The 2019 La Ruta Maya 2019 Belize River Challenge

With the 2019 La Ruta Maya River Challenge on the horizon, we thought it to be the best time to feature a few of our extraordinary riverside properties available at CPC.

The La Ruta Maya River Challenge is one of the longest canoe races in Central America and highlights one of Belize's main natural resources - the Rivers. The race brings together both professional and amateur athletes from all over to take on the grueling four-day challenge of paddling the 175 miles on the Belize River.

The race is divided into the following categories:

Male
Female
Mixed
Masters
Pleasure Craft
Family Adventure Race
Intramural
C2 (2 Persons)

The excitement kicks off on Friday, March 8th at the Hawksworth Bridge in San Ignacio Town and culminates on Monday, March 11th at the Belcan Bridge near the Civic Center in Belize City.

With this being the 21st year of the river challenge, the race continues to prove more successful each year!

Is Your Property in Belize Ready For Sale?

Thinking about selling your residential or commercial space? There are many factors that can make or break your sale. Our team at CPC has put together a few tips that can help along the way.

Timing is everything! Study the market, a consultation with a trusted real estate agent can mean the difference between dollar signs, or a property that isn’t poised to sell. Just as you had to take precautions when you purchased your home, condo, beach, or lagoon property, seasonal fluctuations could increase your profits, or give buyers a serious price break depending on when you choose to list.

Getting yourself and your property ready will help give you the best chance of selling your property quickly and for top dollar. It’s always good to know what the current market value of your property is so that you can get an idea of the price range in which your property should be selling.

Staging is key, as it is always a good idea to give buyers a “feel” for life inside the property, so depersonalizing and decluttering your property for show can really add to the aesthetics. Don’t be afraid to show those trying to figure whether to buy or build in Belize how they can be enjoying your space. This gives them a sense of ownership before the sale.

Tread lightly when it comes to making improvements to your property though; not all improvements add value. Focus on projects that will maximize the return on your investment. Sometimes something as simple as a fresh coat of paint or replacing an old garage door can keep your property within fair market value -- versus a massive undertaking like renovating an entire floor, or replacing outdated kitchen cabinets.

The professionals at CPC can help you find your perfect Belize property. Let us show you how to get the job done right the first time around.

Making the Sale with CPC

Receiving viable offers on your property can be an exciting thing, but it’s not always a good thing to accept the first or even the highest offer as soon as it is received. Taking a step back and reviewing all your options can get you to the best offer, rather than the highest one.

No matter the state of the real estate market, it’s always wise to analyze all the offers being presented to you. It’s not uncommon to receive a wave of offers on a property when it’s a seller’s market, but in a buyer’s market it is possible to get multiple offers on an appealing property.

Whatever the case may be, it’s always important to understand how to choose the best offer for you. Here are a few considerations before deciding on the best offer when selling your property:

1. Net Proceeds – this is how much money you keep in your pocket after meeting the terms of the sale. Other unexpected costs that may come up are:
   • Repairs
   • Closing costs
   • Down Payments


2. Loan Approval – Sometimes pre-qualified and pre-approved sounds like the same thing, but in financial terms, it’s not. Pre-qualified means that the prospective applicant will most likely qualify for a loan under the lender’s current program. While on the other hand, a pre-approved applicant will have already completed an application at the lending institution, provided them with income information, asset statements, etc. 


3. Escrow – this is essentially how much down payment is the buyer willing to make on the property to secure the sale.


4. Timeframe of Sale – Being able to close within a specific timeframe is key to wrapping up a sale and moving on.


5. Contingencies – Some buyers like to throw in all sorts of requests before closing a sale. While their monetary offer may seem fantastic, contingencies may mean you end up with little or nothing after the sale.

Choosing the best offer when selling a house doesn’t always come down to price. Sometimes it is worth accepting a few thousand dollars less from a buyer with no contingencies. There are many factors to consider when choosing the best offer on your property, at CPC, we know it can sometimes be a daunting task to sell your property. We understand exactly what it entails to lock in the right offer and our Team will ensure that all your requirements are met, that you are comfortable with the end result, and that you are kept well informed every step of the way.

Most Recent Listings:

1. Beautiful Tropical Home/Bed & Breakfast
2. Pre-Sale Condos South of Hopkins Belize
3. Perfect For Youth Hostel, Backpackers Delight In Corozal
4. Corozal - Caribbean Blue 2.27 Acre Sea Front
5. 5 Acres with A Million Dollar View & 2 Homes
6. Placencia Village Waterfront with Private Dock
7. 20 Acre Farmland with a Home in Cayo
8. Side by Side Caribbean Sea View Lots

House Hunting In Belize

BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT HOME NORTH OF MAYA BEACH PLACENCIA

$398,500 US Dollars

Casa Laguna Vista is a home with a view! This active and popular VRBO vacation rental home sits across the road from the Caribbean Sea on the shoes of the Placencia Lagoon. This modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom vacation home is a short walk from a white-sandy beach on the coast of Placencia. This home offers a splendid view of the Maya Mountains, the Placencia Lagoon, and the Caribbean Sea – you get the best of both worlds! Built in 2012, this home is part of the Plantation Development on the Placencia Peninsula.

The 1,276-square-foot house sits on a 76' X 165' X 82' X 134' property adorned with tropical trees. This property is fully-fenced so visitors enter through a gated entryway paved with stones. The home features vaulted ceilings with a wrap-around veranda that opens to a sprawling living room and kitchen. There is beautiful hardwood finishing’s throughout the home. A palapa covered boat dock complete with hammock sits at the rear of the property along the shore of the Lagoon.

Other amenities include a 4,000 gallon concrete cistern and a remotely monitored four-camera security system. Property taxes in this area is about $50.00 US.

MARKET WATCH

Belize is poised to become the next retirement haven in the Caribbean. With its Blue Hole listed as the 8th Wonder of the World, Belize is quickly moving to the top of list of premier vacation destinations – translating into one of the best places to retire.

In recent years, Belize has been known for its laid back lifestyle and tropical weather, but visitors have been noticing other excellent qualities about Belize – good standard of living, convenient and reasonably priced travel to and from popular International destinations, exceptional retirement program for those 45 years or older, no inheritance and capital gains taxes, fixed exchange rate, good education system, peaceful, friendly locals, breathtakingly beautiful scenery, and the list goes on.   

WHO BUYS IN BELIZE

The north and south primarily attract US and Canadian buyers looking to retire and make a permanent investment in home and business. Foreigners make up the vast majority of the buyers across the country with locals looking within the Belize, Belmopan and Cayo Districts – which are the business areas – to purchase and settle down.

BUYING FUNDAMENTALS

There are no restrictions on Foreign Nationals buying property in Belize, a Non-Belizean may purchase land and property in Belize with full title being granted shortly after.

Belize's property tax is considered to be one of the lowest of any of the Commonwealth countries. Foreign Nationals pay 8% of the selling consideration as a stamp duty or transfer tax to the Government of Belize. Registration and fees are very minimal and lawyer’s fees for legal services for conveying property are approximately 1-2% of the selling consideration. Each individual is entitled to seek their own personal legal counsel. Approximate total closing costs for a Foreign National is 9 - 10% of the selling consideration.

Find out more about Real Estate and Commercial Investment Opportunities here.

LANGUAGES AND CURRENCIES

Belize is a melting pot of cultures. English is the universal language, but the multi-racial make-up contributes to other spoken languages and dialects such as Creole, Spanish, Mayan, Chinese, Mennonite German, Lebanese, Arabic, Hindi, Garifuna and Q'eqchi'. 

The National currency of Belize is the Belize Dollar (BZ) which is fixed to the American dollar (US) at a rate of $2.00 BZ to $1.00 US dollar.

Why Not Belize?

Every winter baby dreams of spending the holidays in a warmer, more comfortable part of the world where they can sit back, relax, and enjoy without the hassle of five layers of clothing. A holiday where they can bask in the warm sun on a white, sandy beach that’s sprawling in front of them as soon as they step out the door. Seasons pass and seasons go, and this dream becomes more and more of a fantasy as ticket costs skyrocket and travel seems like just another chore on the list. Until…they Google “Belize” and stumble on some of the most magnificent images of a little piece of heaven and realize that getting here is easier, and cheaper than they thought!

Getting to Belize has never been easier or more affordable. These days, we’re seeing the lowest prices on international airfare than ever before. With the latest addition of direct flights from Canada via Air Canada, to the already long list of options to the major U.S. Cities via major airlines like Delta, Southwest, United, American, WestJet, Copa, Avianca, and the like, you are sure to find the most competitive rates when seeking out a trip to Belize. Travelocity shows roundtrip flights as low as USD $257 on partner airlines.

Life gets even sweeter after you’ve arrived, because whether you choose to roam via land or sea, both Tropic Air and San Pedro Belize Express offer rewards programs to customers who utilize their services. There’s so much to see and do all over the country. If you decide to take a relaxing stroll on the beach or tube through the caves in the rainforest, the possibilities are endless for the avid adventurer; and for the real estate seeker, these cheap flights make searching for the right property even better!

The Agents at CPC Real Estate will help to make your property search feel a lot more like a day at the beach. With a combined fifty years’ experience in the industry, and Agents who are rooted in communities all over the country, our Agents are able to negotiate on your behalf and ensure that you always get the best deal available. Check out our exclusive listings available in the most sought after areas in Belize. Listings range from beach lots, to resorts and development properties, to islands and cayes. Whatever your preference or the purpose of your getaway, make Belize your destination of choice this winter and fall in love with one of Mother Nature’s best kept secrets!

Corozal Belize Properties is now CPC

Caribbean Property Consultants (CPC) is pleased to announce that we are now operating in the Corozal District!

Karen Wilkinson, who owned and operated Corozal Belize Properties since 2008, has joined the CPC Team and will now be operating as an Agent for CPC while servicing the Corozal District.

With our combined knowledge and unsurpassed experience we are a powerhouse in the real estate industry. We are prepared to serve you in all six districts across the country of Belize. At CPC, we know that it's not always an easy task to find that perfect investment property and we understand exactly what it entails to lock in the right deal that will offer a high return on your investment. One thing's for sure - our Team will ensure that all your requirements are met, that you are comfortable with the end result, and that you are kept well informed every step of the way.

Read more about the Corozal District here and take a look at all our Corozal listings:

Spanish Style Casita in Consejo Shores

Casa Blanca, Consejo

Besado por la Brisa in Consejo Shores

11.5 Acre Farm in Corozal

Casa Del Los Arcos in Consejo Shores

Charming Caribbean Style Home in Consejo

Charming Home in Finca Solana, Corozal

Serenity Paradise Properties in Corozal District

Casa en La Bahia in Consejo Shores

Investment Property in Corozal Town

10 Acres in Beautiful San Joaquin, Corozal

Charming Property in Planned Community in Consejo Shores

Beautiful Waterfront Property in Consejo

Casa de Bahia Brisa, Consejo

1/4 Acre Lot in Progresso Heights, Corozal

Seaside Lot in Consejo

Jaguar Palms Acreage, Consejo

Charming Cottage in Corozal Town

Consejo Shores Investment

Consejo Investment Opportunity

Turn-Key Residence in Consejo Shores

Visit CPC Real Estate today and make your dream a reality!

WestJet Announces Increased Flights from Canada to Belize

As Tourism grows in the tiny nation of Belize, so does the demand for direct flights to highly trafficked destinations. On July 24, 2017, WestJet announced new non-stop weekly service between Calgary and Belize starting on November 3, 2017. The service is part of the airline's seasonal schedule for the winter of 2017-18 which includes more flights from Calgary to Vancouver, Toronto, Fort McMurray, Kelowna, Brandon, Grande Prairie, Kitchener, Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.

In a release from the WestJet Media Room, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development, Brian Znotins said, "WestJet will increase service from Calgary by 52 weekly flights this winter." He went on to state that, "as the carrier with more flights from Calgary International Airport than any other, we have designed our Calgary flight schedules to deliver 55 per cent more connecting itineraries which will help to launch new flights in future seasons and further expand our presence in YYC – a key driver in economic and employment growth in the city." 

Details of WestJet's new non-stop service between Calgary and Belize:

One-way fares are available starting from:

*Book by July 31, 2017 (11:59 p.m. MT). Some restrictions apply.  For full details please visit westjet.com/winter schedule.

A second option is available for persons wishing to visit the Toronto area:

One-way fares are available starting from:

"The considerable increase in frequencies out of YYC, combined with the introduction of WestJet's Calgary to Belize route is exciting news for Albertans," said Bob Sartor, President and CEO for The Calgary Airport Authority. "Enhancing the WestJet network out of their home base is a strategic investment to advance one of their largest hubs, and provide YYC passengers with more options to connect out of Calgary."

WestJet also announced the addition of dozens of new flights across Canada. The additional flights deliver optimized service for both the business and leisure traveller and give Canadians greater connectivity into and out of WestJet hubs in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto, providing more flight frequency between key routes, more convenient schedules and greater access from regional airports to Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Caribbean and the U.K.

"Bolstering our hub cities – the core of the WestJet network – is typical of the kind of difference we want to make for Canadian travellers," said Brian Znotins. "The addition of more than 125 flights into and out of Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto creates one-stop connections, faster travel times and better scheduling to address the demand Canadians have for travel that is convenient, stress-free and low cost."

This winter WestJet will operate an average of 700 daily flights to 93 destinations including 37 in Canada, 22 in the United States, 33 in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, and one in Europe.