AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Environment Grand Belizean Estates, Too Good to be True

Thanks klc . . . interesting stuff. Of minor note though, what's the use of an improved football field with no bleachers?

Thanks Elbert. I'm sure my grandson will be happy to know that I'm not a troll! I hadn't realized that people were going to such lengths over this issue to make false posts. I'm still looking for more info on the subject and will continue to read on.

gubbie, if you are going to be "reading on", then soon enough, you will understand some of the attitude you've encountered in this thread.

i have been reading this thread because I WAS thinking of buying into the grand belizean estates. Iam so happy I looked here first. I have learned so much about what is going on with land developement and gbe and other like developments. I would to have liked to have bought into gbe and end up with a nice home to retire to in 10 yrs or to visit in the winter. but it is sounding like a big risk and the septic has me very concerned on the small lots.
i appreciate elberts and gubbies exchanges because that is where i learned about the gbe project vs why it sounds like it "could" be a great place to buy. I also learned that once lots are sold who is to say the developers dont pack up and leave and the developement never really happens? I have had septic problems in my own home and I live on 1/2 acre and dont deal with alot of rain! I can understand how a small lot could not possibly be big enough for septic and could overflow easily especially with alot of rainfall. thank you for this blog and the passion you all have to live, love,and care about belize.
I have pretty much given up on finding something that i could invest in belize to eventually retire to in 10 yrs as it scares me to invest there now. I also am naive to why banks dont loan money for buying lots and or longer term mortgages vs the developers being the only party involved in the fincancing? i feel maybe the banks may not want to be responsible when the developments dont actually happen and the developers can just run with investers money with a large down with very short term financing. makes me feel they can run with your money with no repercusions and maybe that is why the banks do not get involved?
So gubbie bought somewhere else on east side of am.caye. but can anyone tell me where someone could buy land in belize that would be a good deal and nice place to live?
there is another development palermo point but no roads. all by boat. There is some land on the mainland but Im not sure about where the safest places are off the am caye???
should i just give up on belize to live?
thanks julianne

Dear Julianne
There are always those selling "swampland in Florida". However, there are also legitimate properties for sale in Belize. Maybe not for $8K a lot (or whatever GBE is selling for these days), but you pretty much get what are willing to risk and pay for.

For anyone really interested in living in Belize and not in a huge hurry to purchase, I would think you should let area realtors know what you are looking for and so they can contact you if something in your price range comes up. I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do

thank you, i wont give up on belize property yet and this blog has opened my eyes! thanks all

In the advertising for GBE they say at least three banks are involved with financing and one of them 100% either Atlantic or Heritage can't remember.

Julieanne,
Thousands of people have successfully bought property on Ambergris Caye and are blissfully happy and secure.
Don't be discouraged.
Ambergris's popularity in recent years has attracted carpetbagging real-estate sharks here to take advantage and the market deserves more caution.
Lots of real people here selling real property, but like the thread title implies, 'Grand Belizean Estates, Too Good to be True'.

julieanne

I shopped for my empty lot and found just what I wanted. Since I wanted to build a house I did not want beach front as I did not want the cost of having it cleaned every day.

I would have liked 2nd lot back but those are harder to come by and cost a little more.
I found the one I now call Birdland in the El Tesoro section of Tres
Cocos. It is 3rd row back, on the main cart path and only one lot across the road on the lagoon.
I wanted the highest point possible to protect me from storm surge.

This lot was for sale by owner and she and I went together to Belmopan and did the title transfer together. She sold the property at exactly the price I wanted to pay so there was no haggling.

It was solid jungle so I marked the trees I wanted saved and paid a local to clear it. I love the place and so do the birds.

Don't give up - but do keep you eyes open. I asked around about the man who was building his house on the lot between me and the sea. No one said anything bad, just that I could probably get it done for less by someone else. I should have listened to what wasn't being said. The good part is that I got to position my building off set from his so I can see the sea from the kitchen window. I could see the lagoon across the street until those neighbors - who built at the same time as me - landscaping took over.

My experience shows that it pays to live here for at least six months before you buy anything.

thank you everyone for your imput. iam still looking around and hope to find something someday, before it is out of my price range. does any one know or heard of sapphire beach on ambergris bay? it seems like a better location than grand belize by far, but again looking on the internet is not where i will get information I can go on 100% just ideas. I was looking at the website but would love to hear from anyone with some insight. I started looking at property in other areas of belize because they have utilities in but the water and something about ambergris caye speaks to me.