Live in Barbados

How long have you been a real estate agent and/or in the real estate business?

Our company has specialized in sales, rentals and estate management within Barbados for the last 3 years.

What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competitors?

1) Our experienced and dedicated client service.
2) Our vast range of property and land listings to meet all budgets.
3) Our team’s in-depth knowledge of the local legal and financial matters involved in buying and selling property.

Which countries are the majority of your purchasers from?

United Kingdom and Europe.

Have sale prices been affected by the global financial crisis in the last 6 months?

Barbados has an extremely strong property market. Some vendors have reduced prices to accommodate the UK purchaser due to the Sterling position and the lack of financing. Our office is still making sales as our clients enjoy this rare opportunity for a bit more flexibility within the Barbadian property market.

Do you have a presence on other islands in the region and/or outside of the region (affiliations)?

We represent many other islands through the Caribbean including St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, among many others.

Cluttons has been in business since 1765 and we have affiliations across the world including the Caribbean. Our affiliations and network is well rooted due to our experience and history with such clients as the Crown Estate.

www.cluttonsbarbados.com

How long have you been a real estate agent and/or in the real estate business?

Our business was started by my father G. A. Ramsay in 1966 and I worked with him on a part time basis. He died in 1970 and I continued the business and incorporated in 1986 as George A. Ramsay & Co. Ltd. We have therefore been in operation for 43 years.

What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competitors?

(a) Stability and Longevity- We are a family owned and operated business with my son Arthur, the Managing Director and my son Alain, a Director, the third generation. (b) Relationships –As a result of (a) We have established and maintained extremely good relationships with our colleagues in the profession, with Bankers and other mortgage and investment professionals and as a result can call on them to assist in sourcing, marketing or financing Client’s property. (c) Service -We offer a variety of services which include: valuations/appraisals (for over 25 years), sales, property management and our customer oriented staff is willing to assist at all times.

Which countries are the majority of your purchasers from?

Primarily local or non-resident Barbadians, but we also service Clients from Europe, USA and Canada.

Have sale prices been affected by the global financial crisis in the last 6 months?

I prefer to say that the market has stabilized. Within the last four decades we have seen periods where our market has been subject to external financial pressure and in each case there has been stabilization, in that prices have rolled back to realistic levels (the fat has been removed). The same is happening at this time. I would not want to suggest, however, that it is a “buyers market”. Traditionally, once stabilization has taken place, prices remain quite firm and only those persons in distressed circumstances may discount heavily, the others will wait and see.

Do you have a presence on other islands in the region and/or outside of the region (affiliations)?

Our primary market is Barbados but we have contacts within the region, the USA, Canada and Europe, particularly Norway (through one of my daughters-in-law who is Norwegian).

www.ramsayrealestate.com 

How long have you been a real estate agent and/or in the real estate business?

I have been in the Real Estate business for 22 years and in that time I have managed Villa Rentals and Property Management as well as being a Real Estate Agent. I have recently taken over the management of the Real Estate Department whilst still being an agent.

What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competitors?

We at Realtors Limited pride ourselves on being one of the most longstanding full Real Estate businesses on the island as we are 54 years old and therefore have broad knowledge of all areas of Real Estate. We have probably the largest selection of Villas for rent and for sale on the Sandy Lane Estate. Our warm personal touch ensures that we continue to have a great many repeat clients both for rentals and for sales.

Which countries are the majority of your purchasers from?

Most of our purchasers are from England/Europe.

Have sale prices been affected by the global financial crisis in the last 6 months?

Prices have been affected by the global financial crisis with some owners who are keen to sell reducing their prices up to about 20% and others, although not altering the listed selling price, negotiating anywhere between 10% – 40% with an average of around 20%.

Do you have a presence on other islands in the region and/or outside of the region (affiliations)?

Apart from Barbados, we also have a few properties in St. Lucia, Grenada, and the Grenadines. We have also recently become affiliated with Mayfair International Realty, based in London, England and through this affiliation have been getting great international coverage.

www.barbadosrealtorslimited.com

How long have you been a real estate agent and/or in the real estate business?

Caribbean Property Investments Limited (CPI Real Estate) is solely operated by me and has been in the real estate business since 1998.

What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competitors?

What separatees us from others? a) I am well known personally and so I get direct referrals. b) I give free advice to anyone wanting to buy or sell property. c) I do not push anyone to buy but give an honest opinion on a property’s value which is well received.

Which countries are the majority of your purchasers from?

Majority of sales are of course from Barbados but primarily returning nationals and europeans wanting to settle in Barbados. The same applies when these people cannot settle and want to sell up and return.

Have sale prices been affected by the global financial crisis in the last 6 months?

Yes, sale prices have been dropping gradually. In many cases owners wanting to sell have had to consider lowering their prices as the market seems to be rather cautious of investing large funds during this global economic crisis.

Do you have a presence on other islands in the region and/or outside of the region (affiliations)?

CPI have contacts outside the region, and these contacts provide the relevant information on a shared basis to effect clients introduced.

Major Louis Belle

How long have you been a real estate agent and/or in the real estate business?

I have been in the business for the last 4 years.

What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competitors?

1.) Having been the Sales & Marketing Manager at several hotels in the past I understand what clients truly want as a home away from home and what heightens their service experience.

2) My previous position conducting sales for a property developer allows me to know the intricacies of off-plan developments, the logistics of construction, costs, finishes, etc. which I am better able to discuss with the client.

3) I am able to offer a highly personalized service with integrity and sincerity, from the point of contact to the reconnaissance of the island to viewing the property in question.

Which countries are the majority of your purchasers from?

Primarily out of the UK, also the US.

Have sale prices been affected by the global financial crisis in the last 6 months?

The sale prices listed have not dropped significantly. However, as it is a buyer’s market, vendors are much more open to negotiation.

Do you have a presence on other islands in the region and/or outside of the region (affiliations)?

There are several developments in other islands which we also showcase.

Cherita Howard

How long have you been a real estate agent and/or in the real estate business?

I have personally been in real estate since 2001. The founders of our company have been in real estate for 39 years.

What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competitors?

(1) Our company is chaired /part owned by Richie Alleyne who started the first real estate company on the West Coast of Barbados. Richie’s wealth of knowledge in the industry as an estate agent, hotelier, and developer is paramount.
(2) We are a family owned and operated company with the 2nd generation now involved and very dedicated to the business.
(3) Service…We pride ourselves on being very service oriented and going beyond the call of duty to ensure that all of our clients’ needs are meet.

Which countries are the majority of your purchasers from?

In the order from most to least….England, Ireland, Trinidad, Canada, USA…

Have sale prices been affected by the global financial crisis in the last 6 months?

In US$$ terms prices have come down, however, when one considers the value of currency in terms of pounds and dollars many UK property owners can sell at a deep discount and still make a profit when they repatriate their funds to the UK.

Do you have a presence on other islands in the region and/or outside of the region (affiliations)?

Our past and existing clients have proven to be the best external presence / network that we could ask for. In terms of a direct presence internationally we market our properties in select international publications and invest heavily in internet marketing.

www.jalbarbados.com

How long have you been a real estate agent and/or in the real estate business?

I started Seaside Realty Inc. approximately eight years ago and we specialize in sales, rentals and property management. I have always enjoyed both real estate and property management and therefore took some courses whilst at The University of Guelph, where I obtained a degree in Hotel Management.

What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competitors?

There are many ways in which Seaside Realty makes a difference in the business.

a) One is that our staff do their very best to find the most suitable property for the client. To do this we don’t limit our searches to only those properties we have direct. We work close with many other agents and can therefore offer our clients a wider variety of options within their budget. It does not matter which property will fetch us more commission….what matters is that our clients end up as happy customers!

b) Another way that separates us from our competitors is by the staff we have chosen to represent the company. Our employees are with us due to their willingness, their professional & personable attitude, vast knowledge and experience in the business, their flexibility and last but not least their honesty. Clients are made to feel comfortable via telephone and during viewing.

c) And lastly, we try to make ourselves available after hours and on weekends, our agents make it possible for properties to be shown at the times that best suit the client.

Which countries are the majority of your purchasers from?

The majority of our purchasers are locals, followed by the U.K. and Canada. We get most of our local clientele through word of mouth and our good reputation.

Have sale prices been affected by the global financial crisis in the last 6 months?

There has certainly been some price stabilization and reductions this year. Land prices have more stabilized, while property prices have tended to drop. My belief is that these strained financial times have caused owners to achieve more realistic prices for their properties, not necessarily caused anyone to “give their property away”. At the moment there are some really great deals, perfect for the developer who has the funding to purchase now and wait out the down time.

Do you have a presence on other islands in the region and/or outside of the region (affiliations)?

At the moment we only have our local office and no other affiliates. We have considered branching to the other islands, but with only five staff members we rather not stretch ourselves too thin and in doing so sacrifice good service. My dream is to have a presence overseas in the future and when I do so, we will have the means of running just as efficiently as we do now.

www.seasiderealtybarbados.com

How long have you been a real estate agent and/or in the real estate business?

I have been in Real Estate for 12 years.

What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competitors?

The three things which separate me from my competitors are that I go the extra mile to make sure the clients requirements are met. I have no scheduled working hours – what ever time day or after hours is required to complete the job, I will work. Lastly, I conduct all my Real Estate business using strict business ethics and this applies to any other agents I may use.

Which countries are the majority of your purchasers from?

Most of my purchasers are from Europe.

Have sale prices been affected by the global financial crisis in the last 6 months?

Yes it is definitely now a buyers market.

Do you have a presence on other islands in the region and/or outside of the region (affiliations)?

My company and main operation is from Barbados where I was born and live, however being half Vincentian and having family in several islands I actually have property listed in Grenada, Bequia, St Vincent and Tobago.The Caribbean is home land to me of which I will be exploring on a larger scale later this year.

Bridgette Adams

How long have you been a real estate agent and/or in the real estate business?

Since 1974.

What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competitors?

Personal attention. Attention to detail and full deal involvement until sale completion. Access to all requirements of the client from a complete network.

Which countries are the majority of your purchasers from?

UK.

Have sale prices been affected by the global financial crisis in the last 6 months?

Not really, but volume of sales has been significantly affected.

Do you have a presence on other islands in the region and/or outside of the region (affiliations)?

No.

Christopher Robinson 

How long have you been a real estate agent and/or in the real estate business?

For close to 30 years.

What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competitors?

Being a Born Again Christian, I have a deep faith in God to get me through each and every hurdle and I believe in honesty, integrity and being punctual………..if one door closes, God opens another bigger one!

Which countries are the majority of your purchasers from?

A mix of local and British.

Have sale prices been affected by the global financial crisis in the last 6 months?

Only those who need to sell, the others will hold on and play a wait and see game!

Do you have a presence on other islands in the region and/or outside of the region (affiliations)?

Yes/no – I do deal with folks in St. Lucia and Antigua if the need arises.

www.royalerealty.com