Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Sunset at the Beach: Another Good Reason for Buying Property In Saint Lucia

If you don't already own St Lucia property, there's never been a better time than now. More and more would be property owners are flocking in and buying property in Saint Lucia. Luckily, the island has a broad spectrum of Saint Lucia property to meet the needs of a wide group of treasure hunters looking to secure a property in Saint Lucia. Luckily owning property in Saint Lucia is still easy. The array of buy or rent Saint Lucia real estate options ranging from beach front properties, sea view properties, mountain view properties, villas, condominiums, timeshares, luxury residential homes in the more upscale neighbourhoods or small holiday or long-term rental apartments, medium scale homes, commercial real estate including executive office space and industrial space and even farm lands, have grown over the years. Whatever your style, needs or sense of adventure you're sure to find a Saint Lucia property to suit your taste.

But if you're living overseas and thinking about buying property in Saint Lucia, you're probably also wondering what there is to do in Saint Lucia. If you own a Saint Lucia property, the island has a range of activities and island adventures ranging in simplicity and complexity to keep your interest and match your energy levels, including scuba diving, kite surfing, horseback riding, crab catching, rain forest hiking, breadfruit roasting to name a few. But one of the simplest, most inexpensive and gratifying things to do in Saint Lucia, is to watch the sunset. The island has many black or white sand beaches to choose from. Each providing a different ambience, a different mood, a different vibe, and all in all many different ways to experience and enjoy that one sunset.

So if you're stuffed to your eyeballs with work or stress and could do with a little island getaway, don't hesitate. Start packing your bags and come on over to Saint Lucia. You deserve to relax, chill out, stretch out, lime a little, and for goodness sake live a little. And if you're already in Saint Lucia as a local or tourist, and you're looking for a simple but cool vibe, then take my silly advice and head over to one of the many beaches . How about Trouya in Gros Islet, or Marigot Bay in Castries, or Anse Cochon in Anse La Raye or Malgretoute in Soufriere or even Secret Beach ( the location we'll keep a secret except to say it's in the north).

Take your favorite music or person with you or go alone to enjoy the quiet; either way you can really turn on a vibe. Now if you're really up to an adventure, then knocking back a local rum punch or roasting breadfruit and sardines on the beach is a hell of a way to smoke things up. Oh…and don't forget to take your camera, or better still life has gotten easier with a phone cam.

After a truly fabulous Saint Lucian sunset, if you don't already own property Saint Lucia then you'll probably be thinking about buying property in Saint Lucia. And if you already own Saint Lucia real estate, then consider yourself lucky and as often as you can, head to the beach and just kick back while the sun sets.

And by all means, after the sun goes down, stay on and enjoy the moonlight magic. If you're at Reduit Beach, Pigeon Island or the waterfront in Soufriere for example you can watch the lights of the yachts dancing on the water, hear the distant melody of a steel pan in a nearby hotel or restaurant, watch the silvery waves on Walcott's island turning their pages on the shore. Take a walk along the sand, build a castle and go back in time again. And if you're a lover of art and poetry like me, then soak it all in and let the scenery inspire you. I've lived on the island for years now, and a sunset at the beach somehow makes me fall in love with it all over again.

Monday, August 11, 2008

More than 5 Great Reasons to Invest in Saint Lucia Real Estate NOW!

When it comes to real estate, the topic of the day is the downturn in the market, the number of people losing their homes, and how much this is going to hurt the global economy or affect the security of your personal investments.

You might think that investing in property anywhere in the world right now is tantamount to madness or stupidity – after all real estate prices in the US, Latin America and the UK are falling and the value of equity is in decline. Arranging domestic mortgages are becoming more and more difficult, let alone raising capital to invest in real estate abroad.

But what if I were to tell you that there really is one market in the world where it still makes sense to buy property? The market I’m talking about is the St. Lucia Real Estate Market. It’s true – and I’m not alone in my thinking either – whilst property values tend to fluctuate unexpectedly in other markets, the value of real estate investments in Saint Lucia have continued to appreciate over the last 10 to 15 years. Despite the downturn in the real estate market elsewhere, real estate investors have been flocking to our shores. Saint Lucia has emerged as one of the most desired countries for persons looking to acquire a second home, a vacation getaway or just investing in real estate. Saint Lucian real estate is one of the most lucrative assets you can invest in. Some property owners have been able to sell their properties for double the value in just a few short months and the demand for Saint Lucian real estate is growing.

In fact, there has been recent explosion in real estate interest and speculation, as Saint Lucia is being regarded by many as an alternative luxury real estate investment destination. Here is not just one but more than five good reasons to invest in Saint Lucian real estate when all around you real estate markets are failing!

1. Affordable Luxury Living: Saint Lucia is an affordable place to live with luxury homes, condos and commercial properties in nearly every price range. Cap Estate, Rodney Bay Village, Jalousie and La Haut, are among the beach and hotel resort areas that are all great places to start your search for you new luxury home. Beautiful waterfront condominium communities offer the best in luxury waterfront living. Designed around the needs of luxury property investors, these properties create homes affording an ample sense of space and neighbourhoods of timeless elegance, in a thoroughly comfortable and sophisticated environment. These exquisite properties with beach views, direct access to beaches or short walking distances between shopping centres, chic restaurants and other amenities; convenient marina access, beautiful parks and green spaces together lend an air of refinement and calm.

2. Natural Beauty and Fine Weather: Saint Lucia is internationally known for its natural beauty, beaches and breath taking coastline, reefs and rainforests, fabulous weather, rare flora and fauna. It is the home and inspiration of poet and literary noble laureate, Derrick Walcott. Even Oprah Winfrey has ranked Saint Lucia and its landmark twin Pitons and the world’s only drive in volcano as one of the top 5 must-see places in the world.

3. Superb Amenities: In your free time, cultural festivals, dancing and music, water sports, golf, bird watching, hiking, fishing, museums, beaches, boating, site seeing, shopping, great restaurants, and national parks are just a few of the activities available. Saint Lucia is now the home of the Jack Nicklaus golf resort properties, the famous Hilton and Sandals Hotel chains and even…..

4. Historically and Culturally Rich: Saint Lucia is historically and culturally rich. Quaint villages accentuated by French architecture, old forts and ruins form part of its museum culture. Known for its flavoursome Creole dishes, music, flowers festivals, carnival, and Jazz Festival, it has captured the hearts of mega stars such as Oprah Winfrey and Victoria Rowell. In just one visit to the island you will no doubt come to understand why the French and British fought a historic 14 times for control of this Caribbean island, Saint Lucia, and why many compared it to Helen of Troy and eventually became known as “the Helen of the West.”

5. Secure Land Ownership: Saint Lucia allows free hold or fee simple ownership of its real estate. Its modern and well regulated land systems make purchase, leasing and transfer of property simple and secure. Real Estate transfer tax is only 2%. Property values have continued to appreciate over the years and are expected to appreciate dramatically over the next 3 to 5 years. In fact, in some instances, property values have doubled or quadrupled between 2006 and 2008.

6. Secure Investment Climate: Invest in Saint Lucian real estate with a solid economy, a stable political environment, growing infrastructure and tourism. Saint Lucia has been growing in GDP and expected to soar more in the coming years as global trade in the region is increasing. The Currency is stable and real estate financing is also readily available at low interest rates. Its central location among the chain of Caribbean islands and close proximity to the French Caribbean islands, Mexico and the US makes it ideal to the businessperson or prospective business investor.

7. Low Crime Rate: You will feel safe when you invest in Saint Lucian real estate because the crime rate is low. Saint Lucia has one of the lowest crime rates among popular countries in the Caribbean. People have lots of fun things to do, with little time to commit crimes. Except for a few areas, there is not much crime, which makes investment pretty safe.

Whether you are looking for luxury homes, condos or commercial properties and whatever your price range, Saint Lucia certainly has a real estate investment deal for you. So don’t hesitate anymore in acquiring a second home, a vacation getaway or a solid and lucrative new asset. Cash in on the excitement now and join the growing list of satisfied luxury property owners. You too can enjoy the benefits of your secure luxury investment while your investment also appreciates rapidly in value.