Lush islands, beautiful beaches, and cruises on true blue crystal clear water – what's not to love about the Caribbean? Here's how to invest in Caribbean property as a Canadian.
One thing that comes to mind when you hear about The Caribbean is "tropical paradise." Yet there's more to The Caribbean, which covers many countries with different cultures, cuisines, histories, laws, real estate markets and economies.
Still, the Caribbean is a popular hotspot for Canadians looking to invest in foreign property based on a report¹ compiled from average Google monthly search volumes. It offers many options, whether you want a place to call "home" in a stunning beachfront location or an excellent investment that generates good income.
The big question is where to start as a Canadian looking to buy a home in the Caribbean.
First step, use this guide to point you in the right direction before parking your cash.
There are many reasons why Canadians might want a slice of Caribbean haven. Here are some of the top reasons:
The Caribbean property market is very open to Canadians, so follow these five basic steps to make the most of the opportunity.
Since the Caribbean is a varied region, you'll find an assortment of property markets to choose from. The right location for you depends on a wide range of factors, such as your preferred lifestyle, landscape, amenities, property type and whether foreign investments are welcome.
Learn more about the islands and countries of the Caribbean to determine if you're interested in buying a beachfront home, villa, townhouse, cottage or high-rise condominium in Grand Cayman, the Dominican Republic, Antigua, Belize or other prime locations.
Buying a house in the Caribbean is a glamorous idea, but don't overlook the mundane aspects, such as the resale market, ownership structure, tax laws and other red tape requirements.
Home price tags vary from location to location in the Caribbean but generally range anywhere from several thousand dollars to a million or more. The important thing is to consider both the price tag and ongoing costs. For instance, you must consider building maintenance costs for a beachfront home because the salt eats everything. Additional costs typically include utilities, mortgage payments, insurance, and taxes.
You can skip this step if you're paying for your Caribbean property upfront. But if you're wondering whether Canadians can get mortgages in the Caribbean, the answer is yes. Several Canadian banks like RBC offer cross-border mortgages for properties in the Caribbean, though you may still have to make a down payment.
You can also secure an international mortgage via traditional or private banking services, depending on your net worth, personal background and financial situation. This option generally requires a larger down payment and is secured against the property.
Transferring funds to the Caribbean is one of the most critical steps because it can make or break your budget.
Whether you need to pay a reservation fee, put a down payment or cover real estate agent fees or additional purchase costs, finding a money transfer service with great exchange rates, reasonable transfer fees and speedy processes is essential. International money transfer specialists like MTFX can provide this service, making it economical and convenient to transfer money to the Caribbean.
The best thing you can do when buying a Caribbean home as a Canadian is to work with reputable local professionals. First, you'll need to find a local real estate agent familiar with the market to help you locate the right property.
In addition, it's best to find a local attorney to walk you through critical issues, such as costs, country regulations and tax and legal implications. You'll also need to engage a local insurance agent and find a competent property manager to cover property maintenance.
The U.S. dollar is the currency of choice for Caribbean property buys, so there’s generally no need to investigate other exchange rate pairs.
Most islands peg their currency to the US dollar and Canadian buyers can easily and quickly calculate the cost of potential purchases in Canadian dollars using the MTFX live rate converter.
If you need to transfer funds to the Caribbean and make payments in foreign currency, finding the best exchange rates is essential if you want to squeeze every ounce of value from your money. Unfortunately, banks have a culture of offering unfavorable exchange rates and expensive transfer fees that drive up the cost of the property you're buying.
That's why it's better to work with a high-volume foreign exchange provider like MTFX that shares profits and protects you from currency exchange fluctuations. As a result, you can expect bank-beating rates that are 3-5% lower, meaning you can save as much as $25,000 when you purchase a $500,000 townhouse in Barbados. This great deal also comes with turnaround times of 24-48 hours, expert guidance and support, and the ability to automate your payments.
Buying remotely in the Caribbean is easier than ever these days for Canadians, thanks to innovative foreign exchange services. For instance, MTFX provides a secure online platform you can access 24/7.
That means you can send money and snap up your dream property without going to the bank or setting foot in the Caribbean. Paying online without going to the bank is one of life's greatest conveniences, especially if you need to make regular automatic online payments to pay for your mortgage and other ongoing costs.
You can send money from Canada to the Caribbean today if you're ready to purchase that luxury villa or oceanfront property overlooking turquoise waters. Whatever you have your eye on, MTFX is dedicated to helping you invest more of your money without worrying about currency conversion losses.
Register your account and get access to great exchange rates and low fees.
Yes, you can use your investment as a gateway to obtaining residency. For instance, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, and St Lucia are all Caribbean countries with citizenship by investment programs³.
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