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Belize signs BEPS multilateral instrument

The Government of Belize became the 86th country to sign the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting also referred to as the BEPS multilateral instrument.

This convention enables governments to “close the gaps in existing international rules that allow corporate profits to “disappear” or be artificially shifted to low or no tax environments, where companies have little or no economic activity,” reported one international media outlet.

The agreement has been hailed as the world’s leading instrument for updating bilateral tax treaties and reducing opportunities for tax avoidance by multinational enterprises. That is because it aims to prevent treaty abuse, improve dispute resolution, prevent the artificial avoidance of permanent establishment status and neutralize the effects of hybrid mismatch arrangements.

The convention exists alongside agreed tax treaties.

Source: Breaking Belize News

Kilone – Ganja 10 Anthem

Listen to local artist Kilone’s Ganja 10 Anthem here.

https://youtu.be/kyToFI7IgVY

 

Bryton Codd wins ACAC South Rookie of the Year 2018-2019

We would like to take this opportunity to send big congratulations to one of the founders of BK Volleyball Foundation Mr. Bryton Codd on winning the ACAC South Rookie of the Year Award. Bryton spearheaded a fast paced Briercrest attack to a playoff spot in the tougher South Division in the ACAC! He finished the season with a monster stat line of 352.5 points on 290 kills, 46 aces and 16.5 blocks.

While Bryton was just edged out for the All-ACAC Conference Team by Dax Whitehead from Lethbridge College (Bryton outperformed him significantly), he still considered the regular season of year one a success, stating that “I came to Canada with two goals in mind, 1) to become a much better player than I was when I got here and 2) to open doors for my fellow athletes and inspire them to reach their full athletic potential.” With a year of growth in Canada, Bryton should enter the conversation for best all-around player in Central America outside of the feared Andy Leonardo from Guatemala. In summing up the experience so far at Briercrest, Bryton explained that “the move to Canada has exposed him to higher level competition that has pushed him to work harder and smarter as a player to take on the challenges. Adjusting to the cold became the easy part once the playoffs were in sight, as we (Briercrest) made an enormous push down the stretch to get in during the final week.”

Bryton and Karym (pictured on the right hand side with Bryton) are set to take on the number 1 team from the North Division, Keyano College.

ENVIRONMENTAL NGO CONTINUES TO PURCHASE LAND WITH ENDANGERED WILDLIFE

This time, 20 acres filled with coral reefs located at a strategic point in the Carribeans.

TiME (This is My Earth) managed, for a third year in a row, to raise enough money in order to purchase land containing endangered wildlife and declare it as a nature reserve, and this time – a marine area containing corals with several endangered species.

The area bought is off the coasts of Belize, and home to some endangered species such as the Hawksbill sea turtle, the Leatherback sea turtle, the Atlantic goliath grouper, and many more sea animals and plants all marked as endangered.

“To this day we have had the chance to salvage land areas, but this time we had a chance to do it in the ocean,” Prof. Uri Shanas, founder of TiME, said. “The atoll (A ring-shaped reef, island, or chain of islands formed of coral) is beautiful and many entrepreneurs would be happy to develop or abuse, which would probably harm the wildlife that is already endangered.”

TiME has been founded three years ago by Prof. Shanas, from University of Haifa-Oranim, joined by Prof. Alon Tal from Tel Aviv University. TiME is an international democratic organization where anyone at any age can contribute anything, from a dollar onward. Every member of the organization receives a single annual vote, regardless of donation amount. Every year the members choose from three possible lands to buy, each containing endangered wildlife, and after purchased, the area becomes a locally managed nature reserve.

This year the organization will buy 20 acres of corals at the Turneffe Atoll, off the coasts of Belize. The area does not remain under the control of TiME, but is transferred to Turneffe Atoll Trust. The area purchased is in a strategic position, denying the ability to develop the area for tourism, creating a greater area that will be preserved.

“2.3% of Earth is considered “hot spots” that host countless of endangered flora and fauna, so every piece of land we purchase can make a tremendous contribution to the protection of many species,” Prof. Shanas conveyed. “We have proven for the third year in a row that this tactic, at first seen as naive, works and can change reality. Other than the countless of educational institutes that ‘adopted’ us, we managed to attract private companies and Israeli municipalities, which allows people to feel the satisfaction in taking part in saving the Earth.”

For more information on the organization, their activity and for contribution, visit the This is My Earth website at https://this-is-my-earth.org/.

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Best Real Estate Deals Right Now

When looking to invest in the Caribbean real estate market or looking for Belize real estate for sale, it’s always wise to seek out brokers in Belize that have your best interest at heart. At CPC, we work with some of the industry’s leading Real Estate Agents. Belize does not have an MLS system, so having our Agents located throughout the country with access to local information, within your neighbourhood of interest, gives us the ability to stay on top of current listings and gives you the upperhand when you’re looking to buy Belize property. We have real estate offices in the most sought after parts of Belize – Belize City, Corozal, Cayo, Hopkins, Sittee Point, Placencia and Punta Gorda  and this allows us to ensure that we’re always aware of all current real estate transactions, making sure you always get the best deals. Together, our experienced brokers and agents have over 125 years of experience working in the Belize real estate market and guarantee the best service in the Belize real estate industry.

Here are a few of our best deals hand-picked just for you!

  1. Executive Seafront Villa with Dock and Private Boat Ramp
  2. Home on 100 feet of Caribbean Sea Front
  3. Caribbean Sea View Home Hopkins
  4. Tree Top Villa in Cocoplum Development, Placencia Belize
  5. Caribbean Way Sea Front Lot for Sale
  6. Beach Front Bargain – Placencia Peninsula
  7. Side by Side Lots in Punta Gorda
  8. 2 Storey 4 Bedroom Concrete Home on 0.5 acre
  9. Eco Friendly Home in San Ignacio
  10. Copper Bank Home in Corozal
  11. Waterfront Lot in CocoPlum, Placencia Peninsula
  12. Best Priced Caribbean Ocean Front
  13. Placencia Village – Waterfront with Private dock
  14. Home In Consejo Shores
  15. Waterfront Home in Corozal
  16. Beautiful Tropical Home/Bed & Breakfast
  17. Gorgeous 3.12 acre property with big Cabin and all year creek
  18. Priced for quick sale: Acreage with Creek Access
  19. Beautiful Caribbean Sea Front Home on a Double Lot
  20. Caribbean Sea Front & Canal Commercial – Residential Lots
  21. Best Villa on the Caribbean Sea
  22. Be Your Own Boss in Paradise and Live Here Too!
  23. 33 Acre Farm With Business Opportunity

Buy Belize Real Estate

Belize real estate is steadily rising making any reasonably priced property purchase in Belize an excellent investment for the future. In Belize, foreigners enjoy the same buying rights as nationals, making it easy to purchase beachfront property.

All land purchases in Belize is subject to Government Stamp Transfer Tax which is approximately a little lower than 5% of the purchase price. There are no capital gains tax in Belize, so if you sell your property at a substantial profit all the profits will remain with you.

Condominiums are becoming an even more popular real estate option in Belize. There is a strata law in place in the laws of Belize that provides provisions for condo ownership similar to strata principles of first-world countries.

Tips to Help You Buy Belize Real Estate

Belize has a growing expat retirement community,mainly in its northern and southern districts. Most popular places for expat retirees are Consejo Shores, Corozal in the North and Hopkins Village and Placencia in the South.

Those looking for real estate in these communities can find luxury North American style homes for a high price tag, or buy land or even rent modestly-sized homes for a fraction of that cost for as little as US $300 per month.

Of course, like every other country, there are scam artists in Belize as well. Ensure that you always get help from licensed Belize real estate agents like those from the Belize Real Estate Brokerage and Belize lawyers like Marin Young and Courtenay Coye LLP. Feel free to take your time with- or walk away from any transaction that you feel unsure about.

Scams are not only done in the buying phase. Property managers can also be untrustworthy. You may leave them in charge of the maintenance and upkeep of your property, and upon your return find out that your money was used inappropriately. Always do your research on any one you do business with and try to get reviews or recommendations from people you know to make the process easier.

In order to conduct a legitimate real estate transaction in Belize, a title search needs to be done at the Government Land Registry office to ensure that the property you want to purchase is free from any liens and encumbrances.

To save on extra fees and charges when buying Belize real estate, you can always bypass using a real estate broker and go about searching for homes in the market on your own. Check the local newspapers and talk to the neighbors already living in your desired neighborhood to find out of any homes for sale in the area and get contacts to the current home owners. From there you can do the home tours and price negotiations yourself. You’ll still need the help of an attorney to do the title search and prepare the closing documents.

The ideal way of owning real estate in Belize is with a Free and Clear Title. This title can be issued for land and condos. Condos are purchased through a strata title.

Property in Belize can be mortgaged through a bank or credit union.

Most property prices are listed in US dollars.

The turn around time for purchasing real estate in Belize is normally between 30 to 90 days.

Belize Real Estate Financing

Belize has many offshore financial institutions, like International Corporate Services and Belize Corporate Services, that provide financing to foreigners in US dollars. These institutions provide a maximum of 60 to 80% of the total property price with interest rates of approximately 8 to 12%.

Although it may be cheaper to purchase property in Belize using your own money or with financing from a bank in your home country, there are advantages to getting a mortgage from a local bank. When you borrow for your property from a bank in Belize, these banks have in-house attorneys who conduct their own due diligence on the property before they approve the loan, so you can be sure that your transaction is genuine.

Another option is to purchase a home where the seller provides financing (owner financing). The owner financing conditions are normally flexible but they may require a high down payment and a short repayment period.

Belize Property Taxes

Belize real estate owners enjoy very low property taxes. These already low taxes get even lower in rural areas. For a mansion-sized home in rural villages in Northern Belize have property taxes lower than US $10 per year.

Where to Buy Belize Real Estate

The most important factor for determining how much property will cost remains the same in Belize as across the globe- location, location, location! Property closest to the urban city centers and along the coast will always be higher priced than properties inland in the more rural areas.

Real Estate prices are highest specifically in Ambergris Caye because of its prominent location just minutes away from the barrier reef and Belize City.

You can find more affordable properties that are still beach front in areas like Placencia or villages closer to the Sittee River in southern Belize.

Most expats find it easier to settle close to the northern and southern borders as it makes travelling to more developed countries like Mexico  and Guatemala much easier. These countries provide more modern amenities at a sometimes lower price that are commonly found in first world countries. Cayo, in the west, is also growing popular as an expat community. For properties in Cayo visit Hesed Realty Belize.

Foreclosures are a great way to find prime property at a very reasonable price. You can find these properties in the local newspapers or on the local banks’ websites.

Exploring Southern Belize

Belize is every vacationer’s dream and paradise to those that live here. It has a multitude of activities to please the most adventurous to the calmest visitors and all in between. The special thing about Belize is that these varying activities can often times be found very close to one another, often providing guests with a “best of both worlds” experience. Who wouldn’t want to call a place like this home?

A great place to get a “best of both worlds” experience would be in Southern Belize. There are many destinations and activities to enjoy in the South from the rich culture in villages like Hopkins or Placencia to tours of ancient Mayan ruins to off-the-beaten path experiences in the offshore cayes (islands).

Hopkins

Hopkins is a small Garifuna fishing village in the Dangriga district. Because Hopkins is still a rural village it is home to many Garifuna locals with very few businesses. This allows guests to enjoy the abundance of culture here. They can mix and mingle with the locals to get a feel of a more “simple” way of life. Visitors can sample delicious native dishes like the Hudut(mashed plantains) and Serre (a fish stew); as well as learn to play the Garifuna drums from the best drummers in the country.

The local lifestyle in Hopkins is the only “simple” thing about this village though, as its scenery is breath-taking with an abundance of wildlife always around. Because there aren’t many tourists always in the area, the beach remains pristine and hardly ever crowded. The Sarstoon River merges into the Caribbean Sea nearby which makes Hopkins an excellent spot to watch for manatees. Frigate birds also frequent this area.

Hopkins Belize

Attractions

  • Culture-rich village
  • Mingle with locals
  • Fishing
  • Garifuna Drum Lessons
  • Secluded beach
  • Manatee and Birdwatching

Placencia

Placencia is like Hopkins’ older sibling as it is larger in size, population and activities. With 16 miles of beautiful beachfront and crystal clear waters, Placencia is great for swimming, snorkeling, diving and fishing. Here, you can find many restaurants providing local and international cuisine. It is more of a tourist destination, so there are many different kinds of accommodations here ranging from the very affordable to luxury rooms and suites.

Because of its near proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and Cockscomb Basin, there are many tour operators in the village to take you on adventurous marine expeditions as well as inland rainforest tours.

Placencia Belize

Attractions

  • Fishing
  • Snorkeling
  • Diving
  • Swimming
  • Lots of Restuarants, bars and hotels
  • Guided tours to the Great Barrier Reef & Rainforest

Mayan Sites

There are many Maya Ruins nearby for visitors to explore. Some of the more popular ones are Nim Li Punit, Lubantun, and Uxbenka. Nim Li Punit is a relatively small site but has a lot of stele- a total of 26 were found at the site. Nim Li Punit got its name from a carving of a figure on one of the longest stele that wore an elaborate head-dress. In Maya Kekchi Nim Li Punit means “big hat”. At the visitor center, guests can see many artifacts on display of Mayan customs, dresses, food, dance and language.

Lubaantun is the largest Maya site in Southern Belize and is known for its unusual construction style as it is made of limestone blocks which are connected using no mortar to bind them together. Lubaantuun means “place of the fallen rocks” since some blocks began to tumble because they had nothing holding them in place. This site is believed to have been an administrative, religious, political and commercial center which was used for festivals, ball games and other sacred ceremonies.

Uxbenka, whose name means “ancient place”, is one of the oldest sites believed to have been built in the early classic period.  There were seven steles found here. This Maya site consists of one main plaza on top of a hill with smaller plazas lower down the slopes and at the base of the hill. Six structures surround the edges of the central plaza.

Lubaantun Belize Maya ruin

Attractions

  • Rich history
  • Bird Watching
  • Nature Trails
  • Hiking

Cayes

There are two main sets of cayes (islands) in Southern Belize – Snake Cayes and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. Snake Cayes are made up of four different cayes: West Snake caye, Middle Snake Caye, East Snake Caye and South Snake Caye.

This set of cayes got its name from the abundance of Boa Constrictors that once lived there. Now, East Snake Caye serves as a Lighthouse landmark guiding nearby boats, Middle Snake Caye is in a preservation zone and is known for its birdlife, West Snake Caye is the most popular for swimming and snorkeling, and South Snake Caye has no beach but is a great diving spot for local fishermen to catch lobster and troll for barracudas.

Sapodilla Cayes consist of 125sq. km. of 14 sand and mangrove cayes along the Southern tip of the Belize Barrier Reef. There is an abundance of fish in this area like Jacks, Spadefish, Angelfish, Parrotfish and Snappers. One of the islands with perhaps the most beautiful beach in Belize is Hunting Caye. This Caye is also a main nesting site for Turtles.

Other cayes in the marine reserve, like Lime Caye, Frank’s Caye and Nicholas Caye, entertain tourists with aquatic activities like kayaking, snorkeling and diving. They also provide accommodations onsite.

Lime Caye Belize

Attractions

  • Bird and manatee Watching
  • Turtle Watching
  • Fishing
  • Diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Kayaking
  • Boating

Don’t just take our word for it, come experience Belize for yourself!

Places that make your visit or move to Belize easier:

 

Thinking about Living in Belize? 4 Best Reasons for Moving to Belize

Ever wondered what it’s like to be living in Belize? Or are you considering moving to Belize yourself? Well this article will give some of the best reasons why more people are falling in love with this country!

Activities

Belize is a mecca for natural beauty and falls nowhere short of its dubbed title, “Mother Nature’s best kept secret”!  Inland is decorated with ancient Mayan ruins from North to South which is paralleled by the second largest barrier reef in the world that spans the entire coastline. There are a host of activities to choose from like bird-watching, cave tubing, zip lining, hiking, horseback riding, snorkeling, diving, fishing, hunting and much more. Places to see include the Belize Zoo (widely known as the “Best Little Zoo in The World”), San Pedro (popular tourist destination and main town on Belize’s largest island, Ambergris Caye), Caves Branch Outpost (nature reserve with the largest cave tubing system in Central America), and Mayan ruin sites like Altun Ha, Xunantunich and Caracol (there are many more each with their own historical background and unique physical structure).

People & Culture

Belize has a very diverse population. The main ethnic groups that originated in Belize are Creole, Maya, Mestizo and Garifuna. However over the years, many other nationalities settled here further diversifying the country.  These include Chinese, Taiwanese, Asians, Spanish, Americans, Germans, Canadians, Dutch and Europeans. Belizeans have a very welcoming, laid-back nature that is lost from many other parts of the world. They also enjoy the slower paced life taking time to appreciate the simpler things. In Belize you’ll always feel like you’re among friends.

Retirement Program

Belize offers a very inviting retirement program to retirees that want to move here from other countries. Some of these benefits include importing personal effects (which include a boat or vehicle) free of duties, exemption of all taxes on income received outside the US, and inclusion of dependents (spouse and children). The application process is fairly easy and there are many attorneys with expertise in this area who are willing to assist.

Proximity to the U.S.

Belize is very easily accessible from the United States. It is a mere two to two-and-a-half-hour flight away from several major airports in America. Belize is also neighbors with Mexico, sharing a border with the city of Chetumal in Quintana Roo. Although many who live here enjoy the simplicity of the lifestyle, it’s reassuring to know that the comforts (shopping malls, large department stores, entertainment complexes, etc.) you have grown up with are merely a couple inexpensive hours away.

Reasons this country is so beloved by immigrants and nationals alike are innumerable. Its characteristics are very unique to this country and living in Belize is incomparable to anywhere else in the world. From its scenic islands and Mayan mountains to the culture of its people, the charm of Belize will surely win you over.

Below are recommended sites of service providers that might come in handy when moving to Belize.

Recommended tour guides and companies:

Recommended Accommodations, Homes and Real Estate Agents:

Visit our Belize Directory for a list of more service providers in Belize.

WHAT BELIZE REAL ESTATE OPTION IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

House, condo or apartment?

One of the best places to live in the world is our Jewel, Belize! With her beautiful coastline of golden sandy beaches and intoxicating Maya mountain views inland, Belize is a feast for the scenic lover’s eyes. Belize is not only beautiful with its natural wonders but also with its people, who are very warm and friendly.

If you have already decided to make the move here, you’re next contemplation may be what type of home you want. The main residential options in Belize are owning a home or condo, or renting an apartment. If you’re not sure which will best suit you, below are some quick pros and cons of each to help make your Belize real estate selection easier.

Which is better - Belize house, condo or apartment?

House

One of the main benefits of owning a house in Belize is the ability to customize it as you please. You can either buy a pre-owned or newly built home to personalize as you please, or just as easily build your own customized home in Belize. There are very few regulations in Belize for building a new home or doing renovations.

Another great benefit to owning a home is just that- when you’ve paid off the mortgage, the home is absolutely yours. It comes at one cost (albeit, sometimes, huge) but once it is paid for, it is yours for life.

Lastly, a house is the most private option of the three as all houses in Belize are standalone, with most providing enough outdoor space for a yard or garden at least.

However, apart from these benefits come disadvantages also. Houses carry the most responsibility as any repairs or upkeep is the owner’s (your) responsibility; therefore requiring a bit more expense down the road to maintain.

Condo

Condominiums are popping up all over the country in recent years and are becoming very popular especially among expats or international visitors just looking for a vacation home. The most popular parts of the country that offer great condominiums are in Corozal, San Pedro, Hopkins and Placencia.

Condos come in a wide range of sizes from small one bed, one bath options to deluxe sizes with 3+ beds and baths. The size all depends on your needs. Similarly to a house, a main advantage to condos is that you are the owner. And unlikely to a house, condos are cheaper and often times come with property maintenance as an added convenience to owners. This means that grueling chores like mowing the lawn and cleaning the pool are all taken care of for you.

Most condominiums are in a gated property, making them very safe. Having neighbors close by also adds to the condo’s security and gives it a more social feel. Some condominiums even offer property management for those owners who only use their homes part-time and want to use it as an income property.

Some may see owning a condominium to be a drawback in itself as it’s a more “shared space” in comparison to a house. Condominiums are definitely not as private as having your own house since you’ll definitely have neighbors directly beside, below or on top of your condo.

Apartment

Apartments are the cheapest option among the three but are more suited toward temporary, short-term residents.

Aside from being cost-effective, apartments are great for those who are always on the go. Most repairs to the apartment or building are the responsibility of the landlord. Similarly to the condo, apartments are also the more social living option as you are guaranteed to have neighbors nearby all the time. Cost efficiency and low maintenance are the main reasons apartments are the sweetest deal to younger people seeking a first-time home or for those that are always on the go and don’t spend much time at home.

 

Get Help from Top Belize Real Estate Agents

If you need more advice or help finding the perfect home for you in Belize, here are some trusted brokers ready to assist you.

Getting your stuff to Belize is a breeze with Belize shipping and freight srevices by BTALCO. If you’re buying any real estate in Belize its best to get help from a Belize attorney to ensure all the necessary checks are done for the transaction to flow as smoothly as possible. Marin Balderamos Arthurs LLP or Estevan Perera are great options for real estate lawyers.

For those international buyers, there are international financing services available through companies like Belize Corporate Services. They specialize in setting up IBC’s, trusts and international foundations to secure your investments. They also provide Belize offshore banking services through their partners.

Of course, you’ll need somewhere to stay while looking for that dream home. If you’re interested in Southern Belize, make Coconut Row your home base while you house-hunt. They provide guests with comfortable accommodations in the heart of Hopkins, Belize.

Which option do you think is best in our Belizean society? Know of any homes to rent or buy? Let us know in the comments!

Belize Real Estate is the Best Investment

There are a multitude of reasons why real estate is an excellent investment. At Hesed Realty, we are passionate about delivering extraordinary services to our clients. By offering a wide range of real estate services, we ensure that our clients’ needs are met. From sales and rentals, to mortgage assistance, we have experts in every field to skilfully guide you from start to finish through your real estate transactions!

You can enjoy a generous ROI on Belize properties, you can even leverage your real estate investment to build your wealth. In case you need additional incentives to decide on investing in real estate, let’s consider more reasons to put your extra cash in property.

An investment in real estate means better returns and stability of your investment. A loss is drastically minimized by the length of time your property is on the market. With our over 20 years of experience in every aspect of the real estate field, and driven by market research and trends, we are the go-to source for everything real estate in Belize. With our wide array of property listing areas ranging from homes and commercial buildings to acreages and seafront properties, our Agents know the Belize market inside and out and will ensure a timely and seamless transaction to ensure that you get the most return on your investment.

A real estate investment provides high tangible asset value. Unlike an investment in a new car which will decrease in value over time, your property value will always increase in value. Real estate values tend to increase over time as history continues to prove that the longer you hold on to your property, the higher its value over time. An investment in real estate is not only a safe financial investment, but also an investment that can last a lifetime.

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