Barbados Property News May - July 2021

EE NE FR NLI O &

The Crane - Page 3

Sothebys - Page 9

Ron Karp Realty - Page 32

Harmony Hall Green

BARBADOS PROPERTY

NEWS www.barbadospropertynews.com • May/June/July 2021 • Issue 133

Endorsed by the Barbados Estate Agents and Valuers Association Inc.

Editor’s Comments Does anyone remember that RBP song Volcano? The chorus goes ‘ Ash in de air’ !

Barbadians woke up one weekend in April to find ash from La Soufriere Volcano in St Vincent had paid us a visit! It was a shock that an eruption that far away would have such a profound effect but the forces of nature were such that the ash cloud travelled miles into the atmosphere and at the point of writing was affecting India and heading towards SW Asia! So the clean up began in earnest and Barbadians came out in droves in their neighbourhoods cleaning their properties and the streets around them. The Government, led by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, took it in stride and immediately set a clean up plan in action. Barbados Pamela Hiles, Editor also rallied to the aid of our Vincentian neighbours, sending relief and Barbados Defence Force personnel. The effort continues and the skies are blue again. We had some blessed rain and good will come of this as volcanic ash is a great fertilizer. Our beautiful island is blooming again!

BPN is on line on www.barbadospropertynews.com and on social media.

Real Estate in Barbados is very active and as things return to normal and the borders open, this will increase. Enjoy our environmental feature in this issue and read all about the new head of the exciting Apes Hill project, Sunil Chatrani and the new store Cavi and Vino in the Welches area. Enjoy your summer and keep safe. Pamela x

Credits Publisher – Hiltop Publications Ltd, 11 Cottage Ridge, St George, Barbados, BB19071 Tel (246) 228-9122, Fax (246) 228-0243 Email: sportingb@caribsurf.com www.sportingbarbados.com www.barbadospropertynews.com www.caribbeanpropertymag.com www.caribbeanmortgageservices.com Editor/Advertising – Pamela L Hiles Design and Art Direction – 809 Distribution – Hiltop Publications Ltd, Brian’s Print Brokerage Printing – Coles Printery The Material and editorial contained in this publication have been deemed accurate at the time of going to print. The views expressed as editorial are those of the Editor unless stated otherwise. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the permission of Hiltop Publications Ltd.

On the Cover: Harmony Hall Green

If you would like to advertise in Barbados Property News call Pam at 228-9122 or 232-0692

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Cavi and Vino

FEATURE

in The Walk, Welches.

When Kevin Hall, Retail Manager, Brydens Stokes was asked what makes Cavi and Vino different he had no hesitation.

“The experience. On entering our store the first impact is the “feel” of the store.

Its clean, modern layout. It encourages you to stay and enjoy the experience.

Then you are enticed by the vast range of product which aren’t normally found in stores elsewhere on the island. Many people are blown away by our customer and level of attention given to each shopper.”

This new food and wine shopping space is in The Walk in the Welches area. The name of the store implies very upmarket … but is it?

“We feverently believe that indulgencies can be found at every

level, there is major focus on providing simple items that bring our customers JOY,” said Kevin.

From a British or Swiss chocolate bar, packs of ‘crisps’, delightful bottles of wine to a frozen section filled with steak, sausages, fish and vegetables, Cavi and Vino literally have the whole deal!

Their on line platform is coming soon but in the meantime, stop in and indulge yourself!

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Embracing Sustainability

by Lucy Agace, Sustainability Consultant Contributor When I last wrote an article Barbados was opening up after lockdown and beginning to enjoy sharing time with friends and looking forward to a freer 2021. Sadly this didn’t quite happen and we endured further set backs, but the end is in sight. Vaccines are widely rolling out in many countries making travel and tourism an option for millions in late spring this year. Barbados will once again be a favourite tourism destination and general enjoyment of life on this beautiful island will begin. If you own rental property now would be a good time to get ready, prepare for bookings and get your property running in a responsible way and safe for visitors.

What do l mean by a responsible way? In a nutshell it means running your property in such a way that doesn’t harm the environment or take advantage of employees. In broader terms this means a number of this things such as: • Make sure if you have a septic tank it is in good working order and has space to take more waste.

• Have well labelled bins to separate everyday waste from recycling items (cardboard, cans, tins, glass bottles, plastic bottles) • Provide a tap water filter, so that guests don’t have to buy bottled water. Inform guests you have this provision before they arrive.

• Use biodegradable bin liners.

• Pay employees, as a minimum, the living wage for the duties that they are hired for.

• Provide an outside drying line or clothes horse incase guests wash some of their clothes. Tumble dryers use a lot of energy which costs a lot of money and the Caribbean sunshine and wind can easily do the job.

• If your property is on a beach make sure guests understand about the turtle nesting season and don’t leave loungers on the sand over night.

• Make guests aware of the local food and craft markets across the island. Tourists enjoy experiencing the local culture and lifestyles and these markets are a good place for this. Plus we have many talented people in Barbados that make beautiful artwork lets promote them!

Many property owners will be sanitising their properties, in preparation for guests, and there are a few ways to do this. You 22

can hire a company to sanitise the entire house, have the managing agent organise it or your house keeper take care of it. In order to reduce single-use items like gloves or masks please provide your cleaners with washable masks and sterilising hand sanitiser. By washing your hands with soap for a minimum of twenty seconds it cleans hands to exactly the same degree as sterilising, but without the use of harmful chemicals. This is the best option to protect the environment and people.

This month I would like to mention waste, the waste we don’t talk about, flushing down toilet waste. Forgive the ‘dirty’ topic but the 1000’s of extra plastic gloves, single-use face masks and wipes that have entered the waste stream protecting people from the virus is staggering. I must highlight that it is very important these items are not flushed down the pan. They must be disposed of in a bag and treated as garbage/rubbish. Neither septic tanks or the public sewage system is designed to deal with these items. They are not biodegradable either but if they are flushed they are either going to block up waste pipes, block up septic tanks or via a sewage system end up in the environment where they will sit for 100’s of years. We should also be mindful that sanitary items and nappies should not be flushed for the same reasons. Please point this out clearly to your guests, preferably with a fixed sign in bathrooms that cannot be missed. This may save you a lot of maintenance money further down the line. It is a practical solution, respects the environment and creates awareness. Different cultures have different habits and it is only polite to point out what your expectations are of your visitors.

There is growing talk in Europe, Canada and the USA since there has been virtually zero travel for over 12 months that tourism will change forever. Sustainable Tourism is the new accepted term for travel and, although the term has been around for many years, it is now being widely adopted.

Destinations are preparing for this shift and it is already widely adopted here. Many hotels in Barbados recognised this need years ago, over ten hotels adopted sustainable tourism practices and are actually certified by global accreditation body Green Globe.

Barbados is entering a new era, one of gradual sustainability, building for future generations and at the same time conserving the existing environmental systems. Like many other countries we are adapting to climate change and essentially on a journey to reduce carbon emissions (which are Greenhouse Gases GHG) and dependance on fossil fuels. We can all consider how to reduce our power consumption, everyday. If we all make an effort and pay attention to using less energy it will reduce our bills, our carbon footprint and help protect nature and us.

Tips for Land Purchasers So you’re thinking of buying land?

Great idea! Here are a few pointers to ensure that you buy the perfect lot.

1) Location is top priority - where is your ‘hub’? Where are the places you go every week? Your children’s schools, Your gym, work, Your church, your social spots ? You should aim to buy within 20 minutes drive or close proximity to one or most of these locations. Being within easy reach of amenities will also add value to your land and/or the home you will build on it.

That said if the tranquility and the country life is your dream -Then go for it ! However bear in mind that should you ever need to sell in the future, you’ll be tapping into a narrow pool of buyers.

2) Connect with the BEAVA Agent of your choice, and be clear on your aims, needs and preferences . They can help you research options available on the various websites as we have a network of over 100 agents . The process takes time and it’s boring completing enquiry forms repeatedly. Hence why you should work with a BEAVA Agent. BEAVA Agents are qualified and professional. We know where to look - it’s what we do!

3) Don’t be shy to share your budget . We suggest to start by meeting with your lender to ascertain how much you qualify to borrow. Then your agent can seek out the best lots that are tailored to your needs. The more info you give us, the better service we can deliver. You should feel comfortable with your Agent - if you are not - move on. Always remember it’s better to work with one agent that you trust as they can then manage the process on your behalf .

4) Covenants: These are the rules applicable to the land - e.g. single dwelling per lot = no apartment buildings or house and cottage permitted. Is there a regulation as to how long you have to complete building once you’ve started? Is the minimum value and type of construction stipulated? Most residential subdivisions require block work construction and usually limits pets to domestic animals.

5) Have a test hole done to check foundation depth as this may have a big influence on the cost of the of building.If you have very deep foundations that haven’t been factored into your design and building cost it can ruin your dream of building what you want.

6) Aim to buy close to the time you will build to avoid years of Land Tax on raw land not generating income or giving you a home. Unless you are making a long term land investment in areas of high appreciation e.g. coastal (Beach front lot ) or a lot providing exceptional views.(Ridge lot).Another note to remember the land tax on raw land is higher than on a built property .Hence another reason to have your building completed quickly .

More questions? Maybe your looking for commercial or agricultural land? Just ask! - We are happy to share our wealth of knowledge - it’s FREE and what BEAVA Agents love to do!

Happy hunting.

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Expectations are high as Sunil FEATURE Chatrani takes the lead at Apes Hill Apes Hill development announced veteran tourism executive Sunil Chatrani is now a shareholder and has taken up the leadership role as its Executive Chairman.

Chatrani, former Chief Executive Officer of the Elegant Hotel Group, is building the team to relaunch the 450-acre site, currently undergoing significant redevelopment, and scheduled to reopen in November 2021

Transformative Leader Chatrani has more than 30 years of experience in finance, tourism, mergers & acquisitions and strategy, in Barbados and throughout the region.

“Sunil is a visionary, trusted and proven leader,” commented Glenn Chamandy, who purchased the assets of Apes Hill in early 2020, “His market knowledge and strong relationships are exemplary, he is ideally suited to drive the future success of Apes Hill. I look forward to working closely with Sunil, and to the upcoming opening of our fully renovated golf course including our signature 19th hole.”

Known as a transformative business leader, as CEO of the Elegant Hotels Group, Chatrani focused the Group's overall business strategy leading the team that took the company public on the London Stock Exchange. In 2019, he then oversaw the Group's successful sale to Marriott International.

Growth and Potential Commenting on his new role, Chatrani said, “I am inspired by the incredible potential Apes Hill represents, so much so I am not only taking on this role as Executive Chairman, I have invested in this unique project as a shareholder. The redevelopment of Apes Hill will bring a modern-luxury, environmentally responsible resort community that is unmatched in the Caribbean.”

He continued, “The team is positioning Apes Hill Golf and Beach Club as the best place to live in Barbados and the best golfing experience in the Caribbean. Combined with a world class luxury villa rental offering, this creates an un-paralleled new contribution to the Barbadian tourism product.”

Chatrani went on to highlight the scale of the project, “In addition to the transformation of the golf course under the stewardship of legendary course designer Ron Kirby, we are building 80 homes on new lots, with 100 additional homes also expected to be built, all with a forecasted value of over US$500,000,000. We currently have 75 employees during this COVID period, but as we ramp up construction over the next six months, this number will grow to a few hundred."

Redevelopment Highlights The redevelopment of Apes Hill commenced in late 2019 and includes a respectful environmental approach for sustainability.

The community resort offers an activity-based experiential lifestyle with a full suite of amenities. These include an 18 hole golf course, par 3 9-hole course, comprehensive state of the art golf training facilities, gym, spa, paddle sports, hiking nature trails, farm shop and food & beverage offerings.

In memory of Sharon Christie, CEO H Jason Jones We at Barbados Property News personally lost a loyal supporter and dear friend in Sharon Christie. Sharon was the CEO of H Jason Jones in Bridgetown. A champion sailor and sportswoman as well as an accomplished businesswoman, Sharon loved our publications, BPN, Sporting Barbados and Polo Barbados and was one of the many who immediately understood the importance of niche marketing and balancing print with digital.

She served on the board of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and on the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. She loved life and knew how to enjoy herself. She was a hard taskmaster, but she was also very fair. We will miss her – gone way too soon after battling an illness. Our sympathy goes out to her family, work colleagues and friends. Rest in Peace Sharon.

25

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HOPE

What is HOPE and why has it come about?

Home Ownership Providing Energy Inc. is 100% owned by the Government of Barbados. Recognizing that it is extremely difficult for many persons making $4000 a month or less to qualify for a construction mortgage loan, HOPE was designed

by Government to remedy that problem. HOPE will provide the land at no cost to the buyer. Lot sizes vary from 4,000 – 5,000 square feet and are valued at approx. $50,000 - $60,000 dollars. The buyer now has sufficient equity in the home to qualify for a mortgage using the land as collateral.

Who is eligible?

All persons resident in Barbados over 18 years old, who are employed and earn no more than $4000 (NET) per month are eligible to apply.

Has work started on homes and if so, where?

Yes, HOPE is happy to announce that we are well on our way at Vespera Gardens, Lancaster, St. James. Next up will be Colleton in St. Lucy, then Four Roads, St. John.

What are the overall future plans for the project in the next few years?

The Government is committed to a robust building program in Barbados. HOPE has been mandated to build between 700 800 houses per year. The process of identifying several more tracts of suitable land in every parish for future HOPE developments is well on its way. HOPE’s houses and communities are specifically designed to be aspirational middle-income homes, attractive and hurricane-resilient.

A one stop-shop for those interested in the project - please explain this?

HOPE offers a simple, hassle-free process. Your entire application is done via our website hopebarbados.com.

28

HOPE’s customer-service staff members will arrange all details with the lending company, the attorneys-at-law and the assigned contractors. Besides saving you time, it speeds up the process of getting you into your new home.

We are proud to say that ALL construction at ALL our developments will be carried out by small contractors. These contractors must be able to demonstrate expertise and experience by means of past work, which will be assessed by HOPE’s technical staff. HOPE will provide working capital so that contractors with the right expertise, experience and tools of the trade will not be excluded simply due to lack of financial resources. This will quickly provide many hundreds of jobs in construction and also many more for the local suppliers of construction materials.

This is quite generous, how does HOPE make money?

HOPE is designed as a not-for-profit entity. However, it needs to recover the cost of the developed land it is giving to homeowners in order to allow HOPE to continue providing homes for many years to come, thus benefitting thousands of people well into the future. The answer is for HOPE to install photo-voltaic (PV) systems on each roof to generate electricity which is then sold to The Barbados Light & Power. The earnings received by HOPE will allow us to gradually recover the initial cost for the PV systems, the land and the infrastructure. Once these costs are recovered, estimated in 15 – 20 years based on the amount of electricity generated by each PV system, HOPE will give each PV system to the homeowner. PV panels are generally rated for 25 – 30 years’ useful life, so the homeowners should receive the PV earnings for several years. At the end of the system’s useful life the homeowners may choose to replace it at their own expense with a new system.

Massy Properties ProClean Q&A

FEATURE

with Massy Properties’ Ian Donovan

What exactly does Massy Properties ProClean do?

ProClean has 2 teams one that Specializes in Air Quality services such as Airconditioning duct cleaning and sanitizing and the other focuses on commercial and residential cleaning and sanitizing. We pay attention to the finest details to deep clean, disinfect and eliminate viruses and other contaminants that can be found in your home or office fast!

If you get your A/C serviced, do you still need to get your A/C ducts cleaned?

Well, that’s a common misconception that if the A/C is serviced your ducts are clean, unfortunately that’s not the case. When an A/C is serviced the ducts are never cleaned. An A/C duct is a breading place for viruses, mold and many gross things that impact the health of everyone who breathes that air.

Wow, how often should an A/C duct be cleaned?

Every 12 – 18 months, if it’s been longer, they need cleaning.

Tell us about the duct cleaning process and is it very messy?

We use industry proven duct cleaning systems which simultaneously agitate and vacuum dust and debris on contact.

We also carry out Anti-microbial Fogging Sanitizing which removes 99.9% of the contaminants (Viruses, Dust Mites & their Feces, Fungi, Bacteria, Mould, Pollen, Spores & other Allergens). Our team covers all desks and equipment before we start to work, once we are finished cleaning the ducts, we make

sure that the office is as clean or cleaner than it was before.

You also do Air Quality testing right, how does that work? Why would you need to test your air quality anyway?

We have equipment that measures all the various gases that are present in your office or home. We can then give you a report letting you know if the various levels are good or bad, such as carbon monoxide levels being beyond safe limits. We also offer solutions to improve air quality. Indoor air quality is a greater health hazard than outdoor air pollution with pollutants being up to 100 times higher indoors. Therefore, you are more likely to get sick from the pollution in your office than from the pollution in the air outside. I am sure everyone has experienced the feeling of fatigue sometime in an office, that may be a result from a lack of fresh air in the area.

Tell us about your commercial and residential cleaning services.

Our professional team is fully equipped to handle any surface, including tiles, carpet, upholstery, partitions, furniture, wallpaper and wood, using revolutionary and eco-friendly cleaning solutions with no strong odours, harmful chemicals nor residue. We also offer Steam Cleaning, Anti-microbial Fogging, stand in or daily custodian cleaning and Stripping, Sealing and Polishing of Tiled Floors.

This is certainly the time get your home or office cleaned! Is ProClean offering any cleaning specials or discounts?

Yes, for the month of May we are offering a 15% discount on our duct cleaning service. If you also get an industrial clean we will take an additional 10% off that service, giving you a total of 25% off the combined services!

Save more with bundle packages! Call Massy Properties ProClean today at 429-5686 for a free inspection and quotation.

We help you breathe easier!!

31

Dacia, Golf Club Road, Rockley Christ Church, Barbados T (246) 436 7440 karpreal@karpeal.com www.karpreal.com

Barbados...

We call this home.

Ealing Park South, Christ Church

Lead Vale, Christ Church

Ridge View Estates, Christ Church

Well maintained 3 bdrm, 2 b/r home plus attached studio apt. in a peaceful location offering open plan living areas, quality finishes, landscaped and enclosed grounds.

Lovely 3 bdrm, 2 b/r house offering open plan living areas, well appointed kitchen, tv room, laundry room, ample storage on enclosed grounds in a nice neighborhood.

Spacious 2 bdrm, 2.5 bathroom unfurnished townhouse in gated community offering open plan living areas, air conditioned bedrooms and many shared facilities such as pool and tennis.

BDS$495,000.00

BDS$510,000.00

(41709)

(39531)

(41469)

BDS$550,000.00

Rendezvous, Christ Church

Fairholme Gardens, Christ Church

Edghill Heights, St. Thomas

Well maintained and nicely appointed 3 bdr, 3 b/r house in a desirable location offering spacious living spaces, kitchen with generous storage all on landscaped and enclosed grounds.

Recently renovated and beautifully appointed 4 bdrm, 3 b/r house offering open plan living areas, kitchen with breakfast bar, covered patio and enclosed grounds.

Executive, split level 4 bdrm, 3.5 b/r home offers multiple living areas, large kitchen/dining area, office, generous storage, 2 covered patios and enclosed gardens.

BDS$595,000.00

BDS$695,000.00

BDS$780,000.00

(40699)

Foul Bay, St. Philip

(36621)

(39666)

(36847)

(40919)

Enterprise, Christ Church

St. Silas, St. James

Fully furnished cliff side 2 bdrm, 2 b/r villa with fabulous sea views offering open plan living areas, kitchen with breakfast bar, study (or 3 bdrm) and large deck with pool.

Beautifully appointed 3 bdrm, 2.5 b/r end-unit townhouse in gated community offering spacious living areas, Italian kitchen, quality finishes throughout, plunge pool and enclosed gardens.

Spacious property offering 1st floor 3 bdrm, 2 b/r apt with open plan living areas, etc. plus two ground floor apts consisting of one 2 bdrm, 1 b/r and one 1 bdrm, 1 b/r in a desirable area.

BDS$800,000.00

BDS$875,000.00

BDS$885,000.00

(38315)

SALES | RENTALS | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT | HOLIDAY RENTALS Land sizes are approximate. E&OE

Barbados We call this home.

Please let us know if you are considering renting or selling your property! We have many waiting clients who are looking to purchase or rent a property!

Call us today to make arrangements to have your property listed with Ron Karp Realty Ltd.

Our Services Include: Residential and Commercial Property Sales • Long-term Rentals Holiday Rentals • Property Management

With 40 years experience in the Barbados Real Estate Market Our Specialty is Service!

Call us at 246-436-7440 or email us at karpreal@karpreal.com