In light of all the winter weather that we've been having lately, I think the Caribbean may be looking more and more appealing. So, I thought I would briefly mention investing in Caribbean (and Central American) real estate with T. C. Lewis & Co this month.

When many people think about Caribbean property, images of sandy white beaches and lush tropical greenery may spring to mind. However, it is not just these pleasant images which make Caribbean property so appealing. There are many Caribbean property opportunities available which are tailored for investment and anticipated to generate substantial profits for astute investors.

For a Caribbean property to be tailored for investment, there are two important principles which must be followed.

Firstly, setup costs must be minimized to allow investment opportunities to be a viable option to most investors. Also, the less your setup costs are in comparison to profit, the higher your return on investment will be.

Secondly, profit must be maximized. To maximize profit on your Caribbean property, there are several factors which must be given due care and consideration.For example, many investors would require that their Caribbean property be fully managed to provide a healthy rental income. Therefore a management agency or company would ideally be setup to maximize rental occupancy, room rate charged and to fully manage the day-to-day running of the Caribbean property and surrounding land/site.

A favorable way for this to be setup is to buy a Caribbean property within a hotel or resort which is run by a well known and respected operator. This added brand name can greatly benefit the rental potential of your Caribbean property from day one.

Capital growth is also an important aspect to consider. Investors ideally need to conduct research to ensure that they are buying a Caribbean property which will experience sufficient demand for rental and for re-sale. This ongoing demand will ensure that property values will continue to increase and generate a substantial capital profit if and when the investor wishes to sell their Caribbean property.

There are many tax breaks to benefit from on your chosen Caribbean property. On some islands, there are no capital gains or inheritance tax to pay, making buying a Caribbean property a very attractive proposition compared to buying in other countries.

With due care and consideration, investors will be able to buy a Caribbean property which should adhere to all the above aspects and prove to be a profitable long term investment.

Visit TCLewisProperties.com/Projects for more information about current projects ripe for investment in the Caribbean right now.

*Dan Chamberlin contributed to this post.

Home Safety During the Holidays

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! The Holiday season is upon us, and for most it is a time full of joy, fellowship, and family. But the unexpected can and does happen. So, from stopping theft to preventing fires, here are a few tips from the experts that can help keep your family safe this time of year.

Fire safety comes with the territory of the holidays. Trees and lighting can both be dangerous if not done correctly. When selecting a real tree, be sure to buy one that is fresh. This means you should look for a fragrant tree that is a rich, deep green color. Also, the trunk should still be sticky with sap. Old trees are dry and brittle, and thus can be very flammable. To keep your tree fresh throughout December, be sure to keep it immersed in water at all times. If needles start to fall off, give it more water! For those with artificial trees, don't use electrical lights on metallic trees! And be sure to always turn your lights off you go to bed or leave the house.

Another fire hazard are those beautiful, twinkling lights. Every year's decorating should begin with checking light strands for cut or frayed wires. Also, be sure that lights are used as marked. Indoor lights are for use inside only. Outdoor lights are kept outside.

Next, don't overload your outlets. Three sets of lights to an extension cord is plenty!

Another looming threat during the holidays is home burglary. Thieves prey on those that travel during this season. To prevent thieves from targeting your home, you need to make your schedule unpredictable. That means keep your routine varied. Come home randomly for lunch one day a week. Leave for work at different times. And to give the appearance that someone is always home, leave on a tv or use lights that are on timers.

NEVER POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT YOU'LL BE OUT OF TOWN OR AWAY FROM YOUR HOUSE FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME!

And as added measures of security, consider installing an alarm system, or having a house-sitter stay at your home or check on it periodically during your vacation.

Use these tips to have a safe and merry holiday season!