By Sandra R. (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 4:52 pm: |
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....
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By Ann Phelan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1015) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 5:34 pm: |
Join the crowd..
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By Carole Baker (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2123) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 11:48 pm: |
It's a very long (but cozy) line, indeed! Carole
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By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1630) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 10:55 am: |
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.
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By Bill & Cheryl Rathborne (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #870) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:33 pm: |
Sandra,
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By Sandra R. (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 9:08 pm: |
well I will spend Michael 30 or 60 days living there before making a committment. It's good idea I think
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By Sandra R. (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 5:31 pm: |
Hey!! I was Thinking, where I can get job there?
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By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #881) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 3:08 pm: |
Sandra, it kind of starts with the question of where you are from... the rules for Dutch people are more lenient than for Americans...
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By Maxine Kille (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 12:59 pm: |
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
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By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4094) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 1:49 pm: |
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.
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By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 - 5:37 pm: |
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?
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By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #1381) on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 8:42 am: |
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.
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By Maxine Kille (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 12:49 pm: |
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?
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By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 4:29 pm: |
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?
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By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #1382) on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 4:57 pm: |
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.
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By Christopher I Halliday (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 6:06 pm: |
I agree with Ted. But I would add the following:
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By Michelle Mouton (BonaireTalker - Post #70) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 6:51 pm: |
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?
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By Ann Phelan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1059) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 6:54 pm: |
Caribbean Travel and Life had an interesting article on moving to the Caribbean. Check it out!
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By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4161) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 7:37 pm: |
Chris,
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By Michelle Mouton (BonaireTalker - Post #71) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 7:49 pm: |
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 -
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By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 11:51 pm: |
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!
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By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 12:03 am: |
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.
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By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 12:05 am: |
Thanks Annie.
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By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4162) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 7:58 am: |
Ted,
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By Maxine Kille (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 12:10 pm: |
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.
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By wilfredo menacho (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 1:10 pm: |
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.
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By Christopher I Halliday (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 3:48 pm: |
Well, I would like to thank the board and those members who have participated in this discussion for helping me out.
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By Maxine Kille (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 4:50 pm: |
Chris you're quite a guy...best that you buy in the Caymans!
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By Carole Baker (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2240) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 7:14 pm: |
Let's see....low mileage adjustment.....lol. Carole
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By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1382) on Saturday, April 5, 2003 - 4:05 am: |
Jake,
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By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Saturday, April 5, 2003 - 8:38 pm: |
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!
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By Ted Pileggi (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Saturday, April 5, 2003 - 8:51 pm: |
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.
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By Carole Baker (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2245) on Saturday, April 5, 2003 - 9:14 pm: |
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
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By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4166) on Sunday, April 6, 2003 - 2:44 pm: |
Glen,
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By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1386) on Sunday, April 6, 2003 - 10:06 pm: |
Michael, somebody who reads this,
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By Maxine Kille (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Monday, April 7, 2003 - 10:45 am: |
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.
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By Bud Gillan (BonaireTalker - Post #71) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 4:58 pm: |
Liquid Assets....
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By Carole Baker (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2285) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 10:40 pm: |
Well said, Bud! Carole
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