Nuttin' moves fast in Jamaica...

[rtitle]

I have had several friends who when trying to purchase land in the Treasure Beach Area (for example) found that the original title was in a great, great, grandfather's name or sometimes even back to the Land Grant days and was never transferred to the next owner in line. Lots of time people think they own land but they are not the "registered legal" owners. It took a good friend almost 11 months to get a clean title owning to the line of failures to register death certificates. It happens a lot more than you even probably think.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I'm sure that happens. BTW I discovered there is a government website ELand Jamaica https://elandjamaica.nla.gov.jm/elan...activemap.aspx which is pretty useful for checking into these things when considering buying.

[Bnewb]

Alright Rtitle...good to hear that you trust your lawyer.
The reason I ask the basic questions, isn't to insult anyone with real estate knowledge...but it always surprises me when people think that it's a handshake & a bag of cash because someone told them that's "how it's done in Jamaica".
This happens so often...I've lost count of the ones I've personally learned about.
And...how many times Booby Cay has been sold?!!

Due diligence should be always be exercised in any country regarding real estate & business transactions!

[rtitle]

Another oddity in Jamaica is that some country folk have this notion of "capture land" where they occupy a vacant piece of land they don't own, and then act like it's theirs. Some will try to convince you there's validity to the concept of capturing land and then try to sell it to you for cash and/or get you to build a house on it.

[Sasmith]

On the lighter side, there is something that is fast in Jamaica, MOTORCYCLES.

[Rob]

Another oddity in Jamaica is that some country folk have this notion of "capture land" where they occupy a vacant piece of land they don't own, and then act like it's theirs. Some will try to convince you there's validity to the concept of capturing land and then try to sell it to you for cash and/or get you to build a house on it.

Rtitle,

There is no oddity as it is a valid concept.

Occupational rights can be granted under what is known as adverse possession.

The notion is supported by the law, so some country folk are actually helping you by explaining some of laws that are not familiar.

But as a foreigner, buying such land is not recommended. Get a clear title first.

[mwenvlay]

Another oddity in Jamaica is that some country folk have this notion of "capture land" where they occupy a vacant piece of land they don't own, and then act like it's theirs. Some will try to convince you there's validity to the concept of capturing land and then try to sell it to you for cash and/or get you to build a house on it.

i don't know... if you see this as an oddity, it kinda means you're not fully attuned to the culture at all.

i'm not saying you should ever consider buying a piece of land that doesn't have a clear/clean deed, but the fact that you use the word "oddity" to describe a very common practice throughout the caribbean leads me to think you're going to be in for a LOT of surprises once your deal comes through.

[Kold Ass Mofo]

i don't know... if you see this as an oddity, it kinda means you're not fully attuned to the culture at all.

i'm not saying you should ever consider buying a piece of land that doesn't have a clear/clean deed, but the fact that you use the word "oddity" to describe a very common practice throughout the caribbean leads me to think you're going to be in for a LOT of surprises once your deal comes through.

I have expat friends living part or full time in Jamaica, Panama, Portugal, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Rule number 1: Embrace the culture, the groove, the traditions, and remember you aren't in New York, and handfuls of cash won't change a thing. I know more than one couple (and one family) that ended up right back in the States because they could not handle the how slow things happen, heaps of bureaucracy, and blatant racism. I have been advised to rent long term before buying.

I wish you well Rtitle. If nuttin moves fast in Jamaica then, nuttin moves fast in Jamaica. Embrace the groove.

[JDd]

On the lighter side, there is something that is fast in Jamaica, MOTORCYCLES.

ya ...and cars

[TuffGong]

i don't know... if you see this as an oddity, it kinda means you're not fully attuned to the culture at all.

i'm not saying you should ever consider buying a piece of land that doesn't have a clear/clean deed, but the fact that you use the word "oddity" to describe a very common practice throughout the caribbean leads me to think you're going to be in for a LOT of surprises once your deal comes through.

Fair enough, but it also might help explain why Jamaica remains a 3rd world country with a high murder rate, high unemployment, etc. JA needs to continue to modernize or be left behind, easy to say "culture" but it's this kind of issue that hurts investment opportunities and thus the chance to advance the nation.

[Rob]

Fair enough, but it also might help explain why Jamaica remains a 3rd world country with a high murder rate, high unemployment, etc. JA needs to continue to modernize or be left behind, easy to say "culture" but it's this kind of issue that hurts investment opportunities and thus the chance to advance the nation.

Investment opportunities abound in Jamaica. A copy of any land title is available from the National Land Agency (NLA) and can be purchased online via the NLA's website.

This is available because of the modernization steps that the government made many years ago.

Anyone interested in investment opportunities that can advance the nation are encouraged to use this service.