The Turks and Caicos Islands Ultimate Luxury Home.

Watch the show here:

Did you know that there are more than 12,000 private islands in the world? Get away from it all – we're escaping the pressures of everyday life and finding secluded paradise with Private Islands.

Regency International Estates recently invited the crew from WealthTV to come to the Turks and Caicos Islands and shoot the amazing Emerald Cay for its popular Private Island show. It took an entire week to shoot the property, along with second episod featuring all of the TCI's exclusive Private Islands.

Once the show aired it received one of the highest ratings the network has ever received, a true testiment to this one-of-a-kind estates

WealthTV is a 24/7 high definition cable television network devoted to taking viewers on a journey of how wealth is achieved, used and enjoyed. With engaging programming that connects with a high profile audience, WealthTV has broad appeal across age and income demographics while holding a special appeal to the highest income households.  WealthTV is distributed by cable and satellite service providers around the globe.

As for Emerald Cay itself its the result of six years of construction combining pristine natural beauty with state-of-the-art luxury to provide the ultimate tropical hideaway. Accessed via a remote controlled swing bridgeand a Turkish marble driveway, this private island retreat on approximately two acres sits surrounded by turquoise water and white powder beaches.

This estate is without a doubt the most impressive property in the Turks and Caicos Islands, if not the entire Caribbean, and is unparalleled with its million-dollar rooms. A breathtaking rotunda sets the tone foranarray of dazzling living spaces including the three story great room with 45-foot-high cypress ceilings; a three-story library; a sumptuous custom designed master bedroom pavilion; and an award-winning hometheater. This amazing locale also boasts a swing bridge, a tennis court, an 8,000 bottle wine cellar, 10 bedrooms, 11 baths, and approximately 27,000 square feet of living space. 

Watch the show here:

Long Bay Beach

Caribbean Elegance Awaits.

Conjuring feelings of Caribbean cool and Tropical elegance through the legacy of an iconic master.

Christies International Real Estate

Exquisite craftsmanship, attention to detail, a taste of adventure and an amazing sense of texture create this 6000 square foot highly stylized architectural masterpiece that is The Shore Clubs new Estate Villa on Long Bay. Adorned as if a quintessential Barbadian Estate from a bygone era, it is the purest distillation of Caribbean chic.
Subtle arches deliver classical symmetry while Coral Stone Doric Colonnades, open balconies and decoratively terraced walkways clad in tropical foliage add charm, authenticity, depth and a sense of mood, securely rooted in a tropical, oceanfront lifestyle.

Enter a truly bespoke and exclusive resort residence, perfectly designed to offer unsurpassed views, tranquility, and the ultimate in privacy, all sweeping across 820 feet of pristine beach and azure waters.

The villas have been designed by creating strong lines and a magically defined connection between the villa, tropical landscape and ocean settings. Subtle proscenium arches act as focal points, capturing majestic views and framing scenic vistas, creating splendid botanical and turquoise ocean backdrops against which your life inside is played out, melting divisions between interior and exterior spaces, engaging your imagination in completing the scene, as if adding a final brush stroke to a timeless masterpiece.

In a world were every gaze settles upon a natural masterpiece, the true measure of design is to frame its splendor from the inside out, toward the theatre of nature, or from outside in, exposing an elegance of design, as if one was melting into the other…

As carefully crafted as its cool Caribbean architecture is the human element offered at The Shore Club. Truly subtle and understated, you will enjoy a lifestyle made easy with a personal butler. Welcoming you home, easing you into a state of relaxation from the moment you arrive.

The villa will enjoy all amenities of the Shore Club including the award-winning Hartling Group as Management Company for leasing as an option, concierge, reception, spa, retail boutique, fine dining, the grand colonnade pool and oceanfront pool and bar areas.

For further Details on the Shore Club please visit Christies International Real Estate 

The Real Estate market in the Turks and Caicos is like no other… so many factors contribute to the “Value” of our islands real estate, most of which are well outside of what many would ever consider when buying a property in their own hometown. In the beginning they are continually banging away on their calculators in a futile effort to compare a property they may have seen in the Bahamas, Florida, or even worse, back home.

Quality of life is not measured by the “Price per square foot” formula it doesn’t exactly translate to “value per square foot”.

On every showing, with every client, I share the same statement, and do the same exact thing. If you can imagine standing on a beautiful balcony, I direct their gaze through the palm trees and out onto the powder soft white sandy beach, and turquoise waters beyond the infinity pools and say:

“You know, you can buy four walls, marble tiled floors, and cascading bathroom fixtures anywhere in the world, but that,” (pointing to the ocean) “that you can’t get just buy anywhere”. 

This one-statement helps them put into perspective exactly what it is they are doing. It’s not just a new property they are looking at, but also a new lifestyle. 

However, that’s just scratching the surface. The Turks and Caicos Islands offer so much more than just a great new lifestyle; it offers an investment opportunity that is felt to be unrivalled throughout most of the Caribbean. 

With an attractive Tax Haven Status with no annual property, income, inheritance and capital gains tax, stable government, no restrictions on foreign ownership and property ownership guaranteed by the British Crown, the islands instil a level of confidence rarely found in the Caribbean.

When you roll all of this in with the TCI’s convenient and great location - just a 90 minute flight from the US mainland, a mere 3.5 hour direct flight from Canada, and the fact that it is English Speaking, with U.S. Dollar as the local currency and has a very low crime rate, these islands offer a treasure trove of benefits that add value to every property in the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

This level of understanding takes time, and is usually something we can pass onto to our clients within a reasonable showing period of a day or two. It’s at this point that they put away their calculators and see the big picture. The myriad of benefits briefly we briefly touched on is the true value of the property you will inevitably buy in the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands.

Imagine a home away from home..

Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

On a stretch of undeveloped beach front... Capturing the trade winds on the northern tip of Parrot Cay will be three newly designed Beach Houses. Based on the hotels popular beach accommodations, these offer a casual style while still incorporating all the signature details of design and comfort that continue to make the Island so desirable. The homes will be discreetly nestled in surround native plants with sandy pathways leading to powdery beaches.

Each Beach House will incorporate handmade furniture from Bali, signature natural woods including pine floors, vaulted ceilings and Italian white linens. The Beach House is offered turnkey for ease of ownership. They consist of two bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a large open living and dining area with separate kitchen.

Take a video Tour

International luxury real estate shoppers can now search by "Private Island" and "Villa" on christiesrealestate.com. This brings a new total of 11 property types and 16 lifestyle search options now available on the site. 

Believe it or not, we have found that one of the leading property searches in the Caribbean luxury real estate market is for "Private Islands", and with such amazing islands as Parrot Cay,Ambergris Cay,Dellis Cay,Pine Cay, and West Caicos, the Turks and Caicos has its fair share of private Islands and luxury Villas.

If you have been "labouring" under the impression that our economy is bad right now. Not so! the WSJournal points out that the super high-end real estate market, at least, is doing just fine, which is a relief. There's never been a better time to purchase a luxurious private island that could hypothetically be your very own private domain! Just ask Johnny Depp.

Perhaps the best-known private-island compound is magician David Copperfield's 700-acre resort Musha Cay, which is spread across 11 islands... Mr. Copperfield describes it as a place where he can "create magic in three dimensions" and where a stay can include an optional, interactive treasure hunt where he says guests are immersed in a "living movie." (Dozens of actors and illusionists are imported to play pirates.) Recent additions to the resort include trained macaws that pick up Musha Cay's refuse and a "secret village," opening soon, where visitors can interact with tame monkeys.

The good thing is that you don't have to buy an entire island to get the benefits of the private island lifestyle. Parrot Cay, one of the Turks and Caicos Islands most beautiful islands assures a Paparazzi free retreat for the rich and famous. Many very well known "A-List" stars actually own properties on Parrot Cay, with many of the worlds "Who's Who" traveling to the island for well deserved vacations away from prying eyes and superior service. 

Katherine and I spend a great deal of our time on all the private islands in the TCI, both for business and pleasure.. In fact, Katherine and I were married at Keith Richards House on Parrot Cay, walking down the aisle (beach) to the Rolling Stones "Sympathy for the Devil", an awesome experiance.

Private Island life is a magical experience and one we recommend to anyone looking for that perfect piece of paradise.

Visit Regency International Estates at:www.THEturksandcaicos.com

The Turks and Caicos Weekly News

Tuesday, Oct 25, 2011

By Gemma Handy

A TWO BILLION dollar luxury development – featuring two hotels, 35 villas and plush condos – is heading for North Caicos.

The Greenwich Beach Resort & Spa is the latest in a string of forthcoming projects recently announced, sparking hopes that TCI is on the cusp of a financial comeback.Proposals for a European style-resort in Grace Bay, a new hotel in Grand Turk, and the revival of the long shelved West Caicos project are also causing a stir.And they’re all hot on the heels of a healthy surge in tourist numbers.

From home theatres to wine cellars, interior water features to a full service spa, Greenwich Beach bosses hope to attract an abundance of well-heeled clientele to North Caicos.The scheme will be spread out over 50 gated acres on the north coast of the isle, accessible only by golf cart.Developers plan to maintain the ‘garden island’s’ pristine beauty with a host of eco-friendly initiatives including limiting boats into the lighted lagoon to electric-powered vessels only.Up to 35 custom estate homes, all with either beach or lagoon frontage, will be created along with high-end condos, two five-star hotels, three restaurants and a marina.

With Provo’s new longer runway now complete, paving the way for direct transatlantic flights, plans for a 250-300 room European-style hotel in Providenciales are also on the table.

Complete with conference facilities, it is destined for a spot near the Seven Stars resort in Grace Bay and has already attracted backing from advisory council members.
A government spokesman said: “It would mark a diversification of the tourist sector from a condominium based model and into another distinct area that could attract a new market.”TCInvest is to lead negotiations with the developers, in consultation with the Governor’s office.

Earlier this month, Grand Turk pastor Chad Archbold briefed the consultative forum about a blueprint for a large hotel under discussion for the capital island.

Meanwhile, plans to restart work on West Caicos are gathering momentum. Governor Ric Todd was due to present a consultation document with details of the scheme to the advisory council this week. It will then be released to the public for further input.The Molasses Reef project has been on ice since September 2008 following the collapse of Lehman Brothers.The luxury 125-room hotel and 30 condominiums were 75 per cent complete with most of the condos already sold, when the US investment bank filed for bankruptcy listing debts of $613bn, the biggest in American history.Work on the exclusive Ritz Carlton-branded scheme, one the largest projects the TCI has ever seen, had been underway for two years.

The previously uninhabited 11-square mile island features some of the region’s finest beaches while the surrounding reef is said to be the final resting place of Columbus’ Pinta.
It is hoped the scheme’s resurgence, along with the other developments in the pipeline, will kickstart TCI’s listless construction industry and spawn a plethora of new jobs.
This month Tourist Board figures revealed TCI had seen an 18 per cent rise in visitor numbers for the first half of the year, compared to the same period last year.

Between January and June, the country welcomed in 222,596 visitors. A campaign to lure more visitors to the sister islands too is now underway via eye-catching billboards and media advertisements.

www.theturksandcaicos.com

By Vivian Tyson - SUN Senior Editor

Government is awaiting a consultation document from someone who has been described as ‘a serious investor’ interested in the unfinished West Caicos resort project, which it said should aimed at highlighting the benefits for the economy and the people of the TCI.
Governor Damian Roderick ‘Ric’ Todd, who made the disclosure at a post Advisory Council press briefing at the office of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergency on Providenciales Wednesday, October 19, said also that a package to encourage the development is also being worked on.

“There is a proposal by a serious investor to take over and complete the West Caicos development, and what I have decided is that, there will be two things will happen. First, the developer will produce a consultation document setting out what it is they plan to do on the island and the benefits they feel will come to the people and the economy of these islands. And that will then be discussed among everyone.“Second, we are negotiating with the developer a suitable package which will encourage that development to take place, subject to the consultation being favourable and subject to us agreeing the right terms and conditions, I would like to see that development go forward,” Governor Todd said.
Governor Todd told the media that he took a trip to West Caicos last week to see first hand the calibre of structure that is laid their and was impressed with the architecture and the nature reserve, saying that it has a great deal of potential of income generation.
The Governor, however, could not give a timeline as to when the go ahead would issued for the development to continue saying it is based on the paperwork to be and the package being worked on.

“We are waiting on the developers to present us with their consultation document. I was hoping to have it in time for the meeting today (Wednesday), but they have not yet completed it. So, I think we would move as fast as the developers are able to move,” Governor Todd said.

Recently The SUN reported that a number of overseas investors have expressed their interest in resuming the stalled Molasses Reef Ritz Carlton development on West Caicos, and based on interest expressed, the project could soon come back on stream.

At the time of its development the property was being marketed as:
•    A 125 sea-swept suites and 75 private, Ritz-Carlton branded Island Villas;
•    Three restaurants created by renowned Chef Gray Kunz;
•    A full-service spa, offering indigenous treatments;
•    Ocean-front guest suites with private terraces, overlooking more than a half mile of pristine Caribbean beach;
•    A natural wildlife sanctuary, two national parks; and
•    An array of archaeological and cultural sites

Posted Oct 25 2011

Published On:Saturday, October 22, 2011

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

A FORMER Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) president yesterday said he had converted part of his home into an office in a bid to reduce costs, telling Tribune Business the market "sucks", with sales values and volumes off 30-40 per cent.

William Wong, head of William Wong & Associates, said that while he needed a "crystal ball" to predict when the Bahamian market would recover, he estimated it might start in another 15-16 months once the Bahamian general, and US presidential, elections were concluded.

His comments came as another leading realtor told Tribune Business the Bahamas should follow Turks & Caicos' lead in looking to stimulate its real estate market through tax-related incentives, adding that property prices had declined by around 30-40 per cent since the recession's start.

Mario Carey, principal of Mario Carey Realty, said Turks & Caicos, recognising the major spin-offs that the real estate industry provided for numerous industries, had eliminated real property tax, cut Stamp Duty rates from 12 per cent to 10 per cent, and allowed the latter to be paid over a three-year period rather than one-time upfront.

As a result, the Bahamas' southern neighbour had seen market activity "start to get better", and Mr Carey suggested this nation ought to look at something similar. To date, the Ingraham administration has gone the other way, increasing Stamp Duty be two percentage points for all tax brackets, despite conventional wisdom suggesting that tax increases are the worst thing to do in a recession.

"It's still a buyer's market, and values are still down," Mr Carey told Tribune Business. "It's safe to say that values have been going down as much as 30-40 per cent. We've seen that pretty consistently. It seems to have been long accepted by the market."

The Government's Mid-Term Budget statement for the 2010-2011 fiscal year revealed a $43.1 million shortfall in Stamp Tax collections compared to forecasts, something it said "largely reflected weakness in respect of real property transactions over $250,000".

It added that there was "a significant decline in the value of transactions during the first six months of the current fiscal year".

Noting this, Mr Carey said yesterday: "The hard marker is that the conveyancing dollars have gone down tremendously. What is this administration doing to address that? Where is our stimulus? Where is the discussion about stimulating this sector? I've not seen anything to make that happen."

Suggesting the Bahamas should learn from Turks & Caicos's actions, Mr Carey said a vibrant real estate market created a "domino effect" felt by a variety of Bahamian industries. Every time a transaction concluded, there were economic benefits for attorneys, realtors, banks, insurance companies, furniture and maintenance people, and gardeners.

Given the spin-offs, Mr Carey questioned: "Why is that not being addressed. I've been asking that quite a bit. I've spoken to people from all parties, and I'm curious to see what they say."

Noting that the Government increased Stamp Duty across the board at "a stroke of a pen", Mr Carey said: "No one spoke to us as professionals. We have about 1,000 realtors, and no one government entity came to us and asked us: 'What do you think?'"

Arguing that "something had to give" to eliminate the current sluggishness afflicting the Bahamian real estate market, Mr Carey asked rhetorically: "What is the only thing that can give?

"The agents are negotiating their rates, the lawyers are negotiating their rates, the banks have tried to reduce their rates. The one constant that has not given at all is the Government.

"To get out of it there has to be some sort of stimulus plan. It can be short-term, long-term at some level. The banks can do better, but the Government policy has to shift."

Telling Tribune Business he had earlier this week met a 30-year veteran of the police force who was looking to do something in real estate, Mr Carey said there needed to be "an incentive" for him to come into the market.

With nothing on the horizon to drive real estate trends in a positive manner, Mr Carey added: "A lot of people are looking, a lot of people are curious, but they're not making a decision to buy. They may rent to take some of the risk out."

Banks, though, were still "aggressive" for business coming from foreign buyers who were able to put down significant equity downpayments on Bahamas-based property.

Mr Wong, meanwhile, described the Bahamian real estate market as "still a bit soft".

He added: "A lot of us are trying to hold on till the market turns around again.

"I don't have a crystal ball for that.

"Hopefully, it will be in the next 15-16 months that things change, probably after we have the election here and the US have their election. Then we'll know which way we will go."

The former BREA president told Tribune Business: "Right now we're in the trenches trying to revamp and reconfigure ourselves.

"Some of us have gone into other businesses to survive.

"I've converted part of my home into a home office to reduce expenses.

"We're hoping the Government does reduce some of the Stamp Tax to make it a little easier. Business currently sucks. My sales are down 30-40 per cent from last year, both in volume and value."

A perfect vacation and investment property on one of the worlds best beaches.

Regency International Estates offers a new luxury property in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Located on the 4th floor, this stunning fully furnished 2 bedroom,21/2 bathroom beachfront unitis a popular and desired layout in one of the most beautiful and sleek Condo resorts on Grace Bay beach. As seen from the Virtual Tour this 1,850 sq. ft. suite has a layout that splits into two rental units allowing you to maximize your rental income when not in residence. The unit has a positive rental income for 2011 YTD.

The architecture of the West Bay Club is reminiscent of some of the finest Caribbean properties with its use of cedar shingle roofs, coral render, aged woods and white washed walls. The Resort features a full restaurant and bar with a unique self-service BBQ area right on the beachfront.A modern fitness center and professional spa service add to the 

West Bay Clubs amenities, highlighted by a sprawling pool that meanders through a lush & luxurious landscape.

Further details can be found at Christie's International Real Estate ID#1845

$ Price Upon Request

 What's the off-shore draw?

Located some 80 minutes southeast of Miami, off the Florida Keys are the Turks & Caicos Islands. Often referred to as TCI for short, this small beautiful British Dependent Territory, south of the Bahamas has grown to become a vacation and retirement destination for many Canadians, and theres no wonder why. No different than the droves of Canadians that head out of the city to cottage country each summer, with multiple direct flights out of Toronto each week, more and more Canadians are opting to invest in a second leisure home in TCI to truly get away from it all and enjoy 12 months of endless summers.

Why buy a home in TCI? 

The Turks and Caicos Islands are blessed with some of the most stunning beach coastlines in the entire world and have won many awards for having some of the “Worlds Best Beaches” In less time than you can go from the GTA to Niagara Falls and back, you can be kicking back with a cocktail on one of the best beaches in the entire world. With sandy beaches that stretch for miles as part of a national park system, it comes as no surprise that travellers consistently rate TCI beaches amongst the very best in the world. And with over 300 days of sunshine each year it is hard not to reconnect with nature and indulge in an active outdoor lifestyle.

In the Turks and Caicos you will soon understand that you may never see a traffic jam again. There is not even a single traffic light or fast-food franchise, and for that matter not even a single mall in the entire exists country. But that’s not what you are looking for, its what you are looking to leave behinf. Fortunately, you are not far away from anything and can be where you want to be in an average of 10 minutes. If you do like to shop or wine and dine you will find a cornucopia of boutiques, duty-free, unique eateries, coffee shops, nightlife and fine dining venues. Prefer to eat in and stay connected with the world outside.No problem. What you want is what you get. It is all here. From the simple to the sublime, TCI is the perfect idyllic setting to get back to basics and redefine life as you have always dreamed it could be.
Buying process
Whether you are interested in buying a charming Caribbean cottage, penthouse condominium or a lavish villa, the process of buying a home in TCI is easy. In fact, it is very similar to the process of buying a home in Canada.

Given the strength of the Canadian dollar coupled with historically low interest rates, and softening in the marketplace created due to the downturn in the U.S. economy, now is the best time in over two decades to invest in the TCI real estate market. With luxury fully furnished condos minutes from the beach priced from as low as $140,000 ,much less than the price of even a modest cottage in Canada - it's no wonder the number of people arriving in TCI is up by at least10% since last year.

www.theturksandcaicos.com