Jim Walberg’s 2009 real estate predictions during the Caribbean Hurricane Season are ready for your review.  It is the BEST time to buy real estate, because it is considered the “off-season” for people visiting the Caribbean.

The “slow season” in the Caribbean is connected to the start and finish of the official hurricane season – June 1^st to November 30^th.  There are many people who live in the Caribbean only six months a year and move off-island June 1^st.  In addition, the crewed charter yacht industry typically end their charter season near the end of June.  There are a few yachts that charter all the way through August, but is it rare.  AND, it is my favorite time of year to assist Buyers who want a piece of Paradise because there are always some great bargains. Read the rest of this entry »

Yes, you can enjoy Jim Walberg’s Caribbean Paradise without owning a Fractional deeded ownership,  home, townhome, or villa.  Your alternative is a luxury Caribbean rental.

Those of you who enjoy a visit to the U.S. and British Virgin Islands are going to LOVE the luxury rental I discovered a few weeks ago.  In fact, I have stood on the deck and enjoyed the sunrise over American Yacht Harbor  in Red Hook – a magnificent sight!  This luxury rental is named “Harbor House”, and it sits on the hillside above the harbor. Read the rest of this entry »

In the midst of one of the world’s worst economic crisis, the ultra-luxury super yachts are not only thriving, they are flourishing!  Here is Jim Walberg’s 2009 update on this necessary item for the truly wealthy.

OK, so the venue was St. Bart’s “Bucket Regatta” last March.  The scene is one that would take the breath away of any sailor worth his/her salt – there was not enough room in the massive marina of Gustavia Harbor to dock just 35 super yachts!!!  The St. Bart’s Bucket Cup is the time each year for the super rich to keep things in perspective – SPEND. Read the rest of this entry »

Jim Walberg  has just discovered one of the most decadent and luxurious chartered sailing vacations in the Caribbean – just for two people in Paradise!

So, I was having a discussion last week with Chris and Julie, who own s/y Felicia - the Privilege 65 catamaran based in the BVI.  They told me about their dear friends, Ed and Natalie who have been sailing the Caribbean since 1994, and have created an ultra-luxury chartered sailing vacation experience in the Las Aves – an eight island chain just off of Bonaire , on their 52′ high-performance sloop, s/y Safari.  I LOVE new sailing adventures so my curiosity got the best of me.  I called Ed and Natalie up on Skype  and began an amazing series of conversations about what they have created for their very discerning guests.  What I discovered was SO exciting that I needed to share it with all of you immediately.  Here goes… Read the rest of this entry »

Ten romantic spots in the Caribbean not to miss – from a $2,000 a day luxury resort,  to a $10 Pain Killer rum drink on the most beautiful sunset beach in the Caribbean.

So, my wife, and fellow world adventurer and I sat down today and said, “Why don’t we share with our friends our Top Ten Romantic spots in the Caribbean?”  I have been remiss in not telling you know about these ten jewels that are our favorite romantic spots to hangout at.  They range in price from a $2,000 a day to just the cost of a Pain Killer rum drink for $10 each.  Here goes; Read the rest of this entry »

Jim Walberg logs in on the environmental controversy regarding dumping the dredgings in a hole in Lindbergh Bay.

The Virgin Islands Port Authority  and The West Indian Company  have applied for a permit to dredge the Charlotte Amalie harbor  in order to allow access for the larger generation cruise ships –  Genesis-class  that has a 40 foot draft.  The reason to accommodate this larger class of cruise ship is to make sure that Charlotte Amalie is one of the ports-of-call of all the Genesis-class ships including the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Sea  that is scheduled to start making weekly visits in December 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

Jim Walberg, from Caribbean Islands Realty,  will be joining Michael Marquette of Marquette Turner in Australia, Jon Larrance, from Denver, Colorado, and Bruce Hiatt from Las Vegas, on a panel moderated by Victor Lund of the WAV Group to discuss “The Power of Social Networking”.

Luxury Real Estate’s 7^th Annual Spring Conference  is in Las Vegas this month.  Every year the Luxury Real Estate group meets to discuss the latest trends in their niche market, and brainstorm cutting-edge marketing techniques. There will be approximately 200 of the top real estate professionals from around the world gathering to learn and share their latest successful tools.  Given that the communication world is at galactic speed with the use of FaceBook, Twitter, Blogging, and LinkedIn, it is critical for professionals to either master these tools are be left in the dust. Read the rest of this entry »

Given that I have sailed all my life, it is an eye-opener to be introduced to a Classic Motor Yacht as an option for a Caribbean charter vacation.

I was introduced to Wayne and Barbara  two weeks ago, and their Yacht Flame  - a classic motor yacht built by Feadship  in 1956 – a Dutch ship builder that started in 1949.  This is the yacht and owners, Wayne and Barbara Elsworth, that stepped up two weeks ago to see if they could assist my clients whose charter yacht cancelled on them just five days from their week long charter vacation in the British Virgin Islands.  They are also great friends with the owners of Yacht Felicia , Chris and Julie Bennett, who I have featured on several of my past articles about the charter yacht industry. Read the rest of this entry »

Twice now, in my long crewed charter yacht brokerage history a yacht and crew canceled at the last minute leaving my clients high and dry a week before their charter vacation.  The charter industry always rises to support such a moment.

Yesterday I received the most dreaded call before a crewed charter vacation booking, “The yacht and crew scheduled to host your guests has decided to not charter anymore this year.”   This is a very rare moment, because the charter industry is one of the most professional and proud group of business people you will ever meet.  However, apparently this crew and yacht were not a part of this esteemed group.  Their yacht management company – Tachyon Yachting  owned by Jacque and Eric Stahl were at the top of their game by keeping me posted on every detail that was unfolding to see if a quick solution could be arranged. Read the rest of this entry »

Two charter vacation yacht owners who are also the crews on their gorgeous yachts,  checked in with Jim Walberg regarding some experiences from their current 2009 season in the Virgin Islands.

S/Y Three Moons:  Randy and Shelly Tucker – Owners/Crew

The instability of the economy is only making us work harder at perfecting our positive image of being a high level professionally crewed yacht. Yes, we are all networking more and reaching out in new ways to contact prospective clients.  We are emphasizing that no corners are being cut for our guests, no matter the cost or the economy.  ALL INCLUSIVE still means “all inclusive” for our guests.  We are a premium yacht with three Read the rest of this entry »