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Everything Else Bonaire: MOVE TO BONAIRE
Bonaire Talk: Everything Else Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2004: Archives - 2002-12-02 to 2003-04-29: MOVE TO BONAIRE
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sandra R. (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 4:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, I love Bonaire, I believe that it is a spectacular, beautiful place, and I want leave to live there, but I don't know where I should go for me to obtain information, and what I need so that that it is possible....

can somebody help me?

Thank you

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1015) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 5:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Join the crowd..

:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2123) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 11:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

It's a very long (but cozy) line, indeed! Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1630) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 10:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

There are so many factors that need to be addressed, ie work, schools for kids, health care, etc. I suggest you spend 30 or 60 days living here before making a committment.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill & Cheryl Rathborne (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #870) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sandra,

Well you are in good company. AND a BIG crowd! There are a ton of previous threads and topics about some of the rules & regs. about moving to Bonaire. If you use the "keyword search" on the bottom of the page you'll get a lot of information. Also real estate companies like Sunbelt http://www.sunbelt.an have some pointers on moving to Bonaire. Michael's advice about spending some time there seems to be consistent advice since the "tourist's" view might be substantially different from the "residence's" view.

Good luck! and if you need company call me!!

Bill



 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sandra R. (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 9:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

well I will spend Michael 30 or 60 days living there before making a committment. It's good idea I think

Thank you Ann,Carole,Michael,Bill for your answers

see you later :-) ;)


 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sandra R. (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 5:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey!! I was Thinking, where I can get job there?
I want to find an employment there... attention to the public, receptionist, or any simple work that maybe doesn't require an university title
if you know about it let me know

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #881) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 3:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sandra, it kind of starts with the question of where you are from... the rules for Dutch people are more lenient than for Americans...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Maxine Kille (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 12:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

That's a good question - can someone give a brief description of what the rules are for Americans? Living there for 60 to 90 days would probably even be better to test the waters (no pun intended). What about bringing in cats? How much capital did people have to get started? Mike, Jake - need any out of work computer people? - Maxine

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4094) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 1:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You need to get a temporary residence permit - that involves an apostilled birth certificate, proof of marriage (apostilled) or singleness (notarized statement from clergy, parents, or judge, and proof of good behavior (or lack of bad behavior from your local police). Call +599-7-17-6880 to talk to someone in immigration and +599-7-17-5330 x528 to talk to the Registrar (Bevolking). Immigration lets you in, and Bevolking writes you in. There are certain proofs of income you need to provide to get long-term residency (or have a work permit - and no, we're not hiring - had enough of being managers and responsible for employees in a previous life :-) ), but I don't know if they apply to short-term temporary residency.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 - 5:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have been looking to buy a property in Bonaire since last year. Found many places I like but the prices do not seem to be justified. Two similar properties in the same location can be selling at a $100,00.00USD price difference. No one seems to know why and the properties do not sell very quickly because of this reason. Some props I looked at early last summer are still for sale. After speaking to real estate agents in Bonaire, I realized that they are not really concerned. I am in real estate and know about assessing value but that works just about everywhere else in the world except Bonaire. I absolutely love the island and have been there three times in the past 8 months and am going back real soon. Any ideas? Anyone?

Thanks.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #1381) on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 8:42 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Did they explain the difference between owned land and leased land? I know right on the coast it can make a big difference in price.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Maxine Kille (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 12:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ted - What prices were you finding for ocean front properties? Did you look at all into less expensive non-ocean front properties? If so, what were they running?
Maxine

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 4:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes Linda and Maxine, I checked everything and have been explained the differences in ownership on the island. The problem I am having mostly is that many of the places have been for sale for over a year. I made very reasonable offers on several but either the realty agent said that it would not be enough or it was turned down by the owner. Okay, its not the price they want but it is a bit funny on how long they are willing to wait to sell it. Iam worried that if for some reason I ever needed to sell, it wouldnt sell very quick at all. I recently placed a $450thousand USD offer on a 5 bedroom 5 bath place on the water. Its listed at $585. Been for sale for about a year, needs 60thousand in repairs. I have visited the property several times and even have it on video to work up my estimates and materials needed. The owner never even countered. There is a similar place that recently came on the market and is on the water and designed the same and is selling at $485!! The other owner says that his is much higher (585) cause of the rentals which he is not willing to prove. Anyway, its very difficult working with inflated prices. A one bedroom condo on the water approx 600 sq ft $235thousand. I offered $185. Owner said no. So maybe I am not paying enough but lets be real here. Not really anything is selling and you would think a decent offer would at least be entertained. If the demand was high and places were gobbled up very quickly I would pay what they are asking but its obvious I am not alone in refusing to pay these high prices. Any thoughts?

Maxine, places off the water are suffering from the same thing. Unless, you want to buy a little hut. Then you can find it cheap. However, the singles I looked at not on the water have been for sale for about a year or so. Be very cautious. I was told by a person working with the notary to never purchase anything at its listing on the island. This person said they are usually worth only 60% of asking and that they are over inflated cause of trying to market globle and figure someone will come along. So...I am still trying.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #1382) on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 4:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

A friend that is an agent here told me that recently sales had picked up quite a bit in the over $300 price ranges as well as the very low prices. The last couple years had been quite slow and difficult. She also said that no one had really lowered their prices to encourage a sale either.

I don't know what to tell you about the time frame. My neighbor had his house for sale for more than 5 years before someone finally made an offer he liked. He was living in the house so he wasn't in a hurry. I know another person that is doing almost the same thing for about 2.5 years now.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Christopher I Halliday (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 6:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with Ted. But I would add the following:

Bonaire is not worth it. It is the little island that wishes it could, and can't.

If you want a house and want to keep it forever, pay cash and you probably could pay the asking price, because who cares? SOMEDAY it will be worth more than you paid for it (hopefully). If you look at it as an investment, stay away from the mortgages and Bonaire. You will get buried because you could never sell your home within 5-10 years (no flipping on Bonaire) for more than the price you bought it at to cover the interest(unless you found someone dumber than you, that is). Plus, lets face it, looking at the renter situation, the really nice oceanfront homes are renting at about 1/3 of the monthly mortgage. Even if you had a renter in there all the time, the renter could not cover your mortgage, let alone repairs.

Basic real estate investment. We get it, they don't.

Even our esteemed host Jake has noted that the value of the homes are grossly inflated. Check out http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/36/67412.html

No rational thinking American would pay more than 60% of the current asking price for these homes. Only then does the mortgage match the rent return. Further, these guys may ask 1.1 million for a home, but on Bonaire they only will get the asking price when the 500,000 dollars offered years ago is worth 1.2 million if invested properly (in other words, the owners are losing money by not considering offers).

Plus, even assuming I would pay full price, why would I pay 600K for a Hamlet Villa #13, when Hamlet Villa #10 (the SAME house only a couple of doors down, on the SAME reef) is going for 500K? Check out oceanfront properties on Sunbelt.an, if you don't believe me. That is why nothing will sell. The owners have stars in their eyes...

Anyone who pays even close to asking price for a home (and in particular, an oceanfront home) deserves to get hosed, especially in view of the cost of homes on other, similarly developed and popular islands.

Yes, Bonaire has great diving, but so does Roatan. And on Roatan, you get a huge house, a beach (no beaches on Bonaire, just small rocks) and a dock (no docks on Bonaire), for half (or less) than you would pay on Bonaire.

Further, with a worldwide recession predicted and with Americans not too thrilled with the Europeans right now (rightfully so, I might add), a fair number of potential buyers are going to skip right over that island...

It is all supply and demand. We get it, they don't.

Smiling_Assasin (spelled wrong on purpose)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michelle Mouton (BonaireTalker - Post #70) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 6:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Woa! I guess that means it isn't worth the effort - we were interested in possibly purchasing property down there but this thread has me thinking twice about that. Is it really as hard to buy as it is seeming to be?
Michelle

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1059) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 6:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Caribbean Travel and Life had an interesting article on moving to the Caribbean. Check it out!

Annie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4161) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 7:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris,

You make reference to my stating that "the value of the homes (plural) are grossly inflated". I never said that, and I don't think that. I just happen to think the one next door to where I live is preposterously priced (being offered for almost 3x the price they paid for the property two years ago). That's ONE property, not many or all, as you appeared to try to imply I said. Please don't misquote me. I don't appreciate my words being taken out of context.

Now that we have that out of the way, in my experience people in the U.S. typically are selling homes to sell them so they can buy another one, and hence they want to move them quickly, and are willing to haggle on price so they can get their money out and move it into the next property.

For the more expensive homes on Bonaire (and some of the lesser priced homes) that's not the case. Many of these homes were purchased as second, third, or fourth homes by people who have no particular need to sell homes quickly as they are self-sufficient without the funds a quick house sale would net. I understand a fair number have no mortgages either,

Also, many of these owners are European, not American, and therefore they likely (in my experience) have a very different attitude towards discounting real estate, and urgency in selling as well. So, they set a price they want to sell at, and then just wait a year, two or three years until they find someone who likes their offering so much they have to have it at any price.

So, when you use American experience and values and motivations to judge real estate on Bonaire, perhaps you're not getting the whole picture?

If no rational American will pay 60% of the current asking price for these homes, perhaps there will be a less rational American, or simply a person of another nationality with a different value system who will. Just because you make a low offer, doesn't mean it has to be accepted.

Market prices tend to be the prices which people are willing to pay, combined with prices at which people are willing to sell, and for a Caribbean island, those prices can't easily be compared to to prices on other islands.

If you're looking to buy something cheaper, and being in the Caribbean as a whole is more important than being on Bonaire, go for Roatan. If you want to spend even more money for less, go to Cayman. If you want an investment property with high occupancy for rentals, or a quick resale option, try some place like Aruba. And if you want something for yourself so you can enjoy Bonaire whenever you want, perhaps you should buy on Bonaire. In other words, look at the reasons you want to buy a house on Bonaire, and then make sure you're buying for the right reasons, not the wrong ones.

Michelle - a friend just purchased a 3 bedroom home on a decent lot near our house, from the bank, for less than $60,000 - only a few blocks inland in a nice neighborhood.

Lots of deals to be had if you don't need to be right on the water or higher on the hill than everyone else. And as long as you're buying to enjoy the property instead of trying to make a fast buck.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michelle Mouton (BonaireTalker - Post #71) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 7:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Whew - some fellow BT'rs have been encouraging and Jake's post just adds to that. You guys are truly the best and one of the main reasons a person, couple, family would want to vacation and or live there! I just can't wait to go back. Let's see - Sept 20th and it's April 3rd -

5 months have never seemed so far away!
Michelle

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 11:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Many interesting points on everyones behalf. Oh my! When it all comes down to it, it is that I feel there is no regulation on prices. Not to be meant in a political sense LOL. But rather, it seems prices are not determined by the real estate value but the owners decision on value. That may be used as a guideline but reality is that the "professional" real estate people or even the lending companies should aid in determining value and I do not think they do. Maybe thats accepted and I guess thats the way it is on Bonaire. The sad thing is that it makes it hard to feel comfortable and secure in a real estate purchase. No one wants to pay too much no matter how much money you have. Some may think thats the case but its rarely seen. More often than not, those with more wealth scrutinize value even more!
Yes, I want to enjoy the property for my self and family and if someone wants to rent it then Great! I want to purchase two properties and that is why I looked at the condo and the house. I am an avid diver and love Bonaire and am going back real soon. I want to be able to have more of my family come and on other occasions my dive group.
However, I work in real estate and not just in America. I run properties all over including England, Germany, Spain, Tortola (British Virgin Island) St Thomas (okay its US territory), and other various islands part to do with world banking and its real estate ownership. So I just dont understand the current conditions. I may be kicking myself if value takes off within the next year do to the daily flights to be done from Aruba (has it started yet?) and the KLM daily port. That would be bad...for me.

Okay my email is very long and I do apologize but as you can tell, I am concerned. I love the island more so than the others except for Tortola. Both a tie. But I'd rather own in Bonaire and one day retire in Bonaire.
So Bon Dia and thank you for any more help.

Ted

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 12:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

One more thing. Jake, you seem to know the island cause of obvious reasons. In your opinion, what do you think a one bedroom condo with an ocean view sell for? Just a range would be fine I know you need more particulars but just in general. One bath, kitchen, A/C, balcony, approx 18 years old., approx 600square feet, within walking distance to the main town.

Thanks,
Ted

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 12:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Annie.

That was a very good article. I appreciate it.

Ted

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4162) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 7:58 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ted,

To answer you in Bonaire terms: "Whatever someone is willing to sell it for." I know that local real estate agents on Bonaire will appraise properties, and use the sale of similar properties as the basis for the appraisals, but I also know from talking to some of the agents that some owners ignore the appraisals and others simply don't bother with them. Sorry I can't give you a number or even a range.

As I kind of said before, Bonaire is definitely not a real estate speculator's island.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Maxine Kille (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 12:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ted - I guess I don't understand your hesitation? I went on line last night to some of the Bonairean real estate sites and saw several properties that I thought were appropriately priced! I selected low end apartments and condos for under 2K and found condos at the Sand Dollar and apartments in Kralendijk. I'm certainly not wealthy and am currently unemployed and perhaps foolhardy, but if something were going to make me as happy as it sound like Bonaire makes you I wouldn't be quibbling over the price. I saw listings for under 200,000. US. Maybe it's because I live in the Northeast and am familiar with Boston and New York prices. You couldn't touch an 800 sq ft basement condo on a noisy city back street for under 250,000., so an ocean front condo with balcony for under 2K sounds like heaven to me. How long to plan to hang on to the property? How young are you? How old? How risk tolerant? Sounds like you're not at all risk tolerant....Jeez, can I manage your life for awhile? I think you'd have a lot more fun and you'd probably live longer.

I've been trying to figure a way of getting myself and my four cats down there to live. I keep begging Jake to hire me since I'm an out of work Software Engineer Consultant/Quality Assurance Engineer from Fidelity Investments, but he's learned his lesson about managing people!

By the way, I haven't seen too many islands, but of the ones I have seen, Tortola and Bonaire are my favorites as well.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By wilfredo menacho (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 1:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi! I want go back to the matter that Sandra R posted in the first time, I also want to move to Bonaire to live and work there, I am Peruvian and as far as I know, I don't need a Visa to go there but I don't know about work permit or something else, Who do I have to contact to know all this? Is it easy to get a Job there? not only as a dive instructor.
If anybody can give me some tips
Thanks

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Christopher I Halliday (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 3:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, I would like to thank the board and those members who have participated in this discussion for helping me out.

Unfortunately, my wife and I have realized that Bonaire is NOT a place that we will consider for the purchase of a home. We consider ourselves very fortunate in that neither of us are 30 years old, and yet we can actually afford a second house in the Caribbean. We got here by hard work and not being foolish with our money. We have a great life, we don't have to worry about the bills, and we have the freedom to do what we want without having to struggle to find a way to pay for it.

However, the ignorance of "fair market value" is indicative of life on the island of Bonaire.

I love visiting the island, and will do so often in the future (probably at the end of June with Ted - 3rd time in a year), thereby adding my dollars to the local economy. I will probably get shafted buying some bauble for a friend, but at least when I do, I know that the price that I am paying for my stay is, at the very least, regulated by competition with other hotels.

At this time I should note that the real estate agents on Bonaire are very nice- Corine at Sunbelt, especially (the only actual appraiser on the island, to my understanding). Unfortunately, if someone doesn't like the appraisal she gives, they just go to Harbourtown and get validation for a 20% hike or inflate the price on their own.

It is also interesting how one tries to draw a comparison between Boston and Bonaire. Apples and oranges, I say. In Boston, I would pay 250,000 for such a place because 1) that is the fair market value of the place, 2) the next day I could sell it again for 250,000 (because someone would buy it), 3) the same place next door sold for 250,000, and 4) no sane person would consider selling it or buying it for 500,000.

Similarly, on Grand Cayman (or Little Cayman or Cayman Brac for that matter), I WOULD consider paying a lot more (and I am considering it, I might add) for a lot less because the objective market, and not subjective and unfounded delusions of grandeur, has established the home's value. If I buy a house there, I won't have to knock off 100K to sell it again in less than 5 years (which I would do only if I had to - i.e., my risk is reduced by the natural action of the market).

On Bonaire there is no market for the homes that I am interested in (which is why the ones I am interested in have been for sale for 2 or more years), and the conventional rules do not apply.

I can't speak for Ted, but I can tell you that I am very risk averse. I have found that only fools and those that have nothing to lose are not. Every risk I take is calculated to maximize the odds of a positive outcome in my favor. Of course, that is also the reason why I am currently employed and well compensated - even in this economy.

Any home that I would consider to purchase on Bonaire merely represents maximum risk with a minimum or even a negative return - at the asking price, that is. So I am now officially looking elsewhere.

One MIGHT argue that I should not look at the purchase of a home on Bonaire that way. How else is there to look at it, I ask? I would be taking a liquid asset (money) and tying it up in a non-liquid asset (Bonaire home). I lose the use of that money for other things (e.g., other investments, further education, etc.), if I have a mortgage then I am paying interest, which means the total cash outlay will be about 4-5 times the selling price (assuming a 30 year mortgage). So, even if I hold on to the home for so long that it becomes an asset for my grandchildren to fight over, I lose. That million dollar home, figure on paying four million when it is all said and done...YIKES!!!

I want to meet anyone who disagrees with me on that because I have an asset I want to unload-

I offer the following: a brand new 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo, less than 200 miles, black interior, black exterior. This offer is extended only to those on the BonaireTalk website who are considering the purchase of a home on Bonaire. I am selling it for 300K.

Any takers? Just so you know, that is what I think it is worth ;-), and someone out there has to agree with me, right? I'll just keep the offer out there for 5 years or so, someone will bite...eventually.

C "never to post again" H

P.S.

In defense of Ted, all I can say is that he didn't get to where he is by wishing to manage someone else's life... I have the utmost respect for him because he has managed his own life just fine in light of some very difficult and trying circumstances.





 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Maxine Kille (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 4:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris you're quite a guy...best that you buy in the Caymans!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2240) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 7:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Let's see....low mileage adjustment.....lol. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1382) on Saturday, April 5, 2003 - 4:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake,

Two things you know better about and can comment:

There has been some sort of 'allowance' for people (retiring??) from Holland that inflated the real estate market a few years ago. Is that effect still in place?

Also, as I understand it, a recent tightening of tax collection rules and enforcement has caused a number of mortgage foreclosures on the island, thus the house mentioned above. Does that make the banks a good place to check in addition to agents?? I suspect the agents don't advertise foreclosure sales!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Saturday, April 5, 2003 - 8:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey all. Been away for about a day and I see many responses. Yeah I am 32 and plan on holding onto the property for a long time. Not interested in buying and reselling. I want something as I said for me and my family members enjoyment. Managed to get several family members and friends certified within the past 7 months!! Yes!
I see where your coming from Maxine about the other places but there were reasons why I did not want them. Okay I am picky! Anyway, now for the great news. I received an email from my realtor on Bonaire, and was told the owner wants to negotiate off of my last offer. I am very happy! However, he wants to settle by Mid May and so I may be coming down a lot sooner if this works...not that there is a problem with getting to Bonaire sooner. So maybe the owner read these boards or my realtor pleaded my case very well which is very probable. But anyway, I am happy to be this far along for the place I really like. Thanks for all the feedback people and the "support??" :-)

Keeps yas posted...literally.
Ted

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Saturday, April 5, 2003 - 8:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey just read your email Chris. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I think its gonna take some time to adjust to the way things are done on the island. I to heard what Glen wrote above about the benefit to the retiring Holland people. I know there was a change and people started selling their properties as told to me by the real estate agency within the past few months. How that affected price I dont know but maybe thats why the discrepancies in pricing have been very aggravating and almost steering buyers away. Maybe thats why the owner is now liking my offer. Dont know but I hope that will change things for the better. Again, not to flip properties but to feel secure in the investment. We will see.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2245) on Saturday, April 5, 2003 - 9:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Good luck, Ted! Joe and I hope to move to Bonaire someday, as well. I check out the real estate sites periodically and drool...there appear to be some affordable homes for us...at least it appears that way...hope so. Keep us posted on your venture. Good luck. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4166) on Sunday, April 6, 2003 - 2:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Glen,

You presume I know more than I do :-)

I can comment that banks anywhere are always a good place to check for deals. No idea on the Dutch tax incentives thing though.

Ted, glad to hear you've got something working in the right direction for you.

Chris - enjoy the Caymans. Based on everything you've said, they are likely a much better fit for you than Bonaire would ever be.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1386) on Sunday, April 6, 2003 - 10:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Michael, somebody who reads this,

knows the answers. They would be useful to these readers.

The Dutch allowance thing happened a few years back, perhaps before Jake's arrival on island. Something to do with a NF 225,000 or so 'credit' if moving to Bonaire.

The tax 'crackdown' is more recent.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Maxine Kille (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Monday, April 7, 2003 - 10:45 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ted, Congratulations! And thank you for having a sense of humor and accepting the replies you've received with grace, good will, and intelligence! I wish you the best of luck and am happy that you are on your way to finding a nice place on Bonaire. It seems like a good fit.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Gillan (BonaireTalker - Post #71) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 4:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Liquid Assets....

This is an interesting point for those looking to visit, buy, work, and invest on Bonaire. Owning on Bonaire one has great liquid assets...mostly aquablue ones. They are not part of the mortage either. Considering any ROI or TCO ingredients for financial formulae doesn't really consider the fact that Bonaire since 1979 has done more to protect its coral reefs than any other island in the Caribbean. This helps keep the real in real estate. Yup, Bonaire has great liquid assets for those that can appreciate them.

Bud Gillan




 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2285) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 10:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well said, Bud! Carole

 


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