Real Estate

Vice President and Managing Director of [H.G. Christie Ltd](http://www.hgchristie.com/). (HGC), John Christie, says the firm’s achievement of five global accolades at the recent International Property Awards Ceremony showcase the company’s *“dedication to being the best possible real estate brokerage, not only by The Bahamas’ standards, but on a global level.”* H.G. Christie Ltd., the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate in The Bahamas, also won the overall title of “Best International Real Estate Agency”. Successful entrants to the International Property Awards were invited to attend a gala and presentation dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London earlier this month. The highest-scoring winners from the Americas, including H.G. Christie, were announced as the best in their region and were automatically entered into the International Property Awards final competition on the evening of the gala. H.G. Christie competed against regional winners from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the UK, ultimately besting the competition for the international distinction. In conjunction with the digital agency Noble Mouse, H.G. Christie performed well in the Real Estate Website class attaining awards for Best Real Estate Website for The Bahamas and also for the Caribbean for [www.HGChristie.com](http://www.hgchristie.com). Kevin Thompson, CEO for Noble Mouse, shared how pleased they are to have achieved this recognition so early in development. *“The combined success and knowledge of H.G. Christie and Noble Mouse is sure to lead to continued recognition as industry leaders.”* The long-established International Property Awards are the world’s richest competition when measured by the monetary value of the projects entered, which reached well over $100 billion this year. According to Stuart Shield, president of the International Property Awards, *“Our world’s best real estate winners have represented their countries well and ought to be extremely proud. These agents are assisting clients in making intelligent property investments, helping homeowners make a move to greener pastures, and even fulfilling many dreams of first-time home ownership.”*

Stephanie Pfeffer, Executive Vice President of [Luxury Portfolio International](http://www.luxuryportfolio.com), was a featured speaker at a reception hosted by [Bahamas Realty](http://www.bahamasrealty.bs/) earlier this week. She feels The Bahamas is poised to benefit from “pent-up demand” for luxury second homes, saying “real opportunities” are coming to The Bahamas and wider region. *“We have a huge inventory problem in the United States at the moment. For instance, San Francisco has only 12 days of inventory.”* To qualify for the Luxury Portfolio marketing program, a property must be valued at or about $1 million or more, and meet other requirements. Mrs. Pfeffer said Luxury Portfolio has more listings over $1 million than any other real estate franchise, with 83 per cent of its listings offered at more than $1 million. Bahamas Realty President Robin Brownrigg, recently returned from the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Convention in Las Vegas, pointed out *“The US is expecting a boom by the end of the year. In The Bahamas, we usually follow the US market – up or down – by about 6 to 12 months.”* Andrea Brownrigg, a Director of Bahamas Realty and listing agent for the multi-million dollar Ocean Club Estates home at which the Luxury Reception took place, noted that the affluent, more than ever, demand craftsmanship and high quality in the homes they buy, and are more resourceful than ever in finding it, on and off the Internet. She added, *“Agents who represent such properties have to become true authorities on the luxury real estate marketplace, addressing the distinctions which speak to this increasingly sophisticated buyer’s passions.”* Bahamas Realty is affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRe) and Luxury Portfolio International, providing unequalled global reach. CEO Larry Roberts says *“The luxury consumer demands, first and foremost, that his or her agent be reputable among his peers and in his community; knowledgeable about their market, with a track record for selling million dollar homes; and supported by an agency with global reach and websites as elegant as the properties represented.”*