Selling guide
How to Value a Private Island
Island valuation is difficult because comparable sales are few, often undisclosed and rarely truly comparable. Most credible valuations triangulate between several methods.
By Private Island Listings Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-08-20
The three approaches
| Approach | Best used when | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Comparable sales | Active regional markets such as Ontario or Maine | Thin and often undisclosed evidence |
| Replacement cost | Developed islands with substantial infrastructure | Ignores location scarcity and consents |
| Income capitalisation | Operating resorts and income-producing assets | Sensitive to occupancy and cost assumptions |
Adjustments that matter most
- Access: travel time, transport mode and reliability
- Consents: existing permissions can be the largest single value component
- Tenure: freehold versus remaining lease term
- Buildable area rather than headline acreage
- Infrastructure condition and remaining service life
Presenting a defensible figure
Set out the method, the adjustments and the evidence used. Buyers with professional advisers will test the reasoning, and a transparent valuation shortens negotiation.
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