your property to make it look more inviting and get those buyers inside.

Simple and inexpensive updates can add appeal to your home and help catch the eye of prospective buyers. Check with your Coldwell Banker realtor for more ideas, but consider one or more of these to spruce up your home for sale.

*Colors - Use welcoming colors. Paint trim, eaves, and shutters a warm brown and brighten the front door with a deep blue or another soft color.

*Benches - Place wrought iron or wood benches beside the door or under trees in the front yard, to give the idea of welcome and comfort.

*Lighted path - Use energy-efficient solar lights to lead visitors to the front door and illuminate the entry after dark. Also use shrubs and colorful plants along the walkway to the front.

*Wall lanterns - Use lanterns on each side of the front door to welcome buyers. A dark doorway is not inviting.

*Clean the yard and front porch - don’t let clutter and trash spoil that first impression given a buyer.

These ideas should get you thinking of inexpensive quick fixes you can do to your property to make it look more inviting and get those buyers inside.

Simple and inexpensive updates can add appeal to your home and help catch the eye of prospective buyers. Check with your Coldwell Banker realtor for more ideas, but consider one or more of these to spruce up your home for sale.

*Colors - Use welcoming colors. Paint trim, eaves, and shutters a warm brown and brighten the front door with a deep blue or another soft color.

*Benches - Place wrought iron or wood benches beside the door or under trees in the front yard, to give the idea of welcome and comfort.

*Lighted path - Use energy-efficient solar lights to lead visitors to the front door and illuminate the entry after dark. Also use shrubs and colorful plants along the walkway to the front.

*Wall lanterns - Use lanterns on each side of the front door to welcome buyers. A dark doorway is not inviting.

*Clean the yard and front porch - don’t let clutter and trash spoil that first impression given a buyer.

These ideas should get you thinking of inexpensive quick fixes you can do to your property to make it look more inviting and get those buyers inside.

Simple and inexpensive updates can add appeal to your home and help catch the eye of prospective buyers. Check with your Coldwell Banker realtor for more ideas, but consider one or more of these to spruce up your home for sale.

*Colors - Use welcoming colors. Paint trim, eaves, and shutters a warm brown and brighten the front door with a deep blue or another soft color.

*Benches - Place wrought iron or wood benches beside the door or under trees in the front yard, to give the idea of welcome and comfort.

*Lighted path - Use energy-efficient solar lights to lead visitors to the front door and illuminate the entry after dark. Also use shrubs and colorful plants along the walkway to the front.

*Wall lanterns - Use lanterns on each side of the front door to welcome buyers. A dark doorway is not inviting.

*Clean the yard and front porch - don’t let clutter and trash spoil that first impression given a buyer.

These ideas should get you thinking of inexpensive quick fixes you can do to your property to make it look more inviting and get those buyers inside.