Exclusive & Coveted 6Plex
• 1,451 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story "First Floor Condo" - 
MLS® $279,000 USD
Zona Dorada, Bucerias - If this condominium is in your budget, book a viewing!
This well maintained 6 unit condominium, located in Bucerias’ “Golden Zone”, was built by Carlos Gonzalez in 2001 and shows as well as it did when it was new. Condominium Velmar is a contemporary Mexican styled complex that was built the way they all should be…solid, airy, spacious, and low-density!
Large common areas, reserved parking, marble and solid wood throughout make this first floor 2 bedroom 2 bath condominium the only non-oceanfront “must see” condominium north of Puerto Vallarta. Large comfortable bedrooms make this an excellent option for a small family or for a couple ready to make Mexico their home. The large terrace is great for anytime entertaining or for enjoying a relaxing morning coffee.
The large common pool is excellent for laps…or fun! The views from the common roof area will make you feel like you are the king or queen of Bucerias. Watch the bay light up with fireworks on New Year’s Eve or just enjoy a margarita on your rooftop lounger. Currently, the roof area is undeveloped but is still fully usable and enjoyable.
Velmar Bucerias is well regarded and rarely is there a resale. This condo has never been rented and is owned by the original non-smoking owners. Call today to book your appointment.
Property Details:
Listing Price: $279,000 USD
Property Type: Condominium
Address: 32 Carmen Serdan
City: Bucerias
Neighborhood: Zona Dorada
Stories/Levels: 1
Construction Style: Contemporary Mexican
Oceanfront: N/A
View: Pool, Partial Ocean
Parking: 1 Space
MLS # (if any): 32681
House Size ft2: 1451
House Size m2: 135
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Pet Friendly: No
Pool: Common
Air Conditioning: Mini Split Zoned
Appliances: Stove, Oven, Refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer
Furnished Yes - inventory list provided
Interior Features: Polished concrete counter tops
Exterior Features: Large garden and pool area, gated complex
Property information
Another great article from http://themexicoreport.com. What is your list of positives? Please comment below. - John
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16 Positive Things About Mexico (and I’m only getting started!)
The MEXICO Report
By Susie Albin-Najera
On the plane from Los Angeles to
Cancun, a mother was traveling with her husband and two children. Since
she and her husband were not seated together, and one of their seats
was next to us, they each took turns sitting next to us. She sat next to
me the last half of the flight. This was their first vacation to
Mexico and it just so happened that they were going to be staying at Hacienda Tres Rios
in Riviera Maya, a place my husband and I know well. We were able to
tell her all about the resort, its surroundings, ambiance,
eco-practices, kids club, Chef Oscar, and so forth. She said she wanted
to do something special for her husband for his birthday while they were
there and I recommended dining at the ‘Chef’s Table’ with Chef Oscar.
She could get childcare on site or have the kids go in the Kids Club.
She said, “Do you think that’s safe?” and I said, “I’m POSITIVE it’s safe.” I knew that this was a very kid-friendly place.
This led me to really think about
the ‘Is Mexico Safe?’ comment I hear all too often. Like any other
country, isolated crimes will happen, and you always have to be a smart
traveler, be respectful of the country you are in and don’t go asking
for trouble.
For anyone who has not been to
Mexico (and/or who tells other people not to go because of what they see
on the 6 o’clock news), please think twice. I have been traveling to
Mexico for more than 20 years and will continue to travel to Mexico for
the next 20 years, unless we end up moving there first!
So, here are 16 Positive Things About Mexico (and yes, I’m only getting started!)
- I am positive that no matter where you go or what you do in Mexico, it will always be an adventure.
- I am positive that someone will always be around to help you.
- I am positive that no matter
how hard you try, some words will be lost in translation, and most
likely it will be comical.
- I am positive that having a sense of humor is key for any travel.
- I am positive that experiencing new foods in Mexico will never get old.
- I am positive that your eyes will be dazzled by the bright colors of Mexico.
- I am positive that Mexico’s greatest natural beauty is in the eyes of her children.
- I am positive that Mexico will always amaze and never cease to confound.
- I am positive that Mexico is ancient and modern at the same time.
- I am positive that Mexico still is a place of dreams.
- I am positive that the natural beauty will replenish your soul.
- I am positive that you can see the history of Mexico in the faces of its people.
- I am positive that when you visit (and you’re not acting like a jerk), you will be treated like family.
- I am positive that the many speed bumps are good for your abs.
- I am positive that you will always find an outdoor taco stand or street cart open late.
- I am positive that for me, the best part of Mexico is the children.
Great Mexico Experience. It's time to get yours! - John
---
Tales from the Pacific - from http://online.wsj.com/ad/article/memoirs-nayarit-jm
A writer journeys to Riviera Nayarit and discovers treasures in the Sierra Madre, art-filled streets — even a Bear or two
As we ventured out into Banderas Bay, the
horseshoe-shaped cove just north of Puerto Vallarta in the resort area
of Riviera Nayarit, a whale and its baby came up to the surface of the
Pacific-blue waters. I was on an observer’s boat going to watch La Regata Copa México,
part of the Mexican bicentennial celebration (this year marks the 200th
anniversary of the country’s independence and the 100th anniversary of
its revolution). With five participating classes — Oceanic MEXORC, J24,
Optimist, Kitesurf and Windsurf — I was told it would be one of the most
competitive events in the sailing world, on par with America’s Cup,
Copa del Rey and Rolex Cup Racing.
The races began. Watching a kite-surfer fluttering along the
dazzling coastline, sipping a Red Sky (a popular beach drink like a
Bloody Mary made with beer instead of vodka), I couldn’t help but think
how much sailing was like ballet. I was mesmerized by how elegantly and
quickly the crews moved around their vessels in synchronized motion.
The victor of the MEXORC was a craft I had written off: the Akela
(USA). It left early and was required to restart the race. However, it
deftly maneuvered the oscillating winds, hoisting a different sail than
the vessels on either side of it —- a jib — to overtake the competition
to everyone’s surprise. It was a thrill to watch.
After returning to shore I joined the flow of spectators
drifting toward the covered grandstands for a presentation. There was
some commotion as a distinguished-looking man walked toward me, who
seemed to be shaking hands with everyone.
Suddenly, I realized who he was. I stuttered, “Hola, Mr. President!”
On my first day in Riviera Nayarit, I had simply stumbled into
Felipe Calderón, the president of the country. Something told me it was
just going to be that sort of trip.
In the evening I ate on the outdoor patio of the Café des
Artistes in Punta Mita, a long stretch of white-sand beaches and coves
sprinkled with exclusive resorts. I dined on avocado with mango sorbet,
lobster with crawfish from local rivers and a smooth local wine, a 2005
Malbec. I discovered the restaurant’s chef, Geraldo Sandoval, was just
named one of the eight finalists for Mexican chef of the year. I found
it hard to believe there were seven other people in the country who
could cook like this.
Outside the restaurant, I spied a little placard that read: “Do
you embrace the beauty of nature? Do you have a whimsical and
adventurous spirit?”
In Riviera Nayarit, I decided it’s best to follow the signs and
go with the flow. So the next day, I took a tour with Vallarta
Adventures, first speed-boating across the bay and then taking a
25-minute jeep ride up the winding roads of the cloud-dipped Sierra
Madre Mountains. The next leg was a burro ride up a thin path framed by
vibrant trees and bushes. From there, I zip-lined, an exhilarating sport
where I whizzed along cables strung from trees in the jungle, and then
rappelled down the cliffs alongside a tropical waterfall.
At the end of the journey, my exuberant tour guide Gibran warmly shook my hand and surprised me by saying, “We must meet for a drink after I get off from work!”
Delighted, I agreed to catch up with him at his favorite bar, Yo
Yo Mo’s, and upon arrival, bravely tried to order my first drink of the
day in the local language.
“I’m sorry,” the young Canadian waitress replied pleasantly. “I don’t speak Spanish.” She saw my baffled expression and laughed.
“A lot of people in Riviera Nayarit speak English,” she told me.
“If they don’t, we manage to figure it out.” She was right. It struck
me how everyone I encountered — taxi drivers, shop owners, waiters, even
people on the street — patiently engaged me in English and coached me
to improve my high-school Spanish pronunciation.
Gibran arrived, slapping the backs of everyone in the place.
Over the next two hours, we drank tequila, ate delectable Mexican pizza
(best pizza I’ve ever had), and chatted and laughed with the Mexican
nationals, Canadians and American ex-pats who stopped by our table. It
felt like I met half of Riviera Nayaritin one night.
We ended up at a place called the Shamrock and spent time with
the owner, Belfast native Sharon Maeve Bell. I ordered a shot of tequila
and, in deference to her homeland, chased it with a Guinness.
Sharon downed a shot as well. “I visited Mexico and fell in love
with it, especially the people,” she said. “Where we are, it’s like
living in a small town — I can let my nine-year-old go to the store
without worrying.”
The following morning, I decided to enjoy the pleasures of the
hotel I was staying at: the spectacular Four Seasons Resort in Punta
Mita. I came to understand why mita means “Gateway to Paradise”
in theancient Aztec language. I relaxed in the Jacuzzi then took a walk
to see the amazing golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, where the
“Whale of a Tail” hole 3B requires players to take an amphibious golf
cart out to tee off from a rocky offshore atoll.
From there, I headed to the town of Bucerias, known for its
laid-back atmosphere and fine art scene with 17 galleries along a
three-block stretch of cobblestone streets. With a little time on my
hands, I took a mosaic-making class at a gallery called A Broken Art.
As I toiled on my masterpiece, an older man, who was walking his
dog, craned his neck to examine my tile project. I asked what he
thought of my effort.
“It reminds me of a piece of sculpture,” he said diplomatically.
I didn’t fully appreciate the compliment until I learned the
passerby was the renowned sculptor George Pratt, who designed the
massive jade centerpiece for the Canadian pavilion at the 2008 Beijing
Olympics. George told me he vacations in this area every year, during
which time he relaxes by painting watercolors — mostly Mexican street
scenes.
Working contently on my mosaic in the open courtyard, shaded by a
majestic palm tree as a dog slept on the cobblestones nearby, I
realized I was living just the kind of scene George would paint.
Dinner was the toughest decision of the day. At every turn, the
food was incredible — from the hand-pressed corn tacos made by a local
woman in her own home to scintillating Latin-Asian cuisine at the Four
Seasons’ Aramara restaurant. I settled on Claudio’s, a Bucerias seaside
restaurant with great coconut shrimp and topped it off with a quick trip
to the Pie in the Sky Café and Bakery to sample a decadent local treat:
besos (kisses), a brownie-like dessert with a molten fudge center and light sprinkling of pecans.
I spent the final days of my trip at the Hotel RIU Palace
Pacifico, a large, lush resort located on Playa de Flamingos beach just a
couple of miles from Nuevo Vallarta. While debating whether to go to
the Renova Spa, kayak or just wade up to the bar inside the pool for a
piña colada, a friendly, uniformed woman came up to my lounge chair and
inquired, “Do you want to play fútbol with the Chicago Bears?”
I thought she was joking, but a few minutes later, I stood on
the beach between two wide receivers for the Chicago Bears, Devin Hester
and Earl Bennett. The event was a kind of Survivor-like
challenge that any hotel guest or vacationer strolling by on the beach
could take part in. The players were chatting with and high-fiving all
the guests. We were playing a game where we tossed a balloon full of
water to a partner. My balloon burst in the sand five feet in front me.
“Yup, knew you wouldn’t make that one,” teased Earl.
Devin, who returned the opening kickoff in Super Bowl XLI for a
touchdown, and Earl caught their balloons like they were feathers
floating gently from the sky.
By this point, it didn’t even seem strange to find myself
partying by chance with NFL players. Something about Riviera Nayarit
made me anticipate the extraordinary.
Joe Mullich has written for the Los Angeles Times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Reader’s Digest, Men’s Health, The Onion and 150 other publications.
Ready to move in now!
• 76 sq. m., 2 bath, 2 bdrm Condo
-
$325,000 USD
- 2+2 Beach Condo for WHAT?
Bucerias, Nayarit
-
You'll need to sit down to read about this excellent opportunity... and don't even think about letting this one go. Bucerias ocean front real estate hasn't been this price in almost 4 years! The seller's have priced Condo Renee to sell and once the word is out...it's gone!
This older 2+2 condominium is located in the coveted low density area of north Bucerias, just to the north of Punta Plata. This development is called Suites Malvinas and it is extremely well located one block away from some of the best restaurants Bucerias has to offer. Did we forget to mention the SPECTACULAR Bucerias beach directly in front?
This is an older building but time has proven that this building is well constructed and isn't going anywhere. Condo Renee is located on the second floor of this 3 story, 6 unit condominium development. It's VERY low density so you can just enjoy your vacations...or new life. If you are seriously looking at Bucerias, Nayarit Mexico for beach front real estate, and don't have the $450,000 USD+ that other 2+2s are selling for, don't wait any longer. This condominium comes fully furnished and is turnkey! It also includes a deeded parking stall (18.24m2) and the ownership percentage of the common areas is 19.37%. Call now because at $325,000 USD, Condo Renee won't last long.
360 degree virtual tour is coming soon!
Property information
Bucerias, Nayarit
-
Announcing a price reduction
on #3-9 Retorno de Las Minitas, a 76 sq. m., 2 bath, 2 bdrm apartment "Only 3 Stories High". Now
$325,000 USD
- 2+2 Beach Condo for WHAT?.
Property information
As if there weren’t enough problems from the time-share industry…
Christie and I received a Facebook post from an aunt of hers asking
about a company that was offering to buy her timeshare. Right off the
bat, something was wrong with this scenario. A timeshare company makes
no money if they resell something they already sold (probably oversold
actually)…so it wasn’t the developer calling. If it wasn’t the
developer, how the heck did they get her name?
We checked out the company she mentioned and sure enough, the company
had many complaints against it. I still wondered how the company got
her aunt’s name.
Coincidentally, we started hearing murmuring that a BIG issue had hit
the local timeshare market. Lawyers were in town, meetings called, and
people were threatened. It was time to get on the phone and call a
friend to see what was happening. Were these two stories related?
I called a buddy and he told me that he knew what was going on and
people were even offering him money to get in on the con. My friend has
way too much integrity for that and told them “no.” He told me how much
money these scammers were making and the numbers made my jaw drop!
After chatting on the phone and getting an idea of what was happening, I
went online to do some research and clarify what was happening. It was
NOT a new scam…just an old one being worked to death!
This is how the con works. Someone gives the “scamming timeshare resale company” (STRC) a name or list
(more on who “someone” can be). Now to be clear there really are
REPUTABLE timeshare resale companies out there (I will include a list at
the bottom). The STRC rep will call the name he/she has been given and
let them know the good news – “Someone wants to buy your timeshare and I
have a contract right here!”
They will try to make it sound believable (a client requires a block
of time for business blah blah blah…it’s all garbage). They may even say
the buyer wants to pay MORE than what you paid for it. All you have to
do is send them some money to handle the transfer and THEN they will
send you the proceeds from the sale (they will know what you paid for
the timeshare from the list they got from that special “someone”).
Maybe it’s only $500 or $1,000, it’s a small amount to pay to “ditch”
that timeshare. Heck, maybe you’re tired of paying the maintenance fee,
haven’t used it the way you thought you would, or you are just
desperate for some cash. You know it MAY be a risk but hey, it’s only a
little bit…right? Part 1 completed. The hook is in the mouth.
A few weeks go by and you are wondering where the money for your
timeshare is. Time to call the STRC representative. The nice man, who
probably mentioned he worked in timeshare but hated the sales tactics
and just wants to help owners like you get out, now informs you that,
ooops, there is something else. Turns out your contract has a fee to
transfer, or maintenance fees that need to be paid in advance, or some
other thing that sounds good but is meant to get you to fall for Part 2 –
Send even MORE money. The reality is that most timeshare contracts DO have this type of clause in it but these are scammers…it’s just another lie.
These crooks are good. Some folks will send the extra cash, lots
folks – just because they don’t want to lose all the money they
sent…yup, true! To give you an idea of HOW much these guys are getting,
imagine $60K to $300K/month…per scammer!
Some more time passes and STILL no check. Panic sets in and it’s
time to call back. Now, when you call, they will hang-up, ignore it,
change numbers, lie, or one of a million other things. They don’t want
to hear from you and anything they say is just another lie.
Okay, for some of you, this may be salt in your wounds. What can you
do now that you have contributed to the delinquency of a thief? First,
cancel any checks that you have sent them (if it is not too late). Next,
send a written complaint (with copies of the evidence) to your local
Better Business Bureau, Attorney General, or other relevant consumer
agency. If this happened in another country, it may be impossible for
you to resolve.
If the TSRC is in another country, it is best if you still proceed as
suggested. The Attorney General will be able to bring this to a higher
level, politically, and may pressure the TSRC country to shut the
scammer down. This will not get rid of the problem but it may very well
help someone else.
Watch out for this one!
Now, time to say who that “someone” is that passes along your name.
It could be the person you met that invited you to the presentation.
Maybe it is the person that checked you in at the resort. How about the
salesperson (my friend was approached) or the manager that gets your
info when you buy. It could even be someone in the office (especially
for the lists). Why would they pass on your name? Money! They are paid
between 10%-30% and they don’t need to “get their hands dirty”.
What can you do to protect yourself? First, there is no Santa Claus,
Tooth Fairy, or Easter Bunny and there are also no timeshare resellers
that will call you, out of the blue, with an offer to buy your
timeshare…for any amount. In fact, it is a bad idea to give ANY timeshare reseller money upfront – 99.99999% of the time it is a scam at worst and a waste of money at best.
Okay, I guess I do need to pay some homage to timeshare. The idea is
great and it does get a bunch of people to visit many areas of Mexico
that they probably wouldn’t see. Most of my real estate clients
have/had timeshares and it was what helped them to fall in love with the
area. And that’s all I have to say about that.
John
P.S. We JUST received another email from a friend letting us know someone wants to buy his timeshare…uh oh! Also, the reseller I know that is not a scam is http://www.redweek.com
P.P.S. We love it when you leave comments.
A great idea to vacation and make the world a better place. - John
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Destination:PEACE Announces New Volunteer Vacations in Mexico
The MEXICO Report
By Susie Albin-Najera
Destination:PEACE Announces Spring 2011 Volunteer Vacations in Mexico
Build a House in San Miguel de Allende, Create a Community Garden
in Isla Mujeres, Assist at a Spay / Neuter Clinic in Punta Mita and
More with Destination:PEACE
Destination:PEACE, a volunteer
vacation company mixing philanthropy with travel throughout Mexico, has
announced its upcoming vacations for Spring 2011.
Destination:PEACE creates a
one-of-a-kind vacation experience in Mexico, where the traveler not only
feels the excitement of visiting a new location, but participates in
beneficial, community-driven activities. Each volunteer vacation is
unique in that they offer active, natural and cultural activities.
Depending on the season and location, some of the activities include
whale watching, hiking, bird watching, surfing, stand up paddle
boarding, yoga, visiting local hot springs and much more. Volunteer
experiences consist of helping to beautify a community through paint,
art, building and planting community gardens. Depending on the programs
in each town and community needs, volunteer opportunities vary.
February 19-26, 2011 – San Miguel de Allende
Roll up your sleeves and get ready
to mix mortar as Destination:PEACE has partnered with Casita Linda, a
Mexican non-profit organization, to build adobe brick homes in
economically-challenged areas around San Miguel de Allende. Volunteers
will spend 2-4 hours per day pitching in to rebuild communities and be
part of the bigger picture to alter the destiny of poverty. Formed in
2001, Casita Linda is dedicated to creating a dignified, safe and
empowering environment that will provide a foundation of hope for
families living in extreme poverty. Accommodations for guests include a
6-night stay in the San Miguel hills at Sagrada (Sacred) Wellness Center
in private cabanas overlooking the hills of the 16-century Mexican
colonial city. Guests will also enjoy rejuvenating daily yoga, gourmet
meals and extra time for exploring this charming city.
March 5-12, 2011 – Isla Mujeres
This unique vacation will include Level I, Level II and Master Reiki Certification
workshops and will include opportunities to engage in community
activities benefiting the local residents of Isla Mujeres. Working hand
and hand with PEACE Isla Mujeres there will be community driven
volunteer activities 3-4 days. Destination:PEACE warmly welcomes
Indian-born Yugesh Namdev, an internationally certified NLP Master
Practitioner, Trainer, Reiki Master and Meditation Teacher. Guests will
be staying beachside in beautiful accommodations.
March 19 – 24 - Punta Mita
Bring the whole family to the
stunning shores of Punta Mita, Mexico in this family-friendly unique
vacation. Destination:PEACE will be partnering with the PEACE Language
School for a daily 2-hour Spanish immersion workshop. Working hand in
hand with PEACE Mexico, guests
will be volunteering their time in community needed activities. In this
package, guests will also engage in the spectacular turtle release
program, whale watch, bird watch and participate in daily yoga.
Accommodations include a 5-night stay in the beautiful Punta Mita town.
Chose Your Own Dates – Puebla
Guests will stay six nights at Mesones Sacristía
in a gorgeous Junior Suite and participate in six yoga classes,
three days of cooking lessons and visit a local market to taste
traditional cemitas. Participants of this package will lend a helping
hand to Caritas Foundation, assisting children and elders. This package
includes a daily breakfast and two meals or dinners at Mesones
Sacristía, one at El Mural de los Poblanos, plus a guided tour to the
most interesting sites downtown and tickets for one of the best museums
in the city.
Visit our YouTube channel for a video preview of Destination:PEACE.
For prices or additional information on Destination:PEACE’s volunteer vacations, visit www.destinationpeace.com.
Booking Contact:
Katherine Fisher
katherine@destinationpeace.com
Ph: 503.568.8462 (US) / 011.52.1.322.160.8874 (Mexico)
What Is YOUR Dream? For many of the people Christie and I meet, the
dream is a home in Mexico – after all, we do own a real estate company.
If you are reading this, odds are, your dream is the same. Yesterday
we met a family that also dreamed of a home in Mexico – the difference
for them is that they already live in Mexico.
How important is your home to you? Imagine living on a dirt
floor…with no walls…under a tarp…sounds tough, right? Now imagine
living in this “home” with 5 young children – one with Down’s syndrome –
during one of the wettest rainy seasons on record! Could you even call
this a home? I know folks that did just that – with no complaining…or
running water – AND still one of their children just earned the State
of Nayarit’s top academic award for his grade, even meeting the
President!
Six months ago La Fuente Riviera, a Bucerias Christian church, heard
about this family in Mezcales (a small town 10 minutes south of
Bucerias) and wanted to do something. Through many fortuitous
circumstances and meetings, more people wanted to become involved in
this amazing project – to get the Palacio family a home! All the cash,
labor, materials, furniture, appliances, and miscellaneous were donated
by many different people, businesses, and even their neighbors.
Fast forward to yesterday – “The Home Delivery”
If you have ever seen “Extreme Home Makeover” you have a good idea
what it was all about. One of the local resorts hosted the Palacio
family for a few days. This allowed the volunteers the time to assemble
the home, complete the landscaping, and furnish the new home! The
family was driven back to their new home which cleverly, was blocked by a
giant tarp…no peeking.
In most respects, this home is not like the ones you see on the TV
show. It is not a million dollar home with cutting edge electronic
gadgets, or extravagant appliances and furniture. In fact, some of the
rooms have no doors, most furniture was second hand, and the home was
“prefab” and installed on a concrete slab. What was the same as the show
was the excitement, awe, humility and appreciation shown by this
wonderful and deserving family – for them this was a million dollar
home.
There were many volunteers and benefactors involved in this project.
It was both worthwhile and needed and the participating volunteers and
businesses are truly appreciated! If you would like to be involved in a
project like this, please feel free to email me at John@HomeInMexico.com.
You can also visit http://www.johnforget.com to see video and photos of the home and celebration.
July 27, 2010
AARP ranks Mexico the best place in the world to retire.
AARP which has some 40 million members world
wide has decided that Puerto Vallarta Mexico is the best place in the
world to retire...can you blame them? Sun, sand, and surf, great health care options and transportation, and affordable living makes Vallarta the ideal location! Bucerias, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Sayulita, Punta de Mita, and Nuevo Vallarta are also included in the Puerto Vallarta area.
If you want to read the article you can do that here:
http://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/press-center/info-07-2010/best_places_retire_abroad.html
Bucerias, Nayarit
-
Announcing a price reduction
on Rio Lerma 42 & 44, a 133 sq. m., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story "Ready for a second floor.". Now
MLS®
$144,444 USD
- New Price!.
Property information
My journey to Mexico is a lot different than most. First of all, I
had never been to Mexico before I moved here. Did I mention that I came
with my wife? If you know me, you know Christie. We have been
together since I was 16 years old and I married her when I was 18. Did I
mention we have 4 children? They were 7-12 when we moved here. For
the pious math geniuses, I was 20 when our first child was born
There are some who think my life must have been horrible to have just
packed up and moved to Mexico. This is so far from the truth! We had a
phenomenal home based business, a great church, an awesome church
family (many of them have visited us here in Mexico). We had a great
life in Canada but I knew there was more for us.
From the time I was a little kid, I hated winter! I’d love to say
that hate is too strong a word but I couldn’t look you in the eye and
say otherwise. My feet were always cold, my hands, as were other parts
that don’t need mentioning (but I did). I hated waking up in the dark,
going to work in the dark, and coming home in the dark! We even made a
“winter room” for me. It had a huge window with white walls and a maple
floor. I would just lay in the sun and Christie would make the kids stay
away until their crazy father got his sun fill.
Did I mention I also hate winter? Anyways, all I would do is
complain about how short the summer was and how cold it was all year
round! I must sound like a very wimpy Canadian (I am Canadian) to the
point of being un-Canadian. I knew I wanted to live somewhere
warm…someday. Always that “someday” thing. I have heard SO many people
tell me what they are going to do “someday”…sorry, I am jumping ahead
of myself.
September 11, 2001 is probably one of the worst days in modern
history. Many lives were lost in the U.S. and, coincidently, it was
that event that caused me to lose my job. How does a Director of an
Incentive and Motivation company lose his job…in Red Deer, Alberta? It’s
easy – it was a family business and my name wasn’t the same as the
owners. They lost a ton of cash from cancelled travel groups because
the world wimped out and temporarily let the terrorists win…but I
digress.
I didn’t actually lose my job on that day. They asked me to take a
20% cut in pay so I could keep my job. My wife stayed at home to raise
our kids and I was the only bread winner…what could I do? I took the
pay cut. Fast forward to December 31, 2001, my last day of work. My
parting gift was a chat with my boss (a man that I really did respect)
telling me that this will probably be good for me. Turns out he must
have thought being financially devastated would teach me a thing or two
(he never really thought THAT, but I was mad). *As an aside, I did call
him back a few years ago (coincidentally on his 50th birthday) to let
him know he was right...it WAS the best thing for me!
What does this have to do with Mexico real estate? Hang on, I’m getting there.
What do you think this hater of the cold did to console himself? If
you said “go ice fishing” you’d have been right. As a kid I loved to be
out on the ice. When you see the water from under the shack, the lake
is like a vast aquarium for you to participate in. I had lived in
Sylvan Lake for 3 years and had not taken the time to ice fish (too busy
wearing a suit at work). I went with a buddy and we had a fantastic
day. I did this every day until I got the call.
On January 18th, after another great day of ice fishing (I don’t
think I ever caught any fish) the phone rang. It was my stepmother
calling from B.C. She told me my dad was dead. I told her, “No he’s
not!” She replied that he was. Again I said no, almost laughing at this
very odd joke. Christie said that she didn't think my step mom was
joking.
Here was my conundrum. My dad said for many years that “someday” he
was getting a sailboat and that he and Penny (my stepmother) would sail
it from Prince Rupert and go up and down the Pacific coast. He believed
this so much that I believed him too. He included the kids, Christie
and myself in his future travels -I couldn’t wait! My dad couldn’t be
dead…but he was. He could have even had his damn boat years earlier (he
only wanted a little one).
There are some of you that think, “Aha!”, that’s how he did it. He
got an inheritance and that is how he was able to bring his wife and 4
kids to Mexico. Wrong! My inheritance was an old turtle lamp that sits
by by Christie’s side of the bed. The turtle lamp is a reminder of my
dad and also the beginning of a terrible compulsion by my wife…to
collect turtles. Statues, knick knacks, key chains, anything turtle. We
even have 10 living turtles now (couldn’t do that in Canada).
What my dad did give me was a kick in the pants. When he died
it was the most terrible wonderful thing that every happened to me. He
made me realize (at the ripe old age of 33) that we are NOT promised a
tomorrow. Credence Clearwater Revival had a song that went “Someday
never comes”. It was time to start living life on my terms, even though I
was unemployed, broke, losing my “possessions” bit by bit (dang lenders
wanted their stuff back) and had no "real job" prospects.
I could have felt sorry for myself but I knew I could fix this
problem. I made a BUNCH of money for both of my previous employers and
now it was time to take care of my family. I started a
little jewelry business to pay the bills. Our friends were so concerned
that they would tell Christie that they are praying so I could get a
“real job”. I never wanted a real job again. I was happy being with my
family all day (although it took my family some time to get used to it).
Full disclosure: My wife did NOT want to move to Mexico. After my dad
died, I told EVERYONE that we were moving to Mexico. Christie would be
right behind me telling them “No, we’re not!”
I didn’t know how bad it was until, months later, we drove to
Christie’s folk’s house to tell them we were moving. I won’t tell you
everything that was said but one part that stuck out was when her mom
said that Christie had promised we would never go to Mexico…after I had
just reminded everyone that this is all I had been telling everyone for
almost 18 months).
Initially, Mexico wasn’t my dream, the warmth was. I honestly
believed I would move to California or Florida. I had been to Florida
when I was 12 and THAT was when I promised myself that “someday” I would
live in a place like that (although I didn’t remember that moment in
time until sitting in the couch at a local car rental agency...5 years
after living here). Mexico was MORE than a dream in 2001. It was this
whisper that kept entering my imagination and calling my name. I had
never been there before yet I longed to call this place my home.
By now you have figured out that Christie finally changed her mind.
I’d love to say that it was my incredible powers of persuasion, or that
she was a wife that wanted what her husband wanted but c’mon, you heard
what her mom said she said. No, this was a God thing and it was
awesome.
All while she was saying “No” to Mexico, we kept meeting these
amazing people that lived or were living in Mexico (when the student is
ready, the master appears). We heard from many different people that
Bucerias is the place we needed to be. That sounded like the place we
were meant to be…Bucerias. We knew it was outside of Puerto
Vallarta…and that is all we knew. In fact, we didn’t even know where it
was until 3 MONTHS before our move…we didn’t even know there were
mountains here until 3 WEEKS before we moved – remember, we had never
been to Mexico!
We sold our little businesses for a small amount of money, moved to a
country we had never been to and where they spoke a different language.
Our friends mostly thought we were crazy. The ones that didn’t think we
were crazy figured we’d be back in a year. “Someday” never comes for
most folks but I was not going to listen to them. Mexico is where we
were supposed to be! THAT was over 7 years ago!
Before we moved, I had taken the Alberta real estate course and got
my real estate license. I knew there were no licensing requirements to
sell real estate, in Mexico, but I also knew that my quickest way to
credibility was to be educated in what the Canadians and Americans would
expect me to know. I went to a few conferences (one of them, thanks to
John Malpass – love you brother) to get as much knowledge in my head as
possible. It has come in handy for my clients here - especially the
sellers!
Still waiting for Mexico real estate stuff? Are you heartless? I am spilling my guts here
The night before we were to leave, we had about 15-20 of our friends
come over to eat cake and pie and send us off. The problem was, our
house deal fell through THAT AFTERNOON. It would appear we were in a
bind because our house was a disaster, the deal fell apart, and it
looked like someday might never come for us too.
Real friends are the people you can call and they will help you with
ANYTHING you ask. Super friends are the one’s you don’t even have to
ask…they offer first. At midnight our "Super" friends came up with a
solution. They would come back the next morning and help us pack, clean
our home AND sell the house for us.
“Aha”…THAT’s where they got the money – house in Sylvan Lake! Sorry, it was before the prices went crazy.
I had mentioned that I would tell everyone we were moving to Mexico.
That wasn’t completely true. Christie would not let me tell anyone we
were moving without getting into a big fight. AFTER she was on side, WE
told everyone!
We would be selling our jewelry and airbrush tattoos at the Farmer’s Market and we would tell everyone who would listen. Thousands
of people said they wished they could do it…kids, family, work, house,
blah, blah, blah…that’s what held them back. ”Someday ” they might but
not now. Only ONE lady said she would love to but the thing holding her
back was…FEAR! Finally an honest person! There were thousands of
people that wanted to do what we were doing but made every excuse in the
book…just like my dad.
I hope you are starting to see where the Mexico real estate thing is starting to enter the picture.
We moved here and felt we were "home" the moment we arrived. We love
it more than you can imagine. The kids adjusted so well that they are
all fluent in Spanish (although we still don’t speak it that much). It
is not perfect here all the time but I am genuinely happy to be here and
really never see myself moving back "north". A guy I met brought up a
good point. He said that all these tourists save their money to come to
Mexico for a week or two and they are so sad when they have to go home.
Even if we have a “bad day”, we are still having it in paradise...he was so right.
That is EXACTLY how I feel. I love this place so much and I really do
feel that I am saving my client’s LIVES when they finally decide to buy
a home in Mexico. I have been selling Mexico real estate since the
beginning of 2004 and believe I have the best job on the planet. I wake
up when I want, choose who I work with and fire those that don’t hold
to the same level of loyalty and commitment that I do. If you honestly
want to explore this Mexico thing and make it yours, email me TODAY
because “Someday” is just a promise that can be broken at any time - live for today!
If we can pack up a young family and move to a country that we had
never been to before, didn't speak the language, had very little money,
then what is your excuse? Christie and I are no better than you. We just chose to act
because we realized that life is too short to just "settle for". Why
settle for what you have when the world has so much more for you? Don't
wait for your kick in the pants, or worse, BE the kick in the pants for
someone else (like my dad was for me). If you want to chat about moving
to Mexico, call me. Heck, I want to help you so much that you can call
me for free at 1-888-5-MEXICO.
My name is John Forget. I live in Mexico, I sell real estate, and I am here to help you!
"We are meant to be the authors of our own story. If you gave the pen to someone else...take it back! " - John
Form http://www.johnforget.com
The Doctor is "IN"
I went with some friends to the local market today. They were
looking to buy some touristy things - blankets, hats, watches,
sunglasses, and the schlocky stuff you give to relatives and friends you
may or may not like. What I saw made me upset: the vendors are
HUNGRY!
I'm not talking about hungry in a food way...I mean hungry for a
sale. Many of them have had a tough go of it. The media has had a bee
in its bonnet for Mexico and it was showing with the Swine flu garbage,
over the top reporting on the northern drug wars (which do not affect
the tourist areas or the law abiding tourists with even half a brain),
and any other story that they can use to sell papers. I won't comment
much on the naivety of folks that believe everything in the paper but
let's just say the tourist season was a bust last year.
Back to today. One of my friends wanted a hat. Usually the hat can
be negotiated down to 100-150 Pesos ($8-$12). The vendor started the
"negotiations" at 500 Pesos!!! I told him he was nuts and is that he
must not be interested in a sale. He goes on to tell me how this hat is
a "different quality" of hat and is much better. Interestingly, at
that very moment, a Vancouver couple walks by, looks at the hat, and
says they got the same hats yesterday for $10 each...hello!
I told the vendor he is shooting himself in the foot by starting so
high because the folks here now (mostly Canadians) are too nice to go
down THAT much and will a) get a bad deal that they WILL find out about
or b) walk away and not buy anything. He pulls me off to the side and
says, "What will they pay?"
"Too late", I told him, and we walked away.
This happened all over the market, every vendor was shooting high.
Guess how many sales they made. There are many cultural reasons why
this type of thing happens in Mexico but I want to let you know how this
relates to real estate in Bucerias and the Vallarta area in general.
Our market is overpriced! There, I said it...it feels like a weight
off of my chest. "OUR MARKET IS OVERPRICED!" I know I'm pushing it but
it's out there now.
There are many reasons why this is but the REALITY is it doesn't
matter to the buyer. If they don't think they are getting a "deal", they
are walking away. If the price isn't close to the price the buyer is
looking for, they won't even "play the game", so to speak.
How did we get into this mess? In no particular order - an MLS that
is not a "true" MLS, agents that fail to report sales or make up sold
prices, uneducated agents that have no idea how to establish a
property's value, unrealistic sellers that believe their property is
worth 2-3 times what it really is, cultural ideas that include raising
the price if a home isn't renting or selling, uneducated buyers (mostly
our fault), trunk slammers (no office, credentials, or anything) that
say they "sell real estate", people foolish enough to work with a trunk
slammer, and the list goes on and on.
It is time for ALL of us to take a REALITY pill. The world is
changing. We can't keep expecting business to run the way it has in the
past. One of the best thing to happen in the Puerto Vallarta market is
the acceptance by the local AMPI (Mexico's Professional Real Estate
Association) chapters of a new TRUE MLS administered by the association
and not an individual. As we go on in time, the data provided will give a
true representation of the market.
While we are handing out REALITY pills, let's give some to the
agents. The real estate agents need to ensure that they give AMPI their full and undivided
loyalty. It is only through AMPI that the real estate profession will
receive the respect and authority that is missing right now. AMPI must
work to grow the AMPI brand and the members must grow their
professionalism (through training and education). We need to block the
trunk slammers and hacks from having any contact with the next party to
receive a REALITY pill...the buyer!
How is it possible that mostly sane individuals can come on vacation,
fall in love with the area (this one is actually easy for anyone),
decide to buy a place, AND FORGET EVERYTHING THEY HAVE EVER LEARNED IN
THEIR LIVES? Don't talk to strangers, don't believe everything you hear,
never buy the first thing you see, get the facts and BUYER BEWARE. They
would NEVER do this in their home towns yet here it is like a drunk
fest of love with the first English speaking person they meet that says
they sell real estate. Okay, that may be an exaggeration but I'm not
that far off.
If your money is important to you, make sure the person you are
working with is qualified to even give you advice. This goes for land,
homes, condos, or anything. That said, one of the strangest things I
see happen is when a buyer wants a pre-construction property.
How can you walk into a real estate development and assume that the
"salesperson" is going to have you as their fiduciary (main, first,
only) responsibility? The salesperson works for the developer.
Who do you think pays them the commission? Do you really think they are
going to say "Hey. This contract really doesn't do much to protect you. I
think we should tell my boss to change it so that it is more equitable
to you." His butt would be out the door so fast he'd...well imagine
something happening really fast.
When you are working with an AMPI Broker, you are working with
someone that is supposed to represent you and themselves with the utmost
integrity and adhere to a professional code of conduct and standards.
There are processes in place so that if an AMPI member "misbehaves",
there are consequences! The Broker's sole responsibility is YOU.
One more dose of REALITY for the buyer - Just because you think a
property is only worth X dollars does not mean that is what the property
is really worth. Mr(s). buyer may have the cash but without clear and
realistic expectations, they are going to frustrate themselves and their
salesperson...and maybe get themselves fired. Good REALTORS are
known by their ability and will fire a buyer that the REALTOR feels is
wasting their time. When they are that good, the buyer should not want
to lose that real estate agent.
While I am dispensing REALITY pills, I want to give a few to the
sellers. Here is the first pill...your house is not worth a million
dollars! - (okay, yours may be but I am speaking philosophically...work
with me a bit). There are no people with soooo much money that they will
ignore the peeling paint, leaky roof, title defect, bad location,
broken whatever, comparable property next door that sold for 40% less
than yours, or a million other reasons just because your brother's cousin's aunt's neighbor said you could get what you're asking...it won't sell!
I have seen high dollar (over a million) homes selling for HALF
PRICE. Everyday I see price decreases, fire sales, owner desperate, blah
blah blah. When you have hungry uneducated real estate agents using bad
data from an inadequate MLS working with an unrealistic seller in one
of the worst markets ever...bad things will happen!
For whatever reason (I'd hope it is because there are folks
discussing this and doing something about it), there are markets in
Mexico that have taken the challenge. Hotels have lowered prices,
vendors have lowered the prices on their goods, landlords have lowered
rents, and home owners have set realistic selling prices and guess
what...THEIR MARKET IS MOVING. The whole point of all of this is that if we don't take a dose of REALITY now, our future will be much worse than our today.
Imagine even more empty office spaces, lots more inventory for sale,
and a bunch more for rent signs everywhere (which has already started).
We need to get real and be honest with the buyers, the sellers, and
ourselves. We must work harder, smarter, and spread the word. Good
agents never go hungry. I was very fortunate to have a mentor that
taught me that there is money to be made in an up or down market.
When people need to sell in a depressed market they need the best...are
you the best? Are you working on becoming the best? If you answered no
to either of these, get out of the way because the client deserves the
best (I think they are hiring at Home Depot).
There is hope! In the midst of all of this "REALITY" (sorry, if you
want rainbows and fairy dust, you'll have to go somewhere else) there is
good news. Our entry level market is still robust. Homes under 250K,
that represent VALUE to the Buyer, have a great shot at selling.
This market segment has not really been hit THAT hard. The other great
news is that in July the AARP (American Association of Retired People)
voted Puerto Vallarta the #1 place in the world to retire. Our access to
health care, quality of life, safety, and airport all add up to one
amazing destination...but we knew this already.
This will be an exciting high season for everyone! There are great values and buyers with cash. Get excited but GET REAL.
My name is John Forget. I sell Mexico Real Estate and I am here to help you!
Bucerias, Nayarit
-
Announcing a price reduction
on Los Amores 47, a 1,388 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story. Now
MLS®
$199,000 USD
- Reduced!.
Property information
Bucerias, Nayarit
-
Announcing a price reduction
on Calle Clavel 13, a 227 sq. m., 2 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story "Second Floor Terrace". Now
MLS®
$189,000 USD
- Priced to move - You!.
Property information
Turnkey-finish the way you like!
• 133 sq. m., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story "Ready for a second floor."
-
MLS®
$1,575,000 USD
- Great Retirement Option!
Bucerias, Nayarit
-
EXCELLENT RETIREMENT OPTION! Your new home in amazing Bucerias is a very spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath home waiting for you to move into. Currently bedroom number 3 is a hobby/workshop room - finish it the way you like. Also this room has the option for a laundry room or ensuite. This open concept home is turnkey, 5 years old with a fenced, low maintenance yard and a gated covered car port in the back. This gem is very light and airy with wonderful breezes throughout the house. With an authentic Mexican kitchen, surrounded by the sounds of country, 10 minutes from the beach, this home is a great option for anyone wanting a slower lifestyle. Your second floor is ready to build. Building contractor references given on request. One of the best grounded electrical installations in the neighborhood - just add LCD televisions!
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