KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the days since the Category 5 hurricane tore across Jamaica, leaving uprooted roofs, flooded neighbourhoods and crippled infrastructure in its wake, the conversation about homeownership on the island has shifted dramatically.
The storm, which battered every parish for nearly twelve hours, revealed a truth that local real estate professionals have been saying quietly for years: when it comes to buying a home in Jamaica, the greatest risk is not the mortgage rate — it’s everything else.
For months before the storm, many Jamaicans had adopted a cautious “wait and see” approach, holding out for slightly lower interest rates from banks and credit unions. Buyers hoped for that coveted 5.99% or similar figure, believing it would provide the comfort and affordability they needed.
But in the aftermath of the hurricane, the wisdom of that strategy is being questioned.
Property expert and Founder of Jamaica Homes, Dean Jones, says the storm has made one thing clear:
“In Jamaica…
