In Jamaica, the idea of owning a home is more than just a milestone — it is a declaration. It speaks of persistence, of carving out stability in a country where housing is scarce, land carries deep ancestral value, and families view property as the foundation of legacy. It is also a dream constantly tested by rising prices, mortgage hurdles, and the clash between diaspora money and local salaries.
Yet, through every challenge, Jamaicans remain steadfast. The journey is often long and winding, but the spirit remains unbroken. And perhaps the most fitting soundtrack is the immortal refrain that has carried generations through hardship:
“You can get it if you really want.
But you must try, try and try, try and try.
You’ll succeed at last.”
Jimmy Cliff’s 1970 anthem, itself a cover of Desmond Dekker’s original, was never just about music. It was a philosophy, one that continues to mirror the struggles of homeownership in Jamaica today.
The Buyer’s Heartbeat: What Jamaicans Want Most
Talk to any first-time buyer in Jamaica — a teacher in Kingston, a young nurse in Montego Bay, or a couple in Mandeville — and the refrain is almost identical:
- They want affordability. Homes within reach of a middle-class salary, not just the privileged few.
- They want stability. Mortgage rates that don’t swallow half their income each month.
- They want transparency. A process that doesn’t feel like an endless uphill battle.
Dean Jones, Realtor Associate at Coldwell Banker Jamaica Realty and founder of Jamaica Homes, puts it plainly:
“In Jamaica, a home isn’t just a roof over your head—it’s proof that you’ve secured your future. Buyers aren’t chasing luxury; they’re chasing peace of mind.”
It is peace of mind that is often the most elusive.
Affordability: The Battlefront
The first hurdle is price. For years, property values in Kingston, St. Andrew, and St. James have soared at a pace many locals simply can’t keep up with. A townhouse in Barbican or Constant Spring can now rival the cost of a Florida condo. Even modest two-bedroom apartments are edging beyond the reach of mid-level professionals.
The question that inevitably arises: who are these homes really being built for?
Developers will answer that the diaspora, investors, and higher-income Jamaicans are driving demand. And indeed, their U.S. dollars and British pounds keep the construction sector alive. But for the teacher making JMD $200,000 a month, or the police officer supporting a family, that answer feels hollow.
And so the refrain comes again, like a sigh under the breath: “Persecution you must bear, win or lose, you got to get your share.”
When Prices Pause: Signs of Moderation
But there is hope. While Jamaica doesn’t publish real-time national housing statistics like the U.S., agents and bankers confirm a subtle change:
- Apartments in some areas are taking longer to sell.
- Sellers are beginning to accept lower-than-expected offers.
- Land in rural parishes, once inflated during COVID, has steadied.
This doesn’t mean a crash — Jamaica rarely experiences extreme drops. Instead, the market shows signs of moderation. And for buyers, that small shift can be the crack in the wall that lets them through.
Mortgage Rates: The Second Hurdle
“Rome was not built in a day. Opposition will come your way.”
If affordability is the first battle, financing is the second. Jamaican mortgage rates typically hover between 6% and 9%, far higher than the U.S. Yet within the past year, some banks and credit unions have introduced special packages for young professionals and first-time buyers. Even a small reduction can make a monumental difference over the life of a loan.
The bureaucracy, however, remains daunting. Countless forms, slow approvals, and ever-shifting requirements can wear down the most hopeful applicant. But this is where persistence becomes more than virtue; it becomes survival.
Dean Jones captures it well:
“Real estate in Jamaica is less about transactions and more about transformation. Every signature on a mortgage is a declaration that, no matter the odds, you will not be left behind.”
Diaspora Buyers: Blessing and Burden
One of the most defining features of the Jamaican market is the influence of the diaspora. Returning residents and overseas investors have long poured money into property. Their spending powers new developments and fuels the economy.
But it also pushes prices beyond the reach of locals. When a returning Jamaican offers U.S. dollars, they outpace the Kingston nurse applying for a Jamaican-dollar mortgage.
It’s a double-edged sword. The diaspora is both lifeline and rival. Their influence isn’t inherently negative — it’s necessary. But without adequate policies and middle-market housing, the average Jamaican risks being pushed to the margins of their own homeland.
Creativity in Ownership: Partnerships and Ingenuity
Where the system limits them, Jamaicans adapt. More and more, families are pooling resources. Siblings buy land together. Couples secure joint mortgages. Friends form legal partnerships to co-invest.
This collective approach may raise legal complexities, but it reflects Jamaica’s culture of resourcefulness. No matter the obstacle, there’s always a way forward.
After all, as the song insists: “Got your mind set on a dream, you can get it though hard it may seem.”
Government’s Role: A Bridge, Not a Solution
The National Housing Trust (NHT) remains the cornerstone of homeownership for many Jamaicans. Offering lower-interest loans and housing solutions, it has given thousands of families a chance.
But demand always outstrips supply. NHT units are oversubscribed. Wait times stretch for years. And while the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) provides relief for vulnerable families, it doesn’t meet the needs of the squeezed middle-class earners who fuel the workforce.
The result? Many buyers cannot wait for government schemes. They dive into the private market, braving the storm.
Persistence as Strategy
“The harder the battle you see, the sweeter the victory.”
In housing, as in life, persistence pays. Buyers who save patiently, wait for the right market shift, and refuse to abandon their dream often succeed. The process may take years, but the triumph is profound.
Dean Jones reminds us:
“Jamaican buyers are proof that endurance is a strategy. They remind us that patience is not passive—it’s power in slow motion.”
And this endurance is perhaps the most Jamaican trait of all.
Subtle Echoes: The Song Beneath the Market
Look closely at the Jamaican housing story and the song is everywhere. The NHT applicant waiting five years for approval? Try and try, try and try.
The family losing out to a diaspora bidder? Opposition will come your way.
The young professional finally collecting their keys? The sweeter the victory.
The market itself hums Jimmy Cliff’s anthem — a ballad of obstacles met with defiance.
Looking Ahead: The Next Decade
What lies ahead for Jamaica’s housing market?
- Prices are likely to continue rising, though slower, especially outside Kingston.
- Mortgage rates may ease slightly as banks compete for younger buyers.
- Government housing will expand, but never fast enough.
- Diaspora influence will remain strong, shaping developments along the coasts.
- Innovation in joint ownership and cooperative housing could grow.
The challenges are real, but so is the resilience. And resilience, in Jamaica, is a kind of currency.
Final Reflections: The Promise of Home
For Jamaicans, owning a home is more than wealth. It is proof of belonging. It is the assurance that no matter how unstable the world feels, there is a place that is yours, built by persistence.
Dean Jones offers the last word:
“To own in Jamaica is to believe in Jamaica. It is a promise, not only to yourself but to the generations that will walk through that same front door.”
A Tribute
This meditation is inspired by one of Jamaica’s greatest voices. Jimmy Cliff’s “You Can Get It If You Really Want”, first released in 1970 and originally penned by Desmond Dekker, has become an anthem of persistence. It is a song of resistance, of hope, and of triumph — and it is impossible to separate its message from the story of Jamaicans striving for homeownership.
Because at the end of the day, when the battles are done and the keys rest in your hand, one truth remains:
You can get it if you really want. But you must try, try and try. You’ll succeed at last.