The Caribbean’s Coolest New Eco-Resort Is In Dominica

A new luxury eco-resort is set to open this month on the island of Dominica, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

It’s called Coulibri Ridge, and it’s a significant addition to the southern coast of Dominica. 

The resort is a dramatic design, set on a hillside with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and the neighboring island of Martinique. 

Coulibri Ridge has a total of 14 rooms, ranging from studios to duplex suites, all of which have views of Martinique and custom kitchens and furnishings. (Three of the suites have their own private plunge pools). 

The property is set on a 200-acre site, with two pools, two dining rooms, a spa, a yoga pavilion, a conference room and property-wide, complimentary Wi-Fi. 

caribbean dominica resort eco

It’s the brainchild of Daniel Langlois, a Canadian native who has been conceiving of the project for years; 

Langlois, a software entrepreneur, was responsible for some of the biggest developments in animation and special effects in the modern film industry, with his technology being used in films like Jurassic Park, among others. 

caribbean dominica resort eco

The project has been in conception for several decades, with the idea of creating a self-sustainable, green resort. 

And sustainability is the essence of the project. 

Most notably, the resort is completely off the grid, using solar energy as its main source of power. 

caribbean dominica resort eco
Three of the rooms come with their own private plunge pools, above.

That’s along with touches like the use of pure rainwater, filtered on site and stored in underground cisterns and even the urge of certified recycled teak furniture and kitchen cabinetry in all of the rooms. 

Coulibri Ridge the latest addition to Dominica’s growing portfolio of luxury hotels, one that now includes Secret Bay, the Cabrits Kempinski and the Pagua Bay House, among others.  

The opening of Coulibri Ridge is particularly well-timed, following this month’s launch by American Airlines of the first-ever nonstop flights from the United States to Dominica.

For more, visit Coulibri Ridge

— CJ

The post The Caribbean’s Coolest New Eco-Resort Is In Dominica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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How To Sell a House by Owner in Texas

Wondering how to sell a house by owner in Texas? FSBO (For Sale By Owner) is the best way to sell your home. You can save thousands of dollars in commissions, and you won’t have to pay a dime until you get an offer on your house.

Everyone knows it sounds too good to be accurate, but iBuyer has helped hundreds of people like you sell their homes without paying any fees or commissions whatsoever. The team will help guide you in every step so selling your home will no longer feel like such a headache.

Suppose this sounds like something that would work for you? Click on the website and fill out the forms to get help today. It only takes minutes, and there are no obligations at all. But don’t wait – these deals don’t last forever.

What Do You Need To Know?

There are a few things you need to know before you sell your house in Texas. Chances are – if you’ve been thinking about selling your home on your own – this is new information to you, so pay close attention.

You Have To Be a Legal Homeowner

That means no renting out a room or half of the house or subletting your place. That’s fine for some, but it won’t fly if you try to sell a home to an owner in Texas. You have to be the owner of the property.

You’ll Need Proof

The proof is a copy of your deed and some confirmation from your mortgage lender that you are, in fact, the actual owner. It also helps to show previous bank statements or tax returns that prove you own the property.

You Can’t Be Behind on Any Bills

Being behind means pending foreclosures and bankruptcy filings and judgments, and tax liens will all have to wait until you have a buyer for your house in hand.

You Have To Be Able To Leave the Home Empty

There are specific legal implications that come with selling a house by an owner in Texas, and one of them is you have to be able to leave the house empty until an inspection is complete and a deal is in hand. Unfortunately, that means you might move out of your home until these inspections are completed.

You Have To Explain Where Your Closing Money Is Coming From

The most asked question from self-employed home sellers is how they’re supposed to come up with the cash at closing. Well, iBuyer handles this for you. You have an online bank account set up, and the company will wire the necessary funds over on the closing day.

You Have To Pay a Small Fee

If you sell a house by owner in Texas, there is a fee you have to pay. It’s about $300, and the company sends it off in a deposit that you get back at closing. They take care of all the legal work and registration fees, so this is the only cost you will incur when selling your home by owner.

That’s pretty much everything you need to know about selling your home by owner. The team at iBuyer has helped hundreds of Texas homeowners like you sell their homes without paying any fees or commissions.

Paperwork Needed To Sell a House in Texas

When selling your home by owner in Texas, you will need to provide the following information:

Deeds and Plats

The legal documents show ownership and boundaries of your property.

Title Commitment

This document shows the lien holders on your mortgage and other relevant information about the title, such as previous mortgages and liens against the property.

Transfer Disclosure Statement

This form discloses any known problems with the property, like a death on the property, a septic system that needs a replacement, or a condemned home.

Home Warranty

Home warranties are usually required when you buy a house, but they can come in handy when selling, too. A home warranty will protect you against unexpected repairs for up to one year after the completion of your sale.

Written Statement of the Condition of the Property

Providing a written report about the current condition of your house can save everyone time and money. However, if you are selling your home by owner in Texas, you must spend some time filling out this form before buyers come to see the house. 

Staging your home will go a long way towards selling it fast and for the highest price.

Proof of Homeowners Insurance

This document can be a lifesaver. When you sell your home by owner in Texas, you will need to provide evidence of insurance for the period during which the property is on the market. If there are gaps, potential buyers may refuse to buy the house, affecting its marketability.

Environmental Disclosures

The disclosure outlines any known environmental issues with the property, including landfill sites or oil wells operating within 1,000 feet of the property line.  Thus, if you are selling your home as an owner in Texas, you must fill this form out to protect yourself and the buyer.

Prorated Utility Bill

You must provide a prorated utility bill for the time that buyers tour your house. This document is a simple way to help you sell a home by owner in Texas quickly and easily. You outline everything clearly for potential buyers, and there are no last-minute surprises.

Commission Work Order

It is crucial to have the property professionally assessed before you sell your home by owner in Texas. A Commission Work Order is a written estimation of how much money you need for closing costs and commissions at the onset of the transaction.

This form will be helpful if there are any discrepancies or changes that affect the final cost of closing on your home.

How Do You List a House?

If you are selling a home by owner in Texas, the first thing you want to do is create a flyer with pictures and information about your property. Next, you will need to decide how much commission is reasonable for buying and selling agents to charge if they choose to list your house and set a realistic time frame (3-6 months).

When selling a house by owner in Texas, it is crucial to do your homework and choose the right real estate company.

What Is the Texas Law on Selling a House?

Selling a house by owner in Texas is legal if you do not use the services of a real estate agency. It does not matter whether you are selling an apartment, your primary house, or any other type of home as long as it meets the least habitable standards and has all the proper paperwork.

FSBO Pros and Cons

The most significant benefit of selling a house by owner in Texas is that you get to keep all the commission. You can typically expect around 6% of the selling price, so selling your home for $100,000 would net $6,000. 

Another selling point of selling a house by owner in Texas is there are no closing costs. Because selling your property will not need you to hire a selling agent, there are no extra fees associated with selling your house.

However, selling a house by owner in Texas does come with its downsides as well. First, be highly organized and have the knowledge needed to sell your home independently.

You will have to invest countless hours of posting ads, showing the house, and selling throughout the construction process when selling without an agent or an iBuyer.

Carry Out Repairs

Whether selling a house by owner in Texas or selling with a real estate agent, you should carry out all necessary repairs before selling. Taking care of them yourself will allow you to sell your home quickly and at a price you initially set. 

Price Your Home Correctly

This step is essential to selling a house successfully, whether selling with or without a selling agent. Make sure you do your research and find out what other homes in the neighborhood are selling for.

Use online tools to compare prices and ensure that your selling price is fair before even considering listing your home. 

Scope Your Competition

It’s crucial to understand the competition in Texas when selling a property by owner. Check out comparable properties’ selling prices and make sure yours is competitive.

Always be Open For Negotiation

Selling a house by owner in Texas means that you have complete control over the selling price. While you probably have a selling price in mind, you should always be open for negotiation so that your home can receive a selling price in line with market value.

Avoid Breaking the Law

It’s critical to check for any possible breaches of the selling regulations while selling a home by owner in Texas. Therefore, you must disclose any significant problems or faults with your house during the seven years preceding the sale.

Have the Necessary Documents Ready

When selling a property privately in Texas, it’s critical to have all your paperwork in order. Make sure you complete all necessary disclosures and that you include any sale agreements if you’re using an agent.

Prepare Your House for a Prosperous Selling Period

It’s vital to ensure that your house is clean and tidy when selling a property by owner in Texas. By making the selling process as easy as possible, you’ll have more potential buyers viewing your home. 

Use Social Media to Market

When selling a property in Texas, it’s critical to use social media like Twitter or Facebook to promote it. Ensure any photographs of the home you take include the selling features and characteristics so that potential customers can connect with them.

Be Available

You should always be available when selling a house by owner in Texas. Be sure you can provide your selling documentation and any additional information requested so that the selling process runs smoothly. Always pick up calls and respond quickly to any messages.

Promote the Selling Features of Your Home

It’s critical to emphasize selling features and draw attention to them when privately selling a house in Texas. Highlight any selling characteristics that set your property apart from your competitors’ homes.

Avoid Pushing for a Quick Selling Period

Be patient when selling a house by owner in Texas. It’s important not to rush the selling process because this could result in selling your home for less than it is worth.

Price Your Home Competitively

Price your selling property correctly when selling by owner in Texas. It’s important to compare prices with similar properties and ensure that yours is competitive before you even consider selling.

Be Visible

When selling a property privately, it’s vital to ensure potential buyers can see your home from the street or path they use to enter the neighborhood. You can put up a sign near the road or make sure your house number is visible from the street. 

Take a Look at Real Estate Data

When selling a house as is in Texas, some people prefer to sell without an agent because they want the selling price of their property to remain how they initially set it. Doing this gives them more control over how much the selling price changes throughout the selling process.

Texas for Sale by Owner Contract

There are a few different contracts that you can use to sell a house by owner in Texas. The most common selling contract in the state is an “AS IS” agreement because it saves both parties from going through the problematic wording of a selling contract and allows for more flexibility.

It is crucial that you and the buyer state “no refunds” once a final price is stated in the selling contract. That will mean there cannot be a money-back guarantee if they don’t meet specific criteria of your selling contract after closing.

FSBO Alternatives 

Some selling alternatives in Texas can make selling a property by owner in Texas more affordable and help ease the selling process. For example, online real estate websites provide listings of properties across the country while also providing selling statistics.

Concessions Made by Sellers Selling a House As Is in Texas

When selling a home on your own, you can make some selling concessions to buyers. However, it would help if you always remained flexible when selling property privately, because you’re more likely to receive offers this way. 

For example, some selling concessions could include paying for closing costs or allowing the selling buyer to have pets.

Warranties

When selling a property on your own, it’s important to avoid selling warranties because this could result in selling your home for less than what it is worth. 

Therefore, you should only include selling warranties if the selling contract is with an agent or other marketing professional.

Mortgage Information

When selling property on your own, it’s crucial to have all mortgage selling information readily available. This data includes the mortgage you have and any costs involved with selling a home. 

For example, some contracts in Texas may include paying for a termite inspection or a provision that states you must pay back a percentage of the selling price if you don’t get a specific type of selling mortgages. 

Repair Credits

There should be a list of any repairing expenses that the selling buyer will have to pay if you’re offering a property as-is in Texas. These might include repair estimates or other services that the selling buyer may need to pay for if they decide on a home without an agent.

For example, some repair credits could include the cost to replace the water heater if this is something that you need to do before selling the property.

Execute the Guide on How To Sell a House by Owner in Texas

Remember, it’s essential to read through your contract thoroughly before signing it. This way, you’ll be able to see your rights as the seller and if any repair costs should get paid by you or the buyer.

Need more info on how to sell a house by owner in Texas? Then, get in touch with us at iBuyer; we’ve got you covered. You can submit your address to get your home value and a no-obligation offer to get you started.

The post How To Sell a House by Owner in Texas appeared first on iBuyer Blog.

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Keller Williams Eyes Expansion in South America

The company is adding another franchise in São Paulo, Brazil, and exploring opportunities in Africa, Central America, Europe, and Asia.

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51 organizations call on House panel to move on Puerto Rico statehood

… different status possibilities available to Puerto Rico
Statehood proponents for the … majority of Puerto Rico’s voters by passing the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission … the Puerto Rico Statehood Council. 
The issue is deeply divisive among Puerto Ricans, and …

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12 Toes-in-the-Sand Resorts in the Caribbean

It’s something you just don’t find that often at many resorts anymore: that intimacy with the ocean; the feeling of being right at the beach’s edge, or perched directly above the waves, of being able to take just a few steps (or a single one) and put your toes right in the sand. 

But they’re still out there, those resorts designed precisely around the beach, where many rooms open right out to the sand, or are perched right above it. 

There’s no barrier, no long walk to get to the ocean, no sprawling poolscape between you and the sea, where a five-minute stroll to the beach can feel like an hour. 

They’re the Caribbean’s toes-in-the-sand resorts. And here are our favorites.

Galley Bay in Antigua.

Galley Bay, Antigua It’s the ultimate toes-in-the-sand resort, set on one of the most beautiful beaches in a destination home to 365 of them. And the beachfront, ground-floor rooms at Galley Bay are as good as it gets in the Caribbean, where you literally slide open your door and are immediately immersed in the beach. This is as beautiful a property as there is in all of the Caribbean — where it’s all about being in nature; that begins with your room.

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The Coral Beach Club in St Maarten.

Coral Beach Club, St Maarten The best-kept secret in St Maarten, this private villa resort is home to a collection of 31 rooms, many of which are set right at the edge of the beach (and home to their own private plunge pools to boot). Here, it’s all about the sensory experience of the sand; it’s almost impossibly serene, a sandy sanctuary at the edge of Oyster Pond. 

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Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada This luxury all-inclusive in Grenada sets the standard for high-end beach resorts, marvelously taking an elegant vision of Caribbean luxury and molding it for the barefoot chic experience. 

Les Ilets de la Plage, St Barth It’s set right on St Jean, one of the most spectacular stretches of sand in St Barth, with a lovable group of bungalows at the edge of the sand. It’s an ode to another time in St Barth, an unpretentious, friendly, endlessly charming place to stay. 

Caerula Mar Club, The Bahamas You may know it as the resort from the popular Renovation Island television show, but it’s also one of the most charming, well-run resorts in all of the Out Islands of The Bahamas, anchored around 24 suites and villas, all within a few steps of sublime Andros beachfront. 

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Pine Cay in Turks and Caicos.

Pine Cay, Turks and Caicos It’s a toes-in-the-sand resort with a gourmet feel. This Relais & Chateaux set on Pine Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands is a mix of beachfront rooms and a pair of beachfront cottages; the former are just lovely, coming with their own private thatched-roof tiki huts; and the latter especially tailored for the toes-in-the-sand experience (and the privacy of surrounding gardens). 

Anse Chastanet, Saint Lucia This sister resort to the renowned Jade Mountain is perched on a rather magnificent stretch of beach on the western coast of Saint Lucia, with a mix of hillside rooms and direct beachfront rooms and a breezy, carefree, wonderful ambience across the property. 

Cottages by the Sea, St Croix It’s quietly made its home on the west cost of St Croix since 1949, a tiny collection of cottages right on the sand outside of Frederiksted. And it’s a true throwback, where all you hear are the clacks of plates, the crash of waves and the smiling conversations of fellow travelers who’ve discovered a cherished, well-kept secret. 

Sorobon Beach Resort It’s set on Lac Bay, Bonaire’s most energetic beach (and the Caribbean capital of windsurfing), with a surf-town ambience and 34 rooms, all with a lovable Robinson Crusoe-meets-the-Dutch Caribbean castaway feel. 

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Fernandez Bay Village on Cat Island.

Fernandez Bay Village, Cat Island, The Bahamas This family-owned historic hotel on still-undiscovered Cat Island is a hidden gem, with 18 rooms, all of which are direct beachfront. There’s an excellent three-meals-a-day restaurant, exceptionally warm service and an impossible-to-match Out Islands authenticity. 

Keyonna Beach Resort, Antigua This boutique all-inclusive on the south coast of Antigua has 29 rooms and cottages, none of which is more than a step or two to the sand. Our favorites are the Beachfront Sanctuary Pool Cottages, which offer direct proximity to the sand and lovely private plunge pools. 

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Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, St Thomas It’s the quintessential Caribbean beach resort, one of those legendary places to stay, a must-visit for any Caribbean aficionado. And every room is either right at the sand or perched directly above it, a place where you can spend all day just looking at the froth of the waves from your balcony. 

The post 12 Toes-in-the-Sand Resorts in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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