The Tribune

A high-end Bahamian realtor says it enjoyed a “slight increase” in sales volumes last year compared to 2017, with average prices ranging from $1.4m to $1.55m.

Lana Rademaker, chief brokerage officer at Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, said: “Overall, 2018 was a strong year for sales with a slight increase over the 2017 performance.” The company’s average listing was $1.55m, with sales prices at $1.4m.

She added that there had been a significant increase in demand for homes in the Family Islands. “Markets like Hope Town, Harbour Island, Kamalame Cay, Treasure Cay and Spanish Wells are ideal entry markets into The Bahamas. People come down for holidays and end up returning as buyers,” Ms Rademaker said.

The Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty executive said the uptick in visitors and buyers in both Nassau and the Family Islands can be partially credited to the increased number of direct flights into these markets from the US and Canada.

“The enviable lifestyle of The Bahamas has always been a major attractor to buyers, in addition to the fact that we’re an English-speaking country with a stable economy,” Ms Rademaker said. “And now with even more direct flights to our islands, people are able to get here more conveniently and frequently, making our country a strong choice for those who want to own a vacation home just one flight away.”

She added that another factor was the growing demand for resort-style residential properties such as those found on Kamalame Cay, which is about a 20-minute flight from Nassau.

“We are constantly striving to stay ahead of market trends and seek out distinctive opportunities for our clients,” Ms Rademaker said. “I am proud to announce that one of our top agents, Vanessa Ansell, participated in seven transactions on Kamalame Cay this past year, making it one of the most active periods in the history of the luxury resort. Through her strategic marketing and carefully cultivated relationships, Vanessa has positioned herself as the go-to real estate advisor for Kamalame Cay.”

To better service this growing market activity, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty expanded its sales team through the addition of two new agents in 2018. In December, the company also opened a new office on Harbour Island next to the Piggly Wiggly food store on King Street, the island’s main thoroughfare.

“Nurturing ongoing client relationships is our number one priority as a company,” Ms Rademaker said. “The more visible we are in the markets we serve, and the more knowledgeable our agents are, the more value we can provide to people whether they are current, past or future clients.”

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty also hosted a four-day NINJA Selling Conference for their entire company at the Grand Hyatt Convention Centre in October 2018.

“The conference was an incredible experience,” Ms Rademaker said. “Our entire company gathered together for four days to focus on expanding our knowledge and skills as real estate professionals. Designed to help agents capitalise on their strengths, conquer their goals and transform their business, the content of the NINJA Selling Conference aligned perfectly with our company’s culture.”

New developments such as BahaMar, GoldWynn, the Pointe and the soon-to-be redeveloped Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island are also providing new opportunities for buyers in Nassau.

“The great thing about The Bahamas is that we’re constantly growing and progressing as a country,” Ms Rademaker said. “There is always new and fresh inventory to explore, which makes it a very exciting market to live in, work in and invest in.”