RE/MAX on Roatan Newsletter – September 2020
Finally, after almost 6 months of lockdown, Honduras, including Roatan, has re-opened its border and the airports, in a phased “smart” plan, for national and international visitors and flights. The RE/MAX on Roatan Newsletter September 2020 includes the requirements for coming for your long awaited visit to the island.
Initially, there was a lot of confusion, of course, in terms of the requirements for international travelers to enter, quarantine, move around the island and follow the correct biosecurity measures.
American Airlines was the first flight in to Roatan on 22ndAugust. Some important clarity on the requirements, that were a little vague and wishy washy at first, was gained from some of the first travelers experiences (outlined in the first article of this newsletter “COMING TO ROATAN”).
Roatan awaits has been our mantra for many months but now, Roatan is here for you!
- COMING TO ROATAN
- SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
- GOING FOR BROKE
- EVERYONE LOVES A STAGE
- DISCOVER THE DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED FOR YOU – Lawson Rock
- BEST BARGAIN BUYS
- KEEP IN TOUCH
- EDUCATION BEFORE YOUR VACATION
COMING TO ROATAN
The requirements laid out by the Honduran Government for international visitors flying into Roatan are:
- You need a NEGATIVE PCR test taken within 72 hours of the flight arrival time (Roatan time).
- Due to the difficulty of obtaining PCR results back in that 72-hour slot, a NEGATIVE rapid test can be submitted. The rapid test needs to meet the requirements: 85% specificity and 98% sensitivity (check with your provider that the test meets these requirements). If you enter with a rapid test, you have to quarantine for 14 days.
- You must have also have completed the Honduran Pre-check Form. https://prechequeo.inm.gob.hn/Login within 72 hours of your scheduled departure time. It is also translated to English.
- You must have paper copies of both your test results AND the pre-check form (e-copies on mobile devices are not accepted). These will be retained at the airport so it is suggested that you bring 2 copies of each document.
- You will be asked to show both at multiple points prior to boarding the flight and after arriving in Roatan.
- Arrive at the airport in the US at least three hours in advance of your scheduled flight.
- Be sure to check in with the gate agent EVEN IF you have your boarding pass, they will want to see your test results and the pre-check form.
- You will be required to wear a mask throughout the flight and at both airports. You will be asked to maintain social distancing outside of the airplane.
- Please note that the outside of your bags (carry-on and checked) will be sprayed with a bleach solution upon arrival in Roatan.
- You will NOT be tested again upon arrival in Roatan.
Also, check with your airlines to see if they have additional requirements. If you wish to do further investigations, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/gobernacionislas/
SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines relaunched its flights to Honduras on August17th.
The company will be resuming routes from both Fort Lauderdale and Houston to San Pedro Sula.
Honduras has reopened its borders after shutting them due to COVID-19 in mid-March.
https://www.caribjournal.com/2020/08/15/spirit-airlines-honduras-relaunch/
GOING FOR BROKE
Melaina Matute, our co-broker at RE/MAX on Roatan, has been utilizing her time to develop her experience and skills to our advantage. Although, Melaina has been with the company for almost 15 years, she undertook the accredited “Broker 101” course to enhance her knowledge, and to ultimately add more value to RE/MAX and her team.
She now feels that she has a deeper understanding, along with updated awareness of the tools, technology, services, training and advertising power that RE/MAX Global has to offer its franchises.
Armed with this new perspective and updated brand awareness, her main focus is to share this with the existing team and to grow the number of agents by putting into place a more rigorous and comprehensive internal mentoring, training and education program for members of the RE/MAX on Roatan team. Ultimately, this will lead to a more cohesive team, sharing the same mission and doing what we do best – selling more real estate than our competitors using the global brand power advantage that we have.
In other words, great things happen when driven individuals come together and treat real estate as a profession. Melaina’s mission is to be the force that makes RE/MAX on Roatan continue to be the best real estate company on the island.
Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX!
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/agents/melainamatute/
EVERYONE LOVES A STAGE
In the last newsletter, we covered “preparing your house to LIST for sale”. Contrary to what you may think, staging is the next part. Staging comes after you have decluttered, painted, made repairs, spruced up the garden, and moved additional belongings into storage.
What you are doing is making your home “dressed to impress and ultimately, sell with success”.
It’s about making the home look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer, and more homey and inviting.
Additionally, it doesn’t have to be the whole house – just focus instead on rooms that impress buyers most, such as the kitchen, living room, master suite, and bathrooms.
- Arrange furniture in appealing grouping.
- Use lots of touches with soft furnishings like cushions, drapes and covers in soft, color coordinated/contrasting fabrics.
- Create the illusion of space with mirrors, throw rugs, and area rugs.
- Use window coverings to “frame” the outside view.
- Add unique elements to draw attention to areas you want potential buyers to look at.
- Add fresh flower arrangements or plants.
- Create ambience with lighting – floor, undercounter and table lamps lit even if it is a bright day.
- Open windows, put on fans to create a through flow of air.
- Make the whole home smell fresh with deodorizers and flowers (pet odors should especially be eliminated).
- In the kitchen, for example, place a bowl of fresh fruit on the countertop and set the table with dinnerware and linens.
- Showcase bathrooms with fluffy new towels and display a dish of decorative soaps.
- The backyard needs staging, too. For patios and decks, plants and potted flowers, and sett the outdoor table as if ready to entertain.
Moreover, staging your home will help set the stage for creating the best listing photos.
The secret to successful staging is in subtle details that come together to create a cohesive and pleasant experience for visitors walking through the home.
https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-home-staging-1799076
DISCOVER THE DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED FOR YOU
If living in a developed community is for you, then there are quite a selection here on Roatan. So how do you choose which is right for you and the lifestyle you wish to lead. Featured in this newsletter, is a brief description of just one of the gated communities here on Roatan: Lawson Rock. In the coming newsletters, we will be illustrating a different development so you can see which suits you best. After a synopsis on each, click on the link to see just what real estate is currently available within those developments.
Lawson Rock
Arguably, the most prestigious of the island’s gated communities, Lawson Rock, situated in Sandy Bay on the north shore, is definitely stunning, well-planned and beautifully maintained.
With almost 3,000 feet of sand beach, natural rock formations, wooded hillsides and tropical, landscaped gardens, it is the perfect location for an elite island lifestyle.
Without a doubt, it offers a variety of different choices of living: ocean or hillside homesites, brand new or re-sale homes, luxury condominiums and there are marina slips for the boaters amongst you.
Immerse yourself in the exceedingly desirable amenities that make Lawson Rock the pinnacle of fine living. Namely communal beach, 24-hour security, 2 community pools, stamped concrete roads, lush, tropical landscaping, communal dock, on-site property management company, restaurant, fitness center, and delicatessen/café.
Additionally, located just 10 minutes from grocery stores, the airport, shopping and the vibrant tourist hub of West End.
Miles of white sand beach and lush tropical gardens make this community a tranquil escape toCaribbean bliss.
Homes & Condos: https://link.flexmls.com/1ixfnji97ils,2
Land: https://link.flexmls.com/1ixfnlzzdxs3,2
BEST BARGAIN BUYS
PRICE REDUCTION OF US$40K – INFINITY BAY CONDO 1901
Beautifully furnished, ground floor 1 bed/1 bath unit is steps away from the stunning West Bay Beach. Other than being located on the white sand beach, Infinity Bay Resort offers a large pool, restaurant, bar, onsite gift shop, dive shop, gym and spa.
HOME WITH A VIEW VIDEO TOUR: https://youtu.be/Mx1HH2FLC3I
La Casa de Las Olas (The Wave House)– 3 bed/3 bath concrete home – is perched on a hill. The views are mesmerizing and the breezes are tantalizing.
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 will provide 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 will help 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: