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Bermuda, Real Estate for the Affluent

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate

 

                                                                                                             ~  Bermuda ~

 From a sparkling sea distance you could see the limestone roof tops peeking in splashes of hodgepodge ownerships. A large pink coral reef rests lazily on the ocean floor, making the pink sands of the Bermuda beaches a legendary wonder.

 

We passed some private Island mansions where the exceptionally affluent people purchased the well sought after and rare opportunity to own a piece of this Atlantic dreamland. The inventor of the floppy disc asked for the cruise ships to beep as we go by. The loud beep of the ship obliges.

 

 

Nearing the port I could hear the Town Crier who I soon spotted in his English duds announcing from the shore the arrival of the Empress of The Seas. I will save a story of my cruise ship experience for a latter blog,  for now I would like to say "Oh the Island!" Did I just mention how sought after by the worlds wealthy this English splendor that was hoisted from the sea is? Can I truly pen the beauty?

 

Quaint little pastel villages are nestled between narrow (did I say narrow?) roads, and as I walk through the town of Hamilton the tropical smell of the rain-forest is dancing in the air,  and during the gentle breeze you catch the heavenly scents.

Hamilton was rich in friendliness, more so than any place I have ever visited.

 Their manners where impeccable, and I observed the casual courtesies as something that flowed effortlessly and quite natural.

 

The store fronts in Hamilton Bermuda's capital nearly all close around 3:00pm or 3:30pm. It makes no difference that a ship of two thousand possible customers may arrive at 3:30pm. In one instance a shop owner closed down to-feed her cat. Yep, that's how laid back and out of the American rat race they are. All shops  are closed on Sunday.

 

Now for the exquisiteness of  the Island tagged the Jewel of the Atlantic. You aren't going to see colossal changes to a culture that has kept it's traditions in tact after all these years. Pastel homes grace the sides of narrow streets with much of the natural rain-forest flowers of red, pink, yellow and white buds peaking through the green foliage bordering in natural arrays untainted and perfectly planted by God.

 

Charlie and I naturally wanted to explore the Island just a bit before we rested on the pink sand of Horseshoe Bay. The gentle waves felt almost like they were being as courteous to you as the town folks! A crystal clear wave lifts you ever so tenderly and soft ocean breeze choirs with a shore splash. Caves for the curious are housed along the curves of the beach.

 

 

 What does a Realtor do in Bermuda? Meet a Realtor E. Leroy Douglas with W.J. Seymour Real Estate LTD. who is the father of the Assistant Attorney General of Bermuda of course! The interesting facets of  Real Estate was taught to me by a expert Realtor who's welcoming spirit generously lend me time for a crash course. From him I learned that eighty percent of Bermuda property is owned by Bermudians and could only be sold to the Bermudians.

Non Bermudians can only purchase properties from non Bermudian's and pay 22% sales tax. I mentioned how rare the availability is, as well as the financially elite who are gifted with a unique opportunity. In fact to be on this Island for more than 72 hours you may have a brush with the law. You are now considered an illegal.

 

 

 The caves along Horseshoe Bay                    

Pictured above is the old Naval Base oh a few hundred years or so that is now the Mall in Bermuda. Don't you love how they maintained the old in lue of building new?  

 There is so much history and culture to share. An Island like no other, sophisticated yet charming. Friendly, and layed back, yet traditional in so many ways. An Island that will be visited in our memories forever. But for now Charlie and I bid Bermuda farewell as we cruise away to Philadelphia, and back to Reality.

 

If any one has a client wishing to purchase a piece of Bermuda e-mail E. Leroy Douglas                  (eldouglas@seymourrealty.bm)                                                                          

 

 

Comments(23)

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Sean Allen
International Financing Solutions - Fort Myers, FL
International Financing Solutions

Hey Diane,

Great post, It has been many years since I was in Bermuda, but I remember how beautiful the island was. I was there visiting my father while he was stationed their with the US Navy, back in the late 1980s. Beautiful island and wonderful people.

Sean Allen
The Mortgage Professionals

Oct 21, 2007 05:58 AM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate

Andrew, Well leaving Bermuda was a bit rocky, but heck all opart of the adventure!   :)

Julie The beauty there is priceless! I simply can't discribe it!

Sean I bet not much has changed! Thanks for commenting

Oct 21, 2007 06:03 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Diane, Welcome home!  Bemuda is stunning, I have cruised there several times myself and loved it--and your post for the beautiful memories it brought back.  It sounds like you had a wonderful time and will cherish the memories.
Oct 21, 2007 07:38 AM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC
Hi Diane!  We MISSED you AND your posts around here, but were delighted for your get-away!  Your pictures are peaceful and beautiful.  There is nothing like getting away and seeing things from a different perspective is there?  BTW You look MARVELOUS!!  Welcome Back!
Oct 21, 2007 08:41 AM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC
Oh, i almost forgot.... how did you mange NOT to overeat with all that food being passed around??? You look to have LOST weight!  
Oct 21, 2007 08:43 AM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate

Cynthia,  Awe, RELAX (dreamily smiling) Catch my next blog on cruise life   :)

Carole Yes! Then you know how hard it is to render it's beauty in words!

Diane Thanks for your oh so sweet compliments!!!!  Yep I did eat sooooo much, and had to do laps around the gang plank to feel some bloat relief!!!

 

Oct 21, 2007 09:05 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Hi Diane ! So nice to see you posting ...you were missed !!! 
What beautiful pictures and writing in this story you tell of your time in Bermuda...the way you described the tropical breezes and lovely scents reminds me so much of Barbados. 

It looks like you had a wonderful time and I look forward to more pictures and hearing more about your trip....

((-:

Jo 

Oct 21, 2007 09:40 AM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate
Jo Ann, I WANT TO GO TO BARBADO'S! Funny you should mention that! There is a cruise out of Purto Rico that hits St Thomas, St Martin.... all the way down to Barbado's! Oh with the magic of your writing you'll have to share a blog and wet my appitite!
Oct 21, 2007 09:54 AM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team
Diane....SO GREAT to have you home! I missed you! I really did. I am so accustomed to your encouraging words everyday. I KNOW you had an incredible time. (And, I'm still mad you didn't take me with you!) Welcome home!!!
Oct 21, 2007 10:56 AM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate
Elizabeth, So nice of you to have missed me! OK NEXT TRIP YOU COME ALONG TOO! We will be the blogging queens of the corners of the world!
Oct 21, 2007 11:04 AM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Diane...I am so glad you saw Gods goodness in your vacation.....

You say the shops close around 3pm or so hmm?

WOW!!!

Most franchisers would have a heart-attack at that one!!

=-D

Oct 21, 2007 04:12 PM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate

Debbie, It sure is educational when you see first hand how people live in other places in the world   :)

Alex I too was shocked! They have the right idea!  :)

Oct 21, 2007 08:52 PM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

Diane-I wondered where you had been...I was a little concerned....but glad to see you are enjoying life!  So beauitful and I bet you had a wonderful time!

I really did miss you... 

Oct 22, 2007 12:13 AM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate
Midori, Thanks, I missed the friends here on Active Rain. You are so sweet to be concerned :)
Oct 22, 2007 10:19 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Diane...

Good to see you back.

I have been to Bermuda so I know how refreshed you are feeling right now.

Love the pics :)

TLW...ROAR!

Oct 24, 2007 10:55 AM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate

Alecia, Thanks I have been sooo busy!

TLW ahhh  so you know the beauty!

Cynthia, I have been sooo busy, my Active Rain blogs are a bit behind...

Oct 25, 2007 10:39 AM
Donna Yates
BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Mountains
Diane:  Great pictures and I did not know that about Bermuda.  After 72 hours, your illegal.  Very interesting and it sounds like you had quite an adventure.  Thanks for sharing with us.
Nov 04, 2007 01:07 AM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate
Donna, It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget   :)
Nov 04, 2007 01:38 AM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic
Well i see you had a wonderful time. I will be heading too the Virgin islands sometime next year. Looking forward to going home.
Nov 04, 2007 01:42 AM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate
Linda, We could check about a smaller one following the luxury liner LOL
Nov 19, 2007 04:46 AM