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I am in the business of selling real estate on the Caribbean island of Roatan, located just off the coast of Honduras. But I’m not just here to sell a property and then walk away. There are too many realities of island life that I think some folks overlook when jumping into the real estate market, so I choose to be available as more than just a real estate agent.

After all, I did the same move years ago, so I know what it’s like!

I left my life and home in the U.S. to move to Roatan with my young family. We wanted to raise our son in a slowed-down environment, where nature takes center stage for his playtime and exploration. And we absolutely made the right decision!

But there are certainly limitations to living on an island. After all, an island is surrounded by water and there’s only so far you can go in any direction. I’m always happy to chat with clients about the ups and downs of living on an island, so here are some of the basic realities of island life to consider when you are looking at moving to Roatan.


Living on an island with limitations means that our towns and our overall population are small, making island life another version of small town life and all that it entails.

Small town life can be a harsh adjustment for some folks who are used to the anonymity or even the plentiful options for entertainment and nightlife when living in a city.

The coconut telegraph is alive and well, so be sure to think about what you do and what you say before you end up starting a new rumor here in this small-town world! Of course, the perks of small town life are great, too. You can always check out my posts to catch a daily glimpse of life in Roatan!

Island realities certainly include knowing most folks quite well, but because Roatan is also a popular tourist destination, there are constantly new people to meet and more fun to be had. So don’t worry that you’ll feel isolated here in Roatan – the small town vibe just adds to the island life charm.

When you know what you’re getting into and you understand those limitations, it’s actually a wonderful adjustment to make. Greeting all your neighbors as friends and running into friends everywhere you go is just a bonus to island living!


Islands are also isolated, which also means that sometimes we don’t have options for purchases or that we have to import something specifically from the mainland. We make do with what’s available, which can be hard for some people who are used to living in the land of plenty!

Living on an island comes with new challenges for those who have never lived on one before. You can’t take long road trips to the mountains or lakes; going anywhere requires a drive on the island’s one main winding road or hopping on a boat or a plane. You usually need to plan in advance if you want to travel to the mainland and flights can be expensive with limited options at certain times of year.

But the benefit of this island being small and our options being slightly limited sometimes is that we waste no time choosing from the hundreds of shampoos you find at a grocery store back home…we don’t spend hours in a car commuting or driving to the beach for the weekend.

Instead, we walk out our front doors to get our toes into the sand and we consider a 40-minute drive a very long journey! It’s all a matter of perspective…


And living on the island of Roatan also comes with other aspects that someone from the U.S. or Canada or Australia might not understand. The legal system here can be a headache and there are certainly challenges to doing business in a developing country with often-volatile social and political problems.

Luckily, our island is isolated (remember?) from many of those issues. But legal transactions for real estate and residency processing can still be a bit more of a challenge to navigate here.

But just remember that red tape exists everywhere! In a foreign, developing nation, the navigating of those systems can feel like a true maze for foreigners. That’s why I can’t stress enough the importance of working with professionals.

There are challenges of living on a Caribbean island that you should be aware of before you make a massive investment in real estate.

That’s where working with a professional realtor comes into play. If you try to purchase real estate on your own on an island in a foreign country…well there’s not much I can say except, “Buena suerte.”

Having a true professional on your side to not only help you find the right investment, but to also advise you on your potential lifestyle here or the potential pitfalls you might face as a homeowner, landlord, or retiree on this island.

This is just a glimpse into the realities of living on an island in the Caribbean. Life here is wonderful, but – just like life everywhere! – there are limitations and realities you should understand before you take the leap.

Nowhere is perfect. But this Caribbean island paradise sure feels mostly perfect to me and to my family.

I’m always happy to talk about living in Roatan and the realities of daily life and doing business here, so get in touch and let’s talk about your potential move. I always want my clients to feel like friends…after all, we’re about to be neighbors on this tiny little rock, so we’ll be seeing each other all the time!


A West Bay Beach home for sale that you simply cannot miss. Playa Bonita is a popular vacation rental located right in the sand of West Bay…Roatan’s most popular beach! This West Bay Beach real estate is rare, so take a look and see if this is the right opportunity for you to own property in the Caribbean.


Playa Bonita is a 4-bedroom duplex home right on West Bay Beach. Situated in the sand and surrounded by lush tropical jungle, this home offers perfect privacy and peace without compromising convenience.

If you decide to buy vacation rental property in Roatan, the downstairs unit of Playa Bonita offer two bedrooms that both come with en-suite bathrooms and are self-sufficient, so you could rent them out as separate units or as a combination.
 West Bay Beach is the most popular beach in Roatan. Regularly voted the best beach in Central America and one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, West Bay Beach attracts visitors and locals alike to its extensive stretch of soft white sand.

Just offshore, easily accessible on your own, is the world’s second-largest barrier reef system, with some incredible snorkeling sites within reach. Roatan is known as a scuba diver’s paradise and the amazingly easy snorkeling rivals that popularity!
 Buy a home on West Bay Beach Roatan so you can invest in the future. This island is what the Caribbean was 20 years ago. We have no major developments, but we have direct international flights and two cruise ship docks. Our popularity is just on the cusp now and is bound to keep growing!

Own a home on West Bay Beach Roatan so you can get in on that popularity early. You can choose to live here yourself, invest in a vacation rental option, or even invest for a long-term plan to retire on the island. Whatever your choice, this West Bay Beach home is perfect.
 With the popularity of West Bay Beach, you can rest assured that the vacation rental market is steady. While the island still has high and low seasons, as nearly all tourist destinations do, you can enjoy the fact that West Bay Beach remains the most popular area for tourists, so a vacation rental is an easier sell even in low season.

Keep in mind, however, that there is also plenty of competition right on the beach. Condos, hotels, B&Bs, and other island-style units are all readily available, so you won’t be able to charge high prices for this unit as is. You could, however, invest in a few updates and upgrades to charge more. It’s all up to you. Keep it simple and carry on with the rental options as they already are or change it up to make it your own.
 As a certified Resort and Second Home Property Specialist, I am always happy to advise you on the opportunity to purchase a second home. I know this island inside and out and I know what it takes to make a second home a successful investment. Playa Bonita has fantastic potential, so don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Contact me today if you’re interested in this West Bay Beach home for sale. Let me know if you’re interested and I can provide even more details.


Those of us who love the island life didn’t need to read this study…we knew it already. But, guess what? Research shows that living by the water can actually reduce your stress! The beach life is the best life, and I happen to think that life in Roatan is the best way to reduce your stress.

A study completed by researchers from New Zealand and the U.S. revealed that psychological stress was reduced for those who had views of blue, more so than for those who had views of green. Part of that could be the man-made greens that people might see, like gardens or playing fields, instead of natural greens. But mostly, it’s because blues calm us.

In Roatan, we have all-natural beautiful blues and gorgeous greens everywhere you look!

Beach Life is the Best Life

It’s hard to argue: The beach life is the best life for so many of us. Think about how relaxed you feel with your toes in the sand and your eyes on the horizon. It’s such a wonderful way to realize how small our own troubles might be when we look out onto the massive ocean at our feet. Those hues of blue are the best way to relax and to eliminate our small stresses altogether.

Beach life is the best life because of those constant reminders. If you actually live at the beach, this isn’t just a one-week reprieve from stress. Every single day, you can wake up and walk out to the water’s edge to remind yourself of how small those worries are in comparison to this great big world.

Life at the beach is filled with blues…but not the depressing kind! These blues are shades from the sky and sea that we get to enjoy on a daily basis. And even when those blues turn a little grey with stormy weather, we know it will all blow over soon and we’ll be back to our beautiful blues in no time.

Life on the Beach in Roatan 
Roatan is a tropical Caribbean island boasting some of the most beautiful beaches in the region. In fact, West Bay Beach is regularly voted as one of the best beaches in all of Central America — and even the world!

But the best part about living in Roatan is that you have the opportunity to explore all the other beaches on the island, too. West Bay Beach is the most popular beach, but that also means it has the most tourists.

While we love the international appreciation for our beautiful stretch of sand on Roatan’s western tip, we also love our many other beaches that offer quiet and tranquility.

If you live in Roatan, you can actually enjoy all those other natural beauties whenever you want. Maybe you’ll live near a small little cove with your own private piece of sand. Or maybe you’ll live on the East End where tourists are fewer and locals get to enjoy the natural beauty that has made this island so beloved.

Life on the beach in Roatan means being surrounded by natural beauty, whether you’re on the most popular beach or the most isolated.

And, as we all know, the beach life is the best life. Science proved it!

Are you ready to live your best life by the beach? Contact me to check out some real estate options where you can keep your eyes on all the shades of blue Roatan has to offer. After all, we only have this one life…why be stressed?
 All pictures were gathered from the Roatan Multiple Listing Service – Roatan MLS

Vacation rentals are all the rage right now. Travelers love staying in a local home and saving money by enjoying having a full kitchen and other amenities at their disposal. Vacation rentals in Roatan have been popular for a long time…even before this new online popularity!

Back in the day, before lots of hotels and condo options popped up, vacation rentals were the only places to stay in Roatan. You could rent someone’s extra room or rent out a cabin on the beach from one of the families who owned extra land. Roatan vacation rentals were a thing before Airbnb ever became a household name!

Now that island vacation rentals are here to stay, they provide an excellent investment opportunity for people looking to buy real estate in the Caribbean. They are also ideal opportunities for tourists and travelers to see what life is really like here in Roatan and to get a true taste of island life here in paradise.


Staying in a vacation rental allows you to see the world through the eyes of a local. You can stay in a real home, where local design and typical appliances and amenities can be experienced. While a hotel room can look like any hotel room anywhere in the world, a vacation rental offers unique and interesting opportunities to understand a place that is new to you.

Stay in a vacation rental in Roatan so you can experience the good life here on the island. You can enjoy local artwork decorating the walls and local amenities within your neighborhood. Vacation rentals can be in the most popular tourist area on the island or they could be within a local neighborhood where folks are walking their dogs and collecting eggs from their chickens and sending their kids off to school for the day. Vacation rentals offer a glimpse into reality in a different place.

Stay in a vacation rental in Roatan so you can get a real feel for island living – especially if you’re considering buying real estate on the island. Understand the pros and cons, the opportunities and the limitations, before you jump into homeownership.


West Bay Roatan offers ample opportunity for vacation rentals. With condos along West Bay Beach and homes into the hillside neighborhoods of West Bay, you can take your pick from local options.

West Bay Beach is the most popular beach in Roatan, offering a long stretch of soft white powdery sand to enjoy and calm water lapping the shore. You can snorkel straight from the beach and there are lots of fun activities to enjoy, too!

Vacation rentals in West Bay are popular and an excellent investment opportunity if you’re looking for real estate in Roatan. If you’re looking for a fun vacation, hit the beach or rent a home overlooking the western tip of the island for space and luxury.


West End offers plenty more vacation rental options in Roatan, with houses and condos in West End Village plus several neighborhoods skirting town that offer more opportunities for growth. If you want to be able to walk to everything but want a lower price point than West Bay Beach, West End might be the perfect option!

Vacation rentals in West End range from simple cabins on the beach to high-end penthouse condos. Just outside of West End, you’ll find several neighborhoods that mix local life with tourism so you can get the best of both worlds. Just be sure to check the accessibility of the vacation rental to see if you require a car rental or not.

If you want to own a vacation rental in West End, you could look at anything from a condo to a house to a cabin. West End is eclectic with its housing…and with its restaurant options…and with its people! You’re bound to find a unique option in West End that you love.


Sandy Bay is a long stretch of Roatan’s north shore that essentially runs between Mangrove Bight and Coxen Hole. All along this stretch are plenty of vacation rental options from expansive mansions to small cabins and everything in between.

Sandy Bay vacation rentals offer plenty of options for large family vacations or multi-family homes. You can also rent smaller condos or single units within the larger homes, especially during slower seasons.

If you want to own a vacation rental in Sandy Bay, you have plenty of opportunities to rent out part or all of your home while still enjoying the island life for yourself whenever you want!


If you’re considering buying real estate in Roatan, owning a vacation rental could be an ideal way to get into the market while maintaining an income stream. Maybe you’re not yet ready to move to Roatan full time, or maybe you just want to get your foot in the door while real estate prices are still affordable (they won’t be for long!).

I’m happy to discuss the benefits and opportunities with owning a second home since I’m a Resort and Second Home Property Specialist here in Roatan. If you’re considering investing early for retirement or for a snowbird option, a second home can be an ideal set-up. Vacation rentals in Roatan are incredibly popular, offering you an excellent opportunity to invest now while enjoying an income stream.

Whatever your reason for owning a vacation rental in Roatan, your options are endless. Take a look at current real estate options to see if anything appeals to you, or just contact me with your ideas and I can see what might be available to fit your needs.

There is bound to be the perfect opportunity for you here in Roatan, it’s just a matter of finding it. I’m ready to help whenever you’re ready to jump into paradise!
 
Seaside Inn is located just behind West Bay Divers, right in the heart of world-famous West Bay Beach. This 4-unit bed and breakfast is ready for a new owner! Take a look at this amazing Roatan B&B for sale in West Bay…

This B&B is 5-star rated and reviewed on TripAdvisor and VRBO/HomeAway. This is a unique property on the island of Roatan offering an incredible location, accommodations in pristine condition, and at a price you’ll love.

 If you’re looking for a new opportunity, Seaside Inn is your answer. You can own a slice of paradise with a built-in revenue option.

Whether this is a career change or you’re just ready to live the good life here in the tropics, this Roatan B&B provides the best of everything.

The meticulously maintained boutique resort rests just steps off West Bay Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the Caribbean. Visitors from all over the world regularly hail West Bay Beach as one of the best in the region on TripAdvisor.

Roatan is also regularly hailed as a top destination in the world.

And, since you’re thinking about moving to Roatan, you should know that this island is a darling of International Living and Islands magazines.

Seaside Inn sits slightly back from the hustle and bustle of the beach, offering a quiet, romantic, and intimate setting.

Resting on 0.25 acres, you and your guests can enjoy beautifully landscaped grounds, including plenty of fruit trees. Mango, avocado, starfruit, lime, papaya, apple bananas, plantains, and pomegranate are all available!

Guests love the convenience to a 5-Star PADI dive shop within just a minute’s walk. They also store guests’ gear while staying with us, offer a discount, and take out snorkelers if some guests are not divers.

In just three years of operation, Seaside Inn has experienced rapid growth. Occupancy in high season is already at 92%.

Seaside Inn enjoys a solid reputation; among constant new bookings, returning guests are also prominently represented.


Seaside Inn offers a total 6 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, and 5 kitchens/kitchenettes that comprise the four guest accommodations.

There are three beautifully appointed guest suites, each with private entrances, tiled en-suite private baths, and kitchenettes.

There is al also a standalone bungalow with kitchen, dining area, living area, and private bath. Seaside Inn can accommodate 8-9 guests.

Plans are also included for two more bungalows: one is wheelchair-accessible and the other is a 2-story, 2-bedroom unit with 2.5 baths.

There is also a guest laundry, freezer stocked with cubed ice for drinks, and a huge DVD collection. Guests are also offered Cable TV with over 100 channels and WiFi throughout the property.

The accommodations also offer 8 new, energy-efficient split AC units. Each accommodation has the AC separately metered so that you can charge for AC usage and therefore avoid issues with abuse of the electricity consumption.

The entire resort is backed up with a 22kwh propane generator with an automatic transfer switch. Even when (not if…Roatan is an island after all!) the power goes out, Seaside Inn can have electricity back on with 6 seconds!

Even during the heat of summer, you and all your guests will always have air conditioning and water.

The entire inventory of guest linens, dishes, furniture (indoor and out), and all guest accommodation décor is included in the sale price.


Purchasing a functional and successful Roatan B&B offers a new owner the opportunity to hit the ground running.

There’s no need to set up all new vendor contracts or to furnish and decorate every square inch. You can jump right in and enjoy the hard work that was put into the business before you!

Seaside Inn already has several contractors and vendors offering their services. A new owner can enjoy professional cleaning, laundry, and accounting services, as well as a website, booking sites, and a Facebook presence.

The Inn already comes with the delivery of propane, vegetables, eggs, and water so a new owner can enjoy this smoothly running business.

The main structure is solid concrete with a 2.5-foot-wide foundation, expertly built by prominent local builder Howard Bodden.

Seaside Inn also has a well providing over 1,000 gallons a day. There is a 12,000-gallon cistern for the main building and a 7,000-gallon cistern for the standalone bungalow that catches rainwater. This can be used for bathing and washing dishes in the accommodations, but it is mainly used for keeping the landscaping watered in the dry months.


If you’re already interested in this Roatan B&B for sale on West Bay Beach, then let’s get down to the logistics of real estate in Roatan. A new owner will enjoy an easy legal transaction with transferable corporations (holding and business).

There are also no HOA fees to worry about at Seaside Inn. You’ll never have monthly fees or assessments. A new owner can choose to expand without being controlled by an HOA.

Seaside Inn is already set-up with an electronic security system operated by Bulldog International (similar to ADT).

The Inn is also ADA-compliant with a wheel chair ramp in preparation for an already-designed wheelchair-accessible bungalow.

Seaside Inn is currently owned and operated by an honorably discharged disabled Marine Corp Veteran.

Are you interested in learning more about Seaside Inn? Contact me for details and to schedule a visit.
 I love to highlight new listings that I think offer incredible value for buyers. If you’ve been considering buying real estate in the Caribbean, take a look at these great value ocean view homes in Roatan. It’ll be a challenge to find equal value on most other Caribbean islands these days!


This semi-detached home is in an ideal, quiet location in West End with easy access to all the fun and activities and nightlife. Mature landscaping, 1900 square feet of living space, and superb craftsmanship make this home stand out. Oversized wraparound decks on both the upper and lower levels offer views of the mature garden area.

This is an outstanding opportunity to own the land and home with affordable and HOA worry-free ownership fees. You’ll also enjoy the choice of two pools…so this home offers great rental potential!
 
On a quiet cul-de-sac just a few minutes’ walk from one of the best beaches in the world, this house is perfect for your winter escape or for your retirement home. It has a 1-bedroom apartment on the ground floor with a 2-bedroom unit over the upper two floors.

Facing the South Shore, this home receives the cooling trade winds and has views of the coastal mountains on the mainland and the ocean on both the South and North Shores. Situated in a quiet, secluded residential neighborhood just over the hill from the bustle of West Bay Beach, you’ll enjoy easy access to all the restaurants, bars, and activities that West Bay has to offer without all the noise.

The two units can be rented to offset expenses when the owners aren’t on-island, plus your friends and family can visit you and enjoy their own separate accommodations.
 
This new home is poised to offer you the ideal island lifestyle, whether as a vacationer or full-time resident: Views, sea breeze, swimming pool, beach access, 2 XL master bedrooms, a premium location, over 3400 square feet of living space…and an asking price below $400,000.

Located within Blue Roatan Residences, which is spread over 6 acres, you can enjoy a beachfront clubhouse, dock, swimming pool, and concierge service! Single family homes, villas, and condos will be built within a lush vegetation setting on a gentle slope.

 
This outstandingly unique home is located in a serene area of Sandy Bay, near Anthony’s Key Resort. Resting on one of the highest hills in the area, you will absolutely love the magnificent panoramic ocean and mountain views.

The home is surrounded by tropical gardens and mature fruit trees, providing a variety of fruits such as mangoes, soursops, avocados, limes, guavas, almonds, and bananas for your enjoyment. The construction is all concrete with tiled floors, so the home will not suffer typical island damages caused by termites or rusting.

 
Teal Vista is an ocean view home located in the upscale neighborhood of the Turrets at Turtle Crossing. This 3-bedroom/2-bathroom home has multiple decks, all with sweeping views of the south shore of Roatan, mainland Honduras, and Cayos Cochinos. You’ll enjoy constant trade winds and ocean breezes from this vantage point.

New mini-split AC units have been installed in every room, plus a new water filtration system. Enjoy use of the community pool and 24-hour security monitored by Bulldog Security. This home is located a quick drive or short walk to West Bay Beach, giving you the best of all worlds.
 
Overlooking the turquoise waters of Roatan’s north coast and the greens of the Black Pearl Golf Course is a corner villa with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Both bedrooms and the great room have large sliding glass doors which showcase the view and lead to the patio and private vanishing-edge swimming pool. The home comes fully furnished and is ready for immediate occupancy or to be placed in the rental program.

Pristine Bay offers amenities sought by investors looking for upscale Caribbean living. A private beach is available for homeowners and their guests to enjoy. There is an expansive private Beach Club offering owner/guest services including an 18,000 square foot vanishing edge pool and kids’ splash park, restaurant, and tennis and golf pro shop. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy playing the Pete Dye designed Black Pearl 18 hole golf course. Comprehensive property management is available, making ownership of Villa 1201 worry-free.

What do you think? Are any of these great value ocean view homes right for you? Let me know! Reach out anytime to arrange a viewing or to ask for additional information. I’m always happy and eager to help you find your dream home. If it doesn’t yet exist, then let’s talk about building it to suit your exact needs.


It’s no secret that retirement in Roatan is a dream come true. Read any article highlighting the world’s top retirement destinations and you’re sure to find our beloved tropical island featured. What makes Roatan such a favorite among retirees? Let me count the ways…


Of course the cost of living being low is all a matter of perspective. If you’re coming from a place with a fairly low cost of living already, then you might compare prices in Roatan and disagree with my assessment.

However, an unbiased look would be to compare Roatan with other Caribbean islands. Regardless of your home region, comparing the island of Roatan with other island options in the region will show you costs on a similar basis.

Islands require import costs and limitations on products and some services – that’s universal to islands by nature.

But Roatan certainly offers a low cost of living for a tropical Caribbean island.


It’s for good reason that Roatan regularly gets hailed as an easy place to fit in. With an English-speaking local community and an extensive expat community, new arrivals find it very easy to make new friends and to create a community in Roatan.

For most potential expats, a visit to Roatan is followed by several more visits before taking the big leap. Those visits offer you the chance to get to know people and to already start making friends.

Facebook groups are also very popular for Roatan residents, offering a way for you to keep in touch with those new friends even while you’re back home making plans. You can stay in contact and continue to make more connections so that your eventual move to the island is a seamless transition.


If you’re retiring to Roatan, you can easily acquire your residency. Retirees in Roatan simply need to prove their monthly income and then you can apply for residency and enjoy a few bonus perks, too!

If you’re coming from the US or Canada, you can visit Roatan for up to 90 days without residency. This is a great opportunity to rent and get more familiar with neighborhoods and lifestyles before jumping into real estate.

I am always happy to connect you with a reputable attorney in Roatan who can handle your residency application – it is usually best to work on your residency simultaneously with a real estate transaction if you’re new to the island.


Retirement in Roatan can be even more affordable if you invest in real estate. While renting is a viable option for many, buying real estate offers you a rent-free lifestyle with an incredibly low cost of living.

Many retirees in Roatan sell real estate back home and purchase a new retirement home in Roatan mortgage-free. That opens up so many doors for your daily cost of living. Imagine all the fun activities you could do with that extra cash!!
 Don’t you agree that retirement in Roatan is a dream come true? You can actually have it all here: Beautiful beaches, tropical climate, affordable real estate, low cost of living, and a wonderful community of friends and neighbors.

If you are considering retiring overseas, I strongly recommend you consider Roatan. While I obviously have a biased opinion, you can also listen to the experts who gauge retirement destinations around the world!

Roatan offers retirees an excellent quality of life. You’ll love spending your time outdoors and breathing fresh tropical air. You’ll enjoy a slower pace of life and a focus on daily wonders, admiring vibrant tropical flowers and swimming in the turquoise seas.

No place is ever perfect and there are compromises to be made regardless of where you choose to live. But I can personally attest to life in Roatan being my dream come true…I moved my family here for a better quality of life and we have never looked back!

Are you thinking about retiring to Roatan? Feel free to reach out with questions any time, I’m always happy to help!


This question tends to pop up in Facebook groups, so I thought I’d address it here for everyone’s benefit: Do you need a professional REALTOR in Roatan? Yes. But, obviously I would say that because I am a professional REALTOR in Roatan!

While my opinion might be biased, my rationale is sound. To help you make your own decision, here is some insight into the real estate process and pitfalls in Roatan.

Buying Real Estate in Roatan

Buying real estate in a foreign country can seem a little scary. Without being familiar with all the processes, you can’t possibly know the ins and outs. That’s where a professional comes in!

I’ve written before about the real estate process in Roatan. You can read about the buying process, terms you should know, and even the cost of construction in Roatan on my blog.

But no matter the amount of research you put into the process, you need a professional guiding you through your unique adventure. There will inevitably be questions that arise and issues that need to be handled during the transaction. You don’t want to waste your big investment by making mistakes along the way. Even seemingly small mistakes can derail your dreams.

Pitfalls of Buying Real Estate in Roatan

While I’m happy to tell you that buying real estate in Roatan has been done by plenty of foreigners without issue, there are also pitfalls to be aware of during this process.

The most common issue foreigners face when purchasing property in Roatan is the lack of a clear title.

There are, unfortunately, some horror stories from unsuspecting foreigners buying property without the counsel of a professional Roatan REALTOR. Those individuals are – rightly – upset about the transaction and often make it quite publicly known that they had an issue. This upsets those of us in the real estate industry because it makes Roatan look bad, when in reality it was simply a poor decision made by that individual to try everything solo.

If you use a professional for services back home, you should certainly use a professional overseas.

When you are unfamiliar with a place, it is always best to have someone helping and supporting you. You deserve someone in your corner to make sure you end up with the best situation.

Moving to paradise should be a celebratory occasion, not a stressful failure!

Do You Need a Professional REALTOR in Roatan? Being a professional REALTOR in Roatan is far different than being someone who sells real estate. There is an enormous difference in abilities, education, and licensing that you truly cannot ignore – especially when purchasing real estate in a foreign country.

A person who sells real estate can be a person who may know both a seller and a buyer and puts them together with an attorney and/or notary who transacts the deal. The person who connects everyone together then collects a commission for this service.

A professional REALTOR, on the other hand, with the assistance of their broker, lists property and markets property for sale, but only does so after title checks.

Due diligence by a professional realtor in Roatan might include ensuring a clear title and payment of property taxes, examining a current survey and Cadastral survey, plus possible assistance with the ZOLITUR process and payment of ZOLITUR gains taxes.

A professional REALTOR might also deal with the escrow of funds in a specific and designated account for that sole purpose.

A professional REALTOR in Roatan offers guidance and the successful navigation of the entire purchase or sale process for their clients.

A professional REALTOR offers experience that is built upon education, training, and attention to detail that is necessary to facilitate the real estate transaction and process.

So at the end of the day, you need to ask yourself: Are you willing to risk your investment by trying to do all this alone?

Use a professional REALTOR in Roatan. I promise you won’t regret it!

Always feel free to contact me about real estate in Roatan. I’m happy to help you find the real estate opportunity you’ve been dreaming about. Come enjoy island life…it’s the good life!


We currently have some fantastic lots for sale on the island that just might intrigue you. I selected 6 Roatan hilltop homesites for sale right now that I think are all amazing deals. Have a look for yourself!


This ocean view lot is located in West Bay’s Latitude 16, a small development located between Lighthouse Estates and Turtle Crossing.  Enjoy cooling tradewinds, utilities, road, no HOA fees, and amazing access to world-famous West Bay Beach from this easily buildable lot. 
White Rock’s Lot 9C is a beautiful building lot with dramatic panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and surrounding reef plus the island’s lush verdant hills. The lot is tiered with a gentle slope offering a great building site.  All White Rock residents enjoy an off-site swim/snorkel dock. Interior roads are paved in concrete with underground utilities. Sandy Bay is a very popular residential area; its convenient location offers easy access to the airport, shopping, and main tourist areas and attractions. 
This beautiful tree-lined lot with a gentle slope overlooking the ocean is at the top of the Turrets neighborhood in West Bay. Plenty of space to build a nice home with great views of the sea, Cayos Cochinos, and the mainland Honduran mountains. This lot also receives a nice breeze. Great neighborhood for a vacation home, second home, or a rental property. HOA yearly fee of $1125 provides pool maintenance, security, and garden work in the common areas and around homes. 
Stunning ocean views from this hill side Lawson Rock Lot 29. Enjoy all the 5-star amenities that Lawson has to offer: 24 hour security, highly coveted landscaping, community pools, beach access, and much more. Conveniently located only 10 minutes from the tourist activity of West End Village and only 10 minutes from Roatan’s international airport. 
A rare opportunity to own a homesite in the coveted Phase 1 section of Roatan’s most upscale development: Pristine Bay. Located right on the golf course with beautiful panoramic Caribbean Sea views beyond the vibrant greens. The lot is already fully serviced with a paved road, power, and water. Pristine Bay’s amenities include the world-class Pete Dye 18-hole Black Pearl golf course, restaurants, beach, pools, 24-hour security, and a well-appointed beach club. 
This expansive hilltop lot offers breezes and stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and mainland mountains below. Situated at the popular viewing area where cruise ship passengers and tourists stop daily, this 395’ of road frontage is ideal for shops, restaurants, tour agencies, and parking. The terraced lower part of the property, with existing road, contains attractive home sites and sea views, while being surrounded by old growth trees. You can always explore all Roatan real estate listings here on the Roatan MLS, or head directly to the homesites and lots listings here on my website.

Did any of these hilltop homesites appeal to you? Let me know and let’s arrange a visit so you can see this natural beauty in person.


Doing business in a foreign country can be confusing. That’s where a local real estate agent steps in to help. Let’s go through some Roatan real estate terms to know so you have an idea of what to expect with your real estate transaction.

Terms are given alternatively in English and in Spanish; most legal matters seen by real estate agents in the Bay Islands are mixed and are loosely translated in private sales agreements.

For general FAQs on Roatan real estate, check out my buyer’s info here, seller’s info here, and Roatan real estate FAQs here.

Roatan Real Estate Terms to Know Dominio Pleno: This is the title issued by the municipality to an individual who does not have valid title but has been living on or in possession of the property. The individual must petition the municipality for it and pay 10% of the value of the property. (Some proof of ownership is usually provided).

Public Document: “Escritura Publica” transfers the title before a Notary, in which one party sells, donates, grants, trades, or in any way transfers titles and another party pays and/or accepts the transfer.

Protocolo/Protocol: The continuous book of public documents kept by a Notary during a fiscal year. Sent yearly to the Supreme Court Secretary to be kept as a public record.

Antecedent: The public document from which you receive your current title. This is the public document that enables you to register your title and on which the marginal annotation for transfer of the current title has been written. It’s the chain of title that exists on any given document and must appear on a public document in order for it to be recorded.

Cadastral: The municipal land office that handles the survey and measurement of all property within its delimitated territory.

Certificate Cadastral Map: Survey issued by the land office at municipality on property submitted to registry.

Survey: Map of property, which must accompany documents to registry and can be made by an engineer or by the cadastral office and it usually done by both.

Meets and Bounds: Measurements and boundaries, usually referring to the polygonal data on map or survey as well as indicating neighboring property and owners.

Easements: Right of passage, conduits. Commonly known in Honduran legislation as Servidumbres.

Horizontal property: Special regimen that buildings such as condos and apartments are subjected to. Special document must be prepared to subject property to horizontal property regimen and all covenants and restrictions must be stated as well as managements and common areas and all regulations to which each owner will be subjected.

POA: Power of attorney- Power to represent another individual or company, in Honduras done before a Notary in Escritura Publica, when done overseas, it must be authenticated by a notary and carry an APOSTILLE or be authenticated by a Notary at a Honduran Consulate abroad.

APOSTILLE: Certification issue by one of the subscribing countries of the 1961 Hague Convention that validates a document issued by one of the other subscribing members of said convention. International agreement to validate documents originating in and destined to subscribing countries.

Other Roatan Real Estate Terms to Know

Title Opinion and Title Searches

The age of a document is not a determining factor, only public documents done before a Notary, a Titulo Supletorio petitioned before a court of law or Dominio Pleno issued by a Municipality can be registered.

Transfer of title: Only “Public documents” (any of the above) can be transferred by a public document. You must have a public “Registered” document to transfer the same rights in another public document.

Title search: The registry of documents in Honduras is public, meaning the public (any ordinary citizen) is able to see all documents that have been filed and registered at said office.

The chain of the title is what you will be looking at to determine:

Different Ways to Transfer a Title

Sale outright: Tradición de Dominio por compra-venta. One party selling, one party buying, sale price is paid.

Sale of share in a corporation that owns property. Transfer is then of the company and not the property, but amounts to the same thing as the partners who own the property change.

Permuta: Trade: Exchanging the property for another of estimated equal value, or for another object.

Dacion de Pago: Property can be given in lieu of payment of a debt.

Donation: The person or entity that owns the property donates it to another, free of charge or in exchange for services or rights retained on said property. Take caution with these transfers, as they are revocable under a special clause called “ingratitude”.

Roatan Real Estate Inheritance Laws

There is a procedure that must be followed prior to the transfer of property. The legal heir must first be declared as such by the court, known as probate if there is a will, intestate if there was no will, in which family is called to succeed by order of familiarity. Your attorney will handle this.

Always check with your own attorney for validity of inheritance – this can be tricky. There have been problems before as the law does not state that all relatives who have a right to succeed when there is no will must declare themselves heirs simultaneously, so the individual claims are registered at different times and property can then be sold off by only one heir.

I realize it can be confusing to do business in a foreign country. I’m here to help facilitate the process easily and seamlessly for you! Contact me with any questions any time.

