Much like a human’s facial features, the face — or topography — of an island can vary widely.  Many Caribbean islands are characterized by seeming perfectly flat, while other islands can have rocky, almost hazardous-seeming terrain.  There is no type that is considered “best”–it really depends what your plans are for your purchase.  Flatter land is better for building, but some people prefer to have their own areas for rock climbing or other outdoor sports.

Be sure to notify your brokers about what topography you are most interested in for your island purchase.  Keep in mind that most islands aren’t going to be entirely flat, particularly continental islands, which primarily consist of the tops of drowned hills.  The workable surface of these islands generally falls between 10-12%, which is important to keep in mind when you’re laying out your development plans.

Hollywood power couple Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are the latest in a line of famous buyers to purchase a beautiful ranch house in the Pacific Palisades.  Built back in 30s, the home was designed by Cliff May and is considered to be a classic example of his style, with rooms that flow into each other, indoors and out.  The cliffside home measures almost 8,800-square feet.  Renovated in the 90s, it features five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a guesthouse, a pool, a studio, and stunning views. According to public records, the actors paid $17.55 million for the property.  This is well below the price it had been listed at: $27.5 million.

The home has been a mainstay celebrity hot property since the late 1940s, when it was purchased by actor Gregory Peck.  A Life advert for Pabst Blue Ribbon showed Peck and his first wife Greta at the bar in the den, a room that Peck was known to favor.

Anchorage is an important thing to keep in mind when examining if an island for sale is suitable for your needs.  After all, you want to be able to land on your island.  Perhaps more importantly, you don’t want to be stranded on your island, unable to leave.  The anchorage, also known as the stability to the ground, is a key factor in both of these situations.

What traits make up suitable anchorage?  There should be access to the beach with water of a sufficient depth.  You’ll need a sandy bottom if you want good hold.  You want to avoid coral and rocks that could damage incoming watercraft.  And lastly, you’ll want your anchorage to be sheltered from prevailing winds.  To make sure that your potential island’s anchorage is of sufficient quality, make sure that you examine it during both low tide and high tide.

One of the oldest homes located in the Brentwood area has been listed for sale. Built back in the 1920’s, this hacienda-style home has had a slew of famous owners over the years, including power couple actress Michelle Pfeiffer and TV producer David E. Kelley, as well as actress Melanie Griffith and actor Antonio Banderas. The house is currently owned by actor Dylan McDermott, who coincidentally waited on Michelle Pfeiffer back when he was still a struggling actor in New York.

The home features four bedrooms (three of which are suites), three bathrooms, and a two-story great room with cathedral ceilings. The walled and gated property features a pool, a 250 year old oak tree, a fountain, a pergola with climbing roses, and an expansive yard. The 4000 square foot home was purchased back in 1999 for almost $4 million. It is currently listed on the market for $6.9 million.

There are a number of factors that go into choosing a private island to purchase. Although determining your budget will tell you a lot about the size of the island you can afford, it’s also important to take into consideration the type of development plans you have for your purchase. It might be that you don’t quite needs as much island as you budget will allow for. In that case, it might be better to save some money on the purchase of the island itself and put it towards construction and other development costs.

If you’re planning to build a small vacation house, an island that measures between 2.5 and 12 acres is probably large enough for your needs. For a larger house or additional guest cottages, a medium-size island (12 to 24 acres) is a good bet. For a large-scale resort property, you’ll need a large island at least 37 to 48 acres in size, with 14 to 24 acres of land flat enough for building.

Part of the fun of having your own private island is the isolation factor. No longer will you have to contend with the crowds when you want to get away from it all, whether you’re planning a weekend away from home or an extended vacation. Of course, just how isolated you will be should be a major factor that you consider when looking to purchase an island.

It’s important to take into consideration just how much traveling you’re willing to endure to reach your new property, and just how uncomfortable you’re willing for that travel to be. If you have extensive experience with boats, that will make accessing your island easier, particularly if it is in an ocean as opposed to a lake. Keep in mind that the water conditions are an essential aspect to research. The distance from an established town or village can also make it easier or harder to access your new island. Those located closer to civilization will be more expensive.