Buying Belize Real Estate

Belize real estate values have been steadily going up during the past ten years. This trend continues and thus any property purchased now at a fair price will most likely be an excellent investment for short and medium term planners.

This is is one of the few countries in the world where foreigners enjoy the same right as nationals in land ownership and tenure – and land right on the beach is not difficult to obtain. All land purchases are subject to a Government Stamp Transfer Tax which at 2010 is a little under 5% of the purchase price. Check out our Top Ten Reasons To Retire In Belize.

A little-known benefit for those wishing to invest in real estate here is that there is no Capital Gains Tax. Thus is if you purchase land, then sell it later at a good profit, you pay no Capital Gains Tax – all profits remain with you. See more information on Belize Offshore Banking. Condos are a growing part of the real estate market and the country has modern legislation to handle this kind of property ownership based on the well recognized strata principle used in first world jurisdictions.

Real Estate – Some Basic Tips

Among the many attractions of Belize, none is more important to prospective retirees and expatriates than the relatively low cost of property and housing. For sure you can spend a lot of money on North American-style luxury developments. But you can also buy raw land at prices not seen in the U.S. since the 1960s and in some areas find a simple but pleasant rental house near the sea for under US$200. a month.

In some cases you may even be able to negotiate a lease-to-own agreement. It is very easy for visitors of those just testing the waters to purchase or rent property in Belize – there are few restrictions on the purchase or use of real estate by foreigners, and legal documents are in English and carefully follow English common law. Many expatriates here have chosen this country because of its language.

Like anywhere in the world, local Belize real estate scams do exist. Be wary of fast-talking real estate brokers, attorneys or anyone making a high pressure pitch. Do not be afraid to walk away or take your own deliberate time on any real estate transaction. Scams can also come after a purchase. This is usually done by an individual or real estate management company hired to look after or supervise construction on your property. Not a few absentee land owners do not realize they have been scammed until they make a surprise visit to check on their home under construction and discover their monies have been diverted elsewhere.

It is recommended that you do all real estate land transactions through a licensed real estate agent or attorney. You need to ensure that a “Title Search” is conducted at the Government Land Registry and that the real estate that you are purchasing is free and clear of all liens, judgments and encumbrances. A title search done through a local attorney should not cost you more than U.S. $250. The real estate market in here is not tightly regulated, thus we recommend that all property purchased must have a Title Search completed before you enter into any contract or make any deposit.

You can arrange to go through an attorney at law for your real estate purchase. The going rate is between 2 and 5 per cent of the property value. A real estate agent will charge about the same but some agents charge a flat fee of about U.S. $2,000. If you are looking to save money you can hire a local land facilitator. These are usually retired government employees who have worked in the lands department and know the inner workings of this bureaucracy. They are also known as land fixers. But be very selective and always ask a number of locals or expats for recommendations. Expect to pay half the rate an attorney or real estate person will charge. Attorneys and real estate agents employ these same “fixers” to process documents for them.

The preferred way of owning real estate is through Title Free and Clear, either as an individual or through a corporate body. The property can be mortgaged with a bank or credit union. Titles Free and Clear, are issued for land and condominiums. Condominiums are purchased through a “Strata” title.

Property prices here are generally quoted in U.S. dollars.

Purchasing a property is pretty straightforward – the time for completion is usually 30 to 90 days.

Foreigners can obtain financing in U.S. dollars from local offshore banks. The maximum you can borrow is between 60 and 80% of the value of the property. Rates are about 9% to 12% interest. Most foreigners purchasing real estate pay cash from their own money, or borrow funds in their home countries where interest rates are lower One advantage of financing your real estate purchase through a local bank is that the bank will have in-house procedures to protect its loan portfolio and this includes due diligence checks on the real estate transaction.

Another option to purchase real estate in through owner financing where the seller provides part financing for the buyer, Conditions are flexible but an owner financed transaction usually sees the buyer putting down 30% cash and the owner finances the balance at rates of between 6 to 8 per cent over a five or ten year period. If you are buying property as an investment or future retirement home, you can hire a property management company to rent out your property when you are out of the country and pretty much have tenants pay for most of the cost of the purchase.

Property Taxes

Property taxes in Belize are very affordable. A house or condo worth U.S. $250,000 on Ambergris Caye for example attracts an annual property tax of under U.S. $375.00. Some wise investors choose to invest in real estate in rural areas where taxes are ridiculously low.

How low? A Library of Congress employee locally known as  Four Dollar Charlie, recently shared with us his annual Belize property tax return. The annual tax on his mansion hideout in Succotz – a village near Belize’s western border popular with American expats who do not mind having property in a Maya village as long as it is cheap – runs him U.S. $4.00 per year.

Yes. This is NOT a misprint – FOUR U.S. Dollars per year. For a low level U.S. federal employee this is the ultimate strategy to take down the tax man. To save money to retire in style, Charlie shares an apartment with a male roommate in D.C., rides the train to work, gets free snacks at work, accumulates work related frequent flier miles and suitcases of free books from his workplace to sell on Ebay or give away in Belize. He also hoards coupons and keeps adding to his real estate holdings every year.

Real Estate Locations

The same rules of thumb that apply when looking for a home, land or apartment in North America apply in Belize: The old and tested rule is still location, location and location in determining price. Demand drives prices.

Many people, visitors – this includes Belizeans – dream of living on the beach, thus beach front property is in great demand, and prices are at a premium compared with similar property inland or a couple streets behind the beach.

Real estate prices are highest on Ambergris Caye which is already regarded as being almost overrun with tourists and expats but which has the attraction of the Barrier Reef and close proximity to the International Airport at Belize City. Prices are more reasonable in the south, especially in the Placencia Peninsula and nearby areas such as Sitee River. This area has far more land available for development and is accessible by road or air. An international airport is currently under construction. We recommend investing in a few days to visit and tour areas at leisure to get your bearings and see what area would more appeal to your tastes and needs.

Many expatriates like to settle in areas close to the border with Mexico or Guatemala. This makes it easy to cross over by highway to a different country for a day or weekend trip and savor different cultures, access to malls and a wider range and lower prices for food, entertainment and other services.

Corozal Town in the North (bordering Mexico), and the Cayo District in the West (bordering Guatemala) are thus popular for expatriates retiring here. The construction of the last few miles to link the southern highway with Guatemala will create another attractive area to purchase real estate abutting Guatemala’s attractive Izabal Department with its attractions of Puerto Barrios and the Rio Dulce, and a comfortable drive to Honduras.

Remember another rule – in real estate you always make your money when you buy, not when you sell. The more information you have, more likely a better price you’ll get.