Browsing Tag

Hurricane

Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

Despite Destruction of Hurricane Dorian, Hope Town’s Warm, Friendly ‘Hometown Feel’ Continues to Be a Draw for Home Buyers

Sunny Beaches, Warm People. Despite the destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019, properties like Two Rock Reef (above) in Hope Town continue to appeal to homebuyers who have been visiting Hope Town for decades, and who appreciate the friendly people and incomparable beauty of Abaco.

 

Hope Town, The Bahamas (February 18, 2020) – From local hangouts like Abaco Inn and Firefly Sunset Resort to endless miles of pristine white sand beaches, Hope Town’s unique charm and congenial vibe has attracted people from around the world for decades. Even now, in the midst of post-Hurricane Dorian rebuilding and restoration, the Abaco town most famous for its trademark red candy-striped lighthouse continues to attract visitors and second and third homebuyers.

“Most of the buyers I have been working with since Hurricane Dorian are people who are here, on the ground,” said Jane Patterson, an estate agent in the Hope Town office of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. “They’re people who have been coming here for years and have a true love for Hope Town.”

Patterson said that immediately following the storm, people weren’t as enthusiastic about the prospect of purchasing storm-damaged homes. However, as second homeowners returned to the island to check on their homes, they saw the restoration efforts taking place and experienced firsthand the resilient spirit of the community.

“We’re taking it day-by-day, but progress is happening,” she said. “Our beaches are beautiful, people are friendly, and everyone wants to come back. There are more and more people out there who are up for a project; who just want to be a part of this incredible community and are up for the adventure.”

And with homes selling at about 50% of pre-Dorian prices, interest has been so high that Patterson has put six homes under contract since December and has listed two new properties on the North and South Ends of Elbow Cay.

“I am constantly getting emails from people asking about the status of Hope Town and Abaco in general,” Patterson said. “Abaco isn’t desolate like they’re saying. Certain parts of Abaco are fine. And here in Hope Town, resorts and restaurants are reopening the closer we get to season. Right now, we’re looking at having a season in June or July.”

As of January, Abaco Inn and Turtle Hill are accepting guests and Firefly Sunset Resort is looking toward a March reopening.

“Everyone wants to come back and visit,” Patterson said. “Abaco is not going to go away.”

 

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.

February 18, 2020 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

Quiet, Quaint Lifestyle and Affordable Prices Attract Record Number of Homebuyers to Spanish Wells

Idyllic Island Life. Long known as a quaint fishing village, Spanish Wells, just off the north tip of mainland Eleuthera, has become a hot market for those looking for affordable vacation homes in a place where their children can roam free.

 

ELEUTHERA, The Bahamas (October 21, 2019) – For some, it’s hard to remember a time when you left home without locking doors, or had no concerns about leaving your phone, purse or wallet in your car while you dashed into the store to grab a container of ice cream. In fact, for many city dwellers, this type of worry-free living has never occurred in their lifetime.

And yet there are still places in 2019 where this carefree lifestyle is not only common, but the established standard.

“We have zero crime,” said Darrin Sands a Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty Estate Agent in Spanish Wells, a tightknit fishing community located on St. George’s Cay off the northern tip of mainland Eleuthera. “Children are still allowed to roam free on their bicycles. Parents don’t have to babysit them, holding their hand like in many parts of the U.S. Here, you never have to worry about anything being out of your sight. Everyone respects each other and each other’s property.”

If that sounds like Utopia to you, you’re not alone. Spanish Wells’ reputation for being an affordable, safe community where families can enjoy a peaceful holiday is putting the small island town on the map, attracting visitors from every corner of the globe.  This past season, Sands said, visitors came from as far away as Switzerland to soak in the island’s slow, serene pace. Not to mention the home prices. Buyers looking for affordable, income-producing vacation homes are arriving in droves.

“This past season I’ve had 40 percent to 50 percent more showings, and a lot of walk-ins,” Sands said. “Three or four years ago I rarely had a walk-in.”

Sands added that while most interested buyers are arriving from the U.S., he’s seeing more and more visitors from Europe and Canada. A handful of visitors are also arriving from neighboring islands like Harbour Island and New Providence.

“We’ve shown property this season to people who have been going to Harbour Island for more than 20 years but now are just looking for a more economically-priced place where their grandchildren can walk to the beach,” he said.

While the average home price on Harbour Island is upward of $1.5M, homes in Spanish Wells more commonly fall in the range of $300,000 to $400,000.

“We don’t have big, fancy homes or resorts,” Sands said. “What keeps people coming back are our beaches, our values, our community.”

Those values have never been more apparent than these past couple of months when the Spanish Wells community came together to assist their neighbors in the Abaco cays hit hardest by Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 1. Due to their close proximity to Great Abaco (about 60 miles) boaters from Spanish Wells were among the first responders to offer their services for search and rescue missions. They also offered up their own boats as temporary shelters for evacuees.

“The people of Abaco were so helpful to us after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 when we had a great need, and we have been able to return the favor,” Sands said, who personally helped organize the community relief effort. “Our hope is that we can continue to serve their needs for years to come as they work toward recovery and rebuilding.”

 

 

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.

October 21, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

MORE THAN 2,500 DONORS CONTRIBUTE TO HURRICANE DORIAN RELIEF THROUGH DAMIANOS SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY AND ITS AFFILIATES

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty Guana Cay office overlooking the harbour

 

NASSAU, The Bahamas (Oct. 18, 2019) — In the seven weeks since Hurricane Dorian made landfall in Abaco on Sept. 1 and Grand Bahama on Sept. 2, more than 2,500 donors have contributed toward hurricane relief efforts through funds set up by Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty and its affiliates.

“Although it’s hard to believe it’s been more than a month and a half since Dorian struck The Bahamas, the generosity of our clients and the Sotheby’s International Realty network has been powerful and touching,” said Lana Rademaker, Chief Brokerage Officer for Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s going to be a while before restoration efforts are fully complete, and this ongoing support goes a long way toward helping, not only financially, but as a morale booster for our friends, family and colleagues who are just digging into the rebuilding process.”

In addition to the donations being received from all over the world, Rademaker said that every Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty team member has contributed in their own way whether by dedicating time, money or their own personal resources toward relief efforts.

“The Bahamas is such a tight knit community that there really isn’t anybody who was not impacted by the storm, whether directly or indirectly,” Rademaker said. “So, for those of us who escaped the brunt of the storm here in Nassau, there was nothing to do but jump in and offer help in whatever way possible. I cannot be prouder of our team and what they’ve achieved in the aftermath of such a historic natural disaster.”

Among the truly astounding accomplishments have been:

  • A website set up that provided ongoing updates on missing people immediately following the storm
  • Creating an organization that immediately found housing for 600 evacuees and continues to source rentals for the displaced;
  • Search-and-rescue missions from Nassau and Spanish Wells, transporting humans and animals to safety and providing temporary shelter on boats for evacuees and volunteers.
  • Providing aid and assistance to the children displaced by the storm, many of whom were left without parents.

“I can’t say enough about the work that our team has been doing,” Rademaker said. “Our company’s mission has always been to provide the best, most professional service we can to our clients, but going through this tragic event has proven to me that our team goes above and beyond in every imaginable way.”

For those interested in making donations, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty will continue to accept donations via PayPal. The link for PayPal Donations can be accessed here: https://www.paypal.com/myaccount/transfer/homepage/pay

 

The link for GoFundMe Donations can be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hurricane-relief-for-elbow-cay-amp-marsh-harbour

 

The link for Ranfurly Homes For Children Donations can be accessed here: https://ranfurlyhome.org/support-ranfurly/donation/

 

The link for Baark Donations can be accessed here: http://www.baarkbahamas.com/donate-2/

 

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.

 

About Sotheby’s International Realty

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has approximately 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 970 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

October 18, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

UPDATE: HURRICANE DORIAN DISASTER RELIEF

Nassau, The Bahamas (Sept. 17, 2019)

Dear family, friends and clients,

We are very grateful for your continued love, support and donations towards the rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Dorian. We are thankful that all of our team members are safe, with the majority relocated to other areas of The Bahamas and some in the U.S. Even though it’s only been a short period of time since Hurricane Dorian’s devastation in The Bahamas, substantial progress and planning has already been made to start rebuilding our beautiful islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama and the lives of those that called them home.

Displaced from Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Jayden and Jackson Pearce (children of our Agent Mitzi and her husband Kyle Pearce) attending their first day of school at Windsor School in Nassau, Bahamas.

 

Thank you to those of you who have reached out to enquire how you can assist and support specific communities. Based on these requests, we have vetted and provided links below to community-specific funds earmarked for recovery and rebuilding efforts. Miraculously our Hopetown, Abaco Office survived Dorian with little damage. It is currently being used as a Community Command Center. Our offices in Nassau, Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay in New Providence and Spanish Wells, Harbour Island, and Governor’s Harbour in Eleuthera, will continue to receive supplies and donations. Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty is also accepting donations via PayPal in support of our displaced Damianos colleagues as they rebuild their lives and those of their children.

The Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty Hopetown Office received little damage and is operating as a Community Command Center.

 

PayPal Donations c/o Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty:
https://www.paypal.com/myaccount/transfer/homepage/pay.
Name: Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty
Email: Info@SIRbahamas.com


As the need for housing continues to rise for evacuees to Nassau, New Providence Community Church has pledged to raise funds to aid persons displaced by Hurricane Dorian. If you would like to make a donation, please visit the link below or make a direct deposit to the bank account listed below.


New Providence Community Church Donations can be made here:
https://www.npcconline.org/hurricane


Donations can be made to New Providence Community Church Commonwealth Bank Account:
https://cbleib.combankltd.com/#/login

Account Number: 2001814


The Ranfurly Homes for Children in Nassau have opened their doors to children from Abaco and Grand Bahama that have been displaced by Hurricane Dorian. If you would like to make a monetary donation, these funds would assist the enrolling of these children in private schooling and trauma counseling.


Ranfurly Homes For Children Donations can be made here:
http://www.ranfurlyhome.org/support-ranfurly/donation/

As of today, The Winslow Family and The Sands Family Foundation with the support of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty and ONE Sotheby’s International Realty (Miami, FL), has raised $590,749 from 2,500 donors through a GoFundMe campaign (Tax ID:16-1347201), all of which will go directly toward Hurricane Dorian disaster relief in Elbow Cay and Marsh Harbour, Abaco.


The Winslow-Sands Family Foundation GoFundMe Donations can be made here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/hurricane-relief-for-elbow-cay-amp-marsh-harbour.


TREASURE CAY, ABACO

Treasure Cay Community Foundation Canada – https://tccfcanada.ca/

 

HOPE TOWN, ELBOW CAY, ABACO

Fire and Rescue – Winslow – http://htvfr.org

 

LUBBERS QUARTERS, ABACO

Love For Lubbers Fund – https://bit.ly/2lTYKTK

 

GREEN TURTLE CAY, ABACO

Key West Cares – https://www.keywestcares.com/

 

GUANA CAY, ABACO

Missionary flights international – https://secure-q.net/Donations/MissionaryFlights/9672

 

MAN-O-WAR CAY, ABACO

Man-O-War Aid – http://mowaid.com/

 

SPANISH WELLS, ELEUTHERA

This fund will support Spanish Wells workers on the ground giving aid to persons affected by Hurricane Dorian.

Swift Code: BOFAUS3N

Account: 1901009680

For Credit to Commonwealth Bank LTD
Swift Code: COMWBSNS

For Further Credit To Franklin Burrows/Darrin Sands/Herbert Albury
Account: 1180580
Branch: 21118

Our agent, Vanessa Pritchard-Ansell, speaking with CNN about DorianPeopleSearch.com, a website created to find displaced persons as a result of Hurricane Dorian


To find or provide information on persons displaced by Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas, please visit DorianPeopleSearch.com created by our team members, Vanessa Pritchard-Ansell and Alexis Roderick along with Thomas Pristas, Nicole Berg and Gabriel Lucas.
We are truly grateful for your concern and support. Please do not hesitate to contact us at Info@sirbahamas.com if you have any questions.

 

Sincerely,

The Team at Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

 

September 17, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty, Sotheby's International Realty

UPDATE: Hurricane Dorian Disaster Relief

Nassau, The Bahamas (Sept. 6, 2019)

Dear family, friends and clients,

We are pleased to inform you that all our team members are accounted for/ have been in contact. While some have chosen to stay; others are here in Nassau and Florida. Our 6 offices in New Providence and Eleuthera are fully operational. In addition to our operational offices acting as drop-off points for supplies and donations, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty is accepting donations via PayPal and GoFundMe.

As of today, The Winslow Family and The Sands Family Foundation with the support of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty and ONE Sotheby’s International Realty (Miami, FL), have raised $401,083 from 1,700 donors through a GoFundMe campaign (Tax ID:16-1347201), all of which will go directly toward disaster relief for Hurricane Dorian.

The Winslow-Sands Family Foundation GoFundMe Donations can be made here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/hurricane-relief-for-elbow-cay-amp-marsh-harbour.

PayPal Donations c/o Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty:
https://www.paypal.com/myaccount/transfer/homepage/pay.

Name: Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

Email: Info@SIRbahamas.com

Phone: +1 242 362 4211


The HeadKnowles Foundation, a very strong and reputable relief organization in The Bahamas is accepting donations via RBC account and GoFundMe. The quickest way to get funds to The Headknowles Foundation is by donating directly to their RBC account listed below.

Donations can me be made to HeadKnowles RBC Account:
https://caribbean.rbcroyalbank.com/#/login
Branch: 05745
Account Number: 2883452

HeadKnowles GoFundMe Donations can be made here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/headknowles-emergency-funds

 

We are truly grateful for your concern and support.

Sincerely,

The Team at Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

September 6, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

COMBINED EFFORTS OF DAMIANOS SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY AND ONE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY RAISES NEARLY $80,000 FOR HURRICANE DORIAN RELIEF IN 24 HOURS

­­NASSAU, The Bahamas (Sept. 3, 2019) — In just under 24 hours, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty and ONE Sotheby’s International Realty in Miami have raised approximately $80,000 from 252 donors through a GoFundMe campaign, all of which will go directly toward disaster relief in Abaco.

“As the storm continues to wreak havoc on our country, we are receiving constant updates from our friends and families in Abaco and Grand Bahama. The news is completely devastating, and hard to even comprehend,” said Lana Rademaker, Chief Brokerage Officer for Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. “We are thankful to the members of our ONE Sotheby’s International Realty family in Miami for this assistance in channeling donations to The Bahamas.”

In addition to the donations coming from private individuals, The Winslow Family and the Sands Family Foundation will match, dollar for dollar, all donations up to $100,000, doubling every single donation received. Monies will be used to purchase critical supplies such as diapers, baby food, tarps, clothing, water, fuel, food, and medical supplies.

“This is just the beginning of the recovery and aid efforts and it’s a powerful start,” said Rademaker. “We will continue to work with organizations globally and locally and assist in any way we can as a company and as individuals. There is not one person in our Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty family who is not being affected by Hurricane Dorian. Every single dollar donated is of utmost importance and value.”

In addition to acting as drop-off points for supplies and donations, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty will be accepting donations via PayPal for those who are abroad, or unable to get out onto the roads due to flooding. The link for PayPal Donations can be accessed here: https://www.paypal.com/myaccount/transfer/homepage/pay

 

Name: Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

Email: info@sirbahamas.com

Phone: +1 242 362 4211

 

The link for GoFundMe Donations can be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hurricane-relief-for-elbow-cay-amp-marsh-harbour

 

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty phone lines are working. Should anyone have questions, please call (242) 362-4211 or (242) 322-2305 or email at info@sirbahamas.com. Below is a list of the items that are most in need at this time:

  • Tarps – any size
  • Water
  • Canned Goods
  • Meals Ready to Eat (MRE’s)
  • Hygiene and Feminine Kits
  • First Aid Kits
  • Large Trash Bags
  • Mosquito Repellant
  • Bleach
  • Chlorine Tablets
  • Non-Perishable Dry Goods
  • Cleaning Supplies (mops, buckets, towels, disinfectants)
  • Blankets
  • Water Containers
  • Chain Saws
  • Generators
  • Household Cleaning Kits
  • Baby Supplies (wipes, juice, food, diapers, formula)
  • Cereal
  • Flashlights / Batteries
  • Animal Food

 

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.

 

About Sotheby’s International Realty

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has approximately 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 970 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

September 3, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty Offices Will Be Open To Accept Donations For Hurricane Dorian Relief, GoFundMe Account In Place

NASSAU, The Bahamas (Sept. 2, 2019) — While the entire country is mourning the devastation we’ve already learned has taken place in Abaco and anxiously awaiting to assess the damage Hurricane Dorian will wreak on Grand Bahama, the following Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty offices will be accepting monetary donations and supplies: Lyford Cay and Shirley Street offices in Nassau (open Tuesday, Sept. 3), Spanish Wells, Harbour Island and Governors Harbour on mainland Eleuthera (all open today).

In addition to acting as drop-off points for supplies and donations, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty will be accepting donations via PayPal for those who are abroad, or unable to get out onto the roads due to flooding. The link for PayPal Donations can be accessed here: https://www.paypal.com/myaccount/transfer/homepage/pay

Name: Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty
Email: info@sirbahamas.com
Phone: +1 242 362 4211

We will also be teaming up with our affiliate in Miami, FL, One Sotheby’s International Realty, who have set up a GoFundMe account to aid all those in The Bahamas who have been affected by Hurricane Dorian. The link for GoFundMe Donations can be accessed here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hurricane-relief-for-elbow-cay-amp-marsh-harbour

“We are incredibly heartbroken over the damage Hurricane Dorian has brought throughout Abaco, to say the least, and we are on edge as we await news from Grand Bahama,” said Lana Rademaker, Chief Brokerage Officer for Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. “Our top priority right now is to get as much help to our Bahamian family as quickly as possible and to provide as much aid as we can. We feel truly blessed that New Providence escaped the brunt of the storm, and that we have the opportunity to do as much as we possibly can for those who weren’t as fortunate.”

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty agent, Darrin Sands, is also organizing a community relief effort in Spanish Wells for those affected by Hurricane Dorian. Details regarding this will be communicated through our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DamianosSothebysRealty/.

“The people of Abaco were so helpful to us after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 when we had a great need, and we will now return the favor and help to meet their needs,” Sands said.

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty phone lines are working. Should anyone have questions, please call (242) 362-4211 or (242) 322-2305 or email at info@sirbahamas.com. Below is a list of the items that are most in need at this time:

  • Tarps – any size
  • Water
  • Canned Goods
  • Meals Ready to Eat (MRE’s)
  • Hygiene and Feminine Kits
  • First Aid Kits
  • Large Trash Bags
  • Mosquito Repellant
  • Bleach
  • Chlorine Tablets
  • Non-Perishable Dry Goods
  • Cleaning Supplies (mops, buckets, towels, disinfectants)
  • Blankets
  • Water Containers
  • Chain Saws
  • Generators
  • Household Cleaning Kits
  • Baby Supplies (wipes, juice, food, diapers, formula)
  • Cereal
  • Flashlights / Batteries
  • Animal Food

 

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.

 

About Sotheby’s International Realty

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has approximately 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 970 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

September 2, 2019 by