Oceania Properties – Own a piece of paradise

The largest of the 365 mostly uninhabited islands of the 120-mile Exuma archipelago, Great Exuma stretches effortlessly across the Tropic of Cancer about 300 miles off the coast of South Florida and 130 miles southeast of Nassau, which It is the capital of the Bahamas. The magnificently tropical Exumas average a pleasant 26 degrees Celsius or 79 degrees Fahrenheit a day.

This summer was my day of discovery where I had the opportunity to visit the lifestyle opportunity of this premier destination. To my great delight, local developer and thirty-year resident Howard Obront, along with his trusted and loyal partner Shelton “Gulf” Morley, graciously extended me a tour of spectacular Exuma. As a man of all seasons, Gulf was a lot of fun having as a tour guide, boat captain, and storyteller.

Having been involved in the development of the well-known February Point, Obront is now venturing into the latest gated community known as Oceania Heights.

Keeping in touch with the culture and tranquility of the island, Exuma has regulated that no more than 30% of the island can be developed, protecting the purity of the island and its good state of preservation for the future. Still, absolutely everything you need is at your fingertips. He certainly couldn’t think of anything else he might need and the absence of fast food chains certainly couldn’t hurt anyone. “If you want nothing, you have it. If you want to find something, you can,” Obront says knowingly as he sits down to share with me his past, his future, and his visions for the island and Oceania Properties. His passion and welcoming personality are enough to open my mind to the possibilities of what this seventh heaven has to offer.

Highly respected among the Exuma population, Howard Obront has vast knowledge of the comings and goings of the island. Celebrities like Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, and even Bill Gates own property within the area. Johnny Depp is no stranger, as he stayed in one of Oceania Properties’ villas while filming ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 3’. Even in my brief escape, a fellow traveler would surely have seen Reese Witherspoon enjoying seclusion with her family. For celebrities who experience the constant pressure of the paparazzi, as well as the many other stresses that accompany their careers, the islands are a haven that allows them some much-needed peace of mind in their lives.

Doctors are found to be quickly congregating on Exuma as well. In fact, although development is still in its early stages, at last count all six existing Luxury Hill Top Villas, with stunning panoramic ocean views, were found to be owned by doctors. Currently, another six magnificent custom villas are under construction, which are also for doctors. Also in a high-stress career, doctors from near and far seem to have discovered the secret to the peace and relaxation found on Exuma. Renowned Miami cardiologist and author of ‘The Reality Diet, Fighting Fat With Fibre,’ Dr. Steven A. Schnur of Mount Sinai Medical Center, spends his precious free time relaxing with his wife and their two children. he in Oceania Heights. “The people who live here are some of the friendliest and most welcoming in the world and have chosen Exuma as the ideal place for their second home and eventual retirement,” says Obront with a smile on his face that translates into unspoken confidence in the luxurious serenity. that’s Exuma.

Having a corporate or personal address in the gated community of Oceania Heights in the Bahamas not only provides opportunities to live an exclusive island lifestyle with world-class amenities, but also provides the opportunity to generate tax-free income through of property appreciation, as well as the group rental program. As many investors know, real estate is a tangible asset, the value of which appreciates as you enjoy all the benefits of a vacation home. The July issue of ‘The Bahamas Investor’ states that on one of the islands the appreciation in value of the condos is approximately $300,000.00 from the start date, and they have not yet been completed. One year ago, a canal lot on Paradise Island sold for $1.5 million and now it is selling for $2.2 million, an incredible profit of $700,000.00 in one year. With the Bahamas tourism industry enjoying steady and sustained growth with more sophisticated resorts, more facilities and services, more and more investment opportunities are emerging, providing more reason to investigate the investment potential of the islands.

In the first edition of the Exuma Visitors Guide, Glenn S. Ferguson writes: “In the last five years, there has been spectacular growth in real estate investment and development. The jewel in the crown is the $100 million development of Emerald Bay, the Premier Four Seasons Resort with 183 rooms and a Greg Norman designed golf course This development has resulted in real estate investment prices rising by 45-60% per year, but you must act with quickly to ensure the best returns on investment.

As the world’s leading tax haven, The Bahamas offers the perfect investment opportunity as there are no personal, corporate, income, capital gains, estate, gift or inheritance taxes. Easy access to major world markets, political stability, security and economic opportunity are a business reality in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Since 1977, the Bahamian dollar has been tied 1 to 1 to the US dollar and the two are used interchangeably throughout the island. In fact, I found that whenever I had to pay with Bahamian currency, they would usually give me US currency as change.

Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is a leading international offshore banking center with more than 400 banks. Second in the world after London in the number of financial institutions it owns, Nassau is known for its laws guaranteeing banking confidentiality. The Bahamas is trusted by individuals and corporations around the world. Of the approximately 15,000 companies registered in The Bahamas, more than 90% are foreign. Money, in the Bahamas, is accessible and discreet.

The Bahamas has been named “the best financial center in the western hemisphere” by The Banker world magazine, the Minister of Financial Services and Investments, the Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson revealed in February 2006. Furthermore, “Aside from the United States of America and Canada, we have the highest standard of living in the hemisphere,” states the Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Now voted one of the world’s top three international destinations by The Washington Post, the island of Great Exuma, Bahamas is attracting attention not only from the international media, but also from major resort developers such as the Four Seasons Resort in Emerald Bay. Still, the only sounds you’ll hear walking through Oceania Heights are birdsong, waves crashing on the shore, and the gentle breeze rustling through the palm trees. This paradise within a paradise truly captures the elegance of luxury living while maintaining an exclusivity that is intangible.

With all the amenities of a first-class resort, Oceania Heights offers a welcome escape from the hectic pace of everyday life, while still offering all the comforts of home. Rental and Real Estate Contact Alexandria “Zandy” Turtle exceeded our expectations by making sure our villa was stocked with fresh fruits, beverages, and flowers. It was wonderful! As I walked out my bedroom’s French doors onto my villa’s secluded terrace, I took in luxurious privacy and unrivaled ocean views. The comfort of such peace and quiet seemed invaluable to me.

When evening came, we dined at beautiful places like The Four Seasons or the ever-popular Coconut Cove, which offered a gorgeous view of the beach, a swim-up bar, and the sunset into the Atlantic Ocean. Coconut Cove’s owner, Pam, was more than hospitable, offering conventional Bahamian fare such as blackened grouper or roast lamb, as well as traditional American lobster, pizza and cowboy steak. Without hesitation, she would have to recommend the shrimp cocktail, if nothing else.

“Deep sea fishing is great here,” says Howard Obront’s brother and Miami trial attorney, Curt Obront, who joined us one night for dinner. A frequent visitor to Exuma, Curt enjoys his time spearing the reefs for his lobster dinner or bone fishing on one of the many nearby flats. If you like fresh seafood, this would be the way to go. However, if he’s not adventurous enough to catch it on his own, he can watch his fresh conch salad being prepared along the Stocking Island shoreline. This was an experience in itself for me.

Beyond the exquisite restaurants and secluded beaches, Oceania Properties offers a fabulous tennis club with well-lit courts to allow you to play at any time of the day or night. Plus, the state-of-the-art fitness center will help you keep up with your fitness and self-care regimen. Operated by courteous security personnel, Oceania Properties’ front gates maintain a sense of privacy and security, yet you can rest easy knowing that this island maintains a zero percent crime rate. Guests and residents of Oceania Heights also enjoy special access to the Greg Norman-designed golf course and full-service spa at the Four Seasons Resort. From daily cleaning services to 24-hour security for peace of mind, Oceania Properties “offers everything, even things you’d forget to ask for,” says Obront.

Surrounded by culture, beauty and genuine hospitality, the island seemed to radiate a certain ‘energy’. When it was time to head home, I could see why so many choose to make Oceania Heights their home away from home.

It has been pointed out that when Christopher Columbus landed on the island years ago he was captivated by the friendly smiles and accommodating people. Even today, this way of life on Exuma remains constant. With visions of rolling hills and spectacular panoramic views cherished in my memory, I look forward to my return when I can relive those memories.

For profit or pleasure, many of the world’s top professionals have chosen to invest in this tax-free island paradise and once you’ve been there, even for a moment, it becomes abundantly clear why.