Are you dreaming of owning a piece of paradise in Belize? As North America gets harder to live in, more people seek different ways and places to live. Whether it’s the allure of coastal living or the tranquility of the jungle, Belize is a great option for anyone considering a move abroad. The proximity to North America, the beautiful natural environment, and English as the primary language have made Belize a popular destination in recent years.
Many who move here sell everything they own in their home country and buy realty in Belize. But not all properties come move in ready and deciding between buying a home or building one from scratch will shape your experience of life here. Both options come with their unique benefits and challenges. So, in this guide, we’ll explore the pros, cons, and other considerations of each approach, so you can make the best choice for your tropical escape.
Understanding Belizean Real Estate
The real estate market in Belize offers a wide range of options, from beachfront properties in Placencia and Ambergris Caye to rural getaways in Cayo or Corozal, and, if you have really deep pockets, options for private islands. One major appeal for foreigners is that Belize allows you to own property outright, with fee-simple ownership.
However, it’s crucial to conduct proper title searches to verify ownership and avoid disputes. You can conduct title searches through a lawyer (for a hefty fee), a third party who specializes in such things or on your own, by visiting the land department in Belmopan and accessing public records.
Whether you choose to buy or build, location plays a key role. Coastal regions are ideal for vacation homes, rental properties, and retirement, while inland regions are better suited for rural and jungle life, nature lovers, urban dwellers and those that need better access to services and amenities.
Ensure you know your needs for life in Belize and then select your preferred area to live. The location you choose will affect the amount you spend on a property, with beach communities fetching the highest price per foot cost. Similarly, the location will also determine the cost to build, as touristy areas cost more to build in.
Choosing Your Dream Home
Before making any decisions, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of buying versus building a home in Belize. Each option offers distinct advantages and challenges, whether it’s the convenience of purchasing a turnkey property or the creative freedom that comes with designing your own space. Understanding these trade-offs will help align your choice with your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. Let's examine each option.
Pros of Building vs. Buying a Home in Belize
Customization and Personalization
When you start from scratch, you can design every part of your home to match your preferences and needs, from the placement of the home on your lot and its layout to fixtures and finishes inside.
Potential Cost Savings
Building a home from the ground up with good planning, budgeting, and the potential for land value appreciation can lead to long-term cost savings and investment growth compared to buying a preexisting home. However, certain areas of Belize, like Maya Beach in Placencia, are booming and are an excellent investment whether you buy or build.
Modern Standards and Sustainability
Building a home in Belize offers the opportunity to incorporate eco-friendly features, such as solar panels or rainwater collection systems.
Unique Land Option and Privacy
By building yourself, you can purchase land in a scenic or remote location that may not have existing homes, such as new waterfront plots or mountainous jungle tracts.
Cons of Building Home in Belize
A Time-Consuming Process
Construction projects in Belize can take from six months to more than a year, depending on factors like weather, whether you build with wood or concrete, contractor efficiency, and material availability.
There are still a lot of properties comprising “raw land” for sale in Belize and, though you may scoop up some acreage for a fair price, many foreigners underestimate the time and resources needed to develop it. Some regions in the country don’t have electrical service, and will remain that way for a long time. Such cases require an off-grid construction, increasing costs, time and intricacy of the project, especially when you impose a higher standard of living and building quality in an ‘untamed’ area.
Stressful AF
As someone with an extensive construction experience, I wouldn’t recommend building a home in Belize unless you have considerable knowledge of renovations or home building projects. I’ve been in residential construction for twenty years, owned a renovation business and regularly dealt with client, employees and sub-trades daily, and I still found there was a learning curve. Belize is not the place to cut your teeth in home construction: the industry has not caught up to modern (North American) building practices, the standard of living and therefore expectations of foreign buyers’ needs is different and, despite English as the main language, communication is fraught with misunderstandings.
Bureaucratic Challenges
Navigating permits, inspections, environmental approvals and zoning laws (and the BTB if you build a rental unit) can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially for expats unfamiliar with local regulations and cultural norms. Like building departments everywhere, permit approvals are lengthy, and this only exacerbated in Belize by ‘Caribbean time.’
Finding a Good Contractor
Sourcing trustworthy builders and materials can be challenging, particularly in remote areas. Ensure you pick your contractor through referral to avoid shady or shoddy options. References, references, references, people! If you need advice for finding the right contractor, there is a helpful chapter in Home in Good Hands: A Homeowner’s Guide to Construction and Renovation on this topic.
Risk of Blowin’ the Budget
Construction costs often exceed initial estimates because of unexpected delays or material price fluctuations. For example, our build experience several weeks of delays because of inclement weather and flooding where the home builder had their yard. We had a set date to vacate our rental, so we experienced additional pressure and stress to get the home ready to occupy before our lease was up.
Pros of Buying vs. Building a Home in Belize
Convenience and Reduced Stress
Simply put, buying a turnkey home in Belize spares you from the time and stress involved in construction. It’s the ideal choice if you want to settle quickly, start generating rental income right away, or have little to no experience with building a home from scratch.
Faster Process for Expats or Retirees
Purchasing an existing home involves fewer unknowns, making it easier to plan your move. You can also avoid potential delays with contractors or material sourcing. And, many homes on the Belizean real estate market come fully furnished, eliminating the time and logistics of selecting, ordering and coordinating the delivery of essential furniture items.
Established Infrastructure
When you buy a preexisting home, you often ensure utilities, access roads, and internet services are already in place.
Predictable Costs
While prices may be higher upfront, there’s less risk of unexpected expenses compared to construction projects. As I mentioned earlier, miscommunication abounds, and it's easy to lose sight of important information when discussing construction and land development costs. Don’t ask, don’t tell is culturally imbedded in Belize, meaning, if you don’t ask for a laundry area in your plans, you won’t get one.
Cons of Buying a Home in Belize
Limited Customization
If you are like me—the type of person who likes to customize a space to fit your needs—you may need to renovate to make the home fit your preferences or compromise on some design elements. However, if you are good with a few new throw pillows and linens on the beds, this won't be a con at all.
Higher Initial Purchase Price
Finished homes, especially in popular beachfront destinations, will have a higher price tag than developing and inland areas. Since you won’t need to develop the land or build a home, you will pay more for a property where these already exist. To some degree, the seller passes along the costs of development onto the purchaser in return for the convenience of a move-in-ready home.
Potential for Hidden Repairs
As with anywhere in the world, an older home can come with hidden maintenance issues, which can add to your expenses over-time. You can mitigate this by buying a home that is relatively new, meaning only a few years old and with one previous owner. Also, understanding who built the home and how they built it will help you avoid unforeseen repair costs.
5 Key Factors to Consider Before Deciding to Buy or Build Your Dream Home in Belize
1. Budget
Carefully analyze your entire budget: buying a home involves a fixed price plus closing costs and potential renovations, while building requires factoring in land purchase, labor, materials, and permits.
2. Timeline
Consider how soon you need to move in and if time is a priority, buying a home may be the better option, as building can take six months or longer.
3. Location Preferences
Think about whether you prefer a developed area with access to amenities or a more secluded spot that may require additional infrastructure.
4. Control vs. Convenience
Ask yourself how much control you want over your home’s design and if customization matters to you, then building is ideal. If convenience is your top priority, buying might be the better path.
5. Long-Term Goals
Are you purchasing for rental income, a vacation home, or permanent residence? Your goals may influence which option makes the most sense financially and logistically.
Comparing Costs at a Glance
Buying vs. Building in Belize
FACTOR | BUYING A HOME | BUILDING A HOME |
COST | Higher upfront cost | Risk of budget overruns |
CUSTOMIZATION | Limited | Full control |
TIMELINE | Faster | Longer, variable |
RISK | Potential unforeseen conditions | Permitting delays and building process challenges |
EFFORT | Low | High |
Common Belize FAQs
Q: Can foreigners buy property in Belize?A: Yes, foreigners can buy property with the same rights as nationals.
Q: What is the average construction time for a home in Belize?A: The average construction time is ten months.
Q: Is it cheaper to build or buy in Belize?A: It depends on location, material costs, and whether you manage the project efficiently.
Q: Do I need a permit to build a home in Belize?A: Yes, permits are required, and an environmental assessment may be necessary for certain areas.
So, Which Option is Better: Buying or Building?
Deciding between buying or building a home in Belize hinges on your budget, timeline, goals, and priorities. If you want to move in to or rent the home quickly with minimal hassle, buying a home is the better fit. However, if you value customization, don’t mind waiting and are willing navigating the complexities of construction, building a home could be the more rewarding option. Ultimately, it is a subjective decision and the one that is right for you is the best option!
Regardless of your decision, having the right knowledge to navigate your choice is essential. If you are determined to buy a home, then check out the post 5 Essential Tips for Expats Buying a Home in Belize. For a modern, turnkey home for sale in Belize, click here. If you plan to take on a from-scratch build, please look at my two-part post, The Ultimate Guide to Building a Home in Belize and be sure to purchase Home in Good Hands: A Homeowner’s Guide to Construction and Renovation to help you navigate the complexities of the home building process.
Moving to Belize and buying property is a positive and life-changing experience, offering the opportunity to embrace a different lifestyle in one of the most gorgeous countries on Earth. Whether you choose to buy a home or build from scratch, the journey is an opportunity to create a space that reflects your vision and supports your goals. With the right preparation, trusted professionals, and a coherent plan, your dream of owning a home in Belize can become a reality. No matter which path you take, enjoy the process and the adventure of making Belize your new home.
Thanks for reading this! If you are interested in my other work, check out Simo's Substack, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-receiving self-published book. If you want to support this blog so I can continue providing valuable information on moving to Belize, consider subscribing or donating. And a special thanks to those readers who have shown their support; I appreciated it!
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