Antigua is an island in the Caribbean, part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. It is also known as Wadadli, which means approximately "our own" (Wadadli is also the name of the local beer brewed on the island). The island has a population of about 68,000 and is 54 miles in circumference, with an area of 108 square miles.

Over 24,000 people live in the capital of St. John's, at 17 deg 6' N. and 61 deg 45' W. Other leading population settlements are All Saints (3,412) and Liberta (2,239), according to the 2001 Census. The capital is situated in the northwest, near to V.C. Bird International Airport, and has a deep harbour which is able to accommodate large cruise ships.

English Harbour on the southeastern coast is famed as a "hurricane hole" (protected shelter during violent storms) and the site of a restored British colonial naval station. The latter is called "Nelson's Dockyard". Nelson was at the time a Captain and in correspondence made it clear he would prefer not to be there, but rather facing the French. Today English Harbour and the neighbouring village of Falmouth are an internationally famous yachting and sailing destination and provisioning centre. At the end of April and beginning of May Antigua Sailing Week, an annual world-class regatta started in 1967, brings many sailing vessels and sailors to the island to race and party.

Temperatures generally range from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, and the northeast trade winds are nearly constant, flagging only in September. Low humidity year-round.

Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin.

Size:

Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Boggy Peak (1319 ft.), located in the southwestern corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population for the nation is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's on Antigua.

Costs of purchasing a property in Antigua:

The costs of acquiring a property in Antigua can vary depending upon where you are purchasing, and the cost of the property. Below we have listed for you the key costs involved and used examples so that you can see the full cost of buying a property here.

General Costs:

Non-citizens licence 5% of value (Applicable to non-Antiguans)
Government transfer fees 2.5% of value
Legal costs Legal costs 1% or more based on the value - for a property costing US$300,000 – this would be a cost of US$25,500.

Exceptions:

An Alien Landholders License is required by any non-citizen to purchase property in Antigua. The cost of this license is 5 % of the value of the property. It can take between 4 and 6 months to obtain.

Acquisition Considerations:

Property taxes and rates are very low and based on rental value
Most property is fee simple or freehold.
Insurance coverage is approx 1.4% of the value insured for hurricane and earthquake coverage. Less when these are excluded. On claims the insured pays the first 2% of the insured value.
Real estate agent commissions are generally from 5-7%. These fees are paid for by the Seller, and are built into the Asking Price.