Dr. Denzil Douglas, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, provided some interesting economic positives last Tuesday on his weekly Tuesday radio program, Ask the PM, which is carried live on the national station ZIZ Radio. This awesome, interactive station allows listeners to call in and ask questions!

This will be beneficial to St. Kitts and Nevis! eTurboNews reported that St. Kitts continues to attract major international tourism investments amid the ongoing worldwide turbulent economic environment, which will help out its sister island greatly.

He said that “These investments continue to trickle into the economy, providing jobs and wealth creation for residents of the federation.” He also said that there are several projects going on, including the US$125 million condominium development involving the St. Kitts Marriott Residential Property, financed by Century 21 Island Realty, the giant international real estate company..

He said:

This facility will enhance the country’s profile and competitive advantage over other Caribbean countries currently vying for scarce international dollars. More importantly, it is the marketing, by the global outreach of Century 21 that will bring into sharp focus what this country has to offer the entire world and invite persons to St. Kitts and Nevis to invest in these condominiums.

Le Grand Elebash, chief operations officer of the Christophe Harbour project, commented on the development of the golf course as well. He’s excited with the progress made on the Tom Fazio-designed, 18-hole championship golf course. The 250-acre course is expected to be finished in two years. The course will offer panoramic views across the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea to the sister Island of Nevis.

Christophe Harbour will include a world-class, mega-yacht marina, Mandarin Oriental, luxurious real estate, private club offerings as well as restaurants and boutiques spread over 2,500 acres of beautiful beaches and tropical bays.

The Twin-Island Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis is proudly served by many of the major international carriers, including British Airways, American Airlines, Delta, and US Airways.

Caldwell Banker reported that the flights to St. Kitts and Nevis has been flourishing. Mr. Alistair Yearwood is the Tourism Advisor to the Nevis Island Administration (NIA). He recently told the Department of Information that the impact of direct British Airways flights has been substantial.

…In Nevis we are definitely benefiting from it especially in the summer months because the British travellers tend to vacation in the summer… Speaking with some of the small hoteliers, they are noticing the British guests coming in. So it’s having a positive impact. Obviously, it will have a greater impact once the Four Seasons reopens in 2010.

He said Nevis had been receiving a large number of visitors from the United Kingdom market. It’s no secret that Nevis Island also appeals to visitors from the U.S., and traditionally, 65 percent of its visitors hail from there. This particluar airline has greatly helped the success of tourism and Nevis as well as St. Kitts. Delta is now also considering a second direct flight!

You can contact Century 21 at stkitts@century21islandrealty.com

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley

Tropical Storm Ana threatened the beautiful sister islands, as well as the rest of the Caribbean Islands, so what are some smart Nevis Real Estate options?

Caldwell Banker provides some insight as to what to consider when thinking about purchasing real estate in Nevis as well as its sister island of St. Kitts.

The number One factor when checking into Nevis Real Estate, is to check to see if the land is low lying property. This will allow you to figure out if it will flood when storms arise.

Two: If looking into purchasing a seafront home, you want an elevated property, this is of course, above sea level. Be careful of homes built too close to the water on a sand beach. Obviously this is not sturdy land.

Most Nevis Villas, Nevis Homes, and Nevis Hotels, are built higher, on elevated lands, offering gorgeous panoramic views of the blue ocean and sparkling horizon.

However, as seen in the states, there are smart ways to build on the coast. These are built on concrete pilings, high above the water. Styles will differ depending on the region, so be sure to take a look into what makes a home safe to withstand a hurricane in Nevis.

Read up on some cool information about The Best Beach House Designs. Another helpful article with a video is Hurricane Resistant House. Both provide some great and reassuring insight!

It’s vital to remember that insurance on Nevis Seaside Homes, just as anywhere else, can be high.

Here are some more helpful tips:

- Do not plant trees within falling distance of your home, as they can damage your roof and entire house severely.
- If you do have tress, like most do on Nevis, be sure that all large branches are trimmed during hurricane season.
- It’s also important to trim coconuts, because they can turn into cannon balls during a bad storm.
- Your insurance may or may not cover roof damage; find out.

Although several storms, like Ana, typically threaten Nevis Island every July or August, the vast majority simply pass by and spare St. Kitts and Nevis. When stormy weather does become a threat, our homes become our refuge; therefor we simply need to be safe, as well as protect our precious investments!

ALSO, be SURE to check out some gorgeous Nevis Island Estates too! They specialize in the sale of houses and property in Nevis Island! In business for over a decade, Glynis Watts is the owner. He has been selling individual Nevis Villas, villas in developments, land, and recently apartments on Nevis Island since 1998.

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley

Nevis Island offers a dreamy Caribbean landscape like no other! Characterized by its 3,232 ft high Nevis Peak, this dormant volcano lies at the heart of this quaint island. Nevis is 36 square miles in area and is circled by a main road about 21 miles long.

People come from all over the world to get away and relax island style here! Many fall in love, and then make the decision to move there, buy a vacation home there, or simply rent condos and townhomes when a vacation is in order! There are always plenty of gorgeous options ad the Nevis Economy thrives on tourism. They will make any guest feel right at home!

If you love Nevis just as much as me, and can afford to purchase a Caribbean vacation home, some insight from coldwellbankerislands would be most helpful!

FYI - There’s no personal income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax in Nevis. Annual property house tax ranges from $800(US) to $2,000(US) per annum. The EC$ is tied to the US$ at a fixed rate of EC$2.70 to US$1.00. You can also have foreign currency accounts at most of the Nevis banks, which keeps your funds outside foreign currency controls.

Economic Citizenship Program is the way to go here! Purchasers can qualify for citizenship Nevis and St. Kitts by virtue of investing a minimum of $350,000(US) in the Federation in certain areas that are located in an “approved investment project.” The cost to obtain St. Kitts-Nevis passports are $35,000 for one spouse, $15,000 for the second spouse, and $15,000 for each other dependent.

After you’ve been prequalified for a loan, and are ready to make an offer on a home, start by getting some information about the seller and their motivation.

Planning to Buy on or Nevis or St Kitts? If So, Ask the Seller These Questions:

1. Why are you selling?
2. How much did you pay for your home?
3. What types of repairs have been done recently?
4. What can you tell me about the neighborhood?

Coldwell Bakers in Nevis and St. Kitts can be a great help; they are very professional and know a great deal about the biz as well as the island!

This is a GREAT PROPERTY SEARCH for beautiful NEVIS PROPERTIES!

HERE, they offer great insight on how to buy in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley

In this day and age, there is one thing to rely on as a solid asset, considering you can pay your bills. That one thing is REAL ESTATE, and now is the time to buy, when the economy is down in the dumps, in more nations than one.

The Democratic Newspaper reported that Ms. Susan Lafond, CEO OF Caribbean Paradise Realty, offered a clean and precise presentation on the topic of Real Estate Opportunities in St. Kitts and Nevis and the Commonwealth of Dominica to persons gathered to learn what they could about the prospects in Real Estate. She explained what all is involved in investment realities, tips for rentals and other openings for private and commercial ventures in the Real Estate field.

Examples of Real Estate Properties were shown from spectra areas. With the exception of a singular property in Halfway Tree, property values were quoted in US Dollars, reeling as high as USD$20 dollars per square foot in the Frigate Bay and Half Moon areas and USD$30 on the south East Peninsula. Whether the available lands in question are US territories can only be speculated.

Lafond says “Real Estate is the key to securing your future.”

Other Speakers that participated in the Open Discussions, included Mr. Faron Lawrence, CEO of St. Kitts and Nevis Homes and Mrs. J. Dawne Heyliger, Manager, Personal Financial Services of Royal Bank Canada who gave details on, “How to Handle with Confidence the Loan Process as well as the Tax and Legal issues in the Acquisition of Real Estate.”

Here is a dreamy Nevis Island property for sale for US$1.75 million! This is a gorgeous Single Family Home in Jones Estate on Nevis West Indies. “With over 3,400 square feet of covered living area, and just under 1,900 square feet of uncovered outside living area, the home offers inspiring design, excellent construction, surrounded by stunningly beautiful gardens, and all the amenities for luxury living.” If it was possible, this would be mine in a heartbeat!

For more reasonable NEVIS REAL ESTATE OPTIONS check out Viviun! Thy also have acres of land for sale on Nevis!

They have the Traditional West Indian Charm At Seaside At Cliffdwellers, going for $650,000 - $1,450,000 USD.

Or the condo - Island Living In Your Own Tropical Botanical Garden, going for $650,000 USD - Negotiable.

Their list is a long one, so check it out if interested.

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley