Do you own some land at Secret Beach, and are you wondering what the process of clearing and filling looks like?
Check out this YouTube video we made while clearing and backfilling some of our property located on the south main road at Secret Beach. We battled the weather and the terrain to get these lots construction ready and prepared to build on.
Where is the Land?
These parcels are two large side-by-side main road lots directly across from where a number of new homes have been recently built. They are in close proximity to the West Caye Neighborhood which is located on the south end of Secret Beach, and the new Habitat Belize development is going in close by as well. It is also a short drive to the new Aruna Development which is now accessible by road directly from Secret Beach!
During the process of clearing and filing these lots, we faced a number of challenges and surprises. The land appeared to be “high and dry” meaning that it is at a higher elevation as compared to other areas of Secret Beach. But there were undiscovered areas of the property that ended up being quite low.
Understanding the Terrain
What we didn’t realize was that there were a number of “pits” where the land would drop down into a low-lying area and would generally be filled with water. Sometimes a lot of water! When this happens the budget for backfill on your land will go up, just due to the fact that you will need more fill. Depending on the size of the pit will determine how much. Oftentimes it can be significant. In the video, you will see some pits that required us to increase our original estimate for the cost of the backfill.
The reason for the miscalculation was that we had not walked deep enough onto the property beforehand to discover the pits. Had we walked in deeper we could have discovered them. However, this is sometimes not possible due to the fact that the thickness of the trees and brush as well as the terrain are not always easily accessible on foot. But for the most part, an educated best guess will usually come-inline with the estimated cost.
Conduct a Site Visit
It’s always better to walk the property if possible. If you are concerned about how much clearing and backfilling will need to be completed to get your lot build-ready it’s best to physically see the land. Have a trusted representative inspect it for you, if you are not able to be on the island. Because the island is low-lying in many areas it is important to understand where your lot is and how accessible it is by road. Not all land is accessible or developable.
How you decide to buy and own land in Belize is a personal decision that only you can make. Your outlook, objective, goals, risk tolerance, liquidity, and many other factors will determine what’s important to you when making investment decisions. If you want to buy land at Secret Beach check out this land for sale.
Having Fun Clearing Land at Secret Beach
As you will see in the video we also had to deal with some mud and rain too! Watch to see the trucks bringing the backfill and having to navigate the weather and the terrain. It’s pretty exciting! I can’t say enough good things about the team that worked hard to make everything happen in a timely fashion. Everyone was professional and acted in the highest manner. Remember, you’re clearing and filling your land for a Caribbean dream home or investment property in Belize. Have fun with it!