Fresh off being named Best Luxury Boutique Real Estate Agency in Grenada by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, McB REALTY sat down for an exclusive conversation with World Luxury Chamber of Commerce President Alexander Chetchikov. Broker-Owner Hyacinth McBarnette opened up about what drives the company’s success, shared her take on the luxury property scene across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, and talked about the long-term vision shaping McB REALTY’s future.

Alexander Chetchikov (AC): Congratulations on the Best Luxury Real Estate Consultancy in Grenada award! What does this win mean to you and your team?

Hyacinth McBarnette (HM): This award is a tremendous honour for McB REALTY and a powerful affirmation of our journey. After rebranding from an international franchise to an independent agency, this achievement confirms that our passion, expertise, and personalized service distinguish us from the competition. This is a victory for our entire team and for the clients who trust us with their real estate goals in the beautiful island of Grenada.

AC: From your perspective, what currently defines luxury in the Grenadian property market, and how have buyer expectations evolved recently?

HM: In the Grenadian property market, luxury means lifestyle, panoramic sea views, elegant indoor-outdoor living, high-quality finishes, and, increasingly, sustainable design and smart technology. Buyers today seek more than just a home; they seek wellness, authenticity, and world-class service.

Having said this, I must note that “luxury” is relative to reference points. There may be several coexisting tiers. In recent years, expectations of luxury have heightened across all sectors of the economy. However, for many income groups and those with limited budgets, comfort, security, and modern amenities – rather than extravagant high-end features – often define their concept of luxury.

AC: Which types of properties tend to attract the highest interest from luxury buyers and investors, and why?

HM: In Grenada, luxury buyers and investors are primarily attracted to prime beachfront estates, villas with panoramic ocean views, and modern residences within exclusive gated communities. These properties provide more than just aesthetic appeal; they offer privacy, security, and a strong connection to the island’s natural beauty, along with promising long-term resale values. For international buyers, appealing features include access to amenities, turnkey readiness, and modern, high-end condos set on alluring premises.

AC: How does McB REALTY incorporate sustainability into luxury developments and services across Grenada and the sister islands?

HM: At McB REALTY, we believe that true luxury respects the environment.

The ideal developments in Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique blend elegance with sustainability. Increasingly, building practices incorporate eco-friendly designs and renewable energy by employing solar power, rainwater harvesting, and natural ventilation; furthermore, responsibly sourced materials, including natural stone and timbers (although these are becoming scarce resources), are used to reflect our island’s heritage. By blending sustainability with sophistication, we protect our environment, support our communities, and ensure that luxury living in our islands remains timeless both for residents and for generations to come.

AC: Karland Park has become a landmark development. Can you share how that project helped shape your long-term strategy?

HM: Just out of university and brimming with ambition, my husband, Dr. Barry McBarnette (dec’d), and I took a leap of faith, purchasing a rugged, mountainous parcel of land in Grand Anse, St. George, Grenada. With scarce personal resources and every development dollar borrowed from the bank, we poured our energy into transforming that land into Karland Park, now a thriving residential community.
It was a bold introduction to the world of real estate.  One that tested our resilience, sharpened our problem-solving skills, and taught us to see opportunity where others saw only challenges. We learned to work in harmony with the natural landscape, to plan strategically, and to manage every detail with care and creativity.
Those lessons became the foundation of McB REALTY’s long-term strategy: combining vision with discipline, elegance with sustainability, and ambition with respect for community and environment.

AC: What key indicators or trends do you follow most closely in the real estate industry when planning new initiatives?

HM: This is a fun one – when I think about planning a new initiative in real estate, it is a bit like setting up a chessboard, you want the right pieces in place before making the move. Every initiative starts with the “why”: is it capturing an emerging market, meeting an unmet demand, or repositioning an asset? I map the client’s initiative against broader market cycles, demographic shifts, and brand positioning to be sure it is not just opportunistic, but sustainable.

Some trending topics that come to mind are:

1. Demographic and lifestyle shifts – generational preferences, population growth, and migration
2. Economic and financial levers – interest rates, construction costs, inflation
3. Culture and technology – Smart home, amenities, sustainability as luxury
4. Climate & Environmental risks – Sea-level rise, storm patterns, flood maps, and ecosystem health (reefs, mangroves).

Real estate is a bit like the weather; everyone talks about it, but the patterns matter more than the forecast. Real estate runs on cycles – expansion, peak, contraction, recovery. Where we are in that cycle influences whether trends feel like waves cresting or seeds being planted.

AC: In your experience, what advice would you give to international investors entering Grenada’s property market for the first time?

HM: Grenada offers exciting opportunities to international investors entering the property market for the first time, particularly because of the growing tourism sector, stable political climate, and programmes such as the citizenship by investment (CBI) initiative. I can reflect on my own experiences when I visited Grenada for the first time, keenly interested in investing. Research and bear the following thoughts in mind:

1. Review tax and legal implications.
2. For investments with prime residential and commercial appeal, choose the capital, St George. Location can be key. Because of the demand created by St George’s University (SGU), locations such as True Blue, Lance aux Epines, Point Salines, and Calliste would be desirable.
3. Incentives from the Grenada Industrial Development Cooperation (GIDC) for qualifying projects help to keep costs down.
4. Build a local network. I usually hasten to assist my clients in meeting trusted attorneys, bankers, surveyors, and contractors.

Importantly, I believe that it is necessary to visit the island in person before finalizing your deal. Understanding the local culture, neighbourhoods, and lifestyle will help to ensure that your investment aligns with your vision and goals.

AC: Looking ahead, what are your top priorities for strengthening McB REALTY’s position as a luxury real estate leader in the Caribbean?

HM: To respond, let me place this in historical perspective. In 1994, eager to make a mark in Grenada’s real estate market, my husband and I seized an opportunity to acquire a RE/MAX franchise. It was the very first real estate franchise to operate on the island of Grenada. We steered the transition of real estate in Grenada from a manual setting into the internet era. We charged through economic high and low cycles, and endured the most challenging of times, including the devastation of Hurricane Ivan (90% of our housing stock was destroyed). Through every cycle, we thrived, fueled by resilience, innovation, and our steadfast commitment to our clients.

After decades of leadership and trust-building, came our bold rebrand into McB REALTY. The identity that carried us through every storm now stands proudly at the forefront, as we continue to:

1. Enhance our own expertise and image
2. Deliver bespoke client experiences
3. Strengthen our global reach and network
4. Employ more targeted marketing strategies

This prestigious Luxury Boutique Real Estate Agency Award confirms that we are poised for the next stages of extraordinary growth as a leader in the Caribbean luxury real estate market, creating new opportunities for generations to come.

Thank you, Hyacinth, for sharing your insights and experience. We appreciate your time and look forward to seeing McB REALTY continue to shape the future of luxury property in Grenada.

Discover Grenada’s most exclusive properties with McB REALTY, visit https://mcb-realty.com/luxury/.