Nestled away in a matchless spot, Belize is a nation of Hispanic, English, and Caribbean influence and a top destination on any traveler’s list. The coastal paradise boasts lush jungles, historic Mayan ruins, and snaking rivers that run from the tip of Corozal to the bottom of Toledo. As you venture out to the coast, you’ll find quaint islands like Caye Caulker, where “go slow” is the charming motto the island’s residents live by. The more popular Ambergris Caye is home to San Pedro Town, the continually growing marquee destination for ex-pats from all walks of life. Proximity to the Barrier Reef, crystal blue waters, and year-round summery weather have made Belize a go-to vacation spot and a second or even permanent home to many. Whether you’re a free spirit who wants to put down roots on an island oasis or an entrepreneur planning your next big move, Belize has something for you – you betta Belize it.

Belize is often praised for its undisturbed flora and fauna replete with lush jungles and thoughtfully restricted marine zones making the country an ecotourist’s haven. In a world where climate change and reducing one’s carbon footprint are ever-growing concerns, Belize is a veritable utopia where Mother Nature still reigns supreme. A number of established eco-resorts - many of them private-island-based - enjoy very consistent high-end business whilst legitimately pioneering a new way of traveling. Size isn’t an issue either; the moderately-sized 7-acre Ray Caye located about an hour’s boat ride from Placencia, has 20 rooms and accommodates no more than 50 guests at a time and also features a pristine gym, yoga studio, Pelagic store, and gift shop. 

The private island buy-in is actually more flexible than one would expect with costs ranging from as low as US $250,000 for 1–2-acre options to as much as US $20 million for behemoth acreages prime for development. Most of the private islands in Belize are undeveloped, making it a playground for creating the tropical paradise of your dreams. Building from the ground up ensures that you’ll get exactly what you want every step of the way. Imagine the possibilities of launching a boat off of your own private deck or concluding the 2-hour flight to Belize from Miami by landing on your own heliport? It’s important to note that some structures might require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which may seem intimidating but is a non-factor with the right builders. 

The country benefits from a fixed exchange rate of two to one to the US dollar (BZE $2 = US $1), currencies such as £ Pounds and € Euros can be exchanged at most banks. The combination of the stable and predictable currency, an ever-increasing demand for rooms, and new flights being continually added, makes for a favorable business environment for those looking to net strong ROI as they consider a potential move or investment. Of course, you may also just be looking for your dream escape, expenses be damned. 

Now that you're at the point of buying a private island, you might be asking ‘how does one navigate the tricky world of real estate with the laws and regulations from a country unknown to you’? This is where the expertise of a firm like 4Realty comes in. A service leader in the industry, our broker and agents offer a distinct and proven insight into Belize’s landscape and pride themselves on providing excellent and ethical service to their clients. The right agency hits the ground running, from the early stages of direct marketing and advertising to closing the deal on your new paradise home. Throughout the process, you need to be able to trust that you’re in the capable hands of seasoned agents whose goal is to see their buyers and sellers walk away happy and free. 

In Belize, real estate agents can represent both the buyer and seller which can sometimes lead to murky deals. That’s why it’s important to choose a firm like 4Realty that’s an International Realtor® Member and a proud member of the Belize National Association of Real Estate (BNAR), an organization committed to implementing legislation and licensure within the industry and abides by a stringent code of ethics. If you require further help in developing your newly acquired property, starting a business, navigating permits, or anything else you might need to make your move to Belize seamless, you can count on the consulting branch of 4Realty, Arch Consulting Group to dutifully guide you through the process. As luxury real estate continues to rise in Belize, isn’t it time to kick your feet in the sand and stay awhile? 

For more information, please contact Carlo Habet at carlo@4realty.bz or +1 (754) 444-7773

Carlo Habet is the exclusive agent representing the Belize real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

The post You Better Belize it! Carlo Habet Talks How To Navigate Buying A Private Island In Another Country appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands is called the “Big Island” as it is the largest of the US Virgin Islands and surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. It’s the least developed, adding to its natural beauty, which is a draw for all visitors and buyers looking to invest in the Caribbean. The terrain varies between flat and hilly, with the highest peak, Mt. Eagle, at 1,088 feet above sea level.

St. Croix has become the hottest, new destination in the Caribbean and continues to attract people from all over the world. The unspoiled land of St. Croix includes rainforests, world-class dive spots, untouched and unmarked beach coves, and historical artifacts and architecture dating back to the 1700s. St. Croix has truly a vibe like no other, with a vibrant and rich culture, two historic towns oozing with charm, an incredible art and epicurean scene, and boutique hotels. Known as the countryside of the Caribbean due to its open pastures and farmland, most of St. Croix has stayed true to its roots giving visitors and Crucians an authentic Caribbean experience.

Photo Credit: Blake Floyd Gardner Photography https://www.blakefloydgardner.com/

Our luxury real estate market includes everything from impeccably maintained historic estates, modern seaside villas, elegant condos in a gated seaside complex to knoll top estates with a backdrop of the Caribbean sea in every direction. Compared to our sister islands, St. Thomas and St. John, there is more value on St. Croix in the luxury real estate market. A comparable home of quality and size on the other islands is much higher priced than a similar property here on St. Croix— we are the largest of the Virgin Islands so that makes it easier for us to live here and get around well since we are less congested.

When considering a permanent move or a vacation home to escape the cold northern winters, St. Croix is the ideal Caribbean island to call home!

Amy Land-de Wilde is the exclusive agent representing the St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here. For more information, please contact Amy Land-de Wilde at (340)-690-1213 or amydewilde@coldwellbankervi.com

The post Island Expert Amy Land-de Wilde Gives All Of The Reasons YOU Should Buy Real Estate In St. Croix appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

There’s no denying that city life is incredible. But with so much going on, it’s essential to take a step back now and then and give those tired batteries a bit of a recharge. Sometimes you just want to get away from it all: not in a camping, backwoods sort of way, but in a more cocktail-sipping, sun-seeking kind of fashion. It was precisely this type of escape a Brazilian family sought when they purchased a vacation retreat on Fisher Island as a respite from their hectic city life in São Paulo. Home to free-roaming peacocks, it captures the allure of a secluded island, but it also has all the luxury amenities of an exclusive resort. “It never feels crowded, and people really appreciate the privacy and security,” the wife says. Set on the farthest point of the island, their condominium overlooks miles and miles of ocean. “It’s our happy place,” the wife says. “It’s where we go to decompress.”

Originally weighed down by heavy traditional details—dated wallpaper, mirrored walls, and a cumbersome enclosed kitchen that interrupted the great room—the condo underwent a lofty transformation from dated Mediterranean to beachy chic thanks to Miami-based designer Luciana Fragali, who has designed multiple Fisher Island homes for her clients. “Luciana is so flexible and willing to listen to our ideas,” the wife says. “She created family-friendly rooms, so we never have to worry about sand from the beach.”

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

Although working on an island would seem like a dream, in this case, it posed some unique challenges. On Fisher Island, you can build only six months out of the year and subcontractors must arrive via barge, making preparation and timing paramount. Luckily, Fragali was able to work around these obstacles and transform the space entirely to feature new floors, walls, plumbing and electrical, appliances, materials, and finishes – this was a gut remodel of the entire apartment that took a great deal of effort and teamwork.

From the beginning, Fragali had one goal in mind: to open up the views. The owners asked for an expansive entertainment area, as well as comfortable guest rooms that offered privacy, making the vacation retreat as inviting as possible for their family and friends. To accomplish this, Fragali began by demolishing the enclosed kitchen wall to open up the space and transform the room into a spacious open concept living room and dining room featuring an exceptional dropped wood ceiling design.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

“We opened the kitchen up to integrate the living room and to make it one large space,” explains Fragali, who removed a dividing wall to make that happen. The resulting open area is more spacious and takes advantage of the beautiful sunset views. Next, she replaced the mirrored covered walls with custom built-in shelves that become one with the living area. Using this accent wall, she placed unique accessories that reflect the natural light and turquoise waters below. “As soon as you open the door, you feel like you are literally on the ocean,” the wife says.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

Keeping the emphasis on the panorama, expansive sliding doors open completely onto a balcony, essentially disappearing and expanding the living area into an enormous entertaining venue. “This indoor-outdoor effect alludes to the home’s refined yet casual vibe,” Fragali says. For the furnishings, she selected low-profile pieces that speak to the owners’ low-key personalities. “The wife likes clean lines and is very pared-down,” she says. “So I wanted a warm, sophisticated apartment with pops of color.” The designer captured this casual elegance through a careful juxtaposition of pieces that blur the line between modern and earthy, such as the pairing of custom-made floating console matching the natural birch dining room pendants and textured wallpapered wall niches with LED strip for radiance accented with black and white art frames.

While the water views clearly inspired Fragali’s approach, they also influenced the palette, with touches of warm creams, natural wood tones, upholstery, artwork, and accessories throughout. Even the master bedroom is awash in the soothing, ethereal hue. The master bathroom was another obstacle of its own – it had to be completely gutted down to the studs. Only then could Fragali begin to design a new luxurious master bath unlike any other featuring a large shower and a curved freestanding bathtub backed by wood mosaic wall panels.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

But nowhere does the color scheme come more to life than on the balcony, where shades of sea and sky continue as far as the eye can see. From here, the family waves to cruise ships passing by. With umbrella-accented drinks in hand, they kick back and relax just the way they imagined, in true vacation style.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

The post Coastal Living In Fisher Island With Luciana Fragali Of Design Solutions appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Juan Estupiñan

The project at Casa Del Mar was part of a complete gut out renovation of a 1960’s-era condo in beautiful Key Biscayne, Florida with a stunning ocean view.

Photo Credit: Juan Estupiñan

The clients, a family of five, wished for a large, welcoming, functional space to entertain guests; add a room with a private bathroom, and seamlessly integrate the kitchen with the living and dining areas.

Photo Credit: Juan Estupiñan

Our goal was to transform the outdated, closed-off kitchen into a lively flowing space where the family and their guests could enjoy the view and each other’s company. The challenge to transform the closed floor plan into an open, integrated space was further complicated by the aging building and outdated plumbing, A/C and electrical ductwork, as well as the elevator lobby.

Also, extant in the space were structural columns that could not be removed, resulting in a chaotic, narrow, L-shaped kitchen layout with limited storage. We designed a curved wall dressed with wood mosaic connecting the foyer and living area to the kitchen, softening the harsh, constrained angles of the original layout and laying the groundwork for a motive of curves and circles which carried throughout our design.

Photo Credit: Juan Estupiñan

To maximize storage and spaciousness, we camouflaged appliances behind false doors, grouping the tallest appliances together to achieve balance and flow. In lieu of an island for the kitchen, we added a dining table in the center of the design, allowing the client to fulfill their passion for entertaining while integrating the social spaces of the residence with the functional space of the kitchen.

Photo Credit: Juan Estupiñan

A large yet delicate sculptural chandelier continued to explore this sense of curvature and transparency. Through a game of proportions, scale, and continuity, we transformed a small, outdated space into a contemporary retreat perfect for a dinner party with a spectacular ocean view.

For more on Sandra Diaz and EOLO Design, visit her Haute Residence profile.

The post Condo In Key Biscayne Renovated To Perfection appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Nicknamed "The Island of Love," Seychelles has also played honeymoon host to George and Amal Clooney plus Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade among other famous faces.

An Island Oasis in the Indian Ocean

Located 1,133 miles northeast of Madagascar, this island chain boasts some of the world's most beautiful beaches and exclusive hotels.

Arriving by private jet, after somehow keeping their destination a secret for weeks, the newlywed couple landed on the secluded North Island. Consisting of only 11 luxury villas, Prince William and Kate Middleton found themselves nestled among pearlescent sand, coconut palms, and lush green takamaka trees.

Each private villa faces Anse d'east Beach, showcasing the breathtaking ecological beauty of the coast and lightly chopping Indian Ocean current.

Private Beachfront Villas

Guests staying in these secluded dwellings tucked away just behind the tree line, enjoy a large master bedroom, second bedroom, and changing room with en-suite bath.

There are three ways to rinse off from a day at the beach. Indoor and outdoor showers provide convenience, while the handcrafted Balinese natural stone baths offer a chance to soak the stress away.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would not have had to see another soul unless they wanted to–even when going for a swim. A private plunge pool and lounge is a part of this premium villa experience.

A Unique Barefoot Luxury Experience

Staying on North Island is always all-inclusive, and there are several additional spa treatments available that can be personalized to the needs of each guest. Escaping to this beach allows nature to clear the mind while the body is properly pampered.

Vacationers who tire of lounging under graceful punka fans can take a picnic on the beach or observe the many species of birds that call this island home. Every villa also gets its own golf cart for easy island exploring. There is also a certified dive-center on site for anyone who elects to do some world-class scuba diving.

Premium Service in an Environmentally-Friendly Setting

It is impossible not to feel special staying at a place like this. The service and dining are unparalleled. One recent traveler to the island, who vacationed with his family in a villa, remarked, "our butler was great, always one call away, always ready to be of service in any way he could."

Guests that stay here seem to especially enjoy the little things that make North Island special. There are friendly sea turtles that greet newcomers outside the villas, and fresh water bottles are placed everywhere by unseen staff throughout the day.

It comes as no surprise that Prince William and Kate Middleton selected the "3rd Best Hotel in the World" according to Condé Nast Traveller Readers in their 2014 awards. This ultimate lover's paradise starts at $8,600 per night.

Photos Courtesy of Booking.com.

The post Visit Prince William And Kate Middleton’s Romantic Seychelles Hideaway appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The villas come attached to the luxury resort on the premises, which feature 43-suites, a hotel spa, beach club, restaurant, the longest pool in the Caribbean, and more. The beachfront and hillside villas, are 6,000 and 5,000 square feet, and hit the market at $11 million and $5.7 million, respectively. The villas offer three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and two private pools overlooking the jungle and sea. The lot sized though are even more impressive coming in at 13,500 and 26,350 square feet.

Maybe most helpful too, is that the purchase of the villa also comes with Grenadian citizenship, which grants visa-free access to 125 countries and other perks. The modern looking homes reflect a mid-century design that make this no ordinary island home, but rather something chic to walk around when there, and away from the hoards of tourists in the jungle/ocean climates of beautiful Grenada.

The post Grenada Makes A Splash In The Villas Market With Silversands appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

When clients come to you with an idea of what they want, how do you help them refine their criteria prior to finding a match? 

The first and most critical step is to begin building credibility with your prospect by sharing a brief about my history, my knowledge of the marketplace, and some tidbits of my happy customers - build rapport first.   Then it is time to ask questions of what their home or property looks like to them.  Perhaps they have seen it in a magazine, or visited before and have some reference to share with me.  It is important to connect on the emotional side as many clues to their needs reside there.  Asking questions like: "Why are you considering a purchase in CR?", "Is this going to be a primary residence, second home, or rental property?", "Are you familiar with buying property internationally?"... Often questions like these reveal important clues about what type of property they have in their dreams and is a good way to build rapport, credibility and learn about their needs.

What is the most important thing you look for when purchasing a home for yourself? 

Get educated about the local real estate market.  This means doing my homework to determine local values, locate areas that are up-and-coming, talk with people in that neighborhood/community about their experiences, and then spend a night looking around the area I believe I have identified as many clues come out at night.

If you had to choose one piece of advice for first-time home buyers, what would it be?

Determining if this acquisition will be for investment or for primary residence.  Many people mix the two and want both from this one purchase, yet the buying signals vary widely as the needs are financial for investments and emotional for primary - significant difference.

If you were not selling real estate, where would you be today? 

Back as an investor of income producing apartment buildings, building a portfolio of cash flow properties and servicing my customers (tenants) as to me this is a tremendous opportunity and privilege to provide a quality roof and housing for those in need!

What would you say is your most proud accomplishment as a real estate agent so far? 

By far it was experiencing the "A-to-Z" completion of handling the initial email of a prospect seeking to retire in Costa Rica, establishing credibility, rapport and more, then having them come for a week to tour properties, knowing that they were "only going to do our homework this trip."  Then educating them on the local market, showing them some lifestyle to enjoy, building a relationship.  To locating their dream home on the third showing, to a few intense evenings of calming the "fears" of placing an offer now.  To the acceptance of their offer on day four and to helping them set up their IRA for purchasing the property and all the details that were involved, as they were so unsure throughout the process.  To closing the transaction with rather ease.  Then to a full remodel of their home utilizing my network of quality resources and being under budget. Then to being the first one to enjoy their first dinner in the newly remodeled, dream home that they did not think was possible.  And today now enjoying a friendship with our families and many dinners at their home and swimming in their pool.  A customer was created and a friendship resulted.

What property do you currently have listed that you wish more people would see? 

Casa Aracari Uvita, Costa Rica

When it comes to local neighborhoods, observing how future infrastructure will improve, how the neighborhood is growing, how the buying habit of people is changing to more privacy, to good valuations, with future potential, to primary residence or investment as described above, this home is positioned extremely well in the local market.  This home meets about all categories that a buyer might be seeking at a very good price.  Built with high quality construction and amenities, the layout is very inviting and has a guest home for extra people.  And the ocean view is world-class.  Definitely one of the better listings in the area.

Fabulous Estate on Calle Perezoso! Ojochal

At a higher price point I favor this amazing property: Built with European hand-crafted skills and design elements throughout, Viking stove, refrigerator and more and impeccable thought-process from layout and flow, this home is a gem in the rough.  Whether seeking a primary residence, investment property or to create a world-class B&B, the design lays out for all categories.   And with more acreage to build additional in the future, this property is truly spectacular, with ocean views and privacy to match.  Quality, price, location, positioning, are all top notch with this home!

The post Helping You Discover Paradise: John Weiland on Costa Rica Real Estate appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.