Buying Your Own Private Estate Island: Important Tips

Buying your own island is not just for celebrities anymore. For the ultimate in private estates, buying your own island has never been easier or more affordable. But before answering that private island for sale ad, prospective buyers should carefully consider the pros and cons of buying a private island.

Why Buy Your Own Island?

For some it's the isolation and privacy. For others buying your own island is actually a less expensive alternative to buying traditional waterfront property. Whatever the reason, buying your own island can be the adventure of a lifetime.

To check out a tour of some private islands for sale, click HERE.

Buying Your Own Island Tips

Although buying your own island bears some similarities to any other real estate transaction, the factors involved can be both more numerous and more complicated. When buying your own island, take the following factors into consideration before making your purchase.

Budget

Obviously budget is a primary factor involved in buying your own island. The more you can spend the better an island you can buy. What defines a better island for sale depends on personal preferences, but in general the more expensive islands are generally larger, more stable, and have a better infrastructure in place.

Water

When considering an island for sale, a reliable water source is of paramount importance. Islands close to shore may have water and other utilities provided from the mainland; however more remote islands need their own self-contained water source. Wells need to checked for refill time and reliability. Islands in tropical locales usually receive ample amounts of rainwater. Desalination plants have dropped in price and are a feasible alternative.

Location

Just as in any typical real estate purchase, location is a vital factor when it comes to buying your own island. Most of the time, picking the location of the island you wish to buy is a tradeoff between convenience and privacy. Remote islands offer maximum privacy but are typically more susceptible to inclement weather. Less remote islands offer less privacy but better access to supplies and staff.

If you've found an island for sale that is in a foreign country, you should consider the political stability of the surrounding region as well.

Island Size

Choosing the right size island for your needs is another factor to consider when buying your own island. Small islands, between 2 - 10 acres, can be used for a part-time getaway house or a small permanent house. Islands 10-20 acres in size can support a large house and guest cottages. If you plan on building a commercial resort, then larger islands of 20+ acres are the minimum size needed to support larger scale development.

Accessibility

Make sure the island for sale has good anchorage in both high and low tides. Gently-sloping sandy beaches located in coves make excellent anchorages.

Check the quality of your dock. Have it inspected. Dock construction or repair can be a costly part of the island buying process, but considering the vital nature of the dock, it's one you can't skimp on.

Ownership Rights

If you are buying an island in a foreign country, be sure to have an attorney or other trusted expert thoroughly check the island's documentation. Be sure you know exactly what you are purchasing. Often, while you may own the island, the local government owns everything below the high tide mark. In other words, you may find yourself owning an island but not owning its beaches.

Utilities

Electricity is one of your primary needs. Most islands will need to be self-sufficient when it comes to electricity. Fortunately you have a variety of options for generating electricity from generators to solar and wind power. Other utilities, such as phone service and television are available through satellite technology.

Developed vs. Undeveloped Islands

Obviously an already developed island may cost more than an undeveloped one. Be sure to factor in increased development costs when building on a virgin island. Labor, supplies and materials must be shipped in adding to the cost of development. As a result, you may find an initially more expensive developed island more cost efficient than developing an untouched island.

Caretakers

If you plan on buying an island to build a vacation home, reliable caretakers are essential. Because of an island's isolation, security while you are not in residence is a primary concern against squatters and other uninvited visitors.

Island Beaches

When most people think of buying their own island, they picture lounging on beautiful sunset beaches. Most islands are not surrounded by beaches, so make sure when you inspect your island to note beach locations. For most, a beach on the western side of the island is desirable. There's nothing like watching the sun setting from you own private beach. Naturally this is a matter of personal taste.

Check the quality of the sand on your island's beach, not just its color. Is it finely granulated, perfect for barefoot strolls through the surf? Or is the sand course and riddled with broken shells?

Height Above Sea Level

Of particular concern in hurricane-prone regions such as the Caribbean, be sure your island is high enough above sea level to minimize the effects of storm surges and the other damaging weather effects. Islands located in rivers can be prone to flood damage, so be sure to check the highest and lowest recorded water levels for your island before you select your building site.

Island Brokers

A knowledgeable island broker is usually the first point of contact if you are interested in buying your own island. The internet has any number of sources available if you are looking for private islands for sale.

Vladi Private Islands is one of the oldest island brokers in the business. Click HERE to visit Vladi Private Island's website.

Private Islands Online features hundreds of islands for sale. Click HERE to visit their website.

Tropical Islands also features several islands for sale. Click HERE to visit their website.