Rated one of the Top Ten beaches on the planet by more than one ex-patriot rag, Roatan's West Bay is home to high end resorts, dive shops and sun worshipers. Today, I take one last stroll through the Christmas crowds to show you what you're missing…. there's always next year..right?
On this Christmas Eve, let us consider the greatest gift of all: the gift of eternal life. And let us give thanks for the tremendous sacrifice of love. Jesus came that we might have life, and then He laid down His own life for us. The Peace Child was sacrificed that we may have peace with God. What could possibly make Christmas merrier? MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! Have a safe and phenomenal holiday!!!
Whether you're looking for a bargain, or your dream vacation home… look no further cause you've just found them BOTH!! Check out this amazing deal on a Blue Bahia Resort beachfront condo -- swimming pool, dive center, restaurant/bar and tons of white sand….. yep! It's all here! Hurry to get this one!
As 2010 winds down, I encourage those of you who are looking at property in the Bay Islands to watch this and seriously consider your investment plans… there's some great deals that you won't want to miss….
Recently, I had the privilege of working with a very astute Real Estate Agent/Investor from Vancouver, B.C…. Tyler Barrs…. and let me tell you, this guy does not pull any punches. He tells it as he sees it and you may be surprised at his observations of Roatan! By the way, Tyler is a very successful REALTOR with RE/MAX Crest Realty Westside and specializes in luxury Vancouver properties!
Help make this year the very Merriest yet for Roatan's kids!! If you're coming down for the holidays to the Bay Islands, here's a simple way you can put a smile on the face AND in the heart of some very special children that need your love...
It's always interesting when someone asks me about our real estate market here. Well after 13 years of selling properties here, few have sold as much, or have the experience that I do and believe me…. EXPERIENCE is what you want working for you here. Timing is everything and today, I want to show you the Roatan MLS STATISTICS that tell a very interesting story…. one that you need to pay attention to if you're contemplating a purchase in the near future…
Just in time for Christmas.. now you can order BuyRoatan.com Gear for yourself or someone special!! So many of you have asked me for this and it's now available for purchase! Part of EVERY PURCHASE GOES TOWARDS local Roatan Charities so don't delay!! Get yours today!! Here's the link Get BuyRoatan.com Gear Here!
For anyone who owns a boat or has visited Roatan by sea, you'll understand what I mean when I say the North shore is very unpredictable and unsafe to leave a boat. The reason is that storms can come up during the night unexpected and anyone moored on that side of the island could see their rig swamped, or lost. Well, now there is a safe harbour with full service Marina in Sandy Bay that offers boaters that protection and security they were wishing for…
Roatan has so much to offer both tourists, investors and re-locators alike!! From great beaches with fine white sand, to awesome seafood restaurants, to fun activities like snorkeling and diving!! Here are some of my favorite sights and sounds of the island mon!!
If it has a motor, suction, wires or cables… these guys can fix it!! From vacuums to wiper motors, blenders to weed-eaters I've had just about everything you can imagine break down here… and there's usually a guy somewhere on the island that can put it right!… ya just gotta ask around!
If you've come to West Bay Beach you would have had to drive right past the 5-star entrance to one of Roatan's finest developments… Keyhole Bay. But what most people don't know is what's inside Dan Taylor's incredible project! From vision and planning…. all the way to perfectly executed construction and decor… Keyhole Bay has it all! And priced from around $200k for a condo with a view or $80k for a treed lot overlooking the Caribbean Sea … now THAT is affordable luxury! Take a look see...
With every storm bringing high waves there's a phenomenon that affects Roatan's beaches as well… the "Sand Shifters". Depending on the storm, the direction of the wind, the rise of the sea's surge and the time pummeling the shores, these storms and hurricanes actually move the sand literally from one end of the beach… to the other --more than ½ mile!!! So if you're complaining about not enough sand in front of your condo… wait till the next storm blows through...
So yesterday a Category 1 Hurricane (Richard) passes over top of Roatan and today it's more like nothing ever happened!! In fact.. probably the nicest weather we've had in the past month.. sunglasses and sunscreen are a MUST! Compare yesterday's vid with todays… amazing!
Even though it's rained almost every day for the past 30 here in the Bay Islands, there's been pockets of that famous sunshine that makes Roatan simply incomparable! Today, we awoke to a bright, clear tropical day…. and it's amazing!
If you've been to Roatan and flew in by air, you are quite familiar with the incredible coastline the Island boasts with it's deep bays (bights), shallow reefs, and ever changing water colors….. well.. today, I got to go up once again and see it…. woo hoo!!! A great friend of mine from Chicago flew down to stay with us at The Mansion and took me for a scenic tour of Roatan in his airplane…
There are so many more choices now on Roatan for groceries, clothing and personal needs.. and it's getting better each week almost!! But what about specialty items like contact lens solutions…. hmmm.
The "Ley de la Tercera Edad" (the Law of the Third Age) refers specifically to Seniors here in Honduras, whether they be nationals or foreigners. The law stipulates discounts and courtesies for our aged residents and is something you'll want to know more about if you're over 60 and planning to visit or move to Roatan.
Nearing 13 years of life on Roatan I've come to know a thing or two… and trust me, the language they are supposed to speak here… and the language they actually speak here are often quite different! When they tell you Manana (which translates into "tomorrow") they really do not mean tomorrow 90% of the time. You get used to it. You find it amusing. You start to do the same….. or you end up frustrated pretty darn quick! Today, I'm going to put that to the test…. check out the results!!
For quite some time I've been studying Islands and the phenomena called "island fever". It affects many a rock dwellers and those living on the beautiful isle of Roatan are certainly not immune from it. If you're planning a move here.. you need to watch this...
Unlike Mexico and some other Caribbean islands, you CAN own property in your name, fee simple here on Roatan.. but there are limits… LIMITS? What does that mean? What about title? Title Insurance? What if I want to buy acreage? Today, I answer these questions.. and more!
So you move here with Fido and you're really not into the Alpo, Purina and the other junk that's full of 'fillers' for your pets… Well.. Alan and Sandra have been here for a couple years now imported premium dog and cat foods to the Island!! They operate Island Dogs Life out of their home in Sandy Bay….In addition, they both donate their time and resources for some great Island causes...
For those of you who missed out on that $119k beachfront condo I featured a couple months ago here (it sold in 24 hours) I went back today to shoot the RENOS which are now completed and were part of the purchase price… WOW.. it really turned out nice!!! I have another one in there coming up soon so drop me a note if you are interested..
Many people come to Roatan but few venture to the other end (East) of the island. For one, it's a dirt road past Oakridge, often in poor condition. You need to rent a car or take a tour bus to go there.. but believe me, it is well worth it!! It's like a completely different side to this amazing Bay island! Come with me today as I journey out there...
Many people ask me about building their dream home here on Roatan and many purchase lots for just that purpose. But what about the building costs and availability of materials? What about hiring a builder? Do they build the same specs as back home? Today, I interview the Engineer that built my own home, Jorge Perez… to find out more about building on Roatan...
I've had to pleasure to talk to a lot of people about Roatan and what they think.. first impressions, short term stay, long term and those who've invested here. Here's what some of them had to say...
From time to time I like to post what I feel are the hottest deals on the island!! Right now.. this is IT!! If you have the ability to buy this.. I'd jump on it FAST! My previous deals have sold within a couple days…. take a look at this view… 0.34 acre, location AND beach access!!
In the airline industry the merger between the two airlines has created the single largest airline in the world! What does that mean to us here on Roatan, currently serviced heavily by Continental Airlines? Find out...
In Honduras law is quite different at times than back home. There are different procedures and protocols that you may not be familiar with.. and it could cost you a bundle. If you're not willing to take that chance, you'll want to watch this...
