Caribbean first-time buyers

A special retrospective spanning the full seventeen-year archive of the Caribbean Property & Investment Review — from the global financial crisis of 2009 through Guyana’s oil era and beyond, to July 2026.

As Caribbean central banks follow global peers in easing monetary policy, the first tangible effects are reaching mortgage markets in January 2026. The analysis examines whether lower borrowing costs can unlock first-time buyer demand, stimulate construction and narrow the Caribbean’s widening housing affordability gap.

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 has deteriorated to crisis levels with construction costs 25-40 percent above pre-pandemic levels, Jamaica’s NHT facing a 50,000-application backlog, and the ECCB flagging housing costs as a systemic risk across OECS economies.

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.

The Caribbean assesses post-Irene recovery and opens the 2011-12 tourism season, with Jamaica still led by PM Bruce Golding and T&T recording strong energy revenues.

Puerto Rico and the Bahamas assess Hurricane Irene’s aftermath as the 2011-12 Caribbean tourism season opens strongly, with PM Golding leading Jamaica and T&T recording strong energy revenue.

Hurricane Irene strikes Puerto Rico and the Bahamas in August 2011, prompting Caribbean property owners and insurers to reassess coastal resilience and coverage.

The Caribbean enjoys strong peak summer 2011 performance while meteorologists track intensifying Atlantic storm activity, with multiple systems developing in the basin.

Caribbean summer 2011 tourism performs well despite Eurozone debt crisis uncertainty as European visitor confidence wavers, while T&T leads regional investment growth.

NOAA forecasts an above-normal 2011 Atlantic hurricane season as Caribbean investors monitor storm risk, while regional investment momentum continues to build.

NOAA forecasts an above-normal 2011 Atlantic hurricane season as the Caribbean monitors storm risk, while investment momentum builds across Jamaica, T&T and the Dominican Republic.

Caribbean property and investment summer outlook 2011 as Arab Spring-driven oil prices boost T&T revenues but strain energy-importing islands ahead of hurricane season.

The Caribbean assesses Trinidad Carnival’s economic impact as Japan’s earthquake and the Arab Spring drive oil prices higher and inject global uncertainty into property markets.

The Caribbean gears up for Trinidad Carnival 2011 and a promising spring investment season, with property markets showing resilience amid global uncertainty.