The Market for Private Islands Is Sinking

If you've ever dreamed of owning your own private island, now might be your chance.

Weak demand and rising inventory for private islands around the world has created a buyer's market, with prices down between 20 percent and 80 percent.

There are now more than 600 private islands for sale around the world, according to Chris Krolow of Private Islands Inc., which helps market and sell islands. Inventory is up by more than a third since before the recession.

You don't even have to be a millionaire anymore to have your own piece of paradise. There are dozens islands around the world priced at $200,000 or less, and a few for under $50,000 (though don't expect a villa and sandy beaches in the Bahamas for that).

[More From CNBC: Rare Ferraris May Fetch $20 Million at Auction]

Brokers say that demand remains healthy for high-quality islands - those that have houses, that are close to major population centers, with good beaches. But prices are sinking for the large and growing supply of undeveloped, remote islands that have become the castaways of the high-end real-estate market.

"The recession has divided this market in two," said Farhad Vlaid, of Vladi Private Islands, one of the world's largest private-island brokers, with offices in Germany and Toronto. "The quality islands are strengthening. But what I call 'adventure islands,' that are not inhabited, don't have a hospital nearby and there's maybe a problem with local politics and climate, that market is weakening. The sellers just don't love their islands as much."

Puangiangi Island, a 155-acre rock outcropping off the coast of New Zealand's South Island, was priced at close to $4 million was recently sold for less than $800,000. Buenavista Island in Panama, with more than 200 meters of beaches, was priced at $3 million and is now going for $750,000.

Even bigger bargains include Leaf Cay in the Bahamas. The pristine island has three beaches, deep water docks (perfect for mega-yacht parking) and easy access to a nearby golf course. Leaf Cay was on the market for $24 million, but is now priced at $7 million.

[More From CNBC: Wealthy Stash $21 Trillion in 'Pirate Banking' System]

View post:

The Market for Private Islands Is Sinking

Related Posts
  • Water Purification Island [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Private Islands: South China Sea Style [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • The Best of Fiji [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • High Cay: Bahamas [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • The World: Back on the Market [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • The Island Market is Back [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Haunted Halloween Island [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Ambergris Island Property [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Paradise Sinking [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Parrot Cay: Own a Piece of Privacy [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • An Icky Day [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • It's a Cory's! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • There she blows! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Bye bye Whale [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • No Bunting Mistake [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Whale of a time... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Leaving day [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Look who's back... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Lanced... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Migrants role in... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Pups away! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Double take [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Northerly wind blows [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Northern visitors [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Siege! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Storm time [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Storm season [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Storming over [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Sealing mission [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Still no go [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Over they go! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • All change [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Welcome back storms [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Fight club [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • V Australia to Fiji [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Tahiti Sun Travel For Sale [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Cook Islands Travel Guide [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Perfectly Frank – Fiji [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Cook Islands Tax Hike [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Easter Island Travel Guide [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Surviving Paradise [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Canada Seal Hunt ‘09 [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Tuvalu Travel Guide [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Saudi Arabian Sojourn [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Laurent Pichot on Moorea [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • The Largest Island for Sale in the World. [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Isla Kiniw: Incredible Island Rental [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Save at Sandals Resorts [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Marvelous Mediterranean: Skyropoula Island [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Branson Talks Necker Island [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Hog Island: Affordable Nova Scotia [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • The Banyan Tree: Seychelles [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Celebrity Secret Vacation Spots [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Star Island [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • 7 Islands in 7 Days [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Counting continues [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Life goes on [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Payback time [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • No let up [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Game on [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Deal or No Deal? [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Food glorious food [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Mainland beckons... [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • The tempest is coming [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Tought times ahead [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Tystie day [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Saying Goodbye...maybe [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Departure Day [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Seal pups [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Seabird Breeding Season 2009 [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Maritime Terminal Papeete Tahiti [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • A splash of colour [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
  • Tiger Woods Wife purchases Island Retreat [Last Updated On: December 15th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2009]
  • New Flights to Fiji [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2009]
  • Five Star Fiji [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2009]
  • Go Farther in Nicaragua [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2009]
  • Zoo Island [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2009]
  • Seasons Greetings 2009 [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2009]
  • Green Ark Island [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2009]
  • Merry Christmas! [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2009]

Comments are closed.