How to Talk like a Bahamian

Talk like a Bahamian - Bahamas Slang

Have you ever been to the Bahamas? If you are new to traveling to the islands and are concerned about communicating with locals, remember that it is an English speaking country. That being said, the people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas almost speak in their own language. The people have their own dialect and creative words, just like the other Caribbean islands do.

Trying to blend in the Bahamas?

Want to speak like a Bahamian?

If you are a novice at the Bahamian language have a look at the list below where you will find commonly used words and phrases along with their meaning.

Bahamas Words to Know

Bey or Ma’ bey - Used as boy, man, person.

   Example 1 - “Hey bey look here.”

   Example 2 - “Ma’ bey I ain’t playing.”

Conch (pronounced Conk) - This is a mollusk that is used in many Bahamian dishes, the most

Queen Conch

famous being conch salad which is a blend of conch, lime, salt & pepper, tomato, sweet green pepper, and hot bird pepper. Some conch vendors also offer other ingredients such as mango. Other conch dishes popular in the Bahamas are conch fritters, cracked conch, conch chowder, and even conch burgers.

Crawfish - The Spiny Lobster is known as crawfish by the local Bahamians. These crustaceans are found under the sea on reef beds and are caught with traps or by spearing. The crawfish is tasty in any recipe and loved by all.

Spiny Lobster Crawfish

Dat - Short for that

Dem - Short for them

Dred - Another word for dude or guy.

   Example - “Bey! You see where dat dred go?

Fish Fry - This is an event or a place where fish and other seafood is fried and served usually in a group setting. The most known Fish Fry in the Bahamas is located at Arawak Cay, on New Providence Island, where many local Bahamians and tourists gather for food and entertainment.

Irie Nuts - At some traffic light locations on New Providence Island you will find people, usually Rasta’s, selling bags of irie nuts. No need to wonder, this is just a name - the bags contain roasted peanuts in the shell. Yum!

Jitney - This is the local word used when referring to a bus. These buses don’t really run on a set schedule. There are bus stops where one just waits until the next one passes by which could take a few minutes 10 - 15 minutes. The jitneys run from 6:00 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening.

Juk - To stab or pierce the skin.

   Example - “Bey juk dat fish man!”

Bahamas Junkanoo

Junkanoo - This is a parade of local Bahamians dressed up in costumes they designed and created as they play music from their instruments. The costumes are made from cardboard cutouts decorated with colourful craft paper, beads and feathers. The people are organized into groups, play on drums, cowbells, horns and whistles, and compete against each other for best costume, best music, and best theme. The most notable teams are the Valley Boys and the Saxons. The main Junkanoo parades are held on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) and New Year's Day with smaller ones held during the summer months.

Mudda Sick - This phrase is usually uttered after sucking teeth in frustration or disappointment. It can also be used when excited.

   Example 1 - disappointment - You can’t go wit me! “Mudda Sick man! I really wanted to go.”

   Example 2 - excitement - The carnival reach already. “Mudda Sick! I ready to go now!”

Potcake - A potcake is a local Bahamas dog which is a mix of a lot of different breeds. These dogs can be spotted at different locations usually trying to find some food. The potcake was given it’s name from when cooking rice and it got burnt and caked up - this was fed to the dogs. The potcake is the official dog of the Bahamas.

Reverse back - When giving someone directions reverse back is often used when guiding someone backwards.

   Example - “Reverse back some more.”

Suck teet - Short for suck teeth - Usually accompanied when showing annoyance or disappointment

Spry - a light rain

   Example 1 - “She just start to spry?”

   Example 2 - “No man. She been sprying all day.”

Switcha

Switcha - This is the slang name for homemade limeade

Teif (pronounced teef) - Stolen. Short word for thief or rather something that was taken by a thief.

   Example 1 - “Man they tief my car dred.”

   Example 2 - “Stop tieffing!”

Tings - Short for things

Tree - Short for three

Those were the local words we thought you should know. We hope your crash course in Bahamian slang words was helpful. If you have any other words or phrases you think should be included in this list please leave a comment below.

Are Communities with Home Owners Associations a Good Investment?

In a word, Yes. But let me expand upon that.

Home Owners Associations are designed to create a uniform set of standards for residents to abide by and, in exchange, residents will typically enjoy a consistent quality of life through that uniform environment. Residents will pay a monthly, quarterly or annual fee and this fee is used to cover the cost of maintenance of common areas, garbage collection, security and other "common area" expenses, such as water, electricity and in many cases a property manager, like PINDER'S Property Management. It should also include a "savings" component so that the community can hedge against future large capital expenditures, such as road repaving, common area facility renovations, etc. If the Home Owners Associations are managed correctly, the value of your community will be protected and your real estate investment will generally have a higher value than similar properties outside the gates. There are exceptions however, as I will now explain.

If a Home Owners Association or HOA is not managed properly there are some serious implications that an investor can experience. First, if the rules for the aesthetic upkeep of real estate in the community are not adhered to or enforced, then the values of the surrounding properties can be negatively impacted. Who would want to buy a home next to a house that is in need of a complete overhaul!? Second, if a significant number of members of the HOA don't pay their fees or are in severe arrears, the financial health of the community can be put at risk. This can cause the basic needs of the community to be neglected, such as maintenance of common areas and community facilities, but can also turn off prospective investors to purchasing a home in a financially dysfunctional community.

It is important that you choose a Bahamas real estate agent that will point out these important aspects of home ownership to you! Knowing that your Home Owners Association is being properly managed and is in good financial health will ensure that the value of your Bahamas investment will continue to grow!

HOME STAGING TIPS - TOP 10 Tips to Sell Your Home!

Preparing your house to be sold can be a daunting and overwhelming task whether you have lived in your home a couple or many years. The longer you have lived in your home the more things you would have acquired. The intent of this Top 10 Tips for Successful Home Staging is to help you save TIME, MONEY and ENERGY.

Take a step back when preparing for your house to be sold and have the mind set that this is no longer your home but your investment for your future. You want your house to have a broad buyer appeal to your target market. Following these 10 Tips for Successful Home Staging will help you sell your house sooner and possibly for more money than if you did not prepare it for selling at all! Remember most people want to move into their new home without having to make updates to it.

1) Curb Appeal
Stand back and view your home as if you were seeing it for the first time. This is the ‘first impression’ stage. Depending on the season you may want to have pots of colourful and attractive flowers to greet buyers; a clean and inviting door mat; new and shiny door handles and/or knockers; a freshly painted door, etc...

2) Declutter
Start your pre-pack as soon as possible. You need to decide what you are going to keep, give away, sell or throw away/recycle. Many clients will rent storage lockers or have pods delivered so they can start to clear out what is not going to make the house look good.

3) Clean
You would think this one is common sense but let me assure you, I wish it was so! A clean home translates into "They must have really cared for their home." Kitchens and bathrooms must be sparkling clean at the very least.

4) Depersonalize
We know you love your family photos and your personal treasures and for living they are perfect. For selling pack them up carefully so you can showcase them in your new home. For selling you want buyers to focus on the best features of your home and not your personal things or collections.

5) A neutral colour scheme is the way to go for selling.
Choose only 3 colours or less to paint your house for selling. If you have an open floor plan then paint the main floor all the same colour. Bedrooms look good in light sage greens or warm blues.

6) Highlight your home’s best architectural features
Place your furniture in each room so that you have very obvious focal points that show off the home’s best selling features. For example, if you have a beautiful fireplace then place the furniture in a parallel grouping so that the eye is drawn to the fireplace.

7) Decide on the function in each room
If you were using your guest bedroom as your den for living, for selling turn it back into a bedroom with bedroom furniture in it. If you do not have the right furniture for each room consider renting it. If you don’t want to rent then borrow.

8) Lighting your home to its best advantage
Spend money on new light fixtures in brushed nickel or stainless steel. Brass is out so don’t fight it. There are many low-cost lighting stores to select from so no excuses for having dated light fixtures.

9) Window treatments that sell your home
The most popular on the market are the 2” faux woods in a white tone to go with your trim. Decorative side panels will do the trick if you need to add warmth and colour.

10) Flooring needs special attention and is a good investment for updating the look of your home
Tile or linoleum is great for entranceways, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms; a good quality laminate or hardwood is perfect for living rooms and family rooms; bedrooms are attractive in a neutral carpet.

By planning and budgeting you can get yourself to the “OPEN HOUSE READY” stage.

Remember that over 79% of prospective buyers have already checked out your home through the internet and the Bahamas MLS listings. Will they like what they see?

Rotary Races to bring an end to Polio

HUNDREDS of Rotarians and supporters turned out for the End Polio Bed Race at the Marathon Mall, Nassau, Bahamas on Saturday.

Organised by Joanne Smith and Paul Cartwright of the East Nassau Rotary Club, the event raised about $10,000 for Rotary International's global campaign to eradicate polio, which still strikes thousands of children in four African and Asian countries.

Over a period of three hours, competitors from four Rotary Clubs in Nassau pushed and pulled 12 custom-made beds (with at least one occupant in each) over a hundred-yard course in the mall parking lot.

The bed team sponsored by Deloitte & Touche won the day. The winning team included Carl Rolle, Theodore Williams, Keith Beneby, Jamal Ijeoma, Lowell Coleby and Benson Beneby.

Volunteers also provided street food for spectators.

Rotary became involved with polio eradication in 1979 when the organisation committed to immunise six million children in the Philippines.

At the time, more than 350,000 children worldwide were afflicted annually by this crippling and sometimes fatal disease.

Since then, the number of those infected has been reduced by more than 99 per cent, and to date Rotarians have helped immunise more than two billion children in 122 countries.

The Rotary Clubs of the Bahamas have contributed more than $100,000 to this worldwide effort over the years.

9 Common Mistakes made when Selling Real Estate

Mistake #1 – Incorrect Pricing
Every seller naturally wants to get the most money for his or her product. The most common mistake that causes sellers to get less than they hope for, however, is listing too high. Listings reach the greatest proportion of potential buyers shortly after they reach the market. If a property is dismissed as being overpriced early on, it can result in later price reductions. Overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price than they likely would have had they been priced properly in the first place.

Mistake #2 – Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for Market Value
Re-finance appraisals can be very encouraging for homeowners, leading them to assume that the appraisal is the amount that they should expect to receive for their property. Lenders often estimate the value of your property higher than it actually is, however, in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be (and often is) lower. Your best bet is to ask your Realtor® for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value.

Mistake #3 – Failing to "Showcase"
In spite of how frequently this mistake is addressed and how simple it is to avoid, its prevalence is still widespread. When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable, and remove as many possessions as you can prior to showing. A poorly kept home, or one with too much clutter, will make it dramatically more difficult for buyers to become emotionally interested in your property.

Mistake #4 – Trying to "Hard Sell" While Showing
Buying a house is always an emotional and difficult decision. As a result, you should try to allow prospective buyers to comfortably examine your property. Don't try haggling or forcefully selling. Instead, be friendly and hospitable. Pointing out any unnoticed amenities and being receptive to questions is advisable, but this is not the time for negotiation and salesmanship.

Mistake #5 – Trying to Sell to Lookers A prospective buyer who shows interest because of a For Sale sign or an open house ad may not really be interested in your property. Often, buyers who are not accompanied by a Realtor® are 6-9 months away from buying, and are more interested in seeing what is out there than in actually making a purchase. They may still have to sell their house, or may not be able to afford a house yet. They may still even be unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate.

Your Realtor® should be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere lookers. Realtors® should usually find out a prospective buyer's savings, credit rating, and purchasing power in general. If your Realtor® fails to find out this pertinent information, you should do some investigating and questioning on your own. This will help you avoid wasting valuable time marketing to the wrong people. If you have to do this work yourself, consider finding a new Realtor®.

Mistake #6 – Being Ignorant of Your Rights & Responsibilities
It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details of your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing. Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what you are responsible for before signing any contract. Can the property be sold "as is"? How will deed restrictions and local zoning laws affect your transaction? Not knowing the answers to these kinds of questions could end up costing you a considerable amount of money.

Mistake #7 – Signing a Contract with No Escape
Hopefully you will have taken the time to choose the best Realtor® for you. But sometimes, as we all know, circumstances change. Perhaps you misjudged your Realtor®, or perhaps the Realtor® has other priorities on his or her mind. In any case, you should have the right to fire your agent. Also, you should have the right to select another agent of your choosing. Many real estate companies will simply replace an agent with another one, without consulting you. Be sure to have control over your situation before signing a real estate contract.

Mistake #8 – Limited Marketing
There are two obvious marketing tools that nearly every seller uses: open houses and classified ads. Unfortunately, these two tools are rather ineffective. Less than 1% of homes are sold at open houses, and less than 3% are sold because of classified ads. In fact, Realtors® often use open houses solely to attract future prospects, not to sell that particular house. Does your Realtor® have a website? There are very few successful real estate professionals who don’t, and for good reason.

Your Realtor® should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques and should be committed to selling your property; he or she should be available for every phone call from a prospective buyer. Most calls are received, and open houses are scheduled, during business hours, so make sure that your Realtor® is working on selling your home during these hours (many Realtors® work part-time).

Mistake #9 – Choosing the Wrong Realtor®
Selling your home could be the most important financial transaction in your lifetime. As a result, it is extremely important that you select a Realtor® who is a good match for you. Experienced real estate agents often cost the same as brand new agents. Chances are that the experienced agent will be able to bring you a higher price in less time and with fewer hassles. Take your time when selecting a real estate agent. Interview several; ask them key questions. If you want to make your selling experience the best it can be, it is crucial that you select the best agent for you.

Newest Bahamas Subdivision Pride Estates Opens

PRIDE Estates Three was officially opened yesterday, the fifth Bahamas government subdivision to be opened and completed under the Ingraham administration.

Bahamas Housing Minister Kenneth Russell said this subdivision is in keeping with the Government's commitment to "reduce the presence of unregulated communities" in the Bahamas.

According to Mr Russell, the Bahamas Ministry of Housing has already constructed 480 houses and sold 237 serviced lots in this current term, with an additional 180 houses now under construction in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco.

He said: "I am pleased to report that we have not only met our goal to construct 600 homes, but we have surpassed it. We have estimated that $63 million is needed to complete what we have planned and we will continue to move forward ever increasing our numbers until either the money runs out or my position expired."

Mr Russell said the development of the 27-acre Pride Estates Three plot and Fire Trial Gardens will cost around $17.6 million of which $7.9 million has already been spent.

"We have completed in Pride Estates 110 homes and 16 are under construction. We are also in the process of regularizing a number of squatters in this subdivision. We have also provided jobs for 52 contractors and their workers," he said.

"We are pleased that we were able to provide homes for Bahamians while at the same time contributing to the economic advancement of our country. These three-bedroom, two-bath, and two-bedroom, one-bath homes range from $83,000 to $135,000."

In addition to the homes, Mr Russell said the government is also building a children's park, a basketball court, a tennis court and maintaining a public open space with a pond.

Click here to view and read this entire article on Bahamas Real Estate Property Portal.

Investing in real estate? Work with a professional.

Today’s marketplace is full of investment opportunities. It's possible that this is the best time in a generation to invest in real estate.

If you have investing in mind - no matter how serious or modest your goals are - you need an experienced real estate agent on your side.

The Right Agent for You

RE/MAX, with offices in more than 80 countries, has thousands of agents experienced in working with investors, and specialists in all types of investment properties, from foreclosures to luxury homes.

Get the Facts

- With low prices, favorable interest rates and strong demand, most rental properties these days are generating positive cash flow.

- Homeownership rates are dipping in the U.S. This tends to drive rental rates up and keep vacancies down.

As we’ve all seen in recent years, housing values can rise and fall. But even when values are static or worse, those rent checks keep coming in.

Investing Can Be for You!

By the way, you don’t have to be wealthy to invest in real estate. In 2009, half of all residential real estate investors earned $75,000 or less.

Interested in seeing what's out there in the Bahamas real estate market? Search RE/MAX Bahamas Paradise Realty for current listings throughout the Bahamas and contact us for further information on the property. Questions about finances? Call us. We will be happy to assist.

Abaco's Serenity Point targeting $75- $100m build out value

An upscale Abaco real estate development is targeting a $75-$100 million total value when its 46 home sites are fully built out, telling Tribune Business yesterday that the project expects to kick into high gear in the New Year after completing its first sales last month.

Gustaf Hernqvist, Serenity Point's project manager, said increased construction activity at the adjacent Schooner Bay development in south Abaco was helping to create a critical mass that encouraged potential buyers both projects were for real.

Telling Tribune Business that construction on Serenity Point's clubhouse was set to begin imminently, and that the first homeowner was anticipated to start building within the next six months, Mr Hernqvist said that reducing the project's real estate prices by up to 35 per cent - in response to market conditions - had also helped to stimulate buyer interest.

"We've found Schooner Bay has switched into a new gear, completing the harbour," Mr Hernqvist explained. "Over the last four-five months the pace has been incredible, with all the construction. The construction of the hotel is underway, a restaurant is coming soon, and a harbourmaster's office is open.

"These are all considerations for owners at Serenity Point; to be able to get into a golf cart and go to places next door. The difference between us and Schooner Bay is that we're a gated community."

Access to Schooner Bay's amenities and facilities is a key selling point for Serenity Point, which is being created as a boutique, upmarket real estate development featuring its own clubhouse, affinity pool, tennis courts and 24-hour security.

To make Serenity Point even more attractive and stimulate buyer activity, Mr Hernqvist said the developers had cut their lot prices by up to 35-37 per cent, dropping a beachfront location from an initial $850,000 to $535,000. Beachfront, and hillside sites, start at $300,000 for a half-acre lot.

"Since all these activities at Schooner Bay have been taking off, we've had a lot of inquiries," Mr Hernqvist told Tribune Business. "As of last month, we sold two beachfront lots. Another beachfront lot was reserved, and two ridge lots have been reserved with deposits.

"We are actually now just in the process of commencing construction for a clubhouse. Our projection is that this is going to be completed in a about a year."

Click here to view and read this entire article on RE/MAX Bahamas Paradise Realty.

Bahamas aims to attract the Canadian tourist market

THE BAHAMAS is committed to promoting its tourism assets to the Canadian market, Public Works and Transport Minister Neko Grant said.

Addressing a reception for Sunwing Airlines' inaugural flight from Canada on November 3, Mr Grant said: "As you are aware, tourism is our country's lifeline. We depend on it for the health of our economy and indeed for much of our quality of life.

"We take the tourism sector of our economy seriously and take pride in developing strategic partnerships with companies such as the Sunwing Travel Group, Canada's largest leisure company."

He described the new service as the first step in a long and lasting partnership between the Sunwing Travel Group and the Bahamas - and an opportunity to introduce Canadians and others to the country's rich heritage and its friendly, hospitable people.

"We are excited to have Canada's leading high frills, low cost airline service the Bahamas. Your award winning 'Champagne Service' which has been voted number one by customers and travel agents for the last four years, is a welcomed addition to the Bahamas' airlift from Canada," he said.

The Bahamas continues to upgrade infrastructure in Nassau and the Family Islands, Mr Grant said.

Some of the latest initiatives include: major roadworks throughout New Providence, a new airport gateway dual carriage road, the Baha Mar resort which is currently under construction, and upgrades to the Lynden Pindling International Airport and the Marsh Harbour airport in Abaco.

"Downtown Nassau is being rehabilitated to provide an exciting historic, entertainment and shopping experience for residents and visitors," Mr Grant added.

"Construction of a new Straw and Craft Market is completed and it will soon open for business, the historic parliament buildings are being refurbished, public green spaces are being established, commercial shipping is being moved from the downtown area, extensive road paving and sidewalk works are being done and Charlotte Street will be upgraded and pedestrianised."

Other Family Island airports are scheduled for improvements as part of the government's efforts to accommodate growth and development, and increase capacity for airlift and tourism, he said.

Click here to view and read more articles on RE/MAX Bahamas Paradise Realty.

SCHOONER BAY development Targets Growing most of their own Food

THE SCHOONER Bay development in Abaco is aiming within 10 years to produce 75 per cent of the food it eats itself, and is employing renewable technologies to reduce its power bills.

James Malcolm, Schooner Bay's marketing director, explaining that the developers' construction/development methods would "pay ecological dividends for years to come", said the use of solar water heaters would cut power bills in the development by one-third.

And, through the use of geothermal energy for air conditioning and cooling properties, Mr Malcolm said the developers would slash power bills by a further 50 per cent.

"We feel fairly vindicated in our philosophy that while it takes more time, and more attention to detail, building in that way will pay ecological dividends for years to come, for our children and grandchildren," Mr Malcolm said.

Of the 120 lots placed on the market for sale two-and-a-half years ago, some 50 had been sold to buyers of whom 75 per cent were from Nassau.

"We have an amazing group of initial buyers who we call pioneers. They're diverse," Mr Malcolm said. "We're building at a very slow and deliberate pace. That's a key to sustainability - to not bite off more than you can chew.

"We believe we are a model for redevelopment. One of the reasons for our success is affordability. People are getting into Schooner Bay for lots and homes at $350,000. This not about $2 million and foreign buyers."

Click here to view and read this entire Schooner Bay development Growing their own Food article.

RE/MAX International Launches a truly Global Real Estate Listing Website

global.remax.com Offers Customized Search of More Than 60 Countries

(Denver, CO) – RE/MAX, LLC, the recognized real estate leader, has launched a new website, global.remax.com, the first truly global resource for consumers, with hundreds of thousands of home listings in countries around the world. The site features customized search tools that allow buyers to search for properties in 30 languages, translate currencies and find the latest international real estate news. At launch, the site will contain listings from Brazil, France, Italy, India, Portugal, the United States, Canada, Italy and New Zealand - a total of more than 60 countries and territories around the world.

“We make our customers our priority, and they told us they needed a comprehensive resource for international properties,” said William E. Soteroff, RE/MAX Executive Vice President, U.S. and International Regional Development. “We’re seeing an increasing number of foreign buyers looking for property in the U.S. and American buyers looking overseas. global.remax.com is essentially a one-stop source for residential and commercial real estate, no matter where you live.”

Real estate trends differ from country to country, city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. Buyers and sellers who visit global.remax.com can stay on top of the latest real estate news and events through an in-depth and detailed news feed. The site will also feature a rotating spotlight on a specific country or region, offering visitors insight into that market and any new developments.

In countries like India, Brazil and China, as the population grows and incomes rise, families are searching for homes of their own and investment properties.

RE/MAX is also growing, adding offices around the globe. Franchise sales were up nearly 15% in the first half of 2011, a mark that looks to outpace last year’s total franchise sales, which recorded an impressive 30% increase over 2009. In Brazil alone, RE/MAX has seen 133% growth over 2010.

“We’re growing because there’s a need for experienced and professional agents,” said Soteroff. “In some countries, RE/MAX has been the first real estate brand to go in and open for business. It’s exciting to be a part of that.”

RE/MAX has a presence in more than 80 countries, a reach far greater than any competitor. With more than 6,300 offices around the world and a sales force of nearly 90,000 agents, buyers and sellers can take advantage of the experience and knowledge of the most productive professionals in the real estate industry.

For more information about RE/MAX global listings, please visit: www.global.remax.com.

Watch a video about global.remax.com.

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About the RE/MAX Network: RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, real estate industry visionaries who still lead the Denver-based global franchisor today. RE/MAX is recognized as a leading real estate franchise company with the most productive sales force in the industry and a global reach of more than 80 countries. With a passion for the communities in which its agents live and work, RE/MAX is proud to have raised more than $100 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and other charities. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX.

Get Best Bang for Your Buck on Renovations

Many homesellers want to get the most for their money at the closing table.

Don’t have time or a ton of money for major renovations? Don’t worry, says Laura Smith, a Sales Associate with RE/MAX First in Baton Rouge, La. A clean, clutter-free home goes a long way for many buyers, says Smith, who has appeared on HGTV’s "Bang for Your Buck."

Here are Smith’s tips:

Make your home smell incredible. Get your air-conditioning unit professionally serviced and cleaned. Most companies charge under $150, and it goes a long way in removing household odors and allergens. Also, use plug-in fresheners and fabric deodorizing sprays.

Steam-clean the carpets - Instead of replacing carpets, call a professional to have them steam-cleaned and watch the transformation. You will be delighted to see that steam-cleaning the carpets (price depends on carpet area) is money well-spent.

Remove clutter - Check your closets and donate old clothes, shoes or other items that you haven’t used in the past year. Buyers want to see storage space; this goes for the other closets in your home, as well as garages, if you’re having showings, remove all personal photos and clear off all appliances and knickknacks from countertops and display shelving.

Create an outdoor living space - Adding a sense of comfort to your patio, deck or backyard adds value to your home. Stage your patio or deck with a table and chairs, as well as an outdoor rug, lively plants, some colorful flowers or a small fountain. Get rid of unsightly weeds and keep the lawn mowed and presentable.

Click here to view and read the entire Get Best Bang for Your Buck on Renovations article.

Best Times to Buy Real Estate

Conventional wisdom says that you need to stay in a home a minimum of five years to ensure that you recoup your purchasing costs. But with some markets soaring, this advice doesn't always apply.

It's All About the Market

Market conditions play a huge part in any decision about when to buy. Housing market values have varied widely from region to region in recent years. While the Florida market has seen meteoric rises in home values, Ohio has seen its real estate prices go into negative territory in the last year.

Do not buy high and sell low - if your market is softening or has hit its peak and is heading south, you may want to wait on your purchase.

The magazine Smart Money has created a worksheet to compare the costs of renting vs. buying using market appreciation calculations to determine at what point you come out ahead. Plugging in the price, down payment, your income bracket, interest rate, and current market appreciation rates, the worksheet will break out what you will gain.

It's All About You

The top three reasons people file for bankruptcy are change of job status, divorce, and unforeseen health expenses. If you face any of these challenges and don't have a financial cushion, this may negatively impact your ability to pay a mortgage. Big life events dictate your readiness to buy now or to wait for a little more stability.

Signs you should not buy right now:

* Will you be moving within the next five years?

* Will you be having kids soon?

* Will you be making a job change?

* Have you recently filed for bankruptcy or is your credit score below 630?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, or you are experiencing other life-changing events like illness, marriage, divorce, or breakup, you may want to wait.

What to Do First

If you are anxious to get moving, be patient. You have a few things to do first. Go to open houses - get the lay of the land.

Talk to a mortgage broker to get pre-approved

Interview agents (You may want to find an agent at the same time as you look for a mortgage broker - a good agent can recommend reputable brokers and help you make sense of the terms of the loan)

Review credit report and scores with mortgage broker to determine if any repairs are needed

Find info on neighborhoods that interest you

Click here to view and read the entire Best Times to Buy Real Estate article.

Bahamian Buyers may miss Real Estate Opportunities

A Bahamas Real Estate developer has warned that Bahamian buyers "may miss" an opportunity to acquire affordable gated community properties in western New Providence through lack of confidence, with prices in the area only likely to go up.

Speaking as he unveiled a $269,000, two-bed, two-bath condo product targeted at the Bahamian 'young professionals' market, Jason Kinsale, principal of The Balmoral project on Sandford Drive, told Tribune Business that his 'typical buyer' had altered from one who put down a 10 per cent deposit with mortgage financing to 'all cash' purchasers as a result of the recession.

"They're not scared. They know it's a good price and feel more confident," Mr Kinsale said of all-cash purchasers and foreign buyers, Canadians accounting for 50 per cent of The Balmoral's real estate sales over the last six months.

"I know this may sound self-serving," he added, "and that '10 per cent down buyer' may be afraid they will lose their jobs, and are gripped by fear, but a year from now they may not be able to afford to get into The Balmoral, Sandyport or a community of their choice.

"They have to take a little bit of a risk. I think our Bahamian buyers have to take a little more risk, or they will get left behind. They may miss.

"I think we've all come to the conclusion that prices in western New Providence are not going down. A modest increase of 2-3 per cent, and that's another $10,000 that they've got to find. That's the reality of the environment we're in.

"We don't have this infinite supply of product. Sandyport is close to being sold out, Nautica is sold out. There's not this endless supply of product out there." Mr Kinsale said many people were "underestimating the size of the Baha Mar project and not realising the impact this will have on western communities".

Recalling a recent visit to Toronto, where Chinese was the second most-spoken language, Mr Kinsale said that if just 100 Chinese acquired real estate options at the $2.6 billion Baha Mar project - a possible development, given the involvement of China State Construction and the China Import-Export Bank - this would have a major impact on the Bahamas real estate market.

Mr Kinsale said his Toronto trip had "opened his eyes" when it came to providing more affordable real estate options, noting that the Canadian city's most popular offering was currently a 400 square foot micro-condo.

Noting that having a diversified range of real estate products had helped to "save us" at The Balmoral during the recession, the developers now adding two more options to bring the total to seven, Mr Kinsale said he planned to apply Toronto's lessons to the Bahamas - albeit with product right for this market.

Revealing that the 18-unit $269,000 condo option will launch within the next 30 days, Mr Kinsale said: "I think they're going to fly. I think the young professional market has no choices here.

"It's for the investor as well, because the units will rent for approximately $2,200 a month. It's a nice investment package, because there's nothing available at that price in the west.

"I think there's a pent-up demand. Young professionals are just unable to purchase anything right now. If you look at young professionals they're doctors, lawyers, accountants, but they're not always making a lot of money. They have valuable training and education, but are not at the peak of their career yet; it takes a little while to get there."

While the commercial banks had come under fire for being unwilling to lend, Mr Kinsale said credit was still available to those who could qualify.

"I equate that to when I go into John Bull. I know which watch counter I can afford to go to, and which one I can't afford to go to," he added. "People were previously trying to buy stuff they just couldn't afford. Banks are lending; they just want good loans."

In the current economic environment, Mr Kinsale told Tribune Business that rather than the previous '4 P's', real estate marketers now needed to be equipped with five.

Previously, Product, Price, Place and Promotion were the main ingredients. "But with this economy you need to have a fifth 'P', Perseverance. Four are just not enough," Mr Kinsale added.

Palm Cay a Multi-million dollar Bahamas Development eyes 100 full-time jobs

AN EASTERN New Providence Island real estate development could create more than 100 full-time jobs when completed, its newly-appointed chief executive telling Tribune Business he was "very confident" that the 350-400 unit project would be sold out within the next four years.

Richard Browning said Palm Cay's UK-based investors had "committed to continue to invest" to make the project a success, having spent "just shy of $40 million to get us where we are" - a position that is now allowing the Palm Cay development to start marketing to Bahamas based buyers in earnest.

Palm Cay wanted to first build "a local community" from among the Bahamian professional and middle class market, Mr Browning said 50 lots in the Ocean front development had already been sold. In addition, six townhouses and five oceanfront homes were also fully built, the former now all occupied.

"We've done that without even being in the market, so what can we do if we get out there?" Mr Browning asked, telling Tribune Business that marketing efforts in the Bahamas were set to begin in earnest in November 2011.

Although Palm Cay was making the transition from construction site to sales and marketing, its chief executive told Tribune Business that some 200-300 construction workers, and eight Bahamian contractors, were still employed on site. The tennis court amenities were currently under construction, and Palm Cay had just hired nine Bahamians for its security team and a landscaping company with 20 workers, was also at the development site on a full-time basis.

"Those numbers will increase as security becomes more important, as landscaping becomes more important," Mr Browning said. Looking towards the full-time posts that would be created when Pam Cay's marina, restaurant and clubhouse become fully operational, he added that the latter two facilities might create "maybe another 50 jobs".

As for the marina, it would need a harbourmaster, employees to look after the boats and maintain the facility. The marina, in turn, could create opportunities for bait and tackle and yacht chandlery businesses.

"If the need is there, it will create some businesses off that, so there will be spin-offs," Mr Browning told Tribune Business. "There will be repair work on the boats. If you get your foundation right, you can build some really strong activities around it, and the wheel will keep on rolling.

"We could end up with 100 people just trying to maintain the development and provide the services."

With Palm Cay's club house and restaurant, and associated 194-slip marina, built and set to act as the project's "heart", Mr Browning said the latter facility would have fuel in six-eight weeks and be a 'full service marina' by year-end. The Palm Cay development had "infrastructure 100 per cent", with water, sewerage and electricity facilities all in the ground.

And Palm Cay was also looking for a Bahamas-based restaurant entrepreneur to run the clubhouse restaurant, the developers targeting year-end or early in the 2012 New Year to have this facility fully operational.

"I'm looking at the moment for a restaurateur," Mr Browning told Tribune Business. "We'd like to find a restaurant entrepreneur who sees this as a long-term opportunity.

"There's no critical mass to start with, but we'd like to open at the weekend to serve residents and visitors As Palm Cay opens, it will become a vibrant hub....... I've had a few people give me proposals, but made no decision. We're still looking." Reiterating that Pam Cay was looking for "the right person", and was very close to selecting a harbourmaster to run its marina, Mr Browning added: "We'd [the developers] be foolish to open it ourselves, not offering the right sort of amenities.

"The restaurant business is a specialist business. Ideally, we'd like to find someone here that can run it as a satellite and expand as needs demand." Emphasising that he was "selling a lifestyle", namely the boating/yachting experiences offered by the Bahamas and associated living, Mr Browning said Palm Cay would do this at price points between $500,000-$2 million, making properties affordable to middle class and professional Bahamian buyers.'

"We're not in the Albany game, but are still there between $500,000 and $2 million in current values," Mr Browning said. "We're going to market strongly to increase our visibility, but are not going to increase prices. We know the market situation.

"We've got a fantastic lifestyle product, and it's not out of reach of the ordinary person. We're not a mega boat marina, we're not for mega yachts. We're here for the person who wants a 40-foot fishing boat, a 20 foot cruiser, or a small boat for the family. It's a family lifestyle, and we provide a great opportunity for people to explore yachting, fishing. We're a great location for exploring the Family Island, with Exuma 40 minutes away."

Townhouses in Palm Cay will start at a $500,000 price point, going up to $850,000 for oceanfront townhouses. While offering turnkey construction, Mr Browning estimated that total construction costs - lot purchase together with building prices - could run up to $2 million.

The Pam Cay chief executive said the developers were also looking to reduce development density, hence the potential plan to reduce the project from 400 home sites to 350.

As a result, they were looking to "change the mix slightly to introduce a cottage-type product", built on 2,000 square feet of land, as a family home option. With the townhouses "a fantastic product for young professionals", Mr Browning said Palm Cay was also exploring a rental market offering.

"Our target for build out is four years to sell it out and build out," he told Tribune Business. "The developers have invested just shy of $40 million to get us where we are. They are committed to continue to invest to make this a success.

"They've invested in me, provided the resources for me to take this forward. It's a significant sign that the investors are serious about this by putting me on the ground, and the resources on the ground, to move this forward. We are moving forward even in this difficult economy."

Palm Cay had been about to ramp up its sales/marketing effort back in 2007-2008, just as the 'credit crunch' and recession hit in full. The UK-based developers were forced to take stock and adjust their plans, before settling on the current way forward.

Asked why Palm Cay had decided to move now, with local marketing set to start next month, Mr Browning said: "There are good opportunities here, and we can deliver.... In a market that is sluggish, you either stagnate or get up and shout. "We feel there are a lot of discerning property owners out there that see it as the time to invest, and we offer the product they're looking for. It's a bold move, but if you don't move you don't get the results. Over the next four years I'm very confident we will sell this out."

If Palm Cay proceeded well, Mr Browning said the developers would look to do more projects in the Bahamas.

"Once we've got this successful, we will look at other opportunities in the Bahamas," he told Tribune Business. "We're here for the long. We're not a 'quick in and out' developer, and this will probably be one of our developments in the future. It's a good flagship, and the next one becomes easier if there's a track record."

Mr Browning told Tribune Business the developers wanted Palm Cay to be a 'Lights on' community, rather than one populated solely by winter residents and second home owners, something that would leave it relatively empty for large portions of the calendar year.

As a result, Palm Cay was looking for a 60/40 mix tilted in favour of full-time, Bahamas-based residents.

Meanwhile, Mr Browning said of Palm Cay's international marketing plans: "We'll look to that once we feel we've got the life, soul and heart ticking in here with the local marketplace.

"We will only go out to the international community with something that works. We will probably go out to them in the middle of next year, although we will have a small presence at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. There is a market there for people visiting the Bahamas, and we hope they will come down here on a regular basis."

Sandwiched between Port New Providence to the east and Gerardo Capo's Treasure Cove to the west, Mr Browning described Palm Cay as "the best kept secret" in eastern New Providence. As the only development of its size in the eastern end of the island, especially one that offers a marina and boating access, Palm Cay has some exclusivity to help its sales effort, especially given the rush to western New Providence.

To Handle Low-ball Offer, Minimize Emotion

It's a common scenario in today's real estate market: Sellers have their eyes on getting a certain amount for their home. Buyers make a low-ball offer that insults and offends the sellers and they refuse to even consider it. No sale.

How do you, as a seller, turn such a situation around in your favor to achieve a successful sale closer to your asking price? Your motivation plays a major role in your response, says Julie McCoy, a real estate agent with RE/MAX Accord in Lafayette, California.

If you want to sell a home quickly and a buyer is offering less but can close quickly, it's worth considering, McCoy says. When lower-than-expected offers come in, ask for an explanation from the buyer's agent and compare home sales to see how things stack up.

"The emotion has to be removed from the transactions," McCoy says. "Regardless of what kind of offers you receive, you can't take it personally. When someone writes a low-ball offer, it's not an indication of what your house is worth - but rather what they can afford."

Try to find wiggle room by negotiating the terms, such as the moving timeline, closing costs and repairs. You can gain back some money that way, McCoy says. If you're reluctant to touch the price but you're not having a lot of showings, seriously consider your motivations.

"When a seller says no to low offers, that means he or she will be carrying more payments on the house for a longer period of time," McCoy says. "If a seller can afford the daily cost of staying in the home and wants to get the best bang for the buck at closing, then there's not an urgent need to move. "

If you leave your gut reaction out of the equation, it's easier to make an informed decision on whether or not to consider a low offer.

"Motivated sellers will work with their agent, who then works with the buyer's agent, to negotiate - even if that involves countering," McCoy says. "It takes teamwork to arrive at a conclusion that everyone's happy with."

RE/MAX Ranks #1... in more ways than one!

"We accept this on behalf of all RE/MAX Sales Associates, whose high level of service made this recognition possible," Dave Liniger said. "This honor belongs to them."

A second study, conducted by national research firm Synovate, adds even more weight to the idea that RE/MAX is No. 1 in the eyes of consumers. In this survey, buyers and sellers ranked RE/MAX highest, by a large margin, in top-of-mind awareness, recalled advertising, firm most likely to work with, firm most likely to recommend, and many other categories.

When asked what real estate company first came to mind, 34 percent of the respondents said RE/MAX, easily outdistancing Century 21 (25 percent), Coldwell Banker (11 percent), Prudential (4 percent) and Keller Williams (3 percent). Overall, 95 percent of the participants were aware of RE/MAX.

This type of brand power brings business to RE/MAX Sales Associates, Liniger said. And when they combine their individual skills and talents with the "800-pound gorilla" of RE/MAX brand marketing, they have an unbeatable edge.

"Anyone who says brand isn’t important is either lying or stupid," Liniger said. "Advertising doesn’t cost; it pays. It brings more customers to our agents, makes things easier and generates business for them. And when they follow through with excellent service, they create repeat clients and referrals."

Custom marketing materials, Liniger said, will help Sales Associates use the results of both studies in their listing presentations and other promotions.

"We are developing all sorts of things for agents to use on the front lines," Liniger said. "This is their achievement, and they will directly benefit from it."

Broker/Owners in attendance were pleased at the news.

"Being No. 1 in one thing is great, but being No. 1 in lots of ways is much, much better," said Bob Carlseen, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Praecelsus in Chula Vista, Calif. "Sales Associates are looking for messages that resonate with consumers, and this will give them something very tangible to use."

Paul Turcotte, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Destiny in Cambridge, Mass., agreed.

"Every year, the tools keep getting better," he said. "And we have the proof to back up what we’re saying. Data doesn’t lie. I love the new direction."

Other highlights from the session:

• A new quarterly RE/MAX magazine, called Above, will debut in October in print and in an electronic version.

• RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly said the launch of the new remax.com site has been delayed by IDX policy changes at the National Association of Realtors. But while the site’s listing functionality has been impacted by the changing rules, work on the design and content has continued, and Kelly shared a glimpse of the fresh and user-friendly home page. She also emphasized that the current remax.com is completely compliant with existing IDX rules and would not be affected by any decisions at the NAR national convention in November.

Home Buyers and Sellers Prefer RE/MAX

RE/MAX Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction in 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Study

DENVER, CO – Results from the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM, recognize RE/MAX for providing the highest overall consumer satisfaction for both home buyers and home sellers. In last year’s study, two different companies ranked the highest in each category, but this year home buyers and sellers both rated RE/MAX the highest.

“It all comes down to professionalism and a commitment to a premier level of customer service,” said RE/MAX Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger. “Because RE/MAX agents average more experience and training than other agents, they are better prepared to deal with home buyers and sellers in any kind of market. And, consumer preferences tell the story . . . nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX.”

This is the fourth annual study of home buyer and seller satisfaction with the largest national real estate companies, conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. For the home buying experience, three factors were considered: agent/salesperson, office and a variety of additional services. Four factors were examined for the home-selling experience: agent/salesperson, marketing, office and a variety of additional services.

Details from the study indicate that on a scale of 1,000, homebuyer respondents ranked RE/MAX with a score of 805 and home sellers put RE/MAX on top at 791. The 2011 study includes more than 4,200 evaluations from 3,680 respondents who bought or sold a home in the U.S. between March 2010 and April 2011.

In two other 2011 industry surveys of the country’s top real estate brokerages, RE/MAX agents averaged more transaction sides than agents at the other national franchises. The RIS Media Power Broker Survey and the REAL Trends 500 both showed that RE/MAX agents averaged over 14 transactions sides, more than double the average of many competitors.

The success of RE/MAX agents is the result of its comprehensive educational platform, RE/MAX University, which offers over 1,100 educational programs on-demand, and available online, on television, on smart phones and in classrooms around the world.

About the RE/MAX Network: RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, real estate industry visionaries who still lead the Denver-based global franchisor today. RE/MAX is recognized as a leading real estate franchise company with the most productive sales force in the industry and a global reach of more than 80 countries. With a passion for the communities in which its agents live and work, RE/MAX is proud to have raised more than $100 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and other charities. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX. Please visit www.remax.com or www.joinremax.com.

About J.D. Power and Associates: Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.