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Exclusive Island near Stockholm |
Exclusive Island near Stockholm
Sweden
This unique private island comprises a tastefully designed main residence, a mini-mansion, a private harbour, untouched woods, landing strip and golf course.
SEK 75,000,000
(approx. EUR 8,280,000)
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Sand Dollar Cay |
Sand Dollar Cay
Bahamas
Fabulous 24-acre private island situated in the beautiful Berry Island chain. Four superb white sand beaches.
USD 7,200,000
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Ilha Sapoeira |
Ilha Sapoeira
Brazil
In the bay of Angra Dos Reis, ideal location, with fine, sandy beaches, generator, potable water, boats.
USD 399,000
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Partridge Island |
Partridge Island
Canada
This stunning wooded island is found in the Mushamush Lake in Lunenburg County (Nova Scotia) and lies 400 meters from the mainland.
CAD 275,000
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Ailsa Craig |
Ailsa Craig
Scotland
The only island to win a gold medal in the Olympic Games
Ailsa Craig offers splendid isolation, whilst being easily accessible thanks to the excellent infrastructure on the mainland.
Approx. 245 acres, offers from GBP 2.500.000 to 2.750.000
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Gravel Island |
Gravel Island
Canada
Coastal island near Halifax, with log cabin and boat
CAD 395,000
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"Living On An Island", STARS, March-April 2003
LIVING ON AN ISLAND
It must be the ultimate escape - to actually buy your very own island
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The allure of owning your private island must be the ultimate territorial pact with our primeval selves. If owning your home is a 21st-century example of the cave, then the island is the complete eco-system, a world apart from the trials and tribulations of the rest of the planet, where only your rules apply - your very own kingdom.
The reality is you can buy your own island. In fact, there is one real-estate company that specializes in this area, namely Vladi Private Islands, owned by the charismatic Farhad Vladi. So far he has sold over 650 islands around the world to wealthy individuals, making him the first person to speak to when you want the Robinson Crusoe fantasy all for your self.
"Being on an island is pharmacy for the soul," says Vladi. His customer database reads like a who's who, including the former Shah of Iran (who once bought a dozen islands at one meeting), Marlon Brando, Brooke Shields and Tony Curtis. He currently has 20 employees in two offices located in Germany and Canada, and prices start at a mere $16,000 for a few rocky hectares off Scotland, to millions for hideaways in the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Vladi got hooked on the business of selling islands 30 years ago when working as a banker. Liking the idea of owning an island, he soon found out that most were beyond his price range. Instead, he sent pictures of the island and passed them on to wealthy clients and offered to arrange the sale. The business became so popular, and profitable, that he now buys and sells islands full time.
There are only around 100 to 120 desirable islands for sale at any given time. A desirable island is one which has anywhere from five to 1,000 acres, an elevation of at least 15 feet, and provides a harbour and several anchorage areas. lt should also have a choice of beaches so that one is always protected from the elements. And the more existing infrastructure, such as landing ramps, roads, housing etc., the better.
Buying islands varies from country to country. The US Virgin Islands discourage foreign buyers by charging high taxes, while Tahiti requires a significant investment in the local economy, such as a hotel or business. Most Asian countries limit foreign ownership to 50 percent, with Malaysia and the Philippines forbidding ownership of islands completely. Even liberal New Zealand only allowed foreigners to buy its islands in 1994.
For those countries where island buying is no more unusual than buying a house, the market is definitely strong but slow. It's not unusual for an island to remain on the market for two or three years before it sells and the business of buying private islands is still very much a hobby of those with money to burn, although the few cheaper islands do attract lower-income customers who remortgage their homes.
However, simply buying the island is not enough. After the initial purchase price there could be a further $100,000 for a septic tank, generator and water system if these are not available. Generally, the more remote the island the more it will cost to run. What tends to happen is that the new owner becomes disillusioned with the whole venture and decides to sell on a few years later after having invested zero cash. Exceptions include far-sighted Richard Branson who bought uninhabited Necker Island in the 1970s and transformed it into an exclusive escape for stressed-out celebrities complete with exclusive guesthouse that includes 13 bathrooms, a hot tub, a gymnasium and aqua trampoline. Rental is a cool $15,000 for up to seven guests and $31,000 per day for 26 guests. In his inimitable and gregarious manner, Branson stated that, "It's important to share a beautiful thing like that, and 1 think it would be an indulgence not to, basically."
Most high-end Island owners employ full-time caretakers (they even have their own newsletter, the Caretaker Gazette!) to keep a watch on the property while rental managers will deal with the issues of tenants or holidaymakers. In fact, the rental side of things is where one should start states Vladi.
His business also assists with those wanting to rent an island for a period in order to see if island life really suits. His rentals vary from $100 to $55,000 per week depending on the island location and amenities, and he will also provide a Gucci 'survival bag' for stays on the more isolated hideaways which, reputedly, contains a Swiss Army knife, hammock, compass, fishing rod, tent, and a copy of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe!
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