One of the most renowned real estate agents in Antigua, Tradewind Realty was established in 1992. The company has an extensive experience in the local Antiguan market and the owners Frank van Nieuwburg and Aleida Schreuder know the property market very well. Tradewind Realty is a ‘one stop shop’ for property sales and villa rentals in Antigua. There is a wide selection of land, villas and commercial properties for sale and villas for rent. Tradewind represent all major developers and are the exclusive agents for The Peninsula in the North Sound and for Golden Point in English Harbour, two high-end private residential developments on spectacular locations.

Growth track
Antigua has become one of the hot spots for second homes in the Caribbean. Construction is evident throughout the island and any visitor will witness Antigua is on a growth track. Property values have increased substantially during the last five to seven years due to the increase in demand and a limited supply of properties of an international standard. Even with these increased prices Antigua real estate offers good value for money and it compares favourably to Barbados and other more developed islands.

Good shape
Antigua has fared relatively well in the economic crisis. Large Canadian Banks and smaller indigenous banks dominate the banking scene. Both have been very conservative in their lending and investment policies. Consequently banks are still in good shape and property owners are not over borrowed. Property is not overpriced and Antigua does not have an over supply of properties that need to be sold at any prices. Although that all sounds positive the economic crisis does have a substantial effect on the market due to the slowdown in demand from international buyers.

Antigua is a safe and attractive place for property investments. Government actively encourages high-end hotel and residential development and provides incentives for existing and new projects. Investors and developers have come together with government in recent years that will make a difference for Antigua’s hospitality and property markets. Several major brand hotel groups consider opening a hotel or resort in Antigua. In five years Antigua will likely have two or three major brand hotels and championship golf courses.

With these expansions in the hospitality industry Antigua is bound to benefit from the economic recovery that will follow. The year 2010 may likely offer a purchasing opportunity that is worth researching.

Tel:  1 268 460 1082; fax: 1 268 460 1081; email: info@tradewindrealty.com; web: www.tradewindrealty.com; Villa Rentals: www.antiguavillas.com