H O R I Z O N S

Deep in Dan's Cave

“The blue holes of the Bahamas yield a scientific trove that may even shed light on life beyond Earth. If only they weren’t so dangerous to explore.”

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/08/bahamas-caves/skiles-photography

Wow!

I was pondering for a moment how popular the Bahamas is as a destination.  No matter where I travel folks I speak with have heard of the Bahamas.  People are still often amazed that people ‘live’ there.

Recently while attending a small town 4^thof July parade in Vermont, there was an artist exhibit set up inside of a barn.  While I marveled at the glorious folk art and vibrant rooster paintings, I glimpsed a vista that was familiar – Harbour Island and other areas of Eleuthera.  The artist was a local in Vermont, but had a second home in Eleuthera.  She was very enamored with the Island, and having been there many times, I fully understand.

Recently Eleuthera has garnered significant press around the globe and in particular in the Pacific Northwest of the United States for the capture of the ‘Barefoot Bandit’, Colton Harris Moore.  Having eluded the US authorities for so long Colton’s errant behavior ended with a dramatic capture by Bahamian Police in the same Harbour Island the artist had captured on canvas.

In the minds of many the Barefoot Bandit is a Northwest ‘folk hero’ not unlike the artist I met.  People marvel at the ingenuity of a young man with a seemingly kind heart as people admired my gifted East coast acquaintance.

Colton was kid who, like so many criminals, had strikes against him before he could walk. His habit for breaking into vacation homes began at 13 largely because they had what he didn’t; cupboards full of food, plentiful toys, neat electronics, a sense of prosperity and security. Like Goldilocks, he’d linger inside, watching TV and eating the food. He hoarded many of the items he stole in a tent behind his mother’s property. He was nonviolent, hated drugs, loved dogs, and adored by one of the social workers who tried to help him. He was about as far from a cold-hearted crook as one could get while still being a criminal with a determination to fly.

I ponder what drew the self taught pilot, Colton, to our shores, of course there is the obvious, easy proximity and outside of US jurisdiction, but could there be a subconscious motive to head to land steeped in pirate folklore? A cosmic pull per se?  Or is it as simple as, if you have to head somewhere, why not go where it is warm and gorgeous….

You know there is a local group in the Bahamas that has a song that says something along the line of…

Even the Good Lord takes a holiday – That’s way He created the Bahamas

Below are some links to listings in Eleuthera for you to have a look at: http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/14820

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/21186

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/20723

I also have a FANTASTIC opportunity to own approx 20 ACRES of prime land for a GREAT DEAL – motivated seller !! http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/18280 – Call today about that one – 242-357-7572

You don’t have to be an artist or a bandit to succumb to the lure of Eleuthera, to visit or have ownership in the Bahamas – remember that even the Good Lord is seeking a great place to get away – that’s why he created the Bahamas…

Perhaps you should check it out too.

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As promised, check out this beautiful footage of Long Island, Bahamas shot by Robin Schmidt – Winner of the ‘14 Islands Film Challenge’

http://www.digitalcinemafoundry.com/2010/03/01/shooting-the-trailer-bahamas-14-island-film-challenge/

Last October, The 14 Islands Film Challenge set out to find the country’s most gifted filmmakers in a nationwide campaign to support the home-grown talent of Britain’s film industry. Of the 150 filmmakers from across the UK who were accepted into the challenge just 14 filmmakers were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend two weeks filming on an idyllic island in The Bahamas drawing on scenery which has been the backdrop of many iconic films including; Pirates of the Caribbean, Casino Royale and The Silence of the Lambs.

Winner and man of the moment, Robin Schmidt said: “I am so excited to be crowned the winner of The 14 Islands Film Challenge, it is an amazing feeling to really succeed and be recognised for my work as a film director. The film industry is such a tough place to break in to, but tonight I feel like I have taken a giant leap in my career and hope to keep taking these big steps from now. It’s challenges like this that give the next generation of filmmakers a shot to make the big time. This has given me the determination to keep making films and sharing my view of the world with everyone.”

Supported by the National Film and Television School (NFTS) and The Bahamas Tourist Office, the challenge sought to engage with up and coming or professional filmmakers to give them a platform to launch their career. Tommy Thompson, Deputy Director General, Bahamas Tourist Office and Challenge Judge explains: “Seeing what these promising filmmakers have created, given only two weeks and doing all the work themselves is fantastic. They have captured the beauty of our Islands, from the smallest conch shell to uncovering the hidden treasures of The Exumas. Whether you’ve been a hundred times or never before, the Islands give everyone something different each time and that magic has been captured in these films.”

To see the films created by winners Robin Schmidt, Nimer Rashed and Mark Drake and all 14 of the UK’s hottest filmmakers, http://14islandsfilmchallenge.bahamas.co.uk/armchair-critics/welcome

http://14islandsfilmchallenge.bahamas.co.uk/?video=210&page=1

A couple of listings in Long Island, Bahamas from www.hgchristie.com

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/17728

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/16964

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/19509

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I know I won’t be the only one buzzing about this…

The web is filled with the latest report that a wooden structure “in the interiors of an unusual cave” at the 14,700-foot level of Ararat’s slopes are the remains from Noah’s Ark.  Believers and skeptics have taken to cyber chat in droves to express their opinions of this claim. 

Speaking of caves…

Yesterday, I was watching some gorgeous footage of Long Island, Bahamas. ( I’ll share that in a moment)The video included some images of a cave on the island.  There were lots of bats in that island cave, but no Ark.  I wondered as I watched what stories this cave could tell.  Was this the previous shelter of Caribbean Indians?  Could these caves be nature’s first real estate opportunities? Images of agents in HGC branded loincloths fill my head.  As I digress, I pause to ponder a listing description for ‘The Ark’ :

“Heavenly Opportunity – Expansive houseboat, room enough for the entire family and all of your favorite pets.  Great opportunity to sail the globe and enjoy gorgeous sea views.  Must Act Now!”

So anyway, getting back to the ark discovery claim – the finders, led by an evangelical group, say they are “99.9 percent” that a wooden structure found on the mountainside was part of a ship that housed the Biblical Noah, his family and a menagerie of creatures during a giant flood 4,800 years ago. 

But researchers who have spent decades studying the region – and fending off past claims of ark discoveries – caution that a boatload of skepticism is in order.

The quest to find remnants of the Bible’s most famous cargo ship goes back to, well, virtually biblical times (or at least back to the time of the ancient historian Josephus). In the Book of Genesis, God tells Noah to build a boat that would be longer than a modern-day football field and more than three stories high (“should I add the term ‘highrise’ to that listing description?”). Animals were sent to seek shelter in the ship and ride out a flood that wiped out the entire world.

The only connection the Bahamas has at this point in the story is that it is said by locals, and visitors alike,  that “When God goes on vacation…”, like on that 7th day, “…He visits the Bahamas”.

It seems as if evidence of the ark pops up at least every couple of years – and not always in the same place. Hmmmmm, what stories do these  many grottoes hold for us?  Is this one revealing what was just yesterday the stuff of legends….  what you think?

NAMI / AFP – Getty Images

A photo from Noah’s Ark Ministries International shows a member of the Chinese- Turkish evangelical exploration team looking at wooden beams inside a compartment of a structure that the team has linked to the Biblical Noah’s Ark.

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“I could tell you my adventures – beginning from this morning,’ said Alice a little timidly: ‘but it’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”

The statement above, made by Alice to the Mock Turtle and Gryphon, perfectly sums up today’s real estate market. Tim Burton’s recent movie ‘Alice in Wonderland’ has been sharing the news spotlight recently with the real estate market with opinions and reviews being liberally disseminated. However, as Alice points out, there is no use looking back to the real estate market of yesterday. Today we find ourselves in a different real estate market, a new reality.

Without dispute it could be said that we are all ‘different’ than we were prior to the economic downturn. As in marking our calendars BC or AD, this period of time will remain a financial reference that affected individuals in varying degrees; from merely needing to put off plans for later to devastation, the adjustments are palatable. It is safe to say that no matter the impact experienced, we are all emerging more cautious in our financial matters and real estate purchases.

While Lewis Carroll’s character is a fictional one, the disorientation experienced by Alice has even led to the coining of a real neurological condition which affects human perception called the, “Alice in Wonderland Syndrome”, also known as “Todd’s Syndrome”. Suffers may experience size distortion or other sensory abnormalities. The same could be said of the past real estate market, now referred to as a ‘bubble’ by many analysts. The real estate market of our ‘short term’ memory, like Alice, grew to a disproportionate size and then shrunk to miniscule proportions. Similarly to our analogous heroine, the current real estate market seems to be returning to its normal size.

As we emerge a bit breathless from our battle with the ‘economic dragon’, like Alice, we seem to be emerging wiser and empowered to explore our options. So shake the dust off from our recent economic skirmish and set out to explore opportunities on the horizons.

I have included a few links for your exploration below:

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/19573

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/18389

Contributions from Dwayne Wallas of HG Christie Abaco
Influenced by Tara-Nicolle Nelson author of “The Savvy Woman’s Homebuying Handbook”

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Image by BlogMama via Flickr

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In a recent Toast Master’s District 47 Executive Council meeting held in Ft. Myers, Florida, HG Christie’s Agent and Appraiser, Elbert Thompson            , was named the Area Governor of the 2nd Quarter for District 47. 

Elbert has captured this esteemed honor after 13 distinguished years with Toastmasters International and has competed and won several contests throughout the years.  Rising as a leader during his affiliation with this well-regarded organization that is dedicated to enhancing communication and leadership skills, Elbert also served as a club president.  His stellar performance within the Toastmaster’s organization has now yielded wider recognition  with this prestigious award for a district that stretches across the Bahamas and South Florida, from Key West to Tampa. This represents approximately 5,000 members and 42 areas.

HG Christie salutes Elbert in this outstanding accomplishment.  During his professional career Elbert has maximized his speaking talents, knowledge and exceptional training skills in many venues.  One of Mr. Thompson’s most memorable posts in the Bahamas where his exceptional skills could be witnessed was as a news anchor and reporter with the national televisionand radio station,  ZNS.

When congratulated he remarked, “I was truly shocked and humbled by the honours when my name was called and I thank all of the Area 83 clubs, their executive officers, members and Area 83 Council members as their work and cooperation has made this all possible.  GO AREA 83!!!!”

HG Christie is proud to have Elbert Thompson             as a valued member of our team.  Elbert shines not only at Toastmasters but professionally as well.  A respected appraiser, a Top Producing Agent and recently a proficient company trainer.  So “GO ELBERT!  Shine on!”

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Thawing in the warmth of the Bahamian Sunshine nearly 100 Air Canada passengers disembarked the inaugural international direct flight into George Town, Exuma on Sunday.

After just a few short hours, commuters sporting gleeful expressions headed off to play at the new Sandals Emerald Bay resort ready to soak up the gorgeous Exuma seaside. 

The island of Exuma is welcoming and grateful for these direct flights and views this as just the beginning of an even greater increase to international arrivals to Exuma. Executives with Air Canada have said that they are ’booked to capacity for the rest of the month for their flights into Exuma’.

“We are so proud to be here,” said Sandal’s Chief Executive OfficerAdam Stewart. “We are here today and are committed to the people of Exuma.

The executive was present yesterday for the day’s festivities, along with a host of other island officials.
Raymond Francis, executive director of the Out Islands Promotions Board, noted that the inaugural flight came at a time when most big airlines were considering cutting routes to boost cost efficiency – that’s proof, he said, for what’s in store for Exuma in the near future.

“It goes to show that Air Canada and Sandals are confident in Exuma’s tourism growth,” he said. “We are confident this direct service will boost tourism demand [and] we hope this will entice . . . and provide much needed direct service from Toronto.”

The Air Canada flight will operate one day a week servicing the Toronto to George Town routes.

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Potential home buyers who delay have a lot to lose.

First-time home buyer and move-up tax credits worth $8,000 and $6,500, respectively, expire April 30. Buyers who qualify get a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes or a cash payment if they don’t pay enough taxes to cover the credit.

Other factors that should spur buyers:

Low mortgage rates. If the Federal Reserve stops buying mortgage-backed securities at the end of March, 30-year rates will almost certainly rise to more than 6 percent.

Rising prices. About 30 percent of markets are already experiencing price increases. Prices are falling in 12 percent of markets, says Fiserv (but that only helps if you want to live there).

Source: Money Magazine, Beth Braverman (03/02/2010)

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Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The Mortgage Bankers Association is seeing signs that the foreclosure crisis is ending.

“The continued and sizable drop in the 30-day delinquency rate is a concrete sign that the end may be in sight,” says Jay Brinkmann, MBA’s chief economist, in a published statement.

Brinkmann said that normally there is a large spike in short-term mortgage delinquencies at the end of the year because of high heating bills and holiday expenditures. This year, there was not only no spike, but the 30-day delinquency rate actually fell from 3.79 percent to 3.63 percent.

Thirty-day delinquencies have historically been a leading indicator of serious delinquencies and foreclosures, Brinkmann said.

“[This] gives us growing confidence that the size of the problem now is about as bad as it will get,” he said.

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (02/19/2010)