The Perks of Buying Property in the Cayman Islands

Top benefits of buying a real estate property in the Cayman Islands.

• No annual property or Capital Gains taxes
• High Return on Investment (ROI)
• Economic growth and high demand
• Diverse selection of properties

Read below to learn more.

“The real estate market in the Cayman Islands is robust, providing a fantastic opportunity for international investors or people who are taking advantage of the excellent CEC working regulations in the Cayman Islands. From a buyer's perspective, property in the Cayman Islands is built to code, with high-quality finishes as standard – coupled with a perfect combination of a government that is stable politically and infrastructure that is region-leading.” Kerri Kanuga, Trident Properties Broker.

2021 was a record breaking year for property sales in Cayman Islands. As we near the end of 2022 the Cayman property market remains strong. There was more than US$ 198 million in total property value sold in Cayman through the third quarter. Even in the middle of a recalibration, the Cayman market proves to be resilient when compared to other global counterparts. As you can imagine the Cayman real estate market is highly desirable for both local and international investors. With tourism expected to fully recover and directly affect the real estate market, sales are expected to slowly grow throughout 2023 and beyond.

Cayman remains a safe haven for investments and has fared remarkably well in an otherwise turbulent year. So, what does this mean for you? Will finding a slice of paradise to call home be more advantageous than you think?

Possibly, at least for the foreseeable future.

Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) has outlined the top benefits of buying a real estate property in the Cayman Islands.

1. Perks of buying property in Cayman Islands: there's no annual property or Capital Gains Taxes

There are no restrictions on foreign ownership if the property is for personal use. In addition to this, there is no annual property or capital gains tax if the property is rented out as an investment, and no tourist tax applicable if the property is rented to residents of the Cayman Islands. “Staycations” have become an increasingly lucrative market since March of last year as residents continue to avoid international travel.

This attractive investment opportunity sets Cayman apart from any other property investment opportunities around the world. Rental property enquiries saw an increase as use for vacation homes as some flocked to the Cayman Islands for a more idyllic backdrop to the pandemic.

Beachfront properties saw an increase in occupancy by long-term tenants that would normally be snapped-up by tourists. As tourism recovers, however, we will likely see a change back to short-term rentals due to a gradual influx of seasonal visitors.

2. Perk of buying real estate in Cayman Islands: the high ‘Return on Investment’ (ROI)

The current ROI in the Cayman Islands is still high and its real estate as a whole is a stable investment which has seen very little fluctuation over the past 2 decades. Even during the lockdown, record sales prices in various sectors were seen and commercial units alone saw a 1170% increase in 2020 compared to 2019 which speaks to the confidence of the market.

Land is still a competitive opportunity as it is expected to yield high ROI once the global situation normalises and tourists return. Plus, a strong staycation market has offered excellent opportunities for landlord investors.

The profit a property owner will take tends to be much higher than the cash invested into a property. As an example, a current two-bedroom flat ranges from around $1,600 to $2,800 CI a month and these steep rent prices around the Island have not changed, even during COVID-19.

With the property market still growing, a stable ROI makes for a highly attractive real estate investment.

3. Perk of buying in Cayman Islands: the economic growth and high demand

According to the Cayman Compass, Cayman Resident and Property Cayman, the demand for property in the Cayman Islands is likely to continue growing, especially for luxury and modern real estate.

In 2020 and 2021, Cayman experienced record-setting demand and in turn, sales. Local hoteliers and others in the tourism sector expect this high season (the first without COVID-related travel restrictions or protocols) to be booming. They say rooms are being booked at pre-pandemic levels and furthermore, at higher rates. This is good for both the local economy as well as for investors interested in Cayman’s real estate market.

Single-family homes saw fewer sales, but the condominiums and apartments markets remain strong as ever, taking up the majority of sales. There are currently more than CI$1.4 billion in new properties in development, with an increasing interest in the luxury real estate segment. This is good news to all current and new property buyers. New developments are positively impacting existing property values and are expected to continue. As a result, real estate locations such as Prospect and Bodden Town have seen an increase in new developments and infrastructures. 

4. Perk of buying property in Grand Cayman: there's a diverse selection of properties

There is certainly a wide selection of properties available in Cayman— from high-end luxury offerings to those on the more affordable end. Luxury, executive and small family homes with a true island feel can be found in West Bay, one of Cayman’s older residential areas. Seven Mile Beach is the most sought-after location on Grand Cayman where you can find a mix of villas and condos along a beautiful sandy beach, mostly used for vacation rentals. However, just a ten-minute drive to the south you’ll find the South Sound and Prospect neighbourhoods which offer larger waterfront properties and family homes.

There are plenty of vacant land opportunities to build a home from scratch in and around Diamond’s Edge, The Shores, and areas within South Sound. Or you can take advantage of several luxury multi-unit developments poised to offer high ROI including Watermark, One Canal Point, OLEA and Lacovia. Spotts/Red Bay is also a fast-growing area with private docks and waterfront homes, whilst Bodden Town, being Grand Cayman’s first settlement, is rich in history. A quaint island ambience in a mix of old and new style homes with ample land parcels is a great place to settle.

With a wide range of property options there is also an array of Real Estate companies. An abundance of local professionals are ready to assist you on the road to a new home! For the widest selection of properties for sale in the Cayman Islands, take a look at CIREBA, Cayman’s only MLS (multi-listing service).

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought regarding your specific circumstances.

CEC is home to hundreds of innovative global businesses and makes establishing a physical presence in the Cayman Islands easy. Ready to Make the Move? We are here to help you turn your island vacation into a permanent stay! Get in touch with CEC today and we can talk you through your options for setting up a special economic zone business.