A rental queen, a top rookie and a broker who racked up over $1 million in sales in less than a year were among five agents at Better Homes and Gardens MCR Bahamas Group recognized by the international franchise for outstanding sales performance.

It is a landmark achievement for the local company that bought into the global franchise just two years ago, essentially making it is a division of the world’s fastest growing residential real estate brand.

The four-tier, performance-based award system bestows Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Emerald Elite to sales associates and teams that exceed targets, taking their firm to the next level.

Stringent guidelines encompass total closed units and commission.

“I’m proud of all my team members who continue to demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to the company,” said Mario Carey, CEO & Broker of MCR Bahamas Group.

“As a team we are all successful when the noted top performers excel.”

The benefits of being a part of BHGRE is the global recognition the agents in The Bahamas receive, said Carey, who has handled more than $2 billion in transactions in a career of more than 30 years with the highest certification in luxury marketing in the international real estate industry.

Sheldon Pitt and Tim Rodland were recipients of the Platinum Award, which recognized the top three percent of all affiliated agents and teams in the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Franchise nationwide and internationally.

“It’s a pleasure to be recognized at the top of thousands of agents in the world.

It took hard work and a lot of patience,” said Pitt, a Bimini native who found his passion for real estate flipping homes in Toronto.

Pitt, who in less than a year in the real estate market in The Bahamas, reached over $1 million in sales, looks forward to another prosperous year.

Although flattered by the accolade, agents have not taken the recognition for granted. “I was just focused on doing the best I can and making my clients happy,” said broker Tim Rodland, a member of The Institute of Luxury Home Marketing.

The only female in the group, Samia Donaldson, received a Gold Award, bestowed to those in the top five percent in the BHGRE franchise.

The Freeport native was among the newest and youngest agents at MCR when she was dubbed “the rental queen” for signing 13 residential and commercial property contracts in 15 days.

“It's an honour to be in the top five per cent of 15,000 top producing agents in the Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Franchise world-wide,” said Donaldson.

Both Danny Lowe and Antoine Adderley received a Silver Award, signifying their place in the franchise’s top 15 percent of agents.

“Last year was a great year and I’ve already sold more this year than last. You always want to demonstrate progress and improve your performance and I’m set to just that,” said Lowe, who attributed the uptick to a buoyant market exhibiting more investor confidence.

Likewise, Adderley feels his year is off to a good start, even though he’s not in it for the awards.

“I do it for the joy of satisfying the needs of persons looking for a home. It feels good to take their dreams of home ownership and turn them into reality.”

MCR Bahamas Group is the first firm outside the U.S. granted a franchise for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, the fast-growing real estate brand links property purchases with how-to helpful hints through its strong online and social media presence, a brand that reaffirms the reliability of its popular magazine.

Mario Carey (right), president and founder of Better Homes and Gardens MCR Group Real Estate, with his five winning agents. All captured top awards from global franchise. From left to right: Daniel Lowe, Antoine Adderley, Samia Donaldson, Tim Rodland and Sheldon Pitt.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis said the newly constructed Queen’s Park Urban Redevelopment Project (located Christopher Street just off Farrington Road) will serve as a model for future developments, particularly in the inner city of New Providence and in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

The Prime Minister said access to affordable housing is critical to the social and economic development of The Bahamas.

The Queen’s Park Urban Redevelopment Project is an initiative of The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation (BMC). Prime Minister Minnis applauded the Board of Directors, Management and staff of the BMC for “assisting thousands of Bahamians to realize their dream of home ownership” over the years.

Addressing the Opening Ceremony for the Project Monday (March 26), Prime Minister Minnis said the Corporation continues to hold fast to its mission statement: “To stimulate, encourage and promote home ownership for Bahamians with low to moderate incomes, by providing superior service.”

“BMC understands the need for urban redevelopment, especially in New Providence,” Prime Minister Minnis continued, “as a result, the Corporation extended its construction into the Queen’s Park Subdivision, resulting in the Queen’s Park Urban Redevelopment Project.”

Prime Minister Minnis said BMC has played a vital role in the development of government subdivisions over the years, by financing and building government subdivisions throughout The Bahamas.

“This has resulted in thousands of Bahamian families obtaining homes. Additionally, BMC has provided private mortgages and loans for individuals to construct homes, purchase homes, or to purchase vacant land.”

BMC purchased the tract of land that was previously home to old, dilapidated, buildings and a large number of derelict vehicles.

Queen’s Park is a 34-lot Subdivision on a tract of land formerly Liotta farm and is situated along Farrington Road. The subdivision dates back to 1953.

BMC acquired four lots in Queen’s Park in 2016. The Corporation then sought to have the land cut into five lots before proceeding with the design for the five homes (two, 2-Bedroom, 2 bath; and three, 3-Bedroom, 2 baths).

Officials said this was done to reduce the cost of the land and thus a reduction in the overall cost of the house and lot package.

The land has now been re-developed into five, high-quality, affordable homes, replete with fencing, landscaping and sidewalks.

The homes feature exterior construction of Wall Panel System with acrylic stucco finish; energy-efficient building process with insulated walls and ceilings; hurricane impact windows; open floor plan with spacious bedrooms; ceramic tiles throughout and wood cabinetry – granite countertops.

The homes also feature in-house laundry hook-up; front yard landscape and gravel parking space.

“I congratulate The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation on this outstanding initiative and on its plans to continue with additional redevelopment projects throughout New Providence,” Prime Minister Minnis added.

Established by an Act of Parliament in August 1983, BMC commenced services to the public in October 1983. As an approved lender, the corporation is authorized to make government insured mortgage loans under the provisions of the Housing Act, 1967.

The Corporation may also make other (private) mortgage loans to individuals seeking to construct, purchase, repair and/or enlarge their own home, or those purchasing vacant land to construct a dwelling home.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis addresses the Official Opening of newly constructed Bahamas Mortgage Corporation Queen’s Park Urban Redevelopment Project, Christopher Street, off Farrington Road, March 26, 2018. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

Official Unveiling of the Plaque for Queen’s Park by Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis, centre right and Minister of The Environment and Housing, the Hon. Romauld Ferreira, centre left on Monday. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

Keith Cooper

SEVEN weeks ago, Keith Cooper and his wife, Linda, were enjoying life.

They lived comfortably in a modest, but nice home, and operated a successful eco-tour business in West End, Grand Bahama.

But that all changed on October 6 when Hurricane Matthew pummelled their home and damaged their eco-tour boat. It was a hard blow even for this tough couple who had served many years in the US military before retiring to West End.

The Coopers, like so many other families in the area, have been displaced by the storm. Their house was flooded by storm surge and everything was destroyed – furniture, appliances, and their personal belongings ruined.

And if that wasn’t enough, looters went into the home and stole the couple’s scuba gear, fishing rods, and other equipment used for their eco-camp children’s programme in West End.

Yet, despite their loss, the couple has put the needs of others above their own. The Coopers have been busy distributing food and relief supplies to persons in their community.

When The Tribune visited West End this week, Mr. Cooper gave a tour of his damaged home. The roof and building structure were still intact, but storm surge had knocked out the front doors and windows.

The Coopers stayed at a friend’s house to ride out the storm. When they returned, their worst fears had been realised.

“My wife and I are military bred, but we both cried,” he recalled. “Our home is completely destroyed and everything we ever owned is ruined. And my boat I used for our tours was flipped upside down, and the boat’s engine was in the water.

“Everything was just a big mess when we saw it and we thought that there is no way we will ever get this fixed ourselves,” he said.

Volunteers came down from Atlanta, Georgia and helped them clean out the house, and another young man helped clean their yard.

“The damage is quite extensive, and we don’t know if we are going back in there again because it has been hit before with damage,” Mr. Cooper said.

There were huge holes in the drywall and all their new appliances were ruined by salt water.

“I had just bought thousands of dollars of stuff – a new TV, washer and dryer, and new business cards, brochures, and all of that got ruined,” he said.

As he walked through the house, he went into a room that was used as an office. He found some old photographs of himself dressed in military fatigues, with friends. There was also a photo that had been taken a long time ago at American musician Jimmy Buffett’s home in Palm Beach, Florida. He was fortunate that had not been ruined too.

Mr. Cooper’s eco-tour business has suffered as well. The West End Ecology Tours offers a unique eco-tour experience to visitors, which includes hand-feeding stingrays in their natural environment, Lionfish spear hunt, and a trip to Sandy Cay.

Business was very good, and he has been getting calls from visitors about when the tours will resume.

“We can’t go out and do the things we need to do because we have to wait until I can get the boat’s engine replaced and some minor repairs done on the boat. People are contacting me saying they want to go feed the stingrays, and so I have to get myself and my life back in order,” Mr. Cooper said.

The Coopers are staying temporarily at the Blue Marlin Fishing Lodge.

“The owner has been kind enough to let them stay there until we can get ourselves caught up,” he said.

Rebuilding in the West End is not in full swing yet, and Mr. Cooper is concerned that the 180-day exigency period is too short.

The exigency order allows for the importation of hurricane supplies, building materials, furniture, and vehicles, duty-free and VAT-free. The order commenced October 7, 2016, and expires April 4, 2017.

“I do believe we will need some more time. They might have to extend it because if the time expires it might hurt some people who may not be able to take advantage of duty-free and VAT exemptions,” he said.

“We will probably have to ask government to extend it for at least a year so that it will give people a chance to catch themselves and regroup the right way,” he said.

And in the midst of all his loss, Mr. Cooper is very grateful for the outpouring of kindness and generosity extended not only to him, but also to the residents of West End from persons locally and abroad.

By Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport Reporter

Many residents in West End were forced to dump furniture, appliances, other household items and clothing damage in Hurricane Matthew.

HUNTERS, Grand Bahama -- For many storm victims whose houses are still livable, the blue tarp coverings might remain for a while.

Unemployment was already high before Hurricane Matthew pummelled the island a month ago this week.

While the government has put in place an exigency order to ease the tax burdens of people trying to rebuild, those who have little to no money to spend were not enthused by that announcement.

In Grand Bahama, the need is much greater than many even know.

The government has highlighted the loss of residents in West End -- and there is for sure a lot of devastation there -- but the plight of residents in Mack Town, Hunters, Lewis Yard and Pinder's Point, just outside Freeport, has not featured prominently in a national conversation.

Significant numbers of homes are damaged or destroyed.

Three weeks after the storm, it was clear there was still a great amount of cleaning up that still needed to be done, as well.

There were still piles of debris, smashed residences and scores of residents who wonder where help and hope are coming from.

In Hunters, several people sat under a tree when The Nassau Guardian visited last Wednesday.

As The Guardian team was leaving, one woman cried out, "I have half a house; come see my half-a-house."

Josephine Edden, who cares for her 10-year-old granddaughter, led The Guardian into a yard, where the remains of her home are.

A door was leaning against the portion of wall that still stood. All around there were deep scars left by the hurricane.

The emotional scars were clear too.

Edden buried her face in her hands when asked how she would pull her life back together. She appeared overwhelmed by the very thought of it all.

"By God's grace," Edden whispered. "Sometimes, I was going to give up, but I said, don't give up because I have a child."

Lewis Yard resident Ruth Russell, 75, lies in her bed as she speaks with Nassau Guardian Managing Editor Candia Dames on October 26. Russell lost a large portion of her roof during the passage of Hurricane Matthew. (Photos: Ahvia J. Campbell)

Asked specifically how she is going to fix the house, she responded: "I don't know; asking for help."

The electricity supply has not been reconnected to the area, but residents have accepted that there is nothing really they can do but wait it out.

At a nearby house, Everette Edden, 76, Mrs. Edden's father-in-law, who walks with a limp, said he is trying to do the best he can to get his house in order.

"The storm just tear it to pieces, so no light... no nothing. Everything is just completely down and out, and so far that's how it is. I spent all the storm them here just like this.

"Just about every house in this area is damaged; some are gone completely, and some of them are limping."

There are some signs of normalcy, but not many.

Children who are back to school walked excitedly along the road in the afternoon, many of them wearing regular clothing.

Not long after, at a house in Lewis Yard -- where the only ceiling was the blue October sky -- it became easy to understand why very few children were in uniforms.

Beneath the rubble in the frame of a house that remains, a piece of uniform poked out. It was covered in dirt and surrounded by nails, pieces of wood, overturned furniture and pieces of sheet rock.

A big television set that was tossed in the storm still sits in the middle of it all. Just about the only thing that remains in place in the house is a closet.

The mess appeared untouched nearly a month after Hurricane Matthew. Perhaps it is too overwhelming for the people who once called the place home. It was clear that not even blue tarp would bring the house to a livable standard.

It was destroyed by the hurricane. There were many similar scenes in Lewis Yard and nearby areas, as if the storm had only passed the day before.

For many residents, the task of getting their lives back to normal is overwhelming.

Still, the children laugh, and they play.

The Lewis Yard Primary School was not spared Matthew's wrath. Its roof was raked away and its structure compromised.
After the children were dismissed, four teachers sat talking at the Bishop Michael Eldon Education and Activity Centre, where classes have been relocated.

The teachers revealed chilling stories of profound loss in the communities, but also a spirit of determination to keep teaching. They are helping the children to cope with the horror that was Matthew. After school, many of the children return home to residences that are barely inhabitable. Some of them have had to move elsewhere.

When night falls, darkness blankets multiple communities, where residents can't turn on the lights and children can't do homework without candles or flashlights.

They are the youngest victims of a storm that did not discriminate when it pounded Grand Bahama with ferocious winds, and in some areas like West End, a powerful surge that caused devastation.

Joseph Darville, chairman of the environmental group Save The Bays, has visited West End several times since the storm, helping to bring relief to residents.

"It is not a punishment by the divine," Darville said of Hurricane Matthew.

"God is benevolent. God is compassionate and loves his people without limit."

Darville said the carbon footprint is causing more fierce natural disasters in a very dynamic way.

"The ocean is warming because of all the carbon; there's a lot of garbage in the ocean, adding to the heat. The sun is shining on these things that reflect the light, and so therefore there is more heat that's taking place in the ocean, and so it is the ideal atmosphere for storms to rise spontaneously.

"They don't have to come off the west coast of Africa anymore. They can spawn right in the midst of The Bahamas, and they will be doing so in the future."

It is an issue he believes needs more urgent national attention.

For those like Mrs. Edden still dealing with the substantial inconveniences of such a powerful hurricane, the immediate needs are paramount.

But determining how to meet such needs from day to day is a burden that has not eased in the days and weeks since Matthew made its mark on an island whose residents still bear the psychological scars of the 2004-2005 storms.

Candia Dames, Guardian Managing Editor