Belize is an English speaking country, which is also its official language, which means making legal, financial, and daily transactions more straightforward for most international investors and buyers.
The currency used in Belize is the Dollar (BZD), which is pegged to the US Dollar at a stable rate (2 BZD = 1 USD), and US dollars are widely accepted throughout the country.
For investors and buyers in Belize real estate, the annual property taxes are it is noted is low, even for high-end properties, which can be ideal to generate the most income from rentals, plus there is the advantage of no capital gains tax in Belize, which again benefits real estate investors.
Belize benefits from a growing tourism sector, particularly in the eco-friendly and and marine based tourism sectors, which can result in higher vacation rental income for luxury beachfront and jungle properties.
Belize offers a Qualified Retired Persons Program (QRP) that provides tax exemptions and residency benefits to retirees who meet simple criteria, as well as no inheritance tax, estate tax, or capital gains tax.
Belize is a world-famous location for its natural beauty and eco-friendly reputation, has the second-largest barrier reef in the world, lush jungles, Mayan ruins, and abundant marine life.
To obtain a title to a property in Belize it is typically done via a fee simple, similar to the U.S., Canada, and the UK. A 'fee simple' refers to the most secure and common form of property ownership, granting the owner full and absolute rights to the land and any structures on it. This means you own the property outright, with the ability to use, sell, lease, or transfer it as you see fit, similar to ownership in the US and Canada.
Buying real estate that's listed as 'For Sale By Owner' (FSBO) in Belize can offer a few advantages compared to purchasing through a traditional real estate agent.
One of the main reasons buyers might choose FSBO is the possibility of saving on the commission fees that a real estate agent typically charges. Since there's no listing agent, the seller might be willing to negotiate on the price to make up for the lack of commission fees, or the buyer might save directly on commission costs.
When buyers have direct contact with the seller, there may be more room for negotiation on the price or what is to be included, and the buyer can potentially create a more personal relationship with the seller.
With FSBO, there's often more transparency between the buyer and seller, and the seller may be more inclined to disclose information openly, and you might have more insight into the property's history, condition, and the seller's motivation for selling.
In some cases, FSBO properties may not be as widely advertised as those listed by agents, resulting in less competition from other buyers, especially in an area with fewer FSBO listings.
Without an agent involved, both parties may be more flexible in terms of closing dates, and the process could be smoother and more adaptable to your needs.
Buying via FSBO often means you're dealing directly with the person who knows the property best-the seller, who can provide details of the property's features, history, as well as information on the area. This can lead to a more personalized experience, rather than a generic walkthrough by an agent.
Because FSBO sellers often market the property themselves (through online listings, yard signs, or word-of-mouth), they might price the home more competitively, knowing they don't have to account for the cost of agent fees.
There are some areas that should be considered is using FSBO instead of the regular selling through an agent avenue, such as the expertise that a realtor brings to the table lkke being able to negotiate a hard deal.
Without an agent or attorney involved, the deal could run into legal pitfalls, so buying FSBO in Belize is about balancing the potential for savings versus the risk of navigating the transaction without professional assistance.
