Real estate investing in Belize

1. Work out what market is right for you and focus there. In this respect there is little difference with property investment anywhere. A bigger gamble can reap larger profits but here your gamble might mean buying off the beaten track with few amenities.If other speculators catch up with you then your investment will accumulate.

2. Don't believe the hype. In most developed countries what you read is, by law, what you get. In Belize you need to find advisers you can trust and don't be fooled by anybody's spin. There is no comeback if you're taken in by the hype and exaggeration. Buyer beware. Triangulate your information from as many sources as you can.

3. Understand the link between tourism and real estate. You want a good investment - then check out where tourism is growing because real estate dollars will follow close behind. Have a look at this article on the link between tourism and real estate in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

4. Choose a good attorney. Gain an understanding of the local expertise. Some real estate developers will try and persuade you to use their team for property purchasing. Our advice? Get independent legal advice - at least to review the contract.

5.Make title insurance non negotiable. It might be bureaucratic and cumbersome but we recommend taking out title insurance for all property purchases. Seeking it will also ensure that you attorney digs a little deeper into the title history of your property and follows a set of criteria for its reporting.

6. Don't assume you can finance your purchase. You might find it very hard to get competitive rates.

7. Give something back. You are buying into a community. At every level it is in your interest to give back and to help that community prosper. What you give is up to you: employment, your time or resources. It's also a great way to make friends and to be accepted.