In Aruba, the Art of the Carbon-Neutral Caribbean Vacation 

It’s always been one of the greenest hotels in the Caribbean, but Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort has taken its sustainability push to a far more significant level, both with a carbon-negative push and a new program to help travelers take a carbon-neutral vacation.

The adults-only resort on Eagle Beach was already the Caribbean’s first certified carbon-neutral hotel, meaning it did everything it could to offset carbon emissions. 

That had resulted in what was a very minute emissions gap — but the plan is now to go fully carbon-negative this year — and help take that philosophy right to the heart of the guest experience. 

Bucuti is working on a number of initiatives toward that end, from going toward 100 parent paperless; adding a new rooftop variable refrigerant flow system; adding rooftop solar panels dedicated for water heating; using only indigenous trees, shrubs and plants to add to the resort’s landscaping; and creating a self-sufficient microgrid of solar panels for administrative offices. 

“With climate change happening faster than scientists could even predict, going carbon-neutral is no longer a choice — and it’s almost no longer enough,” Ewald Biemans, the resort’s owner, tells Caribbean Journal. “It can be done as the United Nations noted that the sustainability program at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort is ‘highly replicable and scalable.’ Beyond that, going carbon negative contributes to our own vulnerable spot along the Caribbean coastline as much as it helps as share in this global movement.”

The hotel was already the first hotel in Aruba to be certified LEED gold; it’s also Green Globe platinum, Travelife Gold and, of course, CarbonNetural certified. 

But now the resort is giving its guests a chance to offset their own carbon use, the only resort program of its kind in the Caribbean. (Luxury airline Tradewind Aviation was the first to offer Caribbean travelers the chance to offset their carbon emissions).

Bucuti calls it it the world’s first Carbon Offset Concierge, and it includes a host of carbon-neutral experiences for travelers. 

The goal is to help guests offset their own emissions from flights, airport transfers and island excursions through certified programs. 

That ranges from the option to use an EV taxi or the resort’s EV car for exploring Aruba via clean energy. 

The resort’s Elements eatery offers full vegan and vegetarian menus, and travelers can hike the island’s Arikok National Park with their own refillable water bottle. 

Even better? The resort doesn’t charge for the Carbon Offset Concierge service, which also helps calculate the carbon emissions want to offset based on their vacation plan and then provide options to purchase credits from verified programs. 

That typically amounts to about $30 per person for the entire stay. 

“As long as people can, they will travel, and here at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba, our promise to them is they can have a dream vacation that is as healthy for them as it is the planet thanks to our door-to-door climate neutral vacation,” Biemans says. “The Google 2022 Travel Search Trends revealed that among the top six search criteria is sustainability. By Bucuti & Tara providing travelers with the world’s first carbon-neutral vacation, we are giving them the control of how they impact the planet and there is peace through purpose.”

For more, visit Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort Aruba and the Carbon Offset Concierge. 

The post In Aruba, the Art of the Carbon-Neutral Caribbean Vacation  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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What Is a Pocket Listing?

According to an article published by Redfin News, pocket listings shot up by 67% in 2021, to comprise around 20% of all real estate listings. 

While some buyers and brokers argue that these listings help even out the playing field in today’s seller-oriented market, many real estate agents claim the opposite.

Are you wondering, ”what is a pocket listing?” If so, then keep reading. In this article, we’ll cover all the questions surrounding these home sales including the pros, cons, and legalities. 

What Is a Pocket Listing in Real Estate?

A real estate pocket listing is an off-market listing that doesn’t appear on the MLS. There’s no lawn sign advertising the sale, and all marketing takes place via word-of-mouth or private channels.

That means it’s only available to selected clients. These may include elite clients known only to your realtor, or someone you know who has expressed a keen interest in buying your home.

With pocket listings, a single agent represents both the buyer and the seller. 

An Example of Pocket Listing in Real Estate

Let’s say homeowner A wants to sell their expensive Los Angeles mansion. They know someone who has already expressed an interest in buying it and asked for the first option.

Since homeowner A already has a buyer, there’s no need to market their home actively to the public. Yet, they still need the services of a real estate agent to handle the transaction.

Instead of engaging in a traditional home sale, the homeowner can engage with a real estate agent they trust to sell the property on their behalf. 

You don’t need to own a high-end property to undertake an exclusive listing, and you don’t need to work with a real estate agent, either. Selling your home yourself or accepting an offer from a cash buyer without listing it on the MLS are also kinds of pocket listings. 

The next thing you need to know is, ”What’s a pocket listing going to do for me?”  

What Is Pocket Listing Best For?

Pocket listings present several benefits for sellers and buyers. These include:

Increased Privacy

Pocket listing real estate is a common practice for homeowners and celebrities who want to sell high-end properties via an exclusive listing. 

It’s the best way for these homeowners to avoid undue publicity or attention from unqualified buyers who simply want to look around the home. 

If you’re going through a divorce or experiencing financial difficulties, you might not want to attract questions from curious community members about why you’re selling your home.

Likewise, if you run your business from home, listing it for sale might create fears that you are leaving the area and cause you to lose clients.

A pocket sale is much more discreet and confidential than advertising your home for sale on the internet.

No Open House Home Showings

Selling your home using a pocket listing is a good way to avoid the stress and hassle of open house viewings. Many homeowners find these occasions intrusive, and they can also present security risks. 

Homebuyers aren’t always respectful of your spaces and may traipse mud across your newly-cleaned carpets or pry among your belongings. 

An open house event takes several hours to complete. You and your pets will need to vacate your home while it’s underway.

Avoiding Wasting Time With Window Shoppers

When you host an open house, anyone can attend, whether they intend to buy your home or not.

With a pocket listing, your real estate agent already knows a pool of potential buyers who’ve expressed an interest in homes like yours. They will actively market the property among these clients, and you’ll typically only need to engage with serious buyers. 

Due to the rampant demand for houses in recent years, most real estate agents have increased their lists of buyers wishing to avoid conventional home sales, too. 

Testing the Waters of Real Estate in Your Area

A pocket listing is also a good option for you if you want to achieve above market value for their homes. This practice allows you to gauge if there’s any interest in the property at your asking price, before listing it on the MLS.

You’ll gain a fair idea of what people might pay for your house without the uncertainty of waiting for someone to make an offer.

Cost Savings Associated with Pocket Listings

Listing your home privately can help save on the costs associated with selling your home. With these listings, you don’t need to hire a photographer or home stager to portray your home in the best light.

Since realtors don’t incur marketing costs for off-market homes, and they’re representing both the buyer and seller, they may charge a lower commission to manage these sales, too.

Speed Up the Process

By avoiding the hit-and-miss approach of marketing your home online and hosting home showings, private sales often close faster. You don’t need to wait for buyers to discover your home and express an interest in it, your real estate agent will contact interested parties right away. 

There’s less negotiating involved, and most buyers already have the funds available, so you don’t need to wait for the mortgage approval process to conclude.

Avoid Your Listing Going Stale

There are plenty of reasons why perfectly good homes don’t sell as fast as others. Yet, many potential buyers think the worst when they see a home listed for a long time.

Likewise, when you list a property and lower the price after the fact, it can raise red flags for potential buyers or cause them to stall making an offer in the hopes of further price reduction. 

Pocket Listing Benefits Buyers

Buyers enjoy many of the same benefits as sellers do when they engage in a private home sale. Enhanced privacy, confidentiality, and less competition are the obvious perks, but they also enjoy a more personalized experience.

When a buyer works closely with a real estate agent to find a home that meets their exact criteria, they don’t waste time viewing homes that don’t suit their needs. 

What Is a Pocket Listing Not So Good For?

The MLS is the best way to draw attention to your home if you want to attract as many potential buyers as possible. These listings appear in all the places people search for home sales, like property websites, social media, and real estate brokers’ websites.

According to a press release from the NAR, around 97% of people start their search for a new home online. This mass exposure is the best way to ensure you get the price you want for your home.

There is only a very small pool of buyers available to those who sell their homes privately. This lack of competition means you could achieve a lower price for your home.

Some real estate brokers oppose off-market listings, so you could experience difficulties finding an agent to assist with your pocket listing. With your preferred agent off the cards, finding a reputable, reliable real estate agent can be a long drawn-out process.  

Is Pocket Listing Legal?

Although the NAR frowns upon them, pocket listings are legal everywhere in the country. If you want to engage in this practice, you’ll need to work with a real estate agent or a real estate broker instead of a registered Realtor®. 

According to the National Association of Realtors’ Clear Cooperation Policy, Realtors® must submit all listings to the MLS within one day of marketing the property publicly. This is to prevent their members from putting their interests above that of the client. 

Some people consider pocket listings unethical due to one agent representing both parties. It’s difficult for agents to represent the interests of both parties fairly.

There’s some controversy around off-market sales, too. Fair housing advocates claim these listings promote discrimination and segregation in the real estate marketplace. 

By limiting who can or cannot view or buy a home, real estate agents venture into murky legal waters regarding discrimination. 

Sell Your Home Faster

When considering your home sale options, it’s vital to consider the question, “What is a pocket listing, and is it best for me?”

Unless you already have a committed buyer, a pocket listing won’t guarantee a quicker sale. If you’re aiming to sell your home fast, you’re probably better off selling your home via the MLS, by yourself, or to a cash investor. 

iBuyer.com can assure you of a fair price for your home and a fast sale with a convenient closing date. We will provide you with a home valuation within seconds and put you in touch with qualified and committed buyers.

Enter your home address on our website to see how much your home is worth.

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Spirit Is Launching a New Nonstop Route to Montego Bay, Jamaica 

Spirit Airlines is launching the only nonstop service between Connecticut and Jamaica, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The low-cost carrier is kicking off nonstop service between Hartford’s Bradley International Airport and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. 

“Spirit Airlines is excited to launch our first ever international flight from Bradley International Airport. We sincerely appreciate our partnership with the airport and the opportunities to grow since launching service in 2017,” said John Kirby, Spirit Airlines Vice President of Network Planning. “We have tremendous teams both here in Connecticut and in Montego Bay and have proudly served Jamaica since 2005. We can’t wait to provide our Guests with More Go.”

The S Hotel in Montego Bay.

The year-round service will be operating four times each week. The flights will launch on Dec. 15, 2022, according to the company. 

“We have pursued nonstop Jamaica service at Bradley International Airport for years now in an effort to meet our community’s needs, and we are proud to finally make it a reality with Spirit’s partnership,” said Kevin A. Dillon, Executive Director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “I have no doubt that this service will be successful.”

It’s another boost for Jamaica’s tourism industry, which is nearing a “full recovery” from the impact of the pandemic.

jamaica american airlines cozumel
Rockhouse in Negril, Jamaica.

Last month, the island reported that it had recovered 90 percent of its tourism numbers compared to the same period in 2019. 

Earlier this year, the island lifted all of its health protocols, meaning no testing or vaccination requirements for visitors. 

“We welcome Spirit Airlines’ new service from Connecticut to Montego Bay, which will commence just in time for the start of the 2022-23 Winter Tourist Season,” said Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett. “This is a welcome addition to our airlift arrangements as we continue our drive to further boost the flow of US visitors to Jamaica through the addition of new gateways and greater seat support. Our tourism sector is rebounding at a very brisk pace, with record arrivals and greater visitor spend. So, this new service will also help to enhance these numbers and will increase arrivals into our tourism Mecca, Montego Bay. Furthermore, Connecticut has a vibrant Jamaican diaspora and on the flip side many Jamaicans trek to Connecticut for business and family engagements, they will all no doubt fully utilize this convenient service.”

For more, visit Spirit Airlines. 

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From Nassau to the Dominican Republic, 5 Places to Go in September 

It’s not peak season, and that’s what makes it so wonderful. 

Because while September is the slowest time of year in the Caribbean, the region is very much open for travel — and thanks to relaxed travel protocols, right now is the easiest it’s been to travel to the Caribbean since the onset of the pandemic. 

Our latest edition of Places to Go takes you to well-known destinations, luxury hotels and a few far-flung beach destinations where you’re guaranteed to have all the space you’re looking for. 

Here’s where to go this month. 

One Particular Harbour at the Magaritaville Beach Resort in Nassau.

Nassau, The Bahamas Nassau has never been better. Period. The island of New Providence (and its sister island of Paradise Island) is pulsing with energy: world-class chefs have been opening Nassau outposts in droves; sleek new bars are drawing cocktail enthusiasts, from downtown’s Graycliff Sky Lounge to Kendall Jenner’s new tequila bar; new resorts have debuted like the sparkling new Margaritaville Beach Resort; and The Bahamas’ vibrant culture and gastronomy remain at the forefront, whether you’re spending an evening at the Fish Fry or taking a conch-flavored stroll in the afternoon at Potter’s Cay. And of course there’s Atlantis Paradise Island and the Baha Mar, the two mega resorts that continue to up the game for the entire destination. 

The post From Nassau to the Dominican Republic, 5 Places to Go in September  appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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