Research: Finding your perfect paradise
Throughout the world, there are thousands of islands that exist. Though, only a few hundred of those are actually for sale. It is true that most of these islands are a little pricey for the middle-class, and even upper-class, incomes. Some cannot even be purchased, only leased from the government. However, a small percentage of these islands are affordable by those making an above average salary. The key is finding them. A great place to begin your "treasure hunting" with an endless supply of information and accessible by almost anyone living anywhere - the world wide web.
If you don't already have a general location in mind for an island, begin your research there. Keep in mind that location plays a huge role on the price of your island. Islands in a warm climate with white beaches and palm trees scattering the landscape will tend to be much more expensive because they appeal to a wider audience. But an island of similar size out in the middle of nowhere that isn't as attractive at first sight will be more affordable. Chris Krueger pointed out that "Canada, with its million lakes and thousands of kilometers of coastline, has more islands than any other nation. This abundance of choice is reflected in island prices. It's not unusual to find a Canadian island selling for one third the price of its American equivalent, or one tenth the price of a similarly sized Caribbean property." The number of islands that exist around the globe is limited so location is of utmost importance.
Accessibility and potential improvements also play a large role in the price of an island. The more accessible the island is by boat or plane, the more expensive it will be. The same can be said for potential improvements. Is the island covered in untouched wildlife or are there already beaches, paths, and a house or two? Does the island have access to fresh water, electricity, and telephone and internet service? One must take all of these aspects into consideration when searching and purchasing an island.
The next step, perhaps even during or before your "treasure hunting" begins, is finding the right real estate agent. In Doug and K.T. Ingersoll's case, it was a matter of emailing all the agents they could find while searching the web. Their goal was to find an agent that responded in a timely manner, spoke English well, and just did their job as it should be done. Many of the agents they received replies from did not do so in a timely fashion, and when they did, their English was extremely poor. Eventually, they came across Billy from Belize Land Brokers. He had answers to their questions and responded within a day or two of their emails, if not almost immediately. They focused their efforts through him, sending him links to the island websites they found and he researched more about them. This is how an agent should be. Responsive, polite, motivated, and cares about your business. These are all things you should look for when searching the web for potential agents to help your dream come true. After finding the right agent, it is time to proceed into the buying process.