Top real estate specialist and leading bank join forces in unique summer program to boost home sales, pledge 1-stop shop with 48-hour turnaround
A top producing real estate specialist is joining forces with a leading bank in what may be a first of its kind in The Bahamas – a collaboration intended to slice weeks and possibly months off the often-frustrating search-to-sold home buying process.
The collaboration was announced today by Monica Knowles, property specialist with Bahamas Realty.
“Summer is traditionally a slower time for both the local housing market and second home buyers,” said Bahamian-born Knowles, a top producer at Bahamas Realty. “While summer is slower, the reality is that the offerings of new residential properties, especially condominiums, has never been greater so I wanted to find a way to incentivize those who were thinking of looking to start their search now rather than waiting,” said Knowles.
The desire to find an incentive to spur summer searches for new homes led her to RBC Royal Bank where she got the nod she was looking for.
“As a trusted partner in the Bahamian community, RBC Royal Bank and our mortgage bank, FINCO, is committed to increasing the opportunity for home ownership,” said Ericka Rolle, Managing Director, RBC FINCO. “When we hear a solid idea that has merit and increases the opportunity for more people to enjoy ownership or to move up the property ladder, we are happy to partner. Monica put a lot of thought into this project and we are very pleased to lend our support.”
The campaign will last for two months until August 31. By providing an online link to gain pre-approval, it reduces the time for processing with a pledged 48 hour or two business day turnaround. It also offers up to 95% financing, competitive interest rates for local and foreign buyers and financing for work permit holders. It is being marketed via an aggressive social media campaign, database mining and personal calls on developers.
“We have an unprecedented abundance of new residential offerings – condominiums, single family residences, vacation homes, investment properties,” said Knowles. “New developments include Sterling Hurricane Hole’s exciting project, the super-luxury beachfront high- rise condos of the Residences of Goldwynn, One Cable Beach next to Baha Mar and ONE Ocean and THIRTY SIX, both on Paradise Island. And that is just New Providence. Add in Family Islands and private islands and I don’t think there has ever been a time when there was a greater supply of new and diverse offerings. We want to ensure interest remains high and that buyers are empowered with an experienced partnership that adds value, convenience and strengthens ownership potential.
The promotional Hot Summer Homes campaign, twice the power, half the time, will culminate with a cocktail reception to include financial partners, developers and clients at an undisclosed, private location.