Realtors Association launches first NAR ‘GREEN Designation’ course in English-speaking Caribbean
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ), in collaboration with the United States-based National Association of Realtors (NAR), has launched the first GREEN Designation course in the English-speaking Caribbean, marking a pivotal milestone in the evolution of the Jamaican real estate sector. The announcement was made during a high-level green sustainability panel discussion hosted at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel, bringing together influential voices across real estate, development and finance. The GREEN Designation programme will be delivered as a two-day training course starting in June. It is designed for realtors and non-realtors across Jamaica and will equip participants with the tools and global standards required to meet rising demand for sustainable, energy-efficient development. However, only realtors will earn the GREEN Designation title. “Launching the course is the perfect way to celebrate the RAJ’s 60th anniversary. It’s our gift back to the industry, a commitment that says we’ve been here for 60 years, and we are building for the next 60 and beyond,” said Gabrielle Gilpin-Hudson, president of the RAJ. “We have Jamaicanised the original course through our partnership with NAR, and we’ve trained a local expert who is certified to localise and teach the curriculum.” The timing of the GREEN Designation is significant, following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation across western Jamaica and a wave of residential and commercial development reshaping the island’s landscape. As rebuilding and growth accelerate, the RAJ is placing sustainability and long-term environmental responsibility at the centre of the real estate sector. “Jamaican realtors are committed to ongoing education; we have the largest number of Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation holders in any one association per member in the world,” announced Gilpin-Hudson. “By earning the GREEN Designation, our members will gain specialised knowledge and access to a network of resources that will help them grow their business and become the trusted go-to realtors for clients who prioritise sustainability and high-performance home features.” The panel discussion is the first in a series of sustainability events and activations during the association’s 60th anniversary, setting the tone for sustained industry engagement on the future of development in Jamaica. Included in the planning is a tree planting ceremony in April, the GREEN Designation course in June, which culminates in a guided tour of a purpose-built sustainable property, and a Green Financing Summit. The panel discussion facilitated critical dialogue around climate risk, energy efficiency, sustainable construction practices, artificial intelligence, data, and the policy direction required to support responsible growth. Dr Rochelle Channer Miller, senior lecturer at the University of Technology and president of the Association of Land Economy and Valuation Surveying (ALEVS), pointed out that real estate buyers are more discerning and are using artificial intelligence (AI) and engaging with more information to make buying decisions a multi-generational legacy. Board Chairman of the Jamaica Developers Association Ltd, Dayton Wood highlighted that in reviewing the impact of Hurricane Melissa and looking ahead, a sustainable Jamaican means adhering to the building codes, which comes down to education and enforcement. Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Spatial Planning Division at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Gregory Bennett, noted that from a planning and environmental perspective, there are key details realtors can identify and communicate to clients. These include site appraisal, zoning policies, development standards and guidelines, geotechnical and resilience issues, as well as areas designated as environmentally sensitive, such as flood-prone zones, coastal areas and no-build zones. Latoya Williams, the assistant vice president of lending solutions and business services at the Mortgage and Lending Centre – VM Building Society, noted that financing plays a critical role in shaping what gets built, how it is built and who has access. And, over time, that shapes entire communities. “As a financial institution with a long legacy in supporting homeownership, we recognise that we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to support the transition towards more sustainable development practices,” said Williams. “That means encouraging energy-efficient housing solutions, supporting developments that consider environmental impact and working with our partners to ensure that sustainability is not just seen as a premium but a standard.” Against a backdrop of mounting climate risk, RAJ’s green initiatives carry a broader national significance. “Sustainability must be embedded into every stage of development, from planning to execution,” Gilpin-Hudson stated. “The future of our country depends on decisions that prioritise resilience and environmental responsibility, and the RAJ is happy to work with the local stakeholders to get the job done.”
Jamaicans Encouraged To prepare for Homeownership
The National Housing Trust (NHT) is encouraging Jamaicans to begin preparing for homeownership by strengthening their financial awareness, developing consistent habits and identifying practical strategies to achieve their goals. Digital Content and Channels Strategist at the NHT, Lee-Ann Morgan, made the call recently during the first episode of the Trust’s new podcast, ‘Home is Now’ which aims to provide practical guidance to persons seeking to become homeowners. Morgan stressed that financial readiness is often more about discipline, planning and consistency than achieving perfect conditions. “Sometimes ownership isn’t delayed because of anything except you’re not quite sure where to start. You need to know your numbers. Document how much you earn, how much you spend and what’s left over after you do that math, because to get to where you’re going you need to know where you are,” she stated. Morgan also underscored the importance of maintaining consistent financial behaviour, including regular savings and contributions. She further noted that individuals should explore the various pathways available to them when planning for homeownership. “The point is there’s more than one way to homeownership, and there is a strategy that works just for you,” she added. The NHT provides financial assistance to contributors who wish to build, buy or repair their homes, particularly those in the lower-income brackets, while also supporting the housing construction sector. Among the options available are the Open Market Loan for purchasing privately sold properties, the Build-On-Own-Land Loan for constructing homes on land already owned by contributors, and the House Lot Loan for purchasing land. Individuals who require additional support may also access the Trust’s External Financing Mortgage Programme (EFMP) through participating financial institutions. Through these initiatives, the NHT aims to improve the quality of life of Jamaicans by facilitating homeownership and community development.
Realtors welcome gov’t water infrastructure upgrades to boost real estate development
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ) has endorsed the Government’s plans to enhance the island’s water storage and distribution network, particularly in the Kingston Metropolitan Area, hailing the initiative as a game-changer for real estate growth. According to the RAJ, the announcement was made by Minister of Water and Climate Change Matthew Samuda during the association’s leaders’ breakfast at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday, February 26. The event also kick-started the RAJ’s 60th anniversary celebrations. Minister Samuda outlined key components of the Government’s Water Vision 2030, including construction of a new Hermitage Dam in St Andrew, expansion of the Mona Reservoir’s capacity and ongoing upgrades to the water distribution network in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. “I’m happy to report that the first phase of the engineering for the new Hermitage Dam is indeed complete, and we expect to complete the transaction design and the procurement process within the next 12 months,” he stated. Gilpin-Hudson highlighted the transformative impact this move would have on real estate. “We are at the threshold of a transformative era for Jamaican development, and water infrastructure is the key that opens the door. We have untapped potential across the island in housing, farming and infrastructural development, which remain underdeveloped because of inadequate access to water, she said. “For the first time, we have a workable timeline and a clear path forward. This is what the market has been waiting for.” The minister also revealed plans to upgrade and divest the Soapberry sewage treatment facility into a tertiary-level plant, supporting efforts to restore Kingston Harbour as a blue-water body — a critical climate goal. “It’s major… A revitalised harbour would open an entirely new chapter for downtown Kingston to position Jamaica among the great waterfront cities of the world,” said Gilpin-Hudson. The RAJ president emphasised that water access was vital for the Corporate Area’s evolving skyline, driven by multi-storey residential and commercial developments. She added that the RAJ views these government initiatives as pivotal to sustainable development, affordable housing and economic vitality across Jamaica. Looking ahead, Gilpin-Hudson reaffirmed the RAJ’s commitment to fostering stronger public-private collaborations under the theme of its 60th anniversary celebrations, “Strengthening Partnerships for a More Efficient, Transparent and Sustainable Real Estate Sector”. “We’re open to collaboration. We’re open to sitting down with the various stakeholders, whether that’s in the private or public sectors, to really drive what we need to do to get Jamaica to have a first-world real estate market,” she said. Speakers at the Leaders in Real Estate Breakfast included Yvett Anderson, head of retail banking at the Caribbean North and Central, Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Ltd (the event sponsor); Hyacinth Picart, commissioner of land valuations at the National Land Agency; Andrew James, board chairman of the Real Estate Board and Commission of Strata Corporations; and Dayton Wood, board chairman of the Jamaica Developers Association.
