Jackie Pascher, the owner of Island Dream Properties is an Anguilla real-estate-evangelist.
When she talks about her work her warm eyes sparkle, auburn curls bounce and appealing, soft, southern drawl, speeds up with excitement. She is a true enthusiast for, and expert on, finding dream homes.
In this article, Trudy Nixon talks to Jackie Pascher about the launch of her guide to buying property in Anguilla and explores recent market trends in Anguilla real estate.
The definitive guide to buying property in Anguilla
21 years after she first started selling homes on the island she loves with a passion; Jackie has decided to publish a comprehensive guide to buying property in Anguilla.
The stylish eBook, replete with images of properties available to purchase, puts all the information anyone needs to know before buying their dream home, in one handy place.
And the best news – it’s free.
What is the guide?
A downloadable eBook, packed with industry expertise and local knowledge, guaranteed to answer and assist those currently looking to ride the wave of Anguilla’s current real estate boom.
Jackie initially imagined the guide as a simple fact sheet. But, after consulting with Orrett Wynter, Creative Director at Cabarita, realized that there was a lot of questions that needed answering.
Her little fact sheet, turned into a full-fledged, thorough 30-page guide. In her words ‘If you’re thinking about buying property in Anguilla, then I’m pretty confident this guide will be a fantastic resource to help you make the best decision.”
You can download the definitive guide to buying property in Anguilla for free here.
Why write the guide now?
Because Anguilla’s real estate market is booming. Yes, booming.
More properties, hotels, villas and private homes, were sold in Anguilla in 2020 than any year since the island’s real estate gold rush in 2005.
Despite the pandemic, all of Anguilla’s reputable agents sold multiple properties and pieces of land last year. Because of the travel restrictions, many purchases were completed virtually, or after one brief viewing, using virtual tours and based on the recommendation of trusted agents.
Jackie sold 12 properties in 2020 and six of those were sold ‘sight unseen’. Prices ranged between $450 and $1.5 million.
She anticipates that 2021 will be equally strong. Enquiries are high and the guide will help her provide her normal high standard of service.
The only problem she is facing is a good one: the lack of inventory in certain price points because of new buying trends.
What are the trends in Anguilla Real Estate in 2021?
Things are changing. Jackie explained that she has seen some interesting trends emerging recently. One of which, is that in the market for second homes, the purchasers are getting younger.
For example, during the Real Estate boom in the early 2000’s purchasers were 55 to 60 and up, from 2020 she has been getting more enquiries from families where the average age is 40 and up.
Young families and ‘Digital Nomads’ living and investing in Anguilla.
A by-product of the pandemic is that individuals and families that have the capacity to work remotely, have made Covid their excuse to move to the Caribbean.
The Anguilla Tourist Board launched a successful Work from Anguilla programme in 2020, to attract ‘Digital Nomads’ – a term for location-independent professionals who can work from anywhere there’s an internet connection – who wanted to lose the crowd and work from a beach.
After renting to begin with, a number have taken the plunge and bought properties after finding that they loved their Anguilla lifestyle. Some Digital Nomads have decided to relocate or base their operations here permanently. Others just want to have a second home in Anguilla available to them if lock downs occur again.
Recent Anguilla buyers are requesting contemporary homes to suit their lifestyle.
Jackie has found that Digital Nomads and younger second home buyers are actively seeking modern, sleek design in their island homes. Some of Anguilla’s older, Caribbean-style properties featuring decorative arches and ornate balconies do not match the lifestyle expectation of younger purchasers.
They are being passed over in favour of homes with clean lines and neutral colour palettes. Jackie explains that most of the inventory available of older built homes and hurricane damaged properties that were ripe to be ‘flipped’ have been bought up already. With excellent results.
One young investor doubled his money in just 2 years after refurbishing an older style seafront villa into an on-trend oasis, which leads us conveniently to the third rapidly growing trend.
Buyers want luxury modern second homes built to their specifications and design style and there is growing cadre of developers ready to meet that need.
After a long lull in building and a preference for purchasing built property – there has been a steep increase in clients happy to buy land and build off plan. Jackie shared that there is a new wave of property developers ‘on the rock’.
These are small, boutique businesses with real experience in renovating or building their own modern homes in Anguilla Jackie now represents a number of these unique opportunities – so please contact her to find out more.
Why are so many buyers interested in Anguilla in 2021?
Apart from the obvious benefits of living a lifestyle that includes access to incredible beaches, tranquil waters, fabulous restaurants and a safe environment, the main factor is value for money.
Prices in Anguilla are still considered reasonable – especially in comparison to neighbouring St Barth’s. Purchasers feel that they get a lot for their money and are still on the right side of the investment curve.
The definitive guide to buying property in Anguilla
So, if you are considering a second (or primary) home in download the definitive guide to buying property in Anguilla here.
