Caribbean real estate investing is always good and on some islands it’s red hot.
Still,  it’s surprising to learn that of all those thousands of eager folks who want to get started in real estate investing,  only about 5% buy even one Caribbean  investment property. Why?  Because, lots of so called Caribbean real estate investment gurus sell the “sizzle” and make profiting from real estate sound easy.  Truth is, profiting from Caribbean real estate investments is simple, but not easy.

Here’s a quick plan that will enable anyone to begin building financial independence by making Caribbean home investments.

There are basically five steps to investing in Caribbean investment property:

1. Buy homes below full market value. Yes, people really do sell Caribbean homes for less than the home’s full value. The key is to understand that most home owners will only consider a purchase offer that is all cash and within 5% to 10% of their asking price.

The successful investor learns to find financially distressed home owners who have no choice but to sell for less than market value. They have lost their job or been suddenly transferred; they are divorcing; they been living beyond their income; the family has been overwhelmed with medical bills and, not uncommonly these days, their money has gone to support a drug habit.

Those are examples of motivated sellers. They have to sell and they will accept an all cash offer, even if its for an amount below the full market value of the property.

2. Buy investment property at pre-construction prices.  Where do you find pre-construction properties?  You find a reputable real estate professional who works with reputable project developers

3. Find motivated sellers and frame your purchase offers that provide benefits for both you and for the home owner. A good real estate investor quickly learns that this is not a business of stealing property, but of solving problems in a way that benefits the seller.

The home owner is in a tight spot of some kind and you can save them from public embarrassment and, in most cases, give them at least a little cash to get a new start.

4.  Make creative No CASH offers for quick deals.  No investor can afford to leave cash in every deal. No one but Bill Gates has that much available money. You must use creative techniques like, leases, option and taking over mortgage payments. Little or no cash is needed for those deals. You can find plenty of reasonable priced educational material on those subjects in book stores.

5. Determine how to make your profit before you buy! Never make a purchase until you’ve carefully determined exactly how you will get to your profit. If you hold it as a long term investment will the monthly rental income more than cover the monthly mortgage payment? Will you sell the deal to another investor for fast cash? Will you do some fix-up and sell the property for full value? Will you quickly trade it for a more desirable property? Have a plan before you buy.

There you have five steps that even a part-time investor can do, but there is one important factor that is still missing.  What’s the missing ingredient? Your determination and perseverance. If you will unfailingly follow the plan for a few months you will be well on your way to financial independence