There is a quiet irony in a country famous for “island time”—a rhythm that slows clocks and lengthens conversations—that certain events will still have Jamaicans out of bed before the rooster has even made his first complaint.
We’re not talking about the daily commute or the routine school run. No, these are the rare occasions that send us into a kind of national punctuality. They have one thing in common: stakes. Stakes for our livelihood, our pride, our future… and, sometimes, our property.
Because whether you’re rushing to an embassy appointment or queuing before dawn to secure a property deal, there’s something in the Jamaican spirit that understands: the early bird might not always get the worm, but it’s in a much better position to negotiate for the land the worm is on.
1. Flights: The Only “Deadline” We Take Literally
No one gambles with a boarding gate. A flight to “foreign” is one of the few immovable pillars in a Jamaican schedule. You’ll see passengers arriving at Norman Manley or Sangster with time to spare—suitcases packed, outfits sharp, and passports ready.
In real estate terms, it’s the same with a closing date. Miss it, and the opportunity is gone. The property—like that flight—will leave without you, and there’s no taxi that can catch it once it’s in the air.
2. Embassy Appointments: The Gold Ticket to Opportunity
These interviews aren’t just about visas—they’re about opening doors to investment, education, and the possibility of owning property abroad or even bringing foreign capital back to Jamaica.
People will camp outside embassies in the dark, a quiet line of determination. They know the cost of the appointment, the effort it took to get it, and the risk of missing it. Real estate buyers could take a note from this: when the right deal comes along, hesitation is the enemy.
3. The Olympics: Running on Island Time—Except When Bolt Is Running
Track and field is our national theatre, and the stage lights are brightest at the Olympics. It doesn’t matter if it’s 3 a.m.—living rooms transform into stadium seats.
There’s a lesson here for the property market too: when the starting gun fires on a prime listing—especially in hotspots like Kingston 6 or Montego Bay’s waterfront—you either burst out of the blocks or you’ll be left watching someone else break the tape.
4. The Tax Office Line: Beating the Bureaucratic Clock
This is perhaps the most relatable. Everyone knows the pain of a slow-moving queue. So Jamaicans arrive early, aiming to be in and out before the midday sun makes tempers rise.
In property, it’s the same with title searches, valuations, and NLA paperwork. Show up late and you’ll find yourself tangled in delays that could have been avoided with a little forethought.
5. The World Cup: Because Pride Wakes Us Faster Than an Alarm Clock
Football passion can break the natural law of “late mornings.” World Cup season turns even casual fans into experts in formation strategy and penalty statistics.
And here’s the property connection—passion drives persistence. Whether it’s for a sport or a stretch of beachfront land, that fire in your belly is often what gets you through the hard yards of negotiation and legal processes.
6. Job Interviews: Dressing the Part for the First Impression
We’ve all heard “First impression, lasts.” For a job interview, Jamaicans will arrive on time, neatly pressed, and ready to prove they’re the right choice.
The same principle applies when selling or renting property. A well-presented home—paint fresh, yard trimmed—can speak volumes before the first word is spoken. It’s about showing you value what you have and believe it’s worth someone’s time.
7. Collecting Money from Abroad: Remittances at Dawn
Western Union and MoneyGram branches will see a line form before opening time, as people wait to collect funds from family or friends overseas. That money might pay school fees, fix a roof, or—in many cases—go into savings for a piece of land.
It’s a quiet reminder that property dreams often start with small deposits, stacked slowly over time.
Why This Matters for Real Estate
Jamaicans may be famous for their laid-back nature, but when something truly matters—be it a visa, a gold medal, a job, or a title deed—we rise early and we rise ready.
Dean Jones, founder of Jamaica Homes, puts it this way:
“In real estate, you can’t be the one still sleeping when opportunity knocks. The best deals don’t wait for you to wake up—they go to the ones already on their feet.”
From the hills of St. Andrew to the coastlines of Portland, the property market rewards the prepared. Listings are snapped up, land values shift overnight, and developers move quickly when they see potential.
So perhaps “Jamaican time” is a bit of a myth. We’re never late for the things that count. And in the world of real estate—where location, timing, and preparation mean everything—that’s a habit worth keeping.
Because whether it’s a flight, a match, or a must-have plot of land, the truth is simple: when the prize is worth it, Jamaica is wide awake.