June Newsletter – 2013 –News You can Use!
-Local ‘things to do/places to eat’
-Beautiful Art
-Real Estate
-‘The White City’
-Odds & Ends-
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Welcome to the June 2013 RE/MAX Newsletter. A monthly publication for almost 12 years now. Please feel free to write us with questions you may have regarding real estate. We want your business!
-Local ‘things to do/places to eat’
Blue Bahia, Sandy Bay-
For those that live here and those who visit often, the Blue Bahia restaurant is a place that most know and love. The new owners, Rob & Lisa, hailing from Milwaukee, WI., have started their new life on the island as the new owners of Blue Bahia. Leaving the menu in tact (some of the best BBQ you have ever had). They also have added a new Friday night fish fry and a new signature drink, the ‘Blue Bahia’. If you are headed down to the island and have never been to this restaurant, this is a place you need to make note of now and visit when you arrive. If you are here already as you read the above, you are already getting the desire for really great BBQ pulled pork sandwich or other smoked meat or fish options. Need a little enticement? Write Lisa here for a 10% off coupon for you and your guest. BlueBahiaBeachGrill@gmail.com
The ‘Other End’ of the island-
The island is only about 35 miles long, (though the way the roads travel around the terrain you have far more miles from one end to the other), most visitors seldom get anywhere east of the airport. That is something you should change on your next visit or maybe just on a mini adventure afternoon. The ‘other side’ (east end) of the island has it’s own unique ‘feel’, ambiance, flora and yes food.
Whether you stop in the Garifuna community of Punta Gorda for traditional Machuca or Tapado (http://www.honduras.com/traditional-honduran-food-garifuna-tapado/ or http://www.honduras.com/traditional-honduran-food-machuca/ ) or drive a little further to Camp Bay for dining over the water at LaSirena’s you will have a day of adventure and cultural diversity. LaSirena has some great food, lobster is their specialty.
‘Sand Blasters’-
Whether you are here fulltime, part-time or just for a short trip you really should check out check out ‘Sand Blasters’. Beaches are always an attraction here on the island but unlike many islands you may want to visit or live on Roatan has considerable elevation and vegetation, (unlike the ocean ‘pancakes’ places like Cayman or Aruba). ‘Sand Blasters’ provide a ‘four wheeling’ adventure for you that you will remember for years to come. You will go off road into the unspoiled jungle, ride along ridges and mountains with breathtaking views, and pass through local villages that few tourists get to see. You will stop for photo opportunities to ensure you will remember this amazing place. You will see the turquoise waters and beautiful reef, while enjoying the fresh air and freedom of these fast and furious machines.
Experience the absolute most breathtaking views of the Island, then it is off to experience some local villages to get a taste of true Island culture. Check them out on your next trip to Roatan and see for yourself what everyone is raving about!
Check them out here – http://www.roatanjmjtours.com/
Frenchies 44-
As mentioned above, many who live or visit here often never get east of the airport. If that describes you, you are really missing the boat! The ‘other half’ of the island has a whole lot to offer. Besides the obvious like the ‘Black Pearl’ Pete Dye design pro golf course in French Harbor, (http://www.honduras.com/best-golf-course-in-central-america-and-the-caribbean/ ) or Herbie’s Sport’s Bar, something you really need to check out if you have not (http://www.honduras.com/best-sports-bar-in-honduras/ ), a day at Frenchie’s needs to be on your list of things to do. A day on an island a few hundred yards off the shore of Roatan provides an idyllic setting right on the coral reef. Check it out here and make it a point to visit-
http://www.honduras.com/little-french-keyisland-oasis/
Date Night-
Are you looking for that quiet evening out? Have a meal at the ‘Pineapple Grill’
and catch a great movie for Free! It starts at 7 PM when you can order off the menu or have their ‘Movie Night Steak Special for Two!’ and both watch and eat at the same time on a huge screen. Great food and very comfortable chairs!
Here is what is upcoming- see you there!
June 8th* , – OZ The Great and Powerful (normally ‘Movie Night’ is Fridays, this week it is on Saturday night due to the Honduras futbol (soccer) game televised
June 14th, – Identity Thief (Friday)
June 21st, – A Good Day to Die Hard (Friday)
-Beautiful Art
Last month I sent out what some of what the island has to offer in regard to authors from the island, books written and where you can purchase various works. This month I would like to feature one of the island artists, Cynthia Parchmen………….. If you have yet to experience the artwork of Cynthia Parchment here on Roatan, it is something that you should make it a point to do. Cynthia, with her husband Dr. Charles, whose family hails from Gravel Bay on the south side of the island, moved to the island in 1998. Cynthia lives her dream by discovering the beauty of Roatan daily and placing that beauty on canvas. Her work is prominently displayed both at ‘Waves of Art’ in West End and at ‘La Pina Spa’ located at Clarion/Pineapple Villas in French Harbor. Make it a point to stop by and enjoy her recreation of the beauty and culture of the island. You can contact Cynthia on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.parchment?fref=ts
Real Estate News –
The economic woes of much the world has certainly effected the economy of the
island over the past few years, with much of the island’s economy tied to the United States, the prices of real estate during that timeline has decreased substantially, providing for considerable opportunity for a far broader market of Buyers. It seems the rate of those price decreases have slowed in the homes market and may have bottomed out to a degree providing a large quantity of really great buys. Year to date there has been a slightly higher average price for the homes sold along with a higher percent of asking to list price rising to a little over 90%.
Although for sometime now I have mentioned that we are solidly in a Buyer’s market, we may be in what looks like the first signs of a market comeback. Historically we can lag North America by about a year on both the increases and decreases, which makes sense in that, in the U.S. especially, there has been signs of a turnaround slowly happening in the real estate industry there.
Although our friends in Canada have been active in our market, (both here and on the mainland) for years, the ‘big dog’ , (the U.S), seems to still be in a flux with continual financial challenges and political turmoil.
Our next upcoming challenge in the real estate industry here on the island may very well be the quantity of homes priced right for this market in regard to inventory. With an extreme glut of vacant land on the market now, and extremely attractive price points, I am guessing there will be both locals and foreigners that will recognize this value and start up small developments of value priced homes that the market will soon be looking for.
We do seem to be getting more ‘lifestyle’ change clientele shopping or those considering a move from their country either part time or fulltime escaping higher costs of living, ever increasing taxes, government regulations, inclement weather or just deciding life is too short and they cannot picture themselves doing the same thing the next 25 years that they did the last 25 years.
This months ‘steals, deals & new listings’-
These small lots are just the perfect size for a seasonal residence so you have a lack of yards work and expenses, There is enough room for a home and some fruit trees – perfect! These home sites are very short walk to either the Pete Dye Golf course or the white sand beach. This seller has very nice beach available and is willing to talk to developers about joint ventures or work with builders on spec homes. Starting at only $29,000. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-169-blue-hill-estate-lots/
At $35,000 to $35,500 we have two great buying opportunities for very nice home sites. One is in the prestigious community of Lawson Rock with all its amenities and convenient location or a great views hilltop spot all of your own a short drive to shopping & golf.
http://www.roatanbayisland.com/listing/listing-135-0-12-acre–homesite/
or
http://www.roatanbayisland.com/listing/listing-131-lawson-rk/
This offering offers a substantial price reduction on a very prime location commercial building, The perfect location for a fast food outlet –
https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-146-7-119-sq–ft-commercial/
Are you looking for a Lifestyle change? Maybe the opportunity to set up a small business and make a move to have a little entrepreneurial adventure in life? Maybe this is a fit for you. This listing is held in a Honduran corporation where one of the two partners would like to sell. He would finance the purchase which would allow you to have your space plus space to rent out to others, which in savings to you could have the building pay for itself. $25,000 dn, $25,000/yr for 10 years.
This 8,000 sf commercial building near the cruise ship port in Coxen Hole maybe a great spot for you to have your own business on the island! Check it out here-
http://www.roatanbayisland.com/listing/listing-143-main-street-mall/
If you have ever been to the island or are familiar with it at all, you very well may be familiar with this iconic and unique location building for this next new offering. These type opportunities rarely come up to own a piece of the island in such a great location. This property historically has been used for a residence and a place to park a boat for an owner with plenty of room left over to rent commercial space below. The upstairs now is being rented out to tourists supplying a steady income stream with the downstairs rented to commercial enterprises. Walk out the front side and onto a very wide well built pier or walk out the other side right on the main street of West End Village with it’s newly paved concrete road and central sanitation system. Opportunity is all yours and what you wish to make of it – http://www.roatanbayisland.com/listing/listing-173-beach-house/
Another smaller and profitable business is available in West Bay at the West Bay Mall. Well established this often visited tourism business that makes money, has a great long term lease. Only $69,000. Check it out here –
http://www.roatanbayisland.com/listing/listing-176-so-tropic/
This lovely 1 Bedroom 1 bath Casita located just behind the ”Blue Parrot Restaurant” with easy, short drive access to the night life and shops of West End in one direction or the airport in the other. A very short stroll to the beach. The owner just completed a separate Guest House with full bath, and a private deck.
http://www.roatanbayisland.com/listing/listing-175-1-bedroom-casita—guest-house/
Odds & Ends-
If you haven’t done it yet, here is a reminder that RE/MAX here has it’s MLS for the entire island in a app for your mobile device, smart phone or IPad. Save it today and paradise dream from anywhere/anytime –
Honduras is a really diverse country. Some call it ‘One Country – Three Worlds’. You have the beaches, the rain forest and the Mayan culture, historically. The below link will help you navigate that discovery tour that you may wish to embark on.
Copan, Comayagua, Trujillo can all be reached on ‘Heldman Alas’ bus company, (a/c, TV screens with English movies), that gives you time to see the countryside and cultures (try their $99.00 -15 day pass!) What a deal! http://www.hedmanalas.com/ ), or maybe SOSA Airlines if you are in more of a hurry – http://www.honduras.com/aerolineas-sosa-2013/
‘The White City’
If you are interested in Honduras, archeology and history this is an article that you should read about new discoveries regarding the ancient Mayan cultures in this country-
http://www.honduras.com/update-honduras-lost-city-ciudad-blanca/
Need more ideas? Go to this site………. http://www.honduras.com/travel/ then scroll to the bottom of that page and note the companies that can help your travel, live, experience and save.
Stay fit- If are looking for the nicest place on the island to stay in shape, that has great workout equipment, plus a whirlpool, sauna, steam bath all included, you may want to check out LaPinå. It is pretty tough to beat a really great health club for less than $10.00 A WEEK! email them here for details. Tell them you read it in the RE/MAX Newsletter. relaxing@lapinaspa.com
That is it for this month folks. I hope you enjoy your summer and are thinking about our beautiful island.
Best regards,
Larry
(as Also seen on our sister site http://www.roatanbayisland.com/remax-newsletter-june-2013/)