If you own real estate in Jamaica, and are thinking of putting it up for sale, remember these two things. 

Property taxes -  When a property is being sold, before it can be transferred, it is a requirement that the property taxes are paid up to date. This is particularly important for those who have not paid property taxes for some time, as there is usually no provision to pay outstanding property taxes from the buyers downpayment. Property owners were recently reminded that property taxes were due and payable as at June 30, 2009, after which they would be subject to a penalty.

Utility bills & strata fees - Power and water in particularly are usually also required to be fully paid up, and in the case of properties governed by a strata, it is also a requirement from most mortgage houses when financing a home purchase that strata fees must also be paid up. There have also been recent reports in the media of the effect of unpaid strata fees on property values, so there is a double whammy from unpaid strata fees.

So if you want the sale of your property to go as smoothly as possible, remember these two things. Buyers would do well to ask sellers about these two issues as well.