Thanks @Anthony Burns; for adding different perspective than just my set of eyes. Went to Punta Gorda down in the South/East, but reminded me of my home state of Louisiana, mud and shell. Probably off the coast is better. I will check it out.
Folks if you note the picture above, it shows you a good trick to do, if you end up buying beach front and want more beach. Note which way the natural tide runs along the beach and then put a wall or structure in the water running out into the ocean a ways. It will fill in with sand on the down side and make you a permanent beach.
I've discussed Why? Where? When? Now I will talk about our journey and what we were looking for. So this post will narrow down to our experience and interests.
Once my wife decided she was not interested at this moment making a large investment for the Beachfront property, I started looking for our inland property. Won't go through my background, but wanted both a great place, great deal, business opportunity and a value proposition for the future.
Since we only want to be Snow birds during January thru April for 2 to 3 weeks at a time, we were not looking for a hands on proposition.
I'm more leaning towards nature and not Tourism.
Looked at buying/building a house. Different businesses, more as a hobby. Decided whatever we do, don't make money on the local Belizeans since they don't have enough money.
Understanding the dynamics that the Dollar is King going in. That there will not be enough Buyers when we sell, looked at the following types of investments. Also you must have a Caretaker, otherwise your things or business will get stolen.
a. Teak Tree plantation- We ended up doing a Teak Tree plantation. Planted 10,000 trees on 28 acres. This is a 25 year investment. Good thing about Teak trees, is no one will want to steal them until about year 20. Also the market is India and China, thus not a local market. Most of the work is in years 1 thru 5 with weeding and trimming. Logging, then cutting into lumber or squares. Living in Louisiana and my dad once being a logger, I can do all of these, along with cheap local help.
b. Goats- I don't like spreading myself thin, but I have raised goats before. No one in Belize likes to eat goat. Under the British regime they learned to eat Sheep. Which is strange to me, since all Spanish cultures like goat. Thus the market would be the US. A good thing about Goats and Belize is all of the unowned or unmanaged forest and brush. Goats prefer this to grass and don't get as many worms as on grass. Cheap labor to herd and manage. Biggest issue is meeting USDA standards and certification. Otherwise will be fresher and cheaper than imports from Australia.
c. Ducks- Same as goats. Both Ducks and eggs would be marketed in the US. Same US standards issues.
d. Self Storage- actually a good demand for Expats coming and going. Almost non-existent competition. But not interested.
e. Rental House Development- Expats or Locals. I have found a great contractor and his family. Have partnered with him to buy one lot, and starting a second lot. I have explained to him, what sounds crazy. Money is easy and plentiful (they are poor relative to US), but local, trustworthy contractors are rare. He owns the upper hand. Explained to him, I'll do the financing and he will maintain the construction and rental. He is used to paying himself day wages, but I have explained he needs to own the properties and rent, to get the value of his efforts. Develop two different house and business models. Local- build to around $40,000 and rent at $250 to $350. Expat- build around $100,000 and do long term rental for $1,000. Key is not the rental market, which is in great demand; but the cost and building side. Since he is local, he can find the deals and make them. For the same lot, he can get for $3,000; it would cost me $30,000. He also controls the Building costs and timing. Trust- has to be built. Thus we have started small. I bought him a portable cement mixer for $2,500 to use on my house since he would have to rent for $150 per day. He will pay me back $1,800 which he will earn either renting it out, which he has, or charging his other clients. Same deal with tamper, scaffolds, power washer, lawn mower. Working out good so far.
f. Tilapia farming- just for fun.
g. Another market, just because my brother and I stayed at one are Tiny Houses. A good portion of the tourists are from Europe and these folks tend to vacation different than US tourists. They tend to do Hostels, and spend more money on Travel versus lodging. Most of us are always trying to do bigger and better, but there is a solid market for less.
So we looked at about 30 properties and some existing Teak plantations. I started to put a couple of options together.
1. Buy an existing Teak plantation on the cheap. Found one great deal, but it is too far off the beaten track. Wouldn't get any enjoyment living there. Expat moving home. But would pay itself off in 5 years.
2. Bare ground. Always look for a property that has been on the market for a while and where its an expat who has gone home. They are ready to sell and have finally gotten past, there are not that many buyers.
3. Look for ground that will grow in value, because it is special. Either Electricity and water coming your way. Near Rivers or has streams on it. Existing trees. Good location relative to services.
4. The median age for Belizeans is around 25 years. US Baby boomers are on the move. Both of these factors will create a market in Belize.
5. Near towns or entertainment.
The property we ended up buying had been on the market for 15 years. Price was cut in half. Has the Belize River on the front property line and Iguana creek on the other property line. The other sides are pasture. Great location between San Ignacio/Santa Elena and Belmopan. Two miles away from Spanish Lookout, which is the industrial and main supply town for the country.
