Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

This pretty 2 bedroom home plus loft is bright and comfortable. Conveniently located in Colibri Gardens, the Grace Bay home is close to shops and restaurants. The complex is comprised of only 4 bungalows in a fully fenced and gated community. There is a screened in porched across the front of the home, increasing the living space and providing ample indoor and outdoor living spaces. Two patio doors lead to this comfortable spot from the main living area. Both bedrooms are a good size with large walk-in closets and ensuite baths. There is a small pool shared with one other residence. Easy-to-use hurricane shutters in place.
1400 SF living area. Sold furnished. Asking $399,000 US.

More photos on our Coldwell Banker Listing page.

Imagine living the dream at the upscale Pelican Development on the South East Peninsular on St. Kitts.
Future developments in the area indicate the upward trend in prices, so now is the time to own a piece of paradise. Price is currently $15/SF for hill top, or $20/SF for oceanfront (US dollars). Lots from 11,000 SF - 46,000 SF, priced from $165,000 US - $920,000 US.

More photos on our Coldwell Banker Listing page.

Those in the know recently confirmed that Sir Richard Branson still intends to develop an eco-resort on his 124-acre island of Mosquito (or Moskito).

He plans to build 20 villas and a beachfront restaurant powered by wind turbines and solar panels. The project’s manager, Ryan West, said, “Talks about the resort with the Town and Country Planning Department continue. Up to now, the timing hasn’t been quite right for the project. Hopefully, this year we’ll be commencing.”

The beautiful real estate is a mile from his other island, Necker, his home in the Caribbean. Moskito was once home to a resort known as Drake’s Anchorage, and located in the North Sound, just off shore from Anguilla Point, Virgin Gordan. In the past, it has been a popular destination for visiting sailors and scuba divers. Branson purchased the island in 2007.

Read more about the island at BareboatsBVI.com. Photo courtesy of that source.

Aruba is a popular eco-tourism destination because of the mild climate, the large Arikok National Park, excellent bird watching opportunities, and both natural and artificial coral reefs. Because the island is only 17 miles from Venezuela, and the continent of South America, it has a unique and diverse collection of plants, animals, and landscapes.

Many of the resorts are working to improve how eco-friendly they are, and some involving guests in projects for island conservation. Two prime examples are the Hyatt Regency Aruba and the Bucuti Beach Resort.

The Hyatt has earned a silver rating from the Green Globe Earthcheck certification program, which means nontoxic cleaning products, energy-efficient appliances, and water conservation. The hotel encourages employees to participate in cleanups at local landmarks, even during work hours. Two unutual green features include a state-of-the-art ventilation system using natural air flow in the main lobby, and a rooftop garden over one of its restaurants.

The Bucoti Resort was the 1st in the Americas to be labeled an ISO 14000 business (only given to those with outstanding environmental management systems). It opened in 1987 and sea turtles still can be found nesting on its beaches. The resort uses solar panels, local goods, and actively supports local conservation-oriented charities.

Aruba has a public transit system with government-owned buses connecting the largest towns, and privately-owned minibuses for the rest of the island. Bikes and scooter rentals are available.

Arikok National Park covers almost 1/5 of Aruba, and eco-tourism is a major focus of the park’s mission. The park offers trails, guided tours - some on horseback, attractions such as caves, rock formations, abandoned plantations, and petroglyphs.

Visitors can participate in the annual Aruba Reef Care Project, which is a reef cleanup effort hauling out refuse. There are more than a dozen dive operators that take tourists to the man-made artificial reefs, and help educate divers on the resources surrounding Aruba.

So come to Aruba for an eco-friendly vacation, and stop by our Coldwell Banker office to talk real estate while you are here.

(resource: MotherNatureNetwork)

You can prepare all you like, but real estate closings almost always take longer than they should.

Delays are usually the result of one of the following - financing, legal (sometimes just getting a simple sales contract agreed to) and possibly inspections.

So while your heart is set on owning the home of your dreams, someone who already has financing in place might beat you to the punch. Make sure your financing is in place.

Not all homes are in turnkey condition, like this beautiful seaside condo on West Bay Street in Nassau.

Getting estimates for repairs and upgrades can also hold up a transaction, but there are ways to speed up the process.

Your Bahamas Real Estate Association agent can help you get a handle on any upgrades that may be necessary by walking through the home with an inspector, noting the age and the condition of major components of the home and securing estimates for potential repairs.

Having an idea of the cost of repairs will help secure a fair price and reduce the time to negotiate repairs and costs.

Last of all tell your lawyer that, barring any unforeseen problems, you expect the sale to close on time.

These are good preventative and proactive steps towards a successful and, hopefully, speedy closing.

Providenciales is the urban center of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Familiarly known as “Provo,” the island offers all the modern conveniences yet is an uncrowded tropical destination. Located on the west side of the Caicos archipelago, Provo is 38 square miles. Prior to 1960, the island had a population of 500. Today, it has the largest population in Turks & Caicos.

Development began in 1966 when the local government and the British Government made a lease-purchase agreement with Provident Ltd., allowing them to lease 4000 acres of Crown Land.

Beautiful beaches are scattered on all sides of Providenciales, the most spectacular of which is a 12-mile stretch located on Grace Bay, protected by a barrier reef. The island is a divers’ and water lovers’ paradise. The south part of the island faces the Caicos Bank, a shallow, pale turquoise sea partly composed of swamp and tidal flats, filled with an abundance of conch and lobster.

Provo is home to the only conch farm in the world. These pink-shelled mollusks take five years to grow to their adult size. The conch farm is open for tours during the winter months.

Natural island formations provide safe mooring for sailors. Sapodilla Bay is popular, and, on the northeast end of Providenciales, the deep channel of Leeward makes a natural and safe harbor.

Provo has an 18-hole golf course, casino, shopping centers, three marinas, several bars, and excellent restaurants. Historical points of interest include the Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill Plantation ruins. Stones engraved by shipwrecked sailors are found on a hill overlooking Sapodilla Bay. The “Hole” at Long Bay is a deep and wide limestone chimney with a mysterious depth of salt water at the bottom.

Come visit Providenciales for your next Caribbean holiday. Be sure and stop by our Coldwell Banker office to say “hi” and talk about our real estate opportunities.

(photo courtesy of MacArthur)

This is an elegantly appointed, luxuriously furnished, modern villa situated 1,000 feet above sea level. The 1.4 acre property is located on the old Zetland’s Plantation, on the slope of Mount Nevis. Superbly furnished with a combination of West Indies and Plantation-style mahogany/cane furniture, the main building contains a large living/dining area with French doors opening on three sides providing 360-degree view of the Caribbean Sea and Mt. Nevis. The completely equipped gourmet kitchen opens onto the dining area. There are 2 separate master suites, guest cottage, pool, spa, and outdoor kitchen. Asking $2,200,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more photos.

This is an elegantly appointed, luxuriously furnished, modern villa situated 1,000 feet above sea level. The 1.4 acre property is located on the old Zetland’s Plantation, on the slope of Mount Nevis. Superbly furnished with a combination of West Indies and Plantation-style mahogany/cane furniture, the main building contains a large living/dining area with French doors opening on three sides providing 360-degree view of the Caribbean Sea and Mt. Nevis. The completely equipped gourmet kitchen opens onto the dining area. There are 2 separate master suites, guest cottage, pool, spa, and outdoor kitchen. Asking $2,200,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more photos.

Sherri Ortiz, Executive Director of BVI´s International Finance Centre (IFC), predicts 2011 will be the year the country focuses on business develooment. The BVI IFC is the government’s marketing arm for the financial services sector.

There are “excellent prospects for increased business development” in the year ahead, but given the changes throughout the global financial landscape, the BVI is “working to position ourselves sufficiently to address these challenges in the way that is needed,” Ms. Ortiz said. “BVI is right in the centre of a bright future for financial services and the obstacles that must be overcome in order to reach it,” she added.

In 2010, the territory passed laws to strengthen and protect its reputation, specifically the Finance and Money Services Act, the new Regulatory Code, and the Securities and Investment Business Act.

Ortiz further said, “In response to the demands for greater transparency in tax matters, the BVI has now signed a total of 19 Tax Information Exchange Agreements, comfortably meeting and well exceeding the international benchmark of 12. We have been listed on the OECD´s ‘white list’ of compliant jurisdictions since August of 2009, and will be signing our 20th TIEA with India next month in London. It is the Government´s intention to continue these steps to underscore our commitment to the international community, while protecting our reputation as a capable and innovative jurisdiction.”

BVI’s economy is based on both financial services and tourism, helping it to weather the last few years of worldwide recession. In 2011, the territory plans to facilitate access to capital, strengthen its global competitive position, and spread the message worldwide that it wants business. The IFC has planned conferences in Brazil, Argentina, the US, and Europe this year.

“The liveliness of our business community and its constant willingness to adapt to new challenges, coupled with the IFC´s determination to spread the word about the BVI as far and as wide as possible, means we are well placed to compete with our rivals,” explained Ortiz.

(resource: BVIPlantinum.com)

AirTran has announced expansion of its Caribbean service, to include daily nonstop service to Aruba and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from its hub in Atlanta, beginning March 7, 2011.

“Expanding our flights to these popular Caribbean destinations makes reaching your favorite tropical island easier than ever,” said Tad Hutcheson, AirTran Airways’ vice president of marketing and sales.

Flights will leave Atlanta Sat & Sun at 9:25 AM, arriving Aruba 2:30 PM, and on weekdays, 10:25 AM. The return trip leaves Aruba at 4:25 PM, arriving Atlanta 7:50 PM.

AirTran Airways is a Fortune 1000 company and has been ranked the #1 low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past three years. The airline is also the recipient of the 2010 Market Leadership Award from Air Transport World. AirTran is the only major airline with Wi-Fi on every flight. It also offers assigned seating, Business Class, and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit www.airtran.com.