HSJ

Finding your piece
of Home Sweet Jamaica
For many of the Jamaican Diaspora, the desire to return as
a resident or have a vacation house in Jamaica is fueled
by the serene splendour of our home country. The beauty
of our landscape ranges from lush valleys in the heart of
our island to the brilliant Caribbean Sea that engulfs our
picturesque cliffs and white sand beaches; sparkling
springs and rivers flow abundantly from the higher
elevations creating magnificent waterfalls throughout the
island; and of course, the reverent views that our hills and
mountainous regions provide. Combined with Jamaica’s
inimitable culture, it’s no surprise that the lure of living in
Jamaica remains so strong.
Our island’s landscape, littered with partially built houses,
serves as tribute to Jamaica’s independent spirit;
Jamaicans like to build their own homes. Often, the land
is purchased well in advance of erecting the structure as
people pursue their dreams to own a piece of Home Sweet
Jamaica. Once the land is purchased, little by little, a
home appears. However, uncovering the ideal place to
build can be a challenge and this article covers some of
the factors that should be considered when making a
residential lot selection.
If budgetary restrictions apply, effective site identification
should also include a basic cost evaluation for constructing
your home. Depending on the location, buildable lots
may not have access to essential utilities such as water,
electricity, or sewage. Some areas may have substandard
roadways, not to mention the lack of sidewalks and street
lighting. Countryside locations can be many kilometers
away from convenient shopping and medical facilities.
If you plan on buying a lot to build on, funding, terrain,
utility infrastructure, convenience, and safety are a few
key features that play a role in determining the suitability
of a particular building site.
Funding: Paying cash for your lot is ideal because high
interest rates in Jamaica make it difficult to fund lot
purchases. A few low interest options are available to
those currently paying into the National Housing Trust
and some international banks may allow funding for
investment properties depending on credit rating.
Whether you are financing your lot purchase or
purchasing outright, it is important that you maximise
your investment by researching the area, and obtain
information on pricing and rates for comparable lots in the
vicinity.
Terrain: It is important to identify the challenges
involved with the varied conditions of each site. The
building site and ground conditions, whether rocky,
sandy, sloping, or flat, will present unique circumstances
and considerations. A desirable location with proximity
to the sea can be a significant lure, but in addition to
potentially higher upfront construction cost for hurricane
reinforcements, detailed attention to maintenance is also
prudent. The expenses associated with maintaining a sea
side home may include early replacement or repair of
metal fixtures, appliances, and wiring systems that
corrode more easily in the salty environment.
Utility Infrastructure: If you are considering a home
site in a remote or under developed area without public
utilities, modern day technologies have made it possible.
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and micro
hydro systems can provide dedicated electrical sources.
These solutions may be more expensive alternatives to
install, but can generate considerable savings in the long
run. Most sources of water can be filtered to a potable
standard with today’s water filtration systems. Once you
find the perfect hideaway spot, building and living almost
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Home Sweet Jamaica | August 2012 37