Visiting Our Home in Montserrat

Our HUGE drop in the asking price for our home has generated a lot of interest. Maybe too much. Visitors are just dropping by to see our house.

PLEASE DO NOT VISIT OUR HOUSE WITHOUT HAVING AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE APPROPRIATE CONTACT PERSON!

We have a lovely tenant who is getting (understandibly) exasperated by people who just drop by or...worse yet, call him to tell him that they have OUR permission to visit the house.

• We do NOT give anyone permission to visit our house.
• We respect our tenant's privacy.
• We refer ALL interested parties to our contact person in Montserrat.

PLEASE RESPECT OUR TENANT AND HIS RIGHTS.

Montserrat government prepares Little Bay for the restart a ferry service to the island

The Government of Montserrat has started work on Little Bay, the area for its planned new town center, to accommodate the restart of a ferry service to the island.

The Honourable Chief Minister Dr. Lowell Lewis has revealed that modifications are being undertaken within the existing Little Bay Development Plan to accommodate such a service.Chief Minister Lewis said during a recent sitting of the island’s Legislative Council:

“All the roadways at Little Bay are within the existing Little Bay Development Plan. Several improvements are being made in preparation for the restart of a ferry service and to make the area more attractive and usable by tourists, visitors and motorists who drive through the area. We understand that modifications are to be made to the Little Bay Master Plan, and that work in the area will commence some time in 2008 or 2009. I am not prepared as Minister of Tourism to have conditions at the seafront which deter cruise ships from visiting us this year, and consider that investing $80,000 in an attempt to attract business to Montserrat, while at the same time providing employment through a community self help project as justifiable.”

The Honourable Chief Minister explained that discussions with the newly appointed Little Bay project manager have confirmed that the work being done, is consistent with the proposals being considered. He said when the proper financing is available, the quality of the infrastructure will be upgraded and improved. The eighteen million East Caribbean dollar (EC $18 million) Little Bay Infrastructure Project is the main focus of the newly formed Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC). The MDC has recommended the production of a new master plan, and a short delay of the start of work on the Little Bay Project Phase One.

Lanholder License Tax Reduced

Terrific news for people interested in buying property in Montserrat.

That huge 10% fee for landholder's license (required for all non-Montserratians) has been cut in half.

I was informed by our lawyer Kharl Markham (in Lawyer Allen's office) that the landholder's license fee has been dropped to 5%.

The 5% is calculated on the purchase price LESS the value of furnishings. The furnishings in our home are currently insured at EC$71,800 or US$26,709. Since we just put in new appliances, I think we can safely up this amount to US$30,000.

This means that your 5% fee will be on the agreed-upon selling price LESS US$30,000.

If you wish to confirm this information, you can contact lawyer Kharl Markham at
e-mail: markhamkm@candw.ms
tel: 664-491-2498
fax: 664-491-2493

The final result? The costs for closing on the property are now down to about 10% rather than 15% --- great news indeed.

Greenhouse Project in Montserrat

We have all missed the Friday and Saturday morning market with our favorite vendors and the socializing.

A new public market is being built and the operation of a vegetable greenhouse has started. With government assistance, farmers will make the transition form traditional to protected agriculture.

This is great news: we will have, once again, a reliable supply of locally grown fresh food in Montserrat .

Click here for the full article.

Additional evacuation in Old Towne

An update to last weekend's news, Governor Deborah Barnes Jones has signed the evacuation Order which will force some 50 households to find accommodation elsewhere further north.

Dome growth at the Soufriere Hills volcano and various computer modelling scenarios prepared by scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) prompted officials to warn more households in Old Towne of possible extension of the already extended Evacuation Zone, in the southern half of Montserrat.

A release on Tuesday last week from the Emergency Policy Group (EPG) which is a level up from the Volcano Executive Group said, "Scientists at the MVO briefed the Emergency Policy Group (EPG), informed them that the dome at the Soufriere Hills Volcano is still growing on the western side of the crater."

According to the report, the Scientific Advisory Committee's (SAC) computer modelling has shown that further areas in the present safe zone could be impacted by pyroclastic flows and surges.

The result of the upgraded information, coming after residents on the southern side of the safe zone had attended meetings on the issue, is that "the authorities have determined that further areas in the safe zone would need to be evacuated."

The map, up to weekend, had not been drawn but the release mentioned that residents in the areas south of Bishop Lane, next to Alford Dyett's house, and south of the roundabout in Old Towne "are asked to be prepared to move at short notice."

There were plans for disaster officials to make house to house visits with the affected residents on the weekend.

Meanwhile amidst all the speculation, the release sought to counter and calm residents higher up in Salem. "However, it is unlikely that residents of Salem will be evacuated," the release said.

From Anne-Marie: I am trying to locate an accurate map of the area in question.

MTB Derives Beach Clean - Up

As part of its efforts to improve the tourist product, the Montserrat Tourist Board (MTB) is preparing to embark on a general clean up of Little Bay, Carrs Bay and Lime Kiln Beach.

The clean up will include among other things:
- Pruning of Trees
- Removal of garbage, debris and acacia trees
- Planting of coconut palms and Oleander plants
- Installing of garbage bins

The Tourist Board is asking everyone to be mindful of the efforts being made to rid the beaches of unsightly garbage and to make them more attractive. Your support is needed in helping to keep the beaches clean. Please be responsible for your own garbage and use the bins provided at all times.

“As we have been forced to live in a smaller portion of the island, this is a time more than ever when me must be mindful of our environment and how it is kept. The beaches are a small part of the whole, which we are encouraging everyone to keep clean. Your support can help to control the many unwanted pests – rats, mosquitoes, cockroaches among others- which have become so prevalent in our society”, comments Ernestine Cassell, Director of Tourism.

During our Tourism Awareness Launch in 2005, Ms. Yasmin White prepared a very appropriate poem, Cleanliness is Next to Godliness, to reflect the pride and the need for keeping the island clean; in repeating one of the verses from this poem we hope this will help to cement what the Montserrat Tourist Board is trying to achieve.

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”,
That’s what this emerald symbolises:
So, Mon’srat, for ever loved and bless’Sparkles clean, green – a recipe for progress.
Beauty frames her verdant complexion,
While she transcends her former appearance.
Litter free, what a glorious heritage!
Cleanliness is next to Godliness!”

Price cut on our home!

I have indicated before that the reason we are selling is my husband’s health. He is now hospitalized. We have decided to sell as soon as possible. We are dropping our bottom price way down. Yes, we regret not accepting the high offer we received during the auction, but that is hindsight.

As you probably know, our home is rented until May 2008 and we are still making upgrades. The electric built-in wall oven, the microwave and the side-by-side (ice water and ice cubes through the door) refrigerator and the washing machine are being replaced this week.

Please re-visit the website for our home at http://www.montserrat-caribbean-villas.com

If you wish to obtain a mortgage in Montserrat, we can put you in contact with the manager of the Bank of Montserrat.

Please contact me directly if you have any questions or wish to make an offer.

Regards,
Anne-Marie Toliver

Montserrat on Google Earth

Last time I checked on Google Earth, Montserrat was not there. I checked again just now...and there she is!

Then it got even better. I downloaded the version 4 from http://earth.google.com/ and there was way more information. Just take a look.

First, as you magnify the small Montserrat image, you will see how very close we are to other islands. Although our main air gateway is Antigua (north-east of Montserrat), we are also close to Guadeloupe (south-east; great shopping), Nevis and St. Kitts. On clear days we can see Nevis and on clear nights we can see the lights on Nevis.

If you magnify even more, you will see the main roads on Montserrat. The cross island road is in the non-entry zone and so is everything south of that line. Depending on the emergency level, daytime entry may be allowed into Plymouth for a sight of a contemporary Pompeii.

Where are we located? North of Olveston, down from the main road.

Let me know if you need more specific information.

Too bad we can't get close enough to actually see our house. Maybe the next version of Google Earth :-)

Apologies

I seem to be doing a whole lot of that lately. Oh well.....

It seems that yesterday's blog (dated Thursday, January 25, 2007) was read by a few as a current experience. My mistake...Blogs are automatically dated by the software and I don't even know if there is a way to change that.

The description of our arrival was drawn from our website. I was told that it is an "over-sell"-- that what I describe sounds too good to be true. Since the person making this comment knows a whole lot more about sales than I do....I took his advice and removed the description from the website.

However, I described our experience and our feelings upon arriving "back home" at the end of October, 2005. It may not have a place on the website but I thought it could have a place on this more personal blog.

More ways In and OUT

GOVERNMENT OF MONTSERRAT IS DISCUSSING POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF CARIBBEAN HELICOPTERS SERVICE TO THE ISLAND

The Government of Montserrat is holding discussions with Caribbean Helicopters of Antigua about the expansion of its service to the island.

Chief Minister the Honourable Dr. Lowell Lewis had a meeting with the operators in Antigua to discuss the proposals put forward. Caribbean Helicopters operate out of Antigua Barbuda offering flyover tours of Montserrat to cruise ship passengers and visitors to Antigua & Barbuda. It has also been providing monitoring flights for scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory.

Caribbean Helicopters also have the capability to provide MEDIVAC services for Montserrat from their base in Jolly Harbour in Antigua, which may be needed from time to time for medical emergencies.

The Honourable Chief Minister Dr. Lowell Lewis explained: “Caribbean Helicopters wish to expand their current services to Montserrat, thereby adding to tourism growth and economic activity on the island. They wish to do so by offering day tour itineraries which would see them landing in Montserrat with visitors from Antigua and also conducting day trip tours to Antigua from Montserrat. The proposed expansion of Caribbean Helicopters’ services to Montserrat also comes at an opportune time with World Cup cricket being around the corner and an increasing number of cruise calls being made in Antigua.”

Discussions are continuing between the Government of Montserrat and Bosses from Caribbean Helicopters to firm up the proposal for their service expansion to Montserrat.

------------------------------------------
Comments from Anne-Marie:

Regular helicopter access (like we used to have before the new airport was completed) would increase the number of available air services to FOUR. All to the good, making day-trips into Antigua from Montserrat more convenient. Antigua has all the shopping and services while Montserrat has the quiet.

I remember when some of us used to charter a flight to Guadeloupe for a fantastic food shopping experience. The best cheeses, wines, breads...and we filled our freezers. Sounds like this might be possible again.
-------------------------------------------

For more news from Montserrat, go to the Government Information Unit website.

When we arrived to our Private Paradise.

The following description and photos are of our own, very personal experience of arrival in Montserrat and back in our home. For us, this was most definitely our private paradise.
Your experience will probably differ -- not all plants are in bloom at all times and not all fruits are on the trees. Take your time, explore and find your own private paradise!
--------------------
We arrive at our new Montserrat airport -- our favorite way is by chartered plane on a brief 15 minute flight from Antigua's international airport. Our friendly taxi driver is waiting for us and drives us from the North of Montserrat to the lush area called Woodlands...the area in which our secluded villa is located at the foot of a rain forest.
We drove down from the main road, just a short way, toward the blue, blue Caribbean and stopped in front of a red gate. It was open and we knew we were home. A short drive up a small hill to a wide, covered and tiled carport where our luggage is unloaded.

To our right the variegated bougainvilla reach out to welcome us and our small banana grove promises the delights of our own fruits for breakfast (or maybe a sinful banana flambé?). These bananas were planted by Bill -- the flowers are my responsibility.

The path to our front door is lined by palm trees, ginger plants, haleconias, ferns, and a multitude of other plants that used to be new to us - now they are familiar friends. We walk into our house and there it is: the breathtaking views of the Caribbean that never cease to amaze us, and neighbouring islands visible on a clear day.

Our housekeeper knows what we want and there is food in the refrigerator, lounging chairs are out by the pool, our home is ready for us. This is so much better than the best hotel.

We have great views from virtually every room. Our 36’ x 30’ great room with a 14’ cathedral ceiling lets the breeze come through.

Perched near the top of a hill, we don't see another soul! We relax...and even before we unpack we walk around the garden, checking for ripe mangoes, picking a few limes for a refreshing lime drink and some fresh flowers for our first night home.

Our private pool shimmers in the sunlight... we hang up the hammocks, take a quick dip (yes, it's private enough for skinny dipping) and enjoy the wonderful peace and quiet.

Our bedroom is just up a few steps from the living room and is the next thing to sleeping under the stars. We luxuriate in our four poster queen size bed as we watch spectacular sunsets or the full moon turn a ripe orange or just listen to the sound of surf from nearby Woodlands beach.

Check out our website for more pictures and a video of our home.

Air Montserrat Announces Start of Official Operations

By: Keith Dyett

Air Montserrat operators have announced the beginning of its new charter flights service from Montserrat to Antigua beginning on December 1.

The new air service said that it will officially begin flight services offering an introductory rate of US$65.00 or ECC$175.50 per paying passenger one way between Antigua and Montserrat plus any applicable fees.

Ms. Christina Lea, Office Manager said, “the first flight is scheduled for December 1, we already have 15 charters confirmed and 100 seats confirmed and sold.”

This is an important addition to airlift options and reflects Montserrat’s growing market,” Ernestine Cassell, Director of Tourism said. It gives international travellers the option and flexibility to charter this service to better suit their travel schedule.”

Air Montserrat is owned by Philip Rogers, a native Montserratian, and is operated by Trans Anguilla Airways (2000) Limited with the aircraft being based in Montserrat said, “It is my hope to provide superior service and a friendly and convenient alternative to visitors travelling the Montserrat,”

Meanwhile it was reported that Winair has also increased the number of flights between Montserrat and Antigua beginning in December.

For reservations and/or charter information, see http://www.airmontserrat.com/index.html

A new airline service for Montserrat

I would like you to view this page: A new airline service for Montserrat
The URL is: http://www.themontserratreporter.com/topstories/local/view_article.php?id=1976.

Visit The Montserrat Reporte Onlie at http://www.themontserratreporter.com

Travel Writers and Tour Operators Very Impressed with Montserrat

Increased tourism bodes well for Montserrat.

The following is a press release from the Montserrat Tourist Bureau:

A very positive sign for the future growth of Montserrat’s tourism sector is the news that an additional three (3) major UK/Irish tour operators will be including the island to their upcoming programmes. This is as result of a visit to Montserrat by one of the tour operators in June and meetings between Montserrat Tourist Board (MTB) officials and the other two, which took place at World Travel Market in London in November 2005. The three (3) operators that will be adding the island to their programmes are QuestBeyond, Jetlife and Virgin Holidays. This comes on the heels of last week’s announcement that DiveQuest (sister company of QuestBeyond) will be including Montserrat dive packages in its 2007 programme, following a visit by its Managing Director in early July.

The inclusion of Montserrat in QuestBeyond’s (www.questbeyond.com) upcoming programme is as a result of a visit by John Ironside to the island from June 19-23. This Irish Tour Operator is an innovative holiday company offering tailor-made holidays to families, individuals, couples and groups into specially selected locations around the world, many of them off the beaten track. They currently feature Dominica, Tobago. Antigua and a couple more Caribbean Islands and focus mainly on eco-tourism and adventure trips. The inclusion of Montserrat in their programme will be big boost for its hiking, bird watching, volcano adventure and other eco-tourism products.

The other major tour operator that will be adding Montserrat to their programme is Jetlife (www.jetlife.co.uk). Montserrat, and initially only the Vue Pointe Hotel, will be included in Jetlife’s new Caribworld brochure, due out in September. Jetlife is an independent tour operator offering tailor-made holidays to America, Asia and the Caribbean. It offers a comprehensive choice of scheduled airlines giving the flexibility of daily departures to each destination together with a superb selection of accommodation and sightseeing options. Jetlife is part of the award winning Argo Holidays Group in the UK.

Virgin Holidays (www.virginholidays.co.uk) will also be including Montserrat in their upcoming tour package programme, as a day trip add-on to an Antiguan holiday. At present due to the volcano situation they are a bit cautious about adding Montserrat fully into the programme as a full stopover vacation. However the product manager has indicated that while Montserrat will only be promoted as a day trip destination initially, the intention is to add it as an overnight destination in their programme next year. Owned by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Holidays is a brand of the Virgin Group, a large network of more than 200 different companies, offering a variety of services ranging from air travel to mobile phones.

“The UK market is currently our main source of visitors, accounting for over 30% of tourist arrivals and the inclusion of Montserrat in these three (3) UK tour operator programme is thus very good news for us,” comments the MTBs Marketing Manager Ishwar Persad. “With World Cup cricket around the corner, the continued very good air service into Antigua from the UK and the ongoing efforts of our UK public relations firm, we are well positioned to see a significant increase in UK visitor arrivals.”

Travel Writers and Tour Operators Very Impressed with Montserrat

The latest news from the Montserrat Tourist Bureau indicates that tourism is likely to pick up on the island. Since tourism is one of the economic necessities, this is great news.

The following is a press release from the Montserrat Tourisy Board

During the period June 30 – July 9 the Montserrat Tourist Board hosted eight travel writers and tour operators from the US, UK and Austria and the feedback from these persons has been overwhelmingly positive. All the writers and operators agreed that Montserrat had a unique but marketable tourism product and were particularly impressed with the warmth and friendliness of the people. As a result Montserrat will be featured in two new tour operators’ programmes in the UK and Germany and a number of favourable editorial pieces will be written in several travel publications.

The first to visit Montserrat was Hilary Lee, Managing Director of Divequest (www.divequest.co.uk), a UK-based tour operator that specializes in dive packages to unique and small destinations. While on island Ms. Lee dived for four days with the Green Monkey and Sea Wolf Dive shops, went on an island tour, visited the Montserrat National Trust, the MVO and hiked the Oriole Trail. An e-mail message from her to the MTB after she returned to the UK reads:
“My week on Montserrat was lovely and I was particularly impressed by the warmth and personality of the people of Montserrat. That, combined with the wonderful natural resources that you have on the island, make a great foundation for a diving holiday. I will be working on my material for the diving trips over the next week or so and will have pleasure in including Montserrat in our Divequest 2007 programme.”

Next came an Austrian press and tour operator group, who visited Montserrat for a day on July 5. The contingent, comprising of five travel writers and the owner of a tour operator were already in Antigua for the week, hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism. The MTB’s German representative, Basic Services Group, was able to include a trip to Montserrat, particularly as there are now weekly direct flights from Germany to Antigua. While on island, the group visited all the major sites and attractions and all commented favourably on the quality of the product.

The lone tour operator in the group was Sylvia Marek, managing director of the Austrian tour operator Sunny Islands. Ms. Marek indicated that Montserrat will be included in their winter 2006 tour package programme.

From July 5-9, Montserrat was visited by Bradley Kovach, the Senior Editor of Caribbean Travel and Life. Caribbean Travel and Life was established in 1985, and is written for the upscale traveler interested in vacationing in the Caribbean. The magazine has a circulation of 155,529 and Mr. Bradley was here to do research for a feature piece on Montserrat, which should be out before the end of this year. His itinerary included hiking; an island tour; visits to a variety of tourist accommodation; tours of the MVO and the Montserrat National Trust; and sampling the cuisine at various restaurants. He also found time to learn to dive and did his first dive ever at Rendezvous. Mr. Bradley was also able to meet briefly with the Hon. Chief Minister and the Governor. A number of tourism stakeholders on island contributed to the success of these trips and the MTB would like to thank them once again for their generous support and time.

Montserrat Questions and Answers

Come and visit our home in Montserrat


The following is a series of questions from a person in Montreal -- and my answers. With his permission I am sharing. My answers are in caps...no I was not yelling -- it was a text only message, and with a 90 degree temp., I am too hot to rewrite.



Hello Anne-Marie,

Thank you for replying so rapidly.

I have read your blog and this feel reassuring. I have been looking for a Caribbean villa for a little while and it is very difficult to get the real answers. Your blog has answered most of my concerns.

My idea of rental is only because I will not be retired for another 10 years. So it would make sense to rent it as a luxury villa, if possible. My idea was to offer the villa with cook, maid etc. One of the problem, while being far away, is to find someone on the island to manage it... Not easy task. Perhaps you have some suggestions about if this is a good idea or not.

MAID COMES AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE VILLA. USUALLY 2 OR 3 DAYS BUT THAT'S UP TO TENANT AND THEY PAY EXTRA FOR ADDITIONAL DAYS. WHEN WE DID RENTAL (FULL TIME - WE WENT OFF ISLAND FOR A FEW YEARS), WE USED AN AGENT I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND. I THINK WHEN YOU COME AND MAKE FRIENDS, IT WOULD BE MUCH EASIER. THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE MANAGING OUR RENTAL ARE LONG-TIME MONTSERRAT RESIDENTS, HAVE THEIR OWN CLIENTELE AND ARE EXTREMELY GOOD.

You are right when you mention on your blog that Monserrat doesn't even appear when we make a research about caribbean island. I guess it is a blessing since the properties are better priced... For now...!!!

YES, PROPERTY PRICES ARE VERY LOW COMPARED TO SIMILAR PROPERTIES ON OTHER ISLANDS. THAT'S MAINLY BECAUSE OF OUR VOLCANO (WHICH REALLY EXISTS IN THE BACKGROUND OF OUR LIFE - NOT MUCH BOTHER MOST OF THE TIME) AND THE MISINFORMATION THE MEDIA PUT OUT ABOUT MONTSERRAT. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THE ISLAND HAS BEEN TOTALLY EVACUATED -- NOT TRUE, NEVER WAS. THIS MEANS THAT IN ADDITION TO POTENTIAL INCOME YOU ALSO HAVE POTENTIAL FOR CAPITAL GAINS.

When you mention that the property is worth 495K, does it mean that you will not depart of it under that price?

NO. MY HUSBAND HAS A MEDICAL SITUATION THAT REQUIRES US TO BE CLOSER TO CERTAIN FACILITIES. WE ARE MOTIVATED SELLERS. THE AUCTION SEEMS LIKE A GOOD OPTION, HOWEVER, UNTIL A FIRST BID IS PLACED BY A QUALIFIED BIDDER, WE CAN CONSIDER AND NEGOTIATE AN OFFER.

I am very happy to hear about the security of the island. This is a must.

FORGOT TO MENTION THAT OUR GATE IS WIRED FOR AN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED GATE-OPENER. WE HAD 3 DOGS AND WE TRIED TO KEEP THEM ON THE PROPERTY.

One other thing, is there a tennis court available close to the villa?

WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE - ABOUT 5 MIN - NEAR THE SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THERE USED TO BE ONE BY THE BEACH - I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS OPERATIONAL OR NOT.

I lived on the beach in Cancun when a hurricane came and that was very scary. How do you manage to control your fear when a hurricane come? Do you go in a shelter? 2005 was crazy and they predict that 2006 could be harder.

WE WENT THROUGH HURRICANE HUGO IN THIS HOUSE. THE DOWNSTAIRS (BEDROOM, BATH, STUDIO) IS BUILT LIKE A HURRICANE SHELTER WITH THE CONCERETE WALLS, LARGE BARN DOORS AND A CONCRETE SLAB CEILING (FLOOR TO MASTER BEDROOM SUITE ABOVE). WE WERE TOTALLY SAFE, MUCH BETTER THAN MOST SHELTER WITH THE WOOD ROOFS THAT FLY AWAY. YOU JUST LOAD UP ON WATER, CANNED FOOD AND ---TOILET PAPER. ACTUALLY, IT WAS AWESOME: WITHIN 48 HOURS THE ROADS WERE CLEARED AND WE COULD ACCESS FOOD. MANY PEOPLE CAME TO USE OUR POOL FOR BATHING AND WE EVENTUALLY USED IT TO DO LAUNDRY. ALSO WE ARE 500' SO NO FEAR OF FLOODS, SURGES OR OTHER NASTY THINGS.

Do you feel your house could sustain a class 5 hurricane?

YEP, THAT'S WHAT HUGO WAS AND WE HAD A DIRECT HIT. MAYBE YOU CAN STILL FIND SOME INFO ABOUT IT ONLINE. IT WAS QUITE TRAUMATIC, BUT A MEDICAL TEAM CAME IN FROM GUADELOUPE AND WE ALL MANAGED. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE HAD NO LOOTING AT ALL.

What is the "bugs" situations? lot's of mosquitoes? Is it very humid?

NO. MOSQUITOS GROW IN STAGNANT WATER AND EVERYONE IS CAREFUL ABOUT POTTED PLANTS, ETC. THE HOUSE IS COMPLETELY SCREENED SO BUGS ARE NOT AN ISSUE.

How about the cost of living? food, etc?

I GUESS THAT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU WANT TO LIVE. THERE IS LOCAL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, DEPENDING ON SEASON AND A BOAT BRINGS FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FROM DOMINICA WEEKLY. THERE ARE SEVERAL SUPERMARKETS (TINY ONES BY UP-NORTH STANDARDS) THAT BRING IN MEAT, VEGETABLES, ETC. FROM THE USA. BUT DON'T EXPECT THE KIND OF SHOPPING YOU FIND UP-NORTH. MOST OF US BRING NECESSARY SUPPLIES WITH US - FOR EXAMPLE I BRING DOWN MY PC EXPRESSO AND DECAF EXPRESSO COFFEE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS I USE AND THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE HERE. PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFORD IT GO SHOPPING IN ANTIGUA ONCE A MONTH OR SO. AGAIN, THAT'S NOT DIFFICULT - GET TOGETHER WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND CHARTER THERE AND BACK.

You mentionned that you have clear spring water. Does it come only by gravity or you have a pump?

IT'S PART OF THE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT. I REALLY DON'T KNOW IF IT'S PUMPED OR NOT, BUT I WOULD THINK SO. THERE ARE SPRINGS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND THEY FILL THE WATER TANKS.

You mentionned a long term rental that generates 32K. Is that an estimate or you have people ready to rent it?

READY TO RENT AND THEY PAY UTILTIES.

Are the revenues taxed in Montserrat?

YES AND NO ...DEPENDS ON HOW YOU ARRANGE IT. BUT OF COURSE YOU WOULD DEDUCT A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS AGAINST ANY REVENUE ON YOUR OWN TAX RETURN (INCLUDING THE TAXES), SUCH AS DEPRECIATION, ETC.
DID I MENTION SOMEWHERE THAT OUR POPERTY TAXES ARE ABOUT US$250 / YEAR???

So many questions... Thank you for your time... Denis

NO PROBLEM, DENIS. IT'S A PLEASURE. MONTSERRAT IS NOT CANCUN (I WAS THERE IN 1963) BUT THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. IF YOU HAVE AN ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT YOU WILL LOVE IT. IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE, BUT EVERY DAY WHEN I WAKE UP TO A VIEW OF THE BLUE CARIBBEAN, I KNOW IT'S VERY MUCH WORTH IT.


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Montserrat, Caribbean

How to Buy Real-Estate Online - Safely

Visit our home and bid on it at our online auction

You know by now that we are selling our home (sob) and I promised to tell you why we chose to work through the online auction process of Rbuy.com, so here goes.

Why would anyone buy real estate online?

You are being transferred and you don’t have the time to go in person to check out all the available properties. You rely on your online research.

You want to buy a vacation property or an investment property in the Caribbean, but do not have the time to do all the research and site visits, and you rely on all the available online information plus e-mails and phone calls.

At the same time, you are concerned about online scams and security breaches. You have heard of people buying properties that do not exist; of people providing personal information online and waking up to identity theft. How certain are you that you are paying for what is shown online? How do you know that you are buying at the best possible price?

There is a new way of buying real-estate online where all the necessary safeguards have been put in place for both the buyer and the seller.

What safeguards do you, as a buyer, want to have?
1. You want a whole lot of information about the area in which the property is located.
2. You want to know as much as possible about the property. This includes a lot of photographs and probably a video. You want to know about the condition of the property and you probably want a little something about the owners.
3. Mainly, you want to be sure that if you decide to buy, you are in fact buying the property shown online.
4. You want to buy at the best possible price.

Up until now the only way you could be assured of all this was by visiting and researching the property in person and/or by trusting the information provided by the real-estate agent listing the property. The listing agent is required to represent the property accurately and she can provide all of the additional information, but would you be buying at the best possible price?

Now there is another way you can have all your safeguards. Through Rbuy.com, a new and popular online real-estate auction service, you see only properties that have been listed by a realtor. This takes care of safeguards 1, 2 and 3 since you can contact this realtor for all additional information.

How about number 4, how do you know that you are buying at the best possible price? With the Rbuy auction, bidding for a property can last several weeks, you bid on this property online, you can actually see all the other bids and decide, without any pressure, what your bidding limit is going to be. This means that instead of negotiating from an asking price, you are in fact buying at a price set for that property by the bidders. This is a true reflection of a trade, where any product is worth as much as what someone is willing to pay for it.

What about safeguards for the seller? There is only one: the Rbuy.com process requires that all bidders be pre-qualified for a loan. This is no different from the pre-qualification usually required when buying through a real-estate agent. With Rbuy.com this also works to buyer’s advantage: buyers are assured that all the other bidders have also been pre-qualified and are serious potential buyers. You are on a level playing field.

The final safeguard for both buyer and seller is the contractual nature of the bids. After the reserve set by the seller is met, the winning bidder is assured of being able to buy the property – the auction was not a waste of time. Most other online real-estate auctions do not require such a contractual commitment and say so in their fine print. Both sellers and buyers should beware.

Are you ready for that gorgeous Caribbean retreat the Rbuy.com way? Check out our home and take a virtual spin on buying a property with all your safeguards in place.


Trackback link: http://www.montserrat-caribbean-villas.blogspot.com

Selling our Home in Montserrat – part 2Why sell at an Online Auction

Visit our virtual open house

In the last entry, I explained why we have decided to sell. Now I want to elaborate on why we chose the online auction route.

Our house has been listed with Montserrat real-estate agents. Traffic has been pretty good considering that it’s Montserrat – so off the beaten track that we’re not even on most maps or listed as a Caribbean island. This means that Montserrat is known by and attractive to only those people who have friends or family here or people who have done enough research to realize that Montserrat is a hidden jewel.

What does all this mean for a potential sale?
People look for mega bargains because of everything they have heard about our volcano. These bargains existed some years ago, but there are very few of them now, even though our prices are way below those of other islands. With the opening of the new airport in 2005 and the beginnings of a lot of large projects, there is a huge revival in Montserrat. It is not quick and it is not easy, but it is happening, and the real-estate prices reflect this change.
Selling the traditional way means waiting for the visitor to talk to a real-estate agent who may (or may not) bring them to your property, following which you may (or may not) receive an acceptable offer.

An alternative with a much better potential is the online auction.

Auctions have been around forever and so have real-estate auctions. The traditional real-estate auction takes place at the property to be sold and last a few hours. An interested party usually visits the property at an open house before the auction and then returns for the auction – that they may (or may not) win. Some auctions are fast and furious and a scary experience for the newcomer.

Bill and I decided to use an online auction because it makes our property more visible and accessible; it’s like holding an open house for the world and we like having a lot of visitors come by and see our house. We also like the auction process because it’s transparent and we don’t have to set an asking price. We can watch the bidding and know that we got the best price. Because of health reasons we want to sell fast at the highest price and we don’t want to wait for the traditional viewer to come and make an offer. We like that there is nothing to negotiate, no haggling over price, and no contingencies to later kill a sale.

Of course we researched the whole idea first and we looked at some precedents. For example a US$ 2.2 million Malibu beach, California property was sold on EBay. Also CNN had a special segment on a private real-estate auction on March 12th. Also,
the first town ever auctioned on eBay soon will be back up for sale on the online auction site. Nearly two years after he bought the tiny town of Bridgeville, Orange County financial adviser Bruce Krall said Friday he plans to re-auction the Humboldt County hamlet on eBay next month.



Most buyers of real estate also like the online auction. It is easily accessible to the public, and convenient for buyers to bid from home or work. More importantly, unlike live auctions that lasted for a short time, the online auction can run for days or weeks letting more buyers bid. They are not afraid to bid. Buyers say seeing the bids of other buyers makes them less afraid of overpaying. They think the open bidding process is a fairer and safer way to buy a home.

The value of negotiating skill is small relative to the value of an auction’s additional competition. - Auctions vs. Negotiations – Stanford Economist, Professor Jeremy Bulow

In the next blog entry, I will tell you why we picked RBuy.com

It's always sad to sell your home;Help us find someone to enjoy it as much as we do.

Come to our
online open house.







This is a huge jump from the previous blog entries about choosing Montserrat and finding our dream piece of land to ….selling our property. We started in 1987 and now we are nearly twenty years later and we are that much older.

When we first came to Montserrat we wondered why, as some people reached a certain age they seemed to abandon their life here and head back “home.” For us this was our one and only home and we didn’t anticipate our feelings to change.

Then life happened. In addition to the cardiac condition Bill had when we came to Montserrat, he had a stroke in 1993. He recovered as much as possible – still in Montserrat. We stayed on after our volcano burped to life in 1995. We finally left – temporarily – on July 4th, 1997 and roamed around the USA until our return in October 2000. We were back home.

Over the past six years we realized why so many of the older people went back “home.” We dealt with a cardioversion for Bill (in Canada) as well as with the inevitability of aging that increasingly limits our physical activities. There is something to be said for being near family --- just in case. There is something to be said for being near excellent medical facilities --- just in case.

This sense of “just in case” doesn’t happen to everyone – many older expats live a full, contented life and have no intention of leaving. Many older snowbirds keep coming down for the winter months year after year.

We have had a chance to live our dream for many years. Every day, as I wake up and watch, still half asleep, the light come up and the Caribbean turn that magnificent blue, I feel blessed. But now, for us, it’s time to move on and that is why we are selling.

Not only are we selling, we are using the online real-estate auction to sell our home. It’s our way of holding a grand open house where people from all over the world can visit our home through an online photo gallery, a slide show and a video at http://www.montserrat-caribbean-villas.com/

Of course we welcome people who want to come and visit in person.

The Online Auction will run for 3 weeks from 9:00 am (Montserrat time) on Monday, April 3rd, 2006 to 5:00 pm, (Montserrat time) on Monday, April 24th, 2006. This gives interested bidders the time to be registered to bid.

We only hope that our home finds a loving owner who will enjoy it and Montserrat as much as we did.

Our Life in Montserrat -- Part 2 -- Arriving in Montserrat

Visit our home in Montserrat.



April 1, 1987 – April Fool’s but we sure didn’t feel like fools. We made a huge decision, fired our jobs and made the move. Bill was still deciding between Montserrat and Nevis, but I had my mind made up.

I had fallen in love with Montserrat on our first visit and all my positive feelings kept being reinforced.

We rented a lovely old wood house in Old Town, the same one in which we vacationed about six months earlier. Then we started searching for a permanent place. First we looked at some of the villas on the market: they were too big, too small, had no view, were way too touristy with all white tiles and white leather sectionals, or way too expensive. Ok, I confess: as an architect I get very picky and specific about what I like; particularly since this was to be our dream place, where we were going to live forever after.

It didn’t take too long to decide that we were going to build our own place; I was sure I could bring it in on our budget with some careful designing. The next step was to find the right piece of land. As I mentioned in my previous blog, in Montserrat non-Nationals can only purchase in the development areas (unless they receive an exemption) that are large, beautifully located large tracts of land along the West coast, subdivided into serviced lots. Today only the adjacent areas named Isles Bay, Old Town, Olveston and Woodlands are available (click here for a map).

Our real estate agent, Jacquie Ryan (yes, she is the same one working with us now for the online auction of this same home) told us to find the lot we wanted and then she would try to get it for us. This seemed a much better solution than being limited by what was for sale. Armed with a map of Montserrat with five foot contour lines (this gave us the elevation for any location) and a compass, we started our search. Bill gave me some impossible critera: a view both sunrise and sunset all year’round and a lot of privacy.

We loved Isles Bay. It was Montserrat’s platinum coast, the most desirable location. It is a steep hill south of Belham Valley (where the golf course was located at that time) with some spectacular views, particularly from the top. We could see most of Montserrat: the Soufriere Hills, Windy Hill, Old Town, and all the way North to St. Peters. To our disappointment most of the land has already been sold and whatever remained was expensive, difficult to build on, and nowhere near as desirable as the properties at the very top.

Going North, the next development area (the oldest one) was Old Town, home of the Vue Point Hotel (THE hotel in this area and a great place for buffet dinners and Sunday brunches), and Old Road Bay beach. This was a lovely, dark sand beach used by visitors and locals alike, a great place to meet people, have a drink or lunch at the beach bar and generally just enjoy being in Montserrat. Because it was in the hub of expat and tourist activities, Old Town was fairly well built up and expensive. We decided quickly that this was not for us.

The next development North of Old Town was Olveston. It is relatively flat and as I located the properties on our map, it was obvious that a privacy issue may crop up as people would eventually build next to us or in front of us, blocking our views. The properties that would have been interesting were already taken.

We finally came to the development furthest North: Woodlands. We were now in the “country.” We thought it was a beautiful area where many properties were located in the mountains running along the center of Montserrat. We climbed through a lot of “bush” looking for that perfect piece of land. And, with the help of our map and a lot of work drawing site lines, we found it.

Our perfect lot was on Mango Drive. I had a first inkling of its potential from the map. It was not cleared. When we drove to it, all we saw was bush. Bill, with a cutlass he didn’t know how to use was going to make a path for us. That didn’t happen. We crawled over broken branches, up and up, until we reached what appeared to be the top. Each time I stopped and looked in the direction of the Caribbean, I thought I saw bits of blue. I also thought that I could detect the top of Isles Bay Hill. The potential was awesome.

Did we find our dream property or were we going to make a huge mistake?