Sapphire Beach-update

[clover]

The criteria required to develop spec built real estate in Texas or California is the same as it is in Belize, or Roatan, etc..  Grandpa Belize isn't going to be any help to you unless he's been through a few of these himself  

PS  there's no such thing as "easy money"!  Someone is "all in" to make it work.  

[snorman]

Exactly my point - as a person who is not familiar with the area (from Canada and never having been to Belize) I was hoping to get some insights. Having just started looking into purchasing a place down there, how am I to know how long the SB development has been under construction?  How am I to know who is a dood person/realtor/developer to deal with?  That's what kind of information I was hoping for.

I don't know the history or the problems.  I don't know who the "them" is that you apparently don't get along with. As someone looking from the outside, I am just trying to gain some perspective.   In speaking with those particular developers, of course they are going to paint a positive picture.  That's why I was looking for an outside objective opinion. 

Sandra
(from Canada who is looking for a vacation place in Belize - for real)

[ragman]

Sandra,  You need to come visit Belize (different areas) for a few weeks.  We all find it great but it isn't for everyone.  I vacationed in San Pedro two years in a row and then I visited Placencia before I made up my mind to buy in San Pedro.  It is a big decision and you want to make it right.  Don't worry about real estate projects and who to deal with yet.  You probably don't know enough about Belize to make an intelligent decision at this time.  Look around a little and kick some tires so to speak.  Good luck

[martinbsmithjr]

Ragman and the others have it exactly right. I spent some time as far South as Monkey River town, some time in Cayo, Placencia, Dangriga and AC before I made up my mind. They are all great places but they are not great places for everyone. My girlfriend wanted us to buy in Placencia and I seriously considered doing so but in the middle of the night when being honest with myself I knew it was just too laid back for me and I needed a little more interaction with people (even if some of them on this board are a bit suspect). We bought on A/C and I have been very happy with that decision but still I don't think I could live there all the time. So, take your time visit some places and meet some people other than tourists. I can tell you that there are going to be more bargains in Belize rather than fewer for some time to come. Good luck whatever you do.

[2Aggies]

I'll second what Martin said. I am just curious, how many times have you been to Belize and what parts? My wife and I are looking, but we have spent several trips down and quietly sat back and listened to people, rented carts and driven around, visited many, many developments without a rep or saleperson. This way we are learning firsthand what we need to know. Posting questions on a MB and basing your decisions on comments from folks you do not even know is risky at best.
For example : You wanted HONEST answers. Okay. We chose not to even look further at Saphire Beach because it has taken TOO DAMN LONG to build. I am concerned about the developers ability to ever complete the project and feel like somewhere down the road the folks who have bought in now are going to get hosed on completing the amenities promised or accept doing without. Yes they'll make you a great deal and in 3 years you can move in. You have to put up with off again on again construction in the mean time. Or, you could use the money you would pay to travel down for that 3 years and just buy into something already developed or being developed at an acceptable pace.
Now, do you know me? Do you know if I have ever even been to Belize? Do you trust me? (don't answer that one) How can you know or trust one answer from another?
All of the above it true, we have been going down regularly, we are looking (very seriously at this time) and we do want to have an investment there.

But, back to my question about your travels to Belize.

[martinbsmithjr]

Just for a couple of nice aggies I might be willing to part with my place as I have another piece of land that I am thinking of building on. Depending of course on what you are looking to spend.

[deadserious]

I don't believe that Coldwell is a member of MLS (which is exclusive), however.  This would limit their abilities to show properties.  I suppose that other realtors are not wanting to split commissions.  Of course there may be other politics I am not aware of.....   

As I understand it, the point of the mls was to come to common agreement on things such as commissions and a certain standard of behavior.  Those in the mls are trusted (mostly) within each other to behave in a certain way and split commissions when appropriate.  You should know what you are getting with a realtor in the mls.

I can't speak as to why Coldwell is not in the mls.  I also can't speak to the formality of the association of Coldwell or Remax to their US namesakes.  Any time a big brand is found in Belize, I have my doubts.  Maybe I'm just skeptical, but am I the only one that thinks the new 7/11 near the airport might not be a legitimate franchisee?

I'm glad you've found Coldwell to be reputable.  I'd love to see more formality in the real estate process in Belize, but I also am learning to trust the wild-west system in place today.  If you find someone who will fight for you and do what's right by you, the system in Belize works better any anything we have in the USA.

[martinbsmithjr]

Even in the US these are almost all franchise operations - if they are legitimate.

[deadserious]

Perhaps I wasn't clear.  I'm not convinced that the Coldwell, Remax and 7/11 you find in Belize have any real association at all with their USA namesakes.  In the US, there is generally a franchise relationship to the mothership.  Here I have doubts that any franchise fees were ever paid or contracts ever signed to use the name. They very well may be legitimate.  I'm just skeptical.

[ragman]

ds, do you mean to tell me that the last time I was in San Pedro the street cart I saw selling hamburgers, ect. was not a legitimate "Burger King", I'm appalled.       I should have known when I didn't see any of the paper hats they give out to kids, but then again they where labled Burger King, I wonder? 

[deadserious]

Well, given the quality of Burger King in the United States, they would probably be honored to be associated with the Burger King in San Pedro.

[deadserious]

Who is John Gault?

[Nancy1340]

Sounds like someone is a fan of Atlas Shrugged. 

[tacogirl]

This is not a blog it is a message board they are 2 completely different things.

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Definition -  message board, is an online discussion site. A Message Board is a place where people from all over the world can post messages that other people can read and reply to.