Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices launches in Cayman

By Stuart Wilson

The real estate industry in the Cayman Islands has been undergoing a renaissance of sorts lately and developments in the field crescendoed last Wednesday with the formal launch of Berkshire Hathaway’s Cayman office on March 1st, 2023.

Owner/brokers of the new company are Anthony Lawson and Paula McCartney, who have rebranded Diamond Properties under the Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices moniker and methodology.

Business Consultant for Berkshire Hathaway, Mrs. Tricia Kobos, spoke with the Caymanian Times about what it meant to the company to be present in the Cayman Islands and the prospect of working with the new owners, who she said were selected because of what they bring to the table in terms of integrity and tenacity and commitment.

“We put a lot of work into this when selecting global partners and there is a lot of time spent identifying the right people,” she noted.

“Our core tenants are epitomized by Anthony and Paula in the Cayman Islands we are pleased to have them as a part of the Berkshire Hathaway brand,” she added.

The Berkshire Hathaway name is associated with four core tenants, which include trust, integrity, stability and longevity.

Mrs. Kobos explained that the success was just beginning for the team in the Cayman Islands.

“We are impressed with their passion and desire to take care of people, as well as the level of service being far above what people expect.

“Berkshire Hathaway has done an amazing job growing the company and has a powerful global brand to help the Cayman team reach the world.”

As Business Consultant for the company, Mrs. Kobos is conducting the training for the new Berkshire Hathaway, Cayman Islands operation over three days and will impart the tools and systems that are “tried and true”.

“Everything is current and the support is phenomenal. Our entire team will attend, noted Owner/Broker Paula McCartney. She added that the entire team with be heading to Las Vegas for the Berkshire Hathaway sales convention this month (March 2023).

Ms. McCartney told the audience at the launch - who included a ‘who’s who’ of Caymanian business and politics - that she was proud to be a part of the newly branded enterprise bearing the Berkshire Hathaway name and branding, adding that she and Mr. Lawson make a great team.

Ms. McCartney was born into a real estate, investment family and has been around the business from her very early years.

“We are proud to bring a brand of this caliber to a country of this caliber,” she exclaimed, adding that she was also proud of being able to start the company with one of her best friends (Mr. Lawson).

“This gives another Caymanian family something to pass on. Being teamed with a massive brand give us extensive reach.”

Berkshire Hathaway is the 4th mots recognized company in the world, according to Forbes.

The company captures 74 percent of the ‘halo effect’, which relates to the tendency for an impression created in one area to influence opinion in another area.

This is as a result of people’s association with Berhshire Hathaways excellence in other areas of business. As a result, when someone mentions Real estate, 74 percent of people automatically think of Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices.

Owner/Broker, Mr. Anthony Lawson said he was excited and felt “super blessed”, acknowledging that the venture was a huge accomplishment for Ms. McCartney and himself.

“Paula and I joined forces a little over a year ago under the umbrella of Diamond Properties and then Berkshire Hathaway came along. The process to be chosen was quite rigorous and so I am even more proud of the accomplishment.

“This is an inspiration for others and the sky is the limit,” he remarked.

There are four agents of the new company, who will all undergo the training, in addition to attending the Berkshire Hathaway sales convention this month.

Mr. Lawson said the team is seeking to grow the brand and business in the Cayman Islands.

Tourism Minister, the Honourable Kenneth Bryan said the introduction of the Berkshire name is testament to investor confidence in the Cayman Islands and that he was happy to see “grassroots people” at the helm of the newly branded company.

Deputy Premier, the Honourable Chris Saunders echoed his sentiments and noted that he was happy that the owners were able to attract such a well established brand.

“It goes to show the level of expertise and service we have here in the Cayman Islands ,” he said.

Berkshire Hathaway is present in 12 countries and 4 continents, with over 50,000 sales associates and 1,250 offices and growing. The brand has been in existence for 10 years during which time it has experienced exponential growth.  

The Berkshire Hathaway name is associated with their core tenants, which include trust, integrity, stability and longevity.