According to RISMEDIA, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC has rolled out its multimedia 2009 marketing campaign, which highights "the company's experience and innovation, while offering consumers messages of hope about the future of real estate. Elements of the campaign will appear across a wide range of mediums, including television, print, online and mobile devices." 

The first spot, Iconic Homes, features exceptional properties, from the White House to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, highlighting diverse architectural styles which can be called home by many different types of owners. 

The new ad directs viewers to the Coldwell Banker web site, for information on the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers in the U.S. 

"Consumers are empowered by technology and the wealth of information available online, yet also value collaboration with a knowledgeable real estate professional," said Michael Fischer, senior vice president, marketing, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. "Along with reaching consumers on an emotional level, these new commercials highlight how we provide listing information to consumers anytime and anywhere they want it. In addition, we have the flexibility to change the end tag to communicate key information to the consumer about the real estate market - literally as it is happening." 

To view the new Coldwell Banker commercials, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1cfdUb8BnI and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfQy7kTULVg. 

 HotNez.com just released its list of the 10 Best Diving Places of the World, and 3 were in the Caribbean: Little Cayman Island, the Bahamas, and Bonaire. The photos on the post are just stunning, from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to Galapagos to British Columbia - so we are in very elite company. 

We'll let you read their descriptions yourself, but here's the start for Little Cayman, "If you choose Little Cayman Islands as a diving destination, you must make your visit between June and August when the water temperature remains favorable and the calm sea permits maximum visibility." 

Read about all ten spots at HotNez. And plan a diving trip this summer! 

(ps - their review was echoed at many blogs, for instance, "Grand Cayman's lesser known and far less populous little sister - which has even better diving, probably.")

 

Government and CIREBA have joined forces to offer huge incentives to property purchasers. 

As of April 1, for 6 months, everyone who purchases property in the Cayman Islands will pay their Transfer Tax at greatly reduced rates. In addition, the CIREBA Real Estate Brokers will pass along 20% of their commission in a rebate back to the Purchaser. 

Stamp Duty rates on 7 Mile Beach and Commercial properties downtown drop from 7 1/2% to 5%, while rates for everywhere else drop from 6% to 5%. For Caymanians, the rates drop from 4% to 3% (except on 7Mile and George Town where they will be 5% for all). 

For example: 

On a US$3,000,000 condo purchase on 7 Mile Beach you save US$105,000. 

On a US$1,000,000 canal home in Governor's Harbour you save US$35,000. 

On a US$350,000 canal lot you save US$13,610. 

On a CI$50,000 lot purchase you save CI$1,500. 

These discounts apply to properties, which are already discounted. 

With stocks performing badly and interest rates so low, Real Estate in Cayman at discounted prices is a great investment option. Do not lose your hard earned savings. Invest in something that will give you a return year after year, both for your spirit as well as your wallet! 

PS: And don't forget, no Annual Property Taxes here. 

Call Coldwell Banker - 345-623-4411

 

Jim Gillespie, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, participated in CNBC's 'Roadmap to Rebound' segment which focused on the state of the housing market, and what real estate professionals believe should happen to get the market moving again. 

To watch, click on this link to CNBC. 

Gillespie stated that "the government could do a lot more than they are already doing in order to get the real estate market moving again." He believes that two key changes are needed in order to get the economy moving: 
1) to set a fixed-rate mortgage. Gillespie feels that "Lowering the interest rate to 4% to 4.5% for 12 months is one way to get the inventory moving."
2) increasing the tax credit to $15,000. He feels ncluding all buyers of primary residences will help move buyers along and get the market to shift. 

Gillespie also stated that the demand side needs to be addressed. Once we start to sell the inventory currently available, prices will stabilize and then go up again, which will also help those in distressed situations. "Fifty-five percent of loan modifications have failed after six months because jobs are not being created and homeowners are losing the jobs they have,: says Gillespie. "In order to create jobs, we need to create demand, both of which will get the housing market and economy moving." 

Contact your Coldwell Banker real estate specialist to discuss your options as buyer or seller. 

(Source: RIS Media)