JHA Associates Limited has been a leading manufacturer of storm shutters now for over a decade; they were the pioneers of storm shutters for Jamaica, and over time, improved their quality and standards, making them leaders in the market today. Their storm shutters have been tested through hurricanes Ivan, Dean and Gustav (to name a few). Winning the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association’s Category Award for Minerals and Mining for three years in a row, the family-owned company bases its business on integrity and quality. They have developed their own brand of shutters – Caribbean Shield.

ROLLER SHUTTERS
The Caribbean Shield Roller Shutter is the most convenient to use. They are operated manually or motorized by the press of a button. These shutters are designed to not only protect your windows and glass doors from flying debris, but to not detract from the beauty of the building. The roller shutter also provides sun protection and security all year round.

ACCORDION SHUTTERS
The Caribbean Shield Accordion Shutter is operated from the inside or outside, based on the type of window. When open, the accordion shutters fold compactly to the sides allowing full use of natural light and entrance areas. When locked, they offer strong protection against the elements. These shutters can also be used all year round for shade and security.

PANEL SHUTTERS
The Caribbean Shield panel Shutters make storm protection affordable. JHA has created the panel shutter that provides a do-it-yourself system that is easy to install. When a hurricane or storm warning is issued, you simply fit the panels on the tracks and tighten with wing nuts. You can purchase the panels, track and screws and all you need is a drill and a ladder for high windows. JHA Associates Limited also offers the panel mate system which does not need tracks and is much more attractive to leave on the wall. However, if you need tracks and want it to match your wall, just call JHA Associates Limited and they can advise you on how to paint your tracks.

HOW TO ORDER SHUTTERS
Giving a square-foot price for shutters can be inaccurate, as it can omit several extended costs such as GCT, installation cost, transportation cost and any extra build outs that may be needed. In order to get an accurate price, you should have your windows surveyed. JHA Associates’ islandwide surveys are free of charge, so when you call to request a survey to be done, remember to give the name that should be on the estimate, address and best contact numbers, including fax and email. At the appointment, the survey should go through with you what shutter is best for each area; sometimes the cheapest option is not the best option for the area.

COMPARING ESTIMATES
When reading the estimate, it should include a description of the window, what type of shutter is recommended for the area and if there is a built out (this uses more materials and will be more expensive). When comparing estimates, make sure they are compatible in services and type of shutters. It should also include payment information as well as lead times and validity of the quote.

No matter what shutter you choose, they should protect your windows and doors from breaking due to flying debris. They should be tested to resist a 7 foot, 2×4 piece of lumber hitting the shutter end on at 30 MPH. They do not stop water; your window should do that. They do, however, reduce the amount of rain impacting your window. Nevertheless, storm shutters have been proven to be the best protection provided for hurricane-prone areas.

JHA Associates Limited recommends to their clients that they should have a simulation exercise before hurricane season. Make sure all the shutters are maintained and, if servicing is needed, carry it out before the months of August and September.

JHA Associates Limited is located at:
15 Retirement Crescent,
Kingston 5.
Tel: 929-5648 or 618-1575-7

The proposed site is centrally located in Greater Portmore, close to shopping and recreation facilities. There are two studio options under consideration, and WIHCON would like to hear, directly from prospective buyers, what options would be best for these apartments (help them to finalize the plan for it). To do so, please call (876) 922-6670.

Described as a great housing opportunity for professionals, Stadium Gardens Phase III has 50 two-bedroom townhouses, and is conveniently located less than 5 minutes from New Kingston. It is nestled between the National Indoor Sports Centre, the Jamaica Defence Force and UTech’s School of Dentistry, off Arthur Wint Drive.

Highlights:

• Unit sizes of approximately 978 Sq. Ft.
• Each bedroom has an en suite bathroom
• All units have space for expansion

For more information, please call 876-968-7522 or email info@hajl.gov.jm

eLandJamaica is a web-based application (website address) that allows persons to obtain copies of land-related documents such as certificates of title, valuation roll reports, deposited plans and more. A valuation roll report provides information such as who owns a specific piece of land, possessor of the land, exact address, acreage, unimproved value, along with other vital information.

iMap Jamaica was done in keeping with the Jamaican Government’s vision of a public sector/private sector partnership in development. The partnership involves the National Land Agency (NLA) providing Globe Insurance with the pertinent land-related data for the insurance company’s internal monitoring purposes.

In exchange, Globe Insurance financed the design of the map application, and customized it to suit the needs of the NLA’s customers. Technical resources in the creation of iMap Jamaica were jointly supplied by the two entities.

Using iMap Jamaica

Through iMap Jamaica, users can locate a parcel of land on the map using the property address, valuation number or title reference. For the more advanced users, a parcel of land can also be located using geographic coordinates. If the user has none of the information above, the parcel information may still be obtained once the user has an idea of the physical property location. The interactive map will guide you to the property and related information. With the  information obtained by the user, additional information can be acquired on the NLA’s eLandJamaica website.

iMap Jamaica may also be used to obtain street information for directional purposes, as well as to identify points of interest such as schools, police stations, hospitals and fire stations.

Realtors, property valuators, attorneys, surveyors, property developers and others in the property/real estate industry should find iMap Jamaica particularly useful. It may be accessed immediately, here.

The National Housing Trust (NHT) invites applications for Home Grants for low-income contributors. The Home Grant is a non-repayable sum of up to $1.2 million (*conditions apply) that Contributors can use to “top up” their regular NHT loan, in order to buy or build a house. The Home Grant gives contributors more money at no extra cost.

Who Can Apply?
NHT contributors earning from $4,070 to $10,000 per week, who:

• Have contributed to the NHT for a minimum of ten years
• Have made at least thirteen contributions during the 26 week period leading up to the date of application, and
• Do not already own a home and have not received a previous loan from the NHT

When & How To Apply?

• Collect application forms from any NHT office starting Monday, July 12, 2010.
• Submit application at any NHT office on Monday, July 19 or Tuesday, July 20. No application will be accepted before or after these dates.

For more information, please collect a fact sheet at any NHT office, or call 1-888-CALL-NHT

For Jamaicans living abroad, investing in real estate – such as an apartment – is one of the smartest moves you could ever make. Using the state of North Carolina for example, as the third fastest growing state in the United States (2008), real estate prices in North Carolina (NC) have been on the up. And there are numerous options to consider. For example, with regard to apartments, there are numerous options by city – Luxury Durham, NC Apartments | Rent High Point, NC Apartments | Charlotte, NC Apartments. Those were some outstanding options for luxury apartments in NC.

If you have the wherewithal to afford another mortgage, so that you can have a nice apartment that can be either rented or resold at a later date for much more, go ahead and do it! It will be one of the smartest financial moves you’ve ever made. Take our foolish advice!

Signed:
Real Estate Board
1 Surbiton Road,
Kingston 10
Tel – 926-9748

According to Edwin Wint, President of the RAJ, “The MLS is more technologically driven and it drives more collaboration between realtors, because here you have competing firms that are collaborating and sharing in the business of listing and selling properties … So it brings a high level of collaboration, (and) engenders an even higher level of competition.” He added that the MLS will create a level playing field for all the professionals in the real estate industry, while maintaining a high level of ethics and professionalism.

The contractors are YP Seaton & Associates and Build Rite Construction, and both have been endorsed by the National Contracts Committee (NCC) for contracts valued at $663.8 million and $620.3 million respectively.

YP Seaton and Build Rite will reportedly construct 250 two bedroom houses, and will also construct roadways and install water supply and storm water drainage systems. The project is being funded via the National Housing Trust (NHT). Additional details about the planned mega housing projects will be made available soon.