News

To Belize, or not to Belize

Catherine Deshayes — 26/05/2010 12:15:00

Ann Kuffner Brunette, Vice President of Grand Baymen Belize, answers that frequently asked question about moving abroad, "Do you have any regrets...?" aswell as highlighting some of the recent events that took place in her home of Belize...

Do you have any regrets about moving to Belize?" Without hesitation, Mike and I honestly answer, "No, we have no regrets." Visitors often find it baffling that we could be as happy, or even happier, in little San Pedro Town than we were in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Initially, we invested in property on Ambergris Caye because of our love for the Caribbean Sea and the laid back tropical lifestyle. Every day we're still thrilled to be surrounded by so much beauty, color, and nature.

But, there's another attractive aspect of daily life on Ambergris Caye that kept drawing us back to this low-key Caribbean retreat. It's the people and the strong sense of community here. I'd never experienced anything like it before. In a big metropolitan area, like the San Francisco Bay Area, one can easily feel lost in a sea of bodies. It's difficult to get to know many neighbors.

On my very first return trip to Ambergris Caye, I was constantly greeted by people who remembered me from the prior year! This occurred on the beach and around town. It was a revelation for me. I seemed to have more friends in San Pedro than in California!

Whether or not they know you, people in San Pedro Town smile and wave at you. And, people help people here, as a matter of course.

Volunteering is very common in San Pedro. Almost everyone gives back to the community in some way. There's always some kind of fundraiser about to occur. Sometimes it's for the Saga Society (Humane Society), Holy Cross School, or Green Reef. But, often the goal is to raise money to help a family or friend in need. This has really touched me to see neighbors helping neighbors daily.

This is why we describe Grand Baymen Belize as a "Caribbean Community". The owners/investors who spend time here become our neighbors. We expect to see them regularly - at the pool, on the beach, or in town. Grand Baymen is a community within a community, especially because we are walking distance from town. It's easy to mingle...

It's also very comforting, at this time of economic and political upheaval, to live in a place where everyone knows and will help you. We all look out for one another...

As always, we hope you'll come and visit us for a Chill Weekend, or at any other time, you feel the desire to experience our Isla Bonita. Be sure to drop by and say hi.

Check out some of the recent events in Belize:

Ambergris Caye wins another top 10 ranking as a great place to retire!

Easter is a very special holiday in San Pedro Town. We'll share a few of the events.

Review of the successful Reef/Lagoon Kayak Eco-Challenge.

Tacogirl and Tacoboy - Bloggers who illustrate the San Pedro lifestyle.

April and May Chill Updates.

Parachuting Event.

Tres Pescado Fishing Tournament.

Islands Magazine Votes Ambergris Caye a Top 10 Retirement Island - Again!

The Editors of ISLANDS Magazine have again selected Ambergris Caye as one of the 2010 BEST ISLANDS TO LIVE/RETIRE ON! They will highlight the top ten islands and their rankings in their special annual issue, published in July/August. It's always a best seller.

Ambergris Caye's ranking isn't just a fluke. In 2009, Islands Magazine ranked Ambergris Caye the BEST Island to Live/Retire On. We couldn't agree more! Consistency is the key.

Easter in San Pedro - Kids, Kites and Easter Eggs Underwater...

Belize is a festive country that loves to celebrate holidays, events and parties. Easter is indeed the most important and favorite holiday in Belize. It is a holiday of religious significance for most Belizeans. A high percentage of San Pedranos are Hispanic. Mainly Catholics, they adhere to the rituals of Good Friday and Easter. No one works on Good Friday. And Easter is a day when people spend time with their family and friends.

On Sunday morning, the majority of families attend church. But, come Easter afternoon everyone is out and about. The beach and town are buzzing with activity. There are activities for all, but especially the children. One of the fun activities geared towards the kids is Moose's Kite competition, held at the Exotic Caye Beach Resort, the Grand Baymen Belize beach resort.

Each of the kids who competed was required to design and make their own kite. There were a variety of colors, designs and approaches. Creativity was the name of the game. For instance, many of the kites had many parts that included garbage bags strands and streamers!

The Easter weather and breeze were perfect for kite flying. It was great fun to watch the kids work with their kites. We adults sat on the beach at Crazy Canucks/Exotic Caye Beach Resort, enjoying both the streaming kites and our Easter cocktails. Capturing pictures of multiple kites midstream was indeed a bit of a challenge...

Another new Easter event this year was the underwater Easter egg hunt. Of course, snorkels and diving were involved. The kids, and the adults, had so much fun that this will certainly become another repeat event next year.

The Lagoon-Reef Kayak Eco-Challenge - Protecting Our Reefs and Lagoons

Last month we briefly summarized the grueling Lagoon-Reef Eco Challenge. This is such a fun, lively community event, that it deserves a detailed report this month. The Eco-Challenge is representative of the type of larger community activities that bring residents together in San Pedro Town.

The Eco-Challenge is held each year, in April, to raise awareness that it is critical to protect Belize's offshore reefs and lagoon areas. This event was the brainchild of Elito Arceo, a San Pedrano businessman and environmental activist. Elito owns and operates Seaduced, a very successful San Pedro water sports and tour company.

This year was very special, with 35 teams competing during the sixth year of the race. It was an "all amateurs" race this time. The competition kicked off at 6 AM on Saturday, April 24. Contestants covered a total distance of 44 miles. Two days were required to complete the challenge. There was a camping stop on Saturday night.

It was indeed a very physically challenging event. But, the competitors also had the opportunity to kayak through beautiful lagoons and remote eco-sensitive areas, such as the Bacalar Chico World Heritage Site.

On Sunday, Mike and I reached the Town Square in time for lunch. The top three paddlers didn't reach the Town Square until after 12:30 PM. The energy and enthusiasm of the crowd was palpable. It seemed that the entire town was waiting on the beach... People waved and cheered, anxiously waiting for their favorite team to cross the finish line.

Boats and water toys crowded the shallow offshore waters, close to the beach shore. Everyone was jostling for the best vantage point in the water. Viewers attempted to stay cool while watching the kayakers paddle through the finish line, and then collapse.

The local beach cantinas were overflowing with locals, expats and visitors. We all enjoyed our delicious lunches and tropical drinks while taking in the show. It was the perfect vantage point to watch the teams drag in, one by one, elated but spent.

Many teams did not survive. The trip on Saturday was grueling. Kayakers paddled against the strong offshore Caribbean winds for over 22 miles.

On Sunday, I was there, able to capture the contestant's relief as they struggled across the finish line. People lined the shores waving, hooting and calling to their friends. The atmosphere was festive and fun. Next year, I plan to volunteer and join a support boat team. In the end, the Reef Radio's Ranza Boys took the top prize. But there were prizes for all. Good humor prevailed as the following awards were presented:

Grumpiest team

Dog Tired Award

Most Creative Team

Most Enthusiastic

Team that got lost

Team that got smoked

Oldest Participants.

During the day, there were many activities and games for the kids. They could go seashell hunting, compete in the sand castle building contests, participate in tube racing, or have their face painted.

How Blogging in Belize Led One Couple to Success in San Pedro

This month I would like to introduce you to the couple who started Ambergris Caye's best blog. They have only lived in San Pedro since 2006. But they're well known and recognizable everywhere around town... Their blog, tacogirl.com realistically depicts what it's like to live on Ambergris Caye on a day-to-day basis.

Here in San Pedro Town, Laurie Norton and Paul Jewitt are affectionately known as tacogirl and tacoboy. They're easy going Canadians - low key and modest. They've lived in Belize only four years. Yet, they've become the on-line voice of the Isla Bonita.

Laurie and Paul are part of an emerging trend. Move over Baby Boomers! An increasing number of adventurous 30-40 year olds are making their mark on the local San Pedro Town scene. They come with a bit of savings and a pocket full of dreams. Determined to live on Ambergris Caye, they start a business so they can stick around.

Laurie and Paul had vacationed in places such as the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Florida. Each time they returned to Toronto, they were more determined to escape the winters. Laurie kept pushing Paul to make a move to Ambergris Caye - sooner rather than later.

A series of "going nowhere" retail jobs made it easy for Laurie to leave Canada. Paul had worked for high-powered companies like Edward Jones and Mosaic, in advertising and business development. Along the way, he picked up web design. Then he became an independent contractor. So, he felt he'd be able to make a living anywhere.

They finally made the move in January of 2006. Destination - Belize. First stop - San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. When they arrived in town, they immediately fell in love with the Isla Bonita and the people. Why San Pedro? Of all the places they had visited Laurie notes, "It's the quirkiest, funniest, friendliest place."

The first year in Belize they tightened their belts and became volunteers. "We recommend that everyone volunteer when they move their residencies. It's a great way to meet people and quickly fit into the community." Through their volunteering, they easily met new friends. Doors began to open.

In 2007, Paul helped Laurie start a blog about living on Ambergris Caye. Initially, she used it to keep in touch with friends and family. She tried to show them a slice of her new life on this quirky Caribbean island.

Laurie has always focused on giving her readers a fun, colorful, depiction of everyday life on Ambergris Caye. "Little did I realize that due to the Belize message boards, and people's love for Ambergris Caye, my blog would take off like a rocket and turn into a full time job."

tacogirl.com is a daily Belize Blog. It's geared towards expats and travelers. Over the past three years, it's gained a worldwide following. Readers tune in to get their daily fix of life on Ambergris Caye. It features a mix of island life, travel tips, local news, restaurant and resort reviews.

These days the blog site gets over 300 visitors per day. In 2009, Laurie traveled to San Francisco to accept a Lonely Planet Travel Blogger Award. After only two years, the tacogirl.com blog won their popular vote for the Best Image Blog. It will soon be featured in "Great Destinations Guidebook".

But what about Paul? He started two more web related businesses. AmbergrisDaily.com is the local news blog he started in October. Recently, he started AmbergrisVacations.com.

Is the Taco Twosome still happy living on Ambergris Caye? "We celebrated our four year anniversary this year and still love every minute of being here. While it has not always been easy, we have no regrets. Making this move was the best thing we ever did."

If you would like to get a feel for the events and festivities that occur on Ambergris Caye, visit www.tacogirl.com.

April and May Chill Weekends

The Grand Baymen Chill Weekend held on April 23-25 was another success. A group of 20 or so visitors joined us for a weekend of beachfront get togethers, delicious meals, shared camaraderie, informative lectures, tours, and lively music. Attendees came from both coasts, including Vermont and California. There were even a few Irishmen and one Russian present. It was a fun, lively group, so there was no lack of conversation.

The next Chill Weekend is being held on May 28-30th, the Memorial Day Weekend. If you are interested, you can sign up now by clicking on the link below. The cost for the weekend is only $299/first person and $100/second person. This includes two nights at Exotic Caye Beach Resort, five meals, a local tour, and a variety of very helpful presentations about living/retiring
in Belize.

You can now find a list of the planned Chill Weekends on the Exotic Caye Beach Resort website, at www.belizeisfun.com. There is a tab for the Chill Weekends. And, of course, you can use the link above to go directly to the sign up page.

Boogie in Belize Makes the Cover of Parachutist Magazine

The Annual Boogie in Belize Skydiving Event made the cover article for the May 2010 edition of Parachutist Magazine.

The magazine is the official United States Parachute Association publication, which goes out worldwide to over 40,000 members. There is a nice article in the issue entitled ‘Unbelizeable!'

At February's end, jumpers from around the world escaped winter and gathered at one of the most beautiful tropical boogie locations, the country of Belize, for 10 days of warm weather and skydiving fun.

Congratulations to Rich Grimm and the entire Tsunami Skydivers Team.

Source: AmbergrisDaily.com - April 29, 2010 Post

2nd Annual Tres Pescados Slam Tournament - August 12, 13 and 14

Belize has long been known by serious anglers around the world as an outstanding place for sport fishing. The 2nd Annual Tres Pescados Slam Tournament will be held August 12, 13 and 14. This new, but highly visible fly-fishing competition is hitting the mainstream. Already, more teams are signed up than competed last year. If anyone is interested or wants more information, contact the Tournament coordinator, Jim Oliver at 011-501-668-6690 (if calling from the USA). Of course, you can also stop by the Tres Pescados Fly Shop when you visit us at Grand Baymen Belize.

Source: Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce

Check out homes for sale across Belize at http://belize.themovechannel.com/

Romeo falls for Belize

Catherine Deshayes — 16/12/2008 13:06:00

Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio has fallen in love with the idea of building an eco-resort on an island he owns off the coast of Belize...

Leonardo DiCaprio has undergone a serious image overhaul in the last few years, transforming from a Romeo & Juliet/Titanic pre-teen dream to a bearded environmental activist.

The actor used some of his movie millions to snap up his very own paradise island in Belize in 2005 for £1.15 million and is now planning to turn it into an eco-friendly resort.

Leo purchased the island from Emerald Futures, who described it as a ‘beautiful, pristine island,' and its famous owner is keen to preserve that natural beauty in a green manner.

The staunch environmentalist has great green plans for the 104-acre Blackadore Caye island which is lined with white sand beaches and dotted with coconut palms and rocky outcrops.

It lies between mainland Belize and Ambergris Caye and is just a 25-minute boat ride from the Belize Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site.

Leo plans to fund the luxury layout, which will include an 80-room hotel and a selection of condominiums and luxury villas, all with private pools and a green theme.

The very latest in innovative green technology will be used, including hybrid power systems and eco tours, which will respect the island's wildlife and tropical surroundings.

The Blackadore Caye project will be managed by hotel giant Four Seasons and construction is scheduled to begin next year.

Leo wants the island to become a ‘landmark example of sustainable development.'

Buying in Belize

Leo is not alone in wanting to build on Belize. Known as ‘Mother Nature's best-kept secret,' Belize has become increasingly popular with foreign buyers over the last few years, fuelling demand for homes to buy and rent.

Although Costa Rica and Panama get all the publicity, Belize is renowned as one of the easiest countries in Central America for overseas buyers.

There are no restrictions on non-citizens owning property, no capital gains taxes and low property taxes and the country uses English as the primary language.

In response to heightened demand, there are a number of new residential developments being constructed across the country.

Belize also boasts one of most liberal retirement programs in the region, the Retired Persons Incentive Program, which was introduced in 1999. Under the programme's terms, foreign citizens older than 45 can import their possessions duty free and gain special residence status as long as they meet some basic requirements.

Picture by clurr

And the world's best building is...

Catherine Deshayes — 27/10/2008 12:38:00

The first ever World Building of the Year Award winner has been announced, beating off more than 700 other entries from 63 countries...

You may well wonder what a Spanish rubbish dump, the Royal Danish Yacht Club and a Japanese Dental Clinic have in common.

I'll put you out of your misery- they were all shortlisted for the first ever World Building of the Year Award, which celebrates architectural prowess.

Entries consisted of buildings that were new, restored, rehabilitated or converted and completed between January 1st, 2007 and June 20th, 2008.

Paul Finch, Editor of The Architectural Review and Programme Director of the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards, said that the most significant building in the world in any given year was not necessarily one of the most high-profile.

"It could be that a primary school in Glasgow or a small church in Peru is actually the building doing most to alter the way we think about the building type," he said.

In the end, Dublin based Grafton Architects' new faculty building at Milan's Luigi Bocconi Free University grabbed gold at the awards in Barcelona.

The University dates back from 1902 and has grown in the past 100 years from a privately funded institution to an international university for business, economics and law.

The campus now comprises an entire neighbourhood within a residential and commercial district.

The winning faculty building contains new conference and lecture rooms, auditorium and research offices for 1000 professors and postgraduate students.

Pic: Bocconi Free University's new faculty building

The 722 entries were split into different categories according to the building's purpose, ranging from learning, civic, culture, shopping, sport and pleasure. The winning building fell into the ‘learning' category.

Each of the categories chose a winner, and then the overall winner was deemed the ‘World's Best Building for 2008.'

The aforementioned Spanish rubbish dump, (which had been transformed into a green terraced agricultural landscape) won the Energy, Waste and Recycling category.

The judging panel, which was headed up by Robert Stern, who replaced Sir Norman Foster at the last minute after one of his designs made it to the final, was looking for ‘architecture that thought about complex issues in an imaginative way.'

The ‘totally 3D' building was chosen as the overall winner as it ‘fitted within the urban landscape but still stood out.'

Mr Stern said, "The use of space, light and local materials captured the essence of the city and the desire of the university to be connected with its surroundings.

"We were impressed by the building's physical and conceptual density," he added.

The new faculty building will have its official opening later this week.

Picture by pontuse

Stop searching! New SEO service is here!

Catherine Deshayes — 27/10/2008 11:19:00

Now is the time to get your website ready for the New Year revival, with TheMoveChannel.com offering an SEO service designed to help you plan and implement the right strategy to attract more buyers when the market bounces...

We all know that things are quiet right now and it's tough to justify dipping into the pockets to spend money.

But once Christmas is out of the way, interest levels will surge - they always do.

The chart above shows search volume trends for property terms over the last three years.

It's clear that the overseas property market is highly seasonal and tails off during the final quarter, with activity jumping sharply as January gets out of the way.

Act Now or Miss Out

Investment returns from SEO are probably the highest of all marketing activities right now - pound for pound, euro for euro, or dollar for dollar, nothing else can deliver you leads as cheaply as ranking number one for a relevant term.

But achieving those results takes an initial investment and results don't happen overnight, so it's no use waiting until the New Year to make sure your SEO strategy is in place.

The Solution

Good SEO companies are hard to find, particularly with knowledge of the property sector.

The SEO service from TheMoveChannel.com is a strategic solution that builds on nearly 10 years of Internet market experience in the international property industry.

Thus, it delivers genuine insight and real long term value.

For a fixed fee of £2950, we will conduct a 5-stage Review plan, which covers the following:

Property Product Review

Website SWOT Analysis

Keyword Universe Creation

Optimal Phrase Selection

Competition Assessment

This would lead to a series of recommendations and an SEO Implementation Plan, which covers:

On Site Recommendations

Link Building Strategies & Tactics

At this point, you can then either commission us to put the plan into action, or implement it internally.

Depending on the scope and extent of work to be done, we work to budgets of £500, £1000, £2000, or £5000 for the initial implementation plan, with the same figures for ongoing work if this is also required.

Call Us Now to Book the Service

If you'd like to take advantage of this offer, please call TheMoveChannel.com on +44 (0)207 952 7658 or contact Marketing Manager Jon Moore on j.moore@themovechannel.com

Five new waterfront home sites for Belize eco-development

Steph Engall — 08/10/2010 14:39:00

A rare eco real estate opportunity in Belize, called Cyan Belize, is being created for a handful of neighbours to enjoy and build affordable eco-friendly waterfront homes...

The unique project, designed as a place to live and commune with nature, is also focused on the protection of the Antillean Manatee, of which less than 1000 remain. In order to make a small impact, Cyan Belize, a 200-acre-plus peninsula, is divided into 22 large estates ranging in size from 4 to 33 acres, including five previously unavailable lots. Waterfront ranges from 500 to 1600 feet per lot, and prices start at just $101,750.

"The idea behind Cyan Belize was to create a waterfront community that isn't over-developed --or parceled out into crowded, tiny spaces," says Carl Churan, the envisioner for the project. "We ask that buyers build environmentally Friendly homes that leave the smallest footprints possible."

Cyan Belize is located 64 miles south of Belize International Airport by road and 30 minutes by boat. (The airport has direct flights available to several American cities via major airlines.)

The eco-development rests on the edge of a manatee preserve, about 4 miles from the Caribbean coast by boat using Manatee Bar River. It is 20 minutes by boat from Cyan Belize to the barrier reef, the second largest of its kind in the world and a major scuba diving destination.

Rainforest Realty, rated the best real estate agency in Belize by the Americas Property Awards, is the exclusive representative of the property. "Cyan Belize offers compelling, attainable options for those buyers who are considering retirement, a second home or feel drawn to live in the beauty that the Caribbean offers," says Rainforest Realty owner and professional Realtor® Macarena Rose. "There is no other eco real estate or waterfront value like this in all of Belize."

Source: PR Web

Belize: new property hotspot?

Catherine Deshayes — 16/04/2010 10:32:00

Belize real estate could see a massive increase in sales to foreigners this year, as interest in investment in Latin America revives, it is claimed...

An increase in tourism in the region along with bargain prices and positive economic growth could make the country more attractive than ever to foreigners, according to international property investment consultancy Property Frontiers.

According to director David Cox prices have fallen by 50% in some locations making them a much more interesting prospect for international investors. ‘Although local agents claim only a slight fall in Belize real estate prices the reality is different,' he explained.

‘You also have to consider the fact that Belize real estate values grew by 15% per year inland and by up to 30% in coastal locations. This track record of such strong growth will not be overlooked by serious investors.

He also believes that a commitment by developers to providing eco-friendly projects is another attractive feature. An example is a development in the Cayo District nature reserve which has natural springs to supply the water, solar electricity and an anaerobic bacteria based sewage system. It aims to be 100% carbon neutral and have minimal running costs.

Many people think Belize is an island, but it a series of hundreds of islands, 108 of them uninhabited, between Mexico and Guatemala and is the only English speaking country in Central America. It is popular with both US and Canadian buyers.

Another attraction for foreign investors is that it has a form of banking secrecy that protects people with deposits there. Authorities won't report simple tax evasion but they will honour tax pacts with other countries and will co-operate with foreign authorities on cases of fraud or money laundering.

‘Belize is where Cost Rica was 30 years ago. It's the ground floor when it comes to buying beachfront real estate,' says Bob Dhillon, a Calgary businessman who owns Costa del Sol, a 1,214 hectare development, near San Pedro.

Although in upmarket resorts a beachfront house might cost over $1 million it is also possible to find a condo on the beach for $250,000. Real estate prices are still recovering from the recession, added Dhillon.

Source: www.propertywire.com

Bullet-proof Belize?

Jaimie Kanwar — 24/02/2009 10:53:00

properties in Belize are holding their value as the credit-crunch continues to become more severe, claims one expert...

Les Calvert, director of overseas property portal Property Abroad said: "While Belize never really became massive news as an emerging market, its emergence, if largely silent was one of the quickest and most profitable of all overseas property markets.

"A luxury 2 bedroom apartment in Belize is now almost £200,000 to buy. We are advertising several 1 bedroom houses, none of them under £200,000 -- in fact one of them is over half a million pounds. But I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to wait and see if prices drop; they won't! And before you know it prices will begin rising rapidly again."

Belize is home to the world's second largest barrier reef and a lush tropical rainforest. It also has a rich diversity of wildlife and a large concentration of Mayan ruins, all of which are making Belize increasingly popular with international tourists.

Mr Calvert added: "All in all, Belize is a fantastic place to buy a property, whether you are buying a holiday home or an investment property".

Source: www.Property-abroad.com

Global phenomenon

Catherine Deshayes — 11/11/2008 10:45:00

Worsening economic conditions have now taken a toll on almost every commercial property market in the world, according to a global survey of real estate surveyors...

The past few months have seen a sharp deterioration in performance and demand for real estate in many regions that had previously appeared resilient to the credit crisis, in particular parts of Asia and Eastern Europe.

The slump in commercial property is well established in mature markets such as the UK and US, but a report today from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors shows that there are few property markets in the world that remain unscathed by the economic crisis.

The net balance of movements in global rents turned negative for the first time in the survey's history, led by weakness in the US, Japan, Spain, Ireland and India, while property values also worsened markedly in the third quarter.

The report, which measured sentiment among surveyors about the value and tenant demand for property, singles out the Indian market as being particularly hard hit. The region has attracted many overseas investors hoping to tap into the property needs of a previously booming economy.

Rising interest rates, higher inflation and a lack of liquidity is affecting confidence in the country, says the report, and 45 per cent more surveyors reported a fall in occupier demand compared with six per cent in the last quarter. The balance of surveyors reporting investor purchases plummeted from zero to minus 73.

The biggest slump in capital values has been in Eastern Europe, a marked turnaround considering expectations of growth only three months ago.

Source: The Financial Times

New property sites launched

Catherine Deshayes — 10/10/2008 09:49:00

TheMoveChannel.com, the leading international property portal, announces the launch of over 80 country specific property sites...

Each country site features in depth property listings that can be filtered by a multi criteria search engine. The investment opportunities listed include both residential and commercial properties, land and more unique property types.

Developers, estate agents and private owners who advertise with TheMovechannel.com will double their exposure by appearing on both the main TheMovechannel.com international property portal and the relevant country portal that their properties are located in. Advertisers however will not be charged any fee for this additional coverage.

Buyers can gain a valuable insight into countries through the dedicated country news, features, email newsletters plus online buying and selling guides.

Dan Johnson, Managing Director, comments, "We've recognised in the toughening real estate market, investors are adopting a more sophisticated and informed buying process.

"The new portals not only provide detailed information on the property stock available in a particular country but also fill in the gaps in investors' knowledge of a market through reference materials and frequent news updates," added Mr Johnson.

Source: www.themovechannel.com

New mortgages for Caribbean

Catherine Deshayes — 24/09/2008 13:38:00

The Caribbean property market, whilst popular with foreign investors, has been held back by the lack of finance available to non-nationals. Now, Caribbean Land and Property is offering mortgages to resident expats and foreign buyers in 19 Caribbean countries.

Obtaining a mortgage for a Caribbean property has traditionally been difficult as most lenders will not lend to non-nationals, or if they do, the interest rates are sky high.

Now, Caribbean Land and Property has started a new wave of mortgages that are available to Caribbean nationals, resident expatriates and foreign buyers.

They have teamed up with some of the UK's leading mortgage providers, to offer Caribbean mortgages in Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, St Maarten, St. Vincent, Turks & Caicos and Tobago.

The mortgage service is not exclusive to those clients buying properties through Caribbean Land and Property but is open to any qualifying client.

Applications can be made for a mortgage of up to 75 per cent of the valuation of the Caribbean home or land purchase and interest rates are competitive.

Manager of Caribbean Land and Property Financial Services, Katie Sosna, says, "This service should help a lot of people who want to get on the property ladder in the Caribbean.

"We aim to make the process as simple and speedy as possible," added Ms Sosna.

Tourism plays a major part in the Caribbean's economy, so an investment property there could have strong rental yields. The World Travel and Tourism Council recently estimated that over £500 million of economic activity was generated from travel and tourism in Barbados alone.

Browse Caribbean properties for sale.

Belize Reserve in Cayo District: plots selling fast

Catherine Deshayes — 17/09/2008 13:01:00

Belizean land is greatly undervalued in comparison to many other Central American countries such as Honduras or Nicaragua and tourism figures have risen by 24 per cent since 2002. One development that is selling fast is the carbon neutral Belize Reserve.

Belize is a small Central American country. It is home to a long Caribbean coast that boasts the world's second largest barrier reef, and lush tropical rainforest. Belize has a host of delights on offer; it is rich in wildlife and has a large concentration of Mayan ruins.

Formerly known as British Honduras, Belize was granted independence from the British in 1981, because of this the country's legal and parliamentary systems are based on British practices. It also makes it the only Central American country adopting English as its first language.

The Belize Reserve offers a unique opportunity to invest in a 100 per cent carbon neutral eco-resort in the beautiful rainforests of Belize's Cayo district, just 15 minutes from town of San Ignacio and 25 minutes from the capital.

The below value land plots will be situated around a 20-30 unit boutique hotel as well as 350 ½ acre plots that are available for development. Land plots are ½ an acre (~2,000m2) in size and cost £24,950. For a limited number of properties the developer has agreed to offer interest free 50 per cent finance over five years.

With all of the above features on offer and one of the worlds best retirement packages meaning that you can take over your car and belongings duty free and pay no income tax on any income sourced outside or inside Belize, it is no wonder that Belize has a growing demand for homes from the American baby boom generation.

For those wishing to build on the plot the developer is offering the construction of the property at cost price which will equate to a price from £34,950 dependant on size and design. There are currently three different house designs available, however more will be designed as the development evolves to ensure a diverse community.

The reserve has been awarded an ‘excellent' Kite mark from whatgreenhome.com and plans to be a self sufficient community.

The house designs are completely ecologically friendly in the way that they are built; using primarily locally sourced wood; with solar power providing hot water and electricity and the sewerage system utilises anaerobic bacteria which is not only environmentally friendly but requires no electricity.

The ongoing running and maintenance costs should therefore be very minimal.

Caron Lockwood, Product Manager at Property Frontiers, said, "Designs for the 100 per cent carbon neutral Belize Reserve have moved a step closer to being finalized and offer the perfect blend of ‘outdoor - indoor' living.

"The construction of the first show homes is set to begin shortly and with prices increasing to £30,000 next month plots are selling fast," Ms Lockwood added.

1/2 Acre land Plots Available from £24,950, with a one bedroom villa in 1/2 acre plot from £60,000, two bedroom villa in 1/2 acre plot from £70,000 and three bedroom villa in 1/2 acre plot from £85,000.

To browse other properties for sale in Belize, visit belize.themovechannel.com/