The Pros and Cons of Investing in Belize

It was a fantastic week in Placencia, talking and catching up with past and potential clients. I have been traveling to the United States to speak with others about investing in Belize, plus meetings in San Pedro for other real estate opportunities countrywide. Our real estate offices are busy helping sellers and buyers, and it’s been great seeing all the activity.

In all of the hustle and bustle, I forgot to stop and enjoy the beautiful country I live in!

Everyone always asks: what can I do in Belize?

Well, there’s plenty…

One of the things I enjoy doing is having lunch on the beach and soaking in the view with friends. I also love visiting my favorite local lunch spot!

I enjoy spending time with my fur babies. I recently rescued a beautiful 1-year-old cat abandoned on the Hummingbird Highway and needed to have his leg amputated.

Still, he’s doing well after a week at the vet getting fluids and the infection under control.

I just needed to take a few moments to reflect on my life here in beautiful Belize.

On our first All Access Belize Q&A Webinar, we had about eight people register, and now we are up to more than 50 people who attended our April 2021 webinar. I never get tired of talking about Belize and helping people realize their dreams of investing and moving to Belize.

Next month’s webinar guest is Mike Pine, CPA, who will be joining me to talk about the tax benefits for Americans who buy property offshore.

Please spread the word — it’s free to attend! It will be May 11, 2021, at 7 p.m. CT/8 p.m. ET.

If there are any topics you’d like me to cover or speakers you’d like to hear from, please let me know by adding your questions to this form. I’m passionate about bringing as much value as possible, so you have all the information you need about Belize!

Currently, I spend much of my time working from home in Placencia and within my RE/MAX 1^st Choice Belize office as needed. I enjoy going out to lunch with my team, executive assistant, clients, and dinner with friends and agents every day.

In San Pedro, I have an office at Mahogany Bay Resort and Beach Club, Curio by Hilton ®. I enjoy my time there because I get to interact with the members and potential investors. Most of my meetings happen over Zoom throughout the week, but it’s nice when they are in person at the resort.

As I always say, I promise to share the good, bad, and ugly with you! Sometimes, I’m asked about what I don’t like in Belize, so here are a few of my least favorite things...

1. We have subdivided a property, and it’s almost two years since we started this project. We were told we need “one more” signature before it’s done. The Belize government, like many, could use the revenue from this project. We have money in escrow to pay the government for the four lots sold, stamp duty at 10%-15% income tax from commissions, and 12.5% GST on the commission. Once building starts, it will create jobs that will enable people to buy items, which will provide more tax revenue to the government. For some reason, this last part of the process just drags on.
2. Sargassum (algae)! It’s not just found in Belize, but it’s one reason I do not live on the ocean.
3. I like that Belize has a simple government and not many regulations. What I don’t like is the inconsistency. If a question is asked to the Department of Labor or Tax Department, the answers will be different from department to department and those working in those departments.
4. Busses and Taxis. I hate how they drive.
5. The government departments provide poor customer service at times. However, there is good service within tourist places.
6. There are opportunities for Belize that would fuel growth within the country, but the government doesn’t see it or hasn’t figured out how to line their pockets first. The return of the Investor Residency Program is a perfect example of growth potential. Many countries around the world are offering residencies to those who are willing to purchase a property. Why not Belize? It would provide more tax money and jobs would be created with just this one improvement.
7. Finally, the napkin and toilet paper made here is not great. The cardboard roll is so big, you think you have a large roll of toilet paper, but in fact, you don’t. Yet, it costs almost as much, if not as much, as Quilted Northern. Quilted Northern has double the amount of paper, and it’s the same with a roll of paper towels. Napkins are about 4 inches x 4 inches. I need like five at a time to clean my hands. Why can’t they make them larger?
   
   

I’ve shared some things to be funny, yet these are things to think about. Overall, I love Belize, and I cannot see myself living anywhere else. No matter what, there will always be things you don’t like about where you live.

I choose to be positive! When tasks drive me nuts, I pay other people to run the errands, so I don’t have to deal with certain things that I know will make my blood boil.

Life is what you make of it, and you have the power to be positive or negative.

So come visit us in one of the friendliest countries in the world, Belize! Spread the love and joy and bring your friends too.