Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Many of our readers own vacation properties, which they leave empty and unsupervised for weeks or months at a time. Here are some hints on protecting your property, both for short- and long-term absences.

1. A residence which presents a “lived-in” appearance is a deterrent to burglars. Never leave notes that can inform a burglar that your house is unoccupied. Make certain all windows and doors are secured before departing. An empty garage advertises your absence, so close the doors.

2. When going out at night, leave one or more interior lights on and perhaps have a radio playing (TV sets should not be left unattended). Timers may be purchased that will turn lights on and off during your absence. This is a good idea not just for a night out, but for extended stays away.

3. Do not leave door keys under flower pots or doormats, inside an unlocked mailbox, over the doorway, or in other obvious places.

4. Discontinue milk, newspaper, and other deliveries by phone or in person before you leave. Arrange for lawn or landscaping care to be continued, and have someone remove advertising circulars and other debris regularly. Toys or yard tools scattered about will create an impression of occupancy.

5. Notify the post office to hold or forward your mail, or have a trustworthy person pick it up regularly. Stuffed mail boxes are a give away that no one is home, in either condo buildings or detached homes.

6. Inform neighbors of your absence so they can be extra alert for suspicious persons. If you feel comfortable asking, leave a key with them so they can periodically inspect your home. If not your neighbors, ask a friend to stop by every now and then. Ask them to vary the positions of your shades and blinds, and turn on different lights inside.

7. When you leave, do not publicize your plans. Some burglars specialize in reading newspaper accounts of other people’s vacation activities. This include blogging or posting on your social networks that you are leaving.

8. If you find a door or window has been forced or broken while you were away, do not enter. The criminal may still be inside. Use a neighbour’s phone immediately to summon police.

9. Do not touch anything or clean up if a crime has occurred. Preserve the scene until police inspect for evidence.

10. Always Remember to:
*Lock before you leave
*Trust a neighbour or friend with a key
*Be a concerned neighbour and watch out for others.

None of us wants to invite crime, so just take a few precautions and you may prevent a break-in.

Robert Arthur, our Harbour Island real estate agent, is feeling good.
Robert just closed on Strawberry House, an historic two storey tropical home on this gem of an island where the beach really is powder pink from the residue of crushed shells.
See Robert’s listings
Robert’s passionate about Harbour Island, an island in the Eleuthera (Greek for “Freedom”) chain which was settled in the mid 1600s by a group of English puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers.
Led by Captain William Sayles, they’d fled Bermuda seeking religious freedom, got shipwrecked and ended up on Harbour Island.
Today Harbour Island is a postcard pretty village of Colonial cottages painted in the shades of our coral reefs. There are marinas, boutique hotels, and lots of fun spots to eat and drink and be merry. And Harbour Island real estate is at a premium. The famous Pink Sand Beach is spectacular.
“The sand is truly pink, the water is aquamarine, and there are so few
people around that it feels like your own” - Conde Naste
Harbour Island is only three miles long and half a mile wide. It’s within easy reach of Miami and London via a flight and a boat ride. On its East Coast it has the longest pink coral sand beach in the world. The Harbour Bay sits on the West Coast.
It’s said that all the local children are born with Junkanoo ^ the music of the Bahamas ^ in their soul and there are Junkanoo street parties where the rich and famous get down with regulars.
Anyway, back to Robert.
Robert’s a bit of a workaholic. When he’s not baking the most delicious goodies at his Arthur’s Cafe and Bakery on Harbour Island, he’s out selling real estate. Featured on House Hunters twice, Harbour Island real estate’s in his blood.
Some of his fantastic listings include,
SEABREEZE (Guide Price $2.9 million)
A new two storey three en-suite bedroom home with a separate garage and guest cottage providing a further en-suite bedroom. The ground floor is open plan with high ceilings and a wall of glass providing panoramic views across the private pool and terraces to the dock and harbour bay.
There is a bar top kitchen area, dining area, and a lounge area with media centre. The ground floor also has an en-suite bedroom, a laundry and a powder room. The upstairs bedrooms have private terraces and the master bedroom has views across the harbour bay. In addition there is a walled garden surrounding the swimming pool, sun decks and front driveway with boat trailer parking area.

9800 sq.ft. plot
2650sq.ft. closed area.
1175 sq.ft. covered area.

THE HIDEAWAY (Guide price $1 million)

A charming three bedroom, two bathroom, “upside down “cottage with a bright open plan living area and master bedroom on the upper floor. Downstairs are two double bedroom a shared bathroom and a snug with media centre and “secret” cupboard. Upstairs a wide outside covered deck with a sundeck beyond, is ideal for inside/outside living. There is a further covered deck downstairs and a garage and small walled garden.

3250 sq. ft. plot
1800 sq.ft. closed area
600 sq. ft. covered area

HARBOUR LIGHTS (A PROJECT) (Guide price $2.9million)

This property is the jewel in the crown of the Sunset Harbour Estate and provides the opportunity for you to finish your own island home. Nestling on the waterfront in a corner position This is a 5/6 bedroom “upside down” house. The main living area and master bedroom suite are on the upper level providing fantastic views across the bay. It also has a self contained 1 bedroom apartment on the ground floor.

The present state of build is that the foundations and concrete floor slab, including all the ducting for water, electrics and air conditioning are in place and the ground floor reinforced block walls are built to the belt caste level. It is all certified correct. The garage is also completely constructed and in use. The property is offered with all the prints, QS estimates, permits and certificates to complete it. It is priced to allow a substantial saving to be made on the ultimate value.

12000 sq. ft. plot
4,700 sq.ft closed area
1175 sq.ft. covered area

The build quality of these homes is second to none and reflects the construction skills that have been honed over the years through shipbuilding and passed down to the artisans of today.

The Sunset Harbour Estate is a wonderful opportunity to acquire a vacation home with a private dock from which to enjoy not only Harbour Island and its beauty and traditions but also some of the finest sport fishing or just the surrounding smaller islands with wonderful deserted beaches and shallow safe water where inquisitive dolphins will come and play. It’s an opportunity not to be missed.

The properties are being marketed in the USA by Coldwell Banker Robert. robert@ColdwellBankerBahamas.com.

Many of our readers own vacation properties, which they leave empty and unsupervised for weeks or months at a time. Here are some hints on protecting your property, both for short- and long-term absences.

1. A residence which presents a “lived-in” appearance is a deterrent to burglars. Never leave notes that can inform a burglar that your house is unoccupied. Make certain all windows and doors are secured before departing. An empty garage advertises your absence, so close the doors.

2. When going out at night, leave one or more interior lights on and perhaps have a radio playing (TV sets should not be left unattended). Timers may be purchased that will turn lights on and off during your absence. This is a good idea not just for a night out, but for extended stays away.

3. Do not leave door keys under flower pots or doormats, inside an unlocked mailbox, over the doorway, or in other obvious places.

4. Discontinue milk, newspaper, and other deliveries by phone or in person before you leave. Arrange for lawn or landscaping care to be continued, and have someone remove advertising circulars and other debris regularly. Toys or yard tools scattered about will create an impression of occupancy.

5. Notify the post office to hold or forward your mail, or have a trustworthy person pick it up regularly. Stuffed mail boxes are a give away that no one is home, in either condo buildings or detached homes.

6. Inform neighbors of your absence so they can be extra alert for suspicious persons. If you feel comfortable asking, leave a key with them so they can periodically inspect your home. If not your neighbors, ask a friend to stop by every now and then. Ask them to vary the positions of your shades and blinds, and turn on different lights inside.

7. When you leave, do not publicize your plans. Some burglars specialize in reading newspaper accounts of other people’s vacation activities. This include blogging or posting on your social networks that you are leaving.

8. If you find a door or window has been forced or broken while you were away, do not enter. The criminal may still be inside. Use a neighbour’s phone immediately to summon police.

9. Do not touch anything or clean up if a crime has occurred. Preserve the scene until police inspect for evidence.

10. Always Remember to:
*Lock before you leave
*Trust a neighbour or friend with a key
*Be a concerned neighbour and watch out for others.

None of us wants to invite crime, so just take a few precautions and you may prevent a break-in.

Robert Arthur, our Harbour Island real estate agent, is feeling good.
Robert just closed on Strawberry House, an historic two storey tropical home on this gem of an island where the beach really is powder pink from the residue of crushed shells.
See Robert’s listings
Robert’s passionate about Harbour Island, an island in the Eleuthera (Greek for “Freedom”) chain which was settled in the mid 1600s by a group of English puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers.
Led by Captain William Sayles, they’d fled Bermuda seeking religious freedom, got shipwrecked and ended up on Harbour Island.
Today Harbour Island is a postcard pretty village of Colonial cottages painted in the shades of our coral reefs. There are marinas, boutique hotels, and lots of fun spots to eat and drink and be merry. And Harbour Island real estate is at a premium. The famous Pink Sand Beach is spectacular.
“The sand is truly pink, the water is aquamarine, and there are so few
people around that it feels like your own” - Conde Naste
Harbour Island is only three miles long and half a mile wide. It’s within easy reach of Miami and London via a flight and a boat ride. On its East Coast it has the longest pink coral sand beach in the world. The Harbour Bay sits on the West Coast.
It’s said that all the local children are born with Junkanoo ^ the music of the Bahamas ^ in their soul and there are Junkanoo street parties where the rich and famous get down with regulars.
Anyway, back to Robert.
Robert’s a bit of a workaholic. When he’s not baking the most delicious goodies at his Arthur’s Cafe and Bakery on Harbour Island, he’s out selling real estate. Featured on House Hunters twice, Harbour Island real estate’s in his blood.
Some of his fantastic listings include,
SEABREEZE (Guide Price $2.9 million)
A new two storey three en-suite bedroom home with a separate garage and guest cottage providing a further en-suite bedroom. The ground floor is open plan with high ceilings and a wall of glass providing panoramic views across the private pool and terraces to the dock and harbour bay.
There is a bar top kitchen area, dining area, and a lounge area with media centre. The ground floor also has an en-suite bedroom, a laundry and a powder room. The upstairs bedrooms have private terraces and the master bedroom has views across the harbour bay. In addition there is a walled garden surrounding the swimming pool, sun decks and front driveway with boat trailer parking area.

9800 sq.ft. plot
2650sq.ft. closed area.
1175 sq.ft. covered area.

THE HIDEAWAY (Guide price $1 million)

A charming three bedroom, two bathroom, “upside down “cottage with a bright open plan living area and master bedroom on the upper floor. Downstairs are two double bedroom a shared bathroom and a snug with media centre and “secret” cupboard. Upstairs a wide outside covered deck with a sundeck beyond, is ideal for inside/outside living. There is a further covered deck downstairs and a garage and small walled garden.

3250 sq. ft. plot
1800 sq.ft. closed area
600 sq. ft. covered area

HARBOUR LIGHTS (A PROJECT) (Guide price $2.9million)

This property is the jewel in the crown of the Sunset Harbour Estate and provides the opportunity for you to finish your own island home. Nestling on the waterfront in a corner position This is a 5/6 bedroom “upside down” house. The main living area and master bedroom suite are on the upper level providing fantastic views across the bay. It also has a self contained 1 bedroom apartment on the ground floor.

The present state of build is that the foundations and concrete floor slab, including all the ducting for water, electrics and air conditioning are in place and the ground floor reinforced block walls are built to the belt caste level. It is all certified correct. The garage is also completely constructed and in use. The property is offered with all the prints, QS estimates, permits and certificates to complete it. It is priced to allow a substantial saving to be made on the ultimate value.

12000 sq. ft. plot
4,700 sq.ft closed area
1175 sq.ft. covered area

The build quality of these homes is second to none and reflects the construction skills that have been honed over the years through shipbuilding and passed down to the artisans of today.

The Sunset Harbour Estate is a wonderful opportunity to acquire a vacation home with a private dock from which to enjoy not only Harbour Island and its beauty and traditions but also some of the finest sport fishing or just the surrounding smaller islands with wonderful deserted beaches and shallow safe water where inquisitive dolphins will come and play. It’s an opportunity not to be missed.

The properties are being marketed in the USA by Coldwell Banker Robert. robert@ColdwellBankerBahamas.com.

David Bowen, Director of Culture in the Turks & Caicos Islands, provided the following information to the Tourist Board on the Turks and Caicos National Colors…..

“The National Dress of the Turks and Caicos Islands symbolizes the humble, hard-working life of our ancestors, who raked the salt ponds, toiled in the fields on the various plantations, and fished the oceans and harvested conch and sponges on our many islands. Its rainbow of colors boldly highlights our natural beauty and symbolizes the unique characteristics of each of our many islands. It should be worn with pride and dignity, as a statement of our love and respect for this wonderful country, not only by Belongers, but by all who call the Turks and Caicos Islands home.”

RED - represents the nation’s capital, Grand Turk. The color is taken from the red/pink fruit found on the Turks Head Cactus. They were once found in abundance on Grand Turk before they were removed to accommodate the salt ponds.

WHITE - represents Salt Cay. The color came from salt. The salt industry was largely responsible for populating the islands of Salt Cay, Grand Turk and South Caicos.

ORANGE - represents South Caicos and East Caicos. The color comes from the spiny lobster and reflects the fishing industry in the “Big South”.

TAN - represents Middle Caicos. The color is taken from the raw material (thatch) that once covered the roofs of the houses. It is also used to make straw hats, baskets, and brooms. Middle Caicos is known for the superior quality of native craftwork.

GREEN - represents North Caicos and Parrot Cay. The color is taken from the fruit trees and other types of trees. The most fertile of all the islands is North Caicos, home to Wade’s Green Plantation the most successful of the Caicos Islands plantations.

TURQUOISE - represent the islands of Providenciales, Pine Cay and West Caicos. This color comes from the beautiful turquoise waters that surround these islands on which our famous Caicos fishing sloops sailed.

PINK - represents the beautiful conch shells, flamingoes, and the numerous uninhabited cays that make up our chain of islands.

YELLOW - represents God’s glory as the sun shining down on all of our beautiful islands and cays.

After a slow Start, the Caribbean experienced sharp differences between countries in terms of tourist arrivals, as shown in the Q3 Caribbean Tourism Report. In general, the picture was positive, with several countries posting increases in tourist arrivals, following a year of overall decline in 2009.

St Lucia and the US Virgin Islands registered high levels of arrivals growth in Q110, with arrival numbers growing by 12.5% and 15.0% year-on-year (y-oy) respectively, reminiscent of the regional growth levels experienced prior to the 2008-2009 global economic slowdown.

Other countries experienced smaller levels of arrivals growth, with the number of visitors to Aruba and Barbados increasing by 3.1% and 1.7% respectively. Regional bellwether the Dominican Republic, a major tourist destination, experienced growth of 3.9%.

The picture was less positive for Bermuda and Curacao, which experienced arrival declines of 17.9% and 13.5% respectively. These countries have only reported figures for January, so full first quarter figures are likely to show a more moderate decline.

With the 2010 hurricane season forecast to be heavier than in 2009, arrivals are likely to slow again before picking up in the pre-Christmas high season.

International Banking Group (“IBG”), Turks & Caicos Islands newest bank, recently hosted two Open House events in June. These events were intended to allow the public and potential interested shareholders to come and meet the bank’s staff and ask questions about the bank and its share offering program with the President and Chief Executive, Ivan Browne, and other senior management staff.

Following the launch of the initial share offering last March, IBG extended the deadline due to requests for more time to review the prospectus and understand the offering. In order to provide interested parties with additional information, the bank opened its doors on June 18th and 25th.

International Banking Group is the newest addition to the Turks and Caicos’ retail and Commercial banks offering a full range of banking products including internationally branded credit and debit cards, personal and commercial lending, checking and savings accounts. Located at the Graceway Plaza on Leeward Highway, (tel) 649 941-4424, website: www.ibgtci.com, IBG is a subsidiary of Cayman National.

The bank is licensed by the Financial Services Commission of the Turks and Caicos Islands and is regulated by this entity and the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. The bank therefore is required to comply with all regulatory requirements prescribed by these bodies. In addition, the bank says its internal controls, compliance and risk-policy are in line with the highest international corporate governance standards.

For more information on IBG visit their website here.

Eating dessert has never been so good for you. The US Department of Agriculture, on May 8th 1999, declared “July” National Blueberry Month. So the month of July would be a national holiday? Well not exactly, but as the US produces over 90% of all the blueberries in the world they figured it was a good reason to celebrate this summer month with berries, berries and more berries.

The Blueberry Bush is native to the North American continent. Early settlers cherished the fruit as a staple ingredient in foods and medicines. It is said that the Native Americans taught the pilgrims to use blueberries in many ways, blueberries were dried in the sun and ground into a powder to make a pudding called Sautauthig, and it was used to season meat as a “spice rub.” Beef jerky was made from the dried berries and meat and eaten year-round.

Grown in 35 states in the US as well as in British Columbia, nearly half of the cultivated blueberries grown are sold as fresh blueberries. Over 200 million pounds are produced each year, major regions of production of this acid loving plant include New Jersey, Michigan, Indiana, Oregon, Washington, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and British Columbia Canada. They are readily available in the produce section for use in desserts, salads, pancakes or waffles, soups, yogurt, cereal and vanilla pudding, smoothies, tea and even wine – that’s right, blueberry wine!

Good for your health? You bet, years ago Blueberry tea was supposed to help relax women during childbirth, leaves from the blueberry bush were used to make a blood purifier that was good for the kidneys, and blueberry juice was known to be good for soothing a cough. Modern medicine also identifies the health benefits of blueberries. There is a Blueberry Cranberry Research Center at Rutgers in Chatsworth, N.J. that found blueberries help prevent infections in the urinary tract in much the same way that cranberries do. The nutritional value of blueberries cannot be beat by any other fruit or vegetable. They are full of antioxidants, which have been scientifically proven to help reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease. They are also excellent sources of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, folic acid, and fiber. Plus, they are low in calories - one cup of berries is only about 80 calories.

Do not wash your blueberries prior to freezing them, if you purchase them in a pint box simply wrap the box tightly in cellophane to make it airtight or place them in a zip-lock baggie. If you buy the berries in bulk, freeze them on a cookie sheet first and then transfer them into a freezer container. Keep frozen until ready to use.

Restaurants in the Turks & Caicos Islands feature several breakfast menu items as well as desserts using blueberries. Look for them next time you dine beachside at one of our award winning local restaurants.

Article courtesy of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Turks & Caicos.

The long, crescent-shaped island of Providenciales (Provo) measures 38 square miles and is the largest in the chain of Turks & Caicos Islands. It has grown exponentially from a sleepy, sparsely inhabited island in the 1970s to the tourist mecca it is today. The centre of tourism activity in the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is the main port of entry into the country. While development is concentrated in the stunning Grace Bay area (one of the worlds top ten beaches as awarded by Conde Nast Travel), there are many other communities dotted throughout the island. From the charming and colorful settlement of Blue Hills on the west coast out to the exclusive and chic Amanyara Resort at the Northwestern Point, Silly Creek and Chalk Sound are on the south side along with Turtle Tail, Leeward at the northeastern tip of the island, and bustling Turtle Cove Marina - the island’s original tourism hub and marina - there is something for everyone. Relatively undiscovered stretches of beach line the south-east side of the island; Long Bay is as yet untouched by commercial and resort development.

There have been several recent sales of canal-front residential lots, in-land building lots as well as beachfront estate parcels of land in the Leeward development in the Turks & Caicos Islands. For the first time several key properties in this exclusive neighborhood, located at the northeastern tip of Provo, are now available for sale. A residential neighborhood that is called home for many of the islands full-time residents, several popular vacation beachfront properties as well as condo owners at the Leeward Marina Resort - this development has always been considered one of the premier areas in the TCI. Close to the Provo Golf Club and the hotel and resort area of Grace Bay Beach, Leeward features some of the most expensive beachfront estates and villas plus canal front homes in the TCI.

Along 12-mile Grace Bay Beach, you can lazily stroll along a magnificent span of sugar-sand shores and plant your umbrella and sunbathe in a calm, relaxed environment. There is no other place on earth that can match the beauty of the turquoise waters lapping against the pristine white sands of Grace Bay. In the recent years this area has seen a number of condo-hotels and luxury boutique resorts built along its shoreline. Private condo-residences and small shopping areas have been carefully planned and constructed making this the tourism “hub” of Provo. Restaurants, boutiques, outdoor cafes, local offices and banks as well as small gourmet grocery stores are within easy walking distance of most beachfront resorts and vacation properties.

The largest industry in the TCI is undeniably tourism. With balmy year-round weather there is not a bad time to visit the pristine white sands and startling blue waters. Temperatures range from the low 80s in the winter to low 90s in the summer, and the trade winds offer cooling breezes wherever you find yourself. Our main natural assets are our 200+ miles of pristine white-sand beaches, our coral reefs and ocean walls, offering some of the world’s best diving. Complementing our pollution-free natural beauty is the foreign investment and foreign-resident friendly environment and complete absence of taxes on personal and corporate income, capital gains and inheritance.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – the first stop as you begin your magical vacation in the TCI.

www.coldwellbankertci.com

A narrow and shaded country lane leads to the delightful 3-cottage home. Facing south, each villa is elevated to enjoy the beautiful sea views and the hills of Montpelier Estate. Covered wooden walkways link each individual building, creating privacy and intimacy. Two of the three villas are bedrooms with ensuite bathroom while the third one has a pleasant living area opening up to a large veranda. Furniture and furnishings have been carefully selected by the owners to provide a simple but yet refined lifestyle. Asking $525,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more photos.