Nicaragua

Nicaragua is a beautiful country in the heart of Central America enjoying year-round sunshine, outstanding sea-beaches, massive fresh-water lakes and towering volcanoes. It has a lower per capita income compared with its neighbors – Costa Rica, Panama or Belize, as well as lower cost real estate for sale. The country is successfully attracting foreigners looking to invest in property and start a life abroad where the cost of living is far cheaper than back home. The latter are attracted by a benefit laden residency retirement program that offers a wide range of tax incentives.  Most property in Nicaragua is available as fee simple title, insurable by major US title insurance companies including First American and Stewart. As Nicaragua has a relatively under developed mortgage market, most real estate transactions are conducted as cash purchases, although seller financing is on the rise.

The prime areas of interest for real estate investors looking to get into the market for Nicaragua real estate are along the south west coastline between Costa Rica and El Transito and around the town of San Juan del Sur.  Here the geography is very similar to that found in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, now home to world class real estate communities and hospitality brands.  Away from the Pacific, another upcoming area for those interested in historic property and Spanish colonial architecture is the charming town of Granada.

Belize

Belize real estate is another enticing option in Central America for real estate investors and tourists alike. It is the only English speaking country in Central America and the smallest in the region, with a size similar to the state of Massachusetts State in the US. Called “Mother Natures Best Kept Secret” in travel circles, Belize is a paradise for nature lovers who travel to the country to enjoy huge rain forests, rivers, caves. Those looking for a touch of history find it in its ancient Mayan pyramids and ruins. Belize is also known for being a tax friendly country with a rapidly growing infrastructure for owning a vacation or retirement home.

Key purchasing destinations for real estate include Placencia peninsula on the mainland and Ambergris Caye, a beautiful island a few minutes flight from Belize City.  While Ambergris Caye still attracts most interest, Placenica is catching up fast – especially with the main road that winds its way along the peninsula now being fully paved and a new international airport under construction.

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Belize is one of the greatest, relatively undiscovered locations to buy a piece of beachfront property. The property is plentiful and affordable, the coastline long and tropical and the legal system encourages foreign investment. It is a wonder why this country has stayed such a well-hidden secret for so long. If you still aren’t convinced about buying Belize property, here are eight great reasons that you should. Once your ready to take the next step, start by looking at a few different sites online to determine what’s for sale and what areas you think would be the best for a new home for you.

Reason #1: Miles of Tropical Coastline

Belize is a tiny country, it only has a population of about 300,000 total people but it is located on a pristine stretch of Caribbean coastline. There are over two hundred and forty miles of tropical coastline in Belize, making plenty of beachfront properties available in the second tiniest Latin American country.

#2: The World’s Second Longest Barrier Reef

The 175 mile long barrier reef that lies off the coast of Belize is the second longest in the world, second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The corals and abundant marine life on the reef makes the coast of Belize one of the best, if not the best, place in North America for diving and snorkeling.

#3: The National Language is English

Unique among Latin American countries, which were all either settled by Spain or Portugal, Belize was settled by the English. It was actually known as British Honduras until the 1960s and received its independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. It’s long history with England has left many things in Belize that expats from the U.S. or U.K. will love, including the ability to converse and fit in better with locals who speak your own language.

San Pedro, Belize

#4: Currency Stability

Currently, the Belize dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar at two Belize Dollars to one US Dollar and US currency is frequently accepted across the country. Barring an Argentine-style de-pegging, there are no tricky conversions involved and your money will be easily exchangeable from one currency to the next. You can worry much less about dramatic currency adjustments if you’re from the U.S. as well because the two currencies float together.

#5: Taxes

The tax system that is in place in Belize is one of the most friendly to foreigners of all governments in Latin America and possibly the world. Belize places no taxes on foreign income and doesn’t have capital gains taxes, corporate taxes, or inheritance taxes. In fact, if you are moving to Belize, you can take many of your goods to the country tax-free as well. You worked hard for your money, why should you allow someone else to take a cut just for living in a certain area?

#6: Political Stability

Belize’s political system is remarkably stable compared to most other Latin American countries. There is no history of military coups or violent government overthrows. The system is also modeled after the British common law system that the U.S. political system is also loosely based on. The government also has a strong tradition of protecting property rights as well, making your investment all the more safe.

#7: Affordability

Belize is one of the most affordable places to own beach front property in the world. Unlike in other countries like Costa Rica, where property values have shot up and upper scale gated communities are the rage, Belize has remained relatively undiscovered. While it isn’t quite as cheap as Nicaragua real estate, it still offers a great value.  When compared with other Caribbean countries like Bermuda, you can expect to pay about one-eighth the price for land.

#8: Verdant Forests and Mountains

If you are going to be in a country for a long time, odds are that you don’t just want to be laying around on the beach all day. Luckily for you, Belize is not just about the coastline. There is a large interior area to explore filled with unspoiled mountains and tropical forests filled with wildlife.

If you’re looking for an affordable beachfront home in an exotic, beautiful locale, you would be hard pressed to find somewhere much better than Belize. The language, currency, and tax laws make the move incredibly easy, Belize property is cheap compared to other places in the U.S. and Caribbean and you have access to numerous different water sports and eco tourism activities. If all this sounds interesting, start researching some options for real estate today.

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