Kingston, Jamaica — In the weeks following Hurricane Melissa, conversations across Jamaica have shifted. From repair costs and insurance claims to drainage, roofs, and community resilience, the storm has forced a collective pause — and a reassessment of what “home” truly means.
While many households remain focused on recovery, industry professionals say the hurricane has also influenced how Jamaicans are thinking about homeownership, particularly among first-time buyers and returning members of the diaspora. The focus, they note, is moving away from surface-level features and toward fundamentals such as structure, land quality, location, and long-term livability.
According to real estate professionals, one concept is gaining renewed relevance in the current climate: the flexible wish list.
“A lot of buyers are realising that what looks good online doesn’t always hold up in real life — especially after a storm,” said Dean Jones, Founder of Jamaica Homes and Realtor Associate. “A home is n…
