About the Broker, Janet Taylor Rich
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My real estate career began in Nassau in 1965 with a company specializing in the sale of Homes and residential properties. I later became involved in the exciting world of residential resort real estate in the Out Islands of the Bahamas, which in 1973 led me to the Residential Resort development at Great Harbour Cay. I came for a weekend and stayed a lifetime!
Today, I am an independent Broker and full-time resident of Great Harbour Cay.
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The Islands of The Bahamas
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The Spanish called the Bahamas Bajamar, shallow sea....
In October of 1492, Christopher Columbus, having crossed the uncharted
Atlantic Ocean, stumbled onto the shores of San Salvador and became the
first European to visit The Bahamas. Our very first tourist! History
tells us that the Spanish accepted the hospitality of the Lucayan
people of Guanahani, whom they described as a kind, gentle and handsome
people, but did not return their kindness. Those who were not killed
off by imported European diseases were killed off by the Spaniards,
taken as slaves to the big islands of Cuba and Hispaniola and
eventually worked to death or shipped off to Spain where they
supposedly died of heartbreak for their islands or of the unaccustomed
cold of Europe. After this rude awakening The Bahamas was left alone by
the Spanish although their shipping routes routinely took them through
Bahamian waters.
The British assumed control of The Bahamas in 1629, and in 1670 The
Bahama Islands were granted to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. A
formal governing body and a constitution was now in place. New
Providence was the seat of government. New Providence was also a hotbed
of pirates, drunken, unruly and outrageous behaviour the norm. However,
The British prevailed and with the appointment of Captain Woods Rogers
as Governor in 1717, law and order was finally established and the
colony grew strong.
In addition to the profitable business of shipwrecking, pineapples,
oranges, limes and Sisal were exported to England and the United
States. The British retained control until The Bahamas gained its
independence on July 10, 1973. The Bahamas is a parliamentary democracy
with a population of approximately 305,000.
The Bahamas archipelago is made up of 700 islands and thousands of cays
stretching from South Florida to Cuba, covering an area of some 5382
sq. miles. Brilliant blue and turquoise waters and wonderful coral beds
alive with vast numbers of living creatures of all size, shape and
colour surround these low-lying islands.
It seems from our earliest visitors, the Islands of The Bahamas have
drawn people from around the world, intrigued by its history, its
beauty, its people and it share of eccentric characters and its tax
free environment.
Sales tax in The Bahamas is not an add-on tax, instead it is a hidden
tax that is levied on all merchandise imported into the country and
merchants are obliged to pay these taxes before goods are released. In
addition to customs duties which average 35% on some items or zero on
others and up to 300% on luxury items calculated on a
cost+insurance+freight basis, Stamp Tax is also added to all imported
items and these taxes vary from 2% to 7%.
There are, however, no taxes on profits, dividends, capital gains,
gifts, estates, inheritances or wealth. Residents pay neither the hated
value-added tax nor goods and services tax and best of all, there are
no income taxes, which makes The Bahamas an almost tax-free haven.
Passports are required for all nationals of a foreign country residing
in or visiting The Bahamas with the exception of visiting citizens of
The U.S. Canada, the U.K. and its colonies. U.S. citizens must show
proof of citizenship; a valid passport, birth certificate or
naturalization certificate.
The Bahamas welcomes investors whether purchasing a holiday home for
private pleasure or investing in business or building hotels or
time-share complexes. In 1994 the government introduced The National
Investment Policy to support an investment friendly climate and foster
economic growth and development of The Bahamas.
Investment incentives include exemption from the payment of customs
duties on building materials, equipment and approved raw materials and
real property taxes for periods up to 30 years. Of particular interest
is the Hotel Encouragements Act and The Family Island Development
Encouragements Act. An international investor seeking to do business in
The Bahamas should submit to BIA, (The Bahamas Investments Authority),
a project proposal including details of the project envisioned.
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The Berry Islands
The Berry Islands group of Islands and Cays are located in the
Northwest Bahamas between the Northwest Passage and the Tongue of the
Ocean. In the pristine waters of the Berry Islands group is a little
gem of an Island called Great Harbour Cay!
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Great Harbour Cay
Great Harbour Cay is seven and a half miles long and one and a half
miles wide at its widest point. Rolling hills capped with little Island
palms, caves, coves, and miles of wonderful white sand beaches set in
turquoise waters lends tranquility to this Island. <
Great Harbour Cay is joined to the old settlement of Bullocks Harbour
via a causeway. The population of Great Harbour Cay and Bullocks
Harbour is close to seven hundred that includes a large number of
children under eighteen. During the winter offshore residents swell
this number. In addition to offering one of the safest harbours in The
Bahamas, the Great Harbour Marina boasts of an 80 slip Marina with
concrete docks and pilings accommodating boats up to 150 ft.
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What to do in The Berries...
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Fishing in the Berries is said to be exceptional. Known as an angler's paradise, anglers will find Billfish, Dolphin, Tuna, Wahoo, King Mackerel and more. Light tackle bottom fishing is excellent. Yellow tail, grouper and triggerfish, you name it, it's out there. But the area is best known for its bone fishing and it is said that the waters around the Berry Islands rival the very best bone-fishing areas of the Bahamas.
Visitors will find challenging dive spots, a nine-hole golf course, a choice of native and international cuisine, and lots of friendly people. The joy of quiet beaches to walk in the company of seagulls and sandpipers. Quiet places to read, to swim, to dream, or, you may simply laze poolside at the Rocky Hill Resort's Pool Bar & Grill, rum punch in hand!
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