Guide Me Home to the Bahamas - Home

Another Unexpected Joy of Life in the Bahamas: US Embassy close at hand!

2010-07-09T00:00:00Z

Distances in many countries, including the US, sometimes make working with a US Embassy a long term project. Here in Nassau, the American Embassy is just downtown, ironically on historic Queen St. New consular fees come into effect on July 13, so you might want to hurry down to The Bahamas and get your passport renewed or other consular services while you are here looking for a beautiful second home.

We even have a beautiful listing on Queen St., two doors from the US Embassy. Have a look at BahamasRealty.bs/ 564203 then call me! Sara Parker, 242-324-1457. Queen St. beauty!

Here are the fees, straight from the US Embassy notice:

New US Consular Fees Effective on July 13, 2010

Passport Fees

Description	OLD FEE	NEW FEE
Passport Book - adult (1st time 16 years and older) & (replacement for lost/stolen/mutilated)	$100	$135
Passport Book - minor (under the age of 16) & (replacement for lost/stolen/mutilated)	$85	$105
Passport Book Renewal - Adult (re-issuance of passport issued for 10 years and not expired for more than 5 years)	$75	$110
Additional passport visa pages	$82
Passport Card - Adult	$45	$55
Passport Card - Child	$35	$40
Consular Report of Birth Abroad	$65	$100
File Search and Verification of U.S. Citizenship	$60	$150

Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship - $450.00

Documentary Services
Notarials, Certifications of True Copies, Authentications, provision of Department of State records $30.00 (first), $20.00 (addt’l) $50.00

As a very cosmopolitan place, Nassau offers consular services for many other countries. Just check the local phone book, websites, or “The Bahamas Handbook” for contact numbers.

Posted by: Sara Parker

Another Unexpected Joy: Quality Video Tours of Bahamian Dream Homes on BahamasRealty.bs

2010-07-08T00:00:00Z

You can almost feel the tropical breezes and smell the flowers as you watch the new video tours of Bahamian Dream Homes featured exclusively on Bahamas Realty Ltd.’s award winning website BahamasRealty.bs

These properties, filmed for the “Bahamas Realty NOW!” TV show, range from multi-million dollar mansions to cottages and bungalows under $200,000. Two of my favourites are a ”Better Than New Renovation” and a ”Grand Canal Home with more than a view from the top.”

As each episode is part of a popular TV show, you get the feel and mood of the property, almost like being there or as some say “our own Bahamian HGTV!” New property videos are added weekly and monthly as they star in the Bahamas only home and garden style real estate TV show.

As creator, producer and host for “Bahamas Realty NOW!” I get quite a kick out of uniting the marketing and journalistic skills of a lifetime in one monthly TV package seen six times a month on two Bahamian Cable TV channels, then setting the ideas and images free on our website and YouTube channel. My colleagues and I are becoming local celebrities and enjoying really great brand recognition! (No more slipping off to shop in beach gear.)

Have a look! I hope you’ll decide video shopping for Bahamian real estate is another Unexpected Joy of Life in The Bahamas. Then, give me a call at 242-396-0042 or email

Posted by: Sara Parker

The Bahamas MLS Goes Public

2010-06-23T16:47:00Z

Two years ago the Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) launched its first Multiple listing Service (MLS). An attempt was made by BREA approximately 15 years ago to provide its members with an MLS, however, this was before the World Wide Web and the service was through a dial up system that was cumbersome, frustrating and never caught on. While BREA has recognized that this is a service that would benefit its members tremendously, it took some time and many membership forums before the majority of the general membership were receptive to launching a new web based MLS. It is interesting to note that the strongest opposition to the MLS came from Brokers with very small offices… one and two person operations. Ironically, it is these very members who stand to benefit the most from the MLS as they now have access to all of the listings of the larger brokerage offices, which they did not previously have.

With the launch of the MLS in February 2008, approximately 80 agents signed up at of a total membership in BREA of 548. This was a disappointing number, but it was a start. Gradually over the period of the past two years more members have joined and at present there are a total of 153 members of the MLS. It is surprising that more agents have not joined, however, this represents approximately 27.9% of the BREA members and is not too far off of the often quoted 80/20 rule that says that typically 20% of members do 80% of the business. I do not doubt that this is the case here.

For the period April 11, 2008 to April 10, 2009 the average days on the market for sold properties on the MLS was 152 and the average sales price was $397,445. A total of 124 properties sold during this period. For the period April 11, 2009 to April 10, 2010 the average days on the market for sold properties was 200 and the average sales price was $464,822. A total of 282 properties sold during this period. Currently there are a total of 1,015 properties listed on the MLS.

A few months ago The Bahamas MLS launched its public site www.thebahamasmls.com and now anyone can login and view properties on The Bahamas MLS. Login and take a look. I know that you will like what you see. While at it I would like to invite you to login to my web site at www.bahamasrealty.bs where you will find most, if not all, of The Bahamas MLS listings and more.

Posted by: Larry Roberts

Dreamy Bahamian Holiday Cottages

2009-12-09T20:53:00Z

Bahamian Cottages are dreams come true.

The Bahamas has whole islands full of fairy tale cottages on famous Harbour Island and sleepy Elbow Cay (See “High Hopes”).

But, just beyond the bright lights of Nassau, you’ll also find stunning hideaway cottages with beaches or ocean views, still with easy access to shopping, nightlife and the airport. They are popular with local residents and visitors alike.

“Sea Glass Cottage” on the Eastern Point waterfront of New Providence has had only a few tenants in its history, the latest a Supreme Court Justice who stayed for 7 years. (A very young South American rock star tried to book it, but her parents found it too far from her recording studio at Compass Point.) It’s available NOW for short term rentals, at $2,000 per week or long term, complete with standby generator and fishing lines. Pick up real sea glass on the beach.

Draped in brilliant bougainvillea, ”Puravida Cottage” crowns a hill just east of Nassau. It commands 180 degree elevated views of the Nassau Harbour and, more closely, of historic Blackbeard’s Tower. The infamous pirate controlled the island from here! It’s stylishly furnished and full of original art.

There are, of course, Bahamian cottages for sale from $135,000 for Conch Cottage in Palm Shores, Abaco, to millions for cottages with private islands attached (Cornish Cay)!

And then, we have Sandyport on New Providence, a gated village of charming cottages of all sizes, shapes and colours, linked by canals and enjoying its own private tennis courts, swimming pools and private beach. You can see video of Sandyport on Bahamas Realty’s YouTube channel and on our award winning website, www.bahamasrealty.bs.

Please contact me to help your dream cottage become a waking vision of delight. Be here, when the Junkanoo Festival drums start throbbing on Boxing Day, Dec. 26 and New Years Day, Jan 1.

Posted By: Sara Parker

Andros - A Precious weekend with my 7 year old Grandson

2009-10-22T17:12:00Z

The White Crowned Pigeon (Columba Lencocephala) migrates to the Bahama Islands in the early spring to nest and bring forth the next generation before they begin their migratory journey in the fall back to the mountainous islands of the Greater Antilles. The birds nest on numerous Cays (pronounced “keys”) that are off the coast of the large islands then travel back and forth to feed themselves and their young with such fruit as Poison wood (it really is), Pigeon plum (aptly named), Coca plum (nothing like coca but more like cotton), Pepper berries (as the name suggests) and Sea grape.

The hunting season for this game bird opens in late September, but due to the large number of hunters at the beginning of the shoot, I decided to take my Grandson on his first hunting trip after the madness subsided. I have been visiting Andros for fifty years, mostly to hunt, but later to support my real estate business of property listings.

Nicholas, or affectionately known as Nickie, had never been to Andros, the largest island in the Bahamas and was brimming over with excitement as we packed his hunting clothes and other items that he would need on the trip. On Friday, October 16th we departed on Western Air for Congo Town, South Andros.

After collecting our rental car and depositing our bags in our beach villa, we collected our guide (called a ‘pickup’). Rudolph is his name and I have known him for some 30 years and he never changes. We decided to take an easy jaunt along an inland trail to see if there were any birds about and ended up walking just over 6 miles and left the ‘bush’ long after sunset.

The excitement began for Nickie almost immediately as he got a good look at his first Andros Vulture circling overhead. It is interesting that these birds are found in Andros and not in Nassau, which, at the nearest point is only 20 miles away.

The next bit of excitement was when Nickie almost stepped on a small Boa constrictor which Rudolph dispatched with his machete before I had a chance to stop him. Island folks are deathly afraid of snakes. We were saddened at this action as it would have been a bit of fun to catch it and keep it for awhile before releasing it back into the wild.

The following morning we awoke at 5:30am, had a bite to eat, collected Rudolph and proceeded to the “White Road” in Smiths Hill, South Andros. As the sun brightened the eastern horizon, the Pigeons began to fly and while the shooting was not terrific, Nickie had a grand time learning how to find and retrieve downed birds and particularly all about the flora of the Coppice. He also saw a few other species of birds that he hadn’t seen before such as Rain Crows , Herons and Cranes, not to mention many Finches, Pintail doves, Tobacco Doves, Mocking birds and Black Crows.

We shot again in the afternoon and again on the following morning and experienced much of the same, except that it rained on the final day which made the hunting conditions a little testing.

In our spare time we visited quite a few settlements that are dotted along the east coast from Driggs Hill in the north , Congo Town, The Bluff, Long Bays, Smith’s Hill, Kemps Bay, Deep Creek, Little Creek, Pleasant Bay down to Mars Bay in the south. Nickie will be writing about these places and people as part of a school project.

All in all it was a marvelous experience with my Grandson and one to be treasured.

Posted by:David Lunn

The Bahamas' Best Month...October!

2009-10-08T17:50:00Z

Although the Islands of The Bahamas are traditionally known as “The Isles of Perpetual June,” I consider October our best month of all. The weather cools like clockwork during Discovery Day Weekend…just as Columbus must have discovered it in 1492: bright, breezy and balmy!

Consequently, many of my favourite events are held In Nassau in October:

Oct. 17-18 The International Cultural Festival - 25 countries take part in open air food and wine tastings, dancing and performances, 10 am to 2 pm, with transport scheduled from cruise ships and hotels.

Oct. 24 The Bahamas National Trust Wine and Arts Festival - more than 40 artists and 50 wines from Bristol Cellars; at the BNT Retreat Gardens on Village Road. The $20 admission goes to the Trust to keep the national parks humming with tropical wildlife including the national bird, the flamingo. It starts at 12 noon and runs until 5 pm with the champagne corks popping between 3 and 4. A silent auction runs all afternoon with artful bargains up for grabs. Join the Trust now and come to members night on the 23rd. Pictured, Bahamas Realty Brokers Sara Parker (left), Broker Chris Lowe and Sophie Lowe celebrating Sophie’s birthday at the BNT Wine and Arts Festival.

Oct. 31 The new Bahamas Humane Society: HALLOWEEN FLEA MARKET & FUN DAY, 9 am to 3 pm - a fundraising flea market to aid the animals of the Bahamas with lively costume parades for children and dogs at the New Providence Community Centre, Blake Road.

And now underway, Oct. 5-12 the new Bahamian Theatre Festival “Shakespeare in Paradise” - ShakespeareInParadise.org with live performances in many venues: tix@shakespeareinparadise.org. Here’s a chance to sample the extraordinary standard of talent rampant in The Bahamas, including former London Les Mis star Craig Pinder in “The Tempest” in modern dress, at The Dundas Theatre.

All that is just to show that there IS more to do than sun, sand and sea in The Bahamas! Call me to explore the properties that can make the unexpected joys of life in the Bahamas your very own.

Click here to see a property where the New World began.

Posted By: Sara Parker

The Art of Listening

2009-09-30T16:59:00Z

How well do you listen to what other people have to say? Do you think you are a good listener? When I was asked this question recently my immediate reaction was… are you kidding? I’m a great listener, or so I thought until I attended an interesting and enlightening presentation by Matt Smith at the recent Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Bachelor Gulch, Colorado. When Matt Smith was introduced to our group of luxury real estate professionals I had an immediate sense of “where do I know this man from,” but I couldn’t place him. That is until I read his bio and saw that not only is he a lecturer, auctioneer, keynote speaker, but he is also an accomplished actor. I read where he had played the part of the “prick boss” in a delightful movie called “Outsourced” a romantic feel good movie similar to “Love Actually” or “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”… my type of movie. Ah ha! That was it. If you haven’t seen it do yourself a favour and rent it, buy it or do whatever you have to do to watch it. You will not be disappointed.

Matt is quite a raconteur and gave a fast-paced presentation with full audience participation on the art of listening. Have you ever been in a conversation where within moments of the other person starting to talk you already know what you want to say and you can’t wait for them to stop talking or you interrupt them? Sound familiar? Most of us do it all of the time. We are so engrossed in our own point of view that we don’t listen to what others have to say. The next time you are in a conversation force yourself to listen and wait until the other person has finished speaking before you respond. And don’t respond with what you thought of while they were speaking. Respond with what comes into your mind as they finish. It’s not easy. You will be amazed how the conversation will move in a different direction. I have to caution you, however, you can’t try this when speaking to more than one person in a small group. If you do you will never have the opportunity to talk because everyone else will be interrupting the one who is speaking in order to get his or her two cents in.

This philosophy certainly applies to us in the real estate profession. How often do we think we are listening to our client when actually we are so intent on pointing out the special features of the fabulous home that we are showing that we miss important details such as, a young couple starting a family not wanting the master bedroom at one end of the house and the other bedrooms at the other, or a retired couple not wanting to have to negotiate stairs or have a large property to maintain. These are simple, but important details that may have more relevance to the buyer than the granite counter tops or Wolf cook top that we are so anxious to point out. When you truly listen, listening takes on a whole new meaning.

Posted By: Larry Roberts

Miss Universe, Live!...Another Unexpected Joy of Life in The Bahamas

2009-08-10T18:27:00Z

You never know who you’ll run into in The Bahamas.

In August, 2009, there seems to be a Miss Universe contestant wherever you turn, even on our scattered islands, another of the Unexpected Joys of the Life in The Bahamas.

I met the reigning Miss Universe several years ago at an Atlantis promotion for Moet Chandon Brut Imperial Rose. This year, the whole Miss Universe Pageant is here and beautiful girls are even more plentiful than usual. The queens of more than 80 countries are strutting their stuff. They’re in motorcades down famous Bay St., modeling Bahamian fashions, hosting dinners in aid of AIDs victims, rushing in our traditional Junkanoo dance, visiting our far flung islands, smiling, smiling, smiling…

Pictured in the image to the right are Bahamian Olympians Tim Munnings (left) and Troy Macintosh. Both were recently named World Champions for their performance in the 4x400 track and field relay as the US team was stripped of the Gold Medal. They met Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega, Dominican Republic, in Nassau at a local champagne promotion. And, she met them! Meeting celebs casually is another of the Unexpected Joys of Life in The Bahamas. Photo by Sara Parker

In The Bahamas, the celebrities are so close to you that you can tell the fakes from the real.

But, one of the reasons so many celebrities actually live here, is that Bahamians wouldn’t dream of bothering them…or even recognizing them! That’s an unexpected joy of life in the Bahamas for the rich and/or famous.

And, on August 23, the new Miss Universe will be crowned at Atlantis, Paradise Island, and our islands televised so the entire planet can see how much better it can be in The Bahamas. For details of schedules and tickets, check out www.missuniverse.com/members/home.

For information on the expected joys of the Bahamian lifestyle, such as the stylish life on the beach, contact me! Or visit our award winning website for information on living or investing here, www.bahamasrealty.bs.

Posted By: Sara Parker

Premier Class "A" Office Park Offered for Sale in The Bahamas

2009-07-23T21:16:00Z

CB Richard Ellis, together with its local correspondent Bahamas Realty Commercial, is pleased to announce an exclusive assignment to sell one of the most prestigious office parks in The Bahamas comprising of two Class “A” office buildings of 33,892 sq.ft. (3,148.67 sm) and 23,209 sq.ft. (2,156.18 sm) respectively, totaling 57,101 sq.ft. (5,304.86 sm) with approximately 6 acres of land area providing parking for a total of 390 cars.

This offering comes at an auspicious time as although the commercial property market globally has been under pressure and is depressed, the Class “A” office market in The Bahamas is limited to a total of 676,843 sq.ft. and occupancy levels are high. Although the current vacancy rate is just under 12%, more than 60,000 sq.ft. of the total vacancy of 79,459 sq.ft. is located in a single building located at the extreme eastern end of New Providence. This building has had major challenges in attracting tenants. The effective vacancy rate is more on the order of 2.71%.

At present one of the buildings in the office park, with a total rentable area of 33,892 sq.ft. (3,148.67 sm) is leased in its entirety to a major international bank. The tenant will sign a new triple net lease for a period of 5 years with an option for a further 5 years with annual CPI rent adjustments. The second building, which is expected to be completed in October of this year, is available for lease. The leasing agents, CB Richard Ellis and Bahamas Realty Commercial, are currently negotiating with three high profile prospective tenants and feel confident that all of the available rental area will be committed by the time the building is completed. The projected one year cap rate is 8.43% and 14.14% IRR over 10 years.

For a copy of the sales flyer and Offering Memorandum contact Larry Roberts at lroberts@bahamasrealty.bs or call 561-228-5603.

Posted By: Larry Roberts

The Bahamas... Good to be home

2009-07-16T14:27:00Z

If you’re fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to a variety of destinations throughout the world and meet the local people you’ll find the first question they ask is “where are you from?” I have been living in the Bahamas for 21 years and still get immense pleasure from the look I receive when I answer proudly “I’m from the Bahamas.” At the moment I give my answer, I am struck with the reality of how lucky I really am.

I recently had the opportunity to visit London and Ireland. The main purpose for our overseas trip this summer was the opportunity to attend Wimbledon. The village of Wimbledon is incredibly charming and bustling with activity and energy during the two weeks that the tennis championships are taking place. I can’t describe the thrill of watching amazing players like Roger Federer and the Williams sisters grace the courts. I was completely star struck and in awe of my surroundings! The greatest part of my two week stay was watching our very own Bahamian born and raised, Mark Knowles, win the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles title.

The city of London is truly a joy to explore with its ecclectic architecture, beautiful parks and the excitement of controlled chaos. Our last week was spent touring the west coast of Ireland with its rugged landscapes and serene countrysides all blending into some of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. Throughout our three weeks in such amazing surroundings, we never tired of answering questions about our life in the Bahamas. We soon realized that city and country folks alike regard our wonderful little country as one of the most fabulous and exotic places in the world to visit. I’ve decided they’re absolutely right and I suppose that is why its always so good to be home!!

Posted By: Silvina Andrews

My Island Home in Abaco, The Bahamas

2009-06-15T20:35:00Z

My home in the Northern Bahamas chain of islands known as The Abacos, boasts the naturally protected waters of The Sea of Abaco, the deep royal blue of the Atlantic Ocean and dozens of offshore cays covering over 130 square miles of crystalline turquoise waters.. Situated just 180 miles east of Palm Beach, Florida, the Abacos are a haven to yachtsmen, nature lovers, divers and fishing enthusiasts. Referred to as the “Sailing Capital of the World”, Abaco features excellent, fully-serviced marinas, dive shops, fishing guides and boats for hire.

Boating is, in part, the life blood of Abaconians, as the local Bahamian residents are known. Most own at least one vessel and use their boats as daily transportation to and from the various cays, much as other world citizens use their automobiles. On any given weekend you will find Abaconians gathering on secluded island beaches, accessed only by boat, celebrating the bounty of the sea and a lifestyle compared to none. Joining the “local” folk in similar scenes, are our second home owners, some who also use their boats as their sole method of transport. And, of course, we have our visitors who are drawn to Abaco by our spectacular boating experience.

For our visitors there are over a dozen excellent boat rental agencies to choose from. These agencies offer boats of all sizes, from 18’ Whalers to 26’ Paramounts and Scorpions. In addition, there are sailboat charter companies, including The Moorings, which has bases of operation all over the world.

Whether renting a run about or chartering a 40 foot catamaran, you can spend seemingly endless days on the water, always in sight of land, visiting our quaint settlements, sunning on secluded beaches, or snorkeling in the Pelican Land & Sea Park, one of the world’s loveliest small reefs. The list of delights of cruising our waters is endless!

Properties boasting water frontage, some with docks, are in high demand and can be found reasonably priced starting in the upper $300’s. When our visitors consider the laid back life style of Abaco and our stunning natural environment, purchasing a vacation home is quite frequently the next logical step. With so many islands in the Abaco chain to choose from, searching for the ideal island getaway is an adventure for both the Realtor® and buyer. Each island, or “cay” as they are known, has its own character and touring these islands with us is always an outing to be remembered!

Come, let me Guideyouhome2thebahamas and experience tropical living as you have always dreamt it should be.

Contact me at mroberts@bahamasrealty.bs and/or take a look at our properties at www.bahamasrealty.bs.

Posted by:Molly Roberts

Bahamian Citizens Now Travel Freely to Schengen Countries

2009-06-09T14:16:00Z

I believe that I am safe in saying that Bahamian citizens may be the most traveled, per capita, of any country in the world. This is partly due to our small population and the fact that the Bahamas boasts the 33rd highest per capita income in the world and the highest in the Caribbean region at $27,394. By comparison this is just under the per capita income of South Korea and above New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia. The other contributing factor is the convenient location of the Bahamian Islands laying just 50 miles off the East coast of Florida. Bahamians think nothing of taking day trips and long weekends to Florida to shop and with direct connections to many East Coast cities including New York and direct flights to London, it is quite common to run into Bahamians on 5th Avenue or Trafalgar Square. Believe it or not I have, on many occasions, run into Bahamians that I know in New York, San Francisco and London, but also in out of the way places such as a native market in Delhi, India, the seaside town of Dinard in Brittany, France, on the Charles Bridge connecting to the old town in Prague, Czech Republic and would you believe in a very small airport in Siem Reap, Cambodia. As you can see I travel quite a bit myself.

Unlike citizens of many countries, Bahamians have needed a travel visa to go just about anywhere, except Great Britain and some of, but not all, Commonwealth countries. This has been a tremendous inconvenience. There is not only the expense of applying for a visa that may only entitle the holder to make a single trip, but also, many times having to appear personally at the nearest Embassy which could be in Florida, New York or Washington, DC.

Fortunately, this has now changed. Effective from May of this year Bahamian citizens no longer are required to carry a visa in their passports when traveling to any of the 24 Schengen countries which include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

Wow. I am so excited about this that I just want to jump on the next plane and fly somewhere. Who knows I may someday run into you in Rome, Paris or on Safari in South Africa.

For properties closer to home here in The Bahamas, but no less exotic, give me a call. Visit our web site at BahamasRealty.bs and/or contact me at lroberts@bahamasrealty.bs and let me “Guide You Home 2” properties in The Bahamas.

Posted By: Larry Roberts

Bahama Real Estate Association Celebrates 50th Anniversry and The Bahamas MLS

2009-06-07T19:15:00Z

The Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, but it was not until 1995 that persons who were in the business of selling, leasing or appraising real estate were required to have a real estate license. Members of BREA, from its inception, were required to abide by a strict code of ethics, maintain a separate escrow account and meet set academic standards, but you did not need to be a member of BREA to hang up a shingle and declare yourself a real estate agent in The Bahamas. This of course all changed with the Real Estate Broker’s and Salesman’s Act 1995.

It was not until February 2008 that the Bahamas Multiple Listing Service (MLS) was established. Prior to 2008 the majority of listings were “Open Listings.” In other words property owners would list their properties for sale with more than one agent. This many times resulted in a great deal of confusion with properties listed at different prices and owners having to deal with multiple agents. Without the security of a signed “Exclusive Listing” agents were reluctant to spend much time or money marketing these properties. The introduction of the Bahamas MLS and the requirement that all listings submitted to the MLS must be listed exclusively with one agent has been a win-win for everyone. Property owners now need only deal with an agent that they know and trust and the listing agents have the security of being able to actively and effectively market the property without being concerned that the property will be sold without their direct involvement. The added benefit is that we now have a database from which agents can easily prepare comparative market analysis reports which were not possible before the MLS.

The Bahamas MLS is proving to be a great success with over 130 members and more than 900 properties.

Visit our web site at BahamasRealty.bs and/or contact me at lroberts@bahamasreslty.bs and let me “Guide You Home 2” properties in The Bahamas.

Posted By: Larry Roberts

"Bahamas Realty, Now" Home & Garden TV show podcasts now on website

2009-06-02T17:18:00Z

“Bahamas Realty, Now,” the Bahamas’ own house and garden TV show, is now shooting its 21st monthly episode and is now featured in podcasts on the internet! The show brings a wide range of properties to life and mixes in tips on tropical gardening, Bahamian lifestyle and real estate trends.

My greatest compliment is that lots of local fans think our local show IS on HGTV. It IS on six times monthly on Bahamian ZNS Cable Chanel 11 and JCN Cable Chanel 14 in the Bahamas and several other Caribbean countries. New episodes premier at 8:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month on ZNS. Now, the properties featured are even being seen as podcasts on our award-winning Bahamas Realty website (it’s better than a virtual tour). Click here to view some of the podcasts. Here are some of the featured properties:

The Point Le Rochefort Victoria Gardens

It all began after I appeared on HGTV’s House Hunters International Episode #107, “Bahamas Dream Home,” (which is still running years later!). Friends started saying, “You should do your own show.” Eventually I did! Our third show featured the current “After” for the now unrecognizable house featured on HGTV.

Ours started as a 15 minute show with two featured properties. Now it is 30 minutes with four or more properties, all exclusive listings with Bahamas Realty Ltd., plus lots of tips such as the Gardening Guru’s “Tie One On,” (How to set Orchids free on trees); and “Green Tips” such as the many cleaning jobs you can do with vinegar and/or baking soda; or how to curtain French doors without blocking the breeze or the ocean view. Many of the properties featured have sold. People keep calling in tips.

Now, I try to be sure I’m presentable at all times. People come racing across parking lots to offer me listings or suggestions, saying “Hi, you’re Sara Parker for Bahamas Realty, Now!” Ah, the power of television. If you’re in the Bahamas looking for property, or cleaning or gardening tips, check out our schedule, printed on the back page of the Real Estate Section of the “Nassau Tribune” each Monday, or check out the podcasts on our website, currently featuring only properties.

One thing being on TV monthly teaches you is new respect for those who appear weekly or, heaven forbid, daily! Fortunately, I am a University of Missouri qualified journalist, home economist, and a real estate professional. “Bahamas Realty, Now” brings all that training and experience into use…and on view.

Posted By: Sara Parker

Unexpected Joys of Life in The Bahamas

2009-05-29T16:17:00Z

What else is there to enjoy in The Bahamas after the glorious sun, sand and sea?

How about:

Growing orchids on your trees in a climate that is a natural greenhouse…all year long? About 60 species of orchids grow wild in the Bahamas and most of the “tame” orchids adapt to life here enthusiastically.

Walking out the front door of your Ocean Club Estates residence on Paradise Island to rub elbows with celebrities on the One and Only Ocean Club Golf Course…while your son goes out the back door to rev up your boat for a lobster fishing trip at Rose Island?

Drinking coconut water fresh from the tree in your backyard or beach? Or making really organic coconut ice cream from jelly coconut?

Taking the kids to the Jonus Brothers or Miley Cyrus concerts at Atlantis? Or seeing Boyz II Men or The Pointer Sisters or Michael Bolton at the Wyndham Resort, West Bay Street?

All up close and personal…and all among the unexpected joys of life in The Bahamas.

Preview YOUR Bahamas Lifestyle on our award winning website, BahamasRealty.bs…complete with podcasts of extraordinary properties for sale or rent. And, when you want to see for yourself how our Bahamas lifestyle fits you and your family, please contact me, Sara Parker: sparker@bahamasrealty.bs.

Posted By: Sara Parker