Ambergris makes the news AGAIN

Kathleen Peddicord, On Tuesday August 10, 2010, 2:41 pm EDT http://finance.yahoo.com/news/How-to-Retire-Comfortably-for-usnews-2643852806.html?x=0

Jason and Elizabeth Pearce moved from Canada to Belize three years ago. They bought a piece of property on the sea. A year later, they built a house. Today, they live in a beautiful Santa Fe adobe-style home with gardens all around.

The pair lives very comfortably, without wants or financial worries. They’ve had no trouble making friends in their new community because the folks in Belize speak English. They eat out three or four times a week. They barbecue lobster and filet mignon at home. They have reliable Internet to keep them connected to the outside world. By choice, they do not have a television. “I used to think that the news was important,” Jason explains. “But not anymore.” The retired couple has a maid and a gardener, each of whom visit once a week.

And here’s the best part. Jason and his wife are living on their Social Security income alone. In fact, they’re living on Jason’s Social Security income alone. Elizabeth’s Social Security check goes into savings each month.

Everyone’s spending habits are different, but here’s a sample monthly budget for a couple living a comfortable expatriate lifestyle in Belize:

–Rent: $300

–Utilities, telephone, and Internet: $500 (Your biggest expense in this country.)

–Groceries: $150

–Health insurance: $50

–Entertainment: $100

–Car expenses: $300

One of the most appealing things about Belize as an overseas retirement choice is that it can make sense even if you’re nowhere near conventional retirement age. Through Belize’s Qualified Retired Persons program you can establish foreign residency as young as age 40.

Belize is a beautiful little country. It’s a peaceful, eco-tourist retreat home to more than 540 species of birds, 4,000 species of flowering plants, and 700 kinds of trees. Nearly 40 percent of the country is protected as parkland and natural preserves. Belize boasts the second-largest barrier reef in the world. This incredible underwater resource teems with colorful fish, coral, and unusual marine life, making the waters off this country’s coast a fisherman’s and diver’s paradise.

Despite all these natural attractions, Belize has managed to remain largely off the world’s radar. It’s a small country of about 350,000 people. It’s also a young country, having gained independence from Great Britain in 1981. There are a lot of market niches waiting to be filled. Living here, you’ll discover that life can be not only super affordable, comfortable, and adventure-filled, but also full of potential.

Retirees in Belize are finding many interesting and sometimes lucrative ways to fill their days. Lara Lennon moved to Belize from Philadelphia in 2006 and developed a luxury swimwear line, Lemon Crush Belize. “Sitting on a friend’s porch in San Pedro chatting about this and that in our tropical lives, I realized something: There existed nowhere in Belize a place to shop for dress bathing suits, the kind glamorous enough for a beach wedding or special enough for a honeymoon,” Lennon says.

Lara’s swimwear is now featured in luxury boutiques in Belize and internationally. Starting a business takes drive and determination, Lara admits, but she has found the experience in Belize rewarding. “Best of all, I’m right where I want to be–with my friends on a Caribbean island, enjoying life,” Lennon says. “Only now in better bathing suits.”

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This is a nice article , the costs are not exactly correct . In a nut shell , you can live cheaper than in the states . You need someone to guide you in the right direction . I always tell people confirm all info. with three  people from different entities . I also suggest not retiring , find a hobby or even a project that would keep you busy . After 20yrs of living around the Caribbean San Pedro, Ambergris Caye remains to be the best place . Mostly because of the people , English speaking and the services .

I better call the U.S. courthouse, they summoned me to Jury duty . Glad I happened to be there, they would have arrested me when i entered the country . Chances are good I would get caught in “the system”, then I would get a court date and probably couldn’t come back home till resolved . It is nice being back on the Caye !

Belize, Real Estate

ambergris caye  real estate update

COULD YOU LIVE HERE ?

COULD YOU LIVE HERE?

Been extremely busy the past few months.  The Recovering Real Estate market here on the island has made nice strides in 2010.

TAKE IT EASY !

TAKE IT EASY !

What has been driving our island market has been the great deal and negotiating abilities of buyers, sellers and the agents that bring them together. We have clients buying property for as little as 10 % down at 10% with a term of up to 5-8 yrs. People who have not been able to get in the market are now making their move.

THIS COULD BE YOUR FRONT YARD

THIS COULD BE YOUR FRONT YARD

Telecommuters (on-line workers) and International workers (sales people, oil rig workers, International contractors) are now calling Belize their home. The friendly people and the turquoise waters are not the only reasons they are moving to Belize. Another big reason seems to be TAXES! We have some clients that live in some states that are squeezing them for more money$ in new and higher taxes. The Fed Government threatening to raise capital gains, the constantly increasing cost of medications and health care, the dwindling economy, unemployment on the rise are all reasons that are forcing Americans to rethink where they want to live the rest of their lives. This will continue to stimulate our local economy that has  needed a shot in the arm because of tourism being down.

ROOM WITH A VIEW

ROOM WITH A VIEW

The reasons why people are taking less vacations are the same reasons there are more and more people exploring living abroad in other English speaking countries.

RAT RACE ? NO THANK YOU. KAYAK RACE FINISH LINE !

RAT RACE ? NO THANK YOU. KAYAK RACE FINISH LINE !

The people we speak to are amazed how simple and fun  it can be to relocate. The people that can’t make the move now are locking themselves in for the future by taking advantage of the loans being offered by the sellers. They are buying their piece of paradise with a land purchase, commercial property, a condominium or whatever  fits their dreams . We have been watching  the 2 and 3 bedroom condo inventory on the MLS thin out over the past 4 months. This is guaranteed to stimulate the market for houses.

As Ralph says “we are not getting younger”

This fiberglass pool cost $15,100. BELIZE Dollars with all the hardware (filter, ect) . This would be perfect for an apartment complex that has, not so good occupancy . This small investment , could turn a property into a $ maker . While tourism is down ,  Apartments are in more demand, this asset will keep occupancy up . Imagine adding this to a selected home and making your own bed and breakfast , you will save a fortune by starting your own. Sometimes businesses are hard to find at competitive prices .  Folks you make your $ on the BUY,  not the sell .  You are looking for undervalued property , if you have $ now,  you did well with your investments over the years , you are no dummy . You took control before ,  it is about time you look into Belize . DID you know every 8.5 seconds a baby boomer retires , that is 7.1 per minute .  Where do you think they will go FLORIDA , ARE YOU MAD . Belize is 2 hours from Texas and about same distance out of Miami , get a passport and come visit . Don t come to buy , soak yourself in the community and have fun and see if you want to fit in .   Then see me Belize makes sense .

Lets say I have a $300,000. dollar condo in ft. Lauderdale on canal you would pay about  $9,000 property taxes per year (based on my Dads condo that he dumped) . Now that same 300K  property would be about $4oo U.S a year . Did I mention trash pick up and public services are mostly free . My golf cart insurance is $31.50 a YEAR coverage is for up to $100,000 U.S.   If you had a Major Cart pile up on the coconut drive thruway it wouldn’t be 5 K in damages . We dont have ambulance chasing lawyers here , actually if you sue me and lose YOU pay my expenses  . We dont have that crap here , not saying we have flawless system , at all .

This kind of life is not for everyone

Since we are talking being sued and liabilities , that is precisely why you may want to talk with us about cheap asset protection . We will direct you to the oldest and best Law firms . This is not really expensive ($1,300 U.S.) That is cheaper than a insurance policy . Most businesses operate under a Belize Company and don’t bother with insurance.  What do you pay in insurance ? What would you save in taxes if you moved assets ? What do you pay in insurances that you could drop once you have allocated them properly . Add all this up and divide this with your lifespan . My friend Ralf says “I look at life as a football game Timmy, there are 4 quarters in a game and time runs out .  Based on my age this is my last quarter” .  I really liked that because being from Boston I have a work ethic problem , best to admit I AM A WORKAHOLIC  ( aaahhhh……………………Glad that is out . My Doc told me I would be dead by now because of the stressful life I was putting myself threw, trying to climb the ladder of success (glad that was one I proved wrong) . That was 1 deciding factor of first moving here to Belize and the stress gets too me here too but not like up there . The Belizean people will teach you alot , they live to around 100 years old (hope it is the rum    . I learned many things from my fellow Belizeans after 5 years you would qualify for citizenship .

As  a Realtor we face all sorts of issues from one property to the next . Why are they selling , how can I make a profit if seller could not . Should I take ownership of property in a Local Company or should I  put title in my name . This is not Florida , take advice from your Local MLS service  (Ambergris Caye MLS ) .  These professionals have been working on island since the early days . The big names mean nothing here , Burger King , Walmart , Subway .

By choosing an agent from the mls above will give you the security you need when coming to San Pedro . The above companies have the networking to make your relocation easy and fun. The members of the association have been operating with the best Lawyers , Bankers , surveyors and Government officials since the beginning . When purchasing , think Ambergris MLS to help stream line your tropical dream into a reality. Tina and I or our trusted MLS  associates would love to help you with all your Real Estate needs .

This Pic should have made it to the editing floor , here is some payback for some of you that didn’t make the editing floor .

Since we are talking being sued and liabilities ,that is precisely why you may want to talk with us about cheap asset protection . We will direct you to the oldest and best Law firms . This is not really expensive ($1,300 U.S.) That is cheaper than a insurance police . Most businesses operate under a Belize Company and don’t bother with insurance.  What do you pay in insurance ? What would you save in taxes if you moved assets ? What do you pay in insurances that you could drop once you have allocated them properly . Add all this up and divide this with your lifespan . My friend Ralf says “I look at life as a football game Timmy, there are 4 quarters in a game and time runs out .  Based on my age this is my last quarter” .  I really liked that because being from Boston I have a work ethic problem , best to admit I AM A WORKAHOLIC  ( aaahhhh……………………Glad that is out . My Doc told me I would be dead by now because of the stress I was putting myself threw . That was 1 deciding factor of first moving here to Belize and the stress gets too me here too but not like up there . The Belizean people will teach you alot , they live to around 100 years old hope it is the rum    .  If you wont listen to me listen to Ralph , “what quarter of your game are you in” , when will the game be over ?  Love ya man , Ralph that was perfect .

US$$339,700 Furnished

Beachfront Condo

First floor beachfront condo with magnificent views of the Caribbean Sea and reef from the large private veranda. Tranquility House Condo located 2.7 miles south. 1400 sq. ft. with 2 bedroom and 2 bathrooms. The large master bath has a Jacuzzi bathtub separate shower. This condo is ready to move in comes fully furnished and includes the washer/dryer, and new stainless steel appliances. All new faucets throughout and new ceiling fans. Beautiful mahogany wood throughout. Laundry closet with washer and dryer. New swimming pool and new roof. All the wood in this condo is Mahogany. All the shutter, cabinets, doors, the ceilings in the bathrooms and French doors or Mahogany. There are only 6 condos in this complex. All concrete construction. This condo is right on the beach and has a pool. Maintenance fees are only US$400 per month.

For more pictures click here

San Pedro Skyline

We  know it was a matter of time,  before; all these great Real Estate deals will eventually be scooped up. This owner is off to a pretty good start, they could not have  had better timing  San Pedro  Commercial Real Estate is a terrific asset to have in your investment portfolio. Congrats ! NOW is the time to buy and build. Building prices have come WAY down, materials are much cheaper because there is less of a demand. Labor is much cheaper and easier to find these days, Tina and I are tempted to start another project. Anyone that has money knows , you make your money on the buying not the selling. Negotiating terms and prices are easier now then they will be in six months.
The economy seems to be turning around, we can feel it here in San Pedro, but it is subtle.  The MLS Ambergris Caye has seen an increase in sales. I think we will start to see much more construction in the next 6 months. Take advantage of the discounted prices while you can this won’t last much longer .

The girls playing a practical trick on ME  kids are wicked. Samantha and her partner in crime Blanca decide to have fun behind my back !
They ask if they can practice with my camera and instructed me to smile, look at the picture below (she got me).
I was wondering what the heck she was doing, almost spilled the beans. Blanca could barely hold it in-LOOK at her face .

SAMANTHA, you little goof ball. Make fun of me in front of EVERYONE !   YOUR PUNISHED-NO more singing “its a small world” on Karaoke Nights or with the band.
(The kids of S.P. always can use school supplies for Roman Catholic School, e-mail for details)

It was below 60 degrees and my buddy is getting ready to brave the cold, nice hat !

Look what Robert’s got for lunch on Wednesday. When I am in the area its nice to catch up with my old buddy .

Ra safari Bar is located at the end of San Pedro in Club Caribbean . Stop by and see him you can’t miss him,tell him Tim and Tina sent ya!

Been living here in Belize for a long time,………….. and I still don’t see the attraction. Do you THINK he had a bad experience with a Dog ? Haahaa

Coconut Leo one of the interesting characters you will hopefully see while here. If you are looking for him  , look up he spends most his time in trees.
Thanks Leo for always giving us a laugh, now let me get you a beer . Cheers Leo

Beach front Property for Sale in San Pedro

Stop dreaming and wake up to beautiful beaches with turquoise water.

Paradise at your doorstep.
Located next to a spa and restaurant, a short walk on the beach.
The perfect place to build your dream home, where you can enjoy luxurious beachfront living.
Exclusive neighborhood, with a five star restaurant and chic homes.
.
60 beachfront x 410 deep. Clear title
US$169,000
All prices are in US dollars.
Prices are subject to change without notice.>
US number 1512-938-3235
PHONE: 011-501-226-4000
FAX: 011-501-226-4000/strong>
CELL: 011-501-628-7034
Invest In Belize LTD – P. O. Box 162 San Pedro, Belize
Copyright 2008 – Tina Of Invest In Belize LTD  All Rights Reserved.

Buying Property in Belize

The process of buying property in San Pedro Belize can be fun, profitable and a great experience provided your broker takes the necessary steps to ensure that your transaction goes smoothly. Since the official language is English, contracts are easy to understand and this makes the process more comfortable. As a buyers agent we will look after your interest and make sure your request are fulfilled and accomplish your investment goals.

If you are considering financing contact me directly. Our relationship does not end after the sale. We maintain friendships with everyone we do business with and would like to introduce you to the community.

Lots of folks dream about living in Belize. Many have visited the country, and others are falling in love with it from afar. Owning property on Ambergris Caye is a great investment and the property taxes are very affordable. Most properties are taxed at 1.5% of the assessed value. Assessments are usually at 10-30% of the market value.

When it’s time for a life style change and you want to purchase real estate, doing business in a country, like Belize is easy, because English is it’s official language, the contracts you sign are in English, and you will be subject to laws you can understand. The British common laws pertain to land, property and business here in Belize.

As for property appreciation, property values here have been steady and strong, increasing during the last 20 years. Belize has no capital gains tax, no inheritance taxes, and a fixed currency exchange rate which is 2 Belize dollars to 1 US dollar. Belize has a stable economy which is attached to U.S. currency.

Non-Belizean owning property: Any one can buy and own property in Belize. A non-Belizean has the same rights as a Belizean to own land or a business. Their are no special permits to own real estate.

Buying property in Belize is fairly easy. It normally takes 30-90 days to complete the transaction. You can get owner financing, at about 10% interest. The rate is negotiable. We can not submit an offer to any property without a deposit. Most real estate transactions are consummated in US dollars. You do not have to be in Belize to buy or sell property.

The first step is to summit an offer. Once a offer form has been written and money has been put into escrow the offer form is legally binding to both buyer and seller. There is always a proper due diligence period on the form for the buyer. Invest In Belize will always be there to see you through the buying or selling process of your real estate and will keep you informed of all progress.

Once the seller has accepted the offer, the purchaser will then retain a local attorney. You do not need a US attorney for this. We can recommend an experienced Belizean law firm to represent your interests if needed. The laws for Belize are different than US law. Once satisfactory title research is completed, a recordable Agreement For Sale, or original title transfer instrument will then be drawn up based on the particulars of the original purchase offer.

The balance of the monies payable for either the down payment or the full purchase price will be due for deposit to the escrow account at the time specified on the purchase offer or Agreement for Sale.

The transfer documents will then be executed and delivered to the purchaser’s lawyer or a paralegal for review. The lawyer or a paralegal will then send us copies and notify us that the documents are in order and will instruct us to release the seller’s escrowed funds.

The executed documents will subsequently be processed at the Lands Registry and an original title or certified copy of an Agreement for Sale will then be presented to the new owner in due course. You do not need to be in Belize to buy or sell property. The documents are Fed Ex’ed  to the absent party and executed in front of a notary. Purchase offers can be completed by facsimile, which is legally binding in Belize.

Closing cost; The stamp tax rate is calculated as follows: 5% Transfer tax.  On an outright purchase, legal fees for title research and title transfer typically run up to 2% of the purchase price. Legal fees for drafting and recording an Agreement For Sale and Caution run between $US 300-750. It is customary that the purchaser pays for all closing costs under Belize transactions.

Stamp duty – 5% ( government tax )

Bank approval – US$50 ( government tax )
Registration fee – US$15 ( government tax )

New title fee – BZ$15 ( government tax )

Inspection of the record – US$50

Courier fee – US$50 per trip

Bank charges for wiring – US$20

Sales tax – 10% on legal fees ( government tax ).

Some of the prices above could vary.

Clear title: You can ensure that you have clear title by having your legal representative, who can be a lawyer or a paralegal , do a “Title Search” and issue a title opinion. The title is researched in the Lands Registry, and in the Companies Registry if the land is held under a company. Liens, judgments and encumbrances are valid only if properly lodged. A title opinion for land which is not in the new registration section, such as conveyed land, takes a little longer as an abstract of title must first be prepared that goes back no less than 30 years. The statute of limitations on land claims is 30 years. An opinion of ‘good and clear title’ will be issued once the attorney has satisfactorily examined the abstract in fine detail. We play our part by ensuring that any deposits paid do not pass beyond the Escrow stage until all paperwork is in order. This includes ensuring that the title for the property has been thoroughly researched and declared free and clear of all liens, judgments and encumbrances.