17 Killer Real Estate Deals for $100000 – or Less!

17 Killer Real Estate Deals for $100,000
– or Less!
A Pathfinder Report
www.pathfinderinternational.net
Contents
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 2
BELIZE: PLACENCIA .................................................................................................................................. 3
PANAMA: LAS TABLAS............................................................................................................................. 8
COSTA RICA: PACIFIC LOTS .................................................................................................................... 11
COSTA RICA: LAKE ARENAL ................................................................................................................... 15
COSTA RICA: COLINAS DEL MIRAMAR .................................................................................................. 19
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: LAS TERRENAS ................................................................................................ 22
ECUADOR: SALINAS ............................................................................................................................... 28
ECUADOR: CUENCA............................................................................................................................... 32
MEXICO: PUERTO VALLARTA ................................................................................................................ 34
NICARAGUA: RANCHO SANTANA.......................................................................................................... 37
PANAMA: BOQUETE.............................................................................................................................. 39
URUGUAY: ROCHA ................................................................................................................................ 42
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INTRODUCTION
Dear Reader,
Pathfinder’s mission is to scout the globe to find the most unique and valueoriented real estate opportunities the world has to offer. We’re your eyes and
ears on the ground, working to get you in early for the best possible deal...often
at prices you thought were consigned to the history books.
I spend up to two weeks a month, every month, scouting for real estate
opportunities. Every time I visit a new location, I look to see what you can buy
for $100,000 – or less.
Global economic problems mean that today there are opportunities –
opportunities that didn’t exist one, two or three years ago. If you think you can
no longer afford the retirement home you planned or the second home you
dreamed of, you’re wrong.
The deals in this report are the best I’ve found. These deals offer the biggest
bang for your buck – or 100,000 of them.
Study this report carefully. Deals like this don’t last long...
Margaret Summerfield
Managing Director, Pathfinder
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BELIZE: PLACENCIA
This tiny country is quiet but quirky. It doesn't attract the attention of the
mainstream media very often. It doesn't have a mega-budget to promote itself
as the next "in" place for tourists. Celebrities don't flock to its beaches with a
camera crew in tow.
So you're not likely to see Belize in the pages of a glossy magazine or splashed
across your TV screen anytime soon. It's easy to overlook this sleepy country
when you're considering a second home or retirement destination. And that's a
shame. Because Belize has a lot to offer...
For starters, this country is close to the U.S. You can fly to Belize from Miami in
two hours, and from Houston in two and a half. And once you land, it's easy to
get around: The country is only the size of Massachusetts.
You won't need to learn a foreign language. Most of Belize is English-speaking.
So there's no adjustment period where you struggle with a phrase book, point at
what you want and hope for the best. Instead, you can start making friends from
the get-go (and believe me, with the friendly locals and expats you'll come
across, it won't take long to build up your social circle).
Belize offers an easy retirement program called the Qualified Retirement
Program (QRP). It's available to anyone aged 45 and over with a proven income
of at least $2,000 a month.
Belize encourages offshore business and financial privacy. Belizean laws allow
asset-protection trusts, for example. Plus, there's no capital gains tax and no
inheritance tax.
Belize is a Caribbean country. But property prices are still affordable here.
And, last but not least, Belize is beautiful. With turquoise Caribbean seas
sprinkled with sandy atolls and islands...a huge barrier reef, the second-largest
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in the world, filled with clouds of tropical fish...the Blue Hole, a famous dive
spot...mountains, rainforest and ancient Mayan ruins...the landscapes are just as
diverse as the people who call this country home.
And one little peninsula in Belize offers the relaxed Caribbean beach lifestyle so
many of us dream of.
Beaches, Turquoise Seas and a Small Town Vibe
Placencia is a small town in the Stann Creek district of southern Belize. Its varied
history includes the Maya, pirates and buccaneers, English Puritans and Spanish
conquistadors. It's a charming spot that's still a barefoot paradise. But it's a
barefoot paradise that comes with some very nice amenities.
This little peninsula attracts water-worshipers from across the globe
Placencia's focus is the beach and Caribbean Sea. Small condo complexes sit
alongside little marinas and docks. Sport fishing is big here, as well as
snorkeling, sailing and diving in the crystal-clear water. You'll see boats
everywhere, from humble fishing boats to sleek trimarans. And with 16 miles of
white sand beach, there's plenty of room for swimming, sunbathing or relaxing
in a hammock...
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Placencia is home to 16 miles of beach
The village's charm harks back to small-town America maybe 60 years ago. It
isn't cookie cutter or master planned. Hand-painted signs point the way to
eateries half hidden by the lush tropical foliage spilling over walls.
The sandy streets in town straggle around stores painted in vivid pink and bright
yellow. You'll find a coffee shop, a couple of supermarkets, some good
restaurants and a gelateria with mouth-wateringly good flavors (coffee, coconut
and pistachio).
There are also dive shops, a produce stall, a health center, spas and beauty
salons, a hardware store, banks and bars.
Outside town, boutique hotels and chic resorts attract well-heeled visitors. The
best-known is Turtle Inn, owned by Francis Ford Coppola.
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Placencia's quaint small-town feel is charming
Placencia remains true to its chilled, laid-back roots. There's no rush here.
People stop and chat on the street, shooting the breeze. Locals greet tourists as
well as each other with a friendly good morning or afternoon. That friendly
atmosphere is one reason so many expats have chosen to put down roots here.
What about Real Estate?
Many of those expats are from the U.S. Placencia's popularity with American
expats led to a mini-boom in new residential communities, and a sharp rise in
property prices. But the slowdown in the U.S. put many projects on hold, or left
them with completed but unsold units.
Sellers in Placencia are now much more open to negotiation on pricing. Treat
sticker prices as a guide point – and negotiate. The deals and discounts on offer
will surprise you.
Here is a sample property on the market today:
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Steps from the Beach for $73,000
This lot is in a quiet, residential-only neighborhood close to town. A side street
and one other lot lie between the beach and this lot. The lot has sea and beach
views. It’s just a few steps from several beach access points. You could build
a 1200-square-foot house on this lot for around $120,000.
Contact Boris Mannsfeld here to get more details on these lots. Let him know which
one interests you – or tell him if you’re looking for something else.
Test-Drive Placencia for Yourself
There is an easy way to test drive Placencia...dip your toes in her turquoise
seas...and see if it's right for you...on a Placencia Chill Weekend.
You'll spend a couple of nights in one of the best local hotels...meet other
expats...relax over a beer or a plateful of coconut shrimp...and soak up the
relaxed atmosphere...
You'll also get a personalized property tour. You can contact local real estate
agent Boris
Mannsfeld and let him know what you're looking for. He’ll send you sample
listings, and arrange a customized schedule that's tailor-made for you.
You'll see what you want, when you want, at your own pace. Don't worry, you'll
get plenty of time to check out the beaches, too. And if you'd like to try your
hand at fishing, snorkeling or diving, you can add that in to your customized
schedule.
Boris will help you plan your trip if you contact him here.
The chill weekend will give you a taste of laid-back living, Placencia-style. You'll
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really get a feel for what it's like to live here. And you can decide if it's your
piece of paradise...
PANAMA: LAS TABLAS
Las Tablas is a small town of around 25,000 residents in the Azuero peninsula.
Founded in 1671, it’s still got a lot of colonial style—traditional houses roofed
with red tiles and a little church with a golden altar in the main plaza.
Las Tablas is around a three-hour drive from Panama City. It’s got banks,
hardware stores, bars, Internet cafes, grocery stores, clinics and local-style
eateries. You won’t find gourmet restaurants, giant supermarkets or megamalls. Only a tiny number of expats live here. It’s essentially a small rural town
where you’ll need to learn some Spanish to get by.
Las Tablas is famous for Carnival. The town hosts the best Carnival celebrations
in Panama. Tens of thousands of people descend on the town each year,
transforming this sleepy outpost to party central for a few short days.
Outside Carnival, Las Tablas is off the tourist trail.
It’s not the latest retiree hot spot, either. It’s not a big commercial center. It’s
not on the coast, although it’s close, so it doesn’t get droves of second-home
buyers. That’s all good news for anyone looking for a low-cost home in Panama.
You can still find it in Las Tablas.
Properties for Sale in Las Tablas
You can buy lots in-town from as little as $7 a square meter. That’s $7,000 for a
1,000-square-meter (quarter-acre) lot. Build costs are low, too. My local real
estate contact, Jean Paul Villamil, reckons you can build from as low as $40 per
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square foot. You could buy a lot for $7,000, build a 1500-square-foot house and
stay inside a budget of $75,000.
When I say in-town, I don’t mean right on the main plaza or squeezed in
between a couple of busy stores. Las Tablas offers plenty of quiet residential
neighborhoods close to the town center. I saw a couple of lots with trees and
nice homes either side in the $7-$14 per square meter price bracket.
If you’d prefer to buy a move-in ready home, you can get a three-bed two-bath
house with nice finishes in Las Tablas from $80,000.
I notice more commercial growth in town on this trip. I can see little commercial
plazas under construction and sites earmarked for future development. Many of
these buildings are adding apartments over the commercial space. Five years
back, there wasn’t much demand for apartments in town. Everyone wanted a
house. Today, it’s a different story. Many younger locals want an in-town, nohassle option to rent.
Las Tablas is well-connected. You’re 30 minutes from Chitre with its big
supermarkets, mall, hospital and movie theater. You’re 30 minutes from the
town of Pedasi which is home to good restaurants and cafes. And Las Tablas is
close to the beach, too. It’s only a 10-minute drive to the closest beach, Playa
Uverito:
I meet a couple who opened their beach house as a boutique B&B in Uverito in
2013. They bought the house for $170,000 and then remodeled it. It looks
fabulous and the beachfront setting is unbeatable.
I tour some fixer-upper beach homes for sale in Uverito, the closest beach to Las
Tablas. Prices start at $175,000, with lots of wiggle room. Jean Paul thought the
sellers of the $175,000 house would take offers. He suggested starting at
$140,000 and negotiating from there.
Beach lots, second-row with ocean views, run from $75,000.
This is one of the few locations in Panama where you can afford a home right
next to the beach. You need a good attorney, though. Not all the properties are
titled.
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I’ve visited this area many times over the last seven years. But on this trip Jean
Paul suggests we explore Azuero’s “highlands”. I’m intrigued.
We head to Cerro Canajagua. It’s 30 minutes from downtown Las Tablas but it
feels like a whole different world.
The climate in Las Tablas is warm, tropical and relatively dry. It’s surrounded by
farmland rather than thick rainforest. The land is pretty flat. Not so in
Canajagua.
We’re only a half-hour from Las Tablas but we’re elevated, around 2700 feet
above sea level. The views run for miles, across hills and forest and out to the
ocean. I can hear howler monkeys and the hum of cicadas. I can see toucans
and parrots. It’s green and lush and cool, maybe ten degrees cooler than in Las
Tablas itself. It feels like a secret oasis.
There’s a good road all the way to the top to access the TV and radio antennae
clustered at the peak. We only see a small number of lots and single family
homes for sale in this area. One half-acre lot with views in this area is listed at
$38,000.
That’s good value. Sure, this more remote setting won’t suit city slickers. But it
will appeal to nature enthusiasts and folks that love a setting surrounded by
trees and wildlife.
Las Tablas isn’t for everyone. It suits those looking for a slow and easy pace of
life. It suits anyone looking for a low cost of living. And with its low property
prices you can afford a nice home or to build your dream house with goodquality finishes.
Jean Paul will help you check out Las Tablas properties for sale on a real estate
tour. Just contact him here, tell him what you’re looking for and he’ll get
back to you with some property listings. He’ll also help you with
accommodation, airport transfers and anything else you need during your trip.
My advice is to stay for at least 4-5 days in the area to get a feel for the Las
Tablas lifestyle. That way, you can also add in trips to towns and beach areas
nearby, such as Uverito and Pedasi.
Jean Paul’s calendar normally fills fast. If you want to make sure you get the
most one-on-one time with him, contact him here today to start planning
your trip.
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COSTA RICA: PACIFIC LOTS
This place is home to some of the most stunning landscapes you'll see in Costa
Rica. Sharp, spiny mountain ridges, cloaked in thick, rich rainforest and wind
into the distance. They slope down to a curving coast, with mile after mile of
pristine beaches, backed by immense national parks. Tropical flowers stud the
roadside verges...waterfalls cascade from rocky overhangs...and the rhythmic
sound of the surf greets you at every turn.
Costa Rica's north Pacific coast boomed in the 1990s. But this area stayed under
the radar...with its mist-shrouded mountain peaks, pristine beaches and vast
forests...a secret known only to adventure tourists, a small group of expats and
the locals.
It should have attracted swarms of property shoppers...and resort and
residential developers, looking to cash in on the real estate boom. But it
didn't...because it was tough getting here.
I'm talking about Costa Rica's Southern Zone. Sharp mountains, vast rainforests
and miles of sandy beach...this is a dramatic landscape.
The Costanera (coastal) Highway was, quite frankly, one of the worst roads I've
come across on scouting trips. Unpaved...filled with lunar-sized craters...with
rickety bridges and whole sections that washed out in rainy season. In dry
season, clouds of dust obscured other drivers heading straight for you, on the
wrong side of the road...trying to avoid the potholes. The drive wasn't for the
faint-hearted.
There’s an airport, but it's a small, domestic affair, lacking basic amenities. You
won't find duty-free, VIP lounges or airport food here. You'll wait for the tiny
planes alongside the bumpy strip in an open-sided waiting area with hard
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benches, with your fellow passengers – all 11 of them...
The beaches stretch for miles – and you'll often have them all to yourself. These
are exactly the kinds of conditions to look for when scouting out a promising real
estate opportunity – a stunning setting, with low property prices, that's tough to
get to...with infrastructure upgrades on the way.
The upgraded, resurfaced coastal highway, with new bridges, storm drainage
systems – all the bells and whistles – opened in January 2010. It cuts the drive
time from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose, to just over three hours. And it's a
smooth, comfortable, easy drive.
One section that took 90 minutes on the old road took 22 minutes when I tested
the road shortly after it opened.
What a difference a new road makes...
The government has plans for an international airport in this region. If it gets the
go ahead, it would make the Southern Zone even more accessible to
mainstream tourists.
The Hospital de Osa opened in the Southern Zone in April 2008. It has an
emergency room, a pediatrics wing, and a neurology center. It's a great amenity
to have on your doorstep.
The new highway kick-started the opening of this region to mainstream tourists.
These tourists will bring residential and resort developers, who'll want to buy the
best beach and ocean-view properties. They know that once tourists see this
place, they'll want to spend more time here...and want to own a piece of it.
That all means one thing: Property prices should rise...
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Pacific Lots is a secluded spot with emerald-green hillsides
Close to the little town of Ojochal in the heart of the country's Southern Zone,
you'll find Pacific Lots. This secluded spot is where emerald-green hillsides slope
down to deserted beaches...where cloud-ringed mountains tower behind...and
the afternoon sun glimmering through the lush vegetation creates a magical
show of light and shadow...
Don't think for a moment, though, that your early-in opportunity in this still
emerging area of Costa Rica means you'll be roughing it.
Pacific Lots is a mature development, with over 200 homes already constructed,
and it's fully serviced with roads, water, electricity, satellite TV, Internet and a
modern communications system. The development is close to the new coastal
road, and Hospital de Osa.
The nearby village of Ojochal has plenty of tiny restaurants. But instead of
serving rice and beans, they serve Indonesian food...French, Italian and even
organic food.
You can buy crispy French baguettes fresh from the oven...grab an espresso
from the coffee shop...or savor a wood-fired pizza. A small deli stocks imported
cheeses, wine and champagne, Cuban cigars, Swiss chocolate and other treats.
It feels quite cosmopolitan for such an out of the way place...
If you're an outdoor enthusiast or a nature lover, you'll love the unspoiled, lush
landscape, and pristine beaches. It's the perfect spot for swimming, surfing, sea
kayaking, hiking, bird watching, whale watching...or chilling out in a hammock,
rocked by the ocean breeze.
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What will really take your breath away is how extremely affordable the majestic
views at Pacific Lots are. You simply choose your lot, choose your view – and the
Pacific Lots team will help you build your dream home.
For as little as $50,000, you can purchase a home site, with superb mountain
views. There are no requirements to build immediately – so you can lock down
your piece of paradise at today's low prices.
Here is just one of the homes that has already been built at Pacific Lots:
If you wait to buy here, the early-in deals will be gone. It's inevitable that values
will rise dramatically once the infrastructure upgrades open this coastline up.
Contact Steve Linder here today to find out more.
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COSTA RICA: LAKE ARENAL
The forest-cloaked mountains rise gracefully from the lake shore. The wide,
sapphire blue depths of the lake sparkle and shimmer in the bright morning
sunshine. A small white sailboat skims across the lake's mirror-smooth surface,
alone in this majestic landscape.
Sitting on your terrace, with a show-stopping view of this breathtakingly
beautiful Lake Country, you greet the day with a leisurely breakfast. You almost
want to pinch yourself.
You still can't quite believe this is real...that you're here...and that you could
afford to buy a home in this sensational setting...
However, this is all real. It's a secret paradise...hidden away from the hordes
that throng the beach towns of this popular tourist destination...concealed by
the lucky few who chanced upon it, and settled here for good...and where you
can still buy a property for a fraction of the price you'd pay elsewhere.
The location will surprise you. This place is in Costa Rica...not exactly a shrinking
violet when it comes to self-promotion of its natural assets. But while most
vacationers and home buyers tread the well-worn paths of the country's north
and central Pacific coast, and her Central Valley, this location plays it cool...
It's Costa Rica's Lake Country...a glorious jewel that's underappreciated and
undervalued.
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Life's a Beach...or Is It?
Who needs a beach when you can get views like this...
Set in the north-central region of Costa Rica, Nuevo Arenal is a three and a halfhour drive from San Jose, the capital city, or two hours from the international
airport in Liberia. It's easy to get here. But it stays off the radar of most of Costa
Rica's visitors...
You see, most of the travelers and property buyers in Costa Rica look for one of
two things: Beach living on the Pacific coastline, or cool highland living in the
Central Valley, close to San Jose. They don't consider other possibilities...so they
skip Costa Rica's Lake Country. They have no idea what they are missing out
on...
You can enjoy sailing, fishing, kayaking and swimming on the lake. Those beach
lovers could indulge all their water sport fantasies in Costa Rica's Lake Country –
without the sand and salt. The huge 33-square-mile lake (the largest in Costa
Rica) provides a perfect arena for kayaking, swimming, wind-surfing and fishing.
Onshore, you can try horseback riding, hiking, bird watching or canopy tours.
Central Valley aficionados will find the climate in the Lake Country a surprise,
too. Temperatures here hover in the 70s year-round, with refreshing lake
breezes. It's not cloudy and misty either (unlike the Central Valley, which is
frequently overcast in rainy season).
Costa Rica's Lake Country has a unique twist. The scenery looks a lot like
Switzerland or Italy, with mountains, forests, pastures...tumbling streams and
cascading waterfalls...with an exotic touch. The heady perfume of tropical
flowers drifts on the breeze. Howler monkeys swing through the tree tops, their
growling barks echoing across the hills. A rainbow-billed toucan or an
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ultramarine butterfly may join you when you dine alfresco. And then there's the
volcano.
It’s a scene stealer. Its tall, sharp cone rises majestically over the lake. It
doesn't simply look pretty. It also provides another bonus: thermal spas. Sink
into one at the end of a busy day...and soak away your aching muscles and
niggling stresses.
You'll emerge, feeling like a brand-new person...and ready for dinner with
friends.
Good Food...but What about the Company?
And that's when you'll discover the Lake Country's gourmet delights. In the local
towns, you'll find pastry shops and bakeries stacked with mouth-watering
treats...little cafes serving seafood dinners and local delicacies...and a small
restaurant that offers the best food you'll eat in Costa Rica.
And you'll enjoy your meal with convivial company. Costa Rica's Lake Country is
home to a friendly group of expats, who love this place, welcome newcomers
and help them get settled.
But now on to the hidden treasure...property bargains that you'll find hard to
beat...and even harder to resist. There really is a property for every budget
here.
3.5 acre Lake-View Lakefront Land
This 3.5 acre lakefront parcel is gorgeous and has fantastic views of the lake and
surrounding area. The land stretches from the main road to a protected bay.
This land would be perfect for a small development, or a great home or family
compound. Price: $99,000.
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Refurbished 2-Bed Lake-View Home
This quaint lake-view 1-bed, 1-office home was recently refurbished and
painted. With a beautiful porch, skylights and a lake view, this is excellent value
for money and would make for an excellent first home. Price: $44,000.
You can contact the team at Moran Real Estate here and let them know
which one you want more details on.
See For Yourself
If you want to get a feel for Costa Rica's Lake Country, surprise yourself with its
hidden charms, and check out the best property deals in the area (including
those low-priced lots), contact the team at Moran Real Estate here today.
The team at Moran Real Estate will help you discover this hidden corner of Costa
Rica...before the mainstream catches on.
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COSTA RICA: COLINAS DEL MIRAMAR
It's a seashore resort popular with Costa Ricans. Islands speckle the deep blue
waters of its bay. It's the gateway to the gorgeous Nicoya peninsula. It's close to
cloud forests, lush highlands and pretty beaches. It was a port for shipping
coffee overseas in the 1940s. Today, 18 different cruise ships call here.
It's easy to get to, and it's highly affordable.
It's Puntarenas, on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. This area offers quiet country
living, close to the city, and close to the beach. Yet you probably haven't heard
of it. It's overlooked and undervalued.
But if you're thinking of retiring or buying a second home in Costa Rica, this area
should be on your shortlist. Here's why...
It's Easy to Get To
For starters, it's accessible. A new highway opened in 2010, connecting the port
city of Caldera (south of Puntarenas) with San Jose, Costa Rica's capital. The
new road cuts the drive time from San Jose in half. It now takes around an hour.
It takes an hour and a half to get to San Jose's international airport. But you can
also fly into Liberia, Costa Rica's second international airport. The drive time
from Liberia is roughly two hours.
It's a quick, easy and comfortable drive to Puntarenas from San Jose. So you
can take advantage of San Jose's city amenities. These include top-class
hospitals like Clinica Biblica and CIMA...cinemas, restaurants, cafes, bars and
clubs...supermarkets and shopping malls. But you're not in a remote outpost
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here. You have a world of amenities on your doorstep...
Fun & Adventure Awaits You
Beaches run for miles along the coast
The setting is beautiful. Mountains and hills tumble down to the wide, sparkling
blue Gulf of Nicoya. Sandy beaches, dotted with palm trees, run for miles along
the coast.
Head into the Tilaran Mountains behind the coast and the scene switches from
beach living to country living. Farms and small villages are scattered across this
pastoral landscape, including the village of Miramar. It's a little hidden gem. A
small white church with twin red-roofed towers sits on the central plaza. It's a
scrubbed-clean, tidy village. Exotic flowers in shades of pink, scarlet and cream
spill over walls and fences. Miramar was a gold town. Some of the older, grander
houses are historically important. Others are simple homes in brightly painted
wood. There's also a sprinkling of newer, larger homes in landscaped grounds.
The little town of Miramar is a lovely place to spend time. Miramar boasts a
doctor, dentist, supermarket, bank, butcher, and hardware store. Little bakeries,
cafes and restaurants offer light snacks and hearty meals at low prices. You can
shop at the little family-owned stores. Thursday through Sunday, the local
farmers market offers fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses and herbs. It's a
lovely peaceful place to spend time...
If you carry on driving through Miramar, up into the mountains, you reach a
mirador (lookout point). You can look down the valley, across the farms and
forest-covered hills, out to the Gulf of Nicoya. It's an awesome view. A
restaurant at the mirador serves chilled beers and freshly-prepared food.
You have beautiful beaches 10-15 minutes away. You have surfing, horse riding,
sport fishing, white water rafting, zip lining, canopy tours and nature hikes...all
on your doorstep.
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Take a short ferry ride across the gulf, and you're in Nicoya. Nicoya's beaches
are popular with surfers and celebrities alike. You could spot Mel Gibson, Bruce
Willis, Harrison Ford or Gisele Bundchen strolling on the sand...
A Boom Town
The port city of Puntarenas feels a little gritty round the edges. It won't win
awards right now for charm or cuteness. But this city is moving ahead. Many of
the older, smaller homes in Puntarenas are changing hands, or getting a facelift.
New condo blocks are going up. Development is spreading outside the town, too.
A Hilton Doubletree hotel opened on the outskirts a couple of years back. Land
prices have shot up in this area in the last five years.
An Opportunity You Should Check Out
Colinas de Miramar is set in 647 acres of gentle hills, with streams and
centuries-old trees. Situated at the base of the Tilaran Mountains, many of the
lots in the community have panoramic ocean views, over the Gulf of Nicoya. The
developer is a Miramar local. His well-connected family has lived here for
generations.
Colinas is a master-planned community. Plans call for a community center,
commercial center, swimming pool, tennis and squash courts and a gym. Road
construction is already underway in the first phase. And they're building the first
model home.
Colinas de Miramar is around five minutes from Miramar, and 20 minutes from
Puntarenas. Home lots in this community are large, averaging 1.25 acres.
Mountain-view lots start from $55,000. You pay one-third of the price down, and
then have two years interest-free financing on the remainder.
Owners can either hire their own builder or choose a home/lot package. But
there’s no requirement or timeframe to build; you can sit on your lot for as long
as you like.
Why Not Visit and See For Yourself?
There's an easy way to see this area and Colinas de Miramar for yourself. Just
contact the developer. They'll give you lots more information on the area and
their development. And they will help you arrange a trip to come out here and
explore the views, the mountains, the beaches...and get a firsthand look at all
that Colinas de Miramar has to offer.
This isn't a high-pressure sales trip. It's a relaxed trip to help you decide if this
part of Costa Rica is right for you. It's that simple. Then if you like what you see
you can choose a lot there and then, and reserve it with a fully refundable
$2,000 deposit.
If you want to get the best lot...at the best price...now is the time to act. Contact
Johnny here today to start planning your trip.
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: LAS TERRENAS
It’s the perfect island getaway. It’s got warm weather year-round, blue skies and
tropical sunshine. It’s got endless beaches. It’s got clear warm water. It’s got
palm trees. It’s got little cafes and bars painted in rainbow colors. It’s got the
laid-back, relaxed, easy-going lifestyle.
About the only thing this perfect Caribbean island destination doesn’t have is
sticker shock property prices. You can buy a condo close to the beach for less
than $100,000 in this location. Or you can splurge and get a dream home for a
fraction of the cost on other Caribbean islands...
Why Choose This Caribbean Island?
The Dominican Republic is a great location for a second-home. Here are some of
the reasons why:
It’s quick and easy to get to. Flights take two hours 10 minutes from Miami,
three hours 35 minutes from Atlanta, and three hours 41 minutes from New
York. Low-cost airlines like Spirit and JetBlue help keep fares low.
It’s got great beach weather. Temperatures along the coast hover in the 80s
year-round.
The Dominican Republic offers powder beaches and crystalline Caribbean Sea,
and much, much more. A central mountain range forms the country’s backbone.
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It’s home to the Caribbean’s highest peak, Pico Duarte. The island’s landscape
includes waterfalls, mountains, valleys, forest, and lakes. In Santo Domingo, the
capital city, you’ll see colonial buildings, and ancient forts.
It’s easy to become a resident here.
The economy is strong. The estimated growth rate for 2013 is 4.7%.
Traditionally it focused on agriculture – the export of sugar, tobacco and coffee.
Today, the big earners are tourism and Free Trade Zones.
Property prices are still affordable in the Dominican Republic compared to other
Caribbean locations.
So Why Is This Spot so Affordable?
The Dominican Republic was a popular vacation spot for Europeans for many
years. It wasn’t as well-known to North Americans. But that’s changing.
In 2002, for the first time, the Dominican Republic saw more North American
tourists than Europeans. That’s still the case today. Most travelers fly to Punta
Cana. Tourist arrivals at the airport increased from 395,000 in 1996 to just over
2 million in 2010. It’s now the country’s busiest airport. Tourists come to Punta
Cana to relax in big all-inclusive hotels. There are more in Punta Cana than
anywhere else in the country. They line the white-sand beaches. They crowd out
any genuine local flavor.
It’s not just the airport that showed massive growth. When it came to property
development, Punta Cana pulled out all the stops. It centered on the coast
around Cap Cana. Cap Cana is seven minutes from the airport. Big-name resort
and residential developments moved in. Swarms of international investors
followed.
Cap Cana became the Dominican Republic’s hottest boom zone. It specialized in
luxury real estate. But in recent years the frenzy has slowed down. Property
prices have started to fall. Some properties now change hands for fifty cents on
the dollar compared to the boom years. Some developers scaled back big
projects or shelved them indefinitely.
While the Cap Cana market overheated, development in Las Terrenas carried on
at a measured pace. No triple golf courses, multimillion dollar condos, or
mammoth resorts taking over entire beaches. Today, it’s a proper Caribbean
beach town, with a European touch, and some low-priced property gems.
The Quintessential Caribbean
Las Terrenas is my favorite spot in the Dominican Republic. (You can see it on
this map here.) It’s a true getaway with golden sands, bright blue sea and
graceful coconut palms. There’s plenty of space to spread out and relax on the
gorgeous beaches. It’s a good spot for snorkeling, swimming and soaking up the
tropical sun...
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Over thirty years ago this was a rustic fishing village. Twenty-three years ago, it
didn’t have electricity. But it did have a distinctive Caribbean charm that drew
increasing numbers of Italian and French expats. Today, this little beach town
combines a Caribbean feel and flavor with European style and elegance.
The town’s hotels are small and family-run rather than big-brand chains. The
stores, in shades of tropical orange, ice-cream pink and lemon yellow, are a mix
of art galleries, small grocery stores, a French bakery and an Italian deli. You
won’t see high rises or sprawling malls in Las Terrenas...
The little fishing huts on the beach are now chic eateries
You’ll enjoy eating out here. The tiny wooden buildings lining the beach look
quirky. But step inside and you’re in gourmet heaven. You might find a local bar
serving chilled beer, fresh shrimp and lobster...or a fancy place with snowy
napkins, soft music and candles.
You can walk to cafes, restaurants, the beach, stores, supermarkets, and
nightclubs in Las Terrenas. Or you can try one of the crazy motorcycle taxis that
whizz past, loaded with goods and passengers.
Outside the town, you’ll discover beaches that run for miles, including Playa
Coson. Playa Coson is a sweeping stretch of deserted beach, palms, and
aquamarine ocean. You won’t have to guard your spot here...you can have a
whole chunk of the sand to yourself.
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The beach at Playa Coson
Luxury Living magazine voted Playa Coson one of their top 10 "Beaches to live on
in Paradise". The island’s most expensive hotel sits in the hills overlooking Playa
Coson. This area also attracts wealthy, discreet owners, seeking peace and
privacy.
Off the Beaten Track
Las Terrenas was tough to get to. In 2011, a new road opened, connecting Las
Terrenas with Santo Domingo. It cut the drive time to Santo Domingo to just
over two hours. But the last part of the journey...a mere 12 miles...took at least
45 minutes.
It took that long because it involved a steep climb into the hills, on a curving,
narrow road. The road was in bad shape. It had no street lighting. It had no
barriers. The sheer hills dropped down to panoramic views of Samana Bay and
the peninsula on clear days. But it wasn’t a comfortable drive. You wouldn’t want
to try it in heavy rain or in the dark. And it was very, very slow.
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The new Atlantic Boulevard road cuts the drive time to Las Terrenas
But a new highway opened in October 2011. It cuts out the mountain route. It
also cuts the drive time from Santo Domingo to an hour and 45 minutes. That
will make Las Terrenas more popular as a weekend and vacation spot for locals.
It will help bring in more foreign tourists, too. The new road places Las Terrenas
only 20 minutes from El Catey airport. El Catey receives direct flights from the
US, Canada and the UK.
For now, Las Terrenas remains low-key, charming...and affordable. It’s also a
place where you can generate strong rental yields. A Sample property currently
for sale in Las Terrenas:
One-Bed Close to Beach for $95,000
This one-bed one-bath condo is in a small, quiet community, just 100 meters
from a fabulous beach. The condo has a nice terrace with views of the
community’s landscaped grounds and swimming pool. The monthly condo fees
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are low at only $80 per month. This is an ideal beach getaway and priced at
only $95,000.
A Chill Weekend You Can’t Afford to Miss
We always advise you to visit a property to view it firsthand and do your own
due diligence before making any decisions. You’ll see the best properties on this
custom chill weekend. And you’ll get the lowdown on Las Terrenas...the upsides
of living and buying here...price history and rental income potential...from your
host, local real estate agent Toni Green.
Toni is inviting you to sample the Las Terrenas lifestyle...check out the best
properties...and (of course) spend some time soaking up the sun on the
beach...on a Las Terrenas custom chill weekend.
If you’d like to try on Las Terrenas for size and see if it fits, contact Toni to get
started. Toni’s got a mix of listings...from modest condos and town homes to
luxury beach homes. She’s got something to suit most buyers – and most
budgets.
Toni will discuss with you what you’re looking for, send you sample listings, and
arrange a customized schedule that’s tailor-made for you.
The chill weekend will give you a taste of Las Terrenas’ chic lifestyle. You’ll really
get a feel for what it’s like to live here. And remember, you’ll only see the
properties that interest you.
You’ll truly relax in this amazing setting. You’ll explore the town, and the
surrounding area...see the nicest beaches...get a feel for this unique
setting...and check out a range of properties with prices and styles to suit your
budget. You’ll see what you want to see, at your pace…
Contact Toni Green here to get more details on property bargains in Las Terrenas
or to start planning your custom trip.
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ECUADOR: SALINAS
When I first visited this small beach city in Ecuador more than seven years ago,
I liked it. It was pretty but not isolated...fun but convenient...and property prices
were a steal.
It rated highly in my books as a retirement or second home destination.
But I noticed something curious. There weren't many expats. When I finally
found a couple and asked why I didn't see many North Americans, the surprising
answer was: "They don't know about it – because if they knew how good it was
here, they'd come in droves." The two expats I met were married to locals. If
they weren't, they wouldn't have known about this place either. But things are
changing.
Today, seven years on...it's a different story. You'll notice expats on the beach
and boardwalk, in the stores and bars and restaurants. There's a stream of
North American retirees, snowbirds and vacation buyers coming to this beach
town.
They're coming for sun, sand, fun...and bargain property. You see, in this town,
you can still afford your dream beach home.
A large condo close to the beach comes with a price tag of only $70,000. A town
home one lot from the beach is listed at $100,000.
Until now, this country's coast – with mile after mile of unspoiled beaches – was
overlooked and undervalued. But that's now changing...
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Undervalued, Overlooked and Ripe with Potential
Scouting Ecuador's Pacific coast seven years ago, I immediately saw its
potential. And its beauty...
It boasts long stretches of sandy beach, tiny secluded coves and hidden bays,
washed by the sapphire-blue ocean.
I stopped in little fishing villages for lunch, hung out in cute surfer towns and
checked out the bigger cities. I strolled on the sand, watched the pink and gold
sunsets from my terrace and looked at dozens of properties.
Beach-lovers and water-worshipers will love Ecuador's Pacific coast
I spent a month traveling from one end of the coast to the other. And at the end
of my scouting trip, I reached one conclusion. This coast could boom. It looked
good, it stacked up against other Pacific coast destinations and it made a perfect
second home or retirement location.
Starting in 2003, North American buyers rushed to snap up beach property in
Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. This triggered massive price rises in some
locations. I recall one buyer writing us that he'd decided not to go ahead with his
purchase of a small condo on Panama's Pacific coast. Fifteen months later he
changed his mind again and returned to Panama – only to discover that he'd
need to fork out a lot more to buy the same condo. The price had almost
doubled in that time period.
That wave of foreign investors never targeted Ecuador's Pacific coast, though.
And that's why Ecuador's coast remained so undervalued and why it's still
incredibly affordable. It was simply overlooked.
Historically there were good reasons why people weren't flocking to Ecuador's
northern Pacific coast. It was really difficult to get to seven years ago. It was a
nightmare of bad roads, limited domestic flights and the uncertainty and hassle
of a ferry crossing that could delay you half an hour – or on a busy day, up to
four hours. You'd easily lose a day just to get there.
But the country's southern Pacific coast was a different story. It's much more
developed, with a string of coastal cities and small towns. And one of those
coastal cities made the most sense to me for second home buyers.
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This city is easy to get to. It's got golden sand beaches. It's got a good choice of
property with low price tags. Perhaps best of all, it's a nice mix of resort
amenities and city conveniences.
And today it's attracting a growing number of North American property
shoppers. They're looking for a place where they can slash their monthly bills,
live better for less and get the most bang for their real estate buck. This coastal
city is Salinas.
I'll explain how you can come and discover it for yourself in a moment. But first,
let me tell you why you should put Salinas on your shortlist.
Why You'll Like Spending Time Here
The best way to get to Salinas is to fly into the international airport in Guayaquil,
Ecuador's largest city. Then it's a 90-mile drive on an excellent paved highway
to reach Salinas.
Salinas has long been the "in" playground for Ecuadorians. They come to Salinas
for the weekend and longer vacations. They enjoy the beach and water during
the day.
And when the sun goes down, it's time for fine dining and buzzing nightlife in
clubs, bars and live music joints. I've visited Salinas several times. On a trip two
years ago, I watched a fashion show in my hotel, with hot guys and girls
parading past in designer swimwear. On the boardwalk, expensive sports cars
cruised along, engines growling.
The boardwalk runs alongside Salinas Beach. It's the busy beach, close to bars
and restaurants, right in the heart of the city. A sweep of high-rise towers,
stores and cafes line the street next to the boardwalk. People jog and walk their
dog on the boardwalk; couples stroll hand-in-hand.
Chipipe Beach is quieter, away from the boardwalk. Homes sit right next to the
sand. It's popular with families and those looking for a tranquil spot to while
away the afternoon. Kids splash in the surf, build sandcastles and share a picnic
lunch with their parents.
A yacht club separates the two beaches. It's one of two yacht clubs in Salinas
which has a long history as a sailing and sport fishing hot spot. Back in the
1940s and 1950s Ernest Hemingway, Harry Truman and Pablo Picasso came to
Salinas to fish.
The population of Salinas is around 45,000. If you factor in the population of
neighboring towns like La Libertad, it reaches 200,000. So along with the fun
resort amenities, you get all the practical stuff for year-round
living...supermarkets, beauty salons, hardware stores, banks, a movie theater
and a big produce and seafood market.
But despite all those amenities, Salinas remains affordable. You can buy lunch
for less than $5...throwing in a beer will add $1 to the tab. A maid typically
charges $60 to clean the house twice a week. You'll find medical and dental care
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much cheaper than in the US. A doctor's visit costs just $25. In fact, it's possible
to live comfortably on $1,500 a month.
And your dream beach house won't break the bank either. Take a look at this sample
property:
2-bed, 1-bath condo in a beachfront community for $78,000
This two-bed one-bath condo is in a beachfront community that’s 10 minutes
from the malecon in Salinas and close to a mall, grocery stores and a farmers’
market. The beachfront community features a large swimming pool, social area,
gym and direct beach access. The condo is priced at $78,000.
The Easy Way to Test-Drive Salinas
To get an up-close look at the best-value property in the Salinas area today, I'd
like to invite you to join Amy and Gerardo Pinoargote on a Southern Pacific Chill
Weekend.
Amy's an expat herself, originally from the U.S. She's now living full-time in
Salinas with her husband Gerardo (who grew up in Salinas), and their two young
kids.
Amy knows what foreign buyers want when they're looking for a home in
Salinas. And Gerardo's local connections help them find the best deals. They'll
help you uncover this amazing location, and give you the lowdown on what it's
really like to live here.
You'll see the little fishing villages and quaint beach towns on the Southern
Pacific coast...take in the sights, soak up the atmosphere...and, of course, check
out the best properties. But don't worry, you won't get a hard sell sales pitch on
this tour.
Amy and Gerardo will give you all the information you need to decide if this area
is right for you, but there's no pressure to buy.
You'll get to relax and soak some of the atmosphere, too...go on a walking tour
of a lively surfer town nearby, stopping off for some souvenir shopping, and
sampling the local cuisine. Plus, you can kick back on the beach and take in the
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expansive views of the Pacific Ocean...
Amy will help you plan your trip and she’ll organize a customized itinerary of
property viewings for you, based on your budget and preferences. You’ll see
what you want to see, when you want to see it, at your own pace.
You can get more details and book a tour with Amy and Gerardo here.
ECUADOR: CUENCA
This city is culturally-rich but incredibly low-cost
I know a place where you can listen to opera or play in a symphony
orchestra...take part in an active arts scene or join a poker club or a writers'
group.
These are just some of the activities you can enjoy in Cuenca, Ecuador. Cuenca
is a cultural haven that hosts more than 200 events a year. Many events are
free. You can take your pick from art exhibitions, opera, jazz and film festivals,
poetry readings and craft fairs.
That arty edge attracts many expats. They're not all retirees. Many younger
people move here to take part in the local arts scene. But the vibrant cultural life
in Cuenca is just one of the many advantages this city offers.
It's in a lush green valley with the Andes Mountains forming a majestic
backdrop. The sparkling Tomebamba River winds its way through the city, its
banks lined with trees. It's a pretty setting, with warm sunny days and cool
nights. You won't need heating or air-conditioning. And that's just one of the
savings you'll make if you relocate, retire or spend part of the year here.
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That's because Cuenca is a low-cost location. You can afford to eat out more,
take taxis round town, buy lots of fresh produce and even hire someone to clean
and cook for you. Medical care is high-quality and it costs a fraction of the price
you pay back home.
Many expats who live in Cuenca report that $1,500-$2,000 a month is a good
budget for a couple. That gets you a nice standard of living, without scraping by
or watching every cent you spend.
Property prices won't break the bank either. You might expect to pay a premium
for city conveniences. Cuenca isn't just a center for culture. It's got
supermarkets, a good transport network of buses and taxis, gourmet
restaurants, nightlife and good hospitals.
But your real estate dollar goes a long way in Cuenca. Let me show you one
example:
Fully furnished apartment for $105,900
This 2-bed, 2-bath, fully furnished apartment covers 958 square feet. It’s bright
and spacious with large windows that open onto a central courtyard. There’s also
a kitchen, living room, and dining room.
The building is only blocks away from the Yanuncay River and the apartment is
move-in ready.
Although the price tag is slightly over $100K, it does come fully furnished, which
is a huge bonus.
You can get more details from listing agent Maribel Crespo here.
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MEXICO: PUERTO VALLARTA
When you're looking for a second or retirement home overseas, you face a
choice: Should you go for a pioneer destination...trading off the lower property
price against the wait for anticipated infrastructure, expats, and amenities...or
pay a bit more now, and settle for an established location, where you can enjoy
home comforts from the get-go?
Vallarta is affordable yet offers a truly cosmopolitan lifestyle
Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast is one such place that offers the latter.
It’s not a brand-new beach town or an emerging destination. It’s well
established with a long and colorful history, dating back to pre-Hispanic times.
And while it isn’t the cheapest destination that Pathfinder covers, it’s still
affordable, and offers a truly cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Backed by lush mountains that sweep down to the shimmering sapphire waters
of Banderas Bay, Vallarta’s setting is magical. The town started attracting expats
and property buyers in the 1960s, thanks to the world exposure it gained during
filming of Night of the Iguana. The world's media followed the film's stars,
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
And the media gave the world a glamorous glimpse of Vallarta’s beauty...the
Sierra Madre mountains tumbling down to the deep-blue Pacific...the whitewashed houses sitting in the hills overlooking Banderas Bay...the little plazas
and cobblestone streets. All that publicity put Puerto Vallarta on the world map
and kick-started its meteoric rise as a tourist destination.
Today, the town’s mile-long malecon, or boardwalk, winds its way along the
beach, dotted with sculptures. Little stores line the malecon, offering souvenirs,
pottery, leather goods, jewelry, textiles and hundreds of varieties of tequila. You
can stop for locally-made ice-cream, eat lunch in an outdoor café or party the
night away in a trendy club or bar.
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Fox News describes Vallarta as Mexico’s top beach town. So let’s take a closer
look at what makes Vallarta sparkle as a top beach destination
First up there’s the pristine beaches and great choice of water sports. Puerto
Vallarta’s beaches run along 34 miles of stunning coastline. From golden-sand
beaches to secluded coves surrounded by tropical forest that reaches the
shoreline, you’re spoiled for choice. As well as endless beaches, Puerto Vallarta
is also a water-lover’s paradise. It boasts four marinas and a yacht club. It hosts
sailing regattas and sport-fishing tournaments.
You can do anything here, except snow sports. Vallarta doesn’t get cold weather.
It’s a warm and sunny spot with fresh ocean breezes and temperatures that
average 73-83F all year.
Then there’s the fact that it’s a thriving expat community that’s easily
accessible. For many North Americans, Vallarta is a place they come back to
year after year on vacation. And for some, it’s more than that - it’s home. In
fact, an estimated 50,000 North American expats live or own property here.
Plus, Puerto Vallarta is well-connected and easily accessible. The international
airport is around 15-20 minutes outside town. It receives direct flights from
across the U.S. and Canada.
Vallarta is a destination where you can enjoy home comforts from the get-go
Furthermore, Puerto Vallarta isn’t an early-in destination where you’ll have to
wait for roads or healthcare or malls. A long-established tourist and expat
destination, Vallarta could easily rival many cities in the U.S. It already has
excellent roads, modern hospitals, cable TV and even free Wi-Fi along the
malecon. It has plenty of supermarkets, shopping malls and big-box stores,
including many brand names you’ll know from back home.
Vallarta’s also a foodie hot spot, hosting gourmet food festivals with star chefs.
Many are local. You’ll never run short of dining options. There are more than 600
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restaurants and cafes here. And you’ll find something to suit most taste buds
and most pocketbooks.
But what sets Vallarta apart is its strong arts and culture scene. Little art
galleries dot the historic downtown. They sell locally-produced handicrafts,
including pottery, blown glass, majolica bowls and folk art. Many of the galleries
take part in Art Walks, which run every week from December through May.
With such a large amount of vacationers visiting year-round, and all those
expats, it’s not surprising that Puerto Vallarta has so much to offer – from golf to
spas to sport fishing. The nightlife is equally fantastic. Vallarta comes alive at
night, with late-night restaurants, bars, live music and buzzing nightclubs. You’ll
certainly never run short of things to do here. But what about the real estate
market?
Puerto Vallarta is not bargain-basement cheap. But it’s a lot more affordable
than you might think. Plus, when you factor in the amenities, the low property
tax rates (typically $200 a year on a $200,000 home), and the reasonable
association fees for condos and homes in private communities, you can see how
you can experience a California lifestyle here, without the California price tag.
A two-bed house near the beach
Let’s take a look at one such example: A two-bed house in a gated community in
Nuevo Vallarta with a private terrace. It’s close to the beach. It has a manicured
garden and the complex has a shared swimming pool, a barbecue area, and 24hour security. It can be yours for just $90,000.
You can get more details and information from listing agent Sarah Elengorn here.
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NICARAGUA: RANCHO SANTANA
It's the ultimate Pacific hideaway...a tranquil spot where you can relax and
unwind with family and friends...away from the crazy pace of modern life, the
stress and the strain. It's easy when you're somewhere that looks as good as
this:
It's our favorite Pacific beach getaway...find out why...
I’m talking about Rancho Santana, a community on Nicaragua's Pacific Riviera.
The Pacific Riviera is home to the best beaches and the most dramatically
beautiful coastline in the country. Sharp cliffs plunge down to crashing surf. The
Pacific Ocean sparkles in the tropical sun, washing up on sandy beaches and tiny
coves.
It's a real bolt-hole location – the kind of place many people have never heard
of. But once you've experienced the Santana lifestyle for yourself, trust me,
you'll appreciate its off-the-beaten-track charm.
But off the beaten track doesn't mean roughing it. At Rancho Santana, you get
privacy and seclusion. Santana covers 2,700 acres and two miles of coast, with a
huge forest reserve in the center.
But in this back-to-nature setting, you can enjoy home comforts. You can surf
the net, watch cable TV, play tennis or join a yoga session. The spa offers
massages and facials in its oceanfront treatment rooms. There's an equestrian
center and tennis court, a general store and an organic kitchen garden that
provides supplies for the restaurant.
The community hub is the clubhouse – where you can shoot the breeze with
neighbors or enjoy a seaside dinner. Plus you get to watch the gorgeous Pacific
sunsets this coast is famous for...
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Everyone gathers at the clubhouse for dinner, drinks and chat
Rancho Santana looks and feels like an exclusive community in California. But it
doesn't have the pretensions or the sky-high property prices. Homes in the
community look fabulous. In California, you'd need a celebrity bank account to
buy a property similar to those in Santana.
For $95,000, you can buy a beautiful ocean-view lot of 0.42 acres. That’s big
enough to build a nice house, put in a pool, and enjoy the peace
and privacy that Santana gives you. Take a look at what other owners have
done here:
You don’t have to build, but when you’re ready, the team at Rancho Santana
makes it easy for you. Build costs run around $90 per square foot. Santana’s
wood shop carves hand-crafted custom cabinets, doors, windows and furniture,
and there’s an on-site service to manage construction.
Full-service property and rental management can take care of your home when
you’re not there. Your guests can enjoy all the Santana amenities...and a luxury
resort with five beautiful beaches is incredibly tempting. A two-bed two-bath
ocean-view home can earn up to $1,500 a week. One owner’s home rents for
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50% of the year. It’s still his beach house for half the year, and earns a nice
income when he’s not using it himself.
You need to see Rancho Santana for yourself to appreciate its beauty, the level
of the amenities, its quiet charm and the breath taking ocean views. The easy
way to do that is on a Chill Weekend.
You can find out more by contacting the team at Rancho Santana today.
PANAMA: BOQUETE
I know a little town that has regained its sleepy charm – and seen a fall in
property prices.
Gold fever swept this little highlands town in the 1850s. That’s when hordes of
foreigners passed through, on their way to seek their fortune in California’s gold
fields. When gold fever died down, the town settled back to its normally tranquil
pace of life for almost 150 years. Then a second gold rush started...
But this time round, it wasn’t miners looking for gold. It was a wave of North
American expats looking for an overseas paradise – and Boquete fit the bill.
Boquete is set in Panama’s Chiriqui highlands. Surrounded by rich, green hills
and mountains, with rushing rivers and rolling meadows, it’s postcard-pretty.
Scarlet and pink bougainvillea scramble over walls and gates, tiny hummingbirds
flit past coffee trees and bright blossoms fill yards and riverbanks. The weather
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is spring-like all year thanks to the 3,900 feet elevation. You won’t need heating
or air-conditioning. Today, it’s warm and sunny with a refreshing breeze
sweeping down from the mountains.
On a walk around Boquete, you can stop for a cup of locally-grown coffee or
homemade cheesecake at a cafe. The smell of warm, fresh bread from the
bakery will tempt you. Then there’s the weekly market where you can pick up
fruits and vegetables, organic skincare products and handcrafts.
It’s easy to see why North American retirees and second home buyers began
coming to Boquete over 10 years ago. It’s scenic with nice weather and plenty of
charm. The cost of living is low; you’ll pay $3-$4 for breakfast and $6-$7 for a
delicious lunch.
A little over 10 years ago, real estate prices in Boquete were a bargain. But then
the wave of North American buyers became a flood. Real estate prices started to
rise sharply. The Boquete boom kicked off.
Boquete went from a quiet backwater to a boom town. Real estate developers
jumped on the bandwagon, building homes aimed at North American buyers.
They built high-end condos and enormous houses with fancy finishes. They
offered expensive amenities: golf courses, equestrian centers and luxury spas.
Prices soared. They hit a peak in 2007 when buyers paid $250,000 to $300,000
for a condo close to town. But today it’s a different story. The property market is
much slower and some motivated sellers have cut asking prices to pre-boom
levels.
That’s because Boquete was a market with all of its eggs in one basket. Local
buyers didn’t fuel the boom or Latins from neighboring countries. The buyers
mostly came from the U.S. So when the U.S. economic slowdown kicked in, it hit
Boquete hard.
Without U.S. buyers, the market ground to a halt. Developers scaled back or
stopped building. Some ambitious projects stayed as pipe dreams, never making
it off the drawing board. A few simply failed, running out of money before they
completed construction.
Fast forward to today, and the Boquete market is more realistic. Many of the
developers that survived the slowdown are adjusting to suit today’s buyer.
They’re carving up multi-acre lots into smaller home sites, allowing smaller
home sizes, planning condos and town homes; making it more affordable for
people to become part of their community.
Individual owners are also much more willing to negotiate on asking prices. I’ve
seen a couple of homes recently where the owners trimmed a nice chunk off the
list price, cutting it to around $1,000 per square meter (less than $100 per
square foot). That’s a really good price for a home with quality finishes in
Boquete.
On a trip to Boquete recently, I noticed that the gold rush crazy prices had
mostly gone. The town is still lovely, and it’s adding to the amenities the boom
40
years brought in. I enjoyed spending time in Boquete – more so than in the
boom years. This little town is more attractive than ever. And today, it’s much
more affordable to own a home here.
Many expats who live in the Boquete area buy a lot and build their own home. I
saw a project with stunning mountain views on my last trip – with very
affordable lots.
Mountain View Lots in Boquete
This development offers lots with stunning mountain views. They are a short 10minute drive from downtown Boquete in a quiet countryside setting. One home
in the community is already complete and another two are under construction.
One lot, a third of an acre in size, is priced at $59,000. It has a slight slope. The
community is covered by Boquete’s municipal water service and there is
electricity in phase one. Price: $59,000.
To get more details, contact Harry Hunt here.
If you’d like to see Boquete for yourself, you can join a Boquete Chill Weekend.
You’ll see the tumbling rivers, beautiful mountains and rich pastures...check out
the best properties around town...and get a feel for the Boquete lifestyle in the
cafes and restaurants and local stores.
Contact Harry Hunt today to start planning your trip.
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URUGUAY: ROCHA
As we crested the dunes, the beach came into view. It was gorgeous: a wide
silky ribbon of white sand, bordered by the sapphire ocean sparkling in the sun.
The rhythmic swoosh of the waves rolling up on the sand and the call of seabirds
broke the peaceful silence. The beach was empty. We had it all to ourselves, for
swimming, sunbathing and walking barefoot in the sand...
This is the province of Rocha, on Uruguay's eastern seaboard. While it holds a
certain cachet for a select few, it's not particularly well-known. Punta del Este,
Uruguay's (and South America's) most glamorous resort town overshadows
Rocha.
However, that’s set to change. Described by the New York Times as “South
America’s next bohemian hideaway”, the Rocha coastline is by far the nicest in
Uruguay. Rocha is very different to Punta. It doesn't have the swanky high-rises
or the fairy-dust magic of celebrities. It's more tranquil...more discreet. And it's
a lot more affordable than Punta. You can buy a spacious home site from only
$34,100. More on that in a moment. But first, why you should seriously consider
the Rocha area.
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Rocha: A Beautiful Coast at a Beautiful Price
The best beaches in Uruguay...
For starters, the beaches here are the best in Uruguay. Wide and untamed...with
soft white sand...and white-capped breakers running across the navy-blue
ocean.
Sand dunes crouch protectively behind the beach. On the other side of the dunes
lies a different watery oasis; a huge lake, Laguna de Rocha. It's protected, and
covers more than 22,000 acres. Both the lake and the beach are open to anyone
to enjoy.
The landscape around the lake is a rural one of rolling grassland, pine forests
and fields dotted with cows and sheep. Close by, you have a choice of two
popular beach towns.
La Paloma, favored by Uruguayans, is the larger of the two. It has more
amenities: a bank, post office, supermarkets, clinic, taxi ranks, bus depot and
many restaurants and cafes. A new boutique hotel on the edge of town offers
chic modern style.
The town's lighthouse (one of a series dotted along the Uruguayan coast) is a
much photographed landmark. La Paloma's pretty beaches fill with vacationers,
surfers and backpackers in peak season.
La Pedrera is much quieter, and attracts Argentineans and Europeans. It lacks
many of Paloma's amenities. Two boutique hotels, a handful of little restaurants
and a small grocery store stocking the basics...and that's about it.
The homes in the town are a mix of ultra-modern architecture and upscale
rustic. Set on a low cliff, the town overlooks sweeping curves and coves of white
sand. Rocky reefs and outcrops shoot ocean spray skywards
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Unspoiled Chic or High-end Glamour?
Punta boasts beautiful people, luxury homes – but what about the price tags?
These little beach towns are a sharp contrast to Punta del Este. Punta is the
traditional summer and vacation resort of Argentineans, and increasingly for
Brazilians. For six weeks a year, royalty, the seriously wealthy, and stars from
the worlds of fashion, music and cinema gather in Punta to party. Punta's trendy
restaurants and designer stores cater to this exclusive market.
From the sleek yachts moored in the marina, to the multimillion dollar condos on
the boardwalk, Punta oozes money and glamour.
That popularity impacts real estate prices. New condos in Punta now average
$3,000 per square meter. A lot in a gated community can cost up to $500,000.
But those escalating prices are pushing real estate development along the coast,
away from Punta, and towards the border with Brazil. That's where you'll find
Rocha.
When I first visited Rocha five years back, there wasn't much in the way of
development. I only found a couple of small private communities, and some
resales.
Since then, things have started moving in Rocha. You still won't see high-rises,
condo towers or mega-resort hotels. But a prominent Argentinean developer
plans a $350 million project here...the founder of clothing chains Mango and
Etiqueta Negra plans to do another one...and smaller developments are starting
up. And we've uncovered one community, close to the ocean and the lake, with
spacious lots from only $34,100.
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La Serena Golf
La Serena Golf is developer Daniel Ok's second development in this area. His
first, Las Tajamares, features heavily in a glossy coffee table book showcasing
homes from Argentina's foremost architects. Owners in Tajamares selected some
of the best architects to design their homes. It's the only project in the book in
the Rocha area.
With 225 acres, La Serena's 179 lots vary from a half-acre to three-quarters of
an acre in size. More than 50% of the land will stay as green space. Seven lakes
will dot the project, adding to the relaxed country feel of the property. Amenities
will include a nine-hole golf course, a putting green and tennis courts. This will
be the first golf course in Rocha.
Many of the lots have ocean views. And La Serena is only 1,300 feet from the
ocean and beach. It's a just over half a mile to Laguna de Rocha and 2.5 miles
to the beach town of La Paloma.
Despite the amenities, lots in La Serena start from $34,100. That gets you 22,820
square feet (a half-acre). If you want sea views, you'll pay a little more.
You don't have a build requirement, so you can sit on your lot as long as you
like, and only start to construct a home when you're ready.
You'll enjoy spending time on Rocha's beautiful coastline. And La Serena Golf is
in the right place...at the right time...ahead of the development path that's
sweeping along this coast from Punta.
In the next five to 10 years, I expect this section of coast will change
significantly. The pace of development is gathering speed. This is good news for
property investors. I just hope that Rocha’s little beach towns preserve their
quaint charm...
If you want to snap up one of those spacious lots in La Serena, contact
Daniel Oks today.
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