Like many people, when I decided to look for property, I was sure I wanted a house on a white sand beach – the Caribbean dream. But when I got to Roatan, I saw the views from the mountain and suddenly changed my mind, and I bought a hilltop property.
There is something unique about this Island that I now call home. It’s not just the deep blue of the ocean, and the turquoise waters on the reef, nor is it just the green of the rolling mountains and valleys, but it’s also the sky, with it’s many moods, that goes on forever. And of course, the people – the nicest people you ever want to meet.
Every day each of these things remind me each day of how fortunate I am to be living in such a place for the last 17 years..
Rick Northrop – Founder / Broker
Our Team
Rick Northrop – Owner / Broker
”From the time I was very young, I’d always had an interest in buildings. I would build houses out of plastic bricks, and I progressed to building small towns with airports and amusement parks. I would build ‘forts’ in the woods out of fallen branches. My mother was sure I’d become an architect.
“While I went on to school and studied other things, I’ve always had an interest in real estate. For a few years in Boston, I worked for a contractor doing repairs and renovations which gave me my first experience in construction. I moved Montréal when I was 25, and bought my first property there – a duplex. A few years later I bought the triplex next door. Next came a Victorian House in upstate NY, so I sold the 2 properties in Montréal, and used the proceeds to restore the house in NY and opened a B&B. During that time I worked as an accountant at a Real Estate Investment Trust.
“A town house and condo later, which I bought pre-construction so was able to modify the designs, I sold everything and moved to Roatan. I bought some land, designed a house and hired a contractor to build it. I bought more land, sold the first house, designed and built another house, and bought more land. I worked as an accountant for a property management company and a real estate company and those experiences taught me about real estate on Roatan and the ways it’s different from where I came from, and after a few years on the Island I decided to get my real estate license.
“I think that having such varied experiences in many areas – buying, selling, designing, construction, financing, managing and especially owning real estate – gives me a deep insight into what a buyer and seller are looking for.”
Fran Marazzito – Agent / Property Management
Fran Marazzito has over 20 plus years of experience in the real estate and property management industry in Roatan combined with a bachelor’s degree in Geography from SUNY New Paltz.
“Since relocating to Roatan in 1999, I have built and operated Roatan Property Management, the longest-running property management company on the island. Over the past 20 plus years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients, from individual property owners to larger investment groups, providing exceptional service and expertise in the management, sales, and rental of residential and commercial properties.
“Prior to establishing my company, I worked as a real estate agent for 10 years in Cold Spring and Garrison, NY, where I developed strong communication and negotiation skills while helping clients buy and sell properties. My extensive experience managing properties both on Roatan and in New York’s Hudson Valley, as well as my deep understanding of the local market, has given me a well-rounded perspective.”