Elevate your Caribbean investment property with these expert tips. Learn effective ways to keep your property pristine to continue being profitable.

If you’re a millennial thinking about getting a vacation home, there are some essential things to know. Click here to discover important considerations.

Living in Barbados may be your dream, and it doesn’t have to be just a dream any longer. Take a look at the differences between living in Barbados and America.

With significant levels of vacancy across the City Centre of Bridgetown, we sought to explore the notion of re-introducing Residential Living as an added usage by conducting a brief survey.

What a whirlwind this last year has been! COVID erupted, sanitizer and face masks became the new norm and nearly everything was cancelled; including long awaited holidays to Barbados.

There's much to consider when deciding where to build a tropical home. Our guide to the best Caribbean islands to invest in real estate will help you choose.

The Welcome Stamp was the first digital nomad visa offering qualified individuals and families the opportunity to live and work in Barbados for up to 12 months.

Barbados property owners who don’t regularly inspect their holdings risk claims under adverse possession law. Learn about the risks of allowing squatters here.

Spacious, Maranatha is a lovely open-plan home in Durants. Perfect for entertaining.

Our Welcome Stamp has answered the call for many people who are willing to take advantage of our ‘Work from Home’ initiative. 

Looking to relocate to Barbados? With the introduction of the 12 Month Barbados Welcome Stamp, you can work remotely for up to a year in one of our properties. Choose from a wide selection of villas, houses, apartments, and townhouses across the island.

Visit our bespoke website: www.welcomestampbarbados.com

Understanding the Barbados property market helps you determine a realistic value for your home when selling and a fair price when buying property in Barbados.

_{A reputable leader in the market and experts in Barbados long-term rentals, The Terra Group, comprising of Terra Caribbean, Terra Luxury, and Blue Sky Luxury have launched a comprehensive relocation guide suited to non-nationals looking to work remotely for up to a year on island.}

Who would have thought that after we were under lockdown conditions during COVID and the world was at a standstill that the Barbadian residential rental market would not only pick back up but propel itself past anyone’s expectations? 

A fantastic 3 bedroom family home offering one of the best views on the island.

Primo Bistro & Bar reopened this month under new ownership with a fresh vibe.  Set in an iconic location on the ocean’s edge in the calm bay of St. Lawrence Gap, this location has been featured in more magazines and tourist travel blogs than anyone can count.  The combination of serene sea views, delicious and affordable menu, and friendly staff make this new restaurant ideal for casual dining or tapas & cocktails.

On March 28^th 2020 we were all given the mandate to stay at home. Many businesses closed their physical doors and opened for business virtually.

In June with most of the Caribbean economies reopening for business, we surveyed over 500 office workers across Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia and Trinidad to better understand attitudes towards Working From Home (WFH).

In our last blog, we looked at what the current water zones are across the island, and the restrictions in development as outlined in the Barbados Physical Development Plan (Amended) 2003. The Draft 2017 Physical Development Plan, outlines an update to the Groundwater Protection Act to reflect a refined approach to defining Groundwater Protection Areas and the delineation of new zones of protection.

YES!! We haven’t stopped working for you – we have been working remotely and now are back in the office. We have had to adapt to the new norm but we are excited to still be working with you. Email us, call us or check out our social media pages!

Let’s vacation in paradise – let’s stay home.

The Hotel School, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business held a webinar with US industry experts to discuss the current state of the hospitality industry and what the future might look like. While the North American and Caribbean Markets differ in their offerings and customer base, Lisanne our Leader of Advisory highlights 5 key takeaways which are also relevant to the Caribbean region.

The COVID 19 global pandemic has had a profound impact on the business environment giving rise to unprecedented consequences. The Prime Minister announced a phased reopening of certain businesses from May 4, but we cannot yet determine when our economy will fully emerge from this crisis, particularly as Barbados still has a few active COVID-19 cases. To successfully navigate the “new normal” will require business leaders to consider a number of things.

Water is vital to everyday living and we are constantly advised to do our best not to pollute our water sources, and ensure we drink as much as we can. But did you also know that water can significantly impact where you can build? Did you know that Barbados has been classified by the UN as the 15^th most water-scarce country in the World, or that the majority of water-scarce nations on the UN list are located in the Middle East and the Caribbean? 

It’s that time of year again, and I don’t mean Christmas! Land tax bills will soon be issued, and the 2020-2021 year is a revaluation year. What this means, is that the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA), will have completed their triennial revaluation process and while only the tax rates changed last year, the assessed site value (for vacant properties) or improved value (for built properties), may change on the land tax bills for this year resulting in an increase in tax due. 

I feel like I just witnessed the close of 2019 and yet here I am galloping towards the end of February already. This year has opened with a feeling of optimism. The team is exceptionally busy and we sense a shift in the market. As always, my analytical side wants to know what do the numbers say? Is that gut feeling that things are improving right?

Key to the approach of any property valuation is to first obtain a clear understanding of the intended use for the report being requested. This is important as the use of the report guides the Valuer in determining which approach(es) should be performed and relied upon when concluding an opinion of value. Most times, a current market value is required, but there are times when a value is requested for other purposes such as obtaining and/or renewing the insurance on a property. The differences between a market value report and an insurance value report are explored below.

Why your facility manager could also be (or perhaps should be) your next project manager.

Recently started work with Terra Caribbean, Barbados’ leading Real Estate institution, and being a Business Development professional I am always keen on looking to see where old processes can be refreshed and new ideas injected. Little did I know, and I must say was pleasantly surprised to find out, Real Estate is very much at the forefront of commercial digitization. Who would think that one of the world’s oldest industries would overtake some of the newest industries in the adoption of digitization? In a culture and economy where even our leading financial institutions are playing catch up, Real Estate has already capitalized and is positioned to continue to capitalize on this revolution.

If you are interested in leasing commercial space, here’s a smidgen of information to get you started. 

The southern coast of the island is abuzz with preparation as the 42^nd annual Oistins Fish Festival gets ready to kick into high gear. The festival, which predates many Barbadians, first took place in 1977 as a joint effort by the leaders of community groups in the Christ Church area. 

Our Leader of Advisory, Lisanne Graham weighs in on the heavily discussed topic, Land Tax. Read more to find out how these newly proposed implications may impact you.

Nestled almost perfectly north-north east along the island’s Atlantic coast, St. Nicholas Abbey has recently heralded some exciting news that has noticeably boosted its ‘must-see’ status.

For 2019, the Terra team has renewed their vow to give continued expert guidance and knowledge to all clients in their real estate endeavors. This keen outlook to 2019 is all thanks to the momentum gathered in 2018.

Click "Reade More" to find out a few of our favourite 2018 moments!

Exciting news for British travelers flying with Virgin Holidays to Barbados this winter season!

Virgin, one of the main British holiday- provider’s to the island has decided to pioneer a revolutionary idea. "Departure Beach" as coined by the group is essentially a super-cool Virgin Holidays' lounge but on the beach!

Barbados is looking more inviting than ever for 2019 and with great leadership, we are seeing positive results. 

Christmas isn’t Christmas without the K9 Friends Barbados Charity Auction! The charity, which is synonymous with the festive season, continues to benefit the island’s furry residents by epitomizing the spirit of the season as locals and visitors patronize in the spirit of giving!

When preparing for your future build, one key factor takes precedence - location. The Adam’s Castle Estate development near Sheraton Mall is certainly one to be considered if central accessibility is high on your priority list.

There is an abundance of choice for businesses looking to rent commercial space these days in Barbados. Although there is a lot of choices, when it comes down to it, clients seem to struggle with finding the perfect office without compromising too much on their ideal requirements.

In Episode 3 of ‘A Real Estate Minute’ our Real Estate Agent Andrea Chase answers her most frequently asked question “I’m ready to purchase a property. What’s my next step?” Join Andrea, a veteran in the Barbados real estate market with over a decade experience in commercial, residential and multi-million dollar development sales! Watch the video to learn more. Look out for more of these videos coming soon!

If you have any questions for our agents, simply let us know!

We're excited to launch The Red List! This is our latest brochure that showcases key property listings, highlights some of the newest listings to hit the market and provides data on some of the most notable sales that have happened recently.

This year, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. will stage its prestigious Barbados Food & Rum Festival a month early on October 18 - 21 - a move which has been reportedly received with delight by many who have been unable to participate in the festival in previous years. In addition to the date change, another novelty of this year’s event is its month-long run - yes, the whole month of October will be a celebration of food, with several pop-up events, food truck crawls, restaurant specials on the Dine Around programme as well as many other food festivities.

Join our Real Estate Agent Lisa Coyle in Episode 2 of  ‘A Real Estate Minute’ - as she answers one of the most frequently asked questions from clients: ‘How's the Market?’ Gain more insight on why this is a popular FAQ and get a few tips on property investment. Watch the video to learn more!

Look out for more of these videos coming soon! If you have any questions for our agents, simply let us know!

To kick off our new series ‘A Real Estate Minute’ - our agent Susan Armfield answers one of the most asked questions she gets from clients: ‘How do I know how much to offer?’ Watch the video for more insight!

Look out for more of these videos coming soon! If you have any questions for our agents, simply let us know!

Often market commentators are heard speaking about the Caribbean as if it is a single market for real estate investment. That is like going to the Olympics to watch sports.  There is everything from a sprint to a marathon, from horse riding to the hammer throw, and everything in between.  Pick a sport please – they are not all the same.  From my seat I get to see the southern Caribbean real estate market from both the helicopter, and in the trenches.  While there are similarities it's the differences that provide the insight.

Common area maintenance (CAM) fees, also referred to as ‘Service Charge’ in some commercial leases, refer to the costs associated with operating and maintaining the space shared by the tenants within a facility, and is charged in addition to the base rent.

The Terra Group, a well-established and reputable real estate leader in Barbados serving all market segments through its brands Terra Caribbean, Terra Luxury and Blue Sky Luxury, today announced the release of its annual Barbados real estate insights publication, The Red Book 2018^â.  

How much longer can we continue to be romantic about the glory days of 2008?  Property values have changed substantially since then, however property ‘prices’ have not necessarily followed suit. 

Janelle Chandler, Assistant Manager Bsc Eng. MSc FM

 In today’s tough economic times many companies have sought to reduce their footprint by optimizing their operations. This has subsequently reduced the demand for commercial office space across the island.

As a result, landlords are now forced to think outside the box and revamp their offering to attract the budget conscious, modern day commercial tenant who is looking for value for money when selecting their ideal office environment.

Fully Functional warehouse and office space for use today!

December in Barbados will open with the exciting Run Barbados Marathon Weekend - the Caribbean’s most highly anticipated road race event that is an annual staple with the local, regional and international road racing fraternity. This decades'-old running tradition has grown exponentially over the years, and is now in its 34^th year, promises to be even more exciting than ever.

The best way to achieve the perfect home is to build it. This provides a blank canvas to achieve your personal blend of fine details that you may sacrifice when considering an existing home. But in addition to creating your perfectly customised kitchen or one-of-a-kind wrap-around staircase, there is also the step of deciding on the perfect plot to complete your building story.

Terra Caribbean now has four offices operating across the region. We are looking for an energetic and enthusiastic individual to strengthen the bond between the offices in St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados and Trinidad in the capacity of Regional Coordinator.

With all the noise in the market, from BREXIT to the recent budget and NSRL to elections on the horizon, we thought this would be an opportune time to look at investor attitudes and the general Barbados market sentiment.

We sent a short questionnaire to a number of corporate/investor clients to gather their views on a few specific areas of the market. The results were notable and offer some interesting insights into the investors’ mindset in 2017.

Below is a guide to buying, selling and owning property in Barbados. There are no restrictions on the purchase of property in Barbados by persons who are non-nationals or permanent residents. There are no capital gains or inheritance taxes in Barbados.

In our last edition of The Red Book, we acknowledged the fact that the rural landscape of the island has now become the focus for local and overseas investors - and the most noticeable case of this is the parish of St. Philip. Now, the quiet, south-eastern countryside of Barbados is beaconing with residential and other developmental opportunities, positioning it firmly as one of the most desirable parishes to live in on the island.

My name is Andrea Chase and I am the lead agent for The Grove development. Officially launched mid last year, The Grove land development has proven to be a success story having sold approximately half of the 158 lots to date. 

Managing Director at Apes Hill, Donovan Bagwell, recently sat down with the Terra Luxury team to give an update and some insight into one of the most prestigious communities on the island.

Looking for a great new home or the perfect spot to build your family home? Our agents are ready and able to match you with the perfect property!

Here’s to a great June and start of the second quarter of 2017!

Fashions change, but principles tend not to, so a man/woman’s home is still their Castle.

Most of us do not have enough savings or collateral to qualify for a mortgage or land loan before we are in our late 20’s or later.

We're excited to announce the release of a selection of condos for sale at the Ocean Reef development in Worthing. The five-storey development offers the most stunning views of Worthing Bay, private access to Sandy Beach and an excellent location near St. Lawrence Gap.

So you've decided that 2017 will be the year you purchase your very first home or piece of land to build your dream home but you aren't sure about financing nor the process for purchasing property. Come take advantage of some expert advice from Republic Bank and our experienced Real Estate agents this Saturday at the Republic Bank Mortgage Fair!

Making a property ready for the rental market is largely straightforward, the property must be clean, well maintained and ideally in a desirable area. Clients in the corporate rental sector are often diplomats or workers in the international business corporations and have housing included in their employment package. These requirements while not essential for the general rental market may be necessary for a property to be considered suitable for some of these clients. Some examples of common requirements can be seen below.

Ownership of property, whether as an investment or for occupation, is nothing to take lightly. When making the step towards such a purchase, one of the first things typically done is to obtain a valuation of the property.  For peace of mind and protection, every buyer should ensure they select a qualified Valuer from a Firm “Regulated by the RICS”.

Andrew Mallalieu is a man of many facets. Locally, his face and name are pegged to the role of Chief Executive of real estate conglomerate The Terra Group, but it is his lesser known title that resonates across one of the biggest global sporting fraternities...

The Grove is a cleverly master-planned land development with convenient access to all of the amenities on the South Coast. With land lots averaging 5,700 sq. ft and starting at just BDS$750* per month.

As we publish this 10^th edition we cannot ignore that it falls at a time in the 50^th year of independence of our small island state.  As a nation we have all been struggling to focus on what we can be proud of when there is so much that is not meeting the high standards that we set for ourselves 50 years ago.  From a real estate perspective I choose to focus on the words and meaning in the the chorus of our national anthem:

Thursday December 15 was a night to remember for the Terra Caribbean team: the venue, the newly finished and amazingly stunning Apes Hill Club House; the occasion, a cocktail reception officially launching our new Terra Caribbean website.

This Independence, create your own milestone by owning a piece of the rock! Join us at The Grove Open Day this Saturday November 19th from 9am-2pm to reserve your very own land lot with an extra special financing offer from Scotia Bank!

The old Barbadian adage ‘owning a piece of the rock’ is as relevant today as it has ever been. Developments such as The Grove ensure that Barbadians have the chance to keep the tradition alive, while enjoying peace of mind knowing that they have secured a sound, lucrative investment.

Barbados’ economic stability, plus a growing and constant demand, makes land one of the most sound investments on the island.  This is even more pertinent given the depressed present state of the industry, where land prices have declined over the past six years and the prospect for good appreciation is at last in sight. This has re-kindled buyers’ interest and has given trend followers good reason to anticipate significant land value appreciation in the coming four-to-six years. Such appreciation will likely outstrip interest on most other available investment options. But, before making the final decision on a land investment, it is crucial to have an overall appreciation of the market, and be acquainted with the benefits of investing in our ‘Rock’.

Barbados’ most intricate sector is its tourism industry, and for property investors, this offers an attractive holiday rentals market. It encompasses several sub-sectors which feed what is considered the foremost driver of the island’s economy.

Over the past five decades, Barbados has offered investors a climate of steady appreciation on property values thanks to a resilient economic standing. This steady appreciation, doubled with economic factors, saw land values in some areas of the island go from $0.12 per square foot to $100 per square foot in more recent times. For several investors, this value served as a direct reflection of physical and perceived value of their investment, and would be made official through a solid valuation provided by a qualified, trusted valuer.

Whether you are an entrepreneur, businessman or woman, attorney, doctor, restaurateur, barber or retailer, at some point you will need commercial space. This space has to first suit your budget and it also has to be the ideal location for your clients. Typically, your choice of commercial space will fall under the general term of either A, B or C class rental space. A class - being the most prestigious premier office space with rents at the top end of the scale. Whilst, B & C spaces compete for a wide range of users with rents in the middle to lower end of the spectrum.

If you haven’t had the chance to dine at Primo, the new culinary hotspot on the South Coast of Barbados, it’s a must. Tucked away in a secluded beachfront location just as you enter the St-Lawrence Gap, this two-level restaurant not only serves up some sumptuous meals, but also delivers on those must-capture sunset views. But don’t just expect to snap beautiful pics over a delicious meal. Primo is the latest venture for the owners of Cin Cin located on the West Coast of Barbados, so here’s the best spoiler alert you’ll ever get: it’s a completely luxurious experience from start to finish.

The six-year period leading up to the peak of the market in 2006 is widely regarded as a period of unprecedented growth in the Barbados market. This boom period saw compound annual growth in some market segments of 12% and staggering prices being achieved for property in some areas of the West Coast. The reality is that this growth cycle paled in comparison with the island’s first property boom, which occurred much earlier in our history.

"Market conditions are key in determining value. To a large extent, the value of the home is currently driven by what the average purchaser is willing to pay for a property, rather than what we would consider a ‘bricks and mortar’ or replacement cost value."

-Annalisa Sealy, Real Estate Agent

You are invited to an Open House at South View, this Saturday, February 7th from 10 a.m. -  2 p.m. This is your opportunity to get a guided tour of the development, including the individual land lots available for sale and the modern, well-designed South View 222!

Sue Armfield - Real Estate Agent

"With the start of a fresh new year, it’s a good time to take a holistic look at the changing demands and trends in office leasing - in order to plan and to budget more effectively, to make adjustments where indicated and, to generate prosperity for landlords, developers, tenants and agents alike."