Real Estate PROs May 2016 Newsletter
RE/MAX Bay Islands & Western Sunsets turns savvy, informed clients into Successful Homeowners, Investors & Sellers
Police Stickers Available
Every year the Rotary on Roatan has a fundraiser for the well-deserving and underfunded local Police Department. These stickers attach to your car and help a really a good cause. Stickers can be purchased through any Rotary member on the island, or stop by the front desk of our RE/MAX office in Jackson Plaza, and we will be happy to provide a sticker for you. Support your local law enforcement !
Medical News
HUGE News this month!
Quality medical care is a big concern for people who consider purchasing property here. As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, the top health provider in this country, CEMESA, is opening a new facility on Roatan. The new facility should be opening around the same time as publication of my next newsletter.
So what is the HUGE news? CEMESA will be the only care provider in this country to have what is called a JC Certification. For those without a medical background, JC Certification means the facility’s operation meets U.S. standards.
At this time in Central America, only facilities Costa Rica and Panama have this accreditation, and in the Caribbean the only island I am aware of with JC Certification is Cayman.
Although the facility will not be accredited immediately when they open, as they have to be an operational hospital first, eventually, CEMESA will have the ability to take U.S. insurances. This really sets the island apart from the pack in regard to retirement/vacation/investment tropical destinations.
Link: http://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/about-jci/what-sets-us-apart/
Discovery Tour Video
Several years ago, before we initiated the Discovery and Investment Tour, I sent out a newsletter asking if anyone would be interested in attending an upcoming tour. The response I received was overwhelming.
For those who may not be familiar with the Discovery and Investment Tour, you can go here to see what it entails:
Link: http://roatanbayisland.com/discovery-investment-tours/
To my surprise, I had over 200 people who expressed interest and wanted additional information about the tour.
I realized there was no way our company could possibly handle that number of people. Honestly, putting together a concierge type experience tour and having an Agent available for each new client is a lot of work.
However, the problem soon had a solution: The Discovery and Investment Tour Video. This video will give anyone access to accountants, attorneys, insurance professionals, medical professionals, and long-term ex-pat residents. The purpose of the video is to give potential buyers an in-depth look at life on the island.
The video should be completed in the next 30 days and now anyone who wants access to a variety of professionals who can tell you all that you need to know about buying, relocating, or investing on the island, and we can handle what we really know, real estate.
The next time you visit let us know and you can stop by the office, grab the remote, have a cup of coffee on us, and get virtually all your questions answered. It does not get much better. We provide, you decide!
A Short Survey
Let’s have a little fun.
This U.S. election cycle is the most interesting I have experienced in my lifetime. The U.S. is very, very divided so this may be the line in the sand for many. Some prominent people have said that they were leaving the country if this person or that person was elected. Of course, there are some who said that before and did not leave.
Interestingly enough, our last Discovery and Investment Tour had more attendees that were interested in moving here than those who were interested in buying a seasonal property or an investment property. Tell us what you think.
Take a one question/three choice answer survey here.
Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GVRDHFD
David Campbell Update………..
Last month for the first time in 15 years of doing this newsletter, I asked readers to consider helping a friend’s son who had been diagnosed with leukemia. Thanks to all who said prayers and made contributions.
Here is an update on David. Lots of good news!
Link:https://www.gofundme.com/roatandavid?viewupdates=1&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cta_button&utm_campaign=upd_n
Real Estate –If you are a new subscriber or you have been around for a while you really should read this.
Over the many years in the Bay Islands that I have done real estate, my company has evolved and become better everyday. As RE/MAX franchises operating in the Bay Islands, I want to share where we are right now and why we aren’t just another real estate company.
Why Choose RE/MAX Bay Islands or RE/MAX Western Sunsets?
1. The ONLY real estate company in this country who has an escrow service at Bank of America in the U.S.
2. The ONLY company that offers both a Live or Video Discovery and Investment Tour. Information about it here – http://roatanbayisland.com/discovery-investment-tours/
3. Professional Property Management. Long and short term.
4. Safety deposit boxes for precious Corporate Documents or items you do not wish to haul back and forth while traveling.
5. Specialized and Professional Agents. A Buyers Agent, a Certified International Property Specialist, an Accredited Commercial Professional and a Certified Investment Agent Specialist.
6. Very experienced Agents with tenure of up to 23 years of island real estate experience!
7. The ONLY real estate company on the island that provides Agents with extensive training and testing before they are licensed and operational in the Bay Islands
8. A RE/MAX Forever Guarantee in writing that provides service before, during and after your purchase.
9. Here at RE/MAX Bay Islands and RE/MAX Western Sunsets our policy is that our email communications will happen for any inquiry for any Buyer or Seller within 24 hours or less. Does your real estate Agent do that? Are you really a priority?
We are truly above the crowd, and we hope we will be your choice for any of our real estate needs.
Now please review our featured properties this month!
New Listing in desirable Trade Winds area of Utila
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Trade-Winds-East-Shore-0-254-Acre-Oceanview-Utila-mls_16-180/
Beachfront Bargain
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Beach-Front-Sandy-Bay-Dolphin-Reef-House-Roatan-mls_16-144
West Bay Beach Resort Condo – Enjoy when you visit – earn while you are gone.
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Infinity-Bay-Rd-Infinity-Bay-Condo-2008-Roatan-mls_16-157
Large waterfront / Protected waters / Great place for your boat!
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Gibson-Bight-Gibson-Bight-Lot-5-Roatan-mls_15-438
$18K Price Drop – Beachfront Condo, Parrot Tree
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Parrot-Tree-Condo-Resort-Condo-4-Bldg-3-Roatan-mls_15-371
Upgraded Condo, 12K Sunset Villas
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Sunset-Villas-West-End-2-Bed-2-Bath-Unit-12K-Roatan-mls_15-315
$19K Price Drop, Hillside Lot 133, Parrot Tree
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Parrot-Tree-Plantation-Lot-133-Hillside-Roatan-mls_15-378
Developers Opportunity, 17.5 Acres, Ocean Views
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/and-Road-Front-17-5-Acres-Ocean-Views-Roatan-mls_16-4
Three BR / Two Bath with miles of ocean views – $139K
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Homes-Great-views-Breezes-139-000-Pre-construction-Roatan-mls_16-191
Gorgeous aqua views from a hill top community with paved road –
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Palmetto-Bay-Beach-Area-Turtling-Bay-44-Roatan-mls_16-181
SIX Acres of gorgeous hilltop to have a grand estate r maybe subdivided keeping the best for yourself and getting your money back?
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Main-Road-Views-and-more-Views-El-Antigua-Roatan-mls_16-204
Two BR/Two Bath Great condition and rentable Condo in West End. Quiet area, reasonable HOA fees.
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/10-A-West-End-Village-2br-2ba-179K-Sunset-Villas-Roatan-mls_16-138
Really great hilltop homes starting at $139,000 U.S. Builder
Produces nice homes at value price – Escrowed funds.
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Homes-Great-views-Breezes-139-000-Pre-construction-Roatan-mls_16-191
Recently listed waterfront home – Non tourism area. The perfect relocation home. Bring your boat!
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Bodden-Bight-Waterfront-Home-Roatan-mls_16-226
New Beach lots released at the high end planned community of Lawson Rock starting at only $189,000. Interested? Email me
for additional information. larry@roatan-realtor.com
Agent of the Month: Mark Smith on Utila!
Mark has lived in Utila for the past 14 years. He married a Honduran woman and together they have three lovely daughters. Mark was born in Australia and after graduating from the university there with a degree in Engineering, he was offered a job in England which he accepted and had a career previous to his move to Utila.
Mark has been involved in several Utila community activities including five years of volunteering at the Utila Community Clinic. Mark has also been involved in Utila real estate for the past eight years, and he became the first Utila based RE/MAX Agent in January 2014.
If you are looking for somebody with an in-depth background in Utila Real Estate and the local community, a reputation for honesty, integrity and competency, a detailed knowledge of properties in Utila, and someone who can guide you through the legal system and processes to purchase real estate then Mark is the person you are looking for.
Utila Overview
Utila is different from Roatan in many aspects. For starters, it’s a lot smaller both in terms of geography and population. There is a strong sense of community and everybody knows everybody, locals, ex-pats, and tourists freely intermingle.
There are few cars in Utila and most people travel via motorcycle/scooter, golf cart, tuk-tuk, ATV, bicycle, or just walk. The vast majority of the Utila population lives around Utila town center whose main street is about 1.5 miles long running around the eastern harbor from Bando Beach to Chepes Beach.
Several people have commented that Utila reminds them of Cay West in Florida—as it was many, many years ago.
Utila has somewhat of a split personality. Main Street where most of the bars, restaurants and dive shops are located has a party island atmosphere, and yet, ten minutes or so outside the town center you are in quiet residential neighborhoods with beautiful beach front homes.
Here are a couple of YouTube video links, which show the different faces of Utila:
A friendly island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGt-ZrajzE (3mins 30secs)
The Utila Cays https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gux46gzR3UQ
(3mins 30secs)
A Party Island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX-H-zF9PJ4 (6mins 13secs)
The party island atmosphere is limited to Main Street
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That is it for this month folks. Thanks for reading.
Larry
