Let's Talk Real Estate - James Sarles
New airlift helps real estate on Grand Bahama Island
By James Sarles, President, Coldwell Banker James Sarles Realty
Feb 6, 2014 - 11:01:00 PM

Many people look at a glass and say it's half empty and many people look at a glass and say it's half full.  Well whether you are an optimist or a pessimist the reality is that there is something happening on Grand Bahama.  

If you have been to Port Lucaya Marketplace you will see live human bodies walking around shopping and patronizing the shops. I am not saying that everything is fine in Grand Bahama, but I am saying things are looking better, and there is more to come.

I have always said that we ‘need more Airlift on the island.’ Well believe it or not, there has been an increase in airlift, which for a small island can really help the real estate market and the economy in general. We now have Delta Airlines which flies in from Atlanta Georgia; Sunwing has daily flights from Toronto and seasonal flights from Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton through April.  In May there will be flights from 8 cities in the US including: Baltimore, MD, Birmingham, Al, Cincinnati, OH, Columbus, Oh, Memphis, TN, Newark, NJ, Raleigh, NC and Richmond, VA. US Airways departs Philadelphia, and Silver Airways from Palm Beach, and of course Miami and Ft. Lauderdale flights.  So, now we have airlift which means more and more people will be exposed to the island.

It’s been barely 18 days since Sunwing’s first flight, a flight that brought some 150 passengers to the Grand Bahama.  They had a bit of rough start, but the guests had a good experience and the new resort will open soon.

It is safe to start thinking positively so that positive thoughts can create even more positive actions.  

The weather has been on our side even more so lately. We barely even had a “winter” this year. Actually, at this point I am starting to doubt we’ll have a winter at all because it feels more like spring time here in paradise.

It’s hard to not mention how nicely the new cruise line activity has been.

How can I not mention the docking effects of the beautiful Costa Luminosa? This cruise ship brought over 2,000 passengers to our island just last month!

I would just like to encourage locals to remain positive. Lots of things are now happening in Grand Bahama.

As for real Estate, 32 days into the New Year, we are feeling the activity. We are presently receiving inquiries on our web site from buyers, our sales agents are showing property and buyers are making offers again. It is by no means a robust real estate market but there are positive signs that we are on the road to recovery.

So I believe our glass is half full and I look forward to the positive momentum. Let’s all do our part and become ambassadors for Grand Bahama and together we will all succeed. Until next week...