Take a trip. Book you tickets and fly to Belize. Talking to locals, knocking on doors and comparing properties is the best way to find what you want, in the price range you have chosen.
Find a Real Estate Broker in Belize. Brokers will have listings, but only properties that have been listed with him specifically. Brokers will be knowledgeable about the area and specific neighborhoods. Visit /belizefirst.com/buy.html, which has a listing of good brokers.
Visit different areas. Belize offers variety, and only by visiting can you narrow down your choices (plus, it's fun).
Stay in the area you have chosen. Staying for an extended period helps you decide if this is the right place for you. Also, you might hear of local properties available, as the more familiar you become with the locals, the more they will tell you.
Hire a good attorney. Attorney's can be found in Belize City and San Pedro. These are both sizable towns and offer the most choices. Ask other expats for recommendations on attorneys.
Do a title search. The attorney can do this for you. Title in Belize can have some catches, and clean title is imperative to obtain title insurance (which is available through American title companies.) All land records are kept in the capital city of Belmopan. The attorney will check to make sure all papers have been filed and are in order. If there is some cloud, the attorney can advise you and the seller on what to do to clean the title
Make an offer. The initial asking price is never the final price. Don't be shy. Low ball it. Even if you are shopping for a condo, low ball it. If a local can negotiate for you, often lower prices can be had. There is always a local discount. All things are negotiable.
Draw up a purchase contract. Request your attorney do the proper paperwork and draft a purchase contract. This puts your terms down in writing, before actually purchasing the property.
Offer cash. Financing is difficult to come by in Belize. If it can be arranged, be prepared to pay higher interest rates, any where from 10 percent to 17 percent. Many properties are owner financed, where you will pay the seller monthly payments. Interest is very negotiable on such financing arrangements.
Convey title for your new property. In Belize there are three systems in use, and which system is used depends on the area of the purchase. The attorney will know which is appropriate. You will receive a "Conveyance Deed" and this will be filed in Belmopan, the nations capital city.
Pay the transfer tax. This tax, sometimes called the stamp tax, is structured to accommodate Belizian citizens (5 percent), Qualified Retired Person (5 percent) or Non Resident (10 percent). The buyer typically will pay this, but remember, all things are negotiable. To see if you are a Qualified Retired Person, visit .belizeretirement.org/incentives.shtml. Your attorney can help with this.
Pay the property tax. Property Taxes are dueApril 1 in Belize. Typically they are about 1 percent of the value of raw land. Homes or properties within towns are based on the land value but are usually quite low. There is a speculation tax on properties of more than 300 acres, if there are plans to develop the property. This varies as well, but generally is 4 percent to 5 percent of the value of the property.
