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Month: April 2016

Villa La Estancia Residences
Destinations, Full Ownership, Real Estate, Residences

Is it Time to Downsize?

For retirees “downsizing” is a buzzword, but what does this concept actually mean, and how should someone downsize? Look below at the tips for downsizing and how it could be the next move for you.

What does “downsizing” mean?

“Downsizing” means reducing the size of your current home, and it generally means selling your home and moving to a place that is smaller. However, the common misconception is that downsizing means cheaper; sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t, with many retirees opting for more luxurious over bigger when downsizing. For many, to downsize means you will liquidate the equity that you currently have in your property to purchase something else that is more suitable to your plans for retirement. Many downsizers like to move to a smaller property that is fancier and more luxurious, while some choose to purchase two cheaper homes and have a second in a different location. Other examples may including downsizing to an apartment that has facilities such as a gym, spa, tennis courts, 24 hour security etc, or choosing to live in a smaller property on a golf course.

What is clear is that downsizing is much more than just moving out of your present home into a new home. There is a lot of research that goes into making the decision, and one must plan ahead and think about what elements are important to them. One thing a downsizer must remember is to think smart with your head, but always follow your heart and gut instincts.

Should you Downsize?

Should you consider downsizing? Not everyone has to downsize, and people downsize for a variety of reasons. Downsizing frequently comes with retirement when children have flown the nest, although the opposite can happen too when you wish to accommodate all the grandchildren. However, for most, the reason to downsize is that your kids have moved out and you are living in a space too large for just you (and your spouse). Maintaining a big property for just one of two people is also an expense that you could better spend on vacations, eating out and joining classes that you wish to enjoy in your retirement. Maybe, you would like a of change scenery or friendship group, or just live out a dream that you always wanted, or to have an easier life, and to travel all over the world.

Forced downsizing

Oftentimes people’s circumstances force them to downsize, because of financial reasons. Some downsizers just want extra cash when they retire, so they sell their property and purchase something cheaper. Sometimes people just have to downsize, because of their health and they have to move to a place that offers support such as a retirement village or home.

    Dos and Don’ts for Downsizing:

  • Always assess your own personal needs not just follow the trend
  • Don’t rush, take your time to find the right property and get the right price for the house you are selling.
  • Think about the type of property that you will need. Do you want a small house, townhouse, apartment with or without stairs, retirement village, or something different?
  • Seek professional advice first, then research the real estate market before you buy or sell.
  • Consider whether you can afford to rent out your first home, using the income to pay for a smaller rent on another property.
  • Look over the new location first and if you can rent first, then do so. It’s always best to ‘try before you buy’ with renting.
  • Make sure that you are close to family, friends, transportation, and places that you would like to go.
  • Always seek financial expert advice to get the most out of your retirement money
  • Never make quick decisions
  • Do not spend all of the money that you get from the sale of your property.
  • Never purchase a property that you feel pressured to buy.
by VLEAdminRE,
tips for Moving House
Cabo San Lucas, Destinations, Full Ownership, Real Estate, Residences, Riviera Nayarit

Some top tips for Moving House

If you are thinking of moving house, or are someone who is constantly changing your rental property, you probably already know that moving house can be a really frustrating, daunting and stressful experience. It is a major task but many people do not spend enough time preparing for the experience. To help you prepare for your moving day, we have put together some helpful guidelines to make the day a lot less stressful.

Here are some top tips for moving house:

  • Plan your packing

    • Packing is one of the most important tasks to get right when moving home. Do it right and you will reap the rewards of a less stressful move. Packing up your boxes efficiently is the key to success. Avoid just throwing your things in any box that you can find space. Take your time and pack all your items neatly in the boxes according to themes. This will result in less wasted space on your removal van which could result in the use of a smaller vehicle and maybe less man hours.

  • Get organized

    • Make sure you allow enough time before your move and start packing up as early as possible, preferably weeks in advance. Try not to leave things to the last minute. Items you don’t need to use everyday such as towels, sports equipment and documents can be packed way ahead of time. If you know you are someone who is disorganized and can’t envision dedicating time to the process, you may wish to think about contracting a professional packing company to help you. They will do your packing in half the time and some services even help you sort out junk.

  • Decide what are the essential items

    • Everyday items such as toiletries, blankets, pillows, medication, phones and chargers, clothes or anything else you might need immediately after moving house in should be kept separate from the rest of your belongings. These should be packed in boxes which should be marked so they can be easily identified. The use of coloured markers or tags will help. Preferably, these boxes should be the last boxes to be packed and then put to one side when you arrive to your new property.

  • Sort out your junk

    • Should you take everything you have amassed over the years to your new property? That is a question you must ask yourself before you move to your new location. As a rule of thumb, if in doubt, throw it out. Thinning out what you take is an important factor and can have an impact on the size of your moving van. Before disposing of your unwanted goods, consider what items could be given to charities or thrift shops but make sure these places will accept your goods before you drop them off.

For those more valuable items you wish to off load, consider organising a garage sale. This will enable you to make some money on the sales as well. You can also advertise your goods for sale on the internet through sites such as Facebook, Gumtree, eBay or other online buy/sell and swap groups. This is a popular way of selling as there are many thousands of people wanting to pick up a bargain buy.

by VLEAdminRE,
Puerto Vallarta Icons - the New Pier
Destinations, Real Estate, Residences, Riviera Nayarit

Puerto Vallarta Icons – the New Pier

Puerto Vallarta has long been a city of beautiful sights and features, but those who have been frequenting the city for a few years will know just how ramshackle and dilapidated the old Los Muertos Pier was becoming before its renovation in 2011. The modernization of Puerto Vallarta’s pier took place under the care of Architect Jose de Jesus Torres Vega, an esteemed winner of the Biannual Architecture Prize, and was completed in 2013. The old pier was always a centre of activity in Puerto Vallarta, but the new Los Muertos also serves as an aesthetic focal point for the newly refurbished Downtown area of Puerto Vallarta.

Contemporary Design

The design centers around a sail that winds around the very end of the pier and, from some angles, looks like a full sail boat. This sail lights up during the night to produce a colorful and beautiful visual display that can be seen from miles away. This backdrop is a wonderful photo opportunity and makes for a romantic atmosphere during an evening stroll. The pier itself is dotted with benches so that visitors can sit and enjoy the scenery, contemplating the ocean as they do so.

In a stunningly short period of time this pier, like the newly revitalized Malecon, has become an Icon in Puerto Vallarta. You’ll see its striking image in holiday brochures, in paintings and on postcards, but it’s not just a pretty face (so to speak). Los Muertos Pier is also a fully functioning pier from which many an adventure, fishing trip and transport boat leaves. Whether you are taking a sunset cruise, or catching a ride to Las Marietas or Yelapa, it is at Los Muertos Pier that you will find what you are looking for.

Lovers of culture and architecture will definitely want to put a visit to this newly invigorated Puerto Vallarta icon at the top of their ‘to see’ list. It’s likely, however, that you’ll see Los Muertos Pier during your vacation whether you specifically plan to or not. Just be sure that you take the time to admire this pier for what it is; a symbol of Puerto Vallarta’s modernity, growth and charm.

(Photo from Daryl Mitchel at Flickr)

by VLEAdminRE,
Fishing Tours in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit
Destinations, Real Estate, Riviera Nayarit

Fishing Tours in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

Way before Mexico started becoming one of the top places to vacation worldwide, subsistence fishing was one of the main activities on Mexico’s coastline. Mexico has over nine thousand kilometers of breathtaking coastline, so it is no surprise that Mexico had many charming, little fishing villages. In fact, this coastline provides some of the best fishing worldwide. Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit is no exception; just fifty years ago this whole area was still just a stretch of sleepy fishing villages. Today, besides being an award winning location for international visitors, its fishing industry is still alive and thriving, only now it services on fishing tours, tournaments and supplying the many fine dining restaurants on Banderas Bay.

What fish can you expect to catch in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit?

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit is epic for fishermen; there are over five hundred different types of species of fish here. Sport fishing tours are plentiful in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit and they are available all year long. Some of the most popular catches in Banderas Bay include: Giant Tuna, Dorado, Snapper, and Roosterfish. These fish can be found in abundance in the waters that surround Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit all year round. Marlin and Sailfish are another two popular species that are very much in demand.

Fishing Tours and Tournaments

Villa La Estancia’s tour agency can help residents and hotel guests organized fishing tours and register you for the fishing tournaments in Banderas Bay. The kind of fishing tours you can choose from include renting private fishing boats and crew or joining larger parties on fishing tours with other fishing enthusiasts. Most fishing tours in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit provide participants with live bait, top of the line fishing rods and hooks, while coming equipped with GPS and Fish Finder, crewed by a captain and deckhands. While catching a big fish isn’t guaranteed, when fishing in the waters of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit your chances are greatly improved.

At Villa La Estancia’s tour agency, there are plenty of fishing tours to select from. Likewise, you can book your fishing tour independently, with Master Baiter’s Sport Fishing and Tackle, Mike’s Fishing Charters and Tours, and Charly’s Sailing and Sport Fishing. These tours come with a captain who knows where to find the fish, and in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit the best charter fleets are provided.

by VLEAdminRE,
Destinations, Real Estate, Residences, Riviera Nayarit

Non-Stop Flights to Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta

As the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta quickly become two of the most popular destinations in Mexico, the area of Banderas Bay is also becoming easier and easier to get to! Most of the big airlines have now realized just how many people want to get to this sunshine soaked hotspot and as a result they have ensured that non-stop flights to Riviera Nayarit, served by Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport, are available.

Non-stop flights to Riviera Nayarit

No matter which coast you live on in the US or Canada you’ll find that major airlines in your area have now jumped on the proverbial bandwagon to bring you non-stop flights to Riviera Nayarit. Whether you’re on the east coast or the west, flights to Banderas are cheaper and more convenient than ever. This is great news for those thinking about buying real estate in Riviera Nayarit. Not only does it mean that your journeys back and forth are more affordable and comfortable, it also means that your friends and family will not have an excuse not to visit you!

Why are non-stop flights to Riviera Nayarit the best choice?

By far the very best thing about being able to get direct flights to Riviera Nayarit is that it allows you to carve out as much of that precious vacation time as possible for relaxation. No stop overs, no flight switching. Just an extra hours sleep before you head out, and sunshine and sangria until you need to hop on your flight back home. What’s more, you can get to areas like Sayulita, Bucerias, Punta Mita and Puerto Vallarta easily too as they are all served by the Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport located on the edge of Puerto Vallarta close to Riviera Nayarit.

Don’t sacrifice your vacation time, book non-stop flights to Riviera Nayarit from one of these providers:

Non-stop flights to Riviera Nayarit

From the United States

 American Airlines:
Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix

Delta:
Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma

US Airways:
Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix

Aeromexico:
Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Houston,

United:
Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

Sun Country Airlines:
Dallas-Fort Worth, Minneapolis/St. Paul

Frontier Airlines:
City of Origin: Denver, Saint Louis, MO

Southwest:
Denver, Houston, Orange County

Alaska Airlines:
Los Angeles, Orange County, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma

Virgin America:
San Francisco

From Canada

 WestJet Airlines:
Abbotsford, Calgary, Comox, Edmonton, Kelowna, Prince George, Regina, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg

Air Transat:
Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Montreal, Quebec, Regina, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg
Air Canada: Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver

From United Kingdom

 Thomson Holidays:
Manchester, London

by VLEAdminRE,