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12 reasons why many foreigners choose Belize

  1. Belize is an English-speaking country. It used to be a British colony, so the national language became English. The schools teach in English. All the signs are in English, as well as government forms.
  2. Belize isn't that far away: For a foreign country, so it's possible to travel back and forth quickly.
  3. Belizeans are charming and friendly people. That you are visiting for the first time or planning to relocate to Belize, you will be welcome by the genuine local hospitality of this peaceful nation.
  4. Tax Breaks. 
  5. Lost cost of Living.
  6. Excellent retirement advantages.
  7. Good Educational System.
  8. Easy Access to Land for Development and Construction of a Home
  9. Close Proximity to the US, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
  10. Strong Stable Belize Dollar [$1 US = $2 BZE dollars].
  11. Abundance of Natural Resources: There is so much to see and do in Belize. Distinct and beautiful Belize is one nation filled with diversity. The natural wonders, lush tropical forest, captivating caves, Mayan Temples, birds, wildlife and the sub-tropical climate all year long make it the place to be.
  12. Culturally diverse, Belizean people include Garifuna, Creole, Mestizo, Maya, Mennonite, Chinese, East Indian and many foreigner residents from Canada, United States and Europe.



Home Buying Articles


 

BELIZE REAL ESTATE INTERNET WARNING


Regardless of efforts made by many advertising claims to the contrary, the internet is not an experienced Belize Real Estate professional. It cannot consult; advise, guide, have the knowledge of local laws or land regulations, market conditions, but most importantly does not protect your relocation, venture, individual goals or family members.  To obtain accurate information and gain access to knowledgeable neighbourhood experts online, please contact us.

"You can choose an Agent at your own risk or you can be assured that with Arabella Chambers you’ll get a comprehensive and legitimate package of all our Belize properties."



Yellow  doorFinding your Perfect Belize Home


As the old saying goes, real estate is all about location, location, location.  But, there is a lot more to it than just plain geography when it comes to finding your perfect home.  There are a lot of things to consider during the search because, for most, a home is the most significant purchase they will ever make.

 

Choose A Good Area

When searching for your perfect home, the obvious place to start is with the selection of a location.  If you have children, you may want to choose a home that is close to good schools and is also located in a family-oriented neighborhood.  Many people also look for a home that offers a short commute to and from work.  If you are shopping within a specific price range, you can also narrow the choices by finding an area that offers the best value for your dollar.

Select A Style

The perfect home for you is one that has all of the elements that you want.  Whether it's a garage, basement, extra bedroom or bath, a large kitchen, fireplace or open floor plan, choosing the style of home that you want is an important first step in finding the perfect place to hang your hat.  You may also want to consider whether you prefer a single-level or two-story home.  Many home buyers also factor in floor plans when searching for a house, including those that offer an open and flowing design.

Get Pre-Qualified

Now that you know what you want and where you want it, it's important to find out how much of a home you can afford.  Pre-qualification is not the same as pre-approval.  With pre-qualification, your lender will request specific information relating to your income and expenditures and will offer a possible price range for you to keep in mind while shopping.  Pre-qualification does not guarantee that you will receive an approval, but it does give you a good indication of how much you can afford based on your current situation.

 

Talk To A REALTOR®

Nobody knows the real estate business like a REALTOR®, so let them help you in your search for the perfect home.  They can answer questions relating to the neighborhood, recent inspections on a particular home and any needed repairs.  Because a REALTOR® has access to a number of area homes, they have the ability to show you various choices within your preferred area and price range.

Ask About Amenities

One of the most significant concerns of any home buyer is what a home has to offer.  Utilities, such as water, sewer, cable, phone and electricity are just a few of the things to consider.  If the home is in a subdivision that requires the payment of association dues, how will these funds be used?  What amenities does the home owner's association offer?  These are all questions to ask your REALTOR® when shopping for the perfect home.

In conclusion, you should know that the search for your perfect home is a journey.  It may be either long or short and with or without some bumps along the way, but the greatest satisfaction will be at the journey's end and your future's beginning.

 

Featured Listings

Vista Del Mar

BZE$160,000

  • Listing Provided by:
    Arabella Chambers Limited

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Currency:
Belize uses the Belize Dollar (BZD) which is pegged to the US Dollar at USD at USD1 = BZD2. Property value is USD250,000 or BZD500,000.

Stamp Duty:
Since June 2006, Stamp Duty on transfer of land (or any real estate) has been set at 5% of property value regardless of citizenship. Before, aliens pay a higher rate for stamp duty. The first BZD20,000 of value is not subject to stamp duty.

Legal Fees:
The use of lawyers for property sale and purchase is optional. Legal fees are negotiable bwtween 1% and 2% of property value.

General Sales Tax:
A 10% General Sales Tax is imposed on sales of new residential properties.

Real Estate Agent's Commission:
Real estate agent's commission is typically 7% of purchase price for homes and 10% on land. The commission is typically paid by the seller but can be split between buyer and seller depending upon negotiation.

Belize Banks

The Belize Bank, Limited
Market Square,
Belize City, BELIZE
TEL: + 501-227-7132

Bank of Nova Scotia
Albert Street
Belize City, BELIZE
TEL: 501-227-7027

Heritage Bank of Belize (formerly Alliance Bank)
Princess Margaret Drive
Belize City, BELIZE
TEL: + 501-223-6111

Atlantic Bank Limited
Freetown Road,
Belize City, BELIZE
TEL: + 501-223-4123

First Caribbean Bank
Albert Street
Belize City, BELIZE
TEL: + 501-227-7211

Belize Credit Unions

Belize has a healthy system of credit unions. Some cater to particular sectors such as teachers, public officers and so on. But larger credit unions are utilised by most sectors of society including small business.

Main services offered include savings accounts, consumer, education and residential loans. Credit unions registered in Belize are listed below.