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Fantasy digs in paradise
WTDNJul09_RE_FantasyDigs
Fantasy digs in paradise
Homes for the well-heeled
Looking for a home with a helipad and a private beach? Your choices here are limited only by your imagination and, of course, the size of your wallet.
Beautiful beaches, pristine waters and a year-round sunny climate make The Bahamas a popular destination for buyers who can afford a palatial beach home with amenities such as private docking for your yacht, staff housing and guest suites with a view of the sea.
John Christie of H G Christie Ltd real estate says the scale and luxury of these extravagant properties appeal to affluent clients. “It has to be dazzling,” he says. “It’s a status symbol, and people want that big ‘wow’ factor.”
One example is the stunning TreeHouse in the exclusive Lyford Cay area of western New Providence, a four-bedroom, $4.65 million home with a 70-ft elevation and breathtaking views of the sea and golf course.
Two beaches
Another home with a decided “wow” factor is Sea-to-Sea, an estate on Paradise Island. Located on a narrow strip of land, the beautifully landscaped 3.75-acre property has crystal-clear waters on two sides, a central main house, two guest cottages, staff buildings, a helipad and docking space for 12 boats.
Staff quarters are set away from the main house and can accommodate housekeepers, a butler, a night watchman and dock hands. The property also includes a 60-by-30-ft heated swimming pool and a pool pavilion with bathroom, changing room and kitchenette.
Next door to Sea-to-Sea is Allamanda, a $16.9-million home accessible by boat.The property includes a main house with gym, library and sauna, a guest house, staff cottages, a swimming pool with a cabana, patio bar and a tennis court. The dock can accommodate a 130-ft yacht.
According to Larry Roberts, CEO of Bahamas Realty, many of these sprawling estates have lavish features but are typically designed with understated elegance in keeping with The Bahamas’ colonial past.
“A contemporary style is not very common here,” he explains. “It usually backfires [on the owners] with acceptance and resale.” A less extravagant style, both inside and out, lets the stunning location and luxurious amenities speak for themselves.
Opulent homes don’t come cheap, but there’s some good news for the cautious buyer, says Christie. These properties could prove to be a sound financial choice, he believes, even in today’s turbulent economic times.
Although the market for such properties has declined in the past year, he predicts that it will recover.
“It’s a good investment,” he says. “A luxury estate tends to keep its value, and the market will turn around.”
Roberts agrees. “There is no better investment than real estate. There is such a limited amount of it here, and the market is small.”
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