2009 approaching

Well Christmas is getting closer and closer and so is the New Year! I've been talking and talking about how the locals have been buying or at least going through the financing process hoping to buy. Generally at the beginning of any year I see a rise in locals having an interest in real estate.

When a new year rolls in people tend to set goals for themselves. I hear people saying 'oh next year I gotta try buy me a piece of land to build my house', and I think that this year will be no exception. People still have the desire to own their own home and will pursue this when they realize we are in a buyers market and they can take advantage of that.

What a better way to start off the new year then making preparations to build or buy a place for you and your family.

~Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
Mailin Sands

Abaco Home Show

HI Folks,
Hope all had a very Happy Thanksgiving! Just wanted to drop a few lines here to let you know that I thought the First Annual Abaco Home Show went pretty well. There was a nice turnout and thought that the participation was well rounded. Meaning that there were many different types of businesses represented. From banks, to hardware stores, to landscaping and cabinetry and more. Our BREA booth was visited by a few potential buyers. I was proud of this as I love to see young locals try and make something for themselves. I'm glad there is that desire of home ownership and that they aren't just going to settle on renting for a long time. They are realizing that they can achieve the dream of owning their own home, and the smart investment of purchasing property. I am looking forward to the Second Annual Abaco Home Show next year!!!

Summer Place

Hi Folks,

I just listed a property in Man-O-War called 'Summer Place'. A low maintenance simple house that is an ideal place for a getaway! It has three bedrooms so there is room to bring your children and grandchildren to enjoy the charming community of Man-O-War. There are numerous beaches on Man-O-War and the neighbourhood is quiet, safe and peaceful and maybe best of all is located across the street from the ice-cream place and Marina/Restuarant where all sorts of delicious treats can be found!

Here is the link to check it out:

http://www.coldwellbankerbahamas.com/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=1459

Your Real Estate Agent
~Mailin

Full Moon Dinner

The Abaco Beach Resort recently started having Full Moon Dinner show. The setting is the beach right there on the grounds. The first dinner started out with cocktails and teh guests enjoyed Bahamian conch salad, boiled fish and an old time favorite 'Johnny Cake'. Guests enjoyed the sounds of Bahamian music

The resort is under new management as of earlier this year and this is a new idea that he has implemented. Seems like a good one to me. The next one is scheduled for Nov 8th. There was also a movie for kids shown at the below decks and kids enjoyed a night of fun with fellow guests as they munched on popcorn.

As the holidays approach the hotel will be offering special menus and there will be entertainment from the local Abaco bands and Abaco church's.

I'm happy the hotel is able to offer this for it's guests and also the natives.

~Mailin Sands

Well I am back from cruising the Western Caribbean. It was a nice trip and the ship was lovely. The down side of things was it was cloudy and rainy almost the entire time. I had originally booked the cruise mainly to go to Grand Cayman. Unfortunately due to the heavy sea surge we were not able to tender in to that port. I was quite disappointed but had to make the best of it. We took a tour of the Dunn's River Falls. It was amazing to see.

During all of this cruising and site seeing I found a little bit of time to sneak some work in and check my emails. Things were still on the quiet side but I was able to put a new house listing under contract so I guess some things were happening in the real estate world here in Abaco.

All in all though the market is still soft and now with the US election day over with hopefully the economy will pick up and people will be ready to travel and invest again, and what better place than Abaco which is so close to the US.

~Mailin Sands

Cruising....

HI folks,

Well I'm off tomorrow on my annual cruise! We'll be going to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica. My husband and I love cruising and totally enjoy everything about it. From the large ship, to the food and entertainment right down to the total relaxation. I imagine its the same type of relaxation as those of you get when traveling here to Abaco for vacation. You can just stretch off in a hammock somewhere or have long lazy days on our beautiful white beaches. I'll be back on Nov 3rd and will blog about the trip then.

Until next time
~Mailin Sands

Enhancing your home while it's on the market

First impressions are always the lasting impressions and are important when a buyer is viewing your house. There are a few things that you'd want to do when you know your house is going to be shown.

Keep your lawn mowed and trim and looking fresh as this is what the buyer sees first when driving by. It's curb appeal can determine whether or not a buyer even calls to inquire on the listing. You'll want to make sure that your porch is swept off and that there is no mess outside from your pets.

You can enhance your home by making sure your kids' toys have been put away, and the counter tops and furniture have been dusted to give it a clean surface. Give the carpet a 'once over' with a vacuum cleaner. Open the curtains and blinds so that the house can look cheerful and inviting and soft back ground music would be an absolute plus.

You want the buyers to feel as comfortable as possible so they can imagine this as their home. Make sure and leave the house before the agent and the potential buyer show up so that the buyer does not feel like they are intruding. It is important for a buyer to be able to walk through the house freely and look in the closets and cabinets with no pressure. After all, this is an important decision for the buyer as well.

Here in Abaco we are blessed to have such beautiful scenery. There are many native plants that you can add to your yard to give vibrant color. There're bougainvillea, Oleander, Yellow Elder and many more. A few of these plant can certainly spruce up any yard.

I'm glad to share these few tips with you on enhancing your home.

~Mailin Sands

The importance of pricing your home correctly.

OK, so you’re thinking about putting your property on the market. You’re thinking I want to list with a Real Estate Agent. You’re thinking I want to try to get as much as I can so I’m going to ask more for it than I should in case someone makes an offer and I have to come down. Here’s where you start going off track. Listen to your real estate professional and let them guide you. They have the knowledge and experience to assist you in pricing your home correctly.

When your house first goes on the market this is the time that it attracts the most attention. It’s new, it’s fresh and people are curious. Serious buyers who have been looking for perhaps a while have most likely done their own research and will know that your listing is over priced. They will move on and continue with their search. The fact that they know this is over priced may detour them from inquiring about the listing at all. Months later when you realize that you must drop the price you have already missed that first burst of curiosity and interest and you risk your home looking stale in the market place. People begin to wonder, ‘Mmm, wonder what’s wrong with this house?’ And remember that your sentimental feelings about the house have no value to a buyer. It sounds harsh, yes, but a serious and motivated Seller realizes that pricing their property at fair market value is a factor in order to sell.

We at Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty are experienced and are a powerful team with a wide networking family of 117,000 Coldwell Banker agents world wide. Let us help you determine the best price attainable for your property and begin working for you today!

Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
~Mailin Sands

Here are few scenery shots from around the island of Abaco.
~Mailin Sands

Buyer Info

Good Day All,

I thought it would be a good idea to include a link here that will direct you to the Buyer's page on our website. This page gives you the break down on the stamp tax that's payable when buying/selling a property, as well as the rates on property taxes.

Follow this link for that information. You can copy and paste it in your web browser.
http://www.coldwellbankerbahamas.com/page-Buyers+Guide-7.html

If you are considering purchasing real estate in Abaco this is information that you will want to know. I am happy to provide it to you.

~Mailin Sands

Discovery Day Holiday

This weekend is a long weekend as Monday is a holiday. Oct 12th is the day that is recognized as our Discovery Day when Christopher Columbus discovered the Bahamas. The 12th falls on a Sunday therefore the holiday is upheld on the Monday. Many people will take advantage of this day to go boating, fishing, or simply relax.

In Man-O-War this is the weekend that The Gospel Chapel hosts their annual Discovery Day Conference. The elders of this church invite Bahamian Ministers as well as International Ministers to speak at the services. Other people participate by ministering in song. Afterward everyone gathers for fellowship as lunch/dinner is served next door. It's usually a nice event as locals from the surrounding cays also attend, and even people from other Bahama islands. All are welcome.

Abaco's new web site

For anyone out there that may be reading this blog, I wanted to let you know that in addition to our companies main web-site of www.coldwellbankerbahamas.com, we have created an Abaco website, www.realestateabaco.com

We are still building this site everyday. We are constantly trying to add fresh and new material to enhance your web experience. Be sure and keep checking for the recipe page that will soon be added! You won't be disappointed.

This site is primarily about the lifestyles of Abaco. This island of Abaco holds the most rustic of houses from yesteryear as well as the most prestigious homes of the modern day.

If you want to be in the middle of things or away from it all so you can enjoy the quiet and the island in it's most natural state, I am happy to find that special property for you. Visit our new site and begin your exciting journey now!

~Mailin Sands

Kipp House

This immaculate 2-level, 3-bedroom, 3-bath home is set on a double waterfront lot on a postcard-pretty island. Capture amazing views of the Atlantic from your dining room, living area and kitchen thru the floor to ceiling windows. This waterfront delight is outfitted in ceramic tiles and Corian countertops and entertaining has never been more enjoyable.

The lower level is self contained and is the perfect place for your guests. It also features water views and a large deck. This property features ample storage, a wrap-around deck providing a calm area no matter which way the wind is blowing, 150 feet of oceanfront, a generator and more. US $1,775,000.

~Mailin Sands

Bahamas MLS

I am proud to tell you all that The Bahamas Real Estate Association launched a Multiple Listing Service earlier this year. While the MLS has been around for a long time in the US and Canada this is our first national MLS. So far there have been quite a number of companies joining with more following. I have no doubt that this will prove to enhance our service to our sellers and buyers alike. Realtors who have joined thus far is quite excited about this new fantastic tool. This will also give us the opportunity to gather statistics and better enable us to provide comparables once we’ve built up a nice history in the database.

If you are considering selling your property here in the Bahamas I would strongly recommend that you list with an agent who is indeed a member of the Bahamas MLS. As of the October 08 update, there are 123 participating members and 39 participating offices. This is great exposure for your property. I am always looking for ways to improve service and exceed clients expectations, so joining the MLS was not an option but rather something that I just had to do.

Is your agent a member?

~Mailin Sands

Excitement on our little island

Several weeks back our little Abaco community of Man-O-War Cay was buzzing! I had just got off the ferry when I was told that if I wanted to see Kenny Chesney in concert , be at the Dock n Dine restaurant at 6:30 as he would be there playing his guitar and singing on the open air deck. I was actually feeling under the weather that day , but just couldn’t pass up this special opportunity. Apparently Kenny was visiting Abaco and shooting scenes for an upcoming video. The local ladies cooked lunch for the Chesney crew , which included crawfish and macaroni and cheese, and escorted them around in style….by golf cart! :)

They shot a few gorgeous Abaco scenes I’m sure, as they took advantage of a post card pretty area on our island known as ‘the low place . ’ I am sure the cool turquoise water and powder white sand will sparkle beautifully in his video.

Kenny and his crew showed such down to earth qualities as they sat around the deck of the restaurant so casually and talked with the locals and sang to us and even let a few local s participate. If I wasn’t feeling under the weather I just might have sang a few notes myself…not! They were all great with the kids and I’m sure this big excitement will last a long time in the hearts of the Abaco children. I’m hearing that Kenny’s new video will soon be airing on the GAC channel. I think folks are keeping an eye on the GAC website for airing times.

Perhaps if Kenny shows up to visit Man-O-War again he'll bring Uncle Kracker along! I personally enjoy the song they perform together called- Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down. And this was certainly true that special Monday evening in Man-O-War :)

Well what can I say ? I got up that morning , went to work selling Abaco real estate on our beautiful sun filled island , came home that evening and enjoyed a casual Kenny Chesney concert as the sun went down. Man, things are tough! Lol

~Mailin Sands