Barbados Property News June / July 2015

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Boarded Hall Green - Page 27

Caribbean Island Properties - Page 31

Carter’s Grove - Page 54

Endorsed by the Barbados Estate Agents and Valuers Association Inc.

BARBADOS PROPERTY

NEWS www.barbadospropertynews.com • June - July 2015 • Issue 99

Residences of Capri - Page 7

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Editor’s Comments There have been many predictions about economic recovery in the last eight years and perhaps too many of them have been over optimistic, but more and more we are hearing positive news across the region. This is particularly true in the property business and the best barometer is to compare this year with last year. We have been told there have been more visitors to Barbados and there have been more real estate enquiries and better sales figures at several locations. It will take a long time to get back to pre-2007 levels, but the process of recovery and rebuilding has to start somewhere so hopefully the property Pamela Hiles, Editor market has bottomed out and is starting to move upwards.

This is already happening overseas and sporadically across the Caribbean. It may be a different business world than what we had before, but it doesn’t take away from the beauty of our island and the quality and range of our real estate.

We hope you find what you are looking for in this edition of Barbados Property News and we recommend our new edition of Caribbean Property Magazine and the rebuilt website that continues to attract readers from all over the world.

On the Cover: Residences of Capri Pamela Hiles Editor

Publisher – Hiltop Publications Ltd, 11 Cottage Ridge, St George, Barbados, BB19071 Tel (246) 228-9122, Fax (246) 228-0243 Email: sportingb@caribsurf.com www.sportingbarbados.com www.barbadospropertynews.com www.caribbeanpropertymag.com www.caribbeanmortgageservices.com Editor/Advertising – Pamela L Hiles Design and Art Direction – 809 Distribution – Hiltop Publications Ltd, Brian’s Print Brokerage Printing – Coles Printery The Material and editorial contained in this publication have been deemed accurate at the time of going to print. The views expressed as editorial are those of the Editor unless stated otherwise. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the permission of Hiltop Publications Ltd.

If you would like to advertise in Barbados Property News call Pam at 228-9122 or 232-0692

#6 Canewood Industrial Estate St. Michael 246-627-0580 wolseley_showroom@live.com

Š2015 Wolseley. All Rights Reserved.

Argo Development Studio

Feature

- Safeguarding the project journey!

Argo Development Studio is a practice multidisciplinary offering a full range of design and development services across the construction industry. Argo Development Studio is headquartered in Barbados, has offices throughout the Caribbean and has recently opened offices in Europe and Asia.

The company was founded by it's Managing Director, David Campion.

David has lectured and tutored at the School of Architecture, DIT, Ireland and has over 20 years of industry experience in the design, development and delivery of projects, across a number of sectors in the US, across Europe and in the Caribbean.

The delivery of a number of award winning ‘design build’ projects inspired David to create his own development studio that focuses on achieving greater efficiencies in the design, development and delivery of projects.

We provide efficient expertise, cost certainty and on time delivery to our clients. Argo safeguards the project journey, from concept to completion through strong leadership serving as a client guardian of built asset delivery.

Our teams engage the construction industry through management contracting or via main contractors, a strategy uniquely tailored to each project. Our professionals are experienced in leadership roles and we endeavor to provide a single point of control throughout the design, development and delivery process. Clients and funders require cost certainty, cost control, and value for money. Our commercial control unit studies market trends and establish and control cost to build rates in all project jurisdictions.

The efficiencies realized through the service Argo provides allows for considerable savings to project budgets and offers Clients exceptional value for money.

We also partner with Main Contractors and Clients on construction projects to provide Design Management Services which streamlines the build process and assists in securing a successful project delivery on time and to budget. We provide Quality Assurance and Quality Control services to realize excellence in delivery through meticulous attention to detail. Argo protects the client’s interests while providing an increased level of comfort to their customers by ensuring projects achieve compliance with the latest relevant regularity requirements.

Within Argo Development Studio we have a number of specialist teams, our Center of Technical Expertise is made up of talented architectural technologists who have traveled and contributed to some of the world’s most challenging and exciting projects. This CTE team focuses on the design development stage, utilising the latest BIM technology and offers technical input across all Argo Development Studio projects.

At Argo Graphic Studio, we understand that brand identity is critical to your company’s success and how you are perceived in the professional realm. We take the time to understand your business and create a strategy to fulfil your objectives. Argo Graphic Studio has created websites, animation, apps and high quality motion graphics for a number of world renowned brands.

Our entire team works with local industry, creating a strong bond between our projects and community. We work closely with Governments to ensure we preserve the natural beauty of the environments we develop in. We engage with the community through outreach programs and sponsorship to charities, schools and sports clubs. We connect our organization to the wider industry worldwide through building strong connections both inside and outside the organization.

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BENEFITS:

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE : GLOBAL EXPERIENCE

We Could Do a Lot Better

Finance

Clarence Hiles looks at the property business and makes some suggestions to improve it…

The property business is an industry with many arms and everyone has a part to play in making it better, but has it really improved in Barbados in the last 20 years and are we on par with other countries? Indeed, do we really care if we are on par?

Any review of the players and their roles in the property business will confirm we could all do a lot better. However, the challenge is to get everyone to buy into the process and help improve and raise the standard for the betterment of everyone and the country. A healthy vibrant real estate industry can do a lot for the economy in providing employment, improving lifestyle, increasing home ownership, generating statutory income and attracting overseas investment.

These are fundamental issues in a progressive society and make a huge contribution to the development of a country. They are particularly important for Barbados as we celebrate 50 years of Independence next year. It is a good time to review what has been achieved in that time, but of more importance to set standards and objectives so that we can achieve greater things going forward. The interesting thing about the property business is that many of the ‘fixes’ don’t cost much, but require a greater sense of public awareness, national pride, community spirit and personal integrity.

So what can individuals do to help the property business? They can start by painting their houses, paying their land tax, removing all the rubbish, derelict cars and debris around their property, stop dumping personal rubbish in the countryside They could stop throwing waste from cars and buses, tidy and beautify their gardens, adopt a green culture, recycle and get on board with energy saving initiatives.

And what could our neighbours do? They could start by thinking community and the betterment of the area where they live and ask themselves are they part of the problem or part of the solution?

Do they keep their property in good condition, do they create too much noise, do their pets soil their neighbour’s property, do they park in obstructive areas and do they keep a watch for strangers

in the area?

Government can’t do everything, but they can improve the quality of our roads, provide a better waste collection, and offer incentives for home purchase including selling land at discounted prices to good citizens. They could also provide mortgage tax relief for firsttime buyers. They caould revamp Land Tax to reflect proper valuations and not be driven by fiscal deficiencies within their administration, they can make property owners paint their houses, they can prosecute the rubbish dumpers and derelict car owners, who make the island look like a waste dump in some areas. They should also ban pubic roads being used by small builders and car mechanics in quiet residential areas and have more pubic health inspectors in the field to deal with overgrown areas and vermin.

And finally, they should vest all properties that are either abandoned or unfinished, sell them on the condition they must be completed within 12 months and use the funds raised for keeping the sides of our roads tidy.

And what can builders do? They can start by building properties with more environmentally sensitive materials, energy saving devices and provide higher quality finishes. Small time builders need to complete properties and where the funds are not in place Land Tax Dept should have the power to intervene and sell the property to ensure it does not add to the growing list of unfinished properties.

And what can the professionals in the property business do?

Lawyers can start by removing their contentious scale fees and work in a competitive market, they should set much quicker turnaround times and the rogue lawyers should be suspended from practising immediately after they have been found guilty of malpractice and now allowed to ‘play the system’ for years. Real estate agents need to be proactive and go the extra mile to provide a service to both buyers and sellers. All properties should be sold with a professional Buyer’s Report and the cost should be born by the vendor. No property in Barbados should be sold either privately or through an agent without a Buyer’s Report.

If we had all these topics in place the integrity of our property business would be greatly enhanced. It won’t happen overnight, but every step in the right direction will help.

THE BEST MORTGAGE rates and service in Barbados.

Tel: (246) 230-5824 anita@caribbeanmortgages.com SEEK TOTALLY INDEPENDENT ADVICE 44

Barbados Beach Resort Introduces Private Residence Club As the Barbados real estate market heats up, one resort is offering cool prices on luxury beach condos.

Ocean Two has introduced a Private Residence Club with an affordable vacation ownership program. Club memberships are available in as small as one-week intervals, with prices starting from $13,000 USD. Purchasers also gain membership to Interval International, the luxury vacation exchange network. Other benefits include special resort privileges that are only available to club members and condo owners such as discounts on dining at Ocean Two and free golf passes.

The 70-unit beachfront resort features luxurious one and two bedroom suites that are appointed with fully equipped kitchens and large terraces overlooking Dover Beach and the Caribbean Sea. Resort amenities include two swimming pools, a restaurant, lobby bar and gym. Ocean Two occupies a lovely stretch of Dover Beach on the tranquil south coast of Barbados.

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Real Estate News

The award-winning hotel also offers whole ownership of one and two bedroom condos, with the opportunity to participate in a resort rental program. Whole ownership starts from $400,000 USD. Ocean Two was recently voted one of the Top 25 Hotels in the Caribbean in the 2015 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. It has also been awarded four diamonds by AAA and Hotel of the Year – A Class in 2014 from the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association.

For more information on Barbados real estate ownership opportunities, visit www.ownatoceantwo.com.

Ocean Two is a four star, luxury hotel – condominium located on Dover Beach in Barbados. The resort offers one and two bedroom suites, two swimming pools, restaurants and bars, meeting rooms, a gym and a water sports centre.

For media inquiries please contact Dominic Defreitas, Director of Sales, at sales@oceanhotels.bb or 1.246.428 9441 Twitter: https://twitter.com/OceanTwoCondos Facebook: www.facebook.com/barbadosbeachcondosforsale Web Site: www.ownatoceantwo.com

BREATHE IT ALL IN ‌ Imagine, owning an exclusive oceanfront home in Barbados with all the amenities of a luxury boutique four star resort.

Welcome to Ocean Two Resort & Residences. This unique Four Diamond Luxury Condominium Resort is quietly nestled into a secluded corner on Dover Beach, but is just a stroll away from the restaurants, bars and nightly entertainment in the St. Lawrence Gap. With the resort combining exceptional personal and friendly service with chic and stylish suites, the fabulous resort services, as well as a great location, Ocean Two Resort & Residences really introduces a new way of experiencing luxury in Barbados.

BOOK YOUR PERSONAL TOUR TODAY

LUXURY ONE BEDROOM SUITES Starting at US$400 000 LUXURY TWO BEDROOM SUITES Starting at US$600 000 PRIVATE RESIDENCE CLUB Starting at US$13,000 for one week

Do Dover, ver, Christ Christ Chur Church, ch, Barbados, W West est Indies Tel: T el: 1 (2 (246) 46) 428-944 428-94411 sales@oc sales@oceanhotels.bb eanhotels.bb http://www.oceantwobarbados.com http:/ //www.oceantwobarbados.com

BEAVA News

Real Estate News

THE RIGHT (BEAVA) WAY TO LIST A PROPERTY The third module of BEAVA’s continuing educational sessions has come and gone and members are still talking about it and are certainly benefitting from the knowledge gained.

Titled, Real Estate – The Listing Process, this invigorating workshop was sponsored once again by CIBC First Caribbean and presented by veteran realtor Sue Armfield. She was preceded at the podium by CIBC’s Manager, Sales & Business Development Manager, Gregory Blackman and Platinum Associate Gerri-Ann Ince who delivered briefly on two of the bank’s current promotions – Switch Campaign and 100% Vehicle Campaign, both of which were well received by BEAVA members.

Sue, a realtor known by everyone in the industry, systematically took listeners through the various steps required by realtors to effectively and efficiently list a property in Barbados, a presentation that was punctuated throughout the afternoon by interesting questions from her captive audience.

BE A PART OF BEAVA’S REAL ESTATE AND HOME EXPO Above: Sue Armfield

Real Estate and Home Expo 3rd October CIBC FCIB Autodome

Saturday October 03 this year will see the Warrens area come alive when BEAVA hosts its second Real Estate and Home Expo at platinum sponsor CIBC First Caribbean’s Autodome branch.

The Expo is great for everyone in the industry to showcase their products and services.

BEAVA has added another element to the event – that of the home. As such, companies and individuals are invited to secure their places for the Expo which promises to be home for the day to experts in property management, real estate, land surveying, architecture, interior design, furniture retail, insurance, lighting, security, roofing, tiling, pool construction, kitchen and bathroom design and landscaping.

Interested vendors are invited to email or call the BEAVA office for more details on booth/table rentals.

We can be reached at admin@beavainc.com or call Jeanine on 624.1811/836.0650

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M W O VI OR E UR S EL A E w C C E D BSI N IT w TR O E T EW w. O P T E ca N Y O AI FO r t IC F L S R er B O A s- RO U ND gr C R ov H e. UR co E m

FINAL PHASE ONLY FIVE UNITS LEFT PRICES STARTING AT BDS$425,000

• Land/Construction detached single storey homes • 1,200 sq ft three-bedroom design • Small community of 15 units in quiet cul-de-sac • Plot sizes approx 4,000-4,500 sq ft.

• First Phase of 10 units completed and occupied • Located just off Enterprise Road a few minutes drive from Oistins • Up to 100% mortgage facilities available

FOR MORE INFORMATIONEmail-info@carters-grove.com Tel- 230 9215 Or visit website- www.carters-grove.com

“WE’VE BEEN THERE” WE KNOW THIS HOUSE, LIKE WE KNOW EVERY HOUSE WE INSURE…

• • • • • •

Buildings Alternative Accommodation Replacement of External Locks Glass Property Owner ’s Liability Landscaping

• 10% discount for Sagicor Life customers

For more information, visit sagicorgeneral.com today.

Sagicor General Insurance Inc. is rated “A-”Excellent by A.M. Best Rating Company.