I moved from the U.S. to Belize about 2 1/2 years ago. I rented a house on the Caribbean Sea for a year. During that time, I researched land to then build a prefab “ Mennonite “ house to put on it. The backlog at all the main builders out of Spanish Lookout was at least 12 months before delivery. Then, having local connections in the Stann Creek community I live in, I found a 30 year old 1200 sq ft 3 bd 2 Bath raised concrete house, structurally in very good condition. It has needed electrical and plumbing upgrades, along with new windows and a fresh coat of paint inside and out. Very pleased with it now just purchased 10 months ago in a FSBO deal with legal deed etc… total cost ( land, house and renovations) $120,000 USD or $240,000 BZD. You can find opportunities like this if you be patient and do research. The local community that you trust can help point you in the right direction.
Thanks for sharing and great point. There are deals out there if you know how to find them and are humble enough to know how to do that. Thanks for watching and commenting 🙂
You hit the nail on the head . These builders in some areas are pushing the the pricing so high . And people fall into it badly and then the buyer think that that sets the price bar very high. The employees are getting paid a fraction of an American or Canadian wage. The builder are making a killing 300 to 350 a sq ft to build a home there is absolutely ridiculous. Secondly the framing on these houses would not pass a building inspection in Canada let alone a place that has hurricanes . I could go on for hours .
Kind of glad that I made exactly those experiences moving from Europe to Canada in 1994. Now I learned my lesson and (hopefully) going the right way when I gradually moving to Belize. I give myself 3-4 years to have it done from the property (which I will own in 2025) to the self-built 1-storey humble house on the property. Fingers crossed and brain used to make it happen.
Thanks for the info. What do you think is the average cost for solar and water setup so one can run their household just as they would in the states? To have a three bed, two bathroom home? Thanks
Solar will all depend on your usage and the size of your battery bank. Solar is EXPENSIVE here so I would say a 6K watt system with batteries is around 15K US but I'm not exactly sure. I'm going to do a Solar video very soon. Thanks for watching. Water catchment with cisterns is not expensive here, the cistern tanks are made in BZ so a 1200 gallon holding tank will run you about 800USD.
Mike thanks for another fact filled helpful video. Have the Mennonite prices risen to the level of the Belizean builders taking into account the price rise of building material?
In my experience NO they haven't, however there are a few who cater mainly to expats whose prices are insane in my opnion. Big name is what you pay for not quality...Thanks for watching.
We were fortunate to finish our home in Cayo right as the pandemic was emerging (Jan-Feb 2020). After that, new construction essentially stopped for about nine months. At the same time, what I call the “big migration” of North Americans began. This, coupled with supply chain issues that persist to this day caused material and, to a lesser extent, labor prices to skyrocket. What Mike says in this video couldn’t be more true. If you’re serious about relocating to Belize, either permanently or as a part time resident, take your time. Be patient. Shop around. And, like he says, get to know the community and let them get to know you. Not to get too long winded, but I’ve also seen people who are so enthusiastic in the beginning about moving to Belize and then, a few months later, realize this isn’t the place for them. It’s sad because, by that time, they’ve often purchased land and maybe even built home, and now it’s all sitting there waiting for a new buyer.
@jdlngwll Thanks for watching the video and sharing your experience with us here. Information is the Key to success in Belize. I agree with your statement 💯. Thank you and have a great Sunday.
Yes if you have the knowledge anyone can build their own house but buying the supplies yourself is another EXPENSIVE adventure here....thanks for watching.
I'm a Canadian born Belizean, and retired to Belize in 05, at 45 years old, and virtually everything you've said in this episode is bang on, though many are going to say they know better than you and will get screwed and have to leave within a couple years. There was a poem some years back called " I been Belized" which summed up the whole thing , and that was long before inflation. I only buy property through locals and the lands office, the one time I bought beach property from an expat yank ( real estate agent)he stole 2.5 acres on turneffe. There's a whole industry based on people falling flat and expats grab everything at bargain basement prices. I've seen 90% go back north with nothing. If you think you're going to make a living in Belize without foreign income then 99.99% you'll fall flat, and they all say I'm fulla shit as I wave goodbye as they board the plane. They're the lucky ones, I've told several they were going to be killed. You keep on warning them and some will listen and survive , the rest will tell you you're an idiot and lose it all. I always say never listen to anyone without at least 10 years in Belize, now I tell people to go to your site and listen well. You haven't dealt with the real dirty underbelly and most don't if lucky. You won't have a problem dealing with it.
Thank you for the compliment, and thanks for watching the channel. I just try to bring an honest opinion of my experiences here in Belize and share it with others. I agree with everything you said, especially about being called crazy and people not wanting to take advice or listen because they know more than you. I only discuss things that I have been through here personally. I really appreciate you taking the time to leave your comment. Thanks for watching and😁 supporting the channel.
Thanks again my Brother…love what you do and share with your channels audience…always hitting the mail on the head…bringing us the stuff we need to see & hear…keep it coming…Poncho C St fingers
I moved from the U.S. to Belize about 2 1/2 years ago. I rented a house on the Caribbean Sea for a year. During that time, I researched land to then build a prefab “ Mennonite “ house to put on it. The backlog at all the main builders out of Spanish Lookout was at least 12 months before delivery.
Then, having local connections in the Stann Creek community I live in, I found a 30 year old 1200 sq ft 3 bd 2 Bath raised concrete house, structurally in very good condition. It has needed electrical and plumbing upgrades, along with new windows and a fresh coat of paint inside and out. Very pleased with it now just purchased 10 months ago in a FSBO deal with legal deed etc… total cost ( land, house and renovations) $120,000 USD or $240,000 BZD.
You can find opportunities like this if you be patient and do research. The local community that you trust can help point you in the right direction.
Thanks for sharing and great point. There are deals out there if you know how to find them and are humble enough to know how to do that. Thanks for watching and commenting 🙂
I love your videos!!! Very informative. I'll be coming to Belize soon myself! Bless and keep up the great work!!
Thanks for watching. Belize is waiting...
I truly loved my vacation in Ambergris Caye, i would love to live there someday, i just got back to the states. Coming back very soon
Yes it has a great vibe.... it's a nice to leave the mainland and go there for a day trip. Thanks for watching 😁 😁😁
I bought a second row lot 2 years ago on the North Side im just waiting for the excitement slow down then I will start to build.
@Shauntay76 You got in at a good time. The prices now are unbelievable in my opnion. Thanks for watching and commenting 🙂
You hit the nail on the head . These builders in some areas are pushing the the pricing so high . And people fall into it badly and then the buyer think that that sets the price bar very high.
The employees are getting paid a fraction of an American or Canadian wage. The builder are making a killing
300 to 350 a sq ft to build a home there is absolutely ridiculous.
Secondly the framing on these houses would not pass a building inspection in Canada let alone a place that has hurricanes . I could go on for hours .
@AndrewCrone-e2w I agree. Prices are getting out of control and people are willing to pay. It doesn't make sense to me....
Thanks!
Your welcome and thank you...😁😁
Thanks again for sharing. Much appreciated.
Thanks for watching 😁
I believe you sir
Thanks for watching 😁
Kind of glad that I made exactly those experiences moving from Europe to Canada in 1994. Now I learned my lesson and (hopefully) going the right way when I gradually moving to Belize. I give myself 3-4 years to have it done from the property (which I will own in 2025) to the self-built 1-storey humble house on the property. Fingers crossed and brain used to make it happen.
Sounds like Belize is just the place for you. With that mindset you will do well here. Thanks for watching 😁
Can you tell us how to obtain citizenship? If you already have a video on that, please let me know. I love your videos
@jenniferjones8660 HI, I can do a video on the process for you but we haven't ourselves done it yet. We just pay the visa extension fee every month.
I'd love that! Thank you!!!@@WhereToNexxt
@jenniferjones8660 Your welcome....
Thanks for the info. What do you think is the average cost for solar and water setup so one can run their household just as they would in the states? To have a three bed, two bathroom home? Thanks
Solar will all depend on your usage and the size of your battery bank. Solar is EXPENSIVE here so I would say a 6K watt system with batteries is around 15K US but I'm not exactly sure. I'm going to do a Solar video very soon. Thanks for watching. Water catchment with cisterns is not expensive here, the cistern tanks are made in BZ so a 1200 gallon holding tank will run you about 800USD.
Thanks!
Mike thanks for another fact filled helpful video. Have the Mennonite prices risen to the level of the Belizean builders taking into account the price rise of building material?
In my experience NO they haven't, however there are a few who cater mainly to expats whose prices are insane in my opnion. Big name is what you pay for not quality...Thanks for watching.
We were fortunate to finish our home in Cayo right as the pandemic was emerging (Jan-Feb 2020). After that, new construction essentially stopped for about nine months. At the same time, what I call the “big migration” of North Americans began. This, coupled with supply chain issues that persist to this day caused material and, to a lesser extent, labor prices to skyrocket. What Mike says in this video couldn’t be more true. If you’re serious about relocating to Belize, either permanently or as a part time resident, take your time. Be patient. Shop around. And, like he says, get to know the community and let them get to know you. Not to get too long winded, but I’ve also seen people who are so enthusiastic in the beginning about moving to Belize and then, a few months later, realize this isn’t the place for them. It’s sad because, by that time, they’ve often purchased land and maybe even built home, and now it’s all sitting there waiting for a new buyer.
@jdlngwll Thanks for watching the video and sharing your experience with us here. Information is the Key to success in Belize. I agree with your statement 💯. Thank you and have a great Sunday.
I found my builder in Corozal. I expect a year for my concrete home to be built.
Can't you build your own? I've framed, sided and roofed all my life. Plumbing, electrical, on and off grid.
Yes if you have the knowledge anyone can build their own house but buying the supplies yourself is another EXPENSIVE adventure here....thanks for watching.
Awesome! Looking at land now! Thank you!
We hope you find your slice of paradise....
Construction workers work here for 17.50 a day to $40 US a day.
Yes, Belize has a real shortage of workers right now. Many projects even food harvesting are taking a hit here. Thanks for watching
Keep your eye how wet that sand is. Not to be distracted by that cold beer.
Lol great point... thanks for watching and commenting. 😁
I'm a Canadian born Belizean, and retired to Belize in 05, at 45 years old, and virtually everything you've said in this episode is bang on, though many are going to say they know better than you and will get screwed and have to leave within a couple years. There was a poem some years back called " I been Belized" which summed up the whole thing , and that was long before inflation. I only buy property through locals and the lands office, the one time I bought beach property from an expat yank ( real estate agent)he stole 2.5 acres on turneffe. There's a whole industry based on people falling flat and expats grab everything at bargain basement prices. I've seen 90% go back north with nothing. If you think you're going to make a living in Belize without foreign income then 99.99% you'll fall flat, and they all say I'm fulla shit as I wave goodbye as they board the plane. They're the lucky ones, I've told several they were going to be killed. You keep on warning them and some will listen and survive , the rest will tell you you're an idiot and lose it all. I always say never listen to anyone without at least 10 years in Belize, now I tell people to go to your site and listen well. You haven't dealt with the real dirty underbelly and most don't if lucky. You won't have a problem dealing with it.
Thank you for the compliment, and thanks for watching the channel. I just try to bring an honest opinion of my experiences here in Belize and share it with others. I agree with everything you said, especially about being called crazy and people not wanting to take advice or listen because they know more than you. I only discuss things that I have been through here personally. I really appreciate you taking the time to leave your comment. Thanks for watching and😁 supporting the channel.
Thanks again my Brother…love what you do and share with your channels audience…always hitting the mail on the head…bringing us the stuff we need to see & hear…keep it coming…Poncho C St fingers
Sorry…nail
@@come2idlewild thank you.... 😁😁
Very interesting. Do you know where I can find that poem that you mentioned, "I been Belized"?