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Showing posts from April, 2023

Belize Customs & Import Duties

Belize Customs & Import Duties Belize imposes import duties on a wide range of goods that are imported into the country. The import duty rates can vary depending on the type of goods, their value, and their country of origin. Here are some of the main categories of goods and their corresponding import duty rates in Belize: 1. Food and agricultural products: Import duties on food and agricultural products can vary depending on the type of product. For example, import duties on meat products can range from 10% to 40%, while duties on fruits and vegetables are generally lower, ranging from 0% to 25%. 2. Vehicles: Import duties on vehicles can be high, with rates ranging from 45% to 72% depending on the type of vehicle, its value, and its age. 3. Electronics and appliances: Import duties on electronics and appliances can range from 0% to 40%, depending on the type of product and its value. 4. Clothing and textiles: Import duties on clothing and textiles can range from 5% to 30%, de...

WHAT MAKES THE MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL SO PRESTIGIOUS?

  WHAT MAKES THE MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL SO PRESTIGIOUS? History of The Marbella Club hotel The Marbella Club name holds an air of luxury and exclusivity. However, what many people do not know is that the history of the hotel is also aristocratic. Finca Santa Margarita, now known as the Marbella Club, was purchased by the von Hohenlohe family in 1947 and was transformed into The Marbella Club in 1954 by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe-Landenburg of Germany. The hotel was one of the first to open in the small fishing village of Marbella and included just twenty bedrooms. The hotel has grown somewhat since then and now boasts 135 rooms, including 37 suites, several bungalows and 8 exclusive grand villas. Alongside the opening of Puerto Banus in 1970, this world-famous hotel helped secure Marbella as the favourite European resort. Previous guests of The Marbella Club Hotel Over the last 60 years the Marbella Club has played host to a variety of millionaires, royalty and aristocracy. ...

POST COVID PROPERTY INVESTMENT BOOM IN MARBELLA

  POST COVID PROPERTY INVESTMENT BOOM IN MARBELLA There has been a discernible shift in the real estate market since the outbreak of the epidemic.  People are searching for more room and privacy outside of busy cities, and Marbella, with its gorgeous villas, is the ideal location. Luxury  modern villa sales in Marbella  have significantly increased after a year of lockdowns and restrictions as more and more people travel to the well-known Spanish town in quest of a new property. The market for Marbella and the neighboring areas peaked by the end of 2021. In comparison to 2021, the first six months of 2022 likewise experienced an increase of 65%, and there is little doubt that this trend will continue throughout this year. Sales decreased dramatically for the first time since the 2008 recession when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, falling to just over 1,000 sales in the first six months. The region provides a superb balance of affordability and luxury...

BEACH PROPERTY REQUIRED IN SAN PEDRO DE ALCANTARA

  BEACH PROPERTY REQUIRED IN SAN PEDRO DE ALCANTARA We currently have a list of genuine clients looking to purchase property on San Pedro de Alcantara beach. The prices of property in this area in particular have hit a high as of recent months. Stock seems to be lower than normal making prices high. We have clients with the following budgets: 500,000€, 850,000€ and number clients with budgets over 1,000,000€ Developments of particular interest include: Casablanca Beach  - middle floor and penthouses are of particular interest. We have 5 live clients ready to view on this development. Las Adelfas  - we have clients ready to view any 2+ bedroom units on any level. We are also interested to speak with owners of villas, and apartments in all areas in the San Pedro Playa area. We offer free valuations and we have an office a short walk from the beach in Los Arqueros Beach, close to Da Bruno and Gym Junkie. If you are an owner interested in getting a...

Belize is a Leader in Sustainability

  Belize is a Leader in Sustainability The United Nations defined “ sustainability ” as  “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  Sustainability has become a popular buzzword in both the tourism and real estate industries. That said there are countries that take more action when it comes to environmental policies and sustainability. Countries, like Belize, have programs in place to help protect the environment, and culture and reduce the ecological impact. Belize is leading the way when it comes to environmental policies and sustainability (according to  Forbes ). Many countries in the region of Caribbean & Central America depend on tourism dollars as their primary source of income and GDP. Belize is a country that has a lot of its economy centered around tourism. Much of the tourism to Belize is around the country’s natural ecosystem including the  Belize Barrier Reef  ...

Belize Ranks Among Forbes Best Beach Destinations

  Belize Ranks Among Forbes Best Beach Destinations   Wendy Altschuler  a travel writer for Forbes who covers travel, adventure, and culture across the globe, wrote an article on January 28, 2023, on  The 9 Best Beach Destinations For Families  with one of the 9 destinations being Belize, and more specifically,  Ambergris Caye . Forbes, the rеnоwnеd buѕіnеѕѕ аnd trаvеl mаgаzіnе, hаѕ lіѕtеd Веlіzе аѕ оnе оf thе bеѕt bеасh dеѕtіnаtіоnѕ fоr fаmіlіеѕ (one of the nine locations mentioned in the article). Fоrbеѕ lіѕtеd Ѕаn Реdrо Аmbеrgrіѕ Сауе hаѕ а “mаgісаl аnd full оf fаmіlу-frіеndlу wоndеr”. Wendy Altschuler with Forbes said in the article; “Magical and full of family-friendly wonder, Ambergris Caye has it all. Rent a golf cart, the only way to travel all over the island, and visit  Secret Beach  (not all that secret), where you can spend the day swimming in the warm water, snorkeling, boating, or enjoying good food. Visitors can also enjo...

The Exodus of Americans Moving to Belize

  The Exodus of Americans Moving to Belize Every year, more-and-more people are looking at investing and relocating off-shore. Whether it is for lifestyle or retirement, Americans & Canadians are rethinking their lives and where in the world would provide the best future. This is shown by the recent migration stats. Americans & Canadians are leaving their home countries and seeking foreign visas in record numbers, according to immigration lawyers and expatriate organizations. Belize saw an unprecedented number of Americans not only inquiring about  Belize real estate  but also following through on their pledge and taking the steps to leave over the last 3-years (2020, 2021 & 2022). This is seen by the growth in the expat  population on Ambergris Caye  over recent years. The number of Americans who were recorded as having given up their citizenship or U.S. residency soared to 5,816 in the first six months of 2020, compared with 2,072 in all of ...

Why People Are Looking at Belize & Ambergris Caye?

Why People Are Looking at Belize & Ambergris Caye? Belize Real Estate & most of all Ambergris Caye Real Estate have seen a boom over recent years. Most of the buyers are people looking at living and/or investing overseas. This is seen by the growth in Belize real estate transactions over recent years;   While there is no nationwide MLS for Belize to track the total sales data and the number of real estate transactions,  RE/MAX Belize  is the largest real estate company in Belize with over 100 agents in 13 offices and shows a good indication of where the market is at and how it has grown.  Total sales volume increased 8.7% from 2019 to 2020, followed by a staggering 167.7% from 2020 to 2021.  Based on current year-end projections, sales volume and real estate transactions in Belize are expected to grow by 301.5% year-over-year from 2021 through 2022. From the beginning of 2020, at the start of the COVID pandemic, through to 2021, total Belize...

Belize Real Estate Purchasing Process

Belize Real Estate Purchasing Process The  property purchasing process in Belize  is similar to Canada or the US (countries with fee-simple titles). Before you purchase property in Belize or buy Belize real estate it is important to know and understand the process.   Belize Property Search Before buying in Belize, make sure you know the area that is best suited for you, your lifestyle, and your investment goals. Check out the different areas and districts in Belize; Ambergris Caye, San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Cayo, Placencia, etc. Belize has a robust landscape from the island beaches of Ambergris Caye to the jungle mountains of San Ignacio. When   searching for Belize property , decide what is most important to you; the beach, mountains, inland, river, etc. Ambergris Caye real estate  is popular due to the fact that the island and San Pedro Town is the country’s most popular destination with the highest level of growth. Let the  Remax Belize  ...

Complete Guide to Belize Secret Beach Real Estate Investment

Complete Guide to Belize Secret Beach Real Estate Investment     WHY HAS SECRET BEACH AND AMBERGRIS CAYE’S WEST COAST BECOME THE TOP GROWTH AREAS WITHIN BELIZE?   Ambergris Caye Belize Thirty years ago, the main industry on Ambergris Caye was the same as it had always been. A sleepy fishing village built along the island’s eastern coast only a few hundred yards from the world’s second-largest barrier reef, the fishermen would rise with the sun and set out in their boats before the dawn had even reached the island’s barely populated western side. In the time since then, the island of Ambergris Caye has changed dramatically, with its primary industry switching from fishing to tourism as more and more people discovered Belize and word got out. San Pedro Town (the island’s central hub entirely contained on the east coast and interior lagoon of the island) has grown to become a fully developed municipality, with a bustling downtown and booming tourist economy. ...

Belize Secret Beach

  Belize Secret Beach The logical area for future development and investment had become the West Coast. With just a single road connecting the island’s eastern shore to its westernmost point, that western area (known as Secret Beach) has become the focus and epicenter of west coast development. Because of this, it is the area of Belize with some of the greatest investment opportunities and upside. Only a few years ago, the beach really was a total secret; the only person you could count on seeing there was your own reflection in the water. Today we see that dozens of bars and restaurants have popped up alongside other new tourist-focused commercial development. Residential investment, development, and infrastructure are also booming in the area. When assessing an area from an investment standpoint these are all key indicators that show us that Secret Beach is on the path of progress.   Secret Beach Timeline   2010: Lots subdivided and available for sale. ...

Investing Offshore Mistakes to Avoid

Investing Offshore Mistakes to Avoid There are a number of mistakes people can make when investing offshore or purchasing a vacation home in a market outside the US or Canada.  Belize Real Estate  has become increasingly popular for investors and people looking to relocate to a warm tropical climate. There are far more than 5 mistakes people make when investing offshore, but we are going to touch on 5 of the most common. Here are the 5 Mistakes people make when investing offshore & how to avoid making them yourself.   5 Mistakes People Make When Investing Offshore   Buying Real Estate Without Using an IBC. Buying or Selling Property Without Taking Advantage of “Owner-Carry Financing” Buying for Personal Use & Investment without a Strategy. Buying Property in an Overly Saturated Market. Buying Without a Reliable Ownership Structure   1. Buying Without Using an IBC (International Business Corporation) Owning property i...

Misconceptions About Moving to Belize

  Misconceptions About Moving to Belize Belize is an amazing place to live and there are tons of opportunities for people not only looking to retire but also invest and/or start a business. Moving to Belize is much easier than in other countries with a lot of incentive programs in place. But there are a few things everyone should know before moving to Belize (to avoid any surprises). The  lifestyle in Belize & Ambergris Caye  is amazing and it is easy to see why so many people are making the move every year. Here are the 5 biggest misconceptions about moving to Belize! If you’re considering moving to Belize from the US or Canada be sure to give this video a watch before doing so. We break down some of the key things you should know before making a move to Belize and 5 misconceptions people have before making the transition     Misconception 1: Belize is All the Same Belize has a very diverse landscape ranging from the Caribbean Islands of Amberg...

What Makes Belize Real Estate So Attractive?

  What Makes Belize Real Estate So Attractive? Compared to a lot of places Belize offers an outstanding quality of life. The quality of life exceeds the warm tropical climate (which is very consistent year-round). Ambergris Caye is a perfect location for a young family looking for a better lifestyle, or an investor/business owner who wants to get in on Belize’s growing tourism industry or diversify their investment portfolio. Belize is also the perfect destination for individuals looking to retire in a warm, affordable place to call home. Whether you are looking for personal use or investment, Belize real estate has a lot to offer. If you are on Ambergris Caye, the weather is warm year-round, and you can enjoy sunny skies and a tropical Caribbean climate almost every day of the year. If you enjoy outdoor activities and being active you will be mesmerized by the water-based recreation, and endless hiking trails. Belize has all of the charms of the Caribbean. People in Belize ...