A cool, calm, and very comfortable luxury lifestyle can be found in the picturesque Cayman Islands—with endless sandy beaches, crystal blue waters and plenty of exquisite residences to call home. It’s no surprise that the idyllic Caribbean paradise is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world, for both primary and second home buyers.

Paula McCartney, broker/owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Cayman Islands and her team recently became a part of the brand, upon announcing the launch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Cayman Islands on March 1, 2023.

There are so many draws to the Cayman Islands, long-time local resident, McCartney says, in addition to its unparalleled beauty. 

The British Crown colony—now under newly crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla—has “complete security of government, safety and close proximity to the U.S. and many other ports,” she explains.  

And then there is the ease of access. In November 2022, Cayman Airways began operating nonstop flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) on Grand Cayman. Direct flights are also available from Atlanta, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Denver, and the Bahamas, where prospective buyers can visit with another network franchisee—Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bahamas Real Estate.

“Caribbeans love to stick together,” said McCartney. 

Beyond connectivity and travel convenience, the Cayman Islands area is a tax-neutral jurisdiction, with zero property, capital gains, estate, or sales taxes. Buyers who purchase property pay a one-time 7.5% stamp duty, calculated in Cayman Islands currency and paid on the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher, as determined by the Lands and Survey Department of the Cayman Islands. 

What McCartney called “the Cayman Islands’ strength of ownership” is evident in the locale’s upward trajectory of home sale prices. According to data from Cayman Islands-based property valuation firm Charterland, average home prices have nearly tripled in the last five years. 

“Our dollar is strong and we do not have restrictions on foreign ownership—anybody can buy property,” McCartney said. “The neat thing about investing in the Cayman Islands is that you can buy and manage up to three rental properties without having to get a business license, making it easy to own or invest here.”

One prime property that is currently on the market is the exquisite Casa Mare—a 17,000-square-foot estate that stretches soulfully along the Cayman Islands’ Seven Mile Beach Corridor, one of the Caribbean's most luxurious addresses. The 10-bedroom, 10.5 bathroom, 20-acre property is currently on the market for USD$15.95 million.

Built in 2009, Casa Mare is the realization of a decades-long dream. “The owners lived in the Cayman Islands for many years and decided to build this estate for their growing family,” explained McCartney. “You can feel the love. You can feel the family. You can feel the Caribbean design and the Cayman Islands from the second you walk through the door.” 

In 2015, the property underwent a multi-million-dollar redesign, renovation and expansion, with the addition of over an acre of land, a 5,600-square-foot guest residence, an outdoor kitchen, a five-car garage, three carports, and 1.5 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens. 

The primary residence offers an airy and bright open floor plan, a magnificent home office, three guest suites, and a waterfront covered patio, as well as a primary wing with a larger-than-life soaking tub, a never-ending walk-in closet, and breathtaking waterfront views. In the Widow’s Peak, there’s a kid-friendly bunk room and above the two-car garage sits a two-bedroom efficiency apartment. The lower floor features a movie theater with reclining leather seating, a commercial-grade gym, and a yoga room for meditative relaxation. 

“It just encompasses everything,” said McCartney about Casa Mare’s backyard oasis with rare, open water views of Mitchell’s Creek, a local Cayman Islands inlet. “You watch a Caribbean sunset while cooking outside or from a hot tub and it’s so amazing.”

The multi-tiered outdoor deck surrounds an enormous, sculpted rock pool with an integrated slide, splash pads and a spa. An outdoor kitchen and breezeway leads to the guest house, designed for the avid fishing enthusiast with a rod room, a kitchen equipped for cleaning the catch of the day, and even a professional woodworking room for those who might want to craft their own fishing poles. Upstairs is a self-contained two-bedroom, two-bathroom guest apartment.

“There’s a garden with a koi pond, waterfall and gazebo, plus an orchard where you can walk through and collect all your tropical fruits and citrus for meals,” explained McCartney, adding that the grounds feature a multi-use sports court, a kid’s jungle gym and playground. “But the best part of this home,” she said, “is that it’s sitting on over 200 feet of gorgeous waterfront, with a beautiful, private dock for whatever vessel you’d like to have, or where a captain can pick you up in theirs and take you right into the North Shore.”

Swimming with stingrays, deep-sea fishing and snorkeling are all a “10-minute putt away,” explained McCartney. “It’s very unique because deep sea fishing is directly out front, whereas most places you have to travel quite a bit of time to get to the fishing grounds.” 

For more information about Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Cayman Islands, visit www.BHHSCaymanIslands.com. For additional details regarding Casa Mare Estate and Gardens, click here or contact Paula McCartney: paula@bhhscaymanislands.com; 345-949-3521.