Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Once the home of Admiral Nelson’s wife, Fanny Nisbet, this grand 30 acre property was originally built as a sugar plantation in 1778 and it remains the Caribbean’s only original plantation house to be located on a beach.

Much of the grandeur and colonial charm remains and, naturally, there’s a croquet lawn to complete the picture of colonial good living. Rooms are located in 16 comfortable Plantation-style cottages and Lanai suites scattered throughout the property on either side of the Avenue of the Palms ^ a stretch of lawn from the 18th-century Great House down a short distance to the beach.

There are many excellent facilities and you’ll certainly enjoy high standards of service, accommodation and cuisine, with a great weekly beach barbecue. The Nisbet Plantation has been voted one of the best small luxury hotels in the Caribbean by travel magazines.

The offer is 7 nights for the price of 5, and free upgrade to full board. Valid for stays 10-9 through 12-21-2010. Includes 7 nights accommodation in a Superior Room, return flights, and private car transfers. Based on double occupancy. Visit Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, or call 0845 643 6548.

This residential project brings luxury living to a new level. Within the walls of the residence, 78 comfortable apartments, 65 interconnected villas, and 10 detached villas will be built. The buildings in the park vary greatly in layout, which also applies to the houses. You can choose from no less than twenty-four different types of houses. The combination of the beautiful Italian architecture and the Aruban palm trees creates a pleasant mediterranean atmosphere in the park. Features include pools, restaurant, and fitness center. Prices for apartments start at US$. 314,045 and for homes prices start at 348,315.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more photos.

The Turks and Caicos U20 Men’s National Football Team will soon compete with the United States Virgin Islands in what is expected to be an exciting test of wills for the local team in a home and away game format.

The 2010 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) U20 Men’s Tournament will see Team TCI play the first phase of the competition of the scheduled match-up, from which the winner will qualify for the Second Phase Preliminary Stage, joining Jamaica, Guyana and Grenada.

The first game will take place at the TCI National Stadium in Providenciales on Wednesday, Sept. 8, with a kick-off time of 4 p.m.

“Whilst the at home and away format requires considerably more expense on TCIFA’s part, the approach to host one of the matches in TCI was taken to give our players an opportunity to showcase their talents in the presence of TCI supporters and peers, who may not have an opportunity to travel to the USVI to support the team,” said Sonia Bien-Aime, general secretary to the TCIFA.

“The Football Association’s aim is to be competitive at regional level, and these games will be an important indication of where we are currently in this regard,” she said. “We still have a young squad of players, and these matches will give the young men much needed experience in a higher level of competition.”

The second leg will be held in the USVI on Sept. 14 at The St. Croix Educational Complex Grounds, Rural Route No. 2, Kingshill.

The TCIFA, a non-for-profit organisation in the business of football development throughout the TCI, has been in operation since 1996 and a member of FIFA since 1998.

The above article is a reprint from The Free Press Newspaper, published Thursday, Aug 26, 2010. www.tcfreepress.com.

Keeping your finances in good order during a recession is key to building wealth in the real estate market over the long-term. The average rate on 15-year fixed loans dropped today to 3.86% from 3.9% last week. For the ninth time in the past 10 weeks mortgage rates have been dropping to their lowest levels in decades. Starting in 1971 Freddie Mac began tracking 30-year interest rates, this week they reported 30-year fixed loan rates at 4.36% vs 4.42% last week. The 15-year rate is at its lowest since they began tracking in 1991.

With 82.4% of all new US loan activity categorized as “refinanced loans and mortgages” refinancing is now at its highest level since May 2009. Low rates have sent borrowers back to their banks to re-negotiate home loans at favorable terms, allowing homeowners to put a little more money back into their wallets each month. Shortening the amortization, refinancing at lower interest rates while keeping the same monthly payment was also desirable to current homeowners that wanted to repay their mortgage quickly. You will need to provide proof of income, stable employment and a good credit history to qualify for the best rates and terms.

Variable mortgage rates for one-year terms fell to 3.52% and five-year terms remained unchanged at 3.56%.

Lenders are currently taking a closer look at the security for the mortgages they are approving and will often add fees known as points to the base rates posted by banks and lending institutions. Owner occupied and income producing properties are considered preferred security over non-income producing real estate such as raw land.

Contact your local bank for more information. For mortgage and loan rates in the Turks & Caicos Islands contact us and we’ll put you in touch with our local lenders. www.coldwellbankertci.com.

The St Kitts and Nevis government has lifted a 15-year ban on the importation of jet skis into the twin-island federation.

The ban on the water sport craft used at certain beaches was imposed after an accident at sea. The victim suffered significant injury to the head from the propeller of a jet ski. Recent developments have prompted the authorities to reverse the ban.

“Over the last 15 years, the propulsion technology for jet skis has changed, thereby eliminating the propeller blades in favour of jet propulsion, which is a much safer technology,” Minister of Information, Senator Nigel Carty said in a post-Cabinet media briefing. He added that new guidelines on how and where jet skis are to be used have been created and approved by the Cabinet. These will ensure that the sport craft remain safe for those who use them and for those on the beaches where they are authorised for operation.

“This then can only add to the development of the tourism product resulting in increased intake for the local tourism industry,” the Information Minister said.

(resource - Caribbean360)

The thing that sets the BVI apart from most of the Caribbean is the spectacular ocean vistas created by the proximity of its islands along Drakes Channel. Privateers Bay on the island of Great Camanoe, just to the East of Tortola, is just about the best spot to take full advantage of these stunning ocean and island views. There are currently only a handful of owners fortunate enough to call the island home and here is an opportunity for you to become one of them. Serendipity, a five bedroom Villa with bags of character, is a fabulous retreat for lovers of the sea. Sitting on a Lot of approx. 2.3 acres a few hundred yards from the dock, this lovely 5 bedroom/4 bath island home provides simply spectacular views out over Marina Cay, on to Virgin Gorda and beyond. The owners are open to offers and will even consider selling a share of the home that has served them so well for so many years. Asking $1,200,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for details and photos.

Sundown, an exceptional 3 bedroom/3 bath villa with pool and stunning views of Drake’s Channel, Peter Island, Norman Island, St John, Soper’s Hole marina and beyond. Designed by leading Architects OBM International, the great room and kitchen, which open on to the large pool terrace, are crowned by a beautiful, very tall vaulted ceiling. The master bedroom and bathroom suite, including natural stone outdoor shower, is positioned for perfect privacy and still more great views. The guest bedrooms and bathroom, aain with indoor/outdoor shower, are positioned to the east of the great room. On the terrace is a built-in barbeque and hot tub. The lot, which is nearly an acre, provides plenty of room for building a private guest cottage in the future. Home is 2500 SF, Towers Estate is gated. Asking $1,600,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more photos.

This fantastic and spacious lot of 849 m2 (9,150 sq ft) is located in the quiet neighbordhood of Wayaca Residence. Only a short distance to the airport, 5 minutes to downtown and beach. There are three 5-foot walls built on the property and the lot is already cleared of debris. Don’t miss this opportunity to build the home of your dreams in a nice residential area. Asking price $80,000.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more photos.

Keeping your finances in good order during a recession is key to building wealth in the real estate market over the long-term. The average rate on 15-year fixed loans dropped today to 3.86% from 3.9% last week. For the ninth time in the past 10 weeks mortgage rates have been dropping to their lowest levels in decades. Starting in 1971 Freddie Mac began tracking 30-year interest rates, this week they reported 30-year fixed loan rates at 4.36% vs 4.42% last week. The 15-year rate is at its lowest since they began tracking in 1991.

With 82.4% of all new US loan activity categorized as “refinanced loans and mortgages” refinancing is now at its highest level since May 2009. Low rates have sent borrowers back to their banks to re-negotiate home loans at favorable terms, allowing homeowners to put a little more money back into their wallets each month. Shortening the amortization, refinancing at lower interest rates while keeping the same monthly payment was also desirable to current homeowners that wanted to repay their mortgage quickly. You will need to provide proof of income, stable employment and a good credit history to qualify for the best rates and terms.

Variable mortgage rates for one-year terms fell to 3.52% and five-year terms remained unchanged at 3.56%.

Lenders are currently taking a closer look at the security for the mortgages they are approving and will often add fees known as points to the base rates posted by banks and lending institutions. Owner occupied and income producing properties are considered preferred security over non-income producing real estate such as raw land.

Contact your local bank for more information. For mortgage and loan rates in the Turks & Caicos Islands contact us and we’ll put you in touch with our local lenders. www.coldwellbankertci.com.

e360’s latest 2nd Home Trend Report, conducted this past June/July, shows positive signs for the Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates, throughout the Caribbean. The report surveyed existing second home buyers on preferences for timing, attributes, location, and pricing of an additional second home purchase.

Of those 45% indicating that they are in the market for a second home, Mexico was the top international destination with more than half of the total interest. More impressively, of the remaining 54% who indicated that now would not be a good time to buy, 79% indicated that they would be likely or very likely to purchase in the next 2 years.

As consistent with current market trends, lifestyle and vacation attributes are the leading motivator at 46%. Investment purposes showed 41%. Second home purchases for the purpose of retirement ranked 3rd at just over 11%.

The desire for a second home geared for vacation purposes is not a surprising finding. E360’s Global Research Analyst, Chad Martin, said “This is a consistent trend with the preferred attributes of the buyer being water views and proximity to water or mountain activities.” Lake and ocean views combined for an overwhelming majority of the preferred attributes surveyed with mountain views coming second.

Martin added that while spa and medical facilities have exhibited recent high growth rate forecasts in recent studies, respondents did not translate that growth into the highest motivation for second home purchases. Green-based second homes also did not show the highest appeal, nor has golf amenities translated into sales.

The appeal of being close to the water with an ocean view should help keep our beautiful Caribbean Islands as an attractive 2nd home location in the next few years. Contact a Coldwell Banker agent with any questions you have on investing in our real estate.