Buyers Information

What you need to know about Buying Real Estate on Caye Caulker

As with other areas of the country, Caye Caulker properties are easy to research, acquire and hold.  In fact, the way in which you hold land in Belize is very similar to North America and the UK.  This is a direct result of the British influence in the early days of Belize.  As you might know, Belize was once known as British Honduras, a British colony that adopted many of the laws and traditions of England.

Most property on Caye Caulker is held by way of an official document called a ‘Conveyance’.  This document is registered with the Lands and Surveys Department in Belmopan, the capital of Belize.  There are a few caye properties held by way of a different document called a Transfer Certificate of Title, but it’s unlikely that you’ll run into this.  The other document that you might see is a Land Certificate, but once again, not very common on Caye Caulker at this time.

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Checklist For Working With Real Estate Agents in Belize

1. Is the person you’re working with a bona-fide Agent? Does he/she have their own listings and marketing?  Or is he/she primarily a taxi driver or tour guide? This is not uncommon… Don’t be surprised if you are approached by someone on the street asking if you would like to buy a piece of land.  Do they actually own the land?  Do they have title to the property in their name? If someone is acting as an Agent, selling properties that belong to other people, is this a person of upstanding character?  Do they advertise listings, have an office, or even have a business card?  Sometimes, someone who calls themselves an Agent, will show you one piece of property but the transfer papers will show a different lot being sold. Remember, there are no licenses or credentials required in Belize to call yourself a Real Estate Agent.

2. What experience and education does the Agent have? Does he/she have any formal training or University degrees for real estate work including assessing market values, proper land transfer procedures, ethical & legal obligations? What actual experience does the Agent have in selling real estate in Belize?  Do they have experience in any other, more highly regulated real estate markets?  Do they ‘list’ properties for sale but ‘sell’ very few?

3. What real estate associations is the Agent a member of? Membership in a Eeal Estate Association almost always includes signing a Pledge of Ethical & Professional Behavior, something of prime importance to both Buyers and Sellers. Why would an Agent NOT be a member of at least one Belize Real Estate Association?

4. How many listings does the Agent have? If the Agent has many listings, and those listing are their own (as opposed to another Agents listings), then that Agent should have signed Listing Agreements with each of the Sellers for all the properties that they are selling.  This means the Agent is actually authorized by the Seller to market the property.  It also means that the Agent has full knowledge of the properties, something necessary to answer your questions. Listing Agreements and arrangements are different here in Belize and Agents don’t usually sell properties listed by other Agents.  We do, but this is unusual…

5. Is the Agent able to clearly communicate with you, answering questions about properties for sale, the buying process, building, living in Belize and moving here?  Are phone calls and emails returned in a timely manner?  Does their marketing of properties accurately showcase what is for sale?  Is their website easy to navigate and does it provide relevant information?

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What does Caye Caulker Properties For Sale have to offer?

The Agents at CCPFS are bona-fide, professional Real Estate Agents.

- Barry has a Real Estate Degree at the University of British Columbia and was a RE/MAX Agent in Canada before moving to Belize. In addition, he studied Engineering at the University of Manitoba. He has 25 years of sales and management experience including alternative energy system design and sales as well as real estate. He is proficient with PC and Mac computers, website design and SEO, database management and email marketing. At CCPFS he works with our Sellers and Listing Agreements, Purchase & Sales Contracts with Buyers and website management.

- Cindy is also a graduate of the University of British Columbia with a Real Estate Degree as well as having attended the Nipissing University for a BA and Conestogo College studying Accounting. She has 15 years experience in banking, helping clients with personal and commercial loans and mortgages. At CCPFS she is a communication specialist and handles inquiries from our Buyers through the numerous marketing arms that we have established.

Caye Caulker Properties For Sale is a Member in Good Standing with AREBB, the Association of Real Estate Brokers of Belize.

Every listing on their websites is currently available and up-to-date. Every listing has it’s associated Listing Agreement, signed by the actual Owner of the property.  They keep a copy of the Sellers land papers on file to verify ownership.  They have personally visited ALL the properties that they have listed (with the exception of two) and have personal knowledge of all aspects of the properties.

They pride themselves on the presentation of their listings, on communications with their Buyers and their Sellers and their ability to sell properties. They take their work very seriously, it’s a full time career for both of them.  They live on Caye Caulker year round and are here to serve you whatever season you choose to come visit us.

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Five Things To Consider When Purchasing Property On Caye Caulker…

1)  Have you considered how you will purchase your home or property on Caye Caulker?
- As a foreigner, you can’t just walk into a local Belize bank and ask for a mortgage to buy a home or property.
- In most cases, you will need to pay cash to purchase a property on Caye Caulker.
- If you don’t have cash in the bank, you may be able to get a Home Equity from your local bank in your home country.  Lending criteria changes over time, so talk to a lender at your bank NOW, before you proceed further.
- Note:  some Sellers are willing to offer financing, generally the terms will be:
-  25% – 60% down payment
-  6 – 9% interest
-  repayment over 3 – 15 years (mostly 3 to 5 years), sometimes with a balloon payment at the end of the term
-  check our Owner Financing page for more details

Have You Considered?
Q:  Have you figured out where the money will come from for your Caye Caulker Real Estate purchase?

2)    Have you done research on Caye Caulker?  Is Caye Caulker the kind of place you would like to own property?
- Caye Caulker is a beautiful, small, tropical island in the Caribbean located off the coast of mainland Belize.
- We don’t have mountains here, or river properties, or huge tracts of land for farming or agricultural use.
- Check the Useful Links page on our website to get you started.
- Try doing a ‘Google Search’ for Caye Caulker.

Have You Considered?
Q:  Have you done research on Caye Caulker to determine if it’s the kind of place you would like to live, work, retire or invest?

3)    Have you visited Caye Caulker or Belize?  If not, when can you plan a visit?
- Because island life is not for everyone, it is important for you to come and visit Caye Caulker to see what services and infrastructure are available here.

Have You Considered?
Q:  Have you been to Caye Caulker before and when can you come and visit?

4)    What is the price range of properties that you will consider for your purchase on Caye Caulker?
- In order for us to help you find what you are looking for it is important for you to know what you can afford.

Have You Considered?
Q:  What is your price range?

5)    What exactly are you looking for?  The more specific you can be, the easier it will be for us to help find just what you are looking for.

Have You Considered?
Q:  Are you looking for a vacation home?  Or do you want to retire here?
Q:  Would you consider purchasing land and building here?
Q:  Are you looking for a commercial investment?  Hotel?  Guest House?  Restaurant? Bar?
…….- Maybe a commercial property with tenants?  Property with vacation rentals?
Q: Are you willing to purchase a home or property “off grid” (with solar or wind power and rain catchment or well)?
Q: Would you consider purchasing a property that is currently boat access only?

Thank you so much for taking the time!  We look forward to working with you.