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Becky has written extensively for the monthly published Island Property Newsletter, whose aim is to assist the public in buying or selling homes. The articles are transcribed below as they appeared in the publication

Money Saving Ideas
Building homes from scratch and major renovations will set you back a pretty penny, so it is nice to know of ways to trim the budget. Saving number one covers new homes, properties increasing site coverage by 50% (i.e. doubling the land coverage with an extension) or for major landscaping projects including excavation cuts and retaining walls. Vouchers to the value of $150 can be issued upon request through the Planning Department, 3rd. floor of Government Building on Parliament Street, next to the Post Office, which can be used to purchase discounted shrubbery from Tulo Valley nursery in Spanish Point, Pembroke. The current cost of a 1 gallon potted plant or tree there is $3, considerably cheaper than the $7 - $9 price you could be paying elsewhere. Keeping with the theme of cost cutting whilst beautifying your home, saving number two is for those properties that are listed as special interest historically or architecturally. These will be graded 1 2 & 3. To find out whether your building qualifies, a full list is available from those good folk at the DOP. Interest free loans up to $100,000 per property per financial year are available to assist with major repairs, renovations, maintenance or approved alterations. It won’t pay for a new pool or Corrian countertops but it will help with restoration work to the roof, wall, windows, doors and other areas. This includes tenting for termites, and specialist advice including architects’ fees for the eligible elements of the project. Look out for the free pamphlet entitled ‘Interest Free Loan Scheme for Listed Building Owners’. Finally, savings three and four are found when you submit your planning applications and building permit applications. Both are absolutely free for listed buildings. Top
Why sell now?
If I were to list the top two reasons for the trading of real estate here in Bermuda, I would have to say Marriage …. and Divorce. But in truth there are many more occasions in people’s lives that get them thinking about moving on, including a new baby in the family, a passing of a loved one, estate planning, emigration, retirement, uncertainties in a stock portfolio etc. I would imagine the high prices attained recently have spurred on a great many of you to consider selling. One small street in Pembroke has seen six houses listed, and several sold, due in part to the first one having fetched a record sum. Supply and demand sets the price in any open market and property is no exception. Speak to a Real Estate Sales Person if the time seems right for you. They can give you more advice on current trends, comparable prices in your neighbourhood and other pertinent facts based on information gathered by a team of professionals. They will guide you through the process and take the stress out of what can be a highly emotional time. So, if the kids are all grown up and you have been left to rattle around, maybe now is the time to start planning for the future. Something a little more manageable? Lower land tax perhaps? Certainly, if the time is right for you, there is someone out there who is ready to buy your home. Top
Who owns that derelict house in St. George's?
This is a question I get asked fairly frequently. Quite often we are not able to access this information as the owners are not required to pay land tax on a house that is not fit for habitation and therefore their names are not listed on the land tax registry. Sometimes after speaking with the neighbours we can track down a name, but in many cases the owner or owners live overseas. With so many people desperate to become homeowners, it would be nice to renovate, restore or re-build these houses. As a neighbour to an abandoned property, I am sure you would rather have a nice family move in than have the building attract undesirable and dubious patrons. There are many contractors and individuals out there who would be willing to take on the challenge of completely restoring theses old buildings and place them back on the housing market. Needless to say there is value in these properties, but as an owner you’re not earning anything with it sitting empty and you might be liable for the safety of the structure. So whether the house is unfinished or derelict, whether it lies in St. George’s , Sandy’s or the parishes in between you might want to think about restoring, renting or selling. For advice on property, talk to a Real Estate Professional who can guide you through the decision process. Top

Money Saving Ideas

Building homes from scratch and major renovations will set you back a pretty penny, so it is nice to know of ways to trim the budget.

Saving number one covers new homes, properties increasing site coverage by 50% (i.e. doubling the land coverage with an extension) or for major landscaping projects including excavation cuts and retaining walls. Vouchers to the value of $150 can be issued upon request through the Planning Department, 3rd. floor of Government Building on Parliament Street, next to the Post Office, which can be used to purchase discounted shrubbery from Tulo Valley nursery in Spanish Point, Pembroke. The current cost of a 1 gallon potted plant or tree there is $3, considerably cheaper than the $7 - $9 price you could be paying elsewhere.

Keeping with the theme of cost cutting whilst beautifying your home, saving number two is for those properties that are listed as special interest historically or architecturally. These will be graded 1 2 & 3. To find out whether your building qualifies, a full list is available from those good folk at the DOP.
Interest free loans up to $100,000 per property per financial year are available to assist with major repairs, renovations, maintenance or approved alterations. It won’t pay for a new pool or Corrian countertops but it will help with restoration work to the roof, wall, windows, doors and other areas. This includes tenting for termites, and specialist advice including architects’ fees for the eligible elements of the project. Look out for the free pamphlet entitled ‘Interest Free Loan Scheme for Listed Building Owners’.

Finally, savings three and four are found when you submit your planning applications and building permit applications. Both are absolutely free for listed buildings.

Top

Why sell now?

If I were to list the top two reasons for the trading of real estate here in Bermuda, I would have to say Marriage …. and Divorce. But in truth there are many more occasions in people’s lives that get them thinking about moving on, including a new baby in the family, a passing of a loved one, estate planning, emigration, retirement, uncertainties in a stock portfolio etc. I would imagine the high prices attained recently have spurred on a great many of you to consider selling. One small street in Pembroke has seen six houses listed, and several sold, due in part to the first one having fetched a record sum.

Supply and demand sets the price in any open market and property is no exception. Speak to a Real Estate Sales Person if the time seems right for you. They can give you more advice on current trends, comparable prices in your neighbourhood and other pertinent facts based on information gathered by a team of professionals. They will guide you through the process and take the stress out of what can be a highly emotional time.

So, if the kids are all grown up and you have been left to rattle around, maybe now is the time to start planning for the future. Something a little more manageable? Lower land tax perhaps? Certainly, if the time is right for you, there is someone out there who is ready to buy your home.

Top

Who owns that derelict house in St. George's?

This is a question I get asked fairly frequently. Quite often we are not able to access this information as the owners are not required to pay land tax on a house that is not fit for habitation and therefore their names are not listed on the land tax registry. Sometimes after speaking with the neighbours we can track down a name, but in many cases the owner or owners live overseas. With so many people desperate to become homeowners, it would be nice to renovate, restore or re-build these houses. As a neighbour to an abandoned property, I am sure you would rather have a nice family move in than have the building attract undesirable and dubious patrons. There are many contractors and individuals out there who would be willing to take on the challenge of completely restoring theses old buildings and place them back on the housing market.

Needless to say there is value in these properties, but as an owner you’re not earning anything with it sitting empty and you might be liable for the safety of the structure. So whether the house is unfinished or derelict, whether it lies in St. George’s , Sandy’s or the parishes in between you might want to think about restoring, renting or selling. For advice on property, talk to a Real Estate Professional who can guide you through the decision process.

Top