Tropic of Cancer beach, Exuma

Also called Pelican Beach, Tropic of Cancer Beach is the longest beach in the Exuma Chain. Located on little Exuma, some describe this beach as the most beautiful beach that they have ever seen with its super blue waters and calm surroundings.

Beaches of Stocking Island, off the port of Exuma

Stocking Island, located off Great Exuma, is known for its picturesque scenery. This island not only draws in visitors because of its crystal clear beauty but the friendly stingrays there will keep anyone coming back.

Big Major Cay (Pig Beach), Exuma

Most beaches are popular for their beauty but Big Major Cay, also known as “Pig Beach,” is famous for its swimming pigs. Yes, you read that right! The pigs on the island offer an amazing experience for visitors, allowing you to pet them, feed them, and even swim with them.

Cape Santa Maria Beach, Long Island

Just one visit to Cape Santa Maria Beach and you will never want to leave. This highly rated beach is known by many as the most beautiful beach on Long Island, mainly because of its clear blue waters.

Great Guana Cay, Abaco

If you are looking for a beach with miles of white sand, along with peace and tranquility, Great Guana Cay beach is perfect for you. It is great for running, snorkeling, and collecting shells.

Kamalame Cay Beach, Andros

You may know of Kamalame Cay Beach through celebrities and social media influencers, but it is even more, stunning in person! Located on a private island, Kamalame Cay Beach offers an off-the-grid experience with raw beauty, unlike many other beaches.

Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island

The name is pretty much self-explanatory for this beach. Pink Sands Beach boasts miles of pink sand and this is really what sets it apart from other beaches. This beach is popular among vacationers from near and far looking to experience a beach like no other.

Fernandez Bay, Cat island

Located in New Bight, Cat Island, this wonderful beach offers amazing views and great restaurants and while there you may even find sand dollars in the sand to start your collection.

Lighthouse Beach, Eleuthera

The road to get to this beach may be pretty rocky but Lighthouse Beach is worth the journey. Once you arrive to this beach, you will feel a sense of calmness while watching the waves go back and forth on the shoreline.

Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island

Cabbage Beach is very popular among visitors and locals to Paradise Island. The waters can be rough at times but that does not take away from the astonishing beauty of its turquoise waters. You can find locals at this beach taking advantage of their jet skis from time to time.

 

At Bahamas Realty, we know that pets are a part of the family. After all, most of us are pet owners too.

But how much do pets factor into the decision when buying a home? It turns out, quite a lot.

How Much Pets Matter When Buying a Home

According to a recent survey by Realtor.com:
 

• Over 80% of buyers were pet owners;
• 95% consider the needs of their pets when selecting the right home to buy; and,
• nearly 70% would pass on their dream home if it didn’t accommodate the needs of their furry family members.

Back in the day, pets were considered a major hurdle to the home-selling process. But with more animal lovers buying than ever before, Sellers should embrace family pets and showcase the things that make your home purr-fect for the whole family. You'll have more potential buyers knocking at your door. Click here for tips for selling your pet friendly home.

 

Fun Fact: One in four people buy Valentine’s Day gifts for their pets.

Pet-Friendly Rental Properties Can Make More Money

 

Given how many people now count a pet as a member of their family, it's no surprise that pet-friendly rental properties fill vacancies faster and keep great tenants! If you are a landlord, consider making your home a pet-friendly property. The pool of rental properties that allow pets is much smaller so rentals that accommodate our furry family members are in greater demand, and rent for a higher price.

While there are risks to renting to pet owners, if you take a few precautions, such as including the right wording in the lease, the returns can be great. Here are some tips to make your rental property pet-friendly while protecting your investment.

 

Looking to buy, sell or rent a pet-friendly property? Contact a Bahamas Realty agent today.

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State of the Luxury Market: The Caribbean
LPI Connected Conversations

Bahamas Realty Director, Andrea Brownrigg was recently featured in an exclusive podcast from Luxury Portfolio International for members around the globe with an update on what's happening in high-end island markets. The conversation covered how COVID-19 has affected the demand for resort properties, the kind of properties and amenities that buyers are looking for right now, and how real estate business is being conducted in these second-home markets.

Key takeaways:

• For luxury buyers, the pandemic has created an increase in demand for large, private estate properties with access to an outdoor lifestyle that's safe for the family.
• The demographics of buyers hasn't changed, despite the challenges in travel.
• Virtual tours and online life has changed how business is done, including how property transactions take place. Buyers are now purchasing property that they have "toured" without ever setting foot inside.

Andrea was joined by our LPI affiliate, Bernadette Hunt, of Turks & Caicos Property., and Anne Colvin, Director of Member Services for LPI.

Catch the whole conversation on Vimeo, Spotify or Apple Podcasts: LPI Connected Conversations.
 

                

 

MORE: Luxury Portfolio International recently released a first-of-its-kind report on the State of Luxury Real Estate globally. Read more here.

Did your New Year’s resolution go out the window already? You’re not alone. By about the beginning of February, approximately 80% of people fail at their New Year’s resolutions.

Amazingly, while most people begin the year with a resolution, the majority expect to fail before they even start. That’s not a very positive way to start the year, but we’ve got a better plan.

Whether you are determined to learn something new, improve your health, or increase your business success, the key is NOT to set a resolution but to set a SMART goal.

 

According to research shared by Forbes, there are two reasons we typically fail at our resolutions:

1. We weren’t very committed anyway (see: expect to fail)

2. “Because we felt some pressure to create this goal, we likely haven’t fully thought through all the people that will benefit from our achievement.”

At Bahamas Realty, our team is changing how we look at goal setting, and instead of setting unrealistic, and empty-ended resolutions, we’re setting SMART goals.

To make sure your goals are attainable, they should be based on a reachable target, and motivation based.
 

What Does SMART Mean?

SMART is a formula that you use to guide your goal setting. SMART is an acronym that stands for the following terms:

Specific (simple, sensible, significant).

Measurable (meaningful, motivating).

Achievable (agreed, attainable).

Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).

Time bound (time-based, time-limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).

Why does it work?

Using SMART goals “sets boundaries and defines the steps you’ll need to take, resources necessary to get there and milestones that indicate progress along the way.” (Indeed.com) With SMART goals, you aren’t just setting a vague, unattainable goal, you’re creating the roadmap to get there.

 

Example 1:

Resolution: Lose weight!

If you, like many people, set a resolution to get healthier this year, BIN IT. Instead, be specific: Plan to join an outdoor exercise class and give yourself a deadline - that is an attainable plan, with a sense of direction that you can accomplish.

 

Example 2:

Resolution: Save money!

Think about your WHY. Perhaps you want to save money so that you can buy a new home. Using the SMART formula, you can make it achievable:
"I will save a specific amount of money each week to buy a home with a downpayment of 10% by 2022."
(Tip: Don't forget R - be Realistic about your circumstance, and adjust if necessary).

SMART goals can be applied to all aspects of your life, from your business to your personal life.

 

To better understand each step, check out this excellent breakdown (with examples!) from Indeed

And then say good riddance to guilt-ridden New Year’s resolutions.

 

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NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial, a leading full-service independent commercial real estate firm, announced today that the Cave’s Corporate Center West is now 100% leased. The NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial exclusive listing is a newly constructed Class A office building located on West Bay Street and Blake Road. 

 

“The Caves Corporate Center West has been highly sought after since its ground breaking in 2019,” said NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial’s CEO, Donald Martinborough. “We are thrilled to see the project near completion and to have represented the developers, Mosko United Construction Company, in the successful negotiation of the lease of the final remaining spaces.” 
 

The Caves Corporate Center West is comprised of 25,000 square feet of Class A, Build-to-Suit office space. The three-story Class Abuilding is designed to offer spectacular ocean views and is ideally situated within minutes to the international airport and the Bahamar Resort. 
 

NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial previously announced the lease of 18,000 sq. ft. of the building to anchor tenant, Ernst & Young. The remaining 7,000 sq ft. will be occupied by Trident Trust Group, also represented by NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial, and Banco Santander Intl. 
 

NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial specializes in the sale, lease, and management of Build-to-Suit properties. These buildings represent the newest and highest quality buildings in the Bahamas commercial market. They are well located, feature top of the line construction, and possess high-quality building infrastructure. As a result of this, they attract the highest quality tenants. 
 

“We’re seeing a greater demand in this type of commercial development as it becomes the industry standard in international markets,” said Martinborough. “Looking ahead, we anticipate the demand for professionally managed properties with Build-to-Suit options increasing, as tenants are attracted to spaces designed and tailored specifically to their needs.”

 

About NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial.

 

NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial, an exclusive member of NAI Global, is a corporate real estate services company dedicated to offering the finest commercial real estate and property management services in The Bahamas. It is the commercial division of Bahamas Realty Limited, a full-service real estate company established in 1949 offering a full range of services for both residential and commercial properties.

To learn more about our Commercial Real Estate Services Click Here

 

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year and this Christmas, #TeamBRL wants to share with you some of our home-cooked favourites that bring back great memories during the holidays. From our homes to yours, enjoy! 

We'll be adding new recipes as the holidays approach, so be sure to check back, or Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all our Home Cooked Holiday posts!
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1. Butter Tarts

“Although I’ve lived in The Bahamas for over a decade, these sweet Canadian indulgences still taste like home to me at the holidays. A silky, gooey, flaky, decadent butter tart is the perfect baked gift for a neighbour, if you don’t eat them all yourself. Good luck with that!”
- Iona Henderson, Marketing Coordinator

Click here for a fantastic classic butter tart recipe from RockRecipes.com 

This recipe goes into the great debate of whether or not to add raisins. Many people prefer add pecans for a delightful crunch that is reminiscent of a pecan pie. Either way, you can't go wrong!

2. Corn Casserole

Originating from the Midwest, it is all about casseroles for Michelle at the holidays.

The easier the better for this busy mom of 3! Corn casserole only requires 7 ingredients and even the pickiest of eaters love corn. Michelle Martinborough, Sales Associate

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Recipe:
1 box jiffy corn mix
1 can of corn (drained)
1 can of creamed corn (not drained)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated cheese
1/2 cup melted butter
1 egg
Throw it all in a bowl, mix and pour into a greased 8x8 baking pan at 350 degrees for 45 -50 minutes.

3. Johnny Cake - A great Bahamian classic! 

"I want to highlight my Mom’s Johnny Cake specifically because no one makes it like she does. It’s the perfect balance between cake and bread with just the right crust on top. Served with some room temperature butter, it will melt in your mouth like heaven." - Tierra Rolle, Appraisals Assistant

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Recipe:
4.5 cup of Flour
1 cup Sugar
4.5 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 stick of butter (softened)
1/2 cup of margarine (softened)
1 egg
3/4 cups of coconut milk/ cream
1/3 cup water

Directions
Step 1: Mix all dry ingredients together.
Step 2: Cut butter and margarine into small cubes then add to flour. Note, the butter and margarine should look grainy as it mix.
Step 3: Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to over mix.
Step 4: Preheat oven 350 degrees. Pour batter into 9 x 9 pan. Bake Johnny Cake for 45 minutes and gauge completion by the testing knife coming out clean.

Learn all about the history of Johnny Cake here.

4. Carrot Cake

"My family has, over the years, developed many traditions just for Christmas. One of our favorite traditions, we share is baking a Carrot Cake the night before Christmas day, which is my family's favorite Christmas dessert. For the past four years, we always use Sally's Baking Addiction's My Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe which is always a staple at the Christmas dinner table. We love this recipe because with the addition of a list of spices such as nutmeg, ginger, and ground cloves gives the cake a distinct taste. Along, with 2 cups of fresh shredded carrots which will give the cake mixture a rich and moist taste. Trust when I say, one slice of this Carrot Cake is never enough for each member of my family." - Jillien Mortimer, Commercial Assistant

Click here for the recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.

5.... to be announced. We'll be adding new recipes as the holidays approach, so be sure to check back, or Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all our Home Cooked Holiday posts!

 

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As a country with an abundance of sunshine, The Bahamas is slowly but surely taking advantage of all the benefits that come along with solar energy in terms of improving the country and livelihood of its citizens. In fact, The Bahamas has about 340 sunny days a year! As people begin to look for more sustainable ways to reduce energy consumption and save on costs, more individuals and companies in The Bahamas are opening their eyes to all the possibilities solar energy can bring. 

 

Cutting Down the Electric Bill 

The residential real estate industry has seen an uptick in solar-powered homes throughout the years, with some homes even going completely solar, like this home on Paradise Island which was recently sold by Bahamas Realty agent, Andrea Brownrigg which is completely powered by its own solar grid.

 

Homeowners have recognized the positive impact solar energy can have on their cost savings in the long run. For many homes, the electricity bill makes up a large portion of the expenses so when the energy costs are cut, money will be saved. In addition, the rising energy costs make the transition to solar energy a no brainer for so many homeowners. Even a smaller solar panel for hot water can produce significant savings for the average household. 
 

Commercial Properties Benefit from Financial Savings and More 

Commercial companies like NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial have started making the transition to more sustainable energy solutions by changing out light bulbs to LED, replacing HVAC units with energy-efficient ones, and having programmable thermostats in offices. Although these changes may seem small compared to installing full-blown solar panels, these efforts have led to 25% average savings in energy across the buildings that NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial manages. 

“Many office buildings in The Bahamas are older, and most are multi-tenant buildings. Achieving energy efficiency in these spaces has its challenges. We work with landlords and tenants to help them make practical changes to reduce energy waste which benefit both parties in the long run,” said Donald Martinborough, CEO of Bahamas Realty and NAI Bahamas Realty Commercial 

Not only are there direct financial benefits of a green, efficient space, but embracing green energy ideals can have positive impacts on a company’s brand and community relations. The added benefit? A strong relationship between tenant and landlord and a more attractive commercial space for future tenants. 

“When renovating or building out a new space, tenants and landlords have a great opportunity to collaborate and go green. Relatively small changes in the design and build-out of the space can have a big impact on its energy efficiency and sustainability,” said Martinborough. 

The Bahamas Goes Green 

The solarized project forged between the government of The Bahamas and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an agreement signed in 2017 to “accelerate sustainable development” in The Bahamas. This $4 million dollar aims to save The Bahamas $350 thousand dollars and annually offset over 800 tons of carbon emissions by displacing thousands of litres of diesel fuel with a grid-tied solar system. 

Similar to the agreement signed in 2017, Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) launched the Family Island Solar Program with support from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and Carbon War Room’s Islands Energy Program. This program proposes to develop “solar-fueled power systems” on the Family Islands of Andros, Bimini, Eleuthera, and Inagua with hopes of meeting 30% of the electricity by the year 2030. 
 

What changes are you making to move toward a greener, more energy-efficient environment? 

Contact us to learn more about our commercial property management solutions, and how we can offer guidance in a green build-out. 

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Find your rhythm and call The Bahamas home for a year!

The Bahamas government has introduced the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS), a one-year extended-stay visa that offers the opportunity to live and work remotely or study from any of our beautiful islands. 

The Perfect Work-Life Balance

Make your work-from-home experience one of tropical breezes and sunshine soaked days. There has never been a better time for a change of scenery. The Bahamas offers a relaxed and fun beach-going lifestyle, with modern infrastructure, amenities, and services. With many direct flights from the East Coast and one-to-one US & Bahamian currency, doing business is as simple as opening up your laptop. 

Go Beyond the Classroom

With the BEATS program, students are invited to discover life on a new island, while having full access to the University of The Bahamas' counsellors, online library databases, and facilities. With campuses and centres on New Providence, Grand Bahama, San Salvador and an open learning platform, the University of The Bahamas (UB) extends your learning environment to the entire island chain of The Bahamas.

Learn more and apply for your BEATS visa: www.bahamasbeats.com 

 

There is a beach view to suit every budget. Contact us today to start exploring. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a dramatic shift in how in-person business is conducted in The Bahamas. How retail businesses have adapted, or in some cases, faltered, during the crisis may hold valuable lessons for the future of commerce in the country. If these lessons learned can be applied to our commercial spaces, could this be the push needed to revitalize downtown Nassau?

The Bahamas’ lack of urban planning and infrastructure is not well suited to home deliveries, yet we have seen many examples of innovative Bahamians offering grocery delivery across New Providence. Most Bahamian businesses have used a messenger service for years to deliver documents to other businesses, but imagine the industry’s growth and effectiveness if we invest in urban planning for our Capital city. 

Due to a lack of available land, and the age of most commercial buildings, drive through operations are a scarcity around town, yet over the past few months we witnessed curbside delivery of everything from paint to lawn mowers. Makeshift drive through pharmacies were established in parking lots with nothing more than construction cones.

Will we see a push to remodel or replace our commercial buildings to allow for the new norm?

The tourist retail market has become a ghost town, most stores shuttering their windows and doors painfully awaiting the day when the cruise ship industry returns. Could this be the ideal time for the downtown revitalization project to take hold, to replace the t-shirt shops and jewelry stores with unique cafes, boutiques, green spaces, music venues and a beautiful boardwalk?

Cities across North America have transformed their deserted downtowns into tourist attractions, why can't we?

The idea isn't a new one, but change has been slow to come. The Downtown Nassau Partnership , a public and private sector joint venture, was established in 2009 to assist with overseeing the restructuring of urban space on New Providence. This includes a social and economic transformation of the city of Nassau. However, few of the groups plans have come to fruition due to lack of funding and other roadblocks, including a lack of support from business owners in the more dilapidated downtown areas. 

A step in the right direction.

Recently, demolition began at the Prince George Wharf as the transformation of the new Nassau Cruise Port kicked off. The nearly $300M project is being spearheaded by Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator, and aims to completely revamp the area into a world-class port destination complete with open spaces, a museum and amphitheatre. The ambitious project aims to lead in the much anticipated, and long overdue redevelopment of Nassau's struggling downtown core.

Will this pandemic be the push The Bahamas needs to move forward?

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