Belize Earns Two Top Spots for International Investment from CBS.com
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, September 26, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Ambergris Caye, a popular island for beach, sun and fun seekers, and Cayo, an inland community of small towns and farms amidst jungle reserves and Mayan ruins, made the ‘hot’ list, published by real estate expert Ilyce R. Glink, columnist, author, and host of "Expert Real Estate Tips," an Internet video show.
Glink advises interested investors to consider buying outside of the U.S. in markets which continue to develop because, “Finding a steal in the U.S. is probably not going to happen. Housing affordability is diminishing, and in some markets homes are even less affordable now than they were in the heyday of the housing bubble. So investors, retirees and adventurous buyers are looking internationally for options that offer a better bang for their buck.”
The allure of a tropical paradise including expansive views motivates the endorsements of Belize, the only country on the list where English is primarily spoken, creating more comfort in legal and financial dealings. Glink encourages investors to consider Ambergris Caye, “where your return on investment could be as nice as your coastal view,” for the following reasons:
“On Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize, there aren't many homes you wouldn't consider ‘beachfront.’ Its mild weather, tropical landscape and numerous recreational opportunities make it a highly sought-after destination for real estate investors and vacationers. Ambergris Caye has recovered from the global housing crisis, but has retained prices that are still less expensive than similar Caribbean locations. You could snag a two-bedroom beachfront condo for around $250,000 or a one-bedroom condo just off the beach for $150,000 or less.”
Even with its small size, Belize earned a double mention, with both island and inland recommendations:
“If the beach isn't your thing, consider buying property in the Cayo district of Belize. The mountainous area with lush jungles has condo prices that are usually half as expensive as the ones on Ambergris Caye: Two or three-bedroom houses can cost less than $100,000. Housing developments geared toward American retirees have also been popping up in the area, with homes starting at around $130,000. These feature amenities many people in the U.S. are looking for, like well-paved roads, underground utilities, air conditioning and high-speed internet.”
Belize earns Glink’s recommendation as, “a foreign market [which] is experiencing rapid growth, there's a greater likelihood that buyers will get a large return on their investment.” The list was created by Ms. Glink along with Live and Invest Overseas “to determine the best international property buys for 2014. In culling the list, the firm considered many factors, including market events, currency fluctuations and tourism.”
