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Information you need to know
Cost of electricity: Averages US 16 cents per kWh
Medical care:MEDICAL CARE IS CONSTANTLY IMPROVING and I do believe we have some fine doctors and facilities in Belize City .
Make a note of BELIZE HEALTH CARE PARTNERS LTD
501 223 7866. and also Belize Medical Associates 501 223 0302 www.belizemedical.com . If you have specific medication and needs make sure you bring enough with you and check ahead of time for specific needs and Physicians. If you have ongoing medical conditions that need monitoring make sure you take the time to go and visit the doctor and facilities so you are familiar with them in case of emergency. This is most important for peace of mind. There is not much in outlying areas . Be stocked with basic first aid needs.
Retirement residency: Check out www.belizeretirement.org as there are always changes
Shopping: Belize City best choice but we are getting much better choices countrywide . Belmopan and Spanish Lookout in particular have large variety of stores and goods. Placencia getting more everyday but still very limited.
However we do have many vendors who deliver produce right to yur door several times a week. You can get vegetables, meat ,fish, shrimp and household supplies without even leaving home! make your special order and it will also arrive to you by truck. Most Belize City stores will ship items to you by plane.
Good sources of info: Lan Sluder Belize First, www.belizefirst.com
Belize Travel, Belize Net www.belizenet.com
newspaper.....www.reporterbelize.com
click on side.
Many people will be able to point you in the direction of buying property in Belize, but when it comes to making such an important investment decision ...deal with a professional. Get the facts from reliable sources. The following is a very brief outline on purchasing property in Belize.
Procedure for purchasing property:
With your Real Estate professional, prepare an Offer to Purchase, specifying the Purchaser, with name and address, the Vendor name and address, the property legal description, purchase price and terms of the offer. All the terms of the sale will be written into the offer. The offer, signed by the purchaser, will be accompanied by a deposit (usually 10%.)
NOTE: WE now have an Association of Real Estate Brokers go to www.arebb.com for list of broker members . As yet we do not have not any controlling or licensing body in Belize, so there is no one accepted format of 'offer to purchase' forms reputation is important.
Each firm will have their standard offer form.
When the signed offer has been accepted and executed by the vendor or authorized agent, you may choose an Attorney to oversee the consummation of the transaction. Land held under certificate of title is a straight forward transaction process . If the land is in this certificate of title system it may not be necessary to engage such service and for most of our listings we do all title work keeping you abreast of the progress.
If the land is held by DEED I do recommend an attorney.
Expenses other than purchase price:
With a transfer of land --whether by sale, exchange or gift-- a stamp duty is levied by the government (Stamp Duties Act.) The rate is based on a percentage of the value of the land or the consideration, whichever is the greater. If land is a first subdivision property General Sales tax will apply and this is 10 %.
STAMP DUTY NOW 5% .everyone the same no distinction for foreigners etc..
It is standard that the stamp duty on property transfer is paid by the purchaser, but this should be stipulated in the 'offer.'
Attorney Fees are usually negotiated and can vary between 1-3% depending on several factors. A lawyer will ensure that the title to be transferred is 'good and marketable.' This is not always necessary if a certificate of title is held under the new registered land system. A plan of survey will show the location and dimensions of the property. It is recommended that this be checked .
OUR STANDARD FEE IS $550
Title Systems:
There are three different systems of land title registration used in Belize.
1. Conveyance system
2. Certificate of Title (Torrens) system
3. Registered Land Act system ......
THIS IS THE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE WE REFER TO MAYA BEACH & PLACENCIA
Absolute Fee Simple may be granted in any of these systems.
Belize is currently changing most areas to be certificate of title.
People keep asking why they have to do this. An excellent answer to this is that it is simpler and more efficient and the Government of Belize guarantees that the land exists and that the title is GOOD. Also if you fall into the registered land section and your lot now has a new parcel number YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SELL OR TRANSFER THAT TITLE UNTIL YOU HAVE A NEW CERTIFICATE OF TITLE IN YOUR NAME....... so no escaping the system.
Well this also what makes for a secure investment. So even though it may be tedious and time consuming to change this system it is ultimately a sensible route to take. IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS OR WISH TO KNOW IF YOUR LAND COMES INTO THIS CATERGORY e mail me . Bayshore does do this or can refer you to someone professional who will.
PLEASE NOTE THAT AT THIS TIME THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS TAKING LONGER TO PROCESS THE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE AND WE ALL ASK FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND PATIENCE.
Note: a word here on signatures . Please make sure you use the same signature for buying as selling. This can create problems with verification of ownership and delay transactions.
Eg: if you singed P.R Wells on buying do same on selling not Peter R. Wells
Property Taxes Outside of town and city assessment:
Separate valuations are kept for Agricultural, Suburban and Beach lands based on unimproved value of the land, at 1% of assessed value per annum. Property taxes are revised every 3 years. The Chief Valuer must be advised of any change in ownership. All taxes are due each 1st April in respect of the twelve months beginning on that date. Recent assessment for lands within 1/2 mile of beach is bz$10,000 per acre.This is based on unimproved land and size determines tax.
You must pay taxes 1 st. April each year they can be paid by an international money order mailed to the following address or in person at the tax office Belmopan or Dangriga. THEY ARE OVER DUE NOW !!!!!!
Land Tax.
Department of Lands and Survey.
Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment,
Market Square,
Belmopan
BELIZE , Central America
and
TAXES ON CAYE CAULKER AND AMBERGRIS GET PAID TO LOCAL VILLAGE COUNCILS
TAX is based on vacant land and VERY reasonable.
We are told that taxes should remain the same for next year but better to check closer to next years date. I would over pay to be on safe side . Your first tax receipt will be a rough guide to amount required. If acreage you will need more.
pay in Belmopan or at your nearest land office or MAIL.
pay By TRAVELERS CHEQUE made to Government of Belize
US DOLLAR CHECK made to Government of Belize
INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDER
BANK DRAFT
Make to Government of Belize.
NOTE:THE GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE WILL NOT ACCEPT FOREIGN CHEQUES UNDER US$50 .
Make sure you give them your name and parcel number and district.
EXAMPLE: JOHN HENRY PLACENCIA NORTH PARCEL 700
PA# 464700 if you have it . from last years statement right hand side
You can Request an official receipt , provide an addressed envelope and allow us $1 additional for postage.
DUE: 1st April each year
Penalty 1% per month.
Send for a couple of years.
The department has started to send bills but do not wait to get one as it is not guaranteed to come .
If the balance says minus figure you are actually in credit.
Land Surveyors........deal only with licensed surveyors there is a list available.
Belize has no tax on Capital Gains and no Inheritance Tax (Estate Duty.)
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DOCKS: usually dock permits are only issued at distance of 1000 feet apart.
All Docks Piers or permanent structures on the 66 ft reserve or seabed must have a valid licence approved by the Department of Lands and Surveys.
contact Physical Planning Section in Lands Department Belmopan.
822 2249, 822 2226
The Ministry of natural Resources and the Environment advises that the following conditions apply to piers and structures on 66 ft. reserve and seabed:
1. NO BARRIER OR ENCLOSED STRUCTURE SHOULD BE PLACED ON PIERS.
2. PROPER LIGHTING SHOULD BE PUT IN PLACE TO PREVENT NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS.
3. CONSTRUCTION OF PIERS OR OTHER STRUCTURES IS ONLY A PRIVILEGE AND DOES NOT CONFER OWNERSHIP NOR AN INTEREST IN THE LAND(SEABED)
4.THE STRUCTURE MUST BE BUILT ACCORDING TO THE DIMENSIONS APPROVED
5.THE BENEFITS AND BURDEN OF EACH LICENCE RUN WITH THE RESPECTIVE PARCEL ,HOWEVER;THE LICENCE CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF LANDS AND SURVEYS
6. THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS ACCESS TO ALL PIERS FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM. AND AT ALL REASONABLE TIMES AND IN CASES OF EMERGENCY , AND THE 66 FT. RESERVE SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES AND NO STRUCTURE SHOULD BE ERECTED TO IMPEDE PUBLIC ACCESS.
7. LICENCE FEES FOR USE OF THE 66 FT. RESERVE AND SEABED ARE PAYABLE ANNUALLY TO THE LANDS AND SURVEYS DEPARTMENT AND COPIES OF RECEIPTS FORWARDED TO THE PHYSICAL PLANNING SECTION
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Dredging Must have a valid permit issued for specific project.
Do not Cut Mangroves see guidelines
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Where to stay ? google any mentioned below
or ask Caribbean Tours......
BARNACLE BILLS BEACH BUNGALOWS
GREEN PARROT
OCEAN'S EDGE
MAYA BEACH HOTEL
MAYA BREEZE
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ROBERTS GROVE Seine Bight
CASA AT LAST at Surfside
RESTAURANTS
Where do people like me who live here year round go to eat???
Maya Beach Hotel Bistro
Bella Maya Pool Side
Singing Sands MAYA BEACH
or the Placencia resort on the dock bar
Roberts Grove for Saturday night Buffet
Roberts Grove inside Bar for happy hour cocktails and lighter fare
Haberneros mexican buffet at Roberts grove Tuesdays
SO WHEN DO WE EAT AT HOME??
Usually at cocktail time watching the fabulous sunset at 5.30
take out food from Maya goodness
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Placencia Village
De Thatch for dinner on the Beach seafood etc.
Pickled Parrot some tasty items
Trattoria but make reservations.
Wendys when you need air conditining and Belizean fare
Barefoot ... has some excellent dishes and real casual atmosphere
WHERE TO STAY IN VILLAGE ??? Captain Jaks ofcourse
http://www.captainjaksbelize.com/
just a few to get you started
NOTE: some places close in the slow season
shopping? Well SPECTARTE GALLERY at Maya Beach.........see what FODORS has to say...........
PROPERTY IN BELIZE.......if you have a question we may be able to point you in the right direction
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LIST OF LICENCED SURVEYORS as put out by Government
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