Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

The European Investment Bank has agreed to lend St Kitts $8 million, to help finance public and private projects during the ongoing global economic crisis. Elvis Newton, Chairman of the Development Bank of Saint Kitts and Nevis, said the loan will help create jobs, boost foreign-exchange earnings, and stimulate the local economy.

About $1 million of the loan is slated for renewable energy projects.

Last year, St. Kitts ranked third worldwide in terms of public debt, which indicates how much state spending is financed by borrowing and not taxation.

(resource: BloombergBusinessWeek.com)

The Wall Street Journal reports that “Richard Branson has sold one of his private Caribbean islands just three years after pledging to turn it into a ‘mini-Bali.’
Moskito in the British Virgin Islands was sold for $US20.5 million ($20.4m) in August, new financial information has revealed. Sir Richard bought the island for $US13.2m in 2007 with plans to turn it into an upmarket ecotourism resort.”

According to the accounts, the buyer of 124-acre Moskito was Split Holdings. Reports indicate Split is not in the Virgin Group of companies, and the buyer reimbursed all of Branson’s development costs to date.

WSJ also states, “Moskito is only a mile from Necker, Sir Richard’s home in the Caribbean. The billionaire said at the time: ‘I was terrified Moskito would end up in the wrong hands and be ruined. I want to start from scratch and create the most ecologically friendly island in the world. Come back in five years and you’ll find a mini-Bali with a rainforest in the Caribbean.’”

Branson through Virgin Group has holdings worldwide. The billionaire’s relationship with the Caribbean dates back to 1979 when he bought Necker for just ₤180,000 ($276,500).

The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary was started in 1997, and is supported by donations and volunteers, Brought to Aruba by the Spaniards about 500 years ago, wild donkeys today pose no problem other than disrupting traffic. Though they are a tough species and don’t require much to survive, increased development has affected their natural habitat and intervention has become necessary.

It’s expensive to care even for one donkey, including food and vet cre. The volunteers cover the costs through organizing fundraising opportunities. For only US $ 17.00 per month, you can adopt your own donkey. You will receive a special document and a T-shirt. And if you like, your name and photo will be posted on the website.

The volunteers are now looking for people who wish to adopt Chocolat. He jumped the fence one day and just stayed. He is a tough guy and leader of a group of donkeys. Together with other, less dominant, males he maintains order in the 100-donkey strong enclave.

Please call the Aruba Donkey Foundation at 595-2933 and become a donkey’s new family; you can also register as an adoptive parent on the website www.arubadonkey.org. The Donkey Sanctuary is open weekdays from 9am ^ 12:30 pm and weekends from 10 am ^ 3pm.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, the Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty family takes this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Peace in the New Year.

We look forward to seeing our friends, renewing old acquaintances and welcoming new friends to the Bahamas in 2011.

We invite you to continue to monitor our blog for Bahamas real estate updates in 2011.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
There were listings a plenty, at the click of a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Bahamas real estate deeds soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of powder white beaches danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had dreams of a long, warm sunny nap.

Another year has come and almost gone. Our Bahamas homes are decorated for Christmas. Many of the trees are from the north, but we’ve dressed them with shells and sand dollars. Our homes are ablaze with poinsettias and clippings from the “snow on the mountain” plant.

At night, the sound of goat skin drums and horns fill the air as the various Junkanoo groups put in their final practice for the annual Boxing Day parade.

The fish markets are doing a brisk trade with Bahamians buying hog snapper for the traditional Christmas breakfast of boiled fish (”burl fish”) and native yellow grits, a delicacy of succulent fish simmered in a tasty broth of stock with potatoes, onions, hot red pepper and lime.

Unseasonably cool weather has held the temperatures in the high 60s to mid 70s with brilliant blue skies. The tourists are basking in the sunshine and swimming.

This is truly a wonderful time of year.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
There were listings a plenty, at the click of a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Bahamas real estate deeds soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of powder white beaches danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had dreams of a long, warm sunny nap.

Another year has come and almost gone. Our Bahamas homes are decorated for Christmas. Many of the trees are from the north, but we’ve dressed them with shells and sand dollars. Our homes are ablaze with poinsettias and clippings from the “snow on the mountain” plant.

At night, the sound of goat skin drums and horns fill the air as the various Junkanoo groups put in their final practice for the annual Boxing Day parade.

The fish markets are doing a brisk trade with Bahamians buying hog snapper for the traditional Christmas breakfast of boiled fish (”burl fish”) and native yellow grits, a delicacy of succulent fish simmered in a tasty broth of stock with potatoes, onions, hot red pepper and lime.

Unseasonably cool weather has held the temperatures in the high 60s to mid 70s with brilliant blue skies. The tourists are basking in the sunshine and swimming.

This is truly a wonderful time of year.

Lights, inside and out, are a beautiful part of the holiday season. But as with all electrical devices, you need to take special precautions. Before you deck the halls, run through this checklist to keep your holidays merry and bright.

Inspect light strings. Discard any that are damaged. Frayed or cracked electrical cords or broken sockets are fire hazards.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting multiple strings. The general limit is three strings. Light strings with stacked plugs can usually accommodate greater lengths than end-to-end connections.

Replace burned-out bulbs. Empty sockets can cause the entire string to overheat.

Make sure outdoor lighting is UL-rated for exterior use. Exterior lights, unlike those used inside the house, need to be weather-resistant. The same goes for any extension cords used outdoors.

Don’t use outdoor lights indoors. They’re too hot for interior use. For the coolest bulbs and greatest energy efficiency, use LED lights, which come in a wide range of styles and colors.

Don’t attach light strings with nails or staples. They can cut through the wire insulation and create a fire hazard. Only use UL-approved hangers.

Take exterior lights down within 90 days. The longer they stay up, the more likely they are to suffer damage from weather and critters chewing on them.

Store lights safely. Tangled lights can lead to damaged cords and broken sockets. After the holidays, coil each string loosely around a stiff piece of cardboard, wrap it in paper or fabric to protect the bulbs, and store in a sturdy container until next year.

Enjoy our Holiday Season but be safe.

Lights, inside and out, are a beautiful part of the holiday season. But as with all electrical devices, you need to take special precautions. Before you deck the halls, run through this checklist to keep your holidays merry and bright.

Inspect light strings. Discard any that are damaged. Frayed or cracked electrical cords or broken sockets are fire hazards.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting multiple strings. The general limit is three strings. Light strings with stacked plugs can usually accommodate greater lengths than end-to-end connections.

Replace burned-out bulbs. Empty sockets can cause the entire string to overheat.

Make sure outdoor lighting is UL-rated for exterior use. Exterior lights, unlike those used inside the house, need to be weather-resistant. The same goes for any extension cords used outdoors.

Don’t use outdoor lights indoors. They’re too hot for interior use. For the coolest bulbs and greatest energy efficiency, use LED lights, which come in a wide range of styles and colors.

Don’t attach light strings with nails or staples. They can cut through the wire insulation and create a fire hazard. Only use UL-approved hangers.

Take exterior lights down within 90 days. The longer they stay up, the more likely they are to suffer damage from weather and critters chewing on them.

Store lights safely. Tangled lights can lead to damaged cords and broken sockets. After the holidays, coil each string loosely around a stiff piece of cardboard, wrap it in paper or fabric to protect the bulbs, and store in a sturdy container until next year.

Enjoy our Holiday Season but be safe.

Lights, inside and out, are a beautiful part of the holiday season. But as with all electrical devices, you need to take special precautions. Before you deck the halls, run through this checklist to keep your holidays merry and bright.

Inspect light strings. Discard any that are damaged. Frayed or cracked electrical cords or broken sockets are fire hazards.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting multiple strings. The general limit is three strings. Light strings with stacked plugs can usually accommodate greater lengths than end-to-end connections.

Replace burned-out bulbs. Empty sockets can cause the entire string to overheat.

Make sure outdoor lighting is UL-rated for exterior use. Exterior lights, unlike those used inside the house, need to be weather-resistant. The same goes for any extension cords used outdoors.

Don’t use outdoor lights indoors. They’re too hot for interior use. For the coolest bulbs and greatest energy efficiency, use LED lights, which come in a wide range of styles and colors.

Don’t attach light strings with nails or staples. They can cut through the wire insulation and create a fire hazard. Only use UL-approved hangers.

Take exterior lights down within 90 days. The longer they stay up, the more likely they are to suffer damage from weather and critters chewing on them.

Store lights safely. Tangled lights can lead to damaged cords and broken sockets. After the holidays, coil each string loosely around a stiff piece of cardboard, wrap it in paper or fabric to protect the bulbs, and store in a sturdy container until next year.

Enjoy our Holiday Season but be safe.

Lights, inside and out, are a beautiful part of the holiday season. But as with all electrical devices, you need to take special precautions. Before you deck the halls, run through this checklist to keep your holidays merry and bright.

Inspect light strings. Discard any that are damaged. Frayed or cracked electrical cords or broken sockets are fire hazards.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting multiple strings. The general limit is three strings. Light strings with stacked plugs can usually accommodate greater lengths than end-to-end connections.

Replace burned-out bulbs. Empty sockets can cause the entire string to overheat.

Make sure outdoor lighting is UL-rated for exterior use. Exterior lights, unlike those used inside the house, need to be weather-resistant. The same goes for any extension cords used outdoors.

Don’t use outdoor lights indoors. They’re too hot for interior use. For the coolest bulbs and greatest energy efficiency, use LED lights, which come in a wide range of styles and colors.

Don’t attach light strings with nails or staples. They can cut through the wire insulation and create a fire hazard. Only use UL-approved hangers.

Take exterior lights down within 90 days. The longer they stay up, the more likely they are to suffer damage from weather and critters chewing on them.

Store lights safely. Tangled lights can lead to damaged cords and broken sockets. After the holidays, coil each string loosely around a stiff piece of cardboard, wrap it in paper or fabric to protect the bulbs, and store in a sturdy container until next year.

Enjoy our Holiday Season but be safe.