Turks and Caicos Real Estate Market Continues To Strengthen
Posted: Sunday, August 20, 2006
by Bernadette Hunt
Turks & Caicos Property, Ltd.
Analysis of the latest MLS real estate sales figures in the Turks & Caicos for the years 2005 and 2006 shows strong increases across the board in 2006, particularly in higher-value transactions. In broad terms the 2006 figures indicate a percentage increase of more than 70% in gross sales figures and a 44% increase in the gross number of closed sales over the preceding year. Presumably that margin will increase significantly by the end of the year as we get back into the main tourist season.
The strength in the Turks & Caicos real estate market is particularly noteworthy in a global environment of increasing interest rates and concerns about slowing real estate sales. There are too many variables to say with certainty why the Turks & Caicos is bucking the larger trend, but we expect the reasons include:
-
the limited supply of (and steady demand for) quality beach, oceanfront and oceanview property;
-
increased awareness driven by the international marketing initiatives of the Government and the main players in the development and tourist industries;
-
expenditure on infrastructure - most notably the Leeward Highway, the Lower Bight road and the Grace Bay road which have pedestrian friendly sidewalks, street lighting and roundabouts which keep traffic moving. 2006 has also seen the opening of the US$10 mil. Gustavus Lighbourne Sports Centre, the opening of the Carnival Cruise Port on Grand Turk and international announcements from a number of high-profile developers relating to pending projects in the Turks & Caicos.
-
The continuing benefit of the commitment of successive Governments in the Turks & Caicos to control development so as to foster higher end development catering to a wealthier clientele.
| 2006 | 2005 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total # of Closed Sales [Month] | 14 | 10 |
| Total # of Closed Sales YTD | 157 | 109 |
| Total Dollar Volume of Closing Sales YTD | $83,690,052 | $48,305,500 |
|
SALES BY PRICE |
2006 (so far) | 2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30,000 | 5 | 9 |
| 30,000 - 39,999 | 2 | 2 |
| 40,000 - 49,999 | 2 | 7 |
| 50,000 - 59,999 | 7 | 10 |
| 60,000 - 69,999 | 2 | 2 |
| 70,000 - 79,999 | 10 | 4 |
| 80,000 - 89,999 | 4 | 3 |
| 90,000 - 99,999 | 7 | 2 |
| 100,000 - 119,999 | 13 | 4 |
| 120,000 - 139,999 | 10 | 3 |
| 140,000 - 159,999 | 7 | 2 |
| 160,000 - 179,999 | 2 | 2 |
| 180,000 - 199,999 | 1 | 1 |
| 200,000 - 219,999 | 1 | 3 |
| 220,000 - 239,999 | 1 | 3 |
| 240,000 - 259,999 | 4 | 4 |
| 260,000 - 349,999 | 19 | 24 |
| 350,000 - 399,999 | 6 | 5 |
| 400,000 - 499,999 | 7 | 10 |
| 500,000 - 749,999 | 13 | 8 |
| 750,000 - 999,999 | 7 | 9 |
| 1,000,000 + | 22 | 23 |
Bernadette Hunt
TURKS & CAICOS PROPERTY, LTD.
Turks and Caicos Real Estate