Recent years have seen a steady increase in demand for Caribbean real estate, and Antigua is becoming one of the most keenly followed markets in the area.
Antigua is one of the islands drawing increasing attention from around the world, according to a recent Financial Times article analyzing the Caribbean real estate market. This change is being driven by a number of factors. Direct aircraft connections are getting better, new residential developments are increasing the variety of residences available to foreign buyers, and remote employment has made it easier for buyers to spend longer time overseas.
In contrast to other resort areas, the island is still reasonably priced. Prime residential real estate in Antigua averages about $490 per square foot, compared to about $500 per square foot in Barbados and much more in places like the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos, according to Savills research cited in the paper. The value that many buyers perceive in Caribbean ownership is further demonstrated by the fact that prices are projected to be about 75% lower than equivalent premium property in Miami.
Demand for Citizenship by Investment and Year-Round
Over the past ten years, Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) has been one of the key factors driving the country’s real estate industry. The scheme has expanded the island’s buyer base beyond seasonal tourists and enables eligible investors to seek citizenship through an authorized real estate transaction.
The investment thresholds were modified in 2024. The direct gift option was raised from $100,000, while the minimum real estate investment requirement was reduced from $400,000 to $300,000.