Places to Play: Outside the Box

Published by julia | Filed under Celebrity Real Estate, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

With the real estate market in the United States being such a risky game, seasoned investors are looking outside the box for a place to play.  They are finding islands to buy, and lots of them.  One real estate company has over five hundred private islands available.  That is just one company.  Who knew there were so many islands for sale?  Even more surprising, is how much demand there is for this growing trend.

At a time when real estate prices are plummeting, savvy real estate investors are keeping an eye on the rising sale prices of these private Islands.  Islands sold two years ago are on the market today for twice the amount of the acquisition price.  In terms of island prices, we are talking a profit of millions.

The established popularity of the Bahamas makes it one of the top contenders in the island investment market.  The number of vacationers there is ever increasing, making it a smart investment choice for development firms.   There is room and demand to expand the tourist accommodations and attractions and investors are taking advantage of it.  They also know that there is a market among individuals drawn to the seclusion and privacy offered by island living that is most prominently seen among celebrities.  You do not have to be a celebrity to buy a private island, though; you just need to have the cash.  Having a celebrity as your nearby island neighbor will drive up your property value so that is something to consider when looking for the right island to buy.

A slightly less known alternative for island buying would be a place like Belize that has gotten some attention but is still on the rise.  Belize not only appeals to very privacy conscious individuals, but it is becoming a hotspot for environmentally conscious folk and attractions.  Actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio has started a trend in Belize of eco friendly tourist accommodations.  This trend toward living and playing “green” is likely to only grow, making this a good investment choice when island shopping.

In addition to celebrity draw and earth friendly potential, there is one more point for the investor to consider.  Less glamorous but equally as important, is the user friendliness of the island.  Buyers of these properties want to get straight to work when they get them, whether to live on or develop the land.  An island that already has the basic necessities like utilities and even an air strip hold more value than a property that has not yet been prepped.

For cruise lines, development firms and those individuals seeking privacy, buying a private island will satisfy your needs and offer future income potential.  They key to a successful and lucrative purchase lies in heavy research and borrowing from the star potential of your neighbors!