TCI Real estate

Canal front and Ocean View property for sale in TCI

2012-01-31T10:42:00.000-08:00

New on Turks & Caicos Real estate market is an Ocean View and Canal front property, situated on some 0.97 acres of land that is centrally located in the Discovery Bay area. In more detail this property can be described as having 100 feet of canal frontage, 140 feet of paved road frontage, plus magnificent ocean views of the South Shore, and neighbouring canal system without the need to build a second level home. Possibilities of breath taking ocean breeze as the property is also elevated. A wonderful area with panoramic views perfect for your dwelling home.

Click here for more details or to send an email.

Contributed by Vernica Delancy

One of the Joys of selling Real Estate In TCI

2012-01-27T07:31:00.000-08:00

One of the joys of selling real estate is the friendships that you create. Because purchasing a piece of real estate is a big investment for most people, it gives the realtor and the customer time to build some what of a relationship that can often create great friendships. Because I am a people’s person creating lasting friendships is one of the good things that I enjoy about this job as a Real Estate Agent.

There are many other enjoyable things about Real Estate like making dreams come through, or being a part of a purchase that can bring development and jobs to a country to name a few, but sometimes you have to find that one thing that you most enjoy about a job so that you can keep performing with happiness in order to stay on top of your game and remain professional with your service.

Why not tap into the good things about your job, and share it me.

Contributed by Vernica Delancy

2012-01-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

Best priced canal front land, with more than 150ft of canal frontage and 170ft of road frontage located in the residential community of Long Bay Hills. This canal front property has up to 25ft of elevations and consists of 1.734 acres of land. A perfect choice for that boating enthusiast as this property is a short distance to the ocean.

Low tide in the are is roughly 4ft while high tide is approximately 6ft.

Click here for additional information and photos of this well priced must have canal lot.

Contributed by Vernica Delancy.

Buying property abroad

2011-12-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

Buying property abroad could be one of the most emotive and challenging decisions you ever make, which is why you want to be sure that your purchase is pain free and those you are dealing with are professional, committed and trustworthy.

When you decide to invest in a property abroad, first and foremost you need to be absolute clear why you are buying. Identifying this clearly at the outset will help you avoid making a costly mistake and ending up with a property that doesn’t meet your needs. Few people can afford to buy a holiday home that is a bad investment.

Give me the opportunity to help you make the right decisions, when deciding to make that leap of investing into the Turks & Caicos Islands economy.

Contributed by Vernica.

November real estate advice - List Price vs. Offer Price

2011-11-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

The List price would refer to the price the owner has agreed to put his property on the market for. The offer price on the other hand, would be the price that a purchaser is willing to spend on that particular property.

Even though the Vendor may list his/her property at current market value, they are still open to receive and consider offers that may come in that is not full price. Therefore, if you are looking to purchase a property, I often advise that you look at properties that are a bit higher in price, say about $50,000 higher as these same owners may be open to accept offers.

Do not let the price of a property scare you away from investigating the details or the motives behind the property. Ask your realtor the right questions and see what results you get.

Contributed by Vernica Delancy

An island experience

2011-11-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

The Turks & Caicos Islands is home to some 30,000 people total, therefore, you should not be surprise if we seem to know most everyone on the island. It’s an island thing!

I shared in some one island experience today and it was a pleasure.

This morning after settling in at work, a lady came into the office and began asking about short term rental opportunities, and about the prices of property at the Atrium Resort as she was staying there. We continued talking about real estate and about the island, our lives and faith in a supreme power, after which she was about to leave. She turned to say to me that she enjoyed talking with me and that my inner spirit reminded her of someone who she had met earlier while on a beach excursion on the island. Immediately as she mentioned the name, I turned to hear and said, “yes I know him, he is my brother”. She was so surprise as she thought what is the chance of meeting a brother and sister, back to back without having a previous connection.

I was happy that I met this lovely lady and vise versa and I wish here all the best. Even though the experience may not seem great, it is the small things like these that make your experience to the Turks & Caicos Islands memorable.

Contributed by Vernica Delancy

What's new in Real Estate

2011-07-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

Going back 5 days on the hot-sheet for our Real Estate market are the following properties:

•Residential land in Leeward – $67,500
•Canal land in Leeward – $249,000
•Grand Turk Beachfront fixer upper – $495,000
•5 acre ocean view in Blue Mountain – $1.1 Million
•25 acres ocean front Kew North Caicos – $4 Million

Price Changes:

•Canal lot in Long Bay – $129,000
•Newly built 4 bedroom home in Long Bay – $379,000

You can find these listings and more on our public website i.e. tcrea.com or give me a call or email and let us help you with your real estate request.

Contributed by Vernica.

The TCI Salvation Army at Ports of Call

2011-05-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

The Texas Brass band of the Salvation Army, did a number of performances yesterday around the island of Providenciales, including at the schools and our very own Ports of Call complex in Grace Bay (this complex is home to a number of shops, a hair salon, restaurant, and real estate offices including National Colony Realty). It was a musical treat at the end of the day.

A birlliant idea

2011-05-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

Working in the real estate industry, I have heard many stories of how visiting guest to the island came to choose the Turks & Caicos Islands as their vacation destination of choice. One person had said that their child saw a commercial on television of Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort and Spa featuring the characters of Sesame Street, and asked them to come to the island. Another person said that it was their travel agent who recommended the destination. Any yet another said they had heard their friend talking about it and therefore decided to come. No matter the reason for travelling, I believe that after you have taken the chance to travel to our unique island in the Caribbean without knowing what to expect, there is one thing that you should consider doing when you visit.

Apart from, taking full advantage of our pristine beaches, and water sporting activities, or choosing to island hop to some of our outter islands and exploring our natural reserves and historical sites, set one afternoon aside and let one of the professionals at Brilliant Tropical Imaging take a family portrait of you and your family and capture the memories of this vacation that you will have with you for a lifetime. Is this not a brilliant idea?

Contributed by Vernica.

Who are your neighbours?

2011-03-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

I am a neighbour to the luxurous West Bay Club and Gansevoort condominium that sits within walking distance to each other, on the tranquil shores of Grace Bay. The bonus that I receive by being neighbours is (1) the easy access to a wonderful meal to the Bagatelle Restaurant at Gansevoort, when I do not feel like cooking (I know selfish right), and (2) it is easy to have an excuse to want to have a 55 minutes spa treatment at Spa Tropique located at West Bay Club.
But most of all as I enjoy nature and the outdoors, I find it a blessing when I can take my son to the Children’s park, which is only a stroll away. I think that the park is my best neighbour.

Email: vdelancy@gmail.com

Enjoy a little bit of TCI history

2010-11-23T12:43:00.000-08:00

Keeping in touch with the history that National Colony Realty has, we have upgraded our real estate magazine pages to include a little bit of the history of Turks and Caicos Islands. For instance, in the previous quarter, we featured the first telephone and telephone boot on island, and a walking path that residents used to tract from one settlement to the other.

In this latest edition, we featured the first airport terminal which our company founder Bengt Soderqvist played a vital role in developing, and the original island pride store at its inception. Island Pride has moved to several locations and has developed into one of the major food stores on the island, and therefore, seeing its original photos exudes a lot of history.

Keep watching for the updated editions of the TCREA real estate magazine and see what we feature next.

See below a sneek peek of what we are showcasing. This photo is a track road that residents travelled, to go to the settlement of Blue Hills. This photo is amazing and shows history to me because it proves the stories that my father and grandfather talked about, i.e. stories about walking to school and arriving with dusty feet etc. For others it is historic because it shows the vast difference between the area then and now.

Beaten path to Blue Hills

Contributed by Vernica. Em: vdelancy@gmail.com

Your health in the Turks & Caicos Islands

2010-11-11T11:43:00.000-08:00

Dr Steve Borne, of Associated Medical Practices wrote an informative piece on “Your health in the Turks & Caicos Islands” in the most recent edition of our local Where When How magazine.

He covered topics such as:

Sun Burn;
Water & Dehydration;
Vacation Dining Ailments;
Insects Bites;
Jelly Fish;
Prescription Drugs; and
Emergencies.

All of which are important information that one might want to know about while planning your vacation to the islands, and while on vacation. Ask the receptionist at your hotel for a copy or go online and and check out their site.

Contributed by Vernica. Em: vdelancy@gmail.com

Continental Airlines to travel to Turks & Caicos Islands

2010-11-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

Continental Airlines Offering New Flights between New York and Turks & Caicos

United Continental Holdings, Inc. announced that Continental Airlines will begin nonstop flights between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (PLS), on Feb. 18, 2011, subject to government approval. Providenciales will be Continental’s 26th Caribbean destination.

Initially, flights will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, converting to daily service on March 6, 2011.

“We are pleased to offer convenient access to Providenciales, a world-class get-away and an exciting new addition to the list of Caribbean destinations served by Continental and United,” said John Slater, United Airlines vice president of sales. “Our merger allows us to offer new flights to new destinations as we begin to efficiently utilize the combined fleet of both carriers.”

The approximately three-and-a-half-hour flight (CO 610) will depart Newark at 9:35 a.m., arriving in Providenciales at 1:10 p.m. The return flight (CO 615) will depart Providenciales at 2:05 p.m., arriving in Newark at 5:45 p.m. Continental will utilize a Boeing 737-800 for the new service, with seating for 160 passengers (16 in first class and 144 in economy).

The new service complements the combined airlines’ services to other top Caribbean leisure destinations like Aruba, Punta Cana, and Nassau. A popular vacation destination, Providenciales (also called Provo) is the most well known of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

While geographically part of the Bahamas chain of islands, Turks and Caicos Islands is a separate country consisting of 40 different islands and cays. Visitors also can enjoy the island’s coral reef; water sports such as diving, snorkeling and fishing; golf; a marine park; the world’s first conch farm; and luxury hotels, villas and spas. Providenciales’ official language is English, and its currency is the U.S. dollar.

Courtesy of http://www.caribbeannewsdigital.com/en/noticia/continental-airlines-offering-new-flights-between-new-york-and-turks-caicos

Contributed by Vernica. Em: delancy@nationalcolonyrealty.com

A night of entertainment

2010-10-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

The Le Reve committee will be hosting for the 4th year their gala ball under the theme of “Mardi Gras”. This is expected to be an evening of fun and entertainment. The proceeds this year will be given to Crime stoppers of Turks and Caicos, as a small gesture to support their continuous efforts of solving crime and educating the community at large about crime. Crime is every body business. Let us work together to keep a safe and beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands.

The event is open to anyone who would like to support a worthy cause. If you are a guest at the Veranda it is a perfect excuse to dress up on November 6th 2010, at 8:00 p.m. as the event will be right at your door step.

Tickets are on sale, and further information can be found on http://www.lereveball.tc/.

Contributed by Vernica. Em: vdelancy@gmail.com

My first sale

2010-09-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

My first sale was a $50,000 piece of land. And the offer was conditional on financing. I work relentlessly, for the deal to go through, and the fact that I was travelling did not make it that much easier in terms of being on top of my game.

Thankfully the process went through smoothly, and the customer was satisfied. Even though I knew the information and the procedure of making a sale, I was more anxious to see the deal go through than to receive the commission. REMEMBER it was my first sale.

I learned many things with this FIRST TIME experience, and it is a moment I will always remember.

Contributed by Vernica. Email: delancy@nationalcolonyrealty.com

TCREA Condo Open house

2010-09-15T11:23:00.000-07:00

As short as the list had seemed, the open house took a little longer than expected but in a good way. The time had passed so quickly while exploring the units at The Atrium, Tuscany, Royal West Indies and the Villas and Estate at Grace Bay Club.

It was refreshing to view the condos that I had visited before as well as the newer units at the newly completed Atrium Resort which I did not have the opportunity to view until now. Share in some of the photos that I took while at the open house.

Get a sneak peek of what the resorts in the Turks and Caicos Islands look like, until you have the opportunity to come and see them for yourself.

Music TCI Style

2010-09-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

While visiting the shores of the Turks and Caicos Islands, prepare your ear for some of our local talents especially that of the musicians.

You can experience bands like The Island Boys, at Resorts such as Beaches Turks and Caicos, Wymara and the Grace Bay Club, singing many island hits that were self written about the islands.Or experience, artists such as Craig Archibold who plays at the Regent Palms his classical Caribbean & Motown music during dinner, and the likes.

No matter the resort, I am sure that your front desk agent can point you in the direction of some good live local band during your stay. Do not leave without hearing what our local talented musicians have to offer.

Contributed by Vernica. Email: vdelancy@gmail.com

TCI from a different view

2010-09-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to experience what it is like to be someone else for a day? Or even day dream about what someone else is thinking, feeling or seeing and want to experience that same thing? …

I am a lover of nature, and some days I cannot help but thinking that one of the most stunning views of the Turks and Caicos Islands must be through the eyes of a bird. Soaring aloft, hundreds of feet in the air, and absorbing the magnificent views of the islands multi-hued seas, visualizing the varied shapes of underwater reefs and rocks as they speckle through our country’s turquoise waters, admiring the white sandy beaches or even miles of tropical vegetation especially on the less developed islands of North, Middle & Salt Cay. Just the thought of being able to view natural wonders of the islands, that is not readily accessible by man is a thought to fathom. Can you imagine . . .

The Turks and Caicos Islands is a beautiful chain of islands and fortunately the next best thing for most of us is the view when traveling by airplane, which never seems to last long enough. I guess I will have to keep day dreaming!

Contributed by Vernica. Email: vdelancy@gmail.com

Upcoming Condo Open house

2010-09-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

Each year, the social committee of the Turks and Caicos Real Estate Association organize a MLS (Multiple Listing System) tour where agents and clients have the opportunity of viewing homes on the market. The purpose of this exercise is to keep agents familiarize with the products on the market, and also, serves as an opportunity for Vendors to get feedback on their homes from a variety of agents. This exercise proves fruitful in terms of potential renovations that can be spotted, correcting price to reflect the market etc.

This year instead of doing the regular house tour, the association has decided to do a condo open house. It will serve the same purpose, but condos will be viewed instead of homes. Condos will include, The Seven Stars, Ocean Club properties, North West Point Resort, and others.

Em: vdelancy@gmail.com

A view to Cherish

2010-08-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

View of the South Shore from the front of the lot

View of the Island and Creek from the North of the Lot

An ideal property for a dwelling home in my opinion. Competively priced at $140,000. But offers are welcomed. Email me at vdelancy@gmail.com.

A piece of paradise for sale

2010-07-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Turks and Caicos is a paradise, that is why the purchase of real estate in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Providenciales in particular is attracting world-wide attention. Three of the things that makes us a paradise for real estate purchasers is because of the islands’ tax haven status, the fact that there are no restrictions on the purchase and ownership of property by foreign investors, and of course the sheer natural beauty of the islands.

Take a sneak peek of some of National Colony Realty’s properties and what we have to offer in paradise.

New Listing - Ocean view Cooper Jack Lot, on 1.39 acres. Approximately, 55ft of elevations. Price $140,000.

About Cooper Jack: Cooper Jack is located on the south shore of the island, and is the entrance to a 2.5 mile canal system. The rocky shoreline changes to a delightful private beach at mid and low tide. Cooper Jack hill, surrounding the bay, has elevations of up to 110 feet giving some of the most spectacular ocean views on the island.

Reduced listing: Long Bay beach front lot. 2 acres. Price$850,000.

About Long Bay: Located on the south east end of Providenciales, Long Bay is a residential subdivision offering a variety of land, including tract, hilltop and beachfront. Home to the Caicos Marina and Shipyard, a full service marina. Prices are generally lower in this area than in other subdivisions.

Featured Listing: Grace Bay tourism related land. A full 10 acres. Price $4,000,000.

About Grace Bay: Located in the North section of Providenciales. Grace Bay is home to the majority of condo/hotel and town home developments and have some of the most expensive land on the island.

Contributed by Vernica. Email: vdelancy@gmail.com

Investing for all the right reasons

2010-07-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

Simply put Location, Location, Location.

Location: The Turks and Caicos Islands is located 575 miles south of Miami, south east of the Bahamas in the Caribbean. Central for flights in and out of the United States, and direct flights to Canada and the UK. Which means ease of travel for the potential investor.

Location: A number of condos, town homes and vacant land for potential building still available for dwelling near our WORLD CLASS GraceBay beach. Perfect for a family vacation, home, or investment property. Imagine, waking up every morning to the sun in the east and the beautiful views of the North Shore from your condo or bedroom on the beach! We are a tropical destination where the sun, sand and sea has a way of wooing people when they see and live it for themselves.

Location: The location of each island in the chain, being closely linked making it easy for experiencing different styles of island getaways within the islands. Ever heard of island hopping? The location of each island, gives you more opportunities to come up with a unique investment plan that can be introduced to the islands.

Contributed by Vernica. Em: delancy@nationalcolonyrealty.com

The perfect place to stay

2010-07-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

Our resorts, hotels and villas offer you many styles, designs and combination of amenities that will make your stay in the Turks and Caicos Islands one to remember.

There is an extraordinary range of places to stay. The most convenient is the condominium/hotel, such as the Grace Bay Club, Seven Stars, Royal West Indies, Ocean Club and the likes which the majority are located on our famous Grace Bay beach.

For guest who crave a more private accommodation, there is the possibility of a five star resort and villas on a Private Island like the Parrot Cay Resort. Or you can opt for a private villa rental on Providenciales which can range from a small studio cottage to a mansion. For the private villa rentals be sure to book at least six months in advance, because many of the prime villas get rented early.

After your holiday I am sure that you would want to have a second home or investment condo/property on island, so be sure to stop into National Colony Realty during your visit so that we can talk about your real estate needs or simply send us an email.

Vernica. Email: vdelancy@gmail.com

Brokers and Agents Session with Scotia Bank

2010-07-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Scotia Bank hosted a brokers and agents session on yesterday, at the Opus conference room to discuss some of the services that Scotia offers in terms of real estate to clients.

The session was informative as they were able to confirm a number of important information such as their current interest rates on loans and mortgages, investment opportunities for private banking clients, insurance policies details and benefits, merchant services and small business plan writer information for corporate clients and the likes.

As agents we also had the opportunity to discuss some of the hiccups that we have found when dealing with the banks, especially in the line of getting clients pre-qualified for a mortgage or loan, which is something that National Colony Realty has been strongly campaigning on for the past few months. Thankfully, the bank now has a liaison person who can work with agents to get through this process more smoothly and in a timely manner. Overall, I believe that it was a successful session and I applaud Scotia Bank for their efforts in reaching out to the real estate association to bridge the communication gaps in order to make our relationships with the banking community and our clients more favorable.

Vernica

Email: vdelancy@gmail.com

Thank you from the National Cancer Society

2010-07-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

The National Cancer Society of Providenciales express their thanks to all who made the family fun day which was hosted on 2 May 2010 a success. That includes: volunteers, donors and even families for coming out and being a part of the event.

The Turks and Caicos Islands is a small island and we all know each other. Therefore, helping someone with cancer or any other sickness is like helping a sister or brother. There are many charities on island that you can choose from and make a difference.

Provo Children Home in Chalk Sound

2010-06-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Provo Children Home (PCH), which is located in the desirable area of Chalk Sound open its doors to 17 children in January 2010. This home purpose is to serve as a temporary home for children between the ages of 4 to 16 who need care and protection. The facility is designed to accommodate 20 children and 4 adult caretakers.

The PCH raised a half million dollars along with donations from business professionals on island, and borrowed the balance of the cost of building the home, therefore, continues to come up with innovative ways of obtaining additional financial support to assist with payment of the outstanding loan and their day to day operational cost. Check out their website (http://www.pch.tc/ ) for ways in which you can make a contribution i.e. financially or through volunteer work.

Our popular base Times of the Islands magazine has published a well written article on the Provo Children Home which gives more details about their present status and future plans. http://www.timespub.tc/ .

Vernica. Em: vdelancy@gmail.com

The National Museum of Turks and Caicos

2010-06-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

The National Museum of The Turks and Caicos have recently unveiled plans for a major expansion of the museum which will be located at the Village of Grace Bay in Providenciales. A location that is central and convenient for visitors to the islands to learn about our history through first hand tours, photos etc.

As Providenciales is the most develop island of all the islands in the Turks and Caicos Chain, I believe that this is a wise move for the museum and I know that it will bring more exposure to our island history.

The Village at Grace Bay is also home to Lemon Café (restaurant) and also the Palmyra Town homes, with additional commercial and residential lots for sale.

Jet smoke across the sun

2010-06-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken around 12:00 in the day. Not the professional photographer, so it appears as if this was taken at night. Nevertheless, the inspiration came from seeing the Jet smoke across the sun. I just wanted a snap shot of the image for my collection of photos. Nature always make any photo beautiful!

Photo of the day

2010-06-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

On my way home for lunch, I stopped at the bottom of the hill to my road, and decided to take this photo. The scene just captivated my mind. I did not think an image of an old home peaking through a few lush green trees from the June rain could stand out and be so beautiful. I am not a professional photographer but I do have a found appreciation for nature and enjoy taking shots of nature at its best.

Vernica Em: vdelancy@gmail.com

New marketing strategy opening doors in TCI

2010-06-04T08:02:00.000-07:00

An article about open house that was featured in the latest edition of our local Free Press newspaper.

"Long considered a tried and true marketing tool, a real estate open house is an excellent way of showcasing a property that is available for sale on the market.

It goes without saying that the make-up of the real estate market has changed significantly over the past 12-18 months in the Turks and Caicos. What was once a large seller’s market has turned the way of most other world markets to a buyer’s paradise.

As part of this change in the tides, marketing of real estate is becoming increasingly important. As Vernica Delancy, sales agent for National Colony Realty, explains, an open house can be a valuable tool in helping to gain market recognition for a property, as well as giving real estate agents who are not familiar with a property an inside peak before they have a reason to show."

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Tips when purchasing real estate

2010-06-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

PRICE

Know your budget. i.e how much you are able to spend. Factor in stamp duty and attorney fee.
Do not be afraid to look at properties that are a few thousands higher than your budget. Remember prices are not always fixed they are sometimes negotiable.
Ask if your vendor is motivated. The level of motivation of the Vendor would depend on his/her position at the time an offer is made. Life is unpredictable, things like a recession as we have recently witnessed, a close in a major bank, a personal life situation can contribute to a Vendor level of motivation, for example.

SEARCHING

Use a Real Estate Agent to search for your properties. Each agent has the ability to view all properties out there on the market. Also, the agent will be able to provide the necessary details of all your properties and do a comparison for you. Remember there is no charge to you as a Purchaser for using an agent, but rather a benefit of getting free advice, hidden facts about the property that is not readily available from the public site, and remember the agent might have already seen or walked the property so can advise of cautions, defects etc.

GOING TO CONTRACT

If you do not have an attorney of your choice. Ask your agent to recommend one or two persons for you to choose from.

Email with your price point and preference and let me match you with one of my motivated vendors.

5 reasons to build your dream home

2010-05-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

You can choose the location you want to live in and purchase a desirable piece of land; sometimes when you buy an existing home, the house may be to your liking but the location might not be your ideal spot.
You can design your dream home like you would want it to be; you do not have to settle for what is already there and have an added cost of renovation once you purchase.
Sometimes you get a better deal to build then to acquire a home at an over valued priced; remember If a home was purchased at $400,000 the owner will add to the price to make a profit.
You can build at a pace that is favorable to you; you do not have to come up with all the cash within the normal 30 days that it takes to close on a property.
There is a satisfaction in knowing that you were the only person to occupy a home. And more of an appreciation when you have the opportunity to see it built from start to finish.

Think Positive

2010-05-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

Life has a way of making you feel down and alone. No matter how strong a person you may be, or how much you may have there comes a time when we all feel all alone and hopeless.

But when there is disappointment in your life. Think positive! Sometimes a disappointment happens for your own good. And when you feel down and feel like there is no hope. Think positive! There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel.

“A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.” by Remez Sasson

Open House

2010-05-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

An open house is an excellent way of showcasing a property that is available for sale on the market. It is a good tool for forcing real estate agents who are not familiar with the property to get an inside peak at it even before they have a reason to show. They just might have a client in their prospect list who may be interested in such a property. Getting a visual feel for a property is always better than seeing a photo on the website.

Just yesterday I attended an open house that was located in Long Bay. It was a 2 bed guest house on a Ocean front property. Attending the open house I was able to visualize the property from a purchasers perspective, i.e. look for details like the granite counter tops, size of the rooms, location of the guest house and potential area of placing the main house, any defaults (I did not specifically see any as it was a newly built home) and the likes.

I came out with an appreciation for the home and a better feel of it surroundings. I can also now give a better and more knowledgable explanination to potential purchasers about this property.

The open house benefited the Listing Agent, where feedback was given about the overall property and about the listing price, the Vendor, as more agents have seen it and will promote the property to their clients and of course to me as a Selling Agent as I am more knowledgeable about the property and can speak knowledgeable about it to potential clients and hopefully sell it.

Email for more info.

Activities for a retired person in Turks and Caicos

2010-05-05T07:33:00.000-07:00

Some suggestions for the retired individual living in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Join a charitable orginazation: There are many charitable organizations on islands that will welcome new members at any time. Organisations such as the National Cancer Society, Drug prevention group, AIDS awareness foundation, Pot Cake foundation, Prevention of Child Abuse etc. After choosing a charity of your choice you would be surprise to see how occupied your time will be.
Perform community work: Tutoring at schools for after school programs, Library time, food kitchens, clean up campaigns, etc. the enews is a good place to find out about community projects that you can be involved in if you do not already have something in mind.
Find a sport: Golfing for one is very popular at the Provo Golf and Country Club, every year they host a number of tournaments and members events, that will keep any retired individual occupied. Or there is tennis and the likes.
Enjoy the island life:

Take advantage of our natural island beauty, by exploring the not so developed islands of Middle & North, our Cays like Iguana island and Fort George cay. And over a period of time get to travel to all of the islands in the chain as they are all unique. If you have seen one you have not seen all!
Enjoy the local restaurants like the conch shack and Bugaloos who have made an international name for themselves, and rate our fine dining restaurants like Coyaba and Coco Bistro.
Visit the local churches as there are many to choose from. This goes for local retirees as well.

Obviously, these are just a few activities, I welcome to hear about what you have been doing as a retiree even if you are not in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Send me an email by clicking here with your comments/experiences.

Reduced Stamp duty in TCI

2010-04-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

The Turks and Caicos Budget address for 2009/2010 was given on 21 April 2010, in which it was stated that:

"with immediate effect new stamp duty bands and rates are to be introduced, … For example, properties less than $500,000 will attract a charge of just 4% on Providenciales (2% on Grand Turk, Salt Cay and other less developed islands) rising to 10% for properties over 3 million. In addition, purchasers will be able to choose to spread their stamp duty liability over 4 years or elect to pay in full on registration of their property with a discount of 10%.”

Currently stamp duty is $9.75% on Providenciales and 5% on the other islands, therefore, the proposed stamp duty reduction should provide a much needed boost to the real estate sector in the country.

Race for the conch

2010-04-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

Race for the conch is a new international sport competition that is a one mile swim race along the shores of Grace Bay. This event will be held in July 2010. The intention of the competition is to increase awareness of the fragility of the ocean and reefs, to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands as a sporting destination while at the same time "raise funds for local charities that improve children's nutrition and mitgate the impact of natural disasters" as per the Freepress. More info can be found on http://www.ecoseaswim.com/ .

A quiet community in the TCI

2010-04-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

North and Middle Caicos are the quiet islands of the Turks and Caicos chain. They all have small community areas with just a hand full of people living in each area, especially in Middle Caicos. The island comprise of mostly native restaurants and guest houses, and you can find many elderly folks living on the islands who have chosen not to migrate to the more developed island of Providenciales and Grand Turk as they enjoy living in a peaceful and carefree atmosphere.

Even though the island is home to a community setting, North and Middle have upgraded paved roads to make commuting easy and relaxing as possible while sightseeing the older built homes and the large areas of undeveloped land on the islands.

Developers have began creating new subdivisions to attract more people to the islands, and more so to give others the experience of a place away from the hustle and bustle of city life that Middle and North Caicos has to offer. The ride from Provo to North is only a 30 minutes ride on the ferry, and you can rent a car for the day and explore and experience the islands for yourself.

Spring in TCI

2010-04-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

Having kids can change your world in so many different ways. For example, I now find myself watching cartoons that I never thought I would ever watch in my life time. I am at work and sometimes find myself singing songs from Wounder Pets etc. and today, got my blog idea from Nick Jr.’s team “Spring has sprung”.

Indeed Spring has Sprung in the TCI. When you look around you can see a birth of new trees, and old trees with many new leaves. Most recently I also found the birth of a new bird in one of our neighbouring trees. The land is beautiful in my opinion, and gives you a refreshing feeling of new life and a new beginning. There are many things happening in the country at this time, and I am hoping that this season will bring new life and hope for many.

Let the games begin . . .

2010-04-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

March 1st is fast approaching. This is the time for the National Cancer Society family fair day. A day of fun and games for the family. There will be Sesame Street Characters, Hula Hoops, Bouncing castle, native dishes which includes baked breads etc. Local talents and DJ. It sounds like an exciting day already. And also you can purchase a raffle ticket with interesting prises as well as indoor and out door plants.

This is another day of volunteering that I am looking forward too. Even though a portion of my real estate sales goes to the NCS, I still enjoy getting my hands dirty by participating in each event that the society puts on.

New property on the real estate market

2010-03-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

A new land listing on the market is this 0.70 acre parcel that is located in the desirable residential area of Turtle Tail. Ocean view, overlooking the south side of the island. Such a panoramic view that makes this lot suitable for a dwelling home or villa in the Caribbean. Email for more details.

Turtle Tail is located on the south side of the island of Providenciales, it is known for its many elevated properties, some up to 100ft in elevation, and their fabulous ocean views. Especially in areas such as Bristol Hill, Ocean Drive and Jim Hill. It is also becoming very popular for the many luxury homes in the area.

Turks & Caicos hospitals get named

2010-03-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

Come April 10th 2010, both newly built hospitals on Providenciales and Grand Turk will be opened. Just recently, they were given the names of Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and Cockburn Town Medical center respectively. Both medical facilities should be a plus for the islands with more trained Doctors and other staff members together will added high tech equipments and operating rooms. Because we are a tourism driven destination, and because Providenciales and Grand Turk are the 1st and 2nd most developed islands in the TCI chain, obviously the hospitals are a necessity to these islands.

NB: If you want to invest on the more developed islands of TCI, let me provide you with a list of available properties on the market. Click this link and send me your requirements.

A hop, skip and Jump to the beach

2010-03-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

Some of my best childhood memories stem from living near the water. I can remember during the summer time getting up, walking outside and looking to see how rough or calm the water was. Even though the tide or roughness did not matter it was just about the peaceful feeling that I got when I stood and watch the water.

I have also enjoyed spending time on the beach with friends and family, especially during the summer months, and because the beach was just a hop, skip and jump it felt like I spent all my time there for how often we went.

My advice, do not turn down the opportunity of living your dream on an island because you cannot afford a property on the beach, There are amazing properties within walking distance, and with views, and besides no one owns the beach it available for everyone. Why let go of possible memories, embrace them all!

a guided map of North and Middle Caicos

2010-03-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

The editors of the Where When How magazine have made touring the islands of North Caicos and Middle Caicos even simpler. Their newest edition of their magazine has a copy of a uniquely created map pin pointing some of the prominent locations and businesses on the islands; even some of the historical sites and beaches. This should make it easier when driving around the island, without a tour guide. Just rent a car, pick up a copy of your map and keep going.

A boost for agriculture in TCI

2010-03-12T10:35:00.000-08:00

The Turks and Caicos Weekly News has written an article entitled “Boost for TCI Farming” that is very informative about improving agriculture in the islands.

Agriculture, is a prevalent part of the culture in the TCI and I believe that this is a good opportunity for those individuals who are practicing farming on the islands, and for those who would like to expand. Believe it or not, there are many who have farms on the islands, not just in North and Middle Caicos but also the more developed island of Provideciales as well.

My Turks & Caicos to do List!

2010-03-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

Need some ideas of what you can do with your family while in the Turks and Caicos Islands? Here are three free e-books that you can download, that is brought to you by Tropical Imaging.

Things to do with underfives' in TCI;
Things to do with family in TCI; and
The best beaches in Turks and Caicos.

Click here for the links.

Looking for Conch

2010-03-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

Conching is something that I learnt from my mother growing up.

Back in the day, after she had left her farm, she would walk over to Long Bay or Jim Hill & Pitty on the south side of the island, (the area is currently referred to as Turtle Tail) and go look for conch. This was not just something to do for fun or leisure but was what she did to help put food on the table at home. She would find as many conch as possible, as the water was most times low and favourable to finding conch, then tote them home, where she would cook some then beat the remaining conch and hang them to dry. Drying them was a form of preserving the access conch, for use in soup, grits or rice at a later date.

This was not just a means of living for my mother, but for many of the people on the islands. Today, even though it is not a necessity, I enjoy going look for conch, and of course enjoy eating it too.

Golf course living

2010-03-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

Provo Golf and Country club makes golf living so easy, as it is a residential and golf community in the popular Grace Bay area of Providenciales. It is central to banks, a supermarket, shopping and the beach.

Let us focus a bit on the residential size of the Golf Club first; in the community you can find a desired vacant lot for roughly $250,000 and build your desirable home, or purchase an existing town home at nearly the same price. If you prefer a detach villa they are also available starting at $430,000 for a two bedroom.

As for the amenities they include; a Challenging 18 hole championship golf course (which is popular for the many local and international tournaments, as well as members and charity events), the Fairways bar & Grill a casual dining restaurant, Tennis court and also a fully stocked pro shop that supplies all the golfing equipment etc that any golfer will need. Doesn’t this sound easy to you?

TCI delicacies

2010-02-26T11:35:00.000-08:00

A short list of local dishes that I doubt that you have tasted. They might sound strange, but they are delicious.

Fry Cake: Do not confuse this with pan cakes. This is a combination of flour, water, baking powder and sugar. Some people like to add eggs to give the cake more fluffiness but it is not an essential ingredient. This goes good with Lemonade also called ‘switcher’.
Coco Lumps/Dough: Ideal for cold weather. This is a soft prepared dough that is boiled in a sauce made of cocoa or chocolate. The dough is usually mixed with a spoon and put directly into the pot. Once the dough is cooked you add cream and sugar.
Flour pap: Simple. Mix the flour and water in a bowl of water. Then pour the mixture into a pot of boiling water. Add until thickened. Add Sugar and eat. You would be surprised at how tasty it is.
Catch-me: It is the same thing as flour pap except. When you are done mixing the flour and water in a cup, you add the hot water to the cup and mix. It is called catch me because it is a quick food to eat when you were hungry and does not require much preparation. Mix and eat in the same container.

Basic dishes made from basic ingredients. Yet, delicious and carries a lot of history for the people in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Churches on Island (TCI)

2010-02-24T07:47:00.000-08:00

Religion is a big part of community life within the islands of the Turks and Caicos. There are many faiths represented in the islands including, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Church of God of Prophecy, Jehovah's witness, Seventh day adventist, Church of the Harvest etc.

Some of the churches add an historical element to the TCI, because of the time frame in which they were built. They are also used as reference points as we live in a small community. For instance, it is easy to say 'just past Miracle Revival Mission Church in the Bight" or Once you Past Bethany take your left".

You can always get a list of the churches and their information by going to http://www.turksandcaicosyp.com/ and selecting church.

911 launched in Providenciales

2010-02-17T11:44:00.000-08:00

After months of training and other preparations, the 911 emergency system is finally up and ready to serve the general public of the Turks and Caicos Islands. There was a swearing in ceremony of eight telecommunicators, on 5 February 2010 who have now taken over the responsibility of receiving calls through the 911 emergency line. This is a great mile stone within the islands, as the goal of the new 911 Call Center is to “enhance coordination and dissemination of information, in order to respond more quickly to the emergency situations that arise each and every day”, and this is something that we needed for a long time in the islands.

We are a tourism driven destination and a functional and efficient 911 system is a necessity.

Kiteboarding in the Turks and Caicos Islands

2010-02-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

The first time I really paid attention to the sport of kiteboarding was about 4 years ago, while working in a law firm on island. My employer was very active in the sport and always found time to fit it in his busy working schedule. Because of this, I began paying more attention to the sport and now have a better understanding and enjoyment of it.

Compared to four years ago, I have realized that kite boarding has become a popular sporting activity among the people of the islands, and visitors have been attracted to the islands because of the kiteboarding opportunities. That is to say that we have excellent wind and water conditons for the sport, almost all year round. Some of the popular spots that you will find kite-boarders are Long Bay beach and Grace Bay beach in Providenciales and the Mudjin Harbour area of Middle Caicos is also on the top of the list.

Most recently, the TCI can brag of Kiteboarding magazine presence in the Turks and Caicos to take photos for their upcoming March 2010 magazine cover. See some of the magnificent shots for yourself by clicking here.

The photo above was taken at Mudjin harbour 2010 by Vernica Delancy.

Technorati Blog spot

2010-02-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

I am told that Technorati is an excellent place for claming your blog. My claim code is 9AHKC2MFGH9T.

Fort George Cay

2010-02-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

It was an amazing day when Provo Sand and Sea tours anchored on Forth George Cay on Saturday with my family. I had always heard about this uninhabited cay in the TCI but had never taken the time out to visit. There were shells galore, from the sea dollar to the conch shells. I took the opportunity to pick up a few pieces for some friends who had long wanted some shells as souvenirs. Fort George, also penned out to be and excellent picnic spot with powder sand and shallow water for swimming with the kids. We had a wonderful picnic and time collecting shells.

Ocean Club East

2010-02-02T11:34:00.000-08:00

I have decided to feature Ocean Club East today as most times people tend to forget about the old when there are new and upcoming developments out there on the market.

In summary, Ocean Club East (as there is a sister Ocean Club West property on island as well, more newly built) is one of the older developments on Providenciales boasting of studio, one and two bedroom suites. Units are priced from $205K and up, which is some of the more affordable units on the island. There is an optional rental program, with amenities such as fitness centre, dive center, two pools, spa and tennis court. This resort also boasts of its restaurants the Cabana Bar and Grille and Gecko Grille.

House insurance (Turks and Caicos Islands)

2010-01-29T11:27:00.000-08:00

Let me give you a general idea of what to expect when insuring your house in the Turks and Caicos. You can expect to pay at least 1% of the value of the home for insurance, without the contents. The home can be valued based on a calculation of $200 per sq feet in the event that you do not have an appraisal. Most companies prefer that you have an appraisal completed by one of our accredited companies such as Construction Advisory Services or BCQS to name a few. If the contents are insured as well, this will put the value of your insurance up a bit depending again on the value of the contents.

Three of our insurance companies and their web addresses are:

The Insurance Centre: http://www.insurancecentretci.com/home.html
NW Hamilton Insurance: http://www.nwhamilton.tc/index.php
United Reliance: http://www.unitedrelianceint.com/

We do have other insurance companies worth noting in the islands, but I am sure you can get an idea of your home insurance cost from the above three links.

The recipe to pigeon peas soup

2010-01-28T12:31:00.000-08:00

Such a simple thing gets me over excited just to talk about it. Why because, I am looking forward to eating some. It is not just any peas soup it is the best pigeon peas soup. http://www.nationalcolonyrealty.com/blog/?p=405 . Home grown, field picked pigeon peas.

Property Valuation

2010-01-27T11:25:00.000-08:00

If you are considering or purchasing real estate in the Turks and Caicos Island, especially if you are seeking financial assistance from any of our local banks, you will be required to provide a valuation of the desired property of purchase from one of our accredited valuation companies. Today, Construction Advisory Services has announced the reduction in their fees with immediate effect. Properties with a value of up to $1,000,000.00 (One Million US dollars) will be as follows:

Full valuation report - $350.00
Updated valuation report - $150.00.

Any property with a value of more than the above will have to receive a quotation from their company. There are other companies that you can choose from but as this info has become available I thought it most fitting to present it to you my valued clients.

Pine Cay in a nut shell

2010-01-25T11:26:00.000-08:00

Pine Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands is developed as a private club community that is owned and managed by the members. The shared goals of the Pine Cay members is to create a safe environment and to protect the natural beauty of this private island, while creating a social club suitable for family retreat, adult vacations and resort guests.

This private island consists of over 800 acres of land, where nearly 600 acres remain wild and to this day is considered an oasis of tranquility. An excellent choice for purchasing property on a community inspired island.

Pine Cay is also home to the Meridian Club a unique and exclusive resort which consists of twelve spacious beachfront suites, a romantic Sand Dollar Cottage, and privately owned rental homes scattered unobtrusively about the island. They offer a fine cuisine which always includes fresh seafood, at their restaurant.

Travel blogs in the Turks and Caicos Islands

2010-01-21T12:33:00.000-08:00

As this is the beginning of the year many people are now thinking of where they will vacation for the summer holidays, spring break, or even take their yearly vacation. Let the Turks and Caicos Islands, be one of your choice for this year. Here are a few travel blogs that you can look at to see other travellers opinion about our islands. This might help with your travelling decision.

John and Pam excellent adventures. http://johnandpamsexcellentadventures.blogspot.com/
Travelpod.http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-country/Turks%20and%20Caicos%20Isl./tpod.html
Travel buddy. http://www.travbuddy.com/Turks-and-Caicos-travel-blogs-c286

Life in the Turks and Caicos Islands

2010-01-20T12:01:00.000-08:00

Most recently I have written an article about life as I see it in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Perhaps this would be of some interest to you when deciding to take a vacation here or even purchase real estate on the islands. I must say in summary, I enjoy living in TCI and believe there are many things that we offer as a country to our visiting guests and local population even though we are just an island. Click here.

Mariners in Providenciales

2010-01-15T08:43:00.000-08:00

Below is a list of three of the mariners that exists in Providenciales. Two are currently open and operational while the other one is available for sale. We have boat owners and lovers who come to our shores and I hope this information is of some help.

Turtle Cove Mariner: A full service mariner and port of entry, obviously located in the Turtle Cove area. It currently has 100 boat slips, 65 of which are deep water slips and can accommodate a 7.5 ft draft at low tide. http://www.tcmarina.com/
Caicos Mariner and boat yard: Located in Long bay near to other canal properties and residences. See their site: http://www.caicosmarina.com/index.php
Cooper Jack mariner: This is a planned full service world class marina resort and residential community. The marina is located on the south shore of Providenciales. The marina development will include hotel villas, condo’s and residential home sites located on over eight thousand feet of shoreline. The 80 foot wide entrance channel provides easy unobstructed access and this safe harbor is tucked in the lee of 100 foot Cooper Jack Hill.

At present the marina has been dredged to its controlling depth of 8.5 feet with 2,200 feet of concrete bulk heading, the owners are seeking a qualified developer to take the project forward or a sell out to an experienced marina investment company.

Earthquake in Haiti

2010-01-14T08:46:00.000-08:00

We do have some Haitian nationals in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and we are aware that their lives are affected because of the earthquake that took place yesterday in Haiti. The governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands has made a press release since yesterday and there are groups including the red cross that are making preparation to help the victims of the earthquake through monetary donations.

After the quake and the Tsunami warning was issued for the Bahamas, many in the Turks and Caicos began to go to higher ground because of the close proximity to us and the Bahama island chain. I can say that the TCI people were also very concerned about those in the Bahamas because we are always flying back and forth to the Bahamas because of the family ties and history that we share.

Our prayers are with the people of Haiti during these troubling times.

The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands

2010-01-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

Many people mistake the Turks and Caicos Islands for being a part of the Bahamas island chain. It is not. However, the Turks and Caicos Island is in close proximity to the Bahamas, it is in fact located at the south eastern end of the Bahamas chain by the Turks Island Passage. Many of the people from the TCI have family ties to the Bahamas, and can be found visiting the Bahamas and vice versa on a regular basis. Both Islands are unique in their own rights. You have to experience the pristine beaches of Grace Bay, the historical sites, friendly people, Five Star hotel/condos and spectacular restaurants of the Turks and Caicos Islands for yourself.

A buyers market

2010-01-08T13:23:00.000-08:00

For the past two years there has been a global recession, which has forced people in general to tighten up on their spending habits and begin budgeting even more.

Even in the real estate market there are more vendors who are now willing to negotiate on prices of their land or homes that are for sale in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Even owners of rental properties are willing to negotiate on the rental prices. This kind of behavior has created a buyers market for potential real estate investors/purchasers. If you are thinking of purchasing in the Turks and Caicos Islands, for the sake of the current market, I am sure that you can find a deal on a suitable property that you have been longing to acquire in TCI in the past.

Commercial opportunities

2010-01-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

Let me recommend an office space for your large business or group of employee based on your budget.

Approved projects for 2010 in TCI

2009-12-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Many things have been happening in the Turks and Caicos Islands during this last year. As investors and even potential purchasers I know you are concerned about TCI’s developments and its future.

Therefore, I am compelled to informyou that the TCI Planning board has held its meeting for the end of the year and to date have considered a total of thirty nine (39) applications with a cost of $16,316,125 for development. This includes approval of four (4) on Ambergris Cay, five (5) in Grand Turk, One (1) for Middle Caicos and Twenty nine (29) on Providenciales. There were twenty eight applications that are conditional, six that have been refused, and five that were deferred to the new year. I hope that this will bring some light on what is happening in the islands in terms of future projects.

Holiday events

2009-12-18T10:50:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of some (naming a few) of the happenings in TCI during the Christmas holiday:

TCI annual house lighting competition - Dec 21 to 28
Christmas tree lighting in Grand Turk
The Somerset Resort open house - Dec 24
Old Year's Night Church services - Dec 31
New Years eve parties - Dec 31
Atabeyra boat trips
Provo Sand and Sea private boat trips/tours
Grace Bay Club, kids town winter camp - Dec 14 to Jan 3
TCSPCA Christmas shoppe - Dec 19

More details can be found in the newspapers and on http://www.enews.tc/

Happy Holidays

2009-12-15T07:50:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of my blog readers and real estate clients. I thank you for your dedication throughout this year and wish many good tidings for you this coming 2010. With Love.

Commercial Deal in Grace Bay

2009-12-14T11:50:00.000-08:00

Every one is always looking for a great deal. Who can blame them? Getting good value for money at a steal of a deal in this market is something I would option for as well. Here is my suggestion of an excellent deal.

0.71 acres of vacant land which is zoned Tourism Related, and most importantly located in the Grace Bay area of Providenciales. Only priced at $250,000. This is a prime location, as it is in walking distance to the pristine Grace Bay beach in which everyone desire to be, one lot away from a the Grace Bay town home development, walking distance to Ports of Call shopping center, Regent Village Shopping Center, Salt Mills business and shopping center, IGA supermarket food store, Scotia Bank ATM's and banking center, and also a stretch of condo developments and superb restaurants along the Grace Bay beach.

This lot is ideal for a small development or some commercial venture and even as a investment property as there are not many available properties in the Grace Bay area. Especially at such a reasonable price. For more information click here.

Cooper Jack Home $199,000

2009-12-11T11:12:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, there is a guest home located in the Cooper Jack area, of Providenciales only listed at $199,000. That is less than the value of the land. Hilltop property, with Ocean Views, walking distance to the Cooper Jack mariner, located in a desirable area and a full one acre of land. And yet there is space on this property to build another dwelling home with views. I KNOW that this is a good deal. delancy@nationalcolonyrealty.com

Unfinished condo developments in TCI

2009-12-10T12:47:00.000-08:00

It is not a good thing when you hear that a project like a condo development goes bad and is unable to complete its promises to a country and most importantly some one who has invested in the project by purchasing a unit or two. Sad enough, there are a few projects in the TCI that have not been completed and is looking for a partner or buyer who can bring the project back to life. If you are a developer and is looking for unfinsished projects to undertake let me help by putting you in touch with the right people and help you negotiate a sale. My email delancy@nationalcolonyrealty.com .

Long Bay Roads finally to be paved

2009-12-09T12:24:00.000-08:00

After many years of talk about having the Long Bay Highway paved, it will finally be done. The Long Bay Association has worked hard to get the work moving along. Come the 15th of January 2010 work will commence. It is expected to take a few weeks to complete. This is wonderful news for current owners of the Long Bay subdivision and for potential investors. Take a look at the Long Bay association website, i.e http://www.longbayhills.com/ for further details. Do not just take my word for it, see if for yourself.

Little Water Cay

2009-12-08T12:42:00.000-08:00

Ever heard about Little Water Cay? This is one of the cays of the Turks and Caicos Islands located just east of Providenciales. It is uninhabited and is known for its indigenous population of Turks and Caicos Rock Iguanas. These docile creatures live safely on Little Water Cay enjoying the shelter of ponds , marshland and many kind of trees. The National Trust manages the islands and therefore have guided tours for those who would want to visit the Cay and see the Iguanas. You can always check out Trip Advisor for reviews on Little Water Cay and the Iguanas, but better yet make a trip out of it and come and visit the islands.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia encyclopedia)

Town Homes in Providenciales

2009-12-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of town home projects in Providenciales:

Amethyst;
Turtle Creek;
The Golf Course;
Gace Bay townhomes;
The Yacht Club;
Sea Flowers; and
Palmyra.

Two bedroom town homes that is two stories in structure. Units are available for sale.

The Little Caribbean Mermaid

2009-12-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Turks and Caicos Friends of the Arts presents " The Little Caribbean Mermaid and the enchanted ring" at Brayton Hall on December 3,4,5 and 10,11 & 12. This will be an evening of laughter and fun filled entertainment. Every year the Friends of the Arts put on a show for the island and donate the funds to various charity groups. Take a look at their website http://www.tcfaf.com/. My sister was blessed to have a sneak peak of the show on Tuesday night and she just could not stop laughing. Funny enough she knows how to "carry a good laugh".

Distressed properties

2009-12-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

I call distress properties, properties that need a lot of TLC (Tender loving and care) or 'fixer upers'. I believe that there are properties on the market that can take a new owner who does not have abundance, and is able to pay a reasonable price for a property and just want to take his or her time and fix it up.

I also find that construction workers love distress properties, they are easy to acquire then flip over for a good price once fixed.

Let me help you find your distress property.

World AIDS Day 1 Demember 2009

2009-12-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

AIDS is something that you might not want to read about today, but remember someone else would. We are all affected by different adversities in life, but "understanding the facts is the key to fighting prejudice and protecting yourself and others". Check out the official website for World AIDS day, read true stories about this deadly disease and get the facts. http://www.worldaidsday.org/ /

House tour - Turtail Tail

2009-11-27T12:02:00.000-08:00

We visited six properties in the Turtle Tail area of Providenciales today while on our MLS home tour. These properties were dwelling homes as well as short term villa rental properties that are obviously for sale. They had beautiful ocean and beachfront views and is just breath taking. See for yourself, three of the many photos which I took.

Financing your home - a mortgage primer

2009-11-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

Philip Cross, general manager of Scotia Bank wrote an interesting piece in the Free Press about "Financing your home" in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He stated a few basic mortgage facts that is essential in your decision making if you are considering taking out a mortage in the TCI.

"Qualifying is step one: Before you consider the type of mortgage you need, you first have to qualify. This usually requires three things: (a) a down payment - as little as 5% of your home's purchase price. (b) the ablility to pay the closing cost, such as the solicitor's fee, etc. (c) a regular income that allows you to cover the monthly payments.;
Save money with a shorter loan period;
Factor in the risk of variable rate mortgage;
Mortgage process differs when building a home: If you are buying an existing home, you'll most likely need a typical residential mortgage. But if you plan to build, the mortgage process often unfolds in stages, as most people need to fund construction as it happens."

Selling your property in Turks and Caicos

2009-11-24T11:49:00.000-08:00

If you own property in the Turks and Caicos Islands, be it on the island of Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos or Grand Turk and is looking to sell let me be that real estate agent to help you sell your property. My contact delancy@nationalcolonyrealty.com .

Richmond Hills and Turtle Cove tour

2009-11-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

The real estate association toured the area of Richmond Hills and Turtle Cove this morning, as part of our annual homes tour exercise that is geared towards refreshing old agents minds and educating new agents about the products out there on the market so that we as an association can better serve our clients. Here are a few photos of the homes we tour, which was priced from $345,000 and up to $1.7 million. If you would like further information on any one of these properties, please send me an email on delancy@nationalcolonyrealty.com . Photos 2,3 and 4 - Seabreeze house. Photos 1 and 7- Reef beach house. Photo 5- Sea flowers. Photo 6 - Richmond Hills Villa. (click on the photo to get a better view of it)

A tour of the Blue Mountain and Thompson Cove area of Providenciales

2009-11-18T13:21:00.001-08:00

Yet another tour of a section of the island. This week, the TCREA agents tour homes in the Blue Mountain and Thompson Cove area. This included, canal front homes, Ocean view homes, and beach front properties. All the properties were interesting and beautiful in their own respect, particularly the two Villas of Blue Mountain homes which were a beach front bungalow, and a two storey home with exquisite views. One good thing about it is that, in purchasing these home at the Villas of Blue Mountain you have the option of tweaking the homes a bit to suit your needs. It is a housing project you will want to see.

We will be doing yet another tour on this coming Friday, but will be in another area looking at other homes on the market. I always enjoy this association exercise, as even though I have seen many of the properties before, I am always happy to refresh my memory of the product which means again, serving my clients better.

Conch fest

2009-11-17T12:16:00.000-08:00

The sixth annual conch fest is fastly approaching on 28 November 2009, in Blue Hills, Providenciales. There will be a variety of conch dishes prepared by over 20 chefs, who will be competing for a prize. Its a public event where tickets will be sold for $20.00 giving you access to sample all dishes. There will also be games for the children, live music by local bands and Junkanoo. Yes I said it Junkanoooo! Fun and games for the entire family. Rotary will be drawing the winning ticket for their $10,000 pot of gold. You can purchase tickets at the event if you have not done so already. If you have not attended conch fest since it has been going on this is your opportunity!

Condo projects in Grand Turk

2009-11-16T13:10:00.000-08:00

Grand Turk one of the up and coming islands of the Turks and Caicos, is home to three condo developments. These include:

L'Emeraude Resort
Cacique Royale Beach Resort
Columbus Landing

They are all under construction, and now selling at pre-construction prices. It is the hope of the developers to increase more tourist traffic to the islands, while helping with the development of Grand Turk at the same time. Want more information on Grand Turk send an email to delancy@nationalcolonyrealty.com .

WestJet launch non-stop flight to Providenciales

2009-11-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

4th November 2009 marks the first day of the arrival of WestJet in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. A non-stop flight from Toronto Canada. Three days each week will be flights, from now until 1 May of 2010. The tourist board of TCI welcomed WestJet and its 139 passengers at thier inagual arrival with a coctail reception in the VIP lounge of the airport.

MLS Tour TCREA

2009-11-03T14:07:00.000-08:00

The Turks and Caicos Real Estate Association (TCREA) is having an MLS tour starting next week. This will be a tour of all the homes on the island of Providenciales that are listed for sale on the market. Even thought it is an agents tour, to refresh our memories about the products out there, the general public who have an interest in purchasing is also encouraged to attend. However, we would prefer it you contact your agent to let you know the schedule and answer any questions about the tour you may have.

Provo Sand and Sea Tours

2009-11-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

Provo Sand and Sea Tours is the perfect opportunity to get a taste of the islands water activities while on your vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They offer a number of activities at a reasonable price, namely:

Island Exploration by sea;
Snorkel, snorkel and more snorkeling;
Beach cruise;
Conch quest- get conch out;
Island Beach BBQ - Catch and eat;
Bottom Fishing; and
Deep sea fishing.

And if the service is not offered on their website, they will be happy to create a custom trip to satisfy your needs. I know the captain very well and he has a history for giving an excellent product to his clients.

Turks Head Cactus

2009-10-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

The Turks Head Cactus is a native plant of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mostly found in Grand Turk. It is a part of our culture and is seen as an icon on our national flag to represent the flora of the islands.

Listing in Grand Turk

2009-10-29T10:50:00.000-07:00

I have listed a piece of vacant land located in the area of Corktree on Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. Zoned residential, which makes it suitable for a house and guest house. What I like most about this property is the close proximity to the beach which is in walking distance, approximately 5 minutes or less depending on how fast you are walking. : ) Pristine white sand beach just like that of Grace Bay beach in Providenciales. A reasonably priced lot with no restrictions as to when to build, no taxes including property taxes once purchased. The best time to purchase is now while prices are reasonable and development is on its way.

No one owns the beach or the access to the beach, it is public. Therefore, if you cannot afford to get a piece of property with beach frontage during this difficult market period, then I recommend you give consideration to this lot as, you will have the same access to the beach and with the same privileges, as the person with their house on the beach at a reduced price point to best suit your budget.

Enquire for more details by clicking here.

The Pinnacle

2009-10-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

28 beachfront residences each with three bedrooms located on the pristine shores of Grace Bay. It offers an exclusive private oasis within electronic gates, and a number of amenities including a lighted tennis court, fitness centre, wet bar, media center, laundry center with full size washer and dryer, pool and owners lounge to name a few. Selling point starts at around $1.9Million.

There are not many units available for sale or rent as most owners, purchase thier units as a second residence for their yearly holidays and get away spot. If you would like more information on The Pinnacle click here and leave a request.

Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)

2009-10-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is an "Informal" assessment of a property's market value. This is usually done to establish a reasonable listing price when a property is placed for sale on the market. What happens is that your property is compared to other properties that are currently listed for sale or have sold in the area then a listing price is established based on the findings. The analysis is done by a real esate agent who has easy access to property information through their real estate system.

A CMA can be benefitial to a Vendor by helping to determine a listing price for their property, to the Purchaser by determining an offer price, and to an investor as he would be able to compare his property price on the market now and when he purchased and hence know when it is a good time to sell when a reasonable profit has been made.

Send me an email on delancy@nationalcolonyrealty.com and I will give you a CMA of your property in Turks & Caicos Islands.

Why use a real estate agent when selling?

2009-10-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Listing Price: The real estate agent can provide you with a comparative market analysis to help you in pricing your property to compete with other properties on the market.

Marketing: The real estate agent can give your property exposure through advertisements and other agents, to assist with a faster sale.

Buyers: The real estate agent can pre screen potential purchasers to avoid you having to deal with jokers who are not interested in purchasing. While on the other hand can assist purchasers who are interested by pointing them in the right direction to be prequalified so that they can then be in a position to purchase.

The real estate agent will take on the responsibility of showing the property each time a prospective buyer is interested in viewing. This can become a time consuming process.

After obtaining one or more interested buyers, the agent can help you objectively evaluate every offer and help negotiate the best possible price for you.

Your real estate agent will also help guide you through the contract stage once a deal is successfully negotiated and monitor the progress of the agreement until closing.

You can go on with your day to day activities while an agent is out there working for you to ensure that your property is in the way to be sold.

Mortgage pre-approval in TCI

2009-10-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

A word of advice that usually comes in handy for persons who decide to go the financing route when purchasing real estate property in the Turks and Caicos Islands:

You will need to use a bank in the Turks and Caicos Islands to obtain financing if you are looking to finance your purchase through a bank or lending institution;
Get pre-approved for your mortgage before putting pen to paper and signing an offer form if you can. This way you can know how much in advance the bank will lend you and you can make an informed decision in choosing a property within your approved price budget;
Most banks should be able to pre-approve you within 48 hours once all paperwork is received; and
Non residents do not have to be on island for pre approval to be done. There are specialists in the banks who can work with you over the telephone or via email. You can always ask your real estate agent to put you in contact with the right person or you can call the banks and ask for assistance. The same goes for residents but I normally encourage you to go into the bank as you are on island anyway.

Island hopping in Turks and Caicos

2009-10-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

Want a fabulous idea for a family vacation. Island hopping! Come island hop in the Turks and Caicos and experience what each of our beautiful by nature islands have to offer. We have local flights that goes from island to island for a minimal fee, which includes from Providenciales right down to Salt Cay. And if you want to experience even more excitement you can catch the ferry that will take you from Providenciales to North Caicos, and take a taxi or rental car to the island of Middle Caicos via the 'cause way' connecting the islands.

You will find that each of the islands are unique in their own way. Do a little research and make a list of activities that you will like to do while in the islands, book your flight and come on down to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Its sounds like a fairy tale but it is for real. Beautiful beaches, historical sites, friendly people, no taxes. It is all true! Perhaps after leaving you might decide to invest in a piece of real estate.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

October is deemed breast cancer awareness month. This year the National Cancer Society of Providenciales has a number of activies scheduled, which includes:

A walkaton that has already taken place on the 3rd of October 2009. I must say this event was successful, with representations from various business groups and schools despite the weather conditions;

Church service, also already taken place;

Wear your T-Shirt Friday. We have already began to see businesses wearing their T-Shirts as a group on Fridays to support this cause;

An upcoming "Pretty in Pink" Luncheon; and

A mamogram session of testings for a period of three days.

Besides these events other local and business groups have and will be hosting fundraising events in aid of the National Cancer Society. As always the proceeds will go towards treatments for existing patients.

Fractional ownership in Turks and Caicos

2009-10-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

Fractional ownership is a deeded right to a portion of a unit or in simpler terms the division of an asset into portions or shares according to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia.

I believe that fractional ownership is beneficial to persons who are interested in owning/investing in a condo but do not have the funds to purchase a condo at its full market price. I find that it is also useful to that individual who is looking to have a permanent place of stay each visit to the island without the hesitation of a hotel bill during their stay each year.

In the Turks and Caicos Islands, there is only one such development which I am aware of that is engaged in this type of ownership and that currently have available shares for sale on the market. In this development each purchase represents a one twelfth ownership in the condo unit, with the right to use it for 4 weeks each year, determined on a rotation basis. The prices range from a one bedroom on the upper floor at $69,000 being its minimum to a 3 Bedroom on the upper level at $150,000. There are Annual dues applicable as in every condo project to cover the cost of maintenance, utilities and an onsite management team.

Beach front land in Providenciales

2009-10-07T13:30:00.000-07:00

Beachfront according to dictionary.com is defined as land fronting on a beach. Available on the market is residential beachfront properties which are suitable for building a home and guest house and also commercial beachfront properties which are suitable for constructing a tourism related project such as a condo, hotel or town home development to name a few.

For information purposes, in Providenciales you can purchase a piece of beachfront land for as little as $675,000 on a 0.50acre property for instance in Thompson Cove or a piece of land with say 150 feet of beach frontage in Long Bay for approximately $1,395,000 and for that individual or company who can afford to spend a bit more, as high as $37 Million for a 17 acres parcel in the Grace Bay area that is suitable for a high density condo, hotel or any tourism related development.

* Even though the figures above were examples they are actually available properties currently on the maket. Feel free to inquire about them if you wish.

Why visit the Turks and Caicos

2009-10-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons why anyone should visit the Turks & Caicos Islands. I will list a few below:

Beautiful turquoise water and white sandy beaches
Clean and pristine atmosphere
Our historical ruins such as Wades Green Plantation on North Caicos and Cheshire Hall on Providenciales.
The Caves on Middle Caicos with indigenous bats that inhabit the caves and a historical background of early Lucayan settlers who used these caves as a form of shelter.
Historical island of Grand Turk which is home to the salt ponds etc.
Friendly people
Our unique JoJo the dolphin who interacts with humans (There are only few dolphins in the world that seeks out human companions and JoJo is one of them).
Exquisite native dishes and also famous for our world class restaurants.
Our unique rock iguanas.
Beautiful coral reefs (we have one of the longest coral reefs chains in the world making Turks and Caicos Islands a premier diving destination. We have repeat tourist who return year after year to enjoy diving and snorkeling on our coral reefs)

This list can be extended with little effort by me. But I would rather you come and see the islands for yourself and experience more of the many interesting things about my home land Turks and Caicos Islands.

Welcome

2009-10-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Turks and Caicos Real Estate with Vernica Dealncy. A blog about, well you guessed it correctly, real estate in TCI. From time to time I will be updating you on articles that I believe would be of interest to you about the Turks and Caicos Islands and of course about real estate within the islands. Feel free to contact me with a response or with suggested topics that you would like to learn more about as it relates to our beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands. I hope that you enjoy my postings!