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The JamaicanThe term "Jamaican" encompasses the citizens of Jamaica and their descendants in the Jamaican diaspora, representing a d... housing market has never been an easy climb. It is layered with ambition, compromise, and the sheer willIn Jamaica, a will is a legal document created by an individual to specify how their assets, including their belongings ... to keep pressing forward. For many JamaicansJamaicans are a resilient and vibrant people with a deep-rooted history defined by courage, resistance, and cultural ric..., owning a home is not just a transaction—it is a statement of identity, belonging, and legacyLegacy, in the context of Jamaica, real estate, and the broader world, represents the enduring impact of past actions, a.... And in truth, it often feels like the universe is whispering the same refrain: you can get it if you really want.
The First Battle: Affordability and Belief
“You can get it if you really want. But you must try, try and try, try and try.”
There it is—simple words that carry the weight of every Jamaican standing in line at the bank, poring over numbers, trying to stretch a dollar into the bricks and mortar of their future.
Prices in KingstonKingston, the capital city of Jamaica, embodies a dynamic fusion of historical depth and contemporary vitality. Establis..., Montego BayMontego Bay, often referred to as MoBay, is one of Jamaica's most popular tourist destinations, known for its stunning b..., and Ocho RiosOcho Rios is a popular resort town on Jamaica's north coast, known for its natural beauty, vibrant tourism industry, and... rise with dizzying speed. The young professional earning a decent salary wonders if the numbers will ever match their dreams. Yet, even in the turbulence, buyers cling to hope.
Dean JonesDean Jones is a chartered builder, project manager, licensed real estate professional and the founder of Jamaica Homes, ... reflects:
“The Jamaican buyerA buyer is an individual or entity that acquires goods, services, or properties through a transaction, motivated by a ne... is not naive. They know the battle will be long. But in real estateReal estate refers to property consisting of land and the structures on it, such as buildings and homes. It also include..., like in life, the harder the fight, the sweeter the moment you turn that key in your own front door.”
It is not romanticism—it’s survival. Even as affordability strains, the refrain echoes again: try and try, you’ll succeed at last.
Mortgage Rates: Opposition Along the Way
“Rome was not built in a day. Opposition will come your way.”
Those who’ve tried to secure a mortgage in JamaicaJamaica, with its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, has a unique position in the global real estate market. The i... know this lyric by heart, even if they’ve never sung it aloud. Paperwork piles up. Rates fluctuate between six and nine percent. One week the loan officerA Loan Officer in Jamaican real estate is a professional who assists borrowers in securing financing for property purcha... smiles, the next they ask for three more documents.
But buyers press on. Some choose credit unions, others lean on the National Housing Trust. They navigate the maze with quiet endurance, understanding that even if it feels like persecution, you got to get your share.
And here lies a truth Dean Jones emphasizes:
“Real estate in JamaicaReal estate in Jamaica refers to the buying, selling, leasing, and development of properties on the island, encompassing... 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 Influence and Local Strain
“Got your mind set on a dream, you can get it though hard it may seem.”
Dreams of home stretch across oceans. The diaspora—the returning residentsReturning Residents are Jamaican nationals (or persons eligible through Jamaican descent or marriage to a Jamaican natio... and overseas Jamaicans—step into the market with strength. Their U.S. dollars and British pounds fuel developments that gleam with modernity.
But locals often feel outpaced. They ask: is the market built for us, or for them? The answer, in truth, is both. The diaspora’s investment"Investment" in the realm of real estate refers to the allocation of money or resources into property with the expectati... stabilizes growth, but it also presses prices upward.
The delicate balance is a test of resilience. As one Jamaican teacher put it: “We work hard every day, but sometimes it feels like the finish line keeps moving.”
Still, the belief remains. And Dean Jones offers this counterbalance:
“Do not measure your dream against another man’s wallet. Measure it against your own persistence. PropertyProperty encompasses a wide range of tangible assets that individuals or entities can own, utilize, or invest in, includ... belongs to the patient, not just the wealthy.”
Creative Paths: Partnerships and Ingenuity
Here, Jamaica’s buyers show their sharpest creativity. Brothers join forces to buy a plot of landIn real estate, land is a foundational element that significantly impacts the value and potential of a property. It enco.... Friends sign joint mortgagesMortgages represent a financial arrangement where a borrower secures a loan from a lender using real estate as collatera.... Unmarried couples draw up legal agreementsLegal agreements in Jamaican real estate are essential for managing property transactions and ensuring clarity between p.... Some even explore fractional ownership models, a concept that feels radical today but could shape the future.
It may sound unconventional, but isn’t that the essence of resilience? Like the lyric insists, “win or lose, you got to get your share.”
And sometimes, in a country where laughter often disguises struggle, buyers admit with a smile that “affordable housingAffordable housing in Jamaica is an increasingly pressing issue, with rising land and construction costs making home own...” sounds like a punchline. Yet they still chase it, because deep down, they know—one day—the sweeter the victory.
Persistence: The Jamaican Buyer’s Anthem
As the market shifts—prices moderating in some areas, mortgage rates easing slightly—the most powerful constant is persistence. The Jamaican dreamer refuses to let go.
“You can get it if you really want… I know it! Don’t I show it? So don’t give up now.”
This refrain isn’t background music—it’s a philosophy. It speaks to the long waits on NHTNHT (National Housing Trust) is a Jamaican government agency dedicated to enhancing housing accessibility and affordabil... lists, the scrimping and saving for deposits, the countless viewings where buyers say, “Next time, maybe.”
Dean Jones captures it with characteristic clarity:
“Jamaican buyers are proof that endurance is a strategy. They remind us that patience is not passive—it’s power in slow motion.”
Subtle Echoes: Lyrics Woven in the Narrative
When you look closer, you realize the market itself hums the song. The process of waiting for approval? That’s try and try, try and try. The frustration of bidding wars against diasporaIn the context of Jamaica, real estate, and the broader global sphere, diaspora refers to the community of Jamaicans liv... dollars? That’s opposition will come your way. The eventual triumph, holding a title deedA title deed is like a special certificate that proves who owns a piece of land or a house. It’s a “proof of ownersh... in hand? That’s the sweeter the victory.
And perhaps that is why the song endures—it reads like the diary of every Jamaican homebuyer.
Closing Reflections
Homeownership in Jamaica is not just a personal goal. It is a national heartbeat. It tells of resilience, ambition, and the unshakable belief that no matter how rough the road, you’ll succeed at last.
Dean Jones leaves us with this thought:
“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 article carries the echo of one of Jamaica’s greatest voices. Jimmy Cliff’s 1970 anthem “You Can Get It If You Really Want”, itself a cover of Desmond Dekker’s original, remains an eternal soundtrack of resilience. It reminds us that beyond the numbers, the documents, and the struggles, there is a rhythm to persistence—a rhythm uniquely Jamaican.
Because in the end, you can get it if you really want.
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