Does anyone find it strange that we now have over 30 realtors on the island with half of them selling pie in the sky houses/condos to be built in areas that may never get electricity-go to www.atlasinternational.com for example- when asked a realtor told me it is his job to sell and receive the commissions it is not his job to figure out if the property is going to be built/whether the developers actually own the land/whether planning has given their approval.
we have a few saying they have been here and making govt contacts for the past few years when they have been here for less than 6 months.
I would be very wary from buying anything from anyone unless they have been here a minimum of 5 years.

So what are you selling?
Be careful as you already have 1 foot in your mouth.

I am selling booze,pizza,rooms(on property that I own)-what are you selling?

Thanks for the 'Public Service Announcement'

You asked me what I sell and I replied
answer my question What are you selling or is it a secret?

I be right over and explain it to you.
right now as they say

AREBB and BNAR are working hard to get some real estate legislation in place so that the "fly by night" crowd will bypass Belize. Unfortunately, as long as the real Estate Bill is still being worked on we are all potential victims of groups of "realtors" purporting to have been here for years, that use unethical tactics, out and out lies, presenting pie-in-sky investment opportunities as if they are factual and basically telling a buyer what they think the buyer wants to hear - fully ignoring the facts and truths.

Absolutely, Buyer beware. Be diligent. Utilize the services of a company that has a long term, solid reputation in Belize.

There are decent investment opportunities in Belize that can be explored, but most certainly there are some risks involved. Some projects and plans are riskier than others.

As the old adage states -Usually "if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is."

We found that there are great properties, great ownership groups, great investment opportunites, and beautiful areas ready to be explored and enjoyed. But like any fast growing area, there are PLENTY of areas and people who you will want to avoid. We found the place of our dreams, just come on down and spend some time here to find your own piece of paradise. Shortcuts in that process can be costly.

Bob

belizeonthebeach-do you not like answering questions-you state you are a developer -what are you developing-you say you will be right over(that surely cannot be construed as a threat) -would you like to make an appointment-then I can guarantee I will be here-I have no idea who you are but you seem to be incredibly defensive of your profession-ps I have bought properties from 6 realtors on the island-how many have you bought from?

I too find it a little unusual that someone whose profile is a “design/builder” doesn’t take the opportunity to inform us of their commercial interests as do most other people on the board in business when they have the chance. Kind of like handed a business card when meeting someone in person.

And Pedro, just when I find an isolated reason to compliment you on your language skills, you make a statement on the other topic “everything I do impresses you” when the accurate statement would be “everything I do makes an impression”.

Also, I seldom - if ever - give my opinion on this board about recommending the likes of fishing guides or restaurants as those tend to be subjective based on personal preferences and if one has the unfortunate experience of not being satisfied they are not out much - a not too costly a lesson. Much different with real estate agents.
Two that participate on this board that I have no reservations about personally recommending are - Sunrise and Pelican. There are others that I know personally that are also reputable, and I hope they will forgive me for not mentioning them, but I mention these two because of their frequent contributions to discussions on this board.

I am sure it would be informative and valuable information if others that have used real estate agents would comment.

The People on vacation are just that ...vacated ! and they become easy targets for fraud and con. What most of the people that live here want is for tourist/visitors to be comfortable and safe. So naturally we have some big attitudes about the number of foreign real estate sellers that show up to abuse them it hurts the whole reputation of Belize.
Its an unregulated market and needs legislation to control it desperately.

What a cunundrum, the GOB controlling.

Bywarren-What I hope Elbert means is that the regulations would be (I have my suspicions that I could be incorrect here)

1. Realtors check the land titles and guarantee true and clean title.

2. Realtors cannot sell condos or houses that do not have planning permission.

3. Realtors must have an escrow account that cannot be used as their private piggy bank (a lot of escrow accounts are their own personal accounts)

4.Gov't just needs to pass these laws and collect their property and sales taxes.

5.Realtors should be held accountable for the claims on their web sites -if they make false claims as some do (especially the ones who employ people who say they have been here for years and have been here that many months)-should be penalised in some way.

6. Realtors should employ local people not all foreigners.

7. pre construction contracts should have a start and finish date and all parties should be subject to penalties if contract adhered to i.e. Builder starts and completes/realtor checks that all is going ok (not for extra money but as part of his/her commissions,a sort of free service) purchaser has to pay monies on time-all governed by force major-all pre construction should be insured with a local re-insurer

Just my thoughts

I had to look that up warren thanks , 'my word of the day'
your right its a new and developing country that has a lot of problems enforcing the laws it has, and needs to make more still.

Peter,
7. make them have to have a licenses.

It is amazing that pedro is right on the money with his post..As the island has flourished ..The quick get rich con men have Appeared in droves..I have been coming here once a moth or so for over five yers but have seen the land sharks ariving each day ..I have had only one real Estate tranaction and it was great and went smooth as I dealt with chris at pelican properties a class act ..But there are a few other good ones here !!If you can ask me how I Am so sure of my statements it is becauce I went to the school of hard knocks!!! I think I have lots of street sense .!!! I know why this is happening the island is full of good people tring to buy a piece of Paradise to live the dream ....I personaly would not deal with any one ,not here at least five years with lots of happy clients ..And never some fast talking flim ,flam ,person with no track record... Buyer beware and never with out a good Attorney both in the states and one in belize.. This is just my, not so humble opinion!!!!!!

"enforcing the laws it has, and needs to make more still."
That is an oxymoron. There is another one for you Elbert referring to the locution you pointed out.

You can now go for a hat trick today.

capt. US att.'s are as useless as [#%!] on a boar in Belize.

oops the auto sensor picked up my locution

One that I can recommed that is also a participant on this board is Tim Callanan from Invest In Belize.

Elbert while they can not help you in belize yes ,You need a good belize Attorney they can give you sound advice/read your contact etc..And can speak to your belize Attorney and ask good questions to help you sleep at night..!!!! I have made big bucks and lost big bucks better to make big bucks than the latter it feels better....

There are some very pretty villas on that website (Atlas). Too bad none of them exist. Jabiru Shores exists but its real name is Pelican Reef. Why would they rename it? I wonder if Pelican Reef knows this?

I agree with Capt Jeff make sure the juice is worth the squeeze when ever possible.

Interesting Atlas has just changed its web site

One other point is that you hear various realtors saying there will be a new town up north(one realtor actually owes me a 100usd bet and he refuses to pay)-at least two golf courses-international airports -they should back up what they say in writing and if it does not come to pass pay the people who bought properties from them at least their high commission.

A/C is very much a Buyer Beware Market.

I have owned property on A/C for a while now (but am not livening here full time). I am periodically approached (back home) by people who have purchases on A/C, and want to compare experiences.

The vast majority do not have happy tales to tell.
They feel that they have been swindled (at worst), Misled (at best).

It's easy to see (by the turn-over rate) that the majority of buyers are not overjoyed with their real estate purchase.

There is little (or NO) incentive for Realtors to adopt a more forthcoming approach, since they make money on the initial Purchase, and when the buyer is dissatisfied, they make money from the Re-Sale of the property.
(If there was "real" land or property to begin with - rather than just a blue print and a promise)

Although this may be good for Realtor profits, It's terrible for the remaining businesses.
The bad taste does not fade quickly.

The reputable Realtors know this.

Regulation is a good first step.
but is only as good as the enforcement.

I also think this board helps people.
I have noticed more open & honest discussions.
When I first started lurking (years ago) - people seemed more censored.
- I thought everyone on A/C Farted Rainbows!

Honest business dealings and realistic expectations makes for Happy and RETURNING visitors to A/C.

.... and they tell two friends.... and so on .... and so on....

" I thought everyone on A/C Farted Rainbows! "

Its true, We Do!!!

I'm glad to hear that everyone farts rainbows on AC. While I was there, I did it and had a full GI workup when I got home! When I come back, I'll know that it's not the Rum Punch or the Skittles. Whew!

I bought realty on AC once, from a realtor who has been acknowledged here as "one of the good ones". The transaction went very smoothly, even though there was lots of scope for problems, and the realtor concerned didn't make much on the deal - yet still provided a full professional service. As with so many things, be careful who you buy from or through and you're over halfway there. I have heard nightmare stories from people who chose their realtor or principal unwisely.