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Real Estate Agent Guidelines or Certifications in Belize

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achoyt
  11/30/2014 13:18 EST

I am needing to know if Belize has guidelines or their own certification licensing laws to be an agent to rent and sell property. Or, do they accept US Certification/License in Belize.

inplub
  12/1/2014 09:12 EST

I believe there are NO licensing laws in Belize and anybody can be a agent.

bobbyveee
  12/2/2014 11:04 EST

Are you asking because you want to go into property management or real estate in Belize ?

achoyt
  12/3/2014 09:34 EST

Yes, I am an experienced Mortgage Banker and just finished schooling for Real Estate Certification.
I would like to move there and work as an agent. However, I need to know if Belize has special requirements. If so, where do I go on-line to find out exactly what I would need to do to satisfy their requirements.

HappyMoon
  12/3/2014 09:52 EST

Look up Hugo Moguel in Belize at Visa real estate on google and you will see his Linkedin profile etc. Hugo Moguel's Overview. Current. President at AREBB - Association of Real Estate Brokers of Belize; Broker and Owner at VISTA Real Estate. He's a great guy and I am sure he would help you.

achoyt
  12/3/2014 10:04 EST

Happy Moon, Thank you very much for your advice. I will do that - wish me luck. I am ready to get out of the US because of our Gov't. The US is simply not the US anymore. I've always wanted to retire to the beach anyway. Thanks again.

HappyMoon
  12/3/2014 10:07 EST

Also, http://www.arebb.com/members-directory?district=Belize

bobbyveee
  12/3/2014 12:29 EST

Hi Achoyt. The IRS will still follow you and tax you , all foreign banks have to send your banking details back to them for tax purposes. Thats why many are giving up US citizenship. Belize isnt cheap and newcomers will find in hard, bring plenty of cash.

inplub
  12/3/2014 19:28 EST

" I need to know if Belize has special requirements"

I could tell you, but I would be kicked out or lock up. LOL

johndeverteuil
  12/9/2014 00:49 EST

Follow "Happy Moon's" advice. Hugo is by far the best source and as stated a great person. He will be more than happy to help. He probably understands Belize real Estate better than anybody.

bobbyveee
  12/9/2014 10:50 EST

Unless your going to join an established Realestate Co. who is known and respected, I would have thought setting up another realestate Co. would be disasterous. IMHO

inplub
  12/9/2014 19:20 EST

We could do with a few more new (Real) Realestate Co here in San Pedro.

achoyt
  12/24/2014 10:36 EST

I am trying to find out what are the laws in Belize to be a real estate agent.

bobbyveee
  12/24/2014 11:54 EST

Enough money to start your own Co. Only requirement. It depends where your going to set up shop. But you'll be dealing mainly with expats both buying and selling.

inplub
  12/24/2014 12:02 EST

There are NO LAWS. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can do it. All you will need is money, money and more money and by the way a Work Permit. Which could take 3 months or longer.

achoyt
  12/24/2014 14:33 EST

Hi Inplub,
The reason I asked about licensing is, as you well know, you have to get a license in the States. I just finished all of the classes to take the exam. Now, I'll get fined to death to just get the license.
Besides this, I have 30 yrs experience in Real Estate Finance. However of course, not for island purchases. A banking job would be great also.
I just don't know what banks are there, etc.
You've been a great help.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

bobbyveee
  12/24/2014 14:47 EST

Only a few banks, they only employ locals. Real estate in Belize is not for beginners, its tough and you need contacts, theres a saying , "if you want to make a $million , bring two million here. I know many real estate owners, they've been here a long time and know everybody and every thing. Belize is a small market and not straight forward, in truth id look at other options outside Belize. IMHO

inplub
  12/24/2014 18:09 EST

Merry Christmas to you and family, got out of bed the wrong side.

It would be a great help to everybody if they came here for a few weeks to look, listen and take notes.

Belize has law for most things just like everybody else, but when the come to enforce them it is very different.

I came first in 1981 and later came back a few times before making the jump with my family in 2003.

I came to check out the people, banks, shops and most of all schools, my brother has been on the mainland for 25/30 years. We live and run a small restaurant .

If you or anybody is thinking of coming to Belize and can not afford a trip before hand it will be very very difficult to live here for a few months to get all the paperwork in order.

Happy New Year.

achoyt
  12/24/2014 18:49 EST

Trust me I would definitely not make the LEAP without, not only having my homework done, but checking out the area's that I may want to live, etc.
Is there an annual fee to be an EXPAT? If you don't mind, give me details of costs other than housing, etc. Gov't Costs. What are you experiencing. And if it would be different than I, give me that info also. My direct email is [email protected].
I would definitely not come there empty handed. I am a serious conservative so I need to know all costs before ever even dream of the jump to Belize or anywhere.
Please realize I truly appreciate all & everything little thing you can tell me and any contacts you can provide.
I would probably come as a tourist and then go to the Belize Gov't for an extended stay and Work Permit. I would do this prior to moving. Once I got permit, I would make the move after checking housing costs, etc.
Please anything you can think of that may help me to understand all costs (gov't & gov't laws), I extremely appreciate.
I also need to know what banks that are Int'l are there? Bank of America, Chase, anybody? I may have SSDI coming in and I believe I will need one of those type banks.
If anyone knows that this is not so, please let me know this also.
As you all can see, I have a million questions.

Again Thank You and Happy New Year! :)
Alyson Hoyt
[email protected]

bobbyveee
  12/25/2014 08:39 EST

Merry Christmas to you.
My wife is from the Houston area and in a Brit. You can stay in Belize as long as you like, after 30 days you go to immigration office with your passport and get another 30 days $25usd after 6 months it raises to $50usa. No US banks. Atlanta bank probably the best and you can transfer monies from US to a Belize bank. We had a US and USB dollar accounts.There are certain expat hot spots for buying and selling on the mainland , most expats buying on the Cayes. A good realtor to look at is Sunrise realty in San Pedro. Amanda Symes is the owner, she's British, but has US realtors working for her. Hope this helps.

achoyt
  12/26/2014 15:07 EST

Thank you Bobbyveee:)
I was sent a email by a realtor that told me that there is a lot of crime, etc there in Belize.
Also stated that most or all realtors are not hiring more agents.
Is the crime and government so bad as explained to me?
I would definitely be visiting more than once prior to deciding to settle but a visit never shows the real story not until you are living there do you realize the true story.
Happy New Year!

achoyt
  12/26/2014 15:07 EST

Thank you Bobbyveee:)
I was sent a email by a realtor that told me that there is a lot of crime, etc there in Belize.
Also stated that most or all realtors are not hiring more agents.
Is the crime and government so bad as explained to me?
I would definitely be visiting more than once prior to deciding to settle but a visit never shows the real story not until you are living there do you realize the true story.
Happy New Year!

inplub
  12/27/2014 12:29 EST

Tell us the Realtor and we may tell you the truth.

John

Happy New Year.

bartlisa
  7/12/2018 13:50 EST

I saw your post from 2014 and am wondering how your life in Belize is going?

Belizeboy
  7/13/2018 09:34 EST

Google Department of Labour: Belmopan, Belize.
Request info / guidelines for becoming a realtor here in Belize.
Lots of hoops to jump thru, and usually takes 3-6 months.
Need police record, fingerprints, join the Association of Real Estate Brokers, letter from real estate office you will work at and copy of their Letter if incorporation ( unless you are opening a new office, which requires business license here). In some cases you will need a letter from the “ Village Council”.
Most Real Estate offices are takin* new agents, at least on the Placencia Peninsula, and surly San Pedro. You would do well to come down to area you are moving tonand actually interview them yourself, not listen to people who don’t even live here.
Yes, there is crime, but where isn’t there? Per capital not so bad,
It’s not like Real Estate in the states or Canada, because your business comes from there for the most part, not locals.
Good luck, and if you have any specific questions, IM me.

5allan1
  7/13/2018 10:06 EST

“Yes, there is crime, but where isn’t there? Per capital not so bad, “
Really?
This fallacious arguement gets old
1. The crime resolution rate in Belize is under 8% . Its 75% in Canada and USA
2. The stats for 2016 place Belize among the most dangerous places globally at 39/100k
By comparison Mexico is 20 and Nicaragua 9 demonstrating a non linear correlation with poverty
So get real
(the deaths are not just Belize City south anymore)

Kenubelizeit
  7/13/2018 11:34 EST

The chances of an expat doctor being kidnapped and sold for Organ harvesting in Mexico is higher than in Belize isn't it?

Kenubelizeit
  7/13/2018 11:35 EST

The chances of an expat doctor being kidnapped and sold for Organ harvesting in Mexico is higher than in Belize isn't it?

hrlee7804
  7/13/2018 12:13 EST

Organ harvesting the Dr.s brain might be in high demand. They might like one that speaks with facts, experience and education. The emotional brains probably not in such high demand probably. A few here can walk safely.

bobbyveee
  7/13/2018 14:24 EST

Oh Geez, that reminds of the punch of a long joke about buying brains, by far the most expensive is a politicians brain, because its hardly been used !!

terrific
  7/13/2018 20:17 EST

Allan most people on this forum are highly unlikely to be gang members, anywhere in Belize. the number of murders or violent crimes of people with no gang or drug connections is actually very low Without any of those links, to try to put it in perspective your chances of being killed in Belize are probably not a lot different Possibly even lower than in any large American city. One big difference being when an 'Expat' is Murdered or attacked in Belize it is Very BIG news but when an 'Immigrant' is Murdered or attacked in a big American city it hardly makes a ripple.

Conmurphy
  7/13/2018 20:20 EST

Very well said Terrific

bobbyveee
  7/13/2018 23:56 EST

The big difference is that criminals see expats as rich, they dont see their own as rich, so they target were they think the money is, its pretty easy to figure, if you take drugs out of the equation and its money or things they want its going to be expats, and that target is increasing and so is the number of poor, so expats will be a bigger target and a growing one. Its pretty basic maths and a simple understanding of have and have nots..

terrific
  7/14/2018 00:45 EST

So Belize criminals target people they perceive as having money. Wow .
Who do criminals in other parts of the world target?, Maybe those they perceive have money.
So if you have more money than any criminal anywhere in the world you are a Target.
Of course if you flaunt your excesses wherever you live, the target on you will be appear bigger.

Belizeboy
  7/18/2018 10:00 EST

Ahhh..contrair...there is a good income to be had for experienced Realtors in area’s like San Pedro and Placencia Penninsula, if you work smart, and have a good contact list and marketing plan. Roads are good, and many Expats ( with Good retirement / investment funds available.
It also helps to work for a honest local Brokerage.
I live here in Belize full time, and I have many years as a Real Estate Broker. Experience voices volumes.

bradinbelize
  7/18/2018 11:27 EST

If you can print a business card that says you're a real estate agent or broker, then you're a real estate agent or broker.

Thus the reason to do YOUR HOMEWORK and go slow when buying. There are "Agents" here that probably have never bought or sold a house (even their own) ever!

With that said, there are some good ones that are truly qualified as well. You will need a Belizean work permit which will require time and money (about 6 - 9 months and a few thousand dollars) to obtain first.

Fairytales
  7/19/2018 05:53 EST

Er.....ahhhh..., I KNOW I'm not the ONLY one that found it funny that this thread is a "4 year old dream" and was just revived by someone asking if they "made it"?

......then everyone else seemed to react to the original, 4 yr old thread as if the guy would ever see it...ok, just my sense of humor......I though it was funny as heck!

sry to interrupt....have a wonderful day!

jeff

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