"It is important never to stop looking at real estate once you have a dream to own a home," said Andrew Issa of Coldwell Banker Jamaica Realty to the Jamaica Gleaner recently. "There is hope that residential prices will not increase further in 2009," and "There have been price reductions in the price of steel and lumber, so prices of new construction should remain stable for this year." He suggests that those who are considering a real estate purchase should begin with research. "I always encourage first-time home buyers to meet with mortgage brokers and real-estate agents to get a clear understanding of exactly what they can afford to buy," he said.

"Purchasing your home or securing your house lot allows buyers to start building their equity base, which, in reality, will be their security blanket in later years to come." said Issa.