Roatan buyer's guide
Purchasing property on Roatan is a simple process with a licensed Realtor and Notary (Attorney). The basic process is similar to North American standards with signing a sales agreement offer and negotiating the terms of the deal. The use of an experienced Roatan Reef Realty Realtor whom are professionals to ensure you are getting the best deal for YOU!
It is always a good idea to have a list of questions and concerns for your Realtor and Attorney to answer but see our guide to purchasing Roatan Real Estate for an overview.
Purchasing Property in Roatan
Frequently Asked questions and things you should know
Purchasing Property
The actual purchase process is an easy, uncomplicated process. Foreigners, as individuals, can own up to 3000 square meters, which is approximately .74 of an acre of land per investor. In other words, you can buy a single property under .74 acres in your name but if you want to purchase a larger lot of land or home, a Honduran Corporation must be formed. A Honduran corporation is easily formed with the help of a qualified lawyer at a cost of about $1,500.00. When purchasing in Honduras, it is necessary to have a good attorney who understands the documents associated with the property, corporations to ensure a clear title to purchase. To protect this investment, a qualified Real Estate Broker, Honduran Notary and Lawyer should assist with explaining the documentation.
The Purchase Process
Here is a typical scenario. Once the property has been chosen, the Roatan Realtor will write up an offer to purchase. The offer will contain a paragraph calling for an “earnest money deposit”, which is 10% of the purchase price. The earnest money is typically wired to the Broker’s or Notary’s escrow account within 5 business days of acceptance of the offer. The balance of the purchase price is due at closing which is usually within 30-60 days.
The seller can accept the offer, submit a counter offer or reject the offer.
Once there is an agreement between the Purchaser and the Seller and earnest money is received, closing can be handled in several ways.
The simplest is to have the Purchaser return to the island for closing and sign the papers in person.
A very common alternative is to have a limited Power of Attorney created (POA) by the Purchaser, appointing someone else (often your Realtor) to close on your behalf and accept title in your name.
If a Honduran Corporation is being formed for the purchase, it is common to appoint someone to close on behalf of the Purchaser, (similar to a limited POA) in the articles of the constitution of the Honduran corporation.
At Closing
The lawyer draws up a Honduran Protocol which transfers ownership of the property from the Seller to the Purchaser. The Seller signs the document and the funds (purchase price) are transferred to the Seller. The Purchaser, or his assignee, signs the same document agreeing to the terms of the sale and accepts title to the property in the name of the Purchaser. The lawyer takes this document to the public land titles registry and submits it. The registry then records the sale and issues the new title in the name of the Purchaser which takes several weeks. The lawyer delivers the new title to the Purchaser or it can be forwarded it to the Purchaser via international courier.
Purchaser’s Closing Costs
Seller's Closing Costs
The Seller is obligated to pay Capital Gains Tax (currently 4%) on the increase of value of the property to the Honduran Government and the real estate sales commission. Seller is also responsible for paying Realtor’s commissions (Buyer & Seller Agents) which is used against their Capital Gains.
Financing
Susie Ebanks
Real Estate Agent
As a native islander and licensed realtor, I am thrilled to welcome folks in pursuit of their Caribbean lifestyle dream, a reality on Roatan and the entire Bay Islands! Whether your next adventure be about: new beginnings, investment, retirement, or part-time vacationer; our vibrant Mesoamerican coral reef, turquoise water, diverse local and expat communities, white sandy beaches, golden sunsets, lush tropical flora and fauna all awaits you on this tropical paradise. With five years of experience as a licensed realtor on Roatan, over 20yrs in sales management, nonprofit leadership, coupled with my fluency in Spanish and English, I am fully equipped to help you find and purchase your dream island property or sell an existing one. Much has changed on Roatan since my family migrated to New Orleans, USA in the mid 80s in pursuit of a better life and where I went on to receive my undergraduate degree from Tulane University. I am ever so grateful for the opportunity those changes have afforded me to move back home, doing a job I love, and especially being actively involved in affecting positive changes in island communities.
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Fernando Macpui
Honduran, originally from the capital city of Tegucigalpa, Fernando Macpui has lived in Roatan for the past 15 years. Fernando came to the island shortly after graduating from university and he instantly fell in love with the island landscape and its amenities. Since then, Fernando has established a strong connection and involvement within the community and is proud to call Roatan his home. Speaking of himself: “I have great communication skills and work well with others. I’m a great choice because I’m honest, trustworthy and most importantly, I care! With that in mind, I take pride of everything I do, especially when it comes to representing someone else’s interests.”
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Shannon Shuman
Shannon moved to Roatan from Denver, Colorado to pursue a life-long dream of island living. His 30+ years of experience in the professional world includes running a media business covering home building, interior décor and architectural design which has given him great insight to help others find the right fit for their island dream home. He also took the entrepreneurial leap to pursue a life-long dream of owning a dive shop on a tropical island. The experience transitioning from a big city to island life, and the corporate world to small business ownership, allows him to provide his clients with firsthand guidance on what you can expect as you embark on your own journey toward island life. Shannon and his wife are active in the community, scuba diving instructors, and love to dine out and relax with friends at many of the local waterfront hangouts. As a business owner on the island, he offers a broad network of resources to help you with your new home OR just make introductions to locals who will make you feel at home. The right partner will make all the difference in your home buying experience. Shannon will be there every step of the way to make the daunting process of purchasing your island home easy, and to help you find the home you’ll be happy with for years to come.
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