Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

The process of acquiring a private island is somewhat similar to buying a home, the only difference is in the price. Choosing a house, you study the general condition of the building, foundation, the presence of dampness, parasites and pests. The process of choosing an island is almost the same, only there are many more factors to evaluate, and in most cases the buyer has no idea about the evaluation criteria. Considering the amount that you are willing to spend on the purchase of the island, we recommend that you pay special attention to the characteristics described in this article.

Steps

1. 1 Decide on the price. Obviously, the larger your budget, the more upscale island you can purchase, but some people have overly high expectations. You should not save too much at the expense of quality, and sometimes it is even better to wait until you have accumulated enough funds to purchase and equip a good island. Having saved once on a purchase, later you may remain unhappy with it, and having made an unsuccessful deal, it will no longer be possible to cancel it. It is better to spend more on a good island than to buy a mediocre one and save some money.
2. 2 Select the location of the island. The geographical location of the island is one of the most important selection criteria for most buyers. When planning a purchase, it is very important to consider this factor. It is not only the features of the island itself that matter, but also its surroundings. It is advisable that there are developed settlements nearby where you can replenish supplies. It would be nice to have a train station or airport nearby. In other words, the developed infrastructure makes the island convenient for living. However, too close proximity of settlements can compromise your privacy. The islands located far from the mainland are not rich in landscapes and are susceptible to the effects of storms, while the islands in the bays are very picturesque and protected from adverse weather conditions.
3. 3 Make sure there are fresh water sources. Sources of water are the most important condition for life on the island and the second most important criterion for choosing when buying. As a rule, the smaller the island, the less water it has. However, even on large rocky islands there is little water. Each island has several possibilities for obtaining fresh water. Look for aquifers. The closer they are to the surface of the earth, the easier it will be to dig a well or borehole. If there is already a well on the island, carry out the necessary tests to ensure that it is suitable. This can be done by pumping out all the water and measuring the time it takes for it to refill. The amount of water that can be obtained from a well is measured in cubic meters (m3). In the tropics, underground sources are not as important as the need for water can provide a reservoir to collect rainwater. The reservoir can also be refilled from the well. This will prevent the well from drying out and damaging the aquifer. Check out the annual weather reports for the area. For temporary residence on the island, from 100 to 400 m3 per year will be enough. In case of permanent residence, the amount of precipitation equal to 1000 mm per year will fully meet the need for fresh water. Modern technologies will also help you here - for about 500,000 rubles you can purchase a seawater desalination plant. On sandy islands, which rise only a few meters above sea level, the thickness of the aquifers can exceed the height of the island itself by three to four times, since fresh water displaces salty water and creates a lenticular aquifer under the island. If your island is located a few kilometers from a water source on a continent or on another island, and the sea is shallow between them, you can stretch water pipes.
4. 4 Choose an island with a suitable climate. The islands can be divided into three climatic types: islands of temperate, Mediterranean and tropical climates. Tropical islands are located between the northern and southern tropics. The islands of the Mediterranean climate are found in areas with high temperatures but low rainfall. These are the islands of the Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, etc. The temperate islands are located in cold zones - in server Europe, Canada and in the north of the United States. It is necessary to determine exactly what climate you like best. Each category has its own advantages and disadvantages. While many people enjoy the tropics, others find it difficult to tolerate heat and high humidity. For some, the climate of the islands of temperate latitudes will seem uncomfortable, while others like the changing seasons and the variety of weather conditions. The most comfortable is the Mediterranean climate, as it is quite warm and moderately humid. Remember that the weather on the first day of your visit to the island may not be typical for it. Ask local people about the weather on the island. Usually fishermen are the best aware of weather conditions. Islands located in the open ocean are prone to flooding, storms, droughts, seasonal ebb and flow and the influence of strong currents. Lake islands do not suffer from these conditions, as there are no tides or severe storms, but if the lake is dammed, the islands can be subject to seasonal fluctuations in water levels. River islands suffer from floods and droughts. Check with local authorities about the maximum and minimum water levels in the river. Local residents can also provide useful information. The influence of ebb and flow is especially noticeable on islands located in shallow bays or river estuaries. In such places, during low tide, access to the island can be difficult.
5. 5 Rate how easy it is to get to the island.The remoteness of the island is one of the main selection criteria. The further away your island is, the longer it will take to get to it.Since the main way to get to the island is by boat, decide how much time you are willing to sail and if you can safely endure sea travel. The length of the trip also depends on the seasonal weather conditions and the characteristics of your boat - its type, engine power, etc. Even if your island is sheltered from winds and storms, you still have to face them along the way. Remember that islands closer to civilized settlements are more expensive. Therefore, if you do not like long-distance travel, get ready to spend more money on the purchase.
6. 6 Determine how you will develop the island's infrastructure. The nature of the planned development will significantly influence the choice of the island.
   • Small islands. For example, if you only need a small holiday home, then an island with an area of ​​1-5 hectares will be enough for you.
   • The islands are medium in size. For the construction of a large house, or, say, several cottages for guests, 5-10 hectares will be enough.
   • Big islands. If you are planning to create a small resort on the island, then you need an island of at least 10-15 hectares. If it is a large resort, look for an island of 15-20 hectares with at least 6-10 hectares of level soil for construction. The nature of the planned buildings and the remoteness of the island from civilization will significantly affect the amount of expenses. You will have to spend about 30% more on the arrangement of the island than on the same work on the continent. The transportation of materials, equipment and labor will require additional costs.
7. 7 Check availability of anchorage. Anchorage is dependent on the density of the island's soils and the coastal bottom. Choose an island with good mooring conditions, as without them it will be difficult to get to the island, or, even worse, it is impossible to get out of it. Nearly every island has anchorage facilities, but the quality may vary. A good jetty should be protected from winds and currents, have a sandy bottom for anchoring and deep enough water, without rocks or coral reefs. It is very important to see the island at high and low tide. If you have no sailing experience, ask the captain of the ship on which you arrived to the island if the pier is good here. In some cases, the problem can be solved by mooring buoys and floating bases.
8. 8 Explore the topography of the island.The reliefs of the islands range from perfectly flat, "Caribbean" terrain, to rocky and mountainous. If this is important to you, warn your realtors about your preferences. Absolutely flat islands are not so common, and on the so-called continental islands (tops of flooded hills) there are small areas of flat land - 10-12% of the total territory. This must be taken into account if you are planning construction.
9. 9 Explore the beaches.Find out where the beaches are. As a rule, beaches occupy a small part of the total area, and islands completely surrounded by a sandy coast are rare. The location of the beach is very important. It is desirable that it is located on the opposite side of the prevailing winds and has a closed bay for the dock. Many people love the western beaches where you can watch the sunsets. But if there is no such beach, you can admire the sunsets from a hill or a cape. Although the western beaches are quite beautiful, the sunset only lasts 30 minutes a day, so this factor should not be a determining factor in choosing an island. Another important factor is the quality of the sand. It depends on two parameters - grain and color. The grain size of the sand is more important than its color. Fine, dark sand is better than light, but coarse sand. Perhaps it is not so beautiful, but it is pleasant to the touch, and who does not like to walk barefoot on the soft sand ?! The quality of the beach bottom is also very important - whether it is rocky or sandy, its slope and depth. The ideal beach has a sandy bottom and sufficient depth for swimming and snorkeling. Let your realtors know about your wishes.
10. 10 Assess your existing infrastructure. If there are buildings on the island, you will need a caretaker who will permanently live on the island and take care of the house. Building new buildings on the island will be more expensive than on the continent, since all resources must be delivered there by sea. Many islands are completely untouched by civilization. But if there are already buildings on the island, then before purchasing it is necessary to conduct a thorough analysis of their condition and quality. Ensure that all buildings have the appropriate permits, invite an architectural expert to independently assess the condition and value of the buildings, highlight potential vulnerabilities and areas in need of repair.
11. 11 Hire caretakers.Having a reliable caretaker is one of the most important conditions for maintaining such a large investment. The caretaker will provide proper care and supervision of the territory and property in your absence. Most owners hire permanent caretakers, and some pay local fishermen to look after the island. Caribbean islands with heavy shipping and air traffic are often subject to illegal incursions. In addition to protecting your property from uninvited visitors, the caretaker will look after buildings and equipment. This is especially important in the tropics, where monsoons can cause serious damage to buildings over time if timely preventive maintenance and repairs are not carried out. When you are on the island, the caretaker can work as a gardener, artisan, or deliver supplies for you. If possible, it is best to hire two caretakers.
12. 12 Evaluate communications. Since the island is remote from the continent, communications are critical, both for daily use and for emergencies. It is very rare to find islands provided with the usual amenities - running water, electricity, telephone connections and even a television signal. In most cases, the owner has to set up the island on his own, so you should take these conditions into account in the cost estimate for the purchase of the island. Islands that are not too far from settlements may have access to cellular communications and television broadcasting. The presence of a cellular signal will provide an inexpensive telephone connection, and in some cases, access to the Internet. When exploring the island, take a cell phone, small radio or portable TV with you to check the availability of the connection. A weak signal can be amplified with special antennas and equipment. Modern satellite technologies provide inexpensive telephone, television and Internet connections. So, don't worry if these services are not available from the mainland.
13. 13 Pay particular attention to the conditions of land ownership.In many countries, the private ownership of the land of the islands extends only to the tide line. This means that the territory of the beaches below the tide line does not belong to you, but to the state, and you have no right to build on them. When purchasing an island in another country, hire a lawyer who will check all the conditions of purchase and ownership. When exploring the island, find out if people live on it and if they have the right to do so. Illegal settlers can be a problem, so it is very important to check for illegal settlers before making a deal.

Tips

• Find out how high the water rises at high tides. This data is critical to building placement. If you build a building too close to water, it could be flooded.
• You will have to purchase a boat, or provide yourself with another way to get to the island.
• The most important condition is the availability and condition of the berth. Access to the island depends entirely on him. Therefore, it is critically important to assess the age of the marina, its design features and condition. A poorly constructed, old or damaged quay may require complete renovation or expensive repairs.This can turn out to be one of the most expensive items when buying and ennobling an island. Invite an expert to give the grade. In most countries, building a pier does not require special permits, but check what these conditions are for your island.

Warnings

• Buying an island is an emotional decision, so it is very easy to succumb to the charm of the beauty of the scenery and forget about the practical side of buying, for example, the availability of fresh water on the island.