Real estate solutions today in Belize from RE/MAX: Relocation & Retirement: Belize is frequently ranked among the top retirement and relocation destinations. With retirement incentives like QRP and opportunities to gain residency off-shore. Our regional office is located in San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, Belize. If you are looking to secure your dream home in paradise or invest in one of the top emerging markets in the region, RE/MAX Belize Real Estate is here for you. Read even more details at Ambergris Caye Real Estate.
Once all the legal processes and closing have been completed along with a title search and closing documents. The legal documents are signed by all parties and original copies are sent to the purchaser. With a financing agreement, the seller will carry the note on the property (similar to a bank in the US). If it is a cash sale agreement, all original documents will be sent to the purchaser (the new owner of the property). If the property is not in an IBC there is a one-time Stamp Duty Fee of 8% paid to the Government of Belize (GOB). Stamp/Transfer Tax is a tax of 8% on the total sale price and the Government of Belize gives you the first $10,000.00 USD exemption. GOB reserves the right to reassess the Stamp Tax and if they feel you paid too little for the Belize property, if this is the case the purchaser will require you to pay the difference.
Belize allows for full foreign ownership and freehold property ownership. Property purchasers can take title to freehold property in Belize in three different ways. They are: Deed of Conveyance; Transfer of Certificate; Land Certificate. Owning land or Belize real estate with a fee-simple title is the strongest form of property ownership. A Fee-Simple Title and Freehold Ownership is the highest possible form of property and land ownership. It means that you own the property outright.
Just off the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, laidback Ambergris Caye is the largest of Belize’s 200 cayes and a prime tourist destination. Off the coast, Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of Belize’s most visited diving and snorkeling sites. It’s named after the Mayan for “little cut” and is one of seven reserves within the Belize Barrier Reef system, which is the second largest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Top attractions in the reserve include a cut in the reef with steep coral walls; Cat’s Eye, a crescent-shaped sinkhole; and Shark Ray Alley where divers can enjoy close encounters with nurse sharks and southern stingrays. The island’s main town is the fishing village of San Pedro, a colorful jumble of clapboard houses, stray dogs, and clucking chickens, with cute cafés and hotels. Golf carts and bicycles are the most popular modes of transport, although these days an increasing number of cars and trucks zip along the sandy streets. The Ambergris Museum and Cultural Centre traces the island’s history from the ancient Mayan traders to the present day. Saltwater fly fishing enthusiasts come to Ambergris Caye to cast their lines for bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook, and barracuda.
Belize attractions and climate makes purchasing a house here a sweet thought. Imagine living permanently there… the joy. Purchasing Belize real estate and Belize real estate transactions are pretty straightforward and affordable. The stamp duty (property sales tax) is set at 8% for foreigners. The first $10,000 is exempt. There is no tax on capital gains and the property tax is very low. Due diligence is called for when doing a real estate transaction. Retain a lawyer, buy into an existing property and ask for a registered title before buying. You can also use title insurance to guarantee your ownership of the real estate property. After identifying the property to buy, make an Offer of Purchase. If it is accepted, be prepared to put 10% deposit down. There is also the 8% stamp duty. Attorney fees are 1.5-2%.
Visitors and travelers to Belize from the US & Canada will learn how easy travel to Belize really is. Canadian & American travelers must possess a passport valid for a period of a minimum of 30 days if the person is not traveling in transit to a third country that requires six months validity. This is attractive to many tourists as North Americans visiting Belize are only required to have a passport for 30-day validity. In addition to a valid passport, tourists visiting Belize must have a return ticket with sufficient funds to cover their stay. When arriving in Belize, visitors are given a one-month stay, after which an extension can be applied for with the Immigration Department. Most of the top destinations and municipalities have a local immigration office that can renew tourist visa. For example in San Pedro & Ambergris Caye, the office is right across from the Tropic Air terminal.
Buying Belize Real Estate is very easy and the process is much like in North America (USA & Canada). Belize is one of the few countries in Central America & the Caribbean where foreigners enjoy the same property ownership right as nationals in land ownership and tenure. When a foreigner buys property in Belize, they own it outright with a fee-simple land title. The preferred practice of owning Belize real estate is through a fee-simple title which is clear title freehold ownership.
RE/MAX delivers the tools, tech, and training that can help you stay focused on offering superior customer service. Our technology and tools we use allow our agents to do what they do best… Sell Real Estate! Will Mitchell first came to Belize as a child and fell in love with the country immediately. Over his many years in Belize, Will has watched the country grow and develop into what it is today. His years of experience have made him one of the most knowledgeable and experienced real estate experts. His knowledge of Belize is extensive, ranging from real estate, investment, lifestyle, and more. Discover even more info at remaxbelizerealestate.com.