Roatan

Roatan Real Estate Newsletter - December 2009

This issue will be a a short one.

I wish to wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Years. I hope
that all of you find a way to be "warm & cozy" over the next few days whether that be next to a
crackling fireplace or you are visiting a warmer climate.

The Holiday Season is always a time for reflection of life. A time for
realigning priorities, altering life's plans and setting new goals. This
especially true this season with economic times what they are, many without
work and unknown futures. For many a time of motivation and decision making.
My wife Nancy & I wish you all the best and hope that those who are blessed
with stability in their lives find time to be thankful for all they do have.

I realize you are all very busy, this one of the busier shopping weekends of
the year, with much of the east getting a very "White Christmas" Season as I
enter these words on my keyboard. Hopefully many of you have made Holiday
plans to fly south to your favorite warm weather tropical location. I am
sure the island here will see many both new and familiar faces.

For those of you staying in the cold and snow now may be the right time to
start daydreaming about the white powder sand, aqua blue warm Caribbean
waters and tropical breezes of Roatan. With Continental, Delta and TACA all
flying here direct it has never been easier to warm up on Roatan.

Remember our "Discovery Tour" at the end of February. It certainly is the
perfect time to make your plans to escape the cold and learn about our great
little island. - http://roatan-realestate.com/roatan-investment-tours.php

If you need some help getting around when you visit , here is a map link -
http://roatan-realestate.com/roatan-info.php
Cruise around the interactive map available or download a PDF hard copy that
you can print and bring with.

If you need a great place to stay there are many. Mayan Princess now under
new management is a very nice resort option as is Turquoise Bay for a
slightly more remote location. I you want to really get away from everything to
very remote, Royal Playa may be the place for you. All can be found with a simple
"Google" search. If you are looking more for a private place to call your own here is a good choice
http://www.vrbo.com/266325 with many options on vrbo.com

Best regards to all,
Larry


Larry Schlesser
Roatan-Real Estate
Owner/Broker

Visit our regularly Updated Web Site
http://www.roatan-realestate.com

VISIT OUR MLS FOR THE ISLAND here-
http://link.flexmls.com/oq9ggfooh53,2
Certified International Property Specialist Network Member

Labels: Honduras, Investment, Real Estate, Roatan, Roatan Christmas

There are some really good deals out there by both Sellers & Developers. (How about a house in the Premier Community of Lawson Rock originally listed $543,500 that now is only $379,000 ?). For our non U.S. dollar clients with the dollar sinking? What a great time to buy! Sometimes the “stars all align”. Great pricing, financing available in many instances, island development on the upswing………… too many reasons to not act now.

Phase 2, the water front Phase, of a development east of center island call Mariposa has just been released. The developer wishes to generate a sale NOW! There are six lots on the waterfront and he has priced them right at $179,000. BUT the Buyer of the first one gets 30% off that price. First sale only folks but if your time line is 5+ years to build this is a great place to start - http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=611

Another great property that comes to mind is “Infinity Bay”. This hotel/condo concept property on West Bay Beach is a top of the line vacation spot on the best beach on the island. For years we wanted so badly to be able to offer financing here but it was mostly Seller financing or not at all. Well, not only do their prices start at $199,000 U.S. they also are offer financing with rates starting at just 5.5%, 10 year. They also have 15 and 30 year deals. This is ironic to a degree. For years mortgages flowed easily there and none here, now visa versa, go figure.
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=427
Another developer that offers financing on the island is Pristine Bay. “PB” is the home to the “Black Pearl”, Pete Dye design course. They have it available on their Casita Condos, Marina Condos and both financing and special deals on some of their home sites. We have some new photos up there this month if you are interested in the progress, which has been substantial. http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=418

Keyhole Bay is a great spot and a bargain on a very quality residential condo or home site that has it all, (security, views, breezes, value, amenities, it’s own water and electrical supply)-
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=390
New Listings/Hot Deals-
If you are shopping on the “high end” of the spectrum and are looking for one of the best homes on the island this is exactly the place for you. This place has it all, gorgeous pretty much wraps it up-
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=603
Blue Harbor SHORT SALE ALERT ! – Some real estate people refer to Blue Harbor as the “mini Lawson Rock” Beautiful place. The developer there has beach front lots at $350.00. I have a motivated Seller that wishes to move his beachfront, prime, beautiful location listed for just $275,000. Try to buy a beachfront lot in Florida for that little money that certainly, I do not believe, will happen. The Seller says bring him an offer.
Check here for details – http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=609

Are you or do you know a big time developer? This is arguably one of the top places on the island. 135 acres of spectacular beach, reef, views and vegetation- http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=607

How about a more modest very nice home site in a very nice residential area at a very value price-
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=608

A well priced 2br/2ba condo in West End. Only $229K-
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=353
One of the best deals on the island. Would make the perfect hostile or inexpensive B & B. A beach front home originally listed at over $600K by another company is now listed at $259K and the Seller is looking for any reasonable offer- http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=436

Rare find West Bay Beach Bargain home - $180.00. Do not miss out –
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=610

If you are not sure what you are looking for you can search our island wide MLS and find your dream come true –
http://link.flexmls.com/oq9ggfooh53,2

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border, offshore investments, Roatan, Roatan/Retirement/Caribbean, Tropical Caribbean - Roatan Bay Islands

-Discovery Tour
In last months issue I announced our upcoming “Discovery Tour”. For years, real estate both there and here did nothing but just keep going up. Understandably the island was not hit as hard in regard to price decreases as some places were hit in the states, but there is no doubt that the affect of both the economic and political situations was felt by all here. Going back the last 5+ years I believe I can easily say that right now is absolutely the best time I have seen to buy here on Roatan.

The response to the announcement of the tour was very substantial. I had no idea there would be so many serious Shoppers/Buyers/Investors on our list that would write and show interest in the Tour. Our Tour Director, Janine Goben, has responded to all those interested and would like to ask anyone who is interested to please write us as soon as possible. I realize it is scheduled for February but not only will that happen fairly quickly, with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years in between the time will FLY by. We have negotiated preferred rates on West Bay Beach with Mayan Princess (http://www.mayanprincess.com/ ) so you will certainly be comfortable.

Bottom line, nowhere will you be able to get all the information you need, access to all the professional services, (Attorneys, Title Insurance, Accounting, Builders, Ex-Pats to share their experiences,…) in one place, at one time like you will on our “Discovery Tour”. PLUS you will be able to do such in a no pressure atmosphere, (we provide the information, you make the decision). AND did I mention we are talking February? Do you really have something better to do than spend your time on a beautiful tropical island in February? (February, you know the month where you have reached your limit with cold, snow, ice, and still have a month or possibly much longer left of it). Really does it get any better? Just hit “Reply” and tell us that you want to sign up. We will take it from there. We are sure you will love your visit. Sign up today!
http://roatan-realestate.com/roatan-investment-tours.php

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border, Golf Pete Dye Course, Real Estate Investment, Roatan, Roatan/Retirement/Caribbean

-Timing is Everything!
Last summer I announced that Roatan Real Estate would start a new program,
the “Discovery Investment Tour”. These are a great option for people who
wonder if this island is the right place for them. People who are
considering a vacation home, or maybe a retirement residence or maybe just
for an investment. These tours are a very positive way for you to spend a
great week on a tropical island, be part of a group of people who are also
wondering if this is the place for them and have a complete package of
information and qualified experts to answer any question you may have. This
type of tour has experts from all venues; an Attorney, Title Insurance
Personnel, Ex-Pats who have made the move before you, an Accountant, and
others. No pressure, no stress, just a great time on a tropical island for
you to get every question answered.

Well as luck would have it, we scheduled one soon after the economic trauma
worldwide. Obviously not much we could do with that one except maybe plan
another. We did and wham, political events. We canceled. Well now it is time
to plan ahead. They say third time is the charm. February 22, 2009 is the
date we have set for the next one. It basically is the perfect time of the
year for this. Winter is brutal north of the Mason/Dixon line, the holidays
are over, it is absolutely gorgeous here. Add in that Valentines Day is the
week before and we are set for the PERFECT time of the year for this.

We basically arrange everything for you on this end except the flight. You
will have complete freedom to enjoy and learn. Go here for an overview of
the tour - http://roatan-realestate.com/roatan-investment-tours.php If
you have questions feel free to contact us at realty-inquiries@roatan-realestate.com Plan ahead folks, this is the perfect trip at the perfect time of year. What is the worst case scenario a great week on a tropical island basking in the sun and getting away from the winter? Sounds pretty good to my. How about you?

Labels: Caribbean Islands, Honduras, Real Estate Investment, retirement Homes, Roatan, Roatan/Retirement/Caribbean, Tropical Caribbean - Roatan Bay Islands

-Cruz'n to the Island
Over the past +/- ten years there has been considerable discussion among people on the island regarding the cruise ship industry and it¹s place and future on the island. Many on the island depend on the ships as sources of income, the government enjoys the tax revenues and many who have never heard of Roatan are now able to visit our beautiful island.

The new cruise ship dock/facility in Dixon Cove, (AKA Mahogany Bay), is coming along very quickly and seems like it will be ready to go for the upcoming season. This second international cruise ship port will be a Carnival Cruise Lines location and will be self-contained, with a beach facility, many activities and shopping galore. It looks like it will be a first class facility that will provide island visitors with a pleasant visit to this beautiful island. The newly designed and remodeled port in Coxen Hole, (Royal Caribbean), will start the expansion of the docking facilities this fall (projected October start), which will allow the tendering of multiple ships. Both of these facilities are very nice and will change the island for decades.

Bottom line is that Roatan will be a much busier place. A place that despite the economics of much of the world or a political crossroads, will still continue to grow and be a great place to retire, invest or vacation. Companies of this large size do not put tens of million of dollars into a location if they do not think the island has a lot to offer. They are investing heavily.

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border, Pristine Bay and the Pete Dye Black Pearl Gold Course, Roatan, Roatan/Retirement/Caribbean

There is no doubt that markets in many places in much of the world the real estate industry would label as “Buyer Markets”. Roatan to a great degree is no different in that there no doubt are some of the best deals available for many years. Many Sellers are in a “buy and hold” pattern, meaning they have their properties for sale but are holding fast to the price points, whereas other Sellers are far more motivated. For years developers have been hard liners in regard to their price points. More and more are developing programs that allow more flexible offers or programs for financing which in many instances are not happening very easily in the U.S. the quality is just as great as it always been. Infinity Bay now has a 5.5% interest rate program on purchases with 50% down and Keyhole Bay is saying “bring me a contract” –

For those who are not familiar you really should visit the links above. Keyhole Bay is a top of the line quality operation a short walk from West Bay Beach that is the perfect place for a retirement or second home situation. It has the lowest price per square foot of the top end projects and has historically had a great reputation for delivering some of the most beautiful and well built units on the island.
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=390">http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=390 >

Infinity is a Hotel/Condo operation that is not only a top of the line operation but also the absolutely perfect place for vacations if you are a beach lovers. Infinity Bay is on the Famous West Bay Beach. (AKA Tabyana) as in this article
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=427">http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=427 >

Another recent visitor wrote this and posted it online……
http://www.jacksonnjonline.com/2009/09/16/the-hidden-gem-of-honduras/

Labels: Caribbean Vacations, Golf Pete Dye Course, Roatan, Roatan/Retirement/Caribbean

Tired of snow? cold? ever think about running away, at least during the dead of winter?
Roatan Bay Islands Honduras is a great place to consider.

How about our FREE Investment and Relocation Guide ? Over 300 pages of
great information. http://www.roatan-realestate.com/index.php

The fact of the matter is, investment in Caribbean properties has traditionally been both profitable and an exciting life experience. Certainly not for everyone, but personally I think it should be! If you cannot find the answers you are looking for just drop us a line.

We feel we have the top staff on the island and we will be happy to help anyway we can.

realty-inquiries@roatan-realestate.com

Labels: America, beach, caribbean, Central, costa, cruise, Honduras, Island, Mediterranea, Ocean, Roatan, Roatan Honduras, surf, Tropical, Water