people who want to swap properties with homeowners throughout the Caribbean.

American-born Larry Sticca, in Bermuda for the last 17 years, has started a special register for people who may be "asset rich but cash poor''.

"Some people have properties here or in the Caribbean which have been left to them,'' said Mr. Sticca, who works from an office in Cedarparkade, Hamilton.

"They can't get the properties they really want but this programme aims to help them.'' He said he had already attracted clients who had signed up their homes to the Caribbean-Bermuda Home Exchange Programme.

Customers pay a fee of between six and ten percent of their property's value.

In return, they can be matched to other homeowners who want to swap their properties.

Mr. Sticca, a Bermuda College lecturer, added: "This is not just for upscale customers.

"My licence to practise says I must cover all Bermuda so we don't want to turn anybody away.'' He said clients received regular newsletters and brochures of available properties so they can "browse''.

They can also sign up to a private Internet web-site, where new properties are registered.

Properties are given values and any swaps may be weighted with cash.

Anyone who wants information can call Sticca & Associates on 296-5684. The firm is a member of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce and the Bahamas Real Estate Association.