When you are spending a lot of money on a vacation property, you want it to be ‘all you’. Others peoples tastes in home design and decor will likely never be exactly what you want. Of course there is only way to ensure you get exactly what you want and that is to build your own home. It may seem daunting to do this in another country but the benefits may out weigh the cost.
The Process to Building a Caribbean Home
The first step is usually to find your lot; location, location, location. For most buyers, views, proximity to the beach etc are all keys to their new home. You will always be able to change your home in the future but you won’t able to change the location, so choose wisely to be the right home for you today and for resale down the road.
The next step will be working with an architect to design your dream home. They will assist you in optimally positioning the home, at the right elevation etc. This step can be pricey but is integral to the process to ensure you get the home you want when the process is complete.
Choosing a builder is the next step and a very important one. Remember you are building in a different country so price is not everything. You want to choose a quality builder who comes highly recommended from a number of different sources. Even if you put the project out to bid, do your homework on the builders.
Indoor Outdoor Living
In the Caribbean, you will likely spend more time outdoors than inside. Designing your home to integrate the outdoors into the plan is key to your enjoyment and to your resale value in the future. On a resale home, its often difficult to fix this often overlooked aspect of the home depending on your property.
By building your own home, you can create the total package of indoor and outdoor living, incorporating the landscape into the home.
Furniture and Decor
Obviously choosing your own furniture and decor is a big advantage of building over buying resell. You can obviously buy new furniture when you buy a home, however you are paying for it twice. The decor of the home is what often makes the house a home, making it yours.
Financing Your Construction Project in the Caribbean
There are a few select locations in the Caribbean where we can offer construction financing. The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and Cayman Islands are generally the locations. Construction financing will cost you a little more than a traditional mortgage, but it is a short term loan.
If you have decided to build a vacation villa in the Caribbean, talk to us about our construction financing options.
