Fishing tournaments on Abaco

It's been awhile since I wrote about what is happening on Abaco island. You have all been so patient!
Many of you know my mother took ill with Glyoblastoma, a very fast moving brain cancer. She passed away on November 29. With the moral support of all our vacation home owners here on Abaco, I was able to spend the last three months of her life being there with her. It was a humbling experience and I take my hat off to all of you caregivers out there.
On Abaco ... life goes on. It has been a busy season with several outstanding property sales, although at prices lower than expectations of the past. Not all of the fishing tournaments have taken place but the BBC Marsh Harbour Championship runs from April 27 to May 2. In the past, many of the tournament participants have bought vacation homes or vacant property at the Great Abaco Club. They seem very happy to have that kind of protected dockage for their beautiful boats. Speaking of which, I own www.TheGreatAbacoClub.com, which currently links to my website www.AbacoWaterfrontProperties.com . Now, I am developing it as its own independent website. If you have any great photos of the Club, please send them to me and I will choose some to use.
This year, a few of us have had some strong sales, mostly on Eastern Shores. The large acreage on Sugaroaf Cay has also gone to contract. The best kept secret on Abaco, the Turtle Rocks neighbourhood, is starting to be discovered. There are still a few garden properties for sale and the best priced beachfront has all been spoken for. We love this area. I always say that, when other agents dismissed these areas, I made my career selling Great Cistern Cay and Leisure Lee/Turtle Rocks. I think the people I helped acquire property in those areas are pretty satisfied with their appreciation of values.
HAPPY EARTH DAY! Some quick fixes include, while you are out for the day, setting your air conditioning thermostat to a steady 80 degrees, using compact flourescent lightbulbs instead of incandescent ones (we are doing this and you would be amazed at the difference!) and switching the cycle on your dishwasher from heat dry to air dry (we are satisfied with this, too!).
Thanks for caring! Talk again soon.

New Service!

Abaco Waterfront Properties is pleased to announce their new partnership with Abaco Vacation Planners. This new service will encompass all aspects of property management and vacation home rentals. It is wholly owned and operated by Lydia Bodamer but Sandra will be ensuring the type of quality control that is the hallmark of our company and Bill will have the financial oversight. This affiliation is a natural extension of the after-sales service we are known for providing to our valued home owners. We are excited about this and welcome your inquiries.

From May 2007

Where has the time gone! Lots of vacation home owners and visitors to Abaco are still here and we have had a very busy "social season" this year.The Pathfinder Scholarship fund's auction netted them $100,000. It was fun setting up Judy Saul-Novo's Treasure Chest theme and I bagged a wonderful new dining table. Very island chic! The Reef Ball was its usual rocking success. I love that event! In my opinion, it's the best party of the year. I had such a great time participating in the Tea by the Sea which raised money for animal rescue and an emergency services building. I wish I could do something like that every week. The weather was ideal, all the ladies were wore their finest tea dresses and the Bahama Beach Club on the Treasure Cay beach was the perfect setting.Abaco real estate is still going strong. How do you know if buying real estate in The Islands is right for you? Questions to ask include how much is the cost of living here? Even though we are fortunate to have plenty of quality provisions here on Abaco, with duty and freight charges, there is a bit of sticker shock at the grocery stores, hardware stores and restaurants.Do the conditions on Abaco suit when you want to be here? If you are looking for a winter home destination, and it has to be hot, hot, hot, our moderate temperatures will suit some more than others. Summer or winter, the breezes are soft and the sun is shining.Local medical care can be a concern in a foreign country but Abaco has numerous daily charter, commercial flights, as well as Medevac, flights to the US. Plus we have very capable, usually American, doctors practicing here.Will you ever be bored on Abaco? There is a surprising number of ways to keep yourself amused although they usually consist of variations on boating, fishing, beachcombing, golf and duty-free shopping. Sounds good to me!How easy will it be to use your vacation home on Abaco? Besides the almost sinful ease of flying or boating to Abaco (see www.FlyToAbaco.com), the dollar is at par with US currency and is used interchangably, we are an English speaking country with just enough familiarity combined with the unique Bahamian culture, Abaco has a fun tropical island atmosphere plus those conch fritters! It will be so easy to have as many family and friends come as you like - or just keep it as a romantic getaway for the two of you.Is a home, vacant land or a condominium right for you? A home allows you to start enjoying your Abaco lifestyle right away. Fortunately, there are many skilled homemakers, caretakers and gardeners to keep it all in shipshape. Besides, if you are handy yourself, you will always find a project to do.Vacant land is a wonderful investment in The Bahamas. The appreciation is usually excellent and you can have your own dream home custom built. On Abaco, we have some excellent builders, many of them decended from generations of boatbuilders and craftsmen.(go to http://www.abacoagent.com/localservices.shtml )A condominium offers a great choice whether as a starter home, for shorter vacations or for the most carefree living. Many offer their own on-site rental programs which can keep your property occupied while you are not in residence.An investment in Bahamian real estate is as safe as any in the western hemisphere. Values have risen steadily since World War II, there will always be a demand for quality real estate at reasonable prices and your funds are guaranteed to be repatriated. We are a stable parliamentary democracy and the rule of law prevails. Most western countries have embassies or consulates in Nassau and there is a US Consular Warden in residence on Abaco.Abaco is a great homeowning or vacation destination. It has an undefinable quality which really does get under your skin. The Goombay Smashes are cold, the water is gorgeous and the fish are jumping. Hurry on down!

Passport news for travel from the US to The Bahamas

Great news today that the passport regulations have been rescinded until September allowing our homeowners, visitors and boaters ample time to come over to Abaco and enjoy their vacation homes and our wonderful duty-free shopping, watersports and marina services.



I am still getting used to Blogging. Maybe you are too? I have some interesting posts that went to AbacoBlog.com and which I am now trying to recover and paste to this site.



It's fun and, I hope, useful for you, our valued real estate clients.



Very soon, I expect to have some exciting news regarding vacation home rentals. We are going to be able to add some needed value-added services to our already legendary hands-on approach.



Thank you for all your support.

Community Fun on Abaco Islands in The Bahamas

Abaco Waterfront Properties says "Save these dates!"

January 26-27, Friday-Saturday PLAYED!
The Annual Rotary Club of Abaco Golf Tournament will be held at Treasure Cay. Many home owners enjoy golfing at the Treasure Cay Hotel Resort and the Abaco Club at Winding Bay. To obtain an entry form for the tournament, contact us at info@AbacoWaterfrontProperties.com.
This tournament was played with great enthusiasm by a number of our vacation home owners and permanent residents. The winning team was comprised of Abaco Waterfront Properties real estate agent Bill Thorndycraft, Bill Thompson of Abaco Real Estate, well known lawyer Frederik Gottlieb and long-time Treasure Cay homeowner Egon Schnabel. The Rotary Club of Abaco plans to use the proceeds as seed money for a new, and much-needed, public library in Marsh Harbour.

February 2-4, Friday-Sunday A SUCCESS!
The Abaco Arts Festival will take place in the marquee at the Abaco Beach Resort. Many local artists showcase their wonderful talents at this event and it attracts home owners from all the surrounding Cays. As this date co-incides with the Great Abaco Club Property Owners' annual merting, the show is always well attended. On the same day, Abaco Waterfront Properties is hosting an open house at Far Horizons in the Great Abaco Club. Please come!
The Abaco Arts Festival was its usual resounding success. Many thanks to all homeowners, vacationers and Abaco Beach Resort & Marina guests who attended the open house at Far Horizons, Great Abaco Club.

February 17, Saturday, 7PM
Firemen's Ball, Green Turtle Cay
A very worthy event to raise funds for equipment and an emergency services building for the Green Turtle Cay Volunteer Fire Department. Held at the Green Turtle Club, White Sound, dedicated ferry service and tickets at New Plymouth Hardware. Call Kevin at (242) 365-4122.

February 23, Saturday 4-6:30PM
Island Roots Heritage Festival Fund-raiser
A fun-filled fund raiser to be held at the home of Pat and Louise Green, Black Sound, Green Turtle Cay. "Glittering Treats for the Body and Soul" presents the work of jeweler Theresa Ellis Cetto, formerly of Little Harbour and now based in Cape Cod, MA, and offers a sit-down dinner all to benefit the Island Roots Heritage Festival. held annually, in May, on Green Turtle Cay. Tickets are $25. and may be obtained from Abaco Ceramics, Treasure Cay or by calling (242) 365-8489. A special ferry will leave the Treasure Cay dock at 3:30 and return at 6:30 or you can stay and enjoy the concert below.

February 23 - 24, Saturday & Sunday
Abaco Cultural Society
Open house at Alton Lowe Gallery, Black Sound, Green Turtle Cay, Friday, February 23, 2-6
Magical Evening of Musical Memories, Alton Lowe Gallery, Saturday, February 24 at 7:30
Tickets on sale at Brass and Leather, Marsh Harbour PH: (242) 367-3643 and at the
Albert Lowe Museum, Green Turtle Cay PH: (242) 365-4094

February 27, Tuesday (Rain date, Wednesday February 28)
Tea by the Sea will take place at the Bahama Beach Club, Treasure Cay. This annual community event benefits the Humane Society and, this year, it is dedicated to raising funds for an emergency services building in Treasure Cay. A sizable contingent of vacation home owners from Marsh Harbour, Eastern Shores, Pelican Shores, Sunrise Bay, Turtle Rocks and the Great Abaco Club are already planning to attend.

March 3, Saturday
The Treasure Cay Art League is sponsoring their annual Garage Sale and Art Show. The art show is held inside the Treasure Cay Community Center, the tag sale takes placce in the parking lot of the Coco Bar. Half of the proceeds from the art show is donated to Treasure Cay Primary School for the purchase of art supplies.

March 10, Saturday
The Abaco Pathfinders Scholarship Foundation, http://www.abacopathfinders.org/, will be holding its 4th Annual Fund Raising Auction in the marquee at the Abaco Beach Resort. If you would like an invitation, contact us at info@AbacoWaterfrontProperties.com and we will have one sent to you.

March 17, Saturday
The Reef Ball, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Environment, http://www.friendsoftheenvironment.org/, and supported by both local residents and beach and dockage homeowners, will take place at the Abaco Beach Resort. At Abaco Waterfront Properties, Bill Thorndycraft and Sandra Evans are proud supporters of this event.

Starting April 11, Wednesday
The Abaco Beach Resort and Marina will play host to various fishing tournaments on the Sea of Abaco championship fishing grounds. The first will be the Inaugural White Marlin Invitational which will be held April 11th-15th. Contact us at info@AbacoWaterfrontProperties.com for a complete schedule of events and tournaments.

We hope this information has been of help to you when planning your next trip to Abaco. Whenever the team at Abaco Waterfront Properties can be of further service to you, please let us know!

Christmas time in Abaco

With the arrival of December also comes beautiful sunshine and cool weather. What a lovely combination. Also, with the beginning of December, comes the end of November AND the end of a safe hurricane season. The few weeks prior to December were busy ones. There was much to do and Abaco was very much alive and kickin'.

From Marsh Harbour to Green Turtle Cay as well as on all the other Cays, Halloween was well- celebrated. The events included Snappa's annual Halloween Bash, Halloween parties held at various churches, the Bluff House and the Green Turtle Club or just the traditional trick or treating dressed as the child’s favorite super hero or cartoon character.

The Island Roots Festival Committee hosted the 4th Annual Guy Fawkes Family Fun Night on November 4th. The night included the burning of the “guys”, a much enjoyed hayride for the children and a “dynamite hunt” in which the winner of a two-night stay at Abaco Beach Resort was Gene Lowe.

Some Christmas events have already taken place including Buds and Blooms’ and Simcoe Jewelers’ annual open house, Joe’s Studio Open House and homeowner Elaine Pilon’s Marsh Harbour School of Dance presentation of the Nutcracker. There are much more to come including, the Christmas festival which takes place in the park across from Memorial Plaza on December 9th, the Royal Harbour Village annual Block Party and much, much more.

The Treasury Department opened an Abaco branch office in Marsh Harbour on November 1st. The office is located in Tall Pines Plaza on Don MacKay Boulevard and is the first sub-office for the Treasury in a Family Island outside of Freeport. This office will allow for timely and accurate accounting data and provide better collection of funds and will make it easier to pinpoint what funds belong to what accounts.

And last but not least, fourteen people on Green Turtle Cay completed a First Responders course offered by Dr. John Shedd and John Pintard. It is a 40-hour course to teach first aid, CPR and emergency care until victims can receive medical care.

Abaco Waterfront Properties

We've taken the plunge and changed our name to more adaquately reflect your interest in waterfront homes and properties on the Abaco Isands. Some of you will be receiving mailouts both hard copy or electronic. If we don't already have it, please send us your mailing address or your e-mail address so that we can include you on our customer appreciation list.
So, now, we are Abaco Waterfront Properties, A Sandra Evans Company! All these nomenclatures lead to our site which remains www.AbacoAgent.com. We have been privileged to be your friends and real estate brokers since 1997. We remain committed to providing you with the best service, latest technology tools and most innovative marketing methods whether you are buying or selling Abaco real estate.

Abaco Bahamas Homes and Property News

Your Abaco Agent team at Sandra Evans Real Estate Sales are pleased to see that improvments to the Marsh Harbour International Airport are about to begin. After all, this is an election year in The Bahamas! Still, we are grateful for anything which improves the airport's comfort and efficiency for our Abaco home and property owners.

The plans include an improved runway in compliance with international standards, a 60-foot high air traffic control tower, a fire station building to house the new fire truck and a new access road with increased parking. The terminal building will be expanded from it's current size of 4,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet. We know Bahamas Tourism is as pleased as The Bahamas Real Estate Association to hear of these changes. The total cost of the work will be in excess of $10 million.

An agreement has been reached between Water and Sewerage Corporation and The Abaco Club at Winding Bay for the installation of a water transmission main system to the settlement of Cherokee Sound. A distribution system will connect about 100 homes in the settlement and 16 homes in the nearby settlement of Yellow Wood. The Abaco Club at Winding Bay has partnered with the Ritz Carleton Group (a Marriott company) and we are waiting for their announcements of future development plans. Mr. Mike Brown is in charge and Sandra Evans Real Estate Sales has already had the pleasure of working with him.

Through the courtesy of Fire Chief Jay Sizemore of the St. Lucie Fire Department in Florida, Sandy Point received a fire truck. It is a good condition 1978 Ford F600 with a water tank holding 250 gallons. The Casuarina Point firefighter volunteers will assist Sandy Point in forming its own volunteer fire department and give some training on the use of the truck and on general techniques of fire fighting.

Marsh Harbour continues to improve its image. Landscaping the center of the community has changed the atmosphere of the town, making it much more of a tropical island Paradise. Our thanks goes to both Pinewoods Nursery and the Abaco District Council for their consistent efforts in making Abaco as beautiful as we know it can be.