We are all waiting for the date that Roatan will be reopened, once again, to the world. The preparations are underway, the signs are there but there is still no specific date. No news on that on opening in RE/MAX on Roatan Newsletter – August 2020 but, hopefully, next edition. Any day now, we expect an announcement from the Central Government letting us know that international flights and tourists will be returning to our little island. Are you ready? RE/MAX on Roatan are!
This edition of our newsletter is almost entirely devoted to our business – selling real estate. The first article is for sellers and how to prepare to list your property. It is very useful for buyers too so that you can see the work that goes on prior to a property coming on to the market. You will also be primed on what questions you can ask about the condition of the property you are interested in, and what has already been taken care of before you buy.
While time has felt like it has stood still on our sleepy island, so much looks and feels different. For those of you that having been coming here for years, Roatan is reminiscent of 15 years ago. Quiet, pristine beaches that look like you are the first to set foot on them, ocean so clear that you want to bottle it and take it home with you. And the reef, wow, is teeming! Just a snorkel can reveal so much aquatic life that it is hard to take it all in. So just imagine what it is like on a dive! We are here, hoping to see you soon.
CONTENTS
- PREPARATION H (HOME) FOR SELLERS
–Work, Plan, Execute!
– Declutter!
– Stage It!
– Curb Appeal
- ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
- SUITE TOOTH
- SURVEY
- LISTINGS, LISTINGS, LISTINGS
- KEEP IN TOUCH
- EDUCATION BEFORE YOUR VACATION
PREPARATION H (HOME) FOR SELLERS
Once your decision to sell has been made, every owner wants their home to sell quickly and for as much money as possible. There is sometimes a lot of emotional attachment to the property but this needs to be let go of. Look forward to your new future, you will make fresh memories.
Sometimes, luck can play a factor: the right property at just the right time for the perfect buyer, but generally speaking, it requires careful planning and preparation of your home to make this happen. The longer your home stays on the market, the harder it is to sell!
All our RE/MAX agents are experienced in how to work with you to maximize the price and minimize the time on the market. They will collaborate with you on not just setting the right price but how you can make some changes and repairs so that the potential buyer can visualize your home as their home.
Arguably, the most important aspect is that everything works as it should and looks in the best condition it can. During a walk through, our agent will test appliances, plumbing, electrical wiring and assess the space and its contents.
Work, Plan, Execute!
The RE/MAX realtor will then work with you on a list of general repairs and a “spruce” up. Most of our agents have a preferred and trusted contractor that they work with regularly so will be able to set up an appointment and obtain a quote for you.
Ideally, all electrical appliances should work, including light bulbs shouldn’t be burnt out. Replace cracked floor or counter tiles and patch any holes in the walls. Fix leaky faucets and doors that don’t close properly, as well as kitchen drawers that jam. All these ‘small’ things may give the potential purchaser haggling points or, worse still, make them think that there are more serious underlying issues and scare them off.
Consider painting walls neutral colors so that the buyer can visualize putting their own stamp on the home.
Declutter!
You want the buyer to be able to imagine their personal belongings and touches in their potential new home. They don’t need to see photographs of your ancestors nor pets, and kids. Also, remove as many items that you want to keep as you can so your home is presented in an ‘as is’ condition. Organize cupboards and closets (they viewer will look inside them), move some of the larger, non-essential/distracting pieces of furniture and artwork to storage.
For example: https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/White-Rock-Hills-Casa-de-La-Luz-Roatan-mls_19-364
Stage It!
A ‘viewing’ plan is a must. The house should be clean and smell good (no, it is not necessary to be baking bread when potential buyers view your property, but the rooms should be well aired and fresh). The curtains open, the rooms well lit, everything tidy and surfaces clean and clear. Take a detached and objective walk through of your home to try to view it as an outsider. Is it pleasing to the eye, is everything in order, would you buy this house?
For example: https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Johnson-Bight-Mid-Island-Mid-Island-Eye-Candy-Views-Roatan-mls_20-82
Curb Appeal
And don’t forget the exterior. This is a potential buyers’ first impression when they arrive. Keep your yard tidy, fix any cracks on your front steps or walkway, mow the grass, trim bushes and shrubs, plant flowers, etc.
For example: https://www.roatan-realestate.com/idx/Lot-14-Quality-Built-Luxury-Home-Blue-Harbor-Roatan-mls_19-608
We hope this gives you some insight into preparing your property for sale. More next month on staging your home to maximize appeal. Good luck!
https://www.opendoor.com/w/guides/how-to-prepare-your-house-for-sale
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
RE/MAX on Roatan has compiled a whole bunch of videos for our clients to watch to familiarize themselves with Roatan as well as more from experts and professionals explaining their services and the processes here on Roatan. This series includes talks from doctors, a dentist, US and HonduranAttorneys, an insurance professional, a long-term expat and others. It answers some of the most frequently asked questions on topics of great importance and concerns to potential investors. Visit https://www.roatan-realtor.com/intro-welcome/to glean some of our experts information.
Now is the time for you to start finding out the answers to all those questions rattling around in your head before your visit. Listening to the people that enable expats to realize their dreams and hearing the story of someone that has done what you are thinking of doing, will ease your mind. It will answer some questions but will raise even more. Then is the time to start working with one of our experienced agents (most of whom have made that very same transition of relocating, purchasing property, becoming residents) as you are thinking of doing.
Learn about what different areas of the island have to offer: where is right for you; what lifestyle calls to you. Do you love being the heart of the action, do you want privacy and peace, can you have both? Go to https://www.roatan-realestate.com/geography-webinar/ – it will give you glimpses of the island, so you can get a feel of what makes your heart pump and calls to you.
Our ‘All You Need. To Know” section will guide you through all this
Book to come on one of our discovery and investment tours at https://www.roatan-realestate.com/discovery-investment-tours/or if you fancy a tour of a property, click on the “chat with an agent” to begin communicating with one of our agents.
SUITE TOOTH
The Dental Suite Clinic was originally started by Dr Vanessa Galindo in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, in 2011.
Dr Galindo always endeavors to enhance and develop her skills and education by staying current with techniques, equipment and materials by attending national and international conferences. She also moved to El Salvador for a year to gain her diploma in Aesthetic and Oral Rehabilitation in 2014.
In 2015, an opportunity arose to set up her own practice in Roatan, an opportunity too good to miss. Afterall, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to come to this magical Caribbean paradise? Her mission was to provide first class dental services and an all-round satisfactory experience to her clients.
Her regular client base includes expats from all over the world, whether permanent or part-time residents, who schedule in their treatments from check-ups, cleaning or aesthetic work, sometimes months in advance. The North American clients especially are satisfied with the Dr’s service as it is comparable to what they receive “back home” but is at a fraction of the cost.
The doctor’s reputation proceeds her and no doubt, if you move here, she will be the dentist recommended to you! Watch her video so that you can decide yourself whether she could be your island dentist.
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/dental-suite-clinic/
SURVEY
Every four years, the US Presidential elections happen. We send out a survey to get a feel for the direction the US is headed as well as an overview of what people are thinking and how we can improve our company.
If you are a US citizen, please take a few moments to take this short, completely anonymous survey. We thank you for helping us to be better at helping you.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TG6N7JS
LISTINGS
There is something listed for everyone. This month, we are going to show you the properties that fit your requirements. If it is a home, a condo, a luxury home, a business or a piece of land, just click on the link that will take you directly to the search page where you can enter your own search details.
The most common search our clients run is price range. So, go to the type of property that interests you, click on the link and enter your price parameter, or number of bedrooms (home/luxury home/condos), or whatever it is that is your “must have”. Then just scroll through the property options that come up. At any point, click on the “chat with an agent” icon, and speak to someone “live” to ask any questions on any of the listings. We can even arrange to do a real time walk through with an agent at your convenience.
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/roatan-real-estate/
HOMES
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listings/homes/
CONDOS
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listings/condos/
LUXURY HOMES
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listings/luxury-homes/
LOTS
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listings/land/
COMMERCIAL
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listings/commercial/
KEEP IN TOUCH
Stay updated on all of the current listings and price reductions. Our monthly VIP newsletter will give you a first-hand look at all of new listings, price reductions and hot deals. And it will keep you informed of any changes or new events that are occurring. To sign up click: https://www.roatan-realtor.com/real-estate-investment-club/. Check out the previous issues or subscribe here: https://www.roatan-realtor.com/bulletins/.
Moreover, we’ll also provide you with valuable information and tips about selling your house. In addition, what to look for when purchasing a home or property.
Whatever your real estate questions, needs and priorities are, RE/MAX is here to help!
Visit us on:
FaceBook, (and ‘like’ us please): https://www.facebook.com/RoatanRemax/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoatanRe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/RemaxOnRoatan
Instagram: https://instagram.com/remax_roatan?igshid=1rjx1cunocc03
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/50489327381
EDUCATION BEFORE YOUR VACATION
Need more information? Check out the educational links below:
RE/MAX has pulled together a lot of information for our clients over the years. If you want to get to know some important facts about Roatan before you come down.
Please watch our webinar “Discovery and Investment Tour”. Its aim is to provide you with information and facts to aid your decision to invest in the Bay Islands:
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/discovery-investment-tours/
The purchase of a property in a foreign country creates many questions. This link will
get you to the answers:
https://www.roatanbayisland.com/roatan-faqs/
Our Video Information Series is a series of short videos that features input from a variety of people. They willprovide information on Titles, Residency, Taxes (US and Canadian), various types of insurance, medical care and facilities. And even a long-term ex-pat:
https://www.roatan-realtor.com/intro-welcome/
You are not familiar with Roatan? This link will provide you with information on the geography of the island. This willhelp you decide where on the island suits your goals best:
https://www.roatanbayisland.com/geography-webinar/
What to do whilst you are here, we can tell you that too, click on:
https://www.roatanbayisland.com/things-to-do/to find out what exciting and fun things you can do.
A picture is worth a thousand words:
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/photo-gallery/