What do I need to know when buying a house in or other real estate in Belize?
Christian Burn
If you want to buy a house in Belize, you should find out who the developer is and what kind of houses they build. Check if they deliver quality homes. That is most important and very basic.
If you want to buy a house in Belize, you should find out who the developer is and what kind of houses they build. Check if they deliver quality homes. That is most important and very basic.
Posted December 2, 2014
Macarena Rose - Rainforerst Realty
Truly, remember Belize is a foreign country, and use a good lawyer. All our clients are required to use a lawyer befor buying real estate. And remember, there will be a 5% stamp duty charge on any purchase. If it is a development, be sure to check if GST [general sales tax] is due.
Truly, remember Belize is a foreign country, and use a good lawyer. All our clients are required to use a lawyer befor buying real estate. And remember, there will be a 5% stamp duty charge on any purchase. If it is a development, be sure to check if GST [general sales tax] is due.
Posted January 28, 2015
Mark Leonard
The problem with many of the homes in Belize is the quality and materials used at the time of construction. Building standards as well as the permit process have recently been instituted that will provide some reassurance to a new owner of at least a standard of construction. Issues with products and workmanship will remain an issue just like anywhere else in the world. Homes in some areas were built with water that contained salt. When this happens, what are you going to get?...The problem with many of the homes in Belize is the quality and materials used at the time of construction. Building standards as well as the permit process have recently been instituted that will provide some reassurance to a new owner of at least a standard of construction. Issues with products and workmanship will remain an issue just like anywhere else in the world. Homes in some areas were built with water that contained salt. When this happens, what are you going to get? Corrosion. It’s going to rust out. On many houses, you will find that the layout is a maze, building one room after another, with no concept of the end design. Many are very basic small two bedroom and one bath homes. If you want something a nicer, you may wind up buying a house from an expat. You really have to look it over to see if it’s not better to have a new one built custom for you. Everybody has their preferences and their vision of what they want.
Then you need to find and enter a relationship with the builder. We have found It’s best when having a house built that you come in from time to time at various stages to review the construction. Changes can be made during some stages that will enhance the design of the house, while not altering the engineering. We recommend to folks we build for to be here at various times during construction.
(Pictured: construction workers at Cerros Sands, Belize.)
Posted June 6, 2015
Saira Mahabir - Century 21 Belize
If you are buying a house in Belize, first of all, you have to know your agent. They should have your best interest at heart. It is better to get people who you know and trust. In Belize, real estate is not legislated or regulated so there is no law that covers real estate here. Therefore, it is better that you trust the people that you buy your properties from and do not go with the people who would walk up to you on the streets trying to sell you...
If you are buying a house in Belize, first of all, you have to know your agent. They should have your best interest at heart. It is better to get people who you know and trust. In Belize, real estate is not legislated or regulated so there is no law that covers real estate here. Therefore, it is better that you trust the people that you buy your properties from and do not go with the people who would walk up to you on the streets trying to sell you some properties. Go to an agent. There are lots of good real estate companies now here in Belize. It is better work with a company and not the one on one person on the street trying to get you to buy.
Purchasing a property in Belize is really simple and it’s a no-brainer. Most agents can do your closing and you don’t necessarily need to get an attorney to do your closing for you.
Make sure, however, that they do a check on the property before you buy it. You have to make sure that you do your due diligence on the property before it is bought. Do not just take their word for it. Make sure everything is written and check and manage it before you purchase. You have to make sure that the property you’re buying is free and has a clean title; free from any liens and make sure that the company holds your money in a valid escrow so that your money is safe.
(Lines that show property for sale of a Century 21 BTAL listing, Belize, pictured.)
Posted September 9, 2015
Wendy Miller - RE/MAX Property Center South
There are several items that should be considered by prospective buyers here in Belize. 1) Agents don't always show properties that aren't their own listings. What this means to you as the prospective buyer is additional time spent cultivating relationships with agents. With the limited time many buyers have it's important to see all applicable listings that fit the criteria.
2) Because many sellers in...
There are several items that should be considered by prospective buyers here in Belize. 1) Agents don't always show properties that aren't their own listings. What this means to you as the prospective buyer is additional time spent cultivating relationships with agents. With the limited time many buyers have it's important to see all applicable listings that fit the criteria.
2) Because many sellers in Belize use the open listing concept you may end up looking at the same property over and over as agents will price differently, describe differently and you, the buyer, end up spending more time than is necessary to look at the same properties.
3) Not all agents will show properties that are less expensive, so the buyer's needs aren't put first.
4) It's important to use an agent you can trust, one who will show you all inventory, one who is responsive to your requests. Otherwise your final decision, as the buyer, isn't done with full information.
5) On a final note, don't wait until the last day of your visit to arrange to see properties with an agent. High season is a busy time, appointments are already made and you may not be able to see anything. Also, homes are rented to guests - generally 24 hour notice has to be given to them for showing the property. Waiting until the end and hopefully finding something just puts too much pressure and you may not get to see everything you want to see.
(Homes in the Sanctuary Belize development, Belize, pictured.)
Posted February 7, 2016