Real Estate on The Rock

Dean Jones was invited on RJR this morning to discuss a reality most people are not talking about. 80% of homes in Jamaica are uninsured, and most of the rest are underinsured. The hypothesis is simple: Jamaica doesn’t have a housing problem, it has a risk problem. That risk is being carried by the very households least able to absorb it. The conclusion is clear: when disaster hits, recovery is al...

This text examines the global reach and economic significance of the Jamaican diaspora, highlighting that millions of citizens and their descendants now live across the world. Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s visit to New York serves as a focal point for mobilising international expertise and investment to aid in the nation's recovery following Hurricane Melissa. Statistical data reveals a sign...

This podcast examines the economic pressures currently defining the Jamaican real estate market and argues that delayed purchasing often leads to higher long-term costs. Rather than experiencing typical market crashes, property values in Jamaica tend to stabilise and then rise due to limited land availability and consistent demand from the diaspora. The text highlights how global inflation, rising...

The provided podcast details significant 2026 policy changes by Jamaica’s National Housing Trust designed to improve property affordability for specific demographics. Key initiatives include interest rate reductions for essential public sector workers and a substantial increase in housing allocations for citizens under the age of 35. To further assist first-time buyers, the government is introduci...

Recent geochemical surveys conducted off the southern coast of Jamaica have identified hydrocarbon signals, reigniting discussions about the nation's offshore energy potential. While United Oil & Gas Plc reported the presence of specific gases linked to oil formation, no commercial discovery has been officially confirmed. This development draws comparisons to successful basins in Guyana, y...

The podcasr examines the deceptive ease of entering the Jamaican property market, highlighting the stark gap between popular perception and economic reality. While many view real estate as a simple career alternative, the author uses statistical analysis to show that a limited number of monthly transactions are actually controlled by a small elite of professionals. High competition among agents, c...

Jamaica currently faces a critical energy crisis where exorbitant electricity costs are primarily driven by a heavy reliance on imported fuels and a vulnerable, centralised grid. The existing utility model unfairly forces consumers to absorb the financial shocks of global market volatility and infrastructure damage caused by natural disasters. While solar power presents a viable alternative for de...

A recent government audit in Jamaica has exposed significant financial mismanagement and a lack of oversight regarding public expenditure across several ministries. The report highlights substantial monetary irregularities, including over two hundred million dollars in salary overpayments and millions in unverified project spending. These systemic failures threaten the country's infrastructure...

This podcast examines the Jamaican property market in early 2026, highlighting how mortgage rates have remained stagnant despite recent cuts to the central bank's policy rate. While the National Housing Trust continues to offer the most affordable financing, private lenders have maintained higher margins, leaving many buyers to face significant upfront costs and rising property values. The ana...

This editorial from Jamaica Homes News explores why global capital continues to flow into real estate despite widespread geopolitical and economic instability. By examining Dubai’s resilient property market as a primary case study, the text highlights how prime residential assets and high-net-worth cash buyers provide a buffer against financial shocks. The source argues that strong regulatory fram...

The Jamaican government has announced a J$20 million investment to repair the dock at the Blue Lagoon, a world-famous natural attraction in Portland. This project is part of a larger strategy by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust to modernise visitor infrastructure while safeguarding the site's delicate ecosystem. Beyond physical repairs, officials are planning a new structured management sys...

The provided text explores the strategic and economic implications of potential offshore oil discoveries in Jamaica, specifically within the Walton-Morant block. It emphasises that such a find could offer economic leverage and the necessary funding for climate resilience and infrastructure in a nation frequently battered by severe weather. However, the author argues that success depends on transpa...

Welcome Home: Jamaica’s Story—From the Fire of History to the Flame of Future traces the powerful, often overlooked role of women in shaping Jamaica’s identity. From Taino women safeguarding the first seeds of survival, to Nanny of the Maroons’ blueprint for freedom, to Mary Seacole’s bridge-building beyond borders, the podcast journeys through centuries of resilience, property ownership, and cult...

Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa in late 2025, Jamaica is facing a significant mental health crisis that extends beyond the destruction of physical infrastructure. This record-breaking storm caused billions in damage, but community leaders like Ava Brown are now highlighting the deep psychological trauma experienced by displaced families and vulnerable children. Through partne...

This podcast examines how American political and economic shifts indirectly influence the Jamaican property market through established international dependencies. Although the two nations share a stable relationship, changes in U.S. trade, immigration, and financial policies can ripple through the island's economy by altering tourism demand and remittance flows. These factors are critical beca...

This podcast from Jamaica Homes explores why aspiring property owners should avoid delaying their purchases in hopes of finding the perfect mortgage rate. While many buyers fixate on small fluctuations in interest, the author argues that rising land values and construction costs often outweigh any minor savings gained by waiting. The text highlights that Jamaica’s real estate market moves at a ste...

This article explores the psychological and financial factors that lead Jamaican property buyers to delay their purchases in hopes of securing lower mortgage rates. The author argues that waiting for the "perfect" rate is often counterproductive, as modest interest fluctuations typically result in minimal changes to monthly repayments. Furthermore, the text warns that rising property val...

This podcast examines the historical and diplomatic complexities surrounding the recent end of the healthcare cooperation agreement between Jamaica and Cuba. It places the withdrawal of Cuban medical professionals into a wider context of Caribbean survival, where small nations must balance regional solidarity with the geopolitical influence of the United States. The text contrasts the two islands&...

This podcast examines how geopolitical instability and recent military conflict are threatening the previously resilient property market in the United Arab Emirates. While cities like Dubai have long been viewed as secure tax havens for international wealth, missile strikes have caused investor confidence to waver and developer share prices to decline. The text highlights a growing concern that an...

This podcast xplores the demographic shift in Jamaica, focusing on why the national fertility rate has fallen below replacement levels. The author argues that declining birth rates are not merely a social trend but a structural consequence of a widening housing affordability gap and limited economic opportunities. High property costs and uneven mortgage access are identified as primary barriers th...

The provided podcast examines the widespread phenomenon of incomplete residential structures across Jamaica, particularly those funded by the diaspora. While many of these "paused dreams" result from economic shifts or personal tragedies, a significant portion stems from broken trust and predatory contracting practices. The author highlights how a lack of professional oversight and forma...

The provided podcast explores the relevance and adaptation of open houses within the modern Jamaican real estate market. While digital searches now dominate the industry, the source argues that physical viewings remain a vital tool for networking and building community connections. It highlights the necessity of adjusting traditional North American strategies to fit local realities, such as securi...

This article from Jamaica Homes examines the cyclical nature of hurricane recovery and its profound impact on the nation’s real estate market. The author argues that true restoration is a multi-year process that involves much more than just repairing physical structures or stabilising the national economy. To move beyond a constant state of rebuilding, the text advocates for a shift toward proacti...

This podcast highlights the unique cultural and logistical complexities of the Jamaican real estate market, urging both buyers and sellers to prioritize professional preparation. It emphasizes that property on the island represents a profound emotional legacy, yet the process is often hindered by casual browsing that exhausts the resources of commission-based agents. Because of Jamaica’s challengi...

This article from the Jamaica Observer explores a futuristic vision for vertical urban development on the island to address limited land availability. Author Dean Jones argues that moving upward must involve more than just height; it requires intelligent building systems that can autonomously manage seismic activity, fire safety, and energy efficiency. These proposed "thinking buildings"...