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Bahamas real estate

Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

THE BAHAMAS HAS ENTERED PHASE 3 OF RE-OPENING THE ECONOMY

 

Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Dr. Hubert Minnis, announced that effective, Tuesday, June 2, the country will move into Phase 3 in the reopening of the economy.

 

Phase 3 focuses on beginning the new normal with the introduction of non-essential storefront business operations and relaxed social restrictions. In addition to this, real estate firms and agents can operate from Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.

As previously stated by the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, movement into other phases is contingent on the advice of health officials and the stabilization of COVID-19. For more information please visit opm.gov.bs/phased-re-opening-plan/.
May 28, 2020 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty Offices Throughout The Bahamas Re-Open Monday, May 25

Open for Business. Starting Monday, May 25, the Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty team will be working from their offices throughout The Bahamas from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

NASSAU, The Bahamas (May 25, 2020) — Today’s re-opening of the Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty offices marks ten weeks since offices were closed due to COVID-19 quarantine mandates. In this span of time, staff members and agents have utilized their downtime for professional development, team building and to sharpen sales and marketing strategies.

“Our entire team has been working remotely non-stop, and in many ways, has been busier than ever,” said George Damianos, Chief Executive Officer for Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. “Once the government announced we were going into quarantine indefinitely, we immediately pivoted and began working from our home offices, turning our focus to virtual and digital strategies and beefing up our marketing.”

In the past two months, the company’s leadership team met daily via Microsoft Teams to assess every aspect of business from accounting and marketing to administrative and operations. This laser-like focus on team development and sharpening of organizational standards and protocol saw immediate results.

Since March, the company’s sales and administrative teams have gathered on weekly calls to sharpen their professional skills via the Ninja Selling course; and, attended bi-weekly Sotheby’s International Realty® training webinars.

“One of the most significant differentiators as a real estate brand is this incredible network of Sotheby’s International Realty®  agents and marketing experts that we tapped into to gain invaluable insight into the best way forward post-COVID, and how to navigate the downturn of  business caused by the pandemic,” Damianos said.

Damianos added that critical details from these calls were then incorporated into compelling marketing and sales strategies in the form of email marketing campaigns, corporate communications, and a ramped-up social media presence.

From a back-office perspective, administration staff supported agents from home as they responded to international inquiries, prepared listing agreements, built brochures, fielded offers, and closed sales. The accounting department also worked remotely paying client and company invoices.

“I am utterly impressed with how we’ve come together as a team in this time of crisis,” Damianos said. “This quarantine has offered us the remarkable opportunity to connect more frequently and deeply as a team to exchange ideas and best practices. We are proud of the way our team has stepped up to support and encourage each other and build upon their already-impressive talents and skillsets.”

 

About Sotheby’s International Realty

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has approximately 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 1,000 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.  Each office is independently owned and operated.


About Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

 Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty has 10 offices located throughout the islands of the Bahamas, providing unsurpassed market knowledge of Abaco, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Exuma, Nassau, Paradise Island, Ocean Club Estates, Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay, Albany and Private Islands. Head office 75 Shirley Street, Nassau. For additional information, please contact 242-322-2305 or Info@SIRbahamas.com.

May 25, 2020 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

Our Commitment To Our Communities Will Never Change

“Thankfully, due to the wise counsel of our public health team, the hard work of our essential workers, and the compliance of the majority of Bahamians, we have had a better health outcome than many countries during this crisis.” — The Most Honorable Dr. Hubert Minnis, Prime Minister

The Bahamas remains under a national shelter-in-place order through May 30, 2020.

As of now, The Bahamas government is looking at a possible opening date for commercial travel on or before July 1st. This date will be adjusted based on public health trends which are being monitored daily.

Current mandates and safety measures  include*:

 

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Local resorts, airports and seaports are finalizing health and safety protocols necessary to provide for a re-opening.

  • Air Travel: All international airports and private airports are closed to passenger traffic.Commercial courier, cargo and emergency flights are allowed.
    • Repatriation Flights: Flights are scheduled on Thursday, May 21, and Saturday, May 23, from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau to return Bahamians home from abroad. A COVID-19 negative test certificate is required. Below is a list of all the criteria that must be met to travel:
      • Travelers must present one of the following:
        • Valid Bahamian passport or
        • A valid passport + a valid residency card or current work permit
      • Homeowners must provide a valid passport + proof of homeownership (utility bill, property tax statement, etc.)
      • All passengers must quarantine at home or in a government facility for 14 days as decided by Bahamas Immigration and the Bahamian Ministry of Health.
      • COVID-19 negative test certificate must be valid within 10 days of travel date.
      • Must be a PCR certificate from a valid lab.
      • Certificate must be provided a minimum of 48 hours before scheduled travel.
      • Original certificate must be presented at time of travel.
      • All passengers must wear a protective face mask that covers both nose and mouth.
    • Interisland Travel:
      • Travel is permitted between islands that have been re-opened to commercial activity. The Ministry of Health has developed a policy and protocol for the approval and monitoring of individuals traveling to these islands.
        • Islands Open for Commercial Activity: Cat Island, Long Island, Abaco, Andros, Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Rum Cay and Ragged Island.
        • Islands Closed: Bimini is under 24-hour lockdown through May 30th.
      • Phase one allows residents of approved Family Islands to return home if protocols are met. COVID-19 Travel Authorization Card issued by Ministry of Health must be presented.

 

Seaports: Seaports are closed; no inter-island sailing (except for freight); No visitors permitted to enter or disembark including transiting through The Bahamas.

HOTELS

Hotels can remain open; on-site restaurants are open for take-out/room service only. Hotel amenities such as casinos, spas and gyms are closed.

COMMUNITY  RESTRICTIONS

Nationwide Curfew

  • The Bahamas is under 24-hour curfew. Residents may leave their home for essential purposes 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Exercising outside for 1.5 hours is allowed during these hours. Exercise is also allowed from 5 a.m. – 8 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Every Bahamian and resident going out in public should have a valid government issued ID (passport, NIB Card, driver’s license or voter’s card).
  • Ongoing Lockdowns: 9 p.m. Fridays to 5 a.m. Mondays every weekend through May 30, 2020.

Business Operations

  • Essential business (banks, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, grocery stores, landscaping and maintenance, sanitation, garbage pick-up, pool cleaning.) will operate with adjusted hours.
  • The following businesses can now open on assigned days of the week:
    • Auto Parts Stores: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday.
    • Hardware and Home Stores: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday
    • Plant Nurseries: 6 a.m.-Noon Monday and Thursday
    • Road Traffic Department: The Road Traffic Department is open with a newly implemented “drive-through” service; clients must remain in their vehicles for most of, if not all of, the process and must wear a mask while conducting business at the department.
  • During weekend lockdowns all services are prohibited except hospital & healthcare workers; police; utility companies; import/export trade; and, media.

Driving

Driving is not allowed on public or private roads. Exceptions are essential workers and driving for essential purposes (ie: driving to a pharmacy, grocery store, doctor).

Public Beaches & Parks: Closed.

Liquor Stores:  Open for curbside service and delivery.

Masks:

  • Wearing non-medical masks in public is mandatory.
  • Employers will face fines if their employees are not wearing a facial mask.
  • Store owners will also be fined if customers enter the establishment without a face covering.

 

Suspension of Government Fees

Licenses, permits and visa renewals: Temporarily waived.

Insurance premiums: Temporarily waived.

Investment approvals: Fast-tracked

International Business Companies Act: Fees temporarily waived.

*As of May 18, 2020; all information subject to change as updates occur.

May 18, 2020 by