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By Chris Smith
Unless you are an investment banker in New York or a liquidation solicitor in Hong Kong, odds are you didn’t make the trip to the beautiful British Virgin Islands to learn the mechanics of opening an offshore bank account. More likely it was the breathtaking natural beauty of our islands, the idyllic sailing and boating conditions and the heavenly beaches and sunsets that brought you here.
During your trip, you may have wondered how you can make more frequent trips to the BVI or stay longer next time you’re here. How about owning a home here? Whilst in some parts of the world real estate markets have been in turmoil, this isn’t the case in the BVI, where our little real estate market has been quietly minding its own business and getting on with things. Over the past decade or more, real estate prices have increased at a nice, steady pace.
If you are thinking about buying a home in the BVI, you can do so with the peace of mind that it’s relatively low risk. But if your intention is to quickly flip a home, then this is probably not the place for you. Indeed, in the BVI we are now reaping the benefits of a land ownership system that was designed to deter such harmful speculation on property –– the stuff that causes booms and busts in the first place –– and to manage development at a controlled and sustainable pace. As a result, once you have found your dream home in the islands, if you are not from here, you have to ask the government for a Land Holding Licence, which gives you permission to own the home, and if you’re looking to share in and enjoy the lifestyle and culture that makes the BVI such a wonderful, relaxed place to live, you’ll be warmly welcomed.
What to buy? There’s a broad range of properties available for sale in the BVI. For those of a boating persuasion, we have several waterfront- or marina-based developments to choose from. The best-selling properties in the BVI for the past couple of years have been the waterfront townhouses at Nanny Cay Marina. Whilst most developments won’t pre-sell a home before it’s built, that’s exactly what they’ve done at Nanny Cay. Better known as one of the premier full-service marina facilities in the Caribbean, Nanny Cay Village sits in the heart of the marina and, once complete, will consist of 32 two- and three-bedroom townhouses, each with its own dock. Homeowners and their guests get full use of all the facilities at Nanny Cay, including the beach, pool, two restaurants, shops and all the marine and yard facilities for their boat(s).
Who buys a home in the BVI and why? One customer from the United States who purchased a two-bedroom home at Nanny Cay told us, “After sailing in the BVI for several years, my wife and I fell in love with the place and wanted to find a way to spend more time here as we approach retirement. A large villa with sprawling gardens was a non-starter. We are both still working, and we didn’t need a maintenance headache. We were looking for a place that would allow us to show up, relax and enjoy without any hassles.”
Nanny Cay also offers owners an entirely optional rental program that is managed through the Nanny Cay Hotel. For some, this is very important; for others, not so much. But keeping it simple and less stressful seems to be a common theme. After all, isn’t that why they bought here in the first place?
The dream for many is a home right on the beach or certainly within easy walking distance. A home such as Sea’s Song Villa — a delightful three-bedroom villa with a pool within easy walking distance of three fabulous beaches at Nail Bay, Virgin Gorda — would be just the ticket. For others, however, a home in the hills of Tortola can be a delight. The views open up, the breeze blows all year round and the maintenance from the salt air and sand is probably a little less than on the beach. The Reefs at Ballast Bay is a fantastic example. Tim Peck, a BVI resident for over 20 years and Chairman of OBMI, the leading firm of architects in the BVI and the Caribbean, designed this three-bedroom home based upon his preferred lifestyle: “open, free-flowing, clean and modern, and thoroughly respectful of location and context.” The result is a comfortably scaled, contemporary Caribbean home. Making the most of the location’s spectacular views, it provides all the benefits of a manageable luxury condo with the privacy and pride of ownership of a stand-alone villa.
Contemporary is ideal for some but may not be everyone’s cup of tea. For those looking for a home with more of a sense of history, the BVI also offers a choice of exceptional older estate homes. Gun Point, for example, situated on a hill at the end of the beach at Smuggler’s Cove in a private and exceptional location, provides a profound sense of peace and solitude. The very top of Gun Point was long ago used as a cannon emplacement for firing out to sea at pirate ships venturing too near the coastline. The house was built in 1969 around Gun Point’s original 18th-century gunpowder store. As there were no roads back then, all building materials had to be brought in by sea to the jetty and then trotted to the site by a donkey named Liz. The estate was completely renovated in 2005 to a high standard of updated luxury, reviving the holiday magic enjoyed at Gun Point decades ago.
Nestled on a private peninsula on the eastern tip of Virgin Gorda sits Oil Nut Bay, a pristine resort community unlike any other in the Caribbean. Oil Nut Bay truly offers you an opportunity to create a personal paradise that, as their website claims, “is simply the most beautiful real estate in the world. You’ll experience an unparalleled combination of distinctive architecture, outstanding lifestyle and personal attention that rivals the great hotels of the world.” And with just 88 villas on 300 acres and miles of stunning shoreline, it’s certainly one of the lowest density developments in the Caribbean. One visit to this tropical paradise and you’ll agree that the claims made on their website are no exaggeration.
So, if you are looking for a less taxing lifestyle, consider buying a home in the BVI. Whether your dream is a manageable waterfront townhouse with your boat parked out front or the chance to build your very own tropical oasis on a spectacular beach, you can find it in the BVI.
Contact Chris Smith at Coldwell Banker Real Estate BVI by phone (495-3000) or e-mail him at chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com.
Nail Bay Luxury Villa Resort
P.O. Box 69, Virgin Gorda
Tel: 494-8000
Fax: 495-6831
E-mail: ajit@nailbay.com
Come and be part of this 147-acre luxury villa resort on a historic waterfront sugar plantation below Gorda Peak overlooking Sir Francis Drake Channel. Serviced by newly paved concrete roads and underground utilities, Nail Bay offers modern conveniences such as high-speed Internet access and satellite television in many villas.
Oil Nut Bay
Virgin Gorda
Tel: 495-5400
Fax: 495-0048
E-mail: info@oilnutbaybvi.com
Web: www.oilnutbaybvi.com
An exclusive residential community sculpted from the natural splendour of the untouched eastern end of Virgin Gorda. Exquisite beachfront and cliffside homes, and generous home sites ranging from 1 to 10 acres offer spectacular Caribbean and Atlantic views. Luxurious amenities include wellness spa, marine nature centre and casual and fine dining.
Paradise Realty Limited
P.O. Box 3841, Sea Cow’s Bay, Tortola
Direct: 545-7505
Tel: 494-1044
Fax: 494-1045
E-mail: info@paradiserealtybvi.com
Paradise Realty Limited is your source for the finest properties in the British Virgin Islands. We can assist with finding the best houses, vacation homes and condos in the BVI market. Whether you are buying, selling or renting, you can be sure that Paradise Realty Limited manages every transaction with the utmost discretion and skill.
Show me business services available in the British Virgin Islands.
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Unless you are an investment banker in New York or a liquidation solicitor in Hong Kong, odds are you didn’t make the trip to the beautiful British Virgin Islands to learn the mechanics of opening an offshore bank account. More likely it was the breathtaking natural beauty of our islands, the idyllic sailing and boating conditions and the heavenly beaches and sunsets that brought you here. 
What to buy? There’s a broad range of properties available for sale in the BVI. For those of a boating persuasion, we have several waterfront- or marina-based developments to choose from. The best-selling properties in the BVI for the past couple of years have been the waterfront townhouses at Nanny Cay Marina. Whilst most developments won’t pre-sell a home before it’s built, that’s exactly what they’ve done at Nanny Cay. Better known as one of the premier full-service marina facilities in the Caribbean, Nanny Cay Village sits in the heart of the marina and, once complete, will consist of 32 two- and three-bedroom townhouses, each with its own dock. Homeowners and their guests get full use of all the facilities at Nanny Cay, including the beach, pool, two restaurants, shops and all the marine and yard facilities for their boat(s). 
The dream for many is a home right on the beach or certainly within easy walking distance. A home such as Sea’s Song Villa — a delightful three-bedroom villa with a pool within easy walking distance of three fabulous beaches at Nail Bay, Virgin Gorda — would be just the ticket. For others, however, a home in the hills of Tortola can be a delight. The views open up, the breeze blows all year round and the maintenance from the salt air and sand is probably a little less than on the beach. The Reefs at Ballast Bay is a fantastic example. Tim Peck, a BVI resident for over 20 years and Chairman of OBMI, the leading firm of architects in the BVI and the Caribbean, designed this three-bedroom home based upon his preferred lifestyle: “open, free-flowing, clean and modern, and thoroughly respectful of location and context.” The result is a comfortably scaled, contemporary Caribbean home. Making the most of the location’s spectacular views, it provides all the benefits of a manageable luxury condo with the privacy and pride of ownership of a stand-alone villa. 
Nestled on a private peninsula on the eastern tip of Virgin Gorda sits Oil Nut Bay, a pristine resort community unlike any other in the Caribbean. Oil Nut Bay truly offers you an opportunity to create a personal paradise that, as their website claims, “is simply the most beautiful real estate in the world. You’ll experience an unparalleled combination of distinctive architecture, outstanding lifestyle and personal attention that rivals the great hotels of the world.” And with just 88 villas on 300 acres and miles of stunning shoreline, it’s certainly one of the lowest density developments in the Caribbean. One visit to this tropical paradise and you’ll agree that the claims made on their website are no exaggeration. 
Nail Bay Luxury Villa Resort
Paradise Realty Limited