Articles Tagged "Bahamas interior design"
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Sell in The Bahamas: 5 Amenities Buyers Want
The playbook for selling high-end luxury Bahamas real estate—or any real estate for that matter—is evolving with time. Just a few years ago, all you needed to sell a luxury home in the Bahamas Islands was proximity to the beach and astronomical square footage. But the demographics of buyers have changed over the years, from affluent retirees to young tech millionaires and millennials looking for a remote working haven.
So, what do today's homebuyers want in a house? Here's what our agents have observed.
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Buyers: 4 Advantages of Purchasing an Existing Home
If you're dreaming of owning a second home in The Bahamas, our agents are always here to advise you. Whether you're focused on the prospect of Nassau and Paradise Island homes for sale, we'll help you find a home that exceeds your expectations.
It's no surprise when foreign buyers fall in love with the beauty of the islands of The Bahamas and want to make our unforgettable sights a permanent part of their lifestyle. Before long, the question arises: Is it better to purchase an existing home or purchase land and build new construction?
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Sellers: Avoid These Staging Mistakes
Real estate transactions are almost always about the bottom line.
Think of staging as an investment of time that helps maximize the return on the sale of the property. Staging enables you to showcase your home's best assets and impress buyers so you can get the best possible deal on the sale. No matter why you're selling, whether you're looking to downsize or retire to one of our Nassau homes for sale, staging is one of the most lucrative undertakings you can take on.
Still, many sellers make the mistake of believing that staging is actually redecorating and in many other instances, sellers forgo the process altogether. It's really a form of visual merchandising that uses the principles of interior design to make your home look significantly better in photos and evoke a mood that appeals to buyers.
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Buying in The Bahamas: 5 Advantages of Hiring a Home Inspector
Whether you prefer Nassau homes for sale or Paradise Island homes for sale, buying a new home in The Bahamas is one of the best decisions you can make. When you select the right home with backing from the best Bahamas real estate agents, you will change your lifestyle for the better. It's your own slice of paradise!
Our agents are experienced and can help navigate you through the nuances of buying island real estate. The idea of buying real estate in another country may appear intimidating, but rest assured, there are many similarities. If any differences do arise, an experienced local real estate agent can help you navigate them.
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Buying in The Bahamas: Look for These Green Features
Living in an island paradise gives you an even clearer view of all the ways we humans can influence our environment. The Bahamas is highly active in environmental conservation so that everyone can enjoy the islands' beauty for years to come—and so are our agents.
Nassau and Paradise Island homes for sale often incorporate environmentally friendly features, most noticeable in newer construction. The Bahamas government encourages builders to consider environmental impact and will often provide incentives to homeowners for doing the same.
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Nassau: Visit These Open-Air Markets
Nassau, The Bahamas has plenty of open-air markets that are not only fun to visit but also sell a variety of interesting goods. From hand-woven items to fish that's offered for sale straight off the boat that's been used to catch it, you'll find plenty of tempting purchases at these markets.
Our agents suggest making a stop at the following open-air markets in Nassau.
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Watch Your Garden Grow in The Bahamas
Many Nassau and Paradise Island homes for sale have lovely backyard gardens. If you purchase one of these homes, of course, you'll want to keep the garden looking fresh and healthy. You may even want to improve the landscaping and add more plants and features to the design. Gardening in The Bahamas does come with a few intricacies, but if you follow the tips below, you'll be off to a good start.
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7 Things to Ask a Home Remodeling Contractor
When it comes to natural beauty, Nassau and Paradise Island homes for sale are ahead of the rest. But our agents know a property needs more than charm to meet your expectations: Every now and then, you may want to renovate your home. And that can be more complex than in the United States.
The rules around who is allowed to perform contracting work are different than you might be used to. Bahamas contractors must be licensed in an area of specialization, such as residential or commercial construction, electrical work, or plumbing. Still, it is possible to be targeted by scams.
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Summertime Safety: In and Around Home
Summer's finally here! Time for cookouts, backyard parties, outdoor sports, and time by the water. All this time outside can lead to potential dangers, if we aren't prepared. With proper preparation and a safety plan in place, you'll be set for, what could be, your best summer ever.
To avoid accidents and pricey repairs, prepping your home for the summer months is a must. From steamy temps and unexpected storms to the general wear and tear on the inside and outside of your home, there are quite a few things to get ready for. First, we must take inventory of what home maintenance is overdue. From repairing broken appliances to cleaning out your air conditioning filters and ducts, summer upkeep projects can save you money in the long run and keep everything running smoothly. Conduct a home energy audit once every year, to determine where upgrades can make a difference in lowering your carbon footprint and utility bill.
To help keep the outside of your home looking great while keeping your family safe, be sure to add these to your to-do list:
- Install sunshades or tinting to your windows to deflect heat.
- Reseal any cracked caulking or weather strips on external windows and doors to prevent leaks.
- Inspect outside your home for cracks and any overhanging tree limbs that could fall during a storm.
- Double-check that flood insurance is included in your home insurance policy.
- Spray your yard and home to protect it from pests and other creatures. Set traps and other deterrents, where necessary.
- Schedule a yearly inspection to help catch termites before they cause major damage to your home's structure.
Keeping bugs at bay often entails the use of chemicals or pesticides, so safe usage should be top-of-mind. If you choose to use pesticides in and around your home, ensure children know to avoid any treated areas after application, for as long as manufacturer's instructions dictate. Always explain the dangers of all potentially harmful products to your children. This can help prevent injury from accidental exposure. Placement of a first-aid kit, with poison control information, and fire extinguisher on every level of your home is a smart idea - having them nearby helps you respond as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency.
Security and Monitoring
As temps rise in the summer months, unfortunately so do the rates of home break-ins and theft. On average, there is an 11% increase in home-based crimes during the summer months. And though we are now staying home more than ever before, this increase is enough to make one nervous during a weekend getaway. Thankfully, smart home technology has vastly advanced, giving homeowners control over their home protection and monitoring capabilities. Recent additions to the smart home market include indoor and outdoor cameras, motion detection lighting, and automatic locks that can alert you on your phone any time someone locks or unlocks a door. These devices are not only helpful for identifying and stopping burglaries, but they're also great for monitoring your children's activity throughout the home. Some devices even allow you to speak to your children or play music directly through speaker systems. Ultimately, the purpose of smart devices is to help streamline your life, making everyday tasks easier.
When we are around more often, like during the summer or shelter-in-place orders, our homes, appliances, and devices go through something known as home strain. And with a global pandemic keeping us homebound more than ever before, home strain is reaching new heights. As sheltering in place continues and as more people opt to work from home, this issue is likely to persist. The most needed repairs come from issues with power surges, broken appliances, and damaged electronic devices. To help counteract the effects of home strain, it's important to thoroughly clean your home, appliances, and other devices. Electronic devices and other household appliances run faster and last longer with regular cleanings. Regular cleaning also allows you to inspect for damage and fix small issues before they grow.
Grilling and Fire Protection
Grilling is an especially popular summertime activity. Improperly operated grillware can be extremely dangerous. This is especially true when there are young children in proximity, as they can accidentally injure themselves or others. A few things to consider before grilling this summer to keep your family and home safe:
Never leave a fire unattended. Constant monitoring will help keep the fire under control and prevent any potential injuries from children or pets getting too close to the flame. It is recommended to keep your grill at least 10 feet from your home or any other structures, and away from any overhanging trees.
When returning indoors, it is important to extinguish the fire. Never let it a grill burn out. While it is recommended to keep a fire extinguisher on hand for emergencies, a grill can be put out with water once you are done. It's also a good idea to keep a first-aid kit nearby in case of accidents or burns.
Pool Safety
Whether you have an in-ground pool, hot tub, above ground, or inflatable pool, children should always be supervised while swimming. If possible, enroll your children in swimming lessons early or teach them yourself. As they are learning, a life jacket or other flotation device should be put on before getting in the water. Become CPR-certified and always keep an extra flotation device and first-aid kit nearby. To ensure you know when your child is near the water, consider adding back door and gate alarms to alert you of any movement near the pool or hot tub.
Setting Safety Rules
The safety of their child is the goal of every parent, but it can be easier said than done. It is important to talk with your kids about summer safety, including the limits you've set for how far they can venture out or what activities they take part in without you nearby. In addition to installing safety measures like gates around the pool and locks on medicine cabinets, it's important to let your children know what type of play is and is not allowed. Playing in a parked car, for example, can easily turn dangerous in the summer heat. Always lock your car when it's not in use, even if it's just in your garage or driveway.
As children get older, they'll likely want to venture out to play with friends away from home. Before going out to play, establish ground rules for how far they can go and for how long. Ensure they are aware of the potential dangers of your area. Mobile numbers should be memorized in case of an emergency.
Whether your yard is relatively empty or full of toys, an inspection should be part of the pre-play routine. This allows you to address any issues you find before letting your children run around.
With summer in full swing and shelter-in-place orders continuing, you'll likely be spending most of your time at or near home. This makes total home safety more important than ever. While you may be able to make most repairs yourself, some things are better left to the professionals. Carve out enough time for cleaning and repairs - plus time for summer fun too!
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Maximizing Home Energy Efficiency in Warmer Climates
When discussing energy efficiency, it is common for experts only to consider improving the savings results for homeowners in colder climates. It is a topic that our neighbors to the north and west must give consideration as most energy needs will increase when temperatures begin to fall. Having an energy efficient home, however, is also incredibly important in warmer climates. With the proper energy-saving strategies and smart design choices, Bahamian homes can become just as energy efficient as those in other regions.
BUILDING DESIGN & LAYOUT CONSIDERATIONS
For the highest energy efficiency, a home should be designed from the ground up with respect to how the light and other natural elements will affect energy needs. For example, West and East facing glass windows and doors can have about five times the heat gain of north-facing glass. For the most favorable outcome, a home should be constructed so that windows are positioned within 20 degrees of North or South, wherever possible. Choosing colors for your home, that are reflective as opposed to absorbent for roofing and siding can also help to control the heat inside the home.
SMART LANDSCAPING
Landscaping should be planned to work with the design elements of the home. Where there are windows or doors installed on the west or east sides of a house, trees and shrubs can be positioned to block the sun at the hottest times of the day.
Shady trees also work well for controlling heat gains in the home. During the warmest months, the trees will have leaves and block out sunlight. During the cooler months, the trees will lose leaves and allow greater heat gains. Shrubs and trees can also shade pavement so that sunlight is not reflected indoors.
CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS
Materials selected for the walls, floors, and roof, the type of windows and doors, and many other construction elements can all have a major impact on home energy efficiency. Materials with low heat conductivity should always be used and be thick enough to keep out any unwanted heat. Windows should be shaded or tinted to keep out the heat as much as possible, possibly even using a recessed window design for consistency. Ceramic tile floors are best for energy efficiency in hot climates, with carpeting typically raising the average temperature inside the home.
INSULATION FOR SAVINGS
Proper insulation is important for hot climate energy efficiency. About two inches of foam insulation is generally sufficient to help keep heat gains out and keep cool air inside. A carefully sealed building is of utmost importance.
ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES
Investing in Energy Star appliances boosts your home's energy efficiency. There are other ways to reduce energy expenses with your current appliances, as well. The refrigerator is often the leading energy user among a home's appliances, so it must operate efficiently.
ADJUST TEMPERATURE SETTINGS
The smallest temperature changes can greatly impact your home's energy efficiency. Adjust the thermostat to 68 degrees or lower on cooler days, and 78 degrees or higher during the summer so that you use less energy.
ADJUST WATER HEATER SETTINGS
This is typically something homeowners do not consider doing. However, this small change can go a long way in saving you money. A maximum temperature of 120 degrees is adequate for most homes. This prevents accidental scalding and is proven to slow the buildup of minerals in your water heater tank.
ADJUST REFRIGERATOR SETTINGS
The temperature of the refrigerator itself should be set to 35°-38°F, and the freezer to 0° F. The refrigerator is often the leading energy user among a home's appliances, so it must operate efficiently. Keep the door closed as often as possible. Check the door seals to ensure they are tight and secure. If a dollar bill placed between the door gaskets slips out easily, the seal is not as tight as it should be. Consider replacing it.
UNPLUG ELECTRONICS WHEN NOT IN USE
Always remember to unplug rarely used appliances to decrease energy usage around the house. Unplugging electronics like charging devices for phones, tablets, and digital cameras can increase your energy efficiency. Using a power strip with an on/off switch makes it easy to decrease electricity use by powering off multiple electronics at once.
Beyond construction, landscaping choices, and other big-ticket items, there are many ways homeowners can save. Lowering your energy bill can be accomplished by improving the energy efficiency of your home. Simple lifestyle changes go a long way to impact and improve your bottom line. When followed consistently, these practices could lead to substantial energy savings and lower utility bills. Making use of the strategies outlined above will help you and your family to live more energy efficient and boost the savings you see on your monthly energy bill.
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Renewable Energy in The Bahamas
Earth Day is tomorrow, and the global theme is Restore our Earth, which focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world's ecosystems. With almost 365 days of sunshine along our shores, as a nation, we are in a unique position when it comes to benefitting from renewable and solar energy. As we expand our horizons, we are increasingly moving towards environmentally-friendly technologies and ways to reduce energy consumption, save on costs, and increase our sustainability practices.
At Home
Our homes today are relying more on solar-powered technologies. Existing residences are swapping out the old with the new where they can, and new residential builds are incorporating these capabilities from the ground-up.
While some are installing state-of-the-art solar energy systems, like this Turnberry home, others are introducing this technology in smaller doses to save on electricity bills and to cut back on their carbon footprint. Today, we have a host of options ranging from a solar panel for hot water or air conditioner to solar-powered sprinkler systems and outdoor lights for your yard. Even something as simple as swapping out those regular light bulbs for LED ones can help! Regardless of your budget, there are ways you can save!
For your Business
Across the country, many of our businesses have also started making the transition to more sustainable energy solutions - some in small ways, by changing out light bulbs to LED, replacing HVAC units with energy-efficient ones, and having programmable thermostats in offices. Others have adapted on a larger scale, with whole energy management systems and solar power systems. Going green with your business can help you cut costs on energy, but it can also have a positive impact when it comes to your company name and community relations.
For us All
On a larger scale, we've seen many initiatives unfold over the last several years to increase our green living as a country.
In 2013, the National Energy Policy was developed to connect the energy and economic sectors and create opportunities to use renewable energy in as many areas nationwide as possible. Policies outlined in the National Energy Policy pave the way toward achieving renewable energy targets for 2033, including the use of renewable energy in:
- Transport: discouragement of inefficient motor vehicles, lowering import duties on electric and hybrid cars, encouragement of carpooling, and implementation of "effective mass public transit transport system" among other initiatives.
- Construction, housing, offices, and hotels: energy-efficiency building code standards which include the use of efficient lighting, sustainable materials, energy-efficient building code standards. Considerations for providing incentives for constructing carbon-neutral buildings.
- Finance: Finance ministry to develop and implement incentive programs and fiscal measures to support investment in modern facilities, infrastructure in the energy sector.
Some of these initiatives exist today, with the plans implemented and off the ground:
Thomas A. Robinson Solar Parking Lot
In 2019, the Thomas A. Robinson National stadium officially unveiled its solar parking lot. The 925-kilowatt grid-tied solar system will displace 310 thousand liters of diesel fuel annually, which should save the island 350 thousand dollars and offset 856 tons of carbon emissions annually. The lot has 324 parking stations and an additional two electric car charge ports for electric vehicles.
Family Island Solar Program
Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) launched the Family Island Solar Program with support from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and Carbon War Room's Islands Energy Program. This program proposes to develop "solar-fueled power systems" on the Family Islands of Andros, Bimini, Eleuthera, and Inagua with hopes of meeting 30% of the electricity by the year 2030.
On the Horizon
Good news for our family, friends, and customers in Abaco and Grand Bahama! According to a report released by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the initial funding for electricity restoration on islands hit by Hurricane Dorian has been bolstered by the receipt of $9.739m in grant funding from the EU's Caribbean Investment Facility. The even better news is that this restoration is set to produce a 50 percent increase in renewable energy installed and battery storage capacity for additional resilience. Some of this funding is set to be allocated to installing a 4 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant and energy storage, which will supply energy to the Marsh Harbour government complex and the Marsh Harbour's hospital. In Cooper's Town, the medical clinic will have a Solar PV plant of approximately 0.25 MW, including a storage capacity of close to 2 MW.
In New Providence, this funding will also be used to subsidize rooftop solar PV installations for a total additional renewable energy capacity of 2.5 MW. This will involve five commercial and 50 residential installations of 50 kilowatts (kW) and 5Kw, respectively, plus 20 systems for community buildings with a 100 kW capacity.