Broker welcome

Jackie Doak I’ve written a number of “years in review” in my career, but never for a year like 2020. As I reflect on how 2020 started, progressed and ended in the Cayman Islands, I am so proud of how our country and our brokerage performed.

Last January, we were welcoming a record number of tourists to Grand Cayman and enquiries from those seeking to relocate to Cayman or acquire a vacation home here were brisk. A month later, we proudly accepted an Affiliate of the Year award at the Christie’s International Real Estate Owners Conference in Palm Beach. Spirits were high and we were confident that our performance would only continue to grow.

Yet, just 30 days later, the borders to our country closed and remain closed today (although they are anticipated to reopen following a robust vaccination programme rollout).

Pundits quickly proclaimed a significant downturn in real estate sales, with some forecasting a spurt of distressed sales and the end of commercial real estate — but this didn’t happen.

In fact, we defied the odds. Through the strong leadership of our government and the strength of our community, we came together to not only survive the initial impact of shelter-in-place guidelines but to emerge from that period in early summer to resume “normal life.” The news of Cayman’s success in this regard quickly caught the attention of international clients.

The result? A record sales year in the history of the MLS in the Cayman Islands, and an incredible year for our brokerage.

We were a leading brokerage in the number of sales over US$1 million and sold 15 condos at The Residences at Seafire. Our brokerage team embraced technology to stay connected with clients across the miles, participating in more than 35 webinars and hundreds of Zoom calls. We are now welcoming these new residents to Cayman through the Cayman Islands Government’s Global Citizen and residency-byinvestment programmes.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2021, we are already experiencing active sales, and I am confident that Cayman’s value proposition will continue to attract the attention of globally mobile individuals who value our quality of life and our “Caymankind” culture.

Wishing all a year of prosperity and gratitude.

Jackie Doak

Broker, Provenance Properties Cayman Islands President Business Development, Dart