COLDWELL BANKER JAMAICA REALTY

5 Things to Know About Homeowner’s Insurance

1. Know about exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood, earthquake, or wind damage as standard items. These types of coverage must be bought separately.

2. Know about dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are covered for a risk, there may be a limit on how much the insurer will pay. For example, many policies limit the amount paid for stolen jewelry unless items are insured separately.

3. Know the replacement cost. If your home is destroyed you’ll receive money to replace it only to the maximum of your coverage, so be sure your insurance is sufficient. This means that if your home is insured for $150,000 and it costs $180,000 to replace it, you’ll only receive $150,000.

4. Know the actual cash value. If you chose not to replace your home when it’s destroyed, you’ll receive replacement cost, less depreciation. This is called actual cash value.

5. Know the liability. Generally your homeowner’s insurance covers you for accidents that happen to other people on your property, including medical care, court costs, and awards by the court. However, there is usually an upper limit to the amount of coverage provided. Be sure that it’s sufficient if you have significant assets.

Check with our Coldwell Banker office for answers to your specific questions on buying real estate.

Dustin Brown has a tennis story to tell.  He’s the most accomplished player in the history of Jamaica, and yesterday played in the most prestgious tournament of them all, Wimbledon.

He was born in Germany, is fluent in both German and English, and plays with an unusual slice forehand and serve and volley style.  He’s travelled Europe for years in his VW camper, playing in tournaments as economically as possible, while he gained enough ranking points to qualify for a Grand Slam.  He reached a rank of 99 in the world, and entered the tournament through injury pullouts.

He represented Jamaica in 2002 at Davis Cup, and at Wimbledon lost to French Open semifinalist Jurgen Melzer of Austria with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 scoreline.

Brown, who has a Jamaican father and German mother, moved to Jamaica as a boy but returned in 2004 to Germany, which he used as a base to battle on the low-level circuit of professional tennis. He considers himself “clean down the middle” when it comes to feeling German or Jamaican.

Brown’s career took off in 2008, and he won his first challenger title in Uzbekistan and reached four other finals last year. Another highlight was advancing to the quarter-finals of the ATP event in Johannesburg this year.

The crucial changes came in the past two years. Brown excelled on the ATP Challenger circuit in 2009, reaching the final in four tournaments. He started toppling top players.

Eventually, Brown obtained the highest ranking ever (99) for a Jamaican player. (He is 105th in the latest rankings.) He arrived at Wimbledon as the first singles player from the West Indies in more than four decades.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the addition of Puerto Rico to the growing family of Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates.
 
Puerto Rico has long been the gateway and hub for many of the Islands in our region.  As some of you may know, Coldwell Banker Isla del Coqui is one of the largest and most successful real estate companies in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.   Coldwell Banker Isla de Coqui has had a terrific track record for over 20 years and has been the top producing brokerage in their marketplace, with 7 offices and approximately 226 sales associates.
 
Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates Managing Director Jim Reed said, “With the addition of Puerto Rico to our region, Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates now boasts 51 offices and over 500 sales associates throughout the Island countries of the Atlantic & Caribbean. We are excited about the growth and the potential synergies that Coldwell Banker Isla de Coqui brings to our group.  We are proud to welcome Puerto Rico to Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates.”

Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates is the Coldwell Banker Master Franchisor for the Caribbean and Atlantic Island region. For further information on Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates, please contact the Managing Director, Mr. Jim Reed, at (561) 691-8130 or email jireed@mindspring.com .

About Coldwell Banker®
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier full-service real estate provider. In 2009, Franchise Times magazine’s prestigious Top 200 issue ranked the Coldwell Banker system number one in real estate for the ninth straight year and number eight among all franchisors.  The Coldwell Banker System has approximately 3,200 residential real estate offices and more than 110,000 sales associates in 41 countries and territories around the world.  The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in the industry in residential and commercial real estate, and in niche markets such as resort, new home and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® division. It is a pioneer in consumer services with its Coldwell Banker Concierge® Service Program and award-winning Web site, www.coldwellbanker.com. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, the world’s largest real estate franchisor. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

There are plenty of details to take care of before you introduce your home to the public ready to sell.  Here are a few suggestions on how present your property as the best it can be from the day it hits the market.

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin. 

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments?  You can do this with a condo entrance as well.  Be objective.

Call our Coldwell Banker office with your questions, and ask for a thorough market analysis before you set a price.

Reggae Sumfest 2010 will take place from July 18 through 24 in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay and organisers have already confirmed some of the most talented local and international artistes to be on its line-up.  Digicel has signed on for the 10th year as the official telecommunications sponsor.  Digicel has promised to deliver “superior value and amazing offers” to its over two million customers and Sumfest patrons, a release from the company said.

When asked what Sumfest patrons can expect from Digicel this year, Shelly-Ann Curran, senior sponsorship manager at Digicel, said that cellphone manufacturer and innovator Motorola is on board with them this year and will be an integral part of the company’s marketing campaign around Sumfest.

Among the acts confirmed for this year’s Reggae Sumfest are Chris Brown, Shaggy, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Jah Cure, Elephant Man, I-Octane, Konshens, Stacious, Chino, Tessanne Chin, Gramps Morgan and Tifa.

(resource:  JamaicaObserver.com)

Ag land for sale, Jamaica

98 acres ideal agricultural land with amenities including springs and sand pit. US$300,000.

Buying real estate, especially in what may be a foreign country, can seem pretty overwhelming.  Here are some guideless to help you through the process.

1. Research before you look. Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you’d be willing to spend each month for housing.

2. Be realistic. It’s OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic with your expectations. There’s no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.

3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can’t afford.

4. Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own.

5. Decide your moving timeline. Will this be a 2nd home?  A vacation home with others?  A retirement property to rent for a few years before you move?  All of these factors will help you determine your timeframe and may affect the type of loan you choose.

6. Think long term. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer period? Will it be a rental or income property?  This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.

7. Insist on a home inspection. If possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects for one year.

8. Get help from a Coldwell Banker agent. Hire a real estate professional who specializes in buyer representation.

Stop by our Coldwell Banker office or email us to talk about your buying opportunities and what you need to get started.