RE/MAX August 2012 Newsletter

-Independence Day –Annual Fishing Tournament
-New Island School in Sandy Bay
-Real estate
-American Airlines
-New Listings/Hot deals
-Rotary News
-Going to the Movies?

-Independence Day
Each September in Honduras they celebrate ‘Independence Day’, September 15th. Here on the island part of the festivities is that they have a fishing contest that generates a great deal of excitement. This year will be no different, when hundreds of participants hope for the top prize for their efforts. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so for those interested in the Tournament or those who have never been here, this ‘youtube’ link will give you a great feel for what is here.

view it here

-New Island School in Sandy Bay –
Bill & Ann Addison were the gracious and generous donors of a property in Sandy Bay where the Municipal of Roatan has erected a brand new school that will be able to handle 1,000 students. Although it has not been officially dedicated it is all but complete and close to ready for this upcoming public school year.

-Real estate
It seems things are picking up a bit in regard to real estate activity and sales. They say for every action there is a reaction and that may be part of it. Prices are way down and it has opened things up to a lot more purchasers. When I say it started to pick up I do not mean a great deal of sales just more people looking in a Buyers market.

In that real estate has more of a ‘International’ flavor over the past few years, and as the ‘baby boomers’ mature, there are far larger quantities of people that are seeking something different. The upcoming retiree generation, as every retiree group before them, are ‘on the move’ and open to changes in lifestyle and locations. Whereas our parents moved to Florida or Arizona this generation of ‘seniors’ are far more open to crossing borders, adding adventure and of course places that can offer less in taxes, retiree residencies w/benefits and lower costs. As the island develops, adding amenities, and there are more options for direct to the island air travel, more look at our little island as a viable option which is only a two hour flight from the U.S.

As you may have heard, France has passed a new tax on their wealthy, in regard to their income, at a 75% rate and at government level you would think someone is processing numbers on just how many citizens they will be loosing. 75% taxes? Wow. Recently Cayman Islands, a popular retirement and tourism destination has also passed a new 10% tax, only in this instance they are imposing it on foreigners only. Overall our inquiries are up from last year at this time.

Millions and millions are considering moves, considering homes outside of their countries for various reasons. Whether it is a lifestyle change, an economic change, an opportunity for you to buy while the real estate market has great buys or a combination of many reasons, we hope that Roatan is a place that is at the top of your list of considerations for whatever reason may be yours.

-New Listings/Hot deals

We have several new and exciting listings that may interest you. The first five are all nice commercial pieces two near French Harbor, one in Sandy Bay, one bargain near the cruise ship port and one on West Bay road near Keyhole Bay.

West Bay-

Near French Harbor, (two of them on east of one west of)

nearly 600 feet of road frontage with almost 4 acres of land!

Sandy Bay – Prime location

Cruise ship location-

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These three are for those you do not just want to move to an island but actually want their very own island-

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How about a nice waterfront home? A great place for a boat

A nice waterfront lot near West Bay in a quiet residential area?

Motivated Sellers-
Water front home site, boat access only – Seller motivated, make an offer!

Waterfront luxury condo, great price….

With many predicting a upcoming ‘double dip’ recession it may be time to also consider a property purchase with IRA’s. Just a thought. Now is the time folks, a real Buyer’s market with prices from ten years ago!

Do you want to do your own searches and get every listing on the island?
see it here

-American Airlines-
I have just heard today that American Airlines will start flights on November 17 arriving at 2:15 PM from Miami. The official announcement will be this Friday, here on the island. If you check before that you will not be able to book. Until this is ‘OFFICIAL’, it is rumor. That said I got it from a great source.

-Rotary Projects-
As most of my readers are aware Rotary International is very active here on the island. They Rotary regularly have new contributions they make to the community and I thought I would tell you about some of the ones as of late. First, they have agreed to 14 scholarships for students from primary school to University level. They also have donated ‘field time’ to a new children’s soccer league for kids 8 to 12 years old. The soccer fields here that are created are fenced, have lighting and are well maintained so they charge for people to use them. The Rotary is covering those expenses for this new league.

-Going to the movies?
Do you visit the island often or maybe you are like me and you live here. There is no doubt that many come here or live here and are very active fishing, diving and enjoying the vast beauty of the island. There also is no shortage of ‘night life’ locations for a local band or a sunset drink. How about something a little more ‘laid back’, like a night at the movies?

I am talking about new movies not a TMC flicks from forty years ago. Yes they are available and something you should consider. The price certainly is right, it is free. Catch a free flick at the ‘Pineapple Grill’. While you watch have one of the best steaks available in the country, a tasty pizza or meal while you are watching.

Take your ‘date’ out! 7:15 Fridays. Do something different, something fun and something enjoyable. Have a great evening out. Upcoming shows- Friday, August 24th is ‘The Three Stooges’ and August 31st is ‘Battleship”.

That is it for this month folks. Let us know if you have any questions regarding real estate and we will be happy to promptly respond or this link would be a great place to start-
your questions answered here

If you have a smart phone or IPAD and you wish to be ‘mobile’ with property searches you can go to this site for your portable devises.
get your mobil devise link here

Best regards,
Larry