Real Estate Hot Spot in Central America and the Caribbean

There is a small Central American Nation that has a lot in common with the Caribbean, and is certainly a new hot spot. It has certainly been making headlines around the world in travel articles. So many people from all over the world primarily Canada, United States, Europe and the UK are choosing to purchase a retirement home, second home or invest in property in this small nation.

One of the reasons so many choose this country is because it's the only English speaking Central American country, which makes communicating with the locals easy and also facilitates your move. If you are wondering which country we are talking about you have to wait no longer. This country with so much beauty packed within its borders is most certainly, Belize.

Belize offers a diverse landscape. If you are looking for beachfront properties, private islands, farm lands or a secluded jungle home in the rainforests or mountains, look no further than Belize. You can choose to live in the city or in the rural areas. You will find that the real estate prices vary depending on the area that you choose. You will find that the prices in Belize City, Consejo Shores, San Pedro - Ambergris Caye and Placencia are generally higher than those in the rural areas of Belize.

The world's economy has certainly affected Belize, and since the start of the economic downturn, Belize has seen  as much as 30-35% depreciation in real estate values in some areas. This makes Belize the real hot spot of Central America and the Caribbean when it comes to purchasing real estate. It has become a real buyer's market with prices certainly being negotiable. We have seen rare discounts by as much as 50% on some land and homes. Comparing Belize's prices to that of the United States or Europe, Belize prices are still relatively low. Therefore, Belize is an excellent location for investment.

The Government of Belize as Well as the Belize Tourism Board has been promoting Belize, not only as a vacation destination, but offering Belize as Retirement Destination for expats to purchase a primary residence, second home or vacation home. For those that will be retiring in Belize, they can certainly take advantage of the Qualified Retirement Programme (QRP Program) which offers tax benefits to retirees.

If you are considering making the move to Belize or investing in real estate in this small Central American and Caribbean nation be sure to do all the necessary research or talk to a Belize Relocation Consultant about areas that would be most desirable to you.

Corozal in Belize named one of the Best Places to Retire Outside of the USA

by Cindy Perman of CNBC

Retiring in another country used to be a foreign concept to most Americans but it's becoming more common thanks to two main factors: the Internet and the economy.

The Internet has provided some much-needed connectivity and the economy has priced many retirees out of warm-weather cities in the U.S.

"You can live better for less in a tropical paradise," said Dan Prescher, the special projects editor for International Living magazine. "All you have to do is think outside the border."

AARP found 10 of the best places to retire outside the U.S., using five criteria: the cost of living, housing costs, health care (both quality and accessibility), cultural and recreational options and if there's already an expat community there. They include Buenos Aires, Argentina; Corozal, Belize; Le Marche, Italy; Boquete, Panama; and Cascais, Portugal, as well as five other locales.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Both scenic and sophisticated, Buenos Aires is often referred to as the "Paris of South America."

"This falls into one of those fantasy places for people," said Ken Budd, the executive editor of AARP magazine.

It's got a lot of museums and restaurants, with beautiful cathedrals and opera houses. And since the country's economic crisis in 2002, it's been a very affordable option. Rents start at $700 a month in some popular expat communities, and you can buy a nice condo for a couple hundred thousand dollars, AARP reports. Plus, it's close to the beautiful beaches of Uruguay.

And let's not forget, Buenos Aires is home of the tango. Ole!

Corozal, Belize

The convenience of Belize sets it apart — the official language is English, it's very easy to get residency status and they offer tons of special benefits to retirees.

Oh, and it's got some pretty amazing scenery — lush forests and picturesque white-sand beaches.

"It's got fantastic beaches," Budd said. "Classic warm weather, lots of great outdoor swimming, boating and biking — there's a high pleasure factor there," he said. "And you get it a lot cheaper than you would in, say, California."

One American couple built a ranch with a water view for $125,000, AARP said.

Le Marche, Italy

Le Marche has vineyards, mountains, beaches, and "some of the best fish dishes in Italy," Budd said. It's close to the Adriatic Sea, yet still close enough for a weekend trip to Florence, Milan or Venice.

Many people have been priced out of Tuscany, and Umbria was thought to be the next Tuscany, but then they made that movie and it was just as expensive as Tuscany!

"You want to stay away from those places and find the places that are under the radar… You're looking for the next Tuscany before it becomes Tuscany," he said.

And guess what that is? Ding! Le Marche. Budd said you can rent a place for as cheap as $700 a month, though that rises to $1,500 the closer you get to the coast.

Boquete, Panama

This mountain town offers a beautiful retreat, yet it's a short ride or flight to the city and beach.

The currency is pegged to the dollar, so the weak dollar isn't an issue. Plus, Panama really rolls out the red carpet for retirees: They offer 20 to 50 percent discounts to retirees on airfare, buses, trains, concerts, movies, medical bills and more, AARP reports.

It's amazingly affordable: One couple from California bought a seven-acre organic coffee farm for $135,000, AARP said.

Plus, it has a lot of the comforts of home — everything from golf courses to gated communities.

Cascais, Portugal

Portugal has everything you could want in retirement — golf, beaches and restaurants — and yet it's cheaper than most everything else in western Europe. It's one of those great off-the-radar finds if you can take advantage of it before everyone else gets there.

The nation prides itself on being laid back — the opposite of a bustling city like New York, Budd said.

Cascais is a scenic resort town on the Atlantic coast and the people are very friendly.

It's just 15 miles away from the capital but extremely affordable: One expat told AARP that she rented a huge apartment/office with a pool for $1,000 a month and that you could buy a nice home for $250,000.

Why should you consider Buying Real Estate in Belize?

Why should you consider Buying Real Estate in Belize?

 "Timing is everything when it comes to purchasing real estate and now is an excellent time to choose real estate in Belize." Platinum International Real Estate and Investments looks forward to welcoming you to Belize and showing you the real estate opportunities available to you. The team behind Platinum International Real Estate and Investments has over 20 years of experience in international real estate and the network and connections to give you an insider's view and bring you the region's best lifestyle and real estate opportunities.

Belize is located just two hours by air from Houston or Miami, Belize is located in the Caribbean on the main land of Central America with the Caribbean Sea is to its east which gives Belize 174 miles of pristine coastline and a land mass of 8,866 sq. miles of territory, including 266 square miles of islands.

Property prices in the Caribbean and other Central American countries have experienced over inflation in recent years, but Belize Properties still remains a bargain. Real estate in Belize has seen stability in real estate values in certain areas despite the economic turmoil in the USA and other nations around the world. Belize has seen increasing real estate investments by Canadians, Europeans, and Americans among other nationalities due to increased direct air travel from Europe and other parts of the world and is likely to increase the area’s popularity even further. Many Investors who cannot afford to retire in the U.S., Canada or Europe are considering Belize as inflation continues to rise at home. Many Investors are realizing that they may have an opportunity to jump on board before the Belize real estate market takes off again. Annual Property taxes are minimal in Belize. With NO CAPITAL GAINS TAX and NO INHERTANCE TAX, Belize is ideal for those seeking the protection of offshore investment and banking.

Owning Belize Properties in Belize is made more appealing by the Belize government’s retirement incentive program and the asset protection offered by the Belize banking system. The Legal System in Belize can also protect your assets and also your personal interest. If you are looking for possible tax exemptions, privacy and inheritance advantages, Belize is definitely the key to having much needed peace of mind.

Many properties in Belize are ideal for rentals and offer great investment opportunities. Your property can be entered into our long term lease program and property management. You can also take advantage of our short term rental or vacation home rental pool for a portion of the year ensuring that you have income when you are away and the safety of having a place you can enjoy while you are in Belize.


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Belize Promoted in the Dive Market in Europe - London International Dive Show

Belize was proudly represented at one of the biggest diveshows in Europe on March 28th and March 29th at the London International Dive Show (LIDS).

It gathered an impressive list of top names from the diving world. Belize representatives included Nick Davies and Mike Preston of the Belize Hotel Association, Teresa Parkey of Belize Adventure Lodge and Melecia Banks of the Belize Tourism Board.

The two day show showcased the very best of diving and more than 250 exhibitors. Organized by Diver Magazine, this year’s LIDS had something for everyone – from dives for the children and non divers to the latest kit, clothing, advice and training plus the very best of diving holidays worldwide.

Twice a year, the diving world gears up for the highlights of the sport’s calendar – the London and Birmingham Dive shows. At each event, hundreds of leading suppliers of the latest diving gear, holidays, training courses, leisurewear and boats meet with thousands of experienced and wanna be divers from the UK, Europe and beyond.The Dive Shows also attracted world-renowned diving experts to the speaker programmes that run alongside each event. Recent high-profile speakers included diving environmentalists Jean-Michel Cousteau, record-breaking freediver Tanya Streeter and underwater explorer Monty Halls.

The London Dive Show was the culmination of a series of shows that the Belize Hotel Association had organized to bring Belize to the forefront of the European Market. The first was the Vakantiebeurs Show held in Holland in January, the second was the Destination Show in February in London that had the representation of the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Manuel Heredia, Jr. and the third was the TUR Shows held in Sweden in mid-March.

At the show, Belize gave away a full prize package courtesy of Belize Adventure Lodge and Cahal Pech Village Resort. The package included a 8 day diving package courtesy Belize Adventure Lodge, 3 nights at Cahal Pech Village Resort and 3 days of car rental courtesy Discount Car Rental. The European Marketing Initiative group of the Belize Hotel Association also furnished the winner with international air as a part of the prize package. The winner of the prize package was Ms. Edit Darabos.

Top Caribbean property for 2009

Belize on the list of top Caribbean investments in 2009

The global economic downturn has seriously affected the world's property markets. Many countries are reporting a sluggish turnover of property and decreased value on previously purchased real estate.

However, keen investors are finding that there are still some areas which are riding the storm and flourishing. A company that has been monitoring the markets in the 26 Caribbean countries is now sharing what they feel are the top locations for purchasing property in 2009.

International Property advisor, Wini Dean, states that "It is simply not true that everything is in decline, in fact I am as busy as ever with clients seeking property in the Caribbean region. Of course some areas are doing better than others and we feel obligated to let people know where they will get most value for their investments."

One of the countries remaining popular with buyers is Belize. As it is the only English speaking country in Central America, there is an increased ease of conducting both personal and business affairs for expats and investors. Real estate is readily available as Belize is the least populated country in Central America and has one of the lowest population densities in the world. Belize is popular with those who enjoy pristine environments with rainforests and exotic wildlife. In addition the coastline of Belize is lined with tropical beaches which offer snorkeling and diving into the 2nd biggest coral reef in the world.

Retiring to Belize is made more appealing through government incentives for qualified retirees. These include tax-free income status and duty free concessions to import all household items, a car and even boat or a light aircraft. They have also recently reduced the stamp duty tax on real estate title transfers. The new rate is 0% up to US$10,000 in purchase price and 5% for any amount above US$10,000.

Whilst many of these Caribbean countries are popular with retirees, Wini Dean adds a word of caution to prospective buyers of working age. "It is important to realize that there are few job opportunities within these countries and anyone who wants to live there should be prepared to create their own avenues for employment. Setting up new business which brings new jobs for locals is also a way of giving back to a country that has embraced you."

When in Belize don't forget to check with Platinum International Real Estate and Investments about some of these investments. They will be sure to have a few you might like.

How to Buy Real Estate in Belize

On the eastern coastline of Central America with a mainland and over 200 islands, Belize is a popular tourist destination. It offers many natural attractions with rainforests, sandy beaches, Mayan ruins and tropical climate. Belize is affordable and has a lower cost of living than Europe, Canada and the United States. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership, and the country is politically and economically stable. The difficulty of buying property in Belize is: Moderately Challenging.

Instructions
1. Step 1
Spend time in Belize and ask any Platinum International Real Estate and Investment Agent for properties. There are a few real estate listings, but a large amount are for sale by owner and usually there are no signs posted. We have an inventory on those inside listings that are to the benefit of our clients. We should be prepared to hunt for your piece of real estate to call home.
2. Step 2
Pay cash or get financing on your assets back home. Mortgage financing is not readily available for foreign buyers. We have a few possible options but we would need to find out what your needs and wants are.
3. Step 3
We will negotiate your price. There are two prices, one for locals and one for foreigners. Unfortunately that’s the way it is but we will do your research and have our Belizean agents find out the local prices just for you. You will get a better price with Platinum International Real Estate and Investments having more knowledge of the real estate market in Belize.
4. Step 4
Hire a lawyer. The attorney fee is normally two percent of the purchase price. If you don’t know of any we have a few we could suggest to you. That decision is ultimately yours to make.
5. Step 5
Research and learn the real estate market. Know the fees and costs of purchase. Your Land Title Transfer fee, called a stamp tax, is 12 percent. The property taxes vary based on the assessed value of your property. We will make the process as easy as possible and take the hassle out of buying or selling real estate in Belize by providing a breakdown of costs and fees up front.
6. Step 6
Apply for a Title Transfer and receive a Certificate of Title under the Registered Land Act System. This is the most common purchase agreement. There is also the Conveyance System involving a title search usually done by an attorney, and the Torrens System involving a First Certificate of Title.
7. Step 7
Moving into your home after the transaction is complete.
Platinum International Real Estate and Investments will ensure that you have adapted and will continue to check with you to make sure everything is going smoothly. The only other reason would be because we have forged a lasting relationship with you, our client.

Who is buying property in Central America?

There has been a trend in recent years for many North American and European, Canadians and Asian buyers to purchase real estate in what are seen as developing or emerging economies. In Europe much of the focus has been on the emerging economies of the former Soviet Union, Morocco, southern Europe and the Caribbean. In North America the focus has been very strongly on the Caribbean, Central and Latin America. The US State Department estimates that about 380,000 Social Security cheques are delivered to beneficiaries outside the US each month. Almost four million Americans, not including embassy officials and the military, are now living overseas.

Many Central American countries offer impressive incentive packages for retirees. The economic benefit of a retiree migration to Central America is a two way street. “Retirees get a lower cost of living, warm weather and more economic housing and create a virtuous cycle in return: more retirees equals more local jobs, resulting in more economic stability and less political stability, resulting in more retirees” If you have any questions about this artice please write to platinumhomesbelize@gmail.com

Platinum International Real Estate and Investments

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