Thinking about buying a property in St Lucia

I've been to St. Lucia a few times and I absolutely love it. I was looking at pieces of land and there is a lot of land left. The island is 237 square miles. The piece of property I am looking at is 18.5 acres with about 9 acres of it has quarry stone. Housing rental is cheap for the most part anywhere between $350-$900 a month. Also has an abundance of natural growing fruit trees. Eventually would look at building a few houses with such amenities as a water and fuel tanks with pumps, a generator, a/c (not a common amenity there) and maybe a pool. Looking at all possibilities of getting equipment, fuel costs and hiring a few local workers for the jobs needed to be done. The laborers there don't make good money as there are not a lot of options if people aren't spending $ in the tourism areas of the island. I was thinking about paying them around $10 an hour which is right around $26.70 an hour in Eastern Carribean Dollars. I have financing available for all aspects of my project. I would be exporting the quarry stone and the wood from all the trees on the property. Also would be cosuming and or selling the fruits and veggies at the local markets. The only big things I would need would be a Passport and an Alien Property Lienholders license.

Between working, the marina job, and the research i've been doing on this potential oppurtunity I haven't had much time to do anything at all. Disney World was crazy fun, the girls haven't stopped talking about it. Lol they tell their teachers about it atleast twice a week. The ex let me keep them for a few days when we got back, so I ended up driving them both to school for a few days and picking them up.


Located in Dennery is 18.5 Acres of Agricultural land. This property is extremely valuable in the amount of resources it possesses. It has an entire hill which can be used for Quarry Stones, a natural underground spring water source and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Mangoes,Grapefruits,Oranges,Cabbages,Cherries,etc. Great investment at only $149,813 USD.

***Anything anyone can think of such as any type of advice, comments, questions please post it***

Definitely not doing it for the money at all. I am getting a demographic together now. I have spoken with a few of the officials and they are going to provide me with prior demographic information. Didn't think about the power plant aspect of the situation, I will have to definitely research that a little more as far as getting electric/cable/phone and water on to the property. Not thinking of actually selling the fruits/veggies myself should have been more clear on that. Most likely selling to the vendors already at the markets and going that route. I completely understand what you are coming at me with and that's exactly what I'm looking for. I appreciate it, Thanks.

Just like anything else it's all about location. It's in a less developed area of the island as well so the price definitely reflects not being close to any of the major cities. I will be receiving some more pictures in the next few weeks of the land, I will hopefully be able to post them.

You brought up the power plant question, not saying this is an option of any kind but I thought it was pretty awesome.

http://www.physorg.com/news145561984.html

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I think these work

Do you know the language? I am not talking about the broken English they speak around the tourists......I am talking about the cross slang the natives of the Caribbean speak. The stuff "you" can't learn. I've been down to that area of the world a few times myself. I love it but to expat down there.....that's a hard nut to crack. There are race issues, trust issues, language barriers, gov. corruption issues........outsiders and non natives......it's really rough doing business in that area of the world. I speak from a bit of experience......

Yes Victor you are talking about Patois, that's the language based of Jamaican/ Carribean decent. I have been studying it quite a bit. The government is getting better as the years go by. The issues they were having had a lot to do with not having a police force. Next time I go down I am going to have a meet and greet with some of the government officials to see where they are so that things go smoothly. I just want to beware of any odd situations, I'm not looking to bribe officials or anything of that nature. I would like everything done legit. The race issues are at a minimum as far as I have seen I've met a lot of the natives and were friendly and very helpful. I actually had a guide the first day and ended up buying a homeless guy and his son lunch around the Hewanorra Airport. The guide actually told me now that I've done that, the guy or his son will probably always remember who I am. How long ago were you down that way Victor?

I was down in Antigua Feb of '11. Most of the natives speak a type of Creole slang there. I got the vibe that there were some lets say racial and govermental issues. Lucia might be completely different. I love the whole Caribbean and would love to live down there somewhere but the more I seriously look into it....the more I think being a expat down there might be tough. Antigua was seriously like a diamond in the rough but the more I talked to the locals (of all races) and the deeper I dug for how it was really like there......man, not so sure I would want to sink the cash down on a place and try to make a go of it. I will say the natives there truely have no idea what a gold mine they could be living on. Neither does the gov.

Hey bro you need help count me in!

I'll sell my house today! Got tools and skills ready to carve out a place in tropical heaven!

Lol, No problem at all Joe. It would be an experience for both of us to say the least. It's going to be awhile though. It's still in the research, planning and learning stage. I will definitely keep you in mind, when I go back down for a week or two and if you want to come and relax or stick with me to see what I want to do and how it's all going to work.

Victor, The slang is called Patois. I'm learning as much as possible, binders filled with paperwork, stuff that needs to get done, prices for permits,paperwork and almost anything I can think of. It might work, it may not. I really won't know until I have meetings with officials, talk to St Lucian Lawyers, Meetings with Realtors, ect. I see where you are coming from with not being on the positive side of things and understand the whole view of governments that are corrupt. Our government is up there for corruption too. But that's a whole other thread lol. Besides that politics and religion are 2 subjects I avoid like the plague.

Have you ever thought instead of making that big jump to rent for a year there? That way if your ideas about tropical paradise change then so can you.

Yes, I'm planning on 6 months before I make the jump. It's going to be a little while though. Oh yea and the best part property taxes are .5% of property purchase price. The property is $150,000 so it'll be a whopping $750 per year.

Okay I'm ready let's go.

http://www.subliminalprojects.com/ma...ked%20copy.jpg

Lmao, I wish it I could go for a few weeks now, still trying to recover $14,000 from Disney World. I was thinking about going before I took the girls to DW but the DW trip was well worth it. You will be on my to go list lol.

I love St Lucia. Been there twice. Would not mind visiting again.

Still have room on the wagon, lol.