With the US Federal Reserve holding rates at 5.25-5.50 percent, Caribbean mortgage markets face severe affordability pressures as Jamaica’s NHT records surging applications and Barbados reports a 15 percent drop in new mortgage originations.

Caribbean housing affordability reaches crisis point as US Federal Reserve raises rates to 4.75% and commercial mortgage rates in Jamaica breach 12%, with the NHT remaining the critical last line of concessional finance.

As 2021 enters its final quarter, Jamaica’s property market takes stock of a year of strong demand and rising costs — and watches the Bank of Jamaica’s next policy move closely.

At mid-year, Jamaica’s property market remains buoyant: young professionals drive the apartment sector, diaspora capital flows steadily, and the NHT pipeline advances on target.