As demand for Jamaican real estate continues to remain strong among the Jamaican diaspora, industry professionals are urging overseas buyers to rely on qualified local experts when purchasing property on the island.
At a recent webinar hosted by the JN Group under the theme Securing Your Piece of the Rock, speakers stressed that buying property in Jamaica requires more than financial readiness, calling for a relationship-driven approach supported by experienced professionals.
“You need to have certain property professionals on your side,” said Elizabeth Stair, real estate broker at JN Properties and former chief executive officer of the National Land Agency. She advised buyers to work with a realtor first, followed by an attorney-at-law, commissioned land surveyor and valuator, among other specialists, to ensure proper due diligence.
Realtors’ Association of Jamaica president Gabrielle Grant Gilpin-Hudson also emphasised the importance of engaging a trusted agent early in the process.
“Although many buyers may want to be ‘Google or AI warriors’ and try to figure it out on their own, the truth is to work with a realtor is free to you the purchaser because generally they are going to be paid from the selling commission at the end,” she said.
She cautioned that using multiple agents could complicate transactions and encouraged buyers to build long-term relationships with professionals familiar with their needs and preferred locations.
Legal guidance, she added, is essential given the complexity of property transactions in Jamaica.
“The landscape, especially if you’re living overseas, you may not necessarily be familiar… and that attorney is going to hold your hand and make sure that the documentation is protecting your best interest,” she said.
Dwayne Berbick, assistant general manager for corporate affairs at the National Housing Trust (NHT), also urged prospective buyers to approach the process patiently.
“It’s a journey… don’t sprint it. Take time to go through the process as it is. We’re protecting your interest, so don’t try to cut the corners,” he said, warning that “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Karon Lewis, acting business relationship and sales manager at JN Bank and moderator of the discussion, said successful property purchases depend on assembling the right professional team while staying actively involved.
“It requires a team effort and as the purchaser, you are required to do your part because the professionals are doing theirs,” he said.
The webinar, held on May 21, comes ahead of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference scheduled for June 14–18 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James. The JN Group is a co-chair and legacy sponsor of the event.
The discussion formed part of broader outreach efforts tied to recent research by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, targeting Jamaicans overseas interested in retiring, relocating or investing in Jamaica.
