There's no tactful way to say this. If you make your investment decisions prudently, base them on meaningful data, seek out authenticity and invest only in what you can actually see and touch, you're just ... smarter than most people looking for an international real estate investment.

You're not interested in 'speculative investments' with master plans that may never see the light of day. You're not chasing after a dream that may never become reality.

No, you'd just like access to the best value real estate investments that stand out through offering great value, delivering superior customer service and succeed by enriching your life.

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that as retirees in North America and Europe take stock of their situations and consider their options, many are looking for a better (and more affordable) life overseas. One visit to Belize and you'll quickly see that it offers a whole lot of what tourists, retirees, and investors are looking for.

They're looking for safe, tax-friendly places to plant their money. They're after a financial return and a personal one. They're seeking out places that right now have the potential for affordable retirement living and holiday homes. They’re heading for places with natural beauty, friendly neighbors, and safe streets. They’re focusing on countries located close to the US with stable governments that will continue to attract attention, new residents, and holiday-makers for generations to come.

Belize has advantages over other countries in Central America and the Caribbean

A quiet momentum is building in Belize involving smart investors who know the advantages that Belize has over other countries in Central America and the Caribbean.

They know that Belize is English speaking, laid back and friendly. They know that Belize received its independence from Britain in 1981, is part of the Commonwealth and inherited the British legal system (rather than the convoluted Napoleonic system in other Central American countries). They know that Belize has the stability and security of having the Privy Council in England as its highest legal court. They know that Belize is one of the easiest and quickest places on earth to get a foreign residency and benefit from the tax benefits this brings. They know that Belize has strict banking privacy laws. They know that property prices are far, far lower than more established parts of the Caribbean. They know that Belize has the hemisphere's largest barrier reef and hundreds of exotic cayes, world-class fishing and diving. They know that the jungles are alive with parrots, toucans, awe-inspiring Mayan ruins and even jaguars. They know that the country delivers the quintessential Caribbean experience - palm lined beaches, white sand and turquoise waters.

You can see why visitors and investors in Belize find it hard not to be evangelical about the country. In fact, some analysts are comparing this tropical paradise to the Cayman Islands of 20 years ago.

But knowing that Belize is the right place, at the right time is only part of the story - you also need to know where to look.

In a world of slick branding smart investors know that they need to figure out which real estate offering really is superior and which isn’t. Which company really does stand behind their products and which ones won't. Which projects are worthy of trust and which should be avoided.

We've been operating from the front lines of the Belize real estate market for years now. But we're about to take it up a level:

Introducing the real estate tour for smart people

Over the past few months a select group of developers have come together to showcase a broad palette of real estate options under a unified banner - "Choose Belize." We can say, in all good conscience, that this group represents the very best Belize has to offer.

That is not a glib marketing statement - these market leaders represent the top properties and investment opportunities across the country as a whole at a time when it's more important than ever to focus on value.

We know because we've done our homework on the ground, leveraged our first hand experience and networks, triangulated their offerings against "four pillars of international real estate success" and enlisted the help of Reveal Real Estate with full access to their market database to track down the really great deals in this buyer's market.

What has emerged is a group of outstanding properties - they stand out from the crowd.

Beachfront condos on a palm-lined, turquoise stretch of sand … serviced lots and waterfront homes in a 220 acre beach-front parcel with upscale boutique hotel and splashes of crimson blossom everywhere you look … income generating condos in the heart of Belize's premier tourism hotspot … a beautiful oceanfront community on the western Caribbean … exotic, open plan condos, Belizean-style, with magnificent views and bursting occupancy rates … a retirement community incorporating New Urbanism principles … an uber-modern 'playboy' apartment with Leonard's de Caprio's private island as a backdrop … beachfront condos on an idyllic island with views of waves breaking along the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere (and World Heritage Site).

There is something here for everyone - and all of it best-in-class: ocean view condos, income generating units, luxury resort hotel property, dive real estate, eco-inspired communities, functional 'casitas' and beachfront property.

These properties appeal to both head and heart. You'll first connect on an emotional level, then you'll run the numbers, as we have done, and see the hard logic of the investment.

The finest real estate in Belize ... and the best deals

No question, a real estate tour, where you get to see a choice of property options, selected by in-country experts, is a prudent way to make the decision if Belize is right for you.

The 3 day Choose Belize tour succeeds by showing you the finest real estate in the country. It's intensive, you'll get to see a lot of property, but we don’t rush to conclusions and don’t expect our tour participants to do so either. There will be time to understand each development and meet the people who make it up, giving you the insider access that you need to make the right decision.

The tour will provide an overview of the entire country and zero in on the two main property hotspots - Placencia boasting the best beach on the mainland and Ambergris Caye the geographic extension of the Yucatan peninsula immortalized in Madonna’s song “La Isla Bonita”.

The Choose Belize tour will run on August 20-22nd, 2010. Space is limited, so mark your calendar, contact us to register your interest, and we'll send you the full itinerary.

There will be a cost for attending to cover ground transportation, meals and accommodation. But rest assured, it will be a discounted cost with no obligation on your part whatsoever.

Why? Because we're so confident in the real estate on offer; we think you’ll love what you see. With your costs reduced, you’ll get to see the country and properties for less than would be possible on your own.

The 4 pillars of international real estate success

In a down economy - particularly one that took most of us by surprise - it's more important that ever to be tactical in your decisions. To let insider market knowledge drive your investment strategy, not vapid rhetoric. We believe that when things become chaotic and complicated, it becomes ever more urgent to simplify and hone in on what really matters.

1. Authenticity and trust

The Choose Belize developers are defined by what they do and not what they say. They're creating a product you can actually see and touch, not just writing about it in glossy brochures.

We'll remind you often on tour to "Buy what you see." This tour is not about pre-construction sales and empty promises but about showcasing the finest real estate offerings in the country that you can enjoy right now.

Smart investors are hungry for authenticity, trust and candid communication, and the Choose Belize developers leave no stone unturned in their unwavering commitment to superior client service and all it stands for.

2. Potential for capital appreciation

Never before has there been has there been such a large, active, and adventurous generation of retirees -- with so little saved for retirement. Latin America (and of course Belize at only 2 hrs flight or a border crossing from Mexico) is their closest and most affordable option. The best buy in this context is property located in the path of progress - especially waterfront property. It’s value appreciates at a greater rate, and it holds its value longer, even during down-cycles, than other real estate investments.

Belize offers a particular opportunity to profit from this wave of Baby Boomers seeking affordable retirement and a better quality of life abroad. Witness the infrastructure improvements, the new international airports (ready to take flights direct from Europe) and road paving underway in Placencia and Ambergris Caye; then, by keeping your eye on the demographic trends, you can position yourself to profit short- and long-term. In fact there’s no reason not to expect, in time, the prices in Belize to approach those of St Barts, Caymans and Bermuda.

3. Income generation

A winning strategy for international real estate investors is in income-producing property purchased in areas with a proven track record of desirability. Placencia and Ambergris Caye are Belize's most important tourism destinations. They're beautiful parts of the world, sought after by lovers of the quintessential Caribbean experience, diving and fishing enthusiasts.

Both regions continue to see strong volumes of tourists regardless of global economic cycles. Well-chosen property in these visitor hubs can carry you through the ups and downs of market cycles, and produce consistent returns.

4. Security of investment

The security of your investment is critical to everything we do on tour. An important benefit of investing in Belize is a legal system based on British law and contracts are in English. Added to that, Belize enjoys a stable government and the Belizean dollar is fixed to the US dollar.

As part of our due diligence in convening the tour, we obtained a series of warranties from the Choose Belize developers. These cover the question of permits and development approvals as well as the legal title. In Belize title insurance is available from First American or Stewart Insurance affording the same level of protection you’re used to in the US or Canada.