Cayman Islands Real Estate Opportunities

The Cayman Islands real estate market offers the serious investor many great opportunities to make substantial gains over their investment in just a few years. Real estate prices continue to increase each year, but many great bargins can still to be found, if you know where to look.

From inland single house lots to million dollar beachfront properties, a simple one bedroom apartment or a lavish ocean front estate home, there's something for everyone. Cayman real estate agents have the knowledge of the local market essential for you to make an informed buying decision.

There are many reputable international real estate firms represented locally, as well as many local operations. The field is very competitive and a multi-listing system (MLS) for properties gives both the buyer and the seller the widest possible access to hundreds of properties.

Before Hurricane Ivan hit in 2004 with brutal force, the local real estate market was enjoying buoyant growth. However, in the storm's wake, investors drew back, stunned by the unprecedented level of damage that Hurricane Ivan had caused to Cayman's buildings and environment.

Investing in some real estate markets can be like a big dipper ride. In contrast, Cayman's property market has traditionally experienced few of the highs and lows that characterise many other markets. Instead, it has grown steadily in tandem with the development over the past half-century of the twin pillars of Cayman's economy - the tourist and financial industries. Following this steady trajectory, Grand Cayman's real estate market stabilised within months of Hurricane Ivan's passage over the island.

While activity at first was slow, it nevertheless revealed that values had held. Anyone looking for a bargain was looking in the wrong place, realtors pointed out. In fact, most properties took this opportunity to do extensive remodeling and upgrading, leaving Cayman's condos, offices, homes and hotels in like-new condition. Today there is little evidence that a hurricane ever hit.

Select new developments have come on stream, located on land at South Sound where Ivan damaged some houses beyond repair. These seaside lots could previously not be acquired for love nor money. On Seven Mile Beach too, new opportunities have presented themselves to investors to buy a piece of paradise. The opening of the Ritz-Carlton in 2005 has brought a new level of international traveler to Cayman helping to underpin the post-Ivan real estate growth. During the recent economic downturn, Cayman real estate saw a few difficult years. The Cayman Islands Government has responded with a partnered development plan announced in spring of 2011 that includes residential, commercial and tourism construction. Building has already begun on some of these projects. Infrastructure and services improvements are also in the plan and will bring Cayman's general quality of life to an unprecedented level.

The range of real estate on offer is wide. Your choices include canal front, beach front or inland; house or condo; rental or time-share; commercial or residential; buying an existing unit or making a pre-construction investment. The market is underpinned by confidence. Momentum is gathering, realtors point out, since good opportunities exist to invest in every sphere. Increases in property values during recent decades have been astounding yet industry experts agree that values have yet to peak.

There is no better time to invest than now!