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On the sunny leeward coast, Ko Olina features a variety of vacation home communities on the grounds of the oceanfront Ko Olina Resort. Condos, townhomes, and single-family homes are available, and the resort includes four luxury hotels, shops, golf courses, and a marina. For between $2,950 to $3,150 per month, a couple can enjoy a comfortable retirement in Ambergris Caye—a budget that includes the cost of a house or apartment rental. If you own your own home on the island outright, then expats report it’s possible for a couple to live quite comfortably on less than $2,000 a month. There are many beautiful paradisiac islands to look at when you’re ready to acquire new property. You’ll want to explore the characteristics that make each of them special and, when possible, check off several boxes on your list of needs.
With its clear turquoise water and long stretches of white, pristine sand beaches, Boracay has captured the world’s attention. In 2012, the island was voted number one by the readers of the Travel and Leisure magazine and has maintained this reputation ever since. Sylva is a historic small town at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. A fan-favorite attraction is the Jackson County Historic Courthouse, the most-photographed building in Sylva, built on a hill overlooking the tree-lined downtown. As you can imagine, outdoor activities are abundant in this mountain town, with many guests spending the days hiking wooded trails or fly fishing on the area’s snaking rivers and streams.
Top 25 best places to buy a vacation home
It’s also a prime destination for people who enjoy world-class shopping. But living here costs a premium as it’s between 30% and 50% more expensive than in the U.S. The beaches around Las Terrenas are some of the most pristine in the Dominican Republic.
To stay closer to the action in the capital of San Juan, condos near the University of Puerto Rico are solid choices. Investors with an eye for the long game can find value in fourplexes in Canovanas. But beware that even if a favorite comes in well under budget, the town may not allow short-term vacation rentals.
Lake Havasu City, AZ
It’s known as a budget island where housing and food are both cheap . To purchase real estate here, Americans need only to present a copy of their passport. Expats can score two-bedroom condos for between $230,000 to $300,000—a sweet deal, considering many of these homes are within walking distance to the ocean. We hate to rouse you from this intoxicating reverie, but buying a beach crib in these locales isn’t exactly cheap.
However, the monthly revenue potential is huge if you’re considering a second home or investment property. Not only is the rental occupancy rate a delightful 77%, but the beach market is hot for short-term rental buyers, according to Vacasa’s 2022 Vacation Rental Buyers Report. But what the island lacks in terms of location it makes up for in size. The Dominican Republic is large compared to most other countries in the Caribbean (it’s twice the size of New Hampshire) and it offers a wide range of opportunities for affordable real estate. The country’s economy relies heavily on tourism; the tourism industry generates 58.2 percent of the total GDP and employs more than half of the labor force.
Hatteras Island, North Carolina
Among them are grand Mount Halcon, the Apo Reef National Park, the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world, a relatively unknown slice of paradise called Pandan Island, and the 13 virgin islands of Bulalacao. With its beaches, diving sites, and mountains, Mindoro has all the ingredients for a perfect and complete island escapade. The island of Panay is divided into the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo. Aklan is known for its mangrove forests, pristine Jawili Falls, and its seven basins, dive sites, palm-fringed beaches, and of course the Ati-Atihan Festival. Antique, on the other hand, is known for its Bugtong-Bato Falls, marine reserves, quiet shores, and lush jungles.
Our friends at Clever can match you with trusted local real estate agents and help you get 0.5% cash back. Vacation homes in Tucson are more affordable than in the rest of the state. The typical home value is just $331,027 compared to the state’s average of $448,325. Before you buy, also consider that you’ll pay just over $2,000 in property taxes. However, the property tax rate is well below the national average of 1.07%, and the occupancy rate is a high 75%.
Delray Beach, Florida
Nestled along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Corolla is making a repeat appearance on our Top 25 list—with an impressive jump up from the number 24 spot in 2021. The small-town vibe of this beach community doesn’t mean guests sacrifice access to high-end dining, shopping, or unique experiences. Visitors can find vacation homes of all kinds in Corolla, from the cozy and quaint to the downright luxurious, with some vacation rentals featuring private pools, theater rooms, indoor hot tubs, and direct beach access. One of the most popular attractions in Corolla is its wild horses, a herd of Colonial Spanish mustangs that roam the area’s beaches freely. Palm Coast is the perfect place to support an active lifestyle, with numerous oceanfront golf courses and over 125 miles of hiking and biking trails through state parks and nature preserves. It also has a notable art scene with Insta-worthy murals and other outdoor art attractions to serve as a backdrop for lasting vacation memories.
According to Robert, the average price of a home in the south is $750,000 and can go up to $1.8 million. Luxury condos in Bonaire start at $250,000 and average between $600,00 to $700,000. Falcone says that while America still gives real estate developers free reign to build in places engineers may consider unsafe, that’s not the case in Aruba. “It should be about what the engineers tell you, not, oh you’re a developer and you just want to sell cheap land.
Crabbing, whale-watching, hiking, and kayaking are preferred pastime activities during the day, and when the sun sets, many gather around bonfires on the beach to enjoy the starry skies. “The ones that are closest to town generate the best income,” Laughlin says. A cute, three-bedroom house on more than 2.5 acres is listed for just $275,000.
Stop by the Seaside Aquarium to feed the seals, who each have their own unique ways to get your attention. Those who want to spend time in the water will find waves ripe for surfing and a bay ideal for kayaking. With a 5.2% cap rate, homeowners in Seaside can enjoy approximately $45,000 annual gross rental revenue. Are you wondering where are the best places to buy a home in the Caribbean?
Folklore tells us that Marinduque emerged right at the spot where the ill-fated lovers Marin and Duke sank to their death, thus explaining the island’s heart shape. Famous for its Moriones Festival, Marinduque is a haven of hot springs, waterfalls, caves, mountains, islets, and crystal waters. With a beachfront house or an inland getaway in this community of mostly fishers and farmers, you’d quickly forget the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some peace and quiet. Are you looking to purchase your first vacation rental or wish to explore a new market?
At the age of 55, Rob and Julie Goff had had enough of the cold, the snow, and their ongoing business pressures. When they realized they could have a full-time life on a Caribbean island, they quickly took action. We've improved the traditional real estate model with modern technology to cut costs, not quality. You’ll find the Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, historical attractions such as Fort Gaines, and the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, which is one of the largest on the east coast. If you're ready to buy your next home, our friends at Clever can help! Clever will match you with top-rated agents who know how to navigate your local market.
The realtor.com® data team has pinpointed the top Caribbean and Central American beach towns right now for Americans looking to make the plunge into international real estate. Situated at the junction of Arizona, California, and Nevada, Lake Havasu attracts visitors from all three states, with many Californians tempted by the comparatively affordable real estate and low taxes. This two-bedroom, single-family home with lake views is on the market for less than $500,000. For those who don’t mind a short drive from the beach, a three-bedroom new build on a corner lot is on the market for $309,000. An oceanfront one-bedroom condo with plenty of amenities is listed for $184,500.
