Tastefully done holiday decorations can be the eye candy that captures a buyer's interest.
 
Many sales and contracts are negotiated during the holidays in the Bahamas.  In the islands, the holidays signal the start of a peak travel and tourist season.  In the Bahamian Real Estate industry this is a prime time for visitors interested in second home ownership to view properties.
 
During this time many homes are decorated for the holidays.  Sometimes decorations can be a distraction and not allow the home to show well.  However, when done well they can showcase the home and increase the purchasers appreciation of the property.  HGC suggests to our clients to use elegant themes and warns against over-decoration.
 
Seasoned agents usually advise their clients to,  "Watch for things that could keep the buyer from being comfortable and able to visualize the home as their own."
 
Here are some useful tips from designer Rick Davies, co-owner of Lafayette & Rushford Home, a home decor store in Dunedin, Fla.,:
 
· Work with what can't be changed. Work carefully with the color, style, and age of the home.
 
· Consider proportions. Don't put a huge wreath on a tiny door.
 
· Light the way. Simple pathway lights are a gracious way to greet potential buyers.
 
· Be subtle. Choose contemporary colors, including bright greens, lemongrass, golds, and ambers.
 
· Natural is in. Natural-look and organic materials are in vogue, including berries, artichokes, moss, twigs, acorns, and feathers.

THE JOY OF GIVING

By Samara Albury

Over 6 years ago, my husband Christopher and I were asked to volunteer an hour of our time every 2 weeks to spend time with a child who lived in a Children's Home.  We signed up filling in the last space available on the list - Jerromie, Age 9. What started off as brief visitations quickly escalated to spending a couple hours together almost every week. Christopher and I committed that we would be Jerromie's friends for life, help him whenever we could and never break that promise.  Jerromie was floundering in our over-populated government school system, so we arranged for him to attend a private school where his education could be tailored to suit his needs. With this individualized attention Jerromie has flourished and has a good grade point average.  Now six years later, it was time for us to give Jerromie, who is now almost 16 years old, a brief glimpse of the world outside of Nassau.  So Jerromie accompanied our family and us to Disney World for his first vacation. It was a trip of many "firsts" as he would experience his first plane ride, spend his first night in a hotel, and go on his first roller coaster. There was also a first for us as Jerromie performed a "magic" trick with all the composure of a David Copperfield!  Who knows what other talents are laying dormant in this  sweet natured young man? 

After living in a Children's Home for 11 years, Jerromie is now living at home with his family and we continue to mentor him on his journey to adulthood. A child needs someone they can depend on when there is no one else there and we feel so blessed to have Jerromie in our lives.  We often now ask people if they can give up 2 hours a month to spend time getting to know a child? I will tell you this, in the beginning we thought we were giving Jerromie something but it is amazing how the more time we give him, the more we receive in return. The joy and peace you feel when you make a difference in a child's life can never be measured. I encourage anyone who reads this story and feels a tug on their heart to ask yourself this question, "What would our country look like if all of our children had just one person that they could depend on and that would be an example to them of unconditional love?"

I will end with this quote by John Bunyan, which states, "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."