Abaco in Savannah!

The Abaco Chapter of The Bahmas Real Estate Association is gearing up for our presentation at the North Carolina Association of Realtors Convention and Expo. It is at the end of September and it's in Savannah - one of my faourite places! I am working on the booth decor right now! What can anyone tell me about the Telfair Museum?

Real estate in The Bahamas on sale!

Have you heard the news? It has never been a better time than now to buy your dream home in The Bahamas. Some prices have come down and other listings are going to contract at 30-50% off. Plus, bank financing in the Bahamas is available. The typical terms are 50% equity then Libor +3% for 15 years. Plus, you can use your home as a vacation rental and not pay any income tax in The Bahamas! Real estate in The Bahamas is on sale! By the way, Friday, July 10, is Bahamian Independence Day!

Distress home sales in The Bahamas

Distressed sales in The Bahamas ... are there any??? I guess it depends what you are looking for and what you mean by distressed. There is no doubt that properties are going to contract at less than list prices. Would I like to see those prices lowered at right at listing? You bet! Unfortunately, most of our sellers were cash buyers and are not under any duress to sell. At the same time, there are a lot of motivated sellers and prices have come down even on some prestige properties such as at Great Abaco Club. If properties values are generally thought to be off by 30%, there is evevry reason to belive that your offer may be accepted! Call us for more info on real estate in The Bahamas.

Real Estate Deals in The Bahamas

How about a two bed/two bath home on Guana Cay with ocean views and a direct path to the Atlantic Ocean beach, plus Sea of Abaco views and a golf cart trail to your deeded dock, all for USD249,000.?! It's true and it just sold. If you are interested in other bargains in the Bahamas, please email me at Sandra@AbacaoWaterfrontproperties.com.

The Bahamas Real Estate Association, Abaco Chapter, was recently hosted by the Abaco Club on Winding Bay. We were very interested in their green practices and were happy to hear that their golf course has been certified for species conservation by the Audubon Society.

It's time for the annual Reef Ball on Abaco! This is the greatest party of the year. Sushi, rock and roll and a good cause! See what Friends of the Environment are doing for the Abacos by going to www.FriendsoftheEnvironment.org. They now have Canadian charitable deduction tax staus!

Obama and the Bahamas

As President Obama takes office, what does this mean for real estate investment in The Bahamas? We have no capital gains, sales, inheritance, witholding or income tax here. You can incorporate a company to hold property or take title in your own name. We are 150 miles due east of Florida, speak English and use USD at par. Are there real estate bargains here? Absolutely! With many waterfront properties priced below replacement value, this is a great time to buy. Call me to discuss your options.

Bahamas Real Estate Association

WOW! It's been a while! I hope you have all had a wonderful holiday season. We were super busy with the Presbytarian Kirk of the Pines fund-raising luncheon, the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club Christmas dinner, Bahamas Real Estate Association and Alexiou Knowles & Co. lunches, Christmas Eve coffee and dessert at our house and Christmas dinner at the new home of Maureen Smith, who used to own Wally's Restaurant, one of the most popular spots here in Marsh Harbour.
The Bahamas Real Estate Association is comprised of more than 650 members.. We are continually working hard to raise the educational levels of our members as well as meet the international standards of real estate practice. We are an international affiliate of NAR and many of us attend its yearly convention as well as that of the Florida Association of Realtors.
For the last two years, I have had the privilege of serving as a national director of BREA. My term is about to expire. Rather than running for reelection, I chose to stand for election to the Abaco Chapter of BREA and I was elected Chairperson.
In addition to raising the profile of real estate practices in the Bahamas, our association is committed to advocating for your rights as vacation home owners. Right now, our main focus is on the proposed new increases in taxation on real property. Please share any views you have on this topic. Email me at Sandra@AbacoWaterfrontProperties.com. We want you to think of the Bahamas Real Estate Association, Abaco Chapter, as your friends and advocates.

Off-shore tax haven in The Bahamas

What is going to be the outcome of the vote today? Will we even know without many recounts? One thing for sure is that The Bahamas remains a tax-free haven for foreign investment. With no sales, tax, no inheritance tax, no income tax, no withholding tax, and especially, no capital gains tax, this is a great place to invest. Residency in The Bahamas can be easily obtained. Without giving up your citizenship, you can become a permanent resident and have this as your off-shore domicile for tax purposes. Anyone may apply but home purchase of $500K or more puts you on the fast track. Email me for more information and links to the appropriate agencies. You can still legally hold a bank account here. You must provide your bona fides when opening it but, then, it is completely private unless you are under indictment and it is subpoenaed!! When they are not in residence, many of the homeowners in the most populkar areas rent their homes. That income is not reported by The bhamas. I am not advising you on the tax laws in your jusidivtion. I am only saying what the situation is in The bahmas. We are frindly, easy to get to, English speaking and the US dollar is at par. There is a great selection of waterfront vacation homes bewteen $500K to $1.5m.. Come on down!