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Homes For Sale In Puerto Rico
Alluring weather, picturesque beaches, and a carefree Caribbean way of life are reasons why mainland Americans often flock to Puerto Rico. However, what entices them to stay is the affordable cost of living, reliable services and amenities, and generous tax benefits. Relocating to Puerto Rico real estate is simpler than moving anywhere else in the Caribbean as it is a U.S. territory. Whether you're looking to retire, start a business, or live a peaceful, family-oriented existence, the Puerto Rico homes for sale are waiting for you.
Puerto Rico Homes For Sale
The homes for sale in Puerto Rico are in a seller's market with limited stock for purchasers of primary residences and a median sale price of around $150K. The real estate market in the Caribbean island has been dynamizing in the last two years and is pretty competitive.
Most offers come from foreign investors trying to purchase investment rental properties to take advantage of the flourishing tourism industry, the booming short-rental market, and the low prices. According to a local agent, the average days on the market for a Puerto Rico home for sale is between 60 and 90 days, but the best listings are often gone within a few weeks.
The main appeal of the homes for sale in Puerto Rico is its diversity and the broad range of prices homebuyers can find on the island. You can purchase anything from a two-bedroom, one-bathroom starter house for under $80K to a sprawling mansion with an array of amenities like breathtaking ocean views, spacious balconies, landscaped gardens, and everything in between.
Puerto Rico has an array of housing options, but the most common form is single-family homes built on firm foundations. Many Puerto Rican homes are made of concrete or other masonry materials rather than wooden frames. This makes them more resistant to natural disasters like earthquakes and storms.
Puerto Rican homes often have unique designs that offer a unique combination of comfort, protection, and style. Other popular features of Puerto Rican homes are balconies and terraces to take advantage of outdoor spaces, views, and natural lighting. High ceilings with large windows also help keep the home naturally cool in hot climates.
Where To Live In Puerto Rico?
The location of the home in Puerto Rico will also determine the lifestyle the potential buyer is looking for. For urban living surrounded by old-world charm, bustling shopping districts, exciting nightlife, and excellent restaurants, look no further than San Juan.
The capital's neighboring suburbs, like Guaynabo and Bayamón, provide family-friendly amenities, top-notch schooling options, and abundant recreation. For a beach town vibe, head to Rincón or Isabela, where you'll find unforgettable ocean views, a relaxed surf culture, and friendly neighbors. For a more rural experience, you check out Puerto Rico homes for sale in northern Ponce or Caguas.
Puerto Rico City Sampler
San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital and most sought-after city, is home to the island's highest caliber real estate. The city is on the northeastern coast of the island. Buying homes for sale in San Juan is an excellent investment with a median price of $420K.
San Juan consists of 18 distinct neighborhoods, but some of the best spots to purchase single-family homes for sale in San Juan are Old San Juan, Santurce, Guaynabo, and Rio Grande.
From humble starter houses and quaint Spanish-style villas to lavish eight-bedroom estates only steps away from the ocean, San Juan offers a wide variety of home styles for anyone's needs and budgets.
If you're a first-time homebuyer in the area, know that this is a seller's market with high demand and low inventory for primary residence purchasers. San Juan is also a hot market for second-home shoppers and investors looking to acquire dwellings to rent for profit.
Ponce
Approximately 137K people call the city and municipality of Ponce their home. Located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico and just an hour and a half away from the capital, this area is a popular destination for buyers looking for affordable homes for sale in Puerto Rico.
Ponce offers more privacy and a slower pace than San Juan while still providing quality amenities, popular attractions, and a quaint historic downtown. There are also great outdoor opportunities, including Hacienda Buena Vista and the Caja de Muertos Natural Reserve in neighboring Isla Caja de Muertos.
With a median sale price of just $130K, the Ponce real estate offers an incredible value for homebuyers seeking to purchase single-family dwellings. The homes for sale in Ponce, Puerto Rico, offer everything from classic Caribbean cottages in quiet suburban neighborhoods to luxurious estates facing the Caribbean Sea.
Río Grande
Nestled on the eastern side of Puerto Rico's Northern Coastal Valley lies Río Grande (Spanish for Big River), a vibrant municipality and town offering stunning scenery and premier Puerto Rico homes for sale. This area is ideal for those looking to savor the Caribbean lifestyle at its best.
With their proximity to San Juan, world-class beaches, and breathtaking ocean views or El Yunque Rainforest, the homes for sale in Río Grande are great as vacation homes, year-round residences, or even retirement properties. Living here provides a highly desirable sense of secludedness with great amenities within reach.
The median listing home price in Río Grande is $315K, and options range from modest starter homes with two bedrooms and one bathroom priced at $79K to three-story mansions with up to nine bedrooms and over 10K square feet and sweeping Atlantic Ocean views.
Puerto Rico Schools
Puerto Rico's public education system mirrors the American educational model and provides a comparable experience for students. The Puerto Rico Department of Education manages and oversees the public school system.
Recent data show that Puerto Rico has a comprehensive education system, boasting over 1,500 public and 800 private schools. The quality and availability of schools in Puerto Rico tend to be higher in the largest cities, like San Juan and Ponce. More rural areas usually have fewer options for education.
Local people tend to prefer private education because local public high schools have a basic curriculum, and some of them are not college-ready or vocational-oriented. Language is another reason. In Puerto Rico, K-12 education is imparted in Spanish while students simultaneously gain proficiency in English. That process is easy in a bilingual private school.
Puerto Rico boasts over 50 higher education institutions, both public and private, all of which adhere to the American model. Undergraduate associate degrees are awarded after two years of study, while a bachelor's degree, called Licenciatura in Spanish, is granted to those who completed a four-year program. Keep reading for a list of schools near homes for sale in Puerto Rico:
Public Schools In Puerto Rico
Elementary Schools
- Ernestina Bracero Pérez Elementary School - Toa Baja
- Martin G. Brumbaugh Elementary School - Santa Isabel
- Henry VIII Elementary School - San Juan
- Escuela Elemental Eleanor Roosevelt - San Juan
- Antilles Elementary School - Bayamón
Middle Schools
- María Libertad Gómez Middle School - Toa Baja
- Antilles Middle School - Bayamón
- Escuela Intermedia Eduardo J. Saldaña - Carolina
- Escuela Intermedia Basilio Milán Hernández - Toa Baja
- Escuela intermedia Jardines de Ponce - Ponce
High Schools
- Inés M. Mendoza Vda De Munoz Marin - San Juan
- Escuela Bernardino Cordero Bernard - Ponce
- Escuela Dra. María Socorro Lacot - Guayama
- Escuela Superior Vocacional Nueva Antonio Lucchetti - Arecibo
Private Schools In Puerto Rico
- Saint John's School - San Juan
- Cupeyville School - Ponce
- Academia del Perpetuo Socorro - San Juan
- Borinquen Bilingual School - Borinquen
- Thomas Alva Edison School - Caguas
Colleges & Universities in Puerto Rico
- University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus
- American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamón Campus
- Inter American University Of Puerto Rico - Bayamon Campus
- Atlantic University College
- EDP University - Recinto de Hato Rey
- NUC University - Recinto de Ponce
Frequently Asked Questions About Puerto Rico Homes For Sale
What Is The Zip Code For Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and is incorporated into the country's zip code system. The homes for sale in Puerto Rico sprawl across several zip codes ranging from 00600 to 00799 and 00900 to 00999. Here are some popular Puerto Rico zip codes per area:
- Arecibo 00612
- Bayamón 00956, 00957, 00959, 00961
- Carolina 00979, 00982, 00983, 00985, 00987
- Dorado 00646
- Guaynabo 00965, 00966, 00968, 00969, 00971
- Mayaguez 00680, 00682
- Ponce 00716, 00717, 00728, 00730, 00731
- Río Grande 00721, 00745
- San Juan 00901, 00911, 00913, 00924, and 00926.
- Hato Rey 00917, 00919
- Río Piedras 00925, 00926, 00927, 00928
- Santurce 00907, 00908
- Vieques 00765
What Is The Main Airport In Puerto Rico?
In proximity to some of the best Puerto Rico homes for sale, is Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU), the central Puerto Rico airport and one of the busiest in the Caribbean. This airport is a significant hub for San Juan and the rest of the country, with nearly five million passengers flying through SJU annually.
In addition to commercial air carriers, SJU is also home to several private charters and companies, which offer services to all parts of Puerto Rico and beyond. Puerto Rico is just a hop, skip and jump away! If you're coming from the U.S. mainland there are numerous non-stop flights available that depart from major cities like Miami, New York, and Orlando.
Is Puerto Rico, PR, Part Of The U.S.?
Puerto Rico, or P.R., is located in the Caribbean and has been an unincorporated territory of the United States since 1898. While the island operates as its own self-governing country, the U.S. government oversees all military protection, foreign policy, and defense.
Although it is not officially considered one of the 50 states, Puerto Rico does have congressional representation in Washington, D.C. However, the territory's voters cannot choose the President or Vice President of the United States, as this is only possible for states with electoral college votes.
Puerto Ricans have their own culture and native language; they are considered natural-born U.S. citizens and serve in the U.S. military. Residents of Puerto Rico do pay federal income taxes and abide by local laws and policies that follow the U.S. Constitution.
As An American, Can I Get A Loan To Buy A Home For Sale In Puerto Rico?
It is not hard to obtain financing to purchase a property in Puerto Rico, whether it is a condo for sale in Bayamon or a home for sale in San Juan you’re after. Puerto Rican lending companies will offer you access to financing upon completing a prequalification or preapproval process. The process is similar to securing a loan in the United States.
As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico benefits from Fannie Mae Loans, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, Rural Development Loans, etc. Financial institutions will decide whether to offer credit based on the purpose of your proposed property acquisition.
Depending on the purpose of your new Puerto Rico home, you will be eligible for between a 75% to a 100% loan - whether it's intended as a primary residence, second home or vacation retreat, or an investment.
Do Homeowners Pay Property Taxes In Puerto Rico?
Annually, those with homes in Puerto Rico are required to pay a property tax. On the island, CRIM - or the Municipal Collection Revenue Center - is in charge of collecting property taxes. Depending on the area of your property, you may be subject to taxes ranging from 8.03% up to 11.83%. CRIM strategically entrusts all of the property taxes it collects to a trust fund at the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico.
Why Is Moving To San Juan, Puerto Rico, Good For Taxes?
For many years, Puerto Rico has been a beacon of opportunity for business owners and investors due to its attractive tax incentives. If you're looking to expand your business, the United States has a widely popular program called Act 20.
Through this initiative, companies that move their operations to Puerto Rico are eligible for an impressive 4% corporate tax rate and have complete exemption on all profits made from distributions.
Puerto Rico's Act 22 is a powerful incentive for wealthy individuals, as it offers them tax exemptions on income derived from dividends, interest or capital gains while they are a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico. Both act 20 and 22 are included in Puerto Rico’s Act 60.
Living In Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Cost Of Living
The cost of living in Puerto Rico homes for sale will vary drastically depending on which city on the island you are moving to and what are your specific lifestyle needs and preferences. Prominent urban enclaves, like Puerto Rico's capital city, San Juan, will be naturally more costly than rural areas like Caguas or Fajardo, where the way of life is more modest.
Overall, Puerto Rico has a budget-friendly cost of living compared to the mainland U.S. Numbeo estimates that its average expenses are roughly 8.4% lower than those in the United States. Even the most expensive Puerto Rican cities will be significantly more economical than large U.S. cities.
What is the average household income in Puerto Rico?
On average, the households in Puerto Rico take home an annual income of $34,931.
Puerto Rico Weather
Most of Puerto Rico has a tropical climate with slight seasonal variation, making it ideal for those seeking year-round warmth. The diverse geography of the island lends itself to regions of dry forests and mountain peaks receiving more rainfall than others, and temperatures can range from mild to downright hot.
The Puerto Rico homes for sale are in a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures ranging from 70°F to 90°F (21-32 °C) most of the year. In the island's central area, temperatures rise because of the higher altitudes, ranging from 61°F to 80°F (16-27 °C).
The nation experiences two unique climatic seasons: a period of drought between December and April, followed by a season of rain from May to November. Puerto Rico is also very windy. All year, reliable trade winds of 19 knots (22 mph; 35 km/h) blow steadily east to west across the island.
Are hurricanes common in Puerto Rico?
The tropics are prone to hurricanes, and Puerto Rico is no exception. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the season's peak for Puerto Rico is in September.
Those thinking about buying homes for sale in Puerto Rico should research current hurricane preparedness steps taken by both local government and community organizations to ensure they can be satisfactorily protected during this period of heightened risk.
Puerto Rico Healthcare System
Puerto Rico's healthcare system is comparable to its U.S. counterpart. With increased access to medical care across the island, homes for sale in Puerto Rico offer the promising benefit of living in a place with quality healthcare services. If you're buying a home in Puerto Rico with family or if you'll be needing medical care on a regular basis, here are some facts you need to know:
- Although the quality of healthcare on the island is generally high, it may vary depending on location. Certain areas, like the capital city and its surroundings, have more services available and better physicians and facilities than rural areas.
- Since Puerto Rico is not a U.S. state, your mainland insurance policy might not cover you in Puerto Rico. You'll need a local one once you move.
- Puerto Rico has both public and private insurance plans available. The best government-funded program is Vital, the local Medicaid, with income-based eligibility requirements.
- Puerto Rico offers a selection of well-regarded private healthcare plans for their exceptional care and more timely services than the public alternatives.
- The top hospitals in Puerto Rico are in San Juan, the capital. Some of the most well-regarded ones include:
- Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital
- Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean (PRCC)
- Auxilio Mutuo Hospital
Puerto Rico Job Market
Manufacturing and services are the two fundamental forces behind Puerto Rico's economic success, contributing substantially to production output and income growth. The majority of manufacturing in Puerto Rico is concentrated on two major industries: pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
The service industry also plays a critical role in Puerto Rico's economy; it contributes significantly to the nation's Gross Domestic Product and provides tons of job opportunities in the private sector. Some of the top sectors include:
- Tourism
- Financial services
- Education
- Healthcare
- Retail trade
- Real estate
The aeronautic sector is flourishing on the island, especially in Aguadilla and Isabela of "the northwestern corridor." Honeywell Aerospace, Lufthansa, and Pratt & Whitney have all chosen these municipalities as their local operations centers. Employers close to the homes for sale in Puerto Rico include:
- Abbott
- Amgen
- AstraZeneca
- Baxter
- Biovail
- Novartis
- Patheon
- Pfizer
- Procter & Gamble
Puerto Rico Transportation
Most established cities and municipalities have walkable urban centers if you're purchasing Puerto Rico homes for sale and prefer to live in a walkable area. However, as a Puerto Rico resident, you can have more freedom to explore your city and the whole island if you own a car.
If you're a driver, Puerto Rico is connected by an expansive roadway network of roads, highways, and freeways. The Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority (HTA) oversees the entire transportation network. Taxis and Uber are also viable transportation options for residents that don't possess a private vehicle.
As far as public transit is concerned, quality and availability will vary depending on the area that you live in. San Juan, for example, is well-served by public transit with several bus routes, a light-rail system called Tren Urbano, and private mini buses called Públicos. Apart from terrestrial transportation, the Puerto Rican archipelago can be accessed via seaborne ferries.