HGChristie's Bahamas Real Estate Review Newsletter

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Real Estate Review
Everything You Need to Know About Real Estate in the Bahamas

Issue 2009-09

NOVEMBER 2009

November 2009 at HG Christie

Confirming its position as a top sailing destination The Bahamas was host to this year's Sunfish World Championship for the third time. Montagu Bay on the Eastern shores of New Providence, is noted as 'just simply one of the best dingy sailing areas in the world'. Many sailors from around the globe had the opportunity to experience firsthand the sailing allure of our azure seas and tropical breezes in this prestigious event, including Dwayne Wallas, Estate Agent in our Marsh Harbour Abaco office.

Refreshing 'winds of change' are also being felt in the real estate market. Recent activity seems to be providing an opportunity to 'come about' in a sluggish Bahamian real estate market. The 'apparent wind' has been created by some large ticket offers and several closings . The western end of New Providence continues to provide movement with new developments such as Caves Heights, Love Beach and Albany. All are creating an impressive 'wake' for others to follow and has the real estate market 'jibing' in a positive direction.

As always, it is our goal to find the 'eye of the wind' as we look forward to 2010 to share updates, new and exciting listings and can't miss opportunities.

So we invite you to 'set sail' for the beautiful Bahamas and enjoy all we have to share in the 'course' of this issue.

John Christie
HG Christie Ltd.

Feature:

Walker's Cay, Abaco

A Fishing Paradise

For over fifty years, Walker's Cay has been a legendary fishing resort known by fisherman worldwide as the premier deep-sea fishing location. This beautiful island has exposure to the Atlantic Ocean on both the north and east sides, as well as proximity to Matanilla Shoal which gives the area the unique conditions which make its fishing unmatched, and like nowhere else on earth. The cay is over 58 acres in size with a 2,800-foot airstrip, state-of-the-art electric generating facility, and a marina. Approvals are in place for a second marina, new hotel and retail space, over 100 residential units, and beach and yacht clubs. Insight and vision can re-establish Walker's Cay as the ultimate fishing paradise. This property is a perfect project for a developer who is a fishing enthusiast who would wish to re-develop this world-renowned fishing icon.

Walker's Cay has the strategic advantage of being the northern most Island in the Bahamas, thus making it the first stop-off for US boaters and yachtsmen as they move down the Abaco chain. Walker's offers both flats fishing adjacent to the Island and deep water fishing just minutes away. The Island has earned its International fishing reputation in large part from famous fishing tournaments which have yielded many world records over the years.

The island is truly a gem just waiting to be developed.

- Expanded Marinas are designed to accommodate boats ranging in size from 33' to 150'+

- Concepts include a waterfront restaurant, Harbourmaster facility, Customs/Immigration building, retail at the Marina, Spa, Beach and Yacht Clubs

- Residential units with locations on the Marina, Bluff and Beach

Some lucky buyer will bring this Bahama gem back to its original luster making Walker's Cay that coveted island fishing destination again! For more information visit this listing AS11252 online.

HGC Update:

Go Ripped Chix
HGChristie Agent gears up to compete in Conchman Triathlon

Iron-Woman and Grand Bahama agent, Allison LaFrenier, is training to participate in this year's grueling Conchman Triathlon.

In appreciation for the quality of striving for excellence, HG Christie has chosen to proudly sponser a dynamic triathlon team, aptly named the Ripped Chix, to compete in Grand Bahama's famed Conchman Triathlon which will be held on Saturday, November 7th, 2009.

"Ripped Chix" is the accronym for Really Incredible Perfectly Passionate Exceptionally Divine Constantly Hopeful Interminably

X-ilerating.

The Ripped Chix, comprised of five (5) members including Grand Bahama agent, Allison LaFrenier, have been training and conditioning for several months for the event. Triathlons require proficiency in the three disciplines of swimming, cycling and running. This is the Conchman's 23rd annual race and includes a 1K Swim, 25K Bicycle race, and 5K Run. Participant ages range from 16 and Under to Over 70.

HGChristie Ltd. commends and cheers Allison and her teammates for their participation in this event and promises to report back with results. Go get 'em Girls!

Team members left to right: Christine Bonaventure, Allison Lafrenier, Lisa Delusignan, Laurie Tuchel. Not pictured: Allison Callahan

For more information about the triathlon, visit: www.conchman.com

Out Island Buzz:

AbacoCottage.com

Vacationing in Abaco just got a little easier...

Abaco Cottage

The website: AbacoCottage.com has quickly become one of the largest searchable databases of rental homes and resorts in Abaco with more homes joining every day. "Typically if you want to find a place to stay in Abaco," Robbie Bethel, owner of Abaco Cottage Properties and one of our Abaco HG Christie agents explained, "you have to pick an island then search through several or more websites for the various property management companies, resorts or privately rented homes in that location. This website makes all of that time and effort unnecessary with a one-stop-shop."
Abaco Cottage includes privately rented homes, homes managed by rental companies, as well as resorts that maintain cottages in addition to their rooms. These properties are in all of the major Abaco locations: Hope Town and Elbow Cay, Lubber's Quarters and Tilloo Cay, Man-O-War, Guana Cay, Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay and Green Turtle Cay.

The website is searchable by a number of different factors, including price, number of bedrooms, location, house name, dockage, sleep capacity, amenities, interactive maps and more. The site also has helpful information about traveling to and around the Abacos, destination wedding ideas, local restaurants and specific details about each location. Abaco Cottage was launched on September 1, 2009 and the hits have been nearly doubling each week.

In the coming months the company will also be launching "Out Island Cottage" a comprehensive rental home and resort search website for just the Out Islands (a first of its kind). All properties on AbacoCottage.com will automatically be included in the Abaco section of that site at no extra charge. Abaco Cottage does not take referrals or commissions for rentals. The cost per home is $180 per year, "which is highly reasonable when you consider the exposure you get, also that one rental will more than cover that cost," says Bethel.

Persons or agencies interested in signing up their rental homes or resorts should contact Robbie Bethel at info@AbacoCottage.com or call 242-366-0576.

Our Community:

Sunfish World Championship
Bahamas is host again for 2009

The Sunfish World Championship had another great year. Ninety-seven (97) competitors from sixteen (16) countries traveled to The Bahamas to participate in the 2009 Sunfish World Championships in October held in Nassau's historical Montagu Bay.

For more information, visit: Sunfish World Championships

Visit Abaco rentals at Calamity's Cottage or New Providence rentals at Caprice # 15

Our Blog:
Horizons

Real Estate in "the breeze"

Today there are a number of wonderful real estate offerings in the Montagu Bay Area, below are a few housing ideas in the area.
Note the ever present sparkling, sailing playground as a recurring theme in the pictures...

To see the full text and for more information on this and other topics visit us at our blog - Horizons .

Upcoming Events:

Don't Miss These Exciting Events!

Nov 7 - Cancer Society "Stride For Life" Walk

The Cancer Society of The Bahamas holds a "Stride For Life" Fun Run and Walk. Registered participants receive a free T-shirt and gift and all walkers can win many exciting prizes in a free raffle.

Nov 7 - BASRA's Evening of Elegance At Old Fort Bay

Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association holds its annual celebration fundraiser, An Evening of Elegance with dancing, entertainment and prizes.

Nov 8 - Fred Higgs Golf Challenge

The 13th Annual Kerzner International/Fred Higgs Corporate Golf Challenge is held. Scheduled to be the largest Bahamas Golf Federation event of the year, a Jaguar X-Type is awarded to the 1st hole-in-one.

THE 2009 REALTORS� CONFERENCE & EXPO
- Where: San Diego, California, U.S.A.
- When: November 13 - 16, 2009
- To Register or Buy Tickets: Visit The Website

HG Christie Office Directory

NASSAU	Head Office: Millar's Court P.O. Box N-8164 Nassau, Bahamas Phone: (242) 322-1041 Fax: (242) 326-5642 sales@hgchristie.com
ABACO	Abaco Main Office: P.O. Box AB-20106 Marsh Harbour Abaco, Bahamas Phone: (242) 367-5454 Fax: (242) 367-5452 abaco@hgchristie.com Hope Town/Elbow Cay Abaco, Bahamas Phone: (242) 366-0700 Fax: (242) 366-0701 hopetown@hgchristie.com
ELEUTHERA	Eleuthera Main Office: P.O. Box EL-25148 Governor's Harbour Phone: (242) 332-3404 Fax: (242) 332-3406 eleuthera@hgchristie.com Windermere Island Eleuthera, Bahamas Phone: (242) 334-2298 Fax: (242) 334-2818 windermere@hgchristie.com
EXUMA	P.O. Box EX-29122 George Town, Exuma, Bahamas Phone: (242) 336-2274 Fax: (242) 336-2272 exuma@hgchristie.com
GRAND BAHAMA	P.O. Box F-42498/#360 The Mall Drive (Opposite International Bazaar) Freeport, Grand Bahama Phone: (242) 351-8501 Fax: (242) 351-7491 grandbahama@hgchristie.com
TURKS & CAICOS	P.O. Box 264 Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands Phone: (649) 231-2110 Fax: (649) 342-1522 sales@hgchristie.com