Elbow Cay, in the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas, is filled with warmth and hospitality.
Fittingly, it includes historic Hope Town and the famous Elbow Reef Lighthouse, which is also a beacon of hope and safety.
Engel & Völkers Bahamas Advisor Paul Thompson says Elbow Cay is attractive to real estate buyers and renters due to its “moderately high-end homes with a tremendous variety of activities and dining facilities as well as safety.
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“Hope Town, which was founded in 1785, is the essence of warmth and hospitality, mingled with old world values.“
The resort and vacation cay boasts an excellent social life, based on its beautiful beaches, where sea glass and seashell hunting, sailing/cruising, island hopping, fishing, water sports, dining out, and cultural events at the Community Centre are popular.
Paul has an intimate knowledge of the area’s real estate market and lifestyle, as he lives on Elbow Cay.
Most in demand are homes with access to a dock, ocean, or Sea of Abaco views, with 3-4 bedrooms, following Hope Town architectural vernacular and furnishings of simple, clean lines.
However, he says, different buyers have different expectations for their Bahamian dream home. “I find that there is a wide variety of purchasers that have distinctly different wishes, and the best way to meet and exceed their expectations is to find out their special dreams of what is most important to them and, of course, their budget. I discuss these at length, taking notes, then make recommendations.”
It is also vital that real estate buyers value the unique local island lifestyle, Paul adds. “Because Hope Town and Elbow Cay are so unique, it becomes essential that the person you sell a property to is in sync with the values and living style of this very desirable community. The wrong fit will disrupt harmony.”
As Engel & Völkers Bahamas highlighted in our blog post about sites worthy of World Heritage consideration, Hope Town leads the way when it comes to environmentally-friendliness, as only service vehicles are allowed in the main part of the settlement.
Most residents travel by bicycle or walk. Elsewhere, golf carts are as extensively as cars on Elbow Cay.
The candy-striped Elbow Reef Lighthouse dates from the 1860s and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Bahamas.
Elbow Cay is six miles long, and its primary industries are fishing, boating, and tourism, thanks to the popularity of its pink-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters.
The closest airport is in Marsh Harbour, on Great Abaco Island, which is just a short ferry ride away.
