FACTS ABOUT BELIZE

BUILDING COSTS: Run from US$30-$60 per square foot depending on location, elevation of house, and whether wood or concrete. Costs are less on the mainland. Hardwood building material costs about US$950 per thousand board feet. Availability is poor. Cement as well as cement blocks, sand and gravel is always available. Generally, houses are built about 8 feet off the ground to get more breeze, fewer bugs and be above hurricane water level.
 
SECURITY: Problems here are similar to the States but limited to stealing and vandalizing. A caretaker in most areas is essential. Cost runs from $75 BZ per week, depending on location, amount of work needed, and what is furnished. Most are dependable but need to be checked on and be paid by someone here. Generally most things can be purchased in Belize.
 
HURRICANE: I haven't been here during a hurricane but my understanding is that the wind isn't the problem as much as 6 ft. waves that come over whatever is lower. Docks, seawall, and anything not of concrete probably would disappear. Houses properly constructed would get wet on the lower floor. Houses constructed on posts or pillars mostly open underneath would stand it. Boats are moved inland or to the back of an island and other precautions taken when a hurricane is approaching the area.  

LABOR: An adequate force is available from $15-$40 US per day. Technical labor is hard to find but they can be trained.
 
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: Some of the small local airlines in Belize have scheduled and charter service. Rental cars are available but expensive. Belize has a large taxi fleet. Roads are not the best but improving as the years go by. Boats of different sizes are available for charter but generally not for rent without skipper.
 
TELEPHONE: Available in most places, cellular phone country - wide.
 
ELECTRICITY: Public electricity, cycle and voltage same as in US, is generally available near villages or towns. It is expensive compared to the U.S. Generators, solar, wind chargers, and butane gas are used. No one uses heat here.
 
WATER: Water for drinking is collected off the roof and stored in wooden, metal or concrete cisterns. Water for washing, etc.... comes from shallow wells. This system is also used on most cayes. City water is available on mainland in almost every town. Water depth inside the reef on the Caribbean side, North of Belize City is about 6 ft., South of Belize City water depths are much greater.
 
SEWAGE: Septic tanks are used in all places in the country except in Belize City & San Pedro where they have a sewage system.
 
FOOD STUFFS: Are easily available, but you should keep at least two weeks supply ahead (especially on islands).
 
INVESTMENTS IN PROPERTY: If you were going into commercial venture, you would first need to put earnest money on the property and also apply to form a corporation. To get a duty free concession to bring things needed for a hotel or another business, you must have a Belize Corporation.

ANNUAL LAND TAX:  Outside of the city is 1% of the market value of the undeveloped land.  City property tax is generally 3-8%.  Individual  income tax is on a sliding scale and company income tax is a flat 35%. There is no capital gains tax.
 
FINANCING:  for foreigners in Belize is generally not available. Some land sales are owner financed.
 
FOREIGNERS DOING BUSINESS: In Belize are accepted in most all fields. Tax free concessions are generally given for larger development investments.  
 
PURCHASING PROPERTY: Generally speaking it only takes money.  Procedures is different.  We use an earnest money form similar to one used the US adopted to Belize's law.  After choosing the property a minimum of US$2,000.00 or 1% on large properties is deposited for the first earnest money.  When seller agrees you are required to bring the earnest money up to 10% of the selling price.  This money is kept generally in the US in a Belize Real Estate account.  The earnest money form is then sent to a qualified attorney who first checks to see if the title is good and marketable.  Assuming it is, he makes a new title made out to you or a contract.  Both parties sign and it is returned to us.  At that time we would inform  you to pay the seller.   When the seller has his money we take the title that is made out to you to be recorded.  You then have part of Belize.  If the title is not good or owner will not accept your offer, your money is returned.  We have found this method protects the buyer and the seller. Government license is required in some cases, which the attorney always gets for you.   Offerings are subject to errors (including size of property, especially  where an island, river frontage, etc.... is concerned), omissions, prior sales, changes in price or withdraw without previous notice. 

STARTING A BANK ACCOUNT IN BELIZE: You need at least two and better three letters from bank, credit card company etc. showing that you have money in the bank and have been paying your bills. To do much business in Belize you need about ten Passport size pictures.
 
MOVING TO BELIZE: If moving to Belize just to live, you can bring furniture, personal effects and some other items duty free. On boats, cars, TV sets and others, you probably would pay 20%-70% duty.
 
RETIRING TO BELIZE: (This is a short synopsis:) You must have a regular income of over $1000 US per month. Complete cost $700 US. Not have a criminal record, some bank references. Duty-free on household effects to US $15,000, a car not over 3yrs old. You may have a boat. You will need birth certificates for your family, a police record, passports, and complete medical examination. Application and more information are available from the Belize Tourism Board, Belize City, Belize.
 
PASSPORT: You must have a passport to visit Belize. Length of stay is based on getting your passport stamped once a month, going out of the country for one night once every 3 months or getting residence standing that takes about 6 months to a year and costs about $600. US. To work in Belize you need a work permit.
 
COST OF LIVING: As in the U.S., it depends on the area where you live plus your own life style. Generally speaking it is less expensive due to fuel and clothing.
 
RENTAL: Costs are higher than in the U.S.
 
HOME INSURANCE: Cost is between $16 to $20 per $1,000. Including hurricane coverage.
 
FREEHOLD LAND: Is privately owned and, is available for sale. We very seldom have any other type of land for sale.  
Mineral rights - owned by Government.
 
ECONOMIC CLIMATE: Getting better. It is affected by the U.S. economy, as the majority of tourist are from the U.S. Belize is becoming more international so we expect a more even economy.
 
POLITICAL CLIMATE: Is good, free and safe. Elections are held and parties changed without any violence.
 
SCHOOLS: Quite good but lacking in some higher subjects. Any student studying will not have a problem entering U.S. universities.
 
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Getting better, have some specialist and a new hospital. It is improving. Most severe cases are sent to the States.
 
We have Architects, attorneys, engineers, consultants all at our disposal for your use.
 
NOTE: ALL PRICES ARE IN U.S. DOLLARS
 
DUE TO LONG DISTANCES WE TRAVEL WHEN VIEWING PROPERTIES, WE HAVE TRAVELING EXPENSES INCURRED WHILE VIEWING A PROPERTY MUST BE PAID FOR BY THE CLIENT. MONIES WILL BE REIMBURSED IF PURCHASE IS OVER $50,000.US.
 
We hope you will find the following listings suitable to your requirements, if not, we have other listings the owners do not wish advertised.
 
The country is served by three airlines from Miami & Houston; most of them use 737 Boeing jets. The easiest way to make arrangements is through your travel agent or TACA Airline at 800-535-8780, CONTINENTAL Airline at 800-231-0856 and AMERICAN Airline at 800-624-6262.
 
The Belizean dollar is based on the U.S. Dollar at two for one U.S. Dollar. Traveler's cheques and credit cards are accepted in most places with personal cheques being accepted in some.
 
Hotels are clean, the food is good and the water is drinkable. Although we don't have any Hiltons or that type of accommodation, Belize is the best place if you are looking for opportunities without a lot of frills.   We can arrange hotel accommodation at the Radisson Hotel at a special rate, if the reservation is made through our office. 
   
Let us assist you in getting the property you wish with a marketable title. Belize has a land transfer tax of 10% for foreigners or foreign controlled corporations, and 5% for Belizeans. Attorney fees run from 2% of the sale price. Belize has condominium laws in some areas. Before buying something of this type, have the contracts examined by us or a competent attorney not associated with the seller. All our contracts or deeds are made by attorneys and recorded in the Belize Registry. Attorneys must also guarantee the title they make.
 

Our Belize City address is:
 
   Belize Real Estate
   W. Ford Young Real Estate Ltd....
   P.O. Box 354
   160 North Front Street
   Belize City, Belize 
   Tel: 011-501-223-1022/72065
   Fax: 011-501-223-1023
   Email: bzreal@btl.net
  US Tel. #: 813-944-3121
  Website: http://www.belizerealestate.com
 
Our San Pedro Address is:
 
   Belize Real Estate
   San Pedro Branch
   P.O.Box 15, San Pedro
   Ambergris Caye
   U.S. I.P.-813-322-3899
   Tel: 011-501-226-2090/2147
   Fax: 011-501-226-2245
 
If you have someone you think would be interested in investing in Belize, please help us by sharing information.  I reside in Belize about 90% of the time. 

If you are happy with our service tell others, if not please tell us.  We are always trying to improve.  We guarantee what we sell. It may take us longer but you get greater satisfaction.