Thursday, August 4, 2011

Retiring in Mexico

One of the most enduring American dreams has been to retire early in a place which has an abundance of sun and sand. Whenever, retirement is discussed, Mexico as a retirement destination is one of the prime candidates.

While earlier, only the sunny weather and magnificent beaches were chief reasons for selecting it as retirement destination for Americans, Canadians and Europeans, now the situation has changed dramatically. Increased cost of living in US and subdued economy has forced people to seek destinations which have a lower cost of living without compromising on infrastructure and amenities. Over the last few decades, Mexican government has invested a lot in improving the infrastructure such roads, highways, airports, communication, hospitals, hotels and housing.

This huge improvement has spurred people from north to see Mexico in a different light. Mexico real estate prices are still very low as compared to US homes with same type of location and amenities.

Today, we will explore the reasons which make Mexico such a great retirement destination.

Retiree friendly: Apart from great weather, Mexico has other benefits too. The Mexican government offers benefits like a special visa and inexpensive health care for expats who come to Mexico seeking the peaceful life in their retirement years.

The "rentista" is a special type of non-working visa available to retirees 51 and older. To be valid for a rentista, you'll need to provide a letter from the bank or social security administration confirming that you receive a certain minimum income each month. Foreign retirees are also eligible for IMSS, a Mexican social security plan that costs $200 per year and covers medical, dental, and vision care.

Buying property in Mexico:

Buying property in a foreign land can be tricky. But, not in Mexico. Buying Mexico real estate for foreigners is a simple process. One doesn’t have to be a Mexican citizen to own a property in Mexico.

If you are buying property within 50 miles of the coast or 100 miles of a national border, then you will need to set up a Mexican corporation which technically owns the land or a beneficial trust called a fideicomiso.

Always hire a professionals Mexico real estate agent of good repute who can not only find you the best property suited to your requirements but also assist in all steps and procedures required while buying a property.

Property Taxes:
Property taxes (predial in Mexico) are extremely cheap compared to the US or Canada. The tax is a percentage of the assessed value of the property, which is determined at the time of the sale. For a retiree subsisting on savings, lower taxes are a great boon.

Medicare & amenities:

Mexico’s medical care is not only affordable but also world class. This is the reason why patients from US & Europe come to Mexico to take advantage for high end medical care at very affordable prices. With such excellent and cheap health care, retirees need not worry a great deal. Mexico has almost amenities one finds in developed countries. Wal-Mart, malls, multiplexes, luxury condos, superb highways and international airports – Mexico has everything to make your retired life comfortable.

If you also want to retire in Mexico, then starting planning now when the prices are low. Playa del Carmen real estate and Puerto Vallarta regions are some of the most sought after retirement destinations!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Latest Playa del Carmen Golf Residences

Playa Del Carmen has many options when it comes to high end living. You can pick and choose from plethora of choices – Beachfront, Golf residences, Marina, condo resorts etc. Each one has its own unique charm and suit varied lifestyles.

Among these Beachfront is much highly sought after. Golf course communities come a close second and are a perennial favorite among golf lovers who want a direct access to Golf course. Playa del Carmen is known as the Golf capital of Latin America and for a good reason too. It has nine world class and beautiful golf courses which provide the ultimate in golfing experience and luxury living.

There are quite a few gated Golf course communities with the latest and best being Residencias Grand Coral by Lorena Ochoa.

The project is located in Grand Coral Riviera Maya. It has incorporated innovative design which is beautiful amalgam of contemporary architecture and spectacular landscaping. It has surrounding lakes and beautiful gardens which lend the pool area a unique touch.

As with any golf residences, Residencias Grand Coral also offers spectacular views of the golf course but with a difference. All units of the project have views to the 18 hole golf course. For Golf aficionados, this project is as close to heaven as one can get!

Golf residences can be quite expensive because of the quality lifestyle they provide and premium luxury condos offered by them. Such a lifestyle is for a privileged few. But in Residencias Grand Coral by Lorena Ochoa’s case, an added attraction is an unbelievable starting price of 183,000 USD. To sweeten the deal even more, Residencias offer the very best financing in the market.

As far as golf residences are concerned, they must offer high end luxury amenities, entertainment options, security and ease of access. Residencias Grand Coral comes up aces in this regard also. All units have terraces with ample space to enjoy views of the Golf course and lakes. Besides that the best feature is the 18 hole golf course designed by Nick Price.

To take care of your leisure, there is a beach club and a club house with Restaurant, and snack bar. If you want to indulge yourself and relax, then you can visit a spa and completely unwind. For fitness freaks, a gym in club house is always within reach.

The project location is also highly favorable. It has direct flights major Mexico Real Estate, US and Canadian cities. International travelers can take a flight to Cancun’s international airport which is just 30 minutes north to this project. The nearest city is Playa del Carmen which is just a 10 minute drive.

Playa del Carmen Real Estate has many such gems which offer world class living as well as prudent investment options.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Playa del Carmen Condos – Best value for your money?

When it comes to investment and particularly real estate in Mexico, there are many factors that need to be factored in. Mexico is a top tourist destination and therefore, its real estate sector is always in demand. Destinations like Playa del Carmen are strong performers owing to their popularity among travelers from Americas and Europe.

A lot of people buy Playa del Carmen real estate as a second home or as an investment. Since, Playa del Carmen properties are cheaper then their American counterparts, the charm for acquiring such assets is always strong.

But what does cheap & affordable mean in context of Mexico real estate? Let’s take an example. If you wish to buy a beachfront condo in USA, then it will cost you a lot more than a comparative or even more luxurious condo in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Moreover, if you are smart enough, you can buy preconstruction condos offered by many developers. This choice is best for investors who have a long term view and do not need condos immediately.

While searching and opting for the most affordable condo is important in any scenarios, buyers should not loose sight of other equally important factors as well. All locations are not same and not every developer is reputable.

Location: Location is the most important part of any condo in Playa del Carmen. Ideally, you would like to have a beachfront or a beach facing condo. At the very least, a condo within a walking distance of the beach should be selected. Playa del Carmen is known for a beach lifestyle and if you are nowhere the beach then you will be losing out on lot of fun. Also, other facilities like hospitals, shopping centers, malls should be nearby.

Space: how many bedrooms are there? Are they sufficient for your purposes? More the space means higher prices and it will no longer be affordable.

Amenities: A luxury condo costs more. But some of the amenities that are mandatory are pool, gym, and other recreational areas.

Construction Quality: Condos may look fabulous early on and only at later time would you get know of poor construction quality. To avoid such scenarios, it’s best to go for the reputable and big real estate developers with great track record. Smaller developers may cut corners to maximize profits. Big developers have their reputation at stake and hence are more likely to use better construction material and best practices.

Design: A condo should be contemporary in design. Newer condos in Playa del Carmen Real Estate have usually latest designs both in exteriors and interiors.

Selecting condos which fulfill above mentioned criterion with the right price tag will mean that you buy a condo which will give you peace of mind for the rest of your life

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Buying Playa del Carmen Condos

Mexico Real estate is one of the preferred investing options for most people. Cities like Playa del Carmen are very popular with Canadians and Americans. Either people buy del Carmen real estate and sell it when it appreciates or they rent out their Playa del Carmen condos and earn a steady income.

During last few years, the lucre of real estate as an investment option has decreased sue to subprime crisis and recession among the retail investors but genuine investors know that this is the time when one can make a great foundation for future success.

Mexico is a beautiful country and is one of the top tourist destinations of the world. Playa del Carmen is also known for giving one of the better ROI on real estate investments. Because of a constant influx of tourists all year round, real estate is always in demand. A positive business atmosphere created by the Government has meant that there is a strong investor confidence which brings in more foreign investments in to Mexico.

Playa del Carmen has world class resorts, hotels, golf resorts couple with mother nature’s bounty which makes it a Jewel in Mexico crown. Apart from sandy beaches, Playa del Carmen has Mesoamerican coral reef which is an amazing and wonderful natural phenomenon attracting thousands of visitors every year. Playa del Carmen also has Cenotes which are fresh water sinkholes.

Playa del Carmen has evolved from a small fishing village to a bustling town with an international flavor. One cannot help but feel that everywhere in Playa del Carmen with many European style bakeries and restaurants. This has lent a European touch to Playa del Carmen which sets it apart from other tourist destinations in Mexico.

Playa del Carmen has no dearth of modern day amenities. It has two Walmarts, shopping malls, movie theatres, and world class hospital to make expats and tourists stay as comfortable as possible.

Playa del Carmen is very well connected. Though it doesn’t have an airport of its own, Cancun International Airport is just 45 minutes away from it. This has made it accessible to all parts of the world and has been instrumental in attracting tourists and real estate investors alike.

The road to investing in a foreign land can filled with many potholes therefore it’s very essential to hire the most reputable real estate agent. Playa del Carmen is no exception. To get the best deal, location and safety of your investment, you should first of all get in contact with real estate agents and interview with them to know which of them is most professional and knowledgeable. Once you are satisfied you can go ahead and start searching for your dream Playa del Carmen condo.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Why Puerto Vallarta continues to be a tourist paradise?

Puerto Vallarta is beautiful and enchanting. It has a friendly atmosphere and an old world charm which is missing in newer destinations such a Playa del Carmen and Cancun.

It can be said that Puerto Vallarta is a complete package with sun, sand, water and hills. On one hand you will find old building and on the other you will also see high end condominiums providing the latest in luxury.

No wonder, Puerto Vallarta continues to lure tourists to its shores year after year. A positive spinoff of strong growth of tourism has been Puerto Vallarta real estate. Vallarta property scene is vibrant and diversified with all kind of properties at all budgets available. A significant portion of real estate investors are from U.S. and Canada who like its sunny climate and relaxed lifestyle to the hustle bustle of their cities back home.

Since, Puerto Vallarta provides all amenities and luxuries, expats and tourists do not feel anything lacking in Mexico. For this reason, Puerto Vallarta has also emerged as an important retirement destination.

Though, Vallarta enjoys the confidence of real estate investors, the local government and citizens are not the one to rest on their laurels forever. Mexico has numerous great tourist destinations. There is lot of competition among these towns to grab share of the tourism and real estate pie. Playa del Carmen real estate, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas are few of some of the world class tourist destinations.

Because of this Puerto Vallarta is improving and developing all the time to keep its reputation as the numero uno hot spot in Mexico intact! The local government has invested huge sums on infrastructure development even when the recession was ravaging the whole world.

These investments meant that Puerto Vallarta real estate continued to develop as well sent strong signals to investors that Puerto Vallarta is not going to be one off miracle but is in for along haul.

Authorities developed bridges and high quality road network to ease the traffic issues. Recently, the project to expand Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore Highway was flagged off. The ambitious project involves not only expanding to 3 lanes but also use of high quality material and a pedestrian corridor.

In May, Jalisco’s Governor Emilio Gonzalez along with Puerto Vallarta’s Mayor, Salvador González and other municipal authorities participated in an official ceremony to launch the south shore highway improvement project which envisages expanding the highway to three lanes where the adjoining land allows for it. The stretch which will be taken care off during the initial phase starts on Basilio Badillo and continues four kilometers along the South shore highway. The project also involves replacing the road with long-lasting hydraulic concrete. This will mean that roads will last longer reducing recurring costs of road repair. For pedestrians’ convenience, a pedestrian corridor will be added.

The project will cost 50-million peso.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Sales Show Improvement in March

Multi-List Vallarta brought out its report for the March sales and there are positive news for the Puerto Vallarta real estate industry. Property sales in the region of Riviera Nayarit and Vallarta showed great deal of improvement in March. The report revealed that 22 sales were reported for MLV. MLV only includes re-sales and not any new sales for real estate projects.

This figure is double the usual figures generally reported.

So what are the reasons behind this surge? Is this the sign of the things to come in near future?

One reason that seems to be driving back Americans back to Mexico and Puerto Vallarta is that they are increasingly getting skeptical of the Media's reporting which is unfairly showing Mexico in poor light. People want to know the facts for themselves. Feedbacks from tourists reveal the true story. Most parts of Mexico and specially Puerto Vallarta are safe and thriving because of proactive governments and positive environment for business.

Puerto Vallarta is as safe as any other city in USA. When people get down to Puerto Vallarta they find it a friendly and warm city. This is in fact true for rest of Mexico as well.

Americans are also finding it frustrating for things to improve in USA. They believe that rather then waiting in USA, they better retire to Mexico early and enjoy their time. Why wait for the good things when you can have it today! Putting off retirement to future doesn’t make any sense when such great opportunity beckons you in Mexico. Mexico has a well placed Medical and social infrastructure in place which ensures that not only you have almost the same lifestyle and amenities that you are used to in America but also is very affordable. For people who are retiring and have a fixed savings, living in a place with lower costs of living makes eminent sense.

There is another category of buyers. These are investors who know that Puerto Vallarta real estate represents great investment opportunity. Puerto Vallarta has many world class developments and at this point of time, they offer great value for money. They know that such opportunity was not there earlier and won’t remain in future so right now is best time to invest in Puerto Vallarta real estate for long term. Such strategic investors are snapping up the best deals today and will be in a great position to get higher ROI when regular investors start coming back to the market.

Puerto Vallarta real estate has a wide range of properties suited to every budget, which makes it affordable for even budget conscious buyers.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Mexico Real Estate: Safe investment in unsure times

Looking to invest your hard earned money where you get high returns at very low risks? Then, Mexico real estate is the destination for you. A promising developing country, close neighbor and a tourist hotspot, Mexico has everything in its favor. Read on…

In financial circles, it is a well known fact that real estate is one of the safest ways to invest money. But what are the options when real estate market is in a state of moribund as in USA. Do we really have any safe financial instruments that promise safe returns?

If the trends are true then there is ample evidence that Mexico is one destination where you can get affordable investment options which are safe and secure from a long term perspective.

More and more people are looking south of the border for a personal and financial nirvana.

Mexico is tourist destination par excellence. No wonder, its cities regularly rank in top 10 for most favored tourist destination every year. Over the years it has also become world’s leading retirement destination fueled by the baby boomer generation of USA to retire to some warmer climes with beach and world class infrastructure.

In fact, these baby boomers flush with money to invest and a desire to live a beach lifestyle initiated Mexico real estate boom. Over a medium to long term, return on investment in Mexico real estate is projected to surpass those anywhere in USA. The obvious result of this projection was a spurt in investments in Mexico. This had a positive effect on the development of infrastructure in Mexico which further propelled it to the top ranks of world’s best tourism hubs.

Another factor which made Mexico real estate investment the choice of investors is its affordability. Homes in Mexico are significantly cheaper then anywhere in USA. For anybody who wants a second home or a vacation home, a condo in a city like Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is the default choice.

Mexico has no dearth of beaches. There are many towns known or unknown which have great locations, beaches and heritage. Many areas are still underdeveloped or undiscovered. In contrast, there are many well developed cities like Cancun and Playa del Carmen which have world class properties by world’s biggest developers. Mexico has a wide inventory of properties ranging from oceanfront villas to beachfront condos. Such breathtaking variety in terms of locations and homes at affordable prices is unheard in USA. When you have money to invest, Mexico homes offer correctly prices investments with great possibilities of incredible returns few years down the line.

So what are you waiting for? Come to Mexico and see for yourself why Mexico is the investment destination for you.