The future for the market in Cayman looks extremely promising and will continue to offer a safe and secure long-term investment for those individuals looking to invest in property. Government has made reductions in the level of stamp duty as we continue to experience significant improvements in infrastructure such as roads, schools and facilities. With such factors as a safe stable community, tax benefits, state of the art communications, and our beautiful location, Cayman property a safe and lucrative investment. The Cayman Islands have always enjoyed a thriving economy. Tremendous growth in population and tourism causes great success in investments, making investing in the Cayman Islands the most profitable destination in the Caribbean. A major factor that makes real estate investment so popular is that there are no property taxes whatsoever. With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. One major advantage of doing international business in Cayman is that the technological resources in all ventures relating to global finance are readily among the highest in the world. Few other international financial centers come close to matching Cayman's professional resources. British Dependency status assures investors of the Islands stability and Cayman is signatory to international treaties and conventions and attracts the world's most respected firms and investors. The Cayman Islands real estate market is equally attractive to those looking for an overseas holiday get-away, or a retirement residence. For foreign investors, it can offer a solid capital return on their investment, as well as the chance to own a secluded piece of the most upscale and safe destination in the entire Caribbean. The Cayman Islands Real Estate Broker's Association must adhere to strict rules and regulations. The Cayman Islands uses a Multiple Listing Service system similar to that of the US and Canada. The association publishes a magazine of listings, which can be obtained free of charge from CIREBA at www.cireba.com. There are a wide variety of investment opportunities in the Cayman Islands from studio condos to ocean front estates, ranging from a small, secluded Caymanian cottage in the sparsely populated east end to a lavish Oceanfront Condominium on the world famous 7-mile beach. Time Shares or Interval Ownership are other popular forms of investment in the Cayman Islands. For as little as US$15,000 you can purchase a week of vacation time in the Cayman Islands for the rest of your life! Financing is available through numerous banks on the island - indeed, the Cayman Islands are the fifth largest banking center in the world. Because of the presence of so many financial institutions in the Caymans, mortgage lenders are abundant and rates are competitive. Many loans are written for shorter terms of 10 and 15 years, versus the traditional 30-year loans that are commonplace in other markets. The real estate market in the Caymans is a unique one affected by the international impact of competition for a share of the small island paradise. Retirees, expatriates, locals, and holiday seekers all want a piece of the pie, and the Caymans attract major corporations and individual investors alike. Lucrative income from vacation property rentals, short and long term capital gains potential, and the absence of traditional real estate taxes make the Caymans a magnet for real estate dollars from all over the world. Well over half of all properties in the Caymans are owner-occupied. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate, and a modern land registration system is run by the Government's Department of Lands and Survey. The only additional charge besides legal transaction fees is a very reasonable one-time stamp duty is payable on transfers. The Cayman Islands have the most modern and stringent building codes in the Caribbean and the quality of workmanship is among the highest in the world. Dade County, FL building codes were the foundation for formulating Cayman's codes, which are of a much higher standard. Cayman's Building Control Department supervises building codes and inspections of such things as building sites, plumbing, and electrical work. Because construction materials have to be imported, costs per square foot are considerably higher than they are in other places where materials are readily available. With no direct taxes, no property tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance taxes, no income tax, no non resident tax and no sales tax the Cayman Islands provide a lucrative tax-sheltered vehicle for your future. There are absolutely no restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate in the Cayman Islands and ownership can be held in one or more names of individuals or in a corporation, which does not reveal actual ownership. The Cayman Islands has a stable government, sophisticated infrastructure and a strong economy based on international banking and tourism and there is absolutely no reporting of income or ownership to any government agency. Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. Additionally, the Cayman Islands enjoy the lowest crime rate in the entire Caribbean! The single most important factor in purchasing real estate in the Cayman Islands is finding a trusted real estate professional. Real estate transactions in the Cayman Islands are handled quite differently than in the US, making it essential to have a trusting and knowledgeable individual representing you. We highly recommend Bill Baldwin at Remax for all areas of the Cayman Islands. Bill is an agent of unquestionable integrity, superior knowledge of the real estate market and laws of the Cayman Island; and who will work in the buyer's best interest. Your first step to a safe, uncomplicated and rewarding investment in the Cayman Islands would be to contact Bill and tell him you were referred by Activity Guide. You can get more information, photos, videos and details about real estate in the Cayman Islands at our message board: www.caymanactivityguide.com/fourms.