If you're looking for a fun way to explore the islands of The Bahamas and learn a little something about the country along the way, check out the array of festivals help throughout the Family Islands all year long.

It's a vibrant showcase of Bahamian history, heritage and culture, featuring local fare, music, art and craft, and rich traditions/

Here are some of the most popular festivals to look out for. There's something for everyone.

Seafood lovers should check out the McLean's Town Conch Cracking Festival, scheduled for October 8 in the east end of Grand Bahama.

Cracking conch to extract the meat from the shell has been elevated to an art form here. Fishermen compete for the coveted title of Best Conch Cracker. Visitors are welcome to…

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New Providence has its fair share of beautiful residential area to boast of, but some neighborhoods have an extra special history that set them apart from the more newly established exclusive communities.

Long before there was Lyford Cay, Paradise Island, Old Fort Bay and Albany, there was the eastern foreshore  (made up of East Bay Street and Eastern Road), where the country's wealthy and influential built their homes.

In 1786, Governor James Murray, the royal governor of The Bahamas form 1787-1796, was among the first to build his summer home there overlooking the eastern harbour entrance.  He named the house "The Hermitage," which is now owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau and serves as the official residence of the Catholic Archbishiop…

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If you've just purchased a new house or finished building your dream home and are looking to fill those empty walls, consider investing in some original Bahamian art to bring an authentic island feel to your living space.

The Bahamas has a rich and thriving art scene so there are lots of options to choose from when it come to local art.

But buying art can sometimes be a little intimidating and complicated, especially if you've never do it before.  What to buy? Where to buy it: Can I afford it?

Experts say the first thing you should do - before you even start looking - is focus on a budget.  Decide how much you want to spend.

And don't worry, you can buy art no matter what your price point.  You don't have to spend an exorbitant amount of…

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New Providence may be a mere 7 by 21 miles in size but there's lots of culture and more than 500 years of history to explore. Here are five can't miss sights to see:

1. Arawak Cay: One of the best ways to experience culture is to sample the local cuisine. At Arawak Cay on West Bay Street, you'll find delicious food, refreshing drinks and a truly authentic Bahamian atmosphere. The colorful collection of clapboard buildings house vendors selling a variety of local favorites - conch salad, fresh fish and lobster, local beer and cocktails, to name a few. Locals like to hang out here, too.

2. Historic Charles Towne:  Explore this quaint neighborhood just off Bay Street, named in honor of King Charles II of England. The district covers a wide area of…

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Bahamas Brokers

Real estate brokers boast a combined 60 years in the business.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Among the top qualities of a first-rate real estate broker are sales experience, local knowledge and connections, and honesty.

At Island Living Real Estate, brokers Rachel Pinder, Hazel Wicky and Christine Wallace-Whitfield, who boast a combined 60 years in the business, are making sure their clients benefit from those qualities - and more.

Pinder, Wicky and Wallace-Whitfield all received their real estate licenses in the same year, 1997, an dhave built a solid reputation in the industry.

Pinder got her start in real estate in the US and decided to pursue a full-time career in real estate when she moved back home. That was more than 20 years ago.

"It was a…

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Island Living Real Estate Seller Services will help you get the most from your real estate investment in the quickest time possible. There are several questions a seller should ask of a Broker:

  1. How are you going to market my property?
  2. What is the current market trend?
  3. What changes do I need to make to my property to make it competitive in the current market?
  4. Do you have a co-broke arrangement with other brokers?
  5. What experience do you have in the area that my property is located?

Here are some easy and relatively inexpensive tips to assist you with the sale of your home:

  1. Make sure the house is freshly painted in neutral colors.
  2. Remove personal items, such as family photos.
  3. Make minor repairs- patch holes in walls,…

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A Permit to Acquire Property is required by all non-Bahamians acquiring an interest in land if the property is undeveloped land with two or more adjoining acres. A Permit is also required if the intended use is not as an owner-occupied property.

Eligibility

Non-Bahamians Acquiring an interest in land if the property is undeveloped land Acquiring an interest in two or more adjoining acres Bahamians are also required to apply for a permit where the intended use is not as an owner-occupied property. Process: (Can be done by your attorney).

  1. Complete the entire Form 3.
  2. Submit Form 3 to the Secretary to the Investments Board, along with the list of documents identified below.
  3. As applicable, the application is also reviewed by the…

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Assessment of Real Property

Assessments are used by the Real Property Tax Valuations Unit to determine the value of a property and its related Property taxes. An assessment can be initiated by the property owner or by the Real Property Tax Unit. A Real Property may fall in the one of the following categories:

  • Owner Occupied
  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Vacant Land

Eligibility: All Property Owners. Process:

  1. If a request is made by the owner of the property, the following forms must be completed and submitted to the Real Property Tax Valuation Unit: a. Property Tax Application Assessment form and b. A Declaration of Real Property Tax form
  2. In regards to owner occupied properties, the owner is also required to complete an…

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A Gross Sale Transaction:

The Vendor is responsible for the payment of:

  • The real estate agents commission: Residential developed property is 6% of the gross sales price. Undeveloped property is 10% of the gross sales price.
  • Bahamas Government Stamp Duty (Tax on the conveyance of real property). This tax is split between the Vendor and the Purchaser

This graduated tax is as follows: Property value less than $20,000, the rate is 4% Property value is equal to or greater than $20,001 and is less than $50,000, the rate is 6% Property value is equal to or greater than $50,001 and is less than $100,000, the rate is 8% Property value is equal to or greater than $100,001 the rate is 10% Legal fees. The Vendor is responsible for their own…

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  1. Attorney: Chose a reputable Attorney to represent you in your real estate transaction. If you do not have an Attorney we would be happy to recommend one.
  2. Appraisal: You should get an appraisal to make sure you are not paying more than market value.
  3. Termite Reports: We advise anyone buying an existing structure to get a termite inspection.
  4. Home Inspections: We recommend if you have any queries regarding the structure of a property you should get the opinion of a contractor or engineer.
  5. Real Property Taxes: Make sure the real property taxes on the property you are purchasing are paid up to date. Ask your Attorney to verify with the Valuation Section.
  6. Association Fees: If you are purchasing a condo or a property in a gated community…

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