Known as "le papillon d'meraude," or the emerald butterfly, the French West Indies island of Guadeloupe combines Caribbean culture with French economic and cultural customs. Real estate on Guadeloupe is relatively inexpensive. Follow these steps to find the right Guadeloupe property for you.

Set your reasons for buying real estate on Guadeloupe. Many people choose to buy property on the island because of its extreme beauty, relative seclusion and familiar lifestyle. For a few others, real estate on Guadeloupe is a matter of business. Think about why you want to invest in property so you can shape your real estate search correctly.

Set your budget. Guadeloupe has a fairly wide range of budgets for real estate and homes. To give you an idea of property prices, an 8,600-square-foot lot near Trois Rivieres runs for about $48,000. To build a two bedroom house on the plot would run you around another $100,000.

Begin in Pointe--Pitre. While the island's official capital is Basse-Terre, the true economic and commercial capital is Pointe-a-Pitre. The bustling city-town will be a good place for you to commune with other foreigners and have a sit-down with a realtor or two. You might enjoy life in the commercial center so much that you consider buying real estate there.

Consider tourist attractions and modes of transport. You should think about tourist hot-spots like the neighboring Pigeon Islands, especially if you're looking to real estate on the island as a financial investment. But even for someone looking for a second home (or a first home), access to other islands and attractions is important to avoid getting "island fever."

Compare realtors' offers from Pointe-a-Pitre and from small localities. You might find realtors in some of the larger towns like Basse-Terre, though they might not speak English. If you can find an interpreter, the trouble will be worthwhile, as many of the village and town real estate prices on Guadeloupe are significantly lower than prices of central real estate.