How to Buy and Develop an Island – A Step-by-Step Guide
Buying and developing an island may seem daunting at first. However, with the right research, planning, and expert guidance, the process becomes surprisingly achievable. This blog outlines the essential steps on how to buy and develop an island, for turning your vision into reality while keeping costs and timelines under control.
Although a 5-star luxury resort and a simple eco-resort differ significantly in scale, the core principles of buying and developing a private island remain the same. By following this guide, you can streamline your process and avoid common pitfalls.
Key Considerations for How to Buy and Develop an Island Efficiently
To ensure a smooth and cost-effective development process, consider the following factors:
- Understand Parallel Execution: Determine which processes can run simultaneously without risk and which must occur sequentially.
- Anticipate Next Steps: Recognize the steps ahead and execute them proactively to avoid last-minute decisions.
- Be Aware of Timelines: Understand the duration of each phase so all required information is ready before moving forward.
- Plan Predevelopment Completion: Ensure predevelopment tasks are finished on time to minimize delays when mobilizing teams or procuring materials.
These considerations are crucial for avoiding setbacks and keeping your project on track.
Why Experience and Local Knowledge Are Critical When Learning How to Buy and Develop an Island
While planning is essential, success ultimately comes from experience. Local knowledge plays a vital role in navigating regulations, deeds, government processes, and step-by-step requirements. Without this expertise, delays and unexpected challenges can slow development significantly.
This is where Kepri Estates excels. By combining deep local knowledge with our network of affiliate experts, we cut through red tape and ensure your development progresses efficiently. For instance, our team can finalize site data acquisition early enough to deliver critical information to architects. This allows you to complete designs and initiate presales — often before you finalize the land purchase. (Note: This service is exclusive to clients who use Kepri Estates for predevelopment work. Contact us today for a project quotation!)
Step-by-Step Process for How to Buy and Develop an Island
Follow these steps to successfully buy and develop a private island in the Paradise Islands:
1. Buy the Island Site for Development
To start, finalise the development region by doing extensive island research on the best regions with growth and yield potential. Then partner with local experts who can identify the most suitable sites for your master plan concept. Consider all available options, including off-market properties that aren’t publicly listed. During site visits, evaluate each location’s potential and limitations carefully. Additionally, don’t overlook opportunities to buy and rezone land at a lower cost. This often proves more economical than purchasing fully zoned land.
2. Conduct Comprehensive Data Acquisition
Once you’ve identified a site, move quickly to collect essential data. Key assessments include:
- Flora and fauna surveys
- Underwater studies, such as Bathymetry
- LIDAR mapping for topographic accuracy
- High-quality photography and drone videography for marketing
With Kepri Estates managing this process, you can obtain all necessary information before finalizing your land purchase. This head start saves both time and money.
3. Island Development Designs and Start Presales
Next, focus on translating your vision into concrete plans. At this stage:
- Finalize the master plan and layouts for accommodations, utilities, and communal spaces.
- Initiate presales to generate early interest and secure initial investors.
Starting presales during the design phase maximizes your marketing lead time and accelerates revenue generation.
4. Island Development Predevelopment Planning
Predevelopment is where detailed planning takes shape. This stage involves:
- Creating a high-level project plan, schedule, and budget
- Selecting materials, utility capacities, and service providers
- Generating Bills of Quantities (BOQs) and issuing tenders to vendors
- Finalizing logistics and crafting a detailed project plan
- Securing approvals for your master plan, infrastructure placement, and waste management systems
By finalizing all details at this stage, you set the foundation for a seamless construction phase.
5. Commence Island Development
With all approvals in place and plans finalized, you can confidently begin construction. Proper planning up to this point ensures efficient mobilization and execution, allowing you to focus on bringing your dream island to life.
Why Partner with Kepri Estates?
At Kepri Estates, we provide expertise at every step of your development journey. From sourcing off-market sites to managing predevelopment tasks, we ensure your project progresses efficiently.
For more detailed insights, explore additional articles on the Kepri Estates blog, where we share expert tips, tools, and resources to help you succeed.
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