So, why are the Canadians still focused on the Caribbean as their second homes?  It is so darn COLD there half of the year!

Eleven months ago it was the British Boomers  who were flocking to the Caribbean.  Who has taken over those purchases are the Canadians!   The Canadian market has been the largest increase in Caribbean real estate purchases this past year - both fractionals and full deeded  ownership.

The Canadian demand for second home is being fuelled by their Boomers’ desire to re-invent their retirement lifestyles - following the sun!  It is REALLY COLD from Edmonton to Nova Scotia half of the year!  With direct flights to the Caribbean from Toronto and Montreal the entire Caribbean is easily accessible - from Aruba to the Dominican Republic.  And, this year 42% of our Canadian Buyers have been paying ALL CASH for their real estate purchases!  Here are the results of the Harris/Decima  study following the Canadian trends.

14% of the Canadian population own recreational real estate asset.

57% of owners are sole recreational property owners.

43% of owners have invested in shared ownership assets - fractional ownership properties.

36% of those who are sole owners purchased their property prior to 1990.

43% of fractional and timeshare ownership investment with most acquisitions made since the year 2000.

59% increase in second home ownership among Canadians since 1990.

30% of the total population in the Harris/Decima Survey indicated they are interested in purchasing a recreational property asset.

71% are interested in acquiring sole ownership properties.

14% are interested in fractional ownership.

48% prefer to be very close to the beach.

46% want retail facilities nearby.

Contact me today  if you want to get in on what the Canadians are discovering in the Caribbean for their second homes.  The Caribbean continues to be the real estate HOT SPOT in the Western Hemisphere.  Until next time…go Maple Leaf’s!

The VICL is hosting the annual event that shows off the Caribbean Charter Yacht Fleet next month in St. Thomas - Jim Walberg, internet reporter!

I will again be the internet reporter for the Virgin Island Charter League  Boat Show next month at Yacht Haven Grande Marina  from November 9^th - 12^th.  This is THE event of the year for the Charter Yacht Fleet.  It is four days of having the Charter Yacht brokers from all over the world coming to St. Thomas to preview the yachts and crews that are the floating “Bed & Breakfasts” of the Caribbean.  The charter vacation yacht brokers will be selecting the yachts and crews they will be promoting to their clients for the upcoming season.  All of the yachts and crew are at their finest for this important event.  Each of them wants to be one of the yachts the brokers put on their short list of their favorites.  The charter yacht vacation brokers could make or break crews’ charter season with the recommendations they make.  The season starts November 15^th and ends June 15^th.  All of the yachts will be polished and varnished for this very fun annual party of the charter fleet.

 During the entire event I will be interviewing crews and photographing their yachts.  The human interest stories that are a part of the daily lives of these owners of the Caribbean floating bed and breakfasts are always inspiring.  I have yet to meet a more interesting group of world traveling entrepreneurs who know how to create an unforgettable experience for each of their clients.  The reason the Charter Boat Shows are interested in my reporting is because there are many of their members who will not be able to attend, so they want an internet site where they can go and catch up on the daily activities of the Show.

Imagine that you own one of these charter yacht businesses.  Your income is based on how many charters you are able to book during a season, and the gratuity that your guests give you at the end of their charter vacation - typically 15% to 20% of the cost of the charter vacation.  It is typical to have 20 to 25 charter weeks a season.  You are on duty 24 hours a day for EVERYTHING - four 5-Star meal presentations a day; providing Ritz Carlton service every moment of the day, be in charge of the safety of your six to eight guests, organize the daily water sports that are a part of this type of holiday, effortless sail and maintain your yacht each day…and do it all with a smile and enthusiasm knowing your clients probably have never had such an experience.

Anyway,  the VICL Boat Show in St. Thomas  is a sailor’s dream to attend.  You are mingling with some of the most skilled sailors in the Caribbean who have decided to monetize their skills in providing a floating “bed and breakfast” to people who love the Tropical life.  I tip my hat to these amazing entrepreneurs who help thousands of people fall in love with the Caribbean experience every week.  If you want more information about booking a chartered yacht vacation in the Caribbean, let me know.  We do it all the time for our customers.  Or, if you just want to stop by the show, you will have the time of your life.  We can even stop by the Rum Shack at Havensite at the end of the day for some refreshments before the evening parties begin.  There will be more articles about the events that will be happening at the show, so stay tuned! 

Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate’s Fall Conference featured Jim Walberg as one of the presenters.

Twice a year Realtors from all over the world gather at the Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate conferences.   This is the group that represents the best Realtors from almost 70 countries with only 1,900 members.  Their Fall Conference just concluded in Philadelphia at the Ritz Carlton.   Their Winter Conference is in Paris in January.

I was invited to be a presenter at the conference by John Brian Losh  - founder of Luxury Real Estate.  My topic was profitable internet marketing using blogging as the tool, because of the results that have been created with Caribbean Islands Realty.  Luxury Real Estate’s blog site publishes  many of my articles each month about what is happening in the Caribbean real estate markets.  ALL of the buyers and sellers that have contracted Caribbean Islands Realty have come from our internet blogsite.  ( The photograher for all of the Luxury Real Estate conferences is Ilya Photography.  Ilya is one of the best in the business.)

During the conference I renewed old friendships and made many new ones with the top Realtors in the WORLD - from Australia, Europe, Canada and the US.  I even wore a tux!!!  It was an inspiring experience to share time and information with such a prestigious group of professionals.  I had not been in Philadelphia since I was ten years old, so it was amazing to walk through the headquarters of liberty for our country.

I took an afternoon off and just walked several miles visiting Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell,  the hall where our first Congress convened, and Thomas Jefferson’s garden where he met with Lewis and Clark before their unbelievable expedition of the Western United States.  I was moved by the courage of our Founding Fathers in spite of their fears.  They did not let fear paralyze their commitment to gain the liberty that all of us enjoy today.

My walk last Saturday in Philadelphia reminded me of the scary times we are in today with the world economic meltdown underway.  Many people are paralyzed with fear and believe there is little to hope for.  My focus is where are the opportunities?  We will figure out how to get through this significant moment in our world’s history.  Do you know why?  Because, we don’t have a choice. 

When I mentioned opportunities all around us, how about an 18% increase in Caribbean real estate sales the past 12 months?  The Caribbean fractional / residence club  properties have even more sales.  How about the great prices for real estate in our local communities?  Remember a past article about fear  - FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real.  So, fear is a bad place to hang out.  If you are thinking of a second or third home in Paradise, today is the day to take action.  Contact me  or leave a comment so we can assist you with your next Caribbean purchase.  Besides gaining a piece of Paradise, we will also have lots of fun!  Until next time…fair winds in the midst of stormy times.

The world financial markets are in TURMOIL!  Many people are running for cover!  Is it time to BUY?

If you recall my mantra before I have launched any sailing adventure you will know where I am heading with this question.  “Do not be fearful!”  I chatted today with one of my good friends, Bob Waun, who is the president of Vacation Finance.  Neither of us know what is in store for real estate in the Caribbean, however, we are in agreement it is chocked full of opportunities - lots of choices, and great bargains!  Here are some of his musings…

 Faith, beliefs and conviction can be fickle friends when they are tested by panicked masses. “The end is near!” seems to be the chant of the crowd across the world today.  But what of substance has changed within our global economy?  Did a world of Fathers change their commitment to feed and clothe their children?  Did Mothers decide that the generic brand cereal would be fine in mass?

Purely FEAR of what “might” change. Now that’s not rational. Historians and economists can attest that humans don’t always act rationally in mass, but as individuals we can choose to be rational. To act out of faith and conviction not panic.

“Looking back on it, I was a trader in the pits of the S&P in 1987, it was the most exciting and profitable stock market opportunity of my lifetime” a friend told me today… Did he notice it at the time?  No.

Life is clearer in the rear view mirror. Regret is more painful than overcoming fear….

FEAR is “False Evidence Appearing Real”!  Fear paralyzes!  Did you notice what Warren Buffet did last week?  He bought billions of dollars of GE and Lehman Brothers.  His comment was that he has not seen these bargains in years.  Some thoughts for all of us to consider.  Thanks, Bob, for your great prespectives.  You may want to also check out his blog site.  Until next time…fair winds!