Published on 08 September 2005 at 03:28 pm
Filed under: South/Central America:- Belize Property Guides » Belize: A Guide for Real Estate Investors
Investment property hunters and retirees looking for real estate in the sun are targeting Belize in earnest and it’s not hard to figure out why. Belize has 386km of stunning palm fringed coastline which is caressed by the clear and clean waters of the warm Caribbean Sea and as a result this Central American country is quite a dichotomy as culturally it embraces both the best of the Caribbean and the best of Central America. Its attractions and general appeal are great.
Property buyers from the US have long been attracted to the amazing array of cheap properties available for sale in Belize, particularly in the Cayes and around Belize City, but in recent years with the creation of the Retired Person’s Incentive Program and the growth in Belize’s position as an offshore centre of some note, the interest in the country has been growing and it is now beginning to attract investors and buyers to the real estate sector from very far afield.
Belize: A Guide for Property Buyers
The climate in Belize is tropical meaning that the natural landscape is a stunning mix of heavy and dense forests and coastal plains. The rainy season in the country lasts from May to November and it ensures Belize remains green and lush. The waters of the Caribbean offer fantastic sailing and diving opportunities and Belize beaches are some of the most stunning and unspoilt in the whole world.
Many people are unaware of the wealth of culture, history and nature that Belize has in abundance and are quick to dismiss it as either a hit on the tourist trail or a second home location. But upon closer inspection you will find that Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, that the Maya civilisation inhabited this area of the world from as early as 1500 BC and that Mayan remains and sites of intense historical interest cover Belize and that the country is home to an eclectic mix of ethnic backgrounds, religions, languages and nationalities.
Politically Belize is a democratic country and it has been independent from Britain since 1981, Queen Elizabeth II is head of state but the country is run by the prime minister of Belize. The country’s official language is English and both the legal and parliamentary systems derive a great deal from the British equivalents.
The country’s economy relied heavily on agriculture until it began to embrace tourism in Belize. The tourism sector of the economy has gone from strength to strength and is now the number one foreign exchange earner, but the government of Belize have also embraced economic diversity through the development of sophisticated offshore fiscal policies.
One of the most significant policies they have implemented is the Belize Retired Person’s Incentive Program which allows qualifying individuals from around the world to apply to Belize for long term residency and if accepted to live in the country completely tax free for life.
Belize has changed its profile from conflict ridden Central American country to safe and sophisticated world player and its actions are paying off as more foreign direct investment flows into the country directly or via its free zones annually and more people travel to visit Belize or choose to retire there.
The cost of living is incredibly low - a fraction of what US or UK citizens are used to for example. Waterfront properties are in abundance and are restriction free to purchase, large plots of open land are available for purchase and development and gradually some of the larger worldwide property developers are turning their attentions to this fascinating country and planning the development of retirement communities, gated communities and extensive holiday resorts.
Meanwhile the country benefits from the fact that the Belizean government are actively protecting the natural resources and beauty from industry and destruction and anyone contemplating making a move into the investment real estate market in Belize will be rewarded with choice, affordability, quality and a stunning location.
South/Central America:- Belize Property Reports
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