More Flights to Mexico

Great news for people who are looking to purchase real estate in Mexico, the Air Transport Agreement announced at the end of 2016 shows that the aviation markets are opening up even further between the USA and Mexico, starting in August 2017. In response, a number of airline companies have taken advantage of this agreement, announcing new flights to and from Mexico.

Interjet Flights from USA to Mexico City

Firstly, one of Mexico’s most popular budget airlines, Interjet, announced added flights from Chicago, Los Angeles and Las Vegas to Mexico City. Interjet is Mexico’s second largest airline.

Interjet Flights from USA to Puerto Vallarta

Interjet has also indicated that it will add new routes from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, which is already a popular flight from the USA to the leading tourist town on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.

Volaris Flights from USA to Mexico City

Another of Mexico’s popular budget airlines, Volaris has also started services from Houston to Mexico City.

Southwest Airlines Flights from USA to Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Los Cabos

Southwest Airlines will be offering flights from Los Angeles to Cancun, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, with flights pending approval from Oakland, California to Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.

American Airlines Flights from USA to Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Merida

American Airlines has announced new services from Los Angeles to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta as well as services between Miami and Merida.

Delta Airlines Flights from USA to Cancun and Los Cabos

Delta will be running new daily services from New York to Cancun and from Los Angeles to Los Cabos, as well as flights on Saturdays from Kansas City to Cancun.

What is the Difference Between a Condo and a Condo-Hotel?

As with so many fusion concepts today the mash-up of Condo and Hotel that the real-estate industry has begun to see has inspired a new, fusion word: condo-hotel. This might seem like a silly word, but it’s one to get a grasp of if you’re planning on buying a condo in a resort location. When it comes to second homes, vacation homes, and rental investments in the sun high-rise condos are a staple due to the low-maintenance, high quality living that they offer. The condo-hotel has created a new facet to this experience;

What is a condo-hotel?

In order to understand the value of a condo-hotel we need to understand how it differs from the usual condo; these are, essentially, condo’s which are managed by luxury hotels. The units are individually owned, but are altogether branded with the hotels name, whereas the usual condominium building lacks this branding and marketing. The benefits of these differences are quite noticeable; the hotel works as a property manager of sorts for the building and will schedule stays, deal with building maintenance, and keep things ticking over in your absence. Furthermore condo-hotel tend to get access to the hotel facilities and amenities like gyms, pools, room service, and spas. Some of these are perks which condominium buildings might have, but it is unlikely the same calibre of equipment and service will be found outside of a Condotel.

Advantages of a condo-hotel Over Traditional Condo Ownership

The aforementioned extras and perks obviously stand as one reason why condo-hotel have become so popular in recent years, but there are other benefits which set them apart from the average condo purchase. Firstly, the stress of building maintenance is taken on by the hotel company so you don’t have to worry about that! Secondly, the furnishings and décor are taken care of, too. This could be a downside, however, if you like to make your mark. Thirdly, should you wish to make some money from your investment with vacation lets the hotel will generally oversee this process for you, thereby making it a much less risky and stressful activity for you.

In fact, the main advantage that a condo-hotel offers over a traditional condo is just that; less stress, more perks, and the ability to get your dream vacations year on year without all the hassle that comes with a second home.

Tax Advantages of condo-hotels

If you don’t use your condo-hotel as a primary residence you may experience tax benefits. An accountant will be able to more specifically tell you what the benefits of this are when applied to your specific financial and tax situations, but an obvious upfront benefit is a reduction in your tax bill in the years when it is used.

Now that you know a bit more about Condos and condo-hotel you can begin to think about which will work for you in the long-run.

Ref.:ArticleMonster.com

Advantages For Snowbirds of Property Ownership

Escaping the hard winters of colder climates in favor of sunshine and warmth elsewhere is a choice we’d all like to be able to make, and for some it’s a reality. Those who are retired, facing retirement, those who work from home, and those who have flexible business schedules often choose this path. And why wouldn’t you? The sunshine, warmth, sand, and sea are great accompaniments to winter living, and in Mexico you are guaranteed all four!

Advantages for Snowbirds of Property Ownership

The benefits of being a snowbird in Mexico are pretty obvious, but have you considered the benefits of property ownership? Let’s consider the advantages of property ownership now…

Peace of mind

Snowbirds can spend huge amounts of time each year looking for a suitable property to rent, but if you own your own property you not only know what you’ll be getting and where you’ll be going, but you’ll have no issue with arrival and departure dates. It’s all in your hands. All you have to do is arrive!

Savings and investments

The money you spend on rent as a permanent or long-term snowbird can be quite something, but if you were to instead invest this in a purchase you might even get some money back by renting out your property when you’re not using it. Otherwise, you could just be pouring money away on rent rather than investing in property ownership that is for life.

Guaranteed Quality

You know that when you get there everything will be just the way you like it to be. Property ownership means choosing the place that is perfect for you and spending time making it your escape in paradise whenever you want.

Property ownership doesn’t have to be a burden

There are many places like Villa La Estancia Residences which offer fractional as well as full deeded ownership to those who want an investment with no ties. Property ownership in a gated resort community means all the benefits with less responsibility!

Build Up to Full Ownership with Fractions

If you start as a fractional snowbird owner you can very often build up your owned fractions over time until you own the full property. This is a steady and manageable way to buy real estate in Mexico.

If you want more information about owning fully deeded and fractional properties browse our website and contact us in Riviera Nayarit and Cabo San Lucas.

Home Insurance in Mexico

Finding the right home insurance in a country that is not your home country can be a real trial, but if you’re looking for home insurance in Mexico we can help you; this great article by Mexperience has been handily summarized below for you.

Home Insurance in Mexico

Depending upon your needs, budget, and circumstances you can partially or fully insure your property and contents at a reasonable price in Mexico. The premium costs will depend on many factors including the age, value, and type of property you own as well as the location it sits in and the events you want coverage for.

All Risks or Named Perils Home Insurance

Some policies offer “all risks” cover which is essentially a form of comprehensive coverage, and it will ensure a pay-out for most of the incidents that might damage your home. Some of the better policies will offer you the option to cover for catastrophic incidents like wind, fire, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, and earthquakes though, some Mexican insurers are unable to underwrite these events.

If you wish to lower your premiums you can elect to limit the number of “Named Perils” assigned to your policy instead of opting for an “all risks coverage” policy. This will cover you for the names perils but no other events. Cheaper insurance policies will generally be of this kinds even if they seem to cover all risks. A good broker should make a clear distinction between the two options and note the differences in cover and cost.

Property Coverage

Your policy should definitely cover the main structure of your home, but you may also choose to cover guesthouses, carports, garages, games rooms, cabañas, equipment rooms, studios, etc, as some Mexican homes are composed of more than one structure. The general rule in insurance is that if its directly connected it’s treated as one building. Structures considered high risk like wood framed buildings and palapa roofed structures tend to be explicitly excluded from all policies. Expect to pay a high premium to insure these.

Personal Items

A good policy will cover personal goods and chattels owned by you, your guests, and any domestic employees while they are in your residence, and some also have coverage for valuables like jewellery, fine arts, and money (up to a limit). Theft coverage varied and is dependent upon whether or not it is specifically listed.

Third Party Liability Home Insurance in Mexico

This is something to consider as such policies will cover your personal liabilities to third parties in order to provide protection from lawsuits and demands presented against you in Mexico. A good example is this; if a wall falls down and injures someone nearby, or a tree from your garden topples and damages a neighbor’s home your insurance policy will, if you sign up for this, cover your liability in such circumstances.

Loss of Income or use

When you rely on your property for work or rental income any damage to it can be really catastrophic. This is why, in such cases, it is smart to cover yourself for loss of use or rental income; such cover provides additional living expenses and makes up for lost income (if you can prove a rental contract exists) while your home is repaired. Most basic homeowner policies will exclude homes that are rented out, or will add a hefty supplement to the policy premium in order to add renter liability to your coverage, but it’s still worth considering.

Reference: Mexperience.com
Law of Attraction and Second Home Hunting

Law of Attraction and Second Home Hunting

Why not use the law of attraction and positive thinking to help you find the best second home for you and your family. Here are some tips to help you with your second home hunting using the power of the laws of the universe to guide you.

Like Attracts Like

According to the popular law of attraction, like attracts like. What this means is that you attract what you are thinking about, and attract experiences that make you feel similar to how you usually feel. Therefore, the first step in successful second home hunting is to start imagining and thinking about your dream home rather than focussing on what you don’t like about your current place of residence or lifestyle.

Make a vision or mood board

Collect pictures and images from magazines that represent how you would like your second home to be. Make a detailed collage with these images and imagine yourself enjoying all of the benefits of your second home. For example, add a picture of the view from your bedroom, the type of bathroom you would like to have and the amenities you wish to enjoy like a pool or spa. Be sure to put a picture of you and your family smiling in the center of the vision board.

Mantras

Choose a few of mantras that keep you on track when searching for your second home: “My dream home is waiting for me;” or “When I am happy, my dream home will manifest.” The idea is that when you are happy and vibrating on a higher frequency, you can allow the things you want to manifest into your reality.

Celebrate even the smallest signs

Remember to celebrate each step you make towards finding your dream second home. Even if the residence you find is out of your budget, celebrate the fact that you have manifested it into your reality and work on manifesting the resources to pay for it.

Follow your hunches

The law of attraction can work in mysterious ways, so it is always worthwhile following up on your hunches even when you think that the property is too expensive or too far away etc. You never know who you might meet or what piece of information you might receive to help you find the perfect second home for you and your family.

Property Ownership in Mexico

Costs Involved with Property Ownership in Mexico

Besides a sunny climate, great food and a fun-loving lifestyle, one of the main attractions of property ownership in Mexico is the lower costs involved when compared to the USA, Canada and Europe. Not only will you find that luxury properties with pools and other great amenities are more affordable, you will also find that taxes, housekeeping services, and maintaining your property is much cheaper.

Here are some of the direct and indirect costs involved with property ownership in Mexico that you should consider when purchasing real estate.

Real estate

The most significant and direct cost involved in property ownership in Mexico is the actual cost of the property you are purchasing, which will vary according to location, size and amenities, just like real estate in any country.

Closing fees

When calculating your overall investment when buying real estate in Mexico, you should take into consideration the cost of lawyers, in particular, notary fees, sales taxes and agency fees.

Mexican Property Taxes

All Mexican property ownership is subject to annual fees called “predial” which you pay at your local mayor’s office. The rates for these property taxes in Mexico differ from state to state but are usually only a few hundred dollar depending on the size and location of your home. Be sure to keep on top of these taxes as in some areas you will not receive a bill.

Fideicomiso – Land Trust

Foreign residents need a special land trust known as Fideicomiso from a bank in order to purchase land that is located within 50 km (30 miles) from the Mexican coast or 100 km (60 miles) from a border. You will be expected to pay an upfront fee and then a yearly payment which can range upwards from around $500 USD depending on your property.

Homeowners Associations

For those opting for property ownership in Mexico within a gated community, as when purchasing a condo, apartment or within a golf or country club, you will need to include the costs of your maintenance fees and HOA’s dues when calculating your yearly costs.

Energy

Relative to what people earn on average in Mexico, the cost of services like gas and electricity are high in Mexico although still lower than north of the border. When it comes to electricity, what you should take into consideration is that the more you use, the more expensive each unit of energy becomes, and if you go over your “allowance” then the government subsidy per household is removed and you have to pay the full cost of your electric bill.

Insuring your home

Home insurance is another cost involved in property ownership in Mexico which can cover both the property itself as well as contents. When living by the coast, you should makes sure that your plan covers storms and other phenomenon like flooding.

Have we missed any costs involved in property ownership in Mexico? Add your comments.

Raising a Young Family in Banderas Bay

If you’re looking to relocate to Mexico and have a young family in tow, finding somewhere that’s child friendly and full of potential is absolutely paramount. Banderas Bay, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, could be one of those places which presents a great choice for you and your loved ones. Here’s why…

Climate

People who live in colder, wetter climates are well-used to the reality of kids being stuck indoors for days at a time due to poor weather, but in Banderas Bay this is less of an issue. Very rarely will your kids ever have to stay in with only the TV and games consoles for company here; the climate and weather are perfect for exploration and adventure. Banderas Bay does, in fact, benefit from year round sunshine and ideal temperatures from November to mid-April with no rain clouds in sight. Summer can see heavy rainfall, but generally it is only for a few hours a day.

The environment

Banderas Bay is a fairly small area to be found on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and has a long stretch of sandy beaches and coves that will delight children of all ages. The waters are safe to swim in, and the temperature is fair year round; you could swim, surf, and make sandcastles in a new place every weekend for months and never be bored.

Banderas Bay is also lucky enough to be surrounded by the stunning Sierra Madre mountains which are not only stunning, but offer a wealth of pastimes to enjoy. You could go hiking, zip-lining, mountain-biking, or horseback riding if you wished. You could even choose to live close to the river; this river is often calmer than the sea shore and is great for swimming in. your kid need never be bored when there’s so much of the great outdoors to explore here.

Activities

Raising a family is far from dull, and it can often be stressful, but in Banderas Bay there’s a huge amount to get excited about. There are so many clubs, activities, sports and groups for your kids to get involved with here that you might start to miss them! You could get involved, too, of course. Why not take up paddle-boarding or surfing? Learn to salsa, or just pick up some of the hobbies that fell by the wayside at home? There are also plenty of sports on offer at the local stadium.

Childcare and schooling

Childcare is much more affordable in Banderas Bay than in the USA and Canada; you’ll probably be able to afford hiring a full-time nanny if you wish. As a Villa La Estancia owner you will also be able to call upon the resort’s babysitting services if and when you’re stuck for childcare. This is a real plus if your kids are younger than school age and/or you need a break. There are also a few good bilingual, private schools to be found in the bay which vary in location and price; there’s no reason why you shouldn’t find the right one for you and your family.

The culture on Banderas Bay

If everything we’ve already mentioned doesn’t convince you that living in Banderas Bay is a good thing for you and your family then the culture should. This is such a diverse country that you can be sure your children’s eyes will be opened to many different ways of life. They can learn a second language, which will be good for future career prospects, and learn from their teachers and new friends in a way that will help them to grow into open-minded and accepting people.

live in Cabo San Lucas

Why live in Cabo San Lucas?

Cabo San Lucas is one of the most wonderful places in Mexico, in the world actually, and has long been a hotspot for tourists looking to soak up the sunshine. More and more, however, it is a place to which people look to retire. This may have a lot to do with the lower cost of living and good weather, but when it comes to Cabo San Lucas specifically we feel it may have more to do with the wealth of activities and culinary excellence available here.

Take a look below at why you should live in Cabo:

Stunning Beaches

The beaches are without a doubt one of the most famous attractions that Cabo San Lucas has to offer. Cabo’s long stretch of sandy beaches can be found between the gorgeous waters and awesome cliff faces of Los Cabos. Understandably there are plenty of activities and experiences which make full use of the gorgeous beaches in the area, like kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skis, surfing and more. In fact there’s something for everyone!

Desert

If anything can be said to set Cabo San Lucas apart from other top beach destinations in Mexico, it would have to be the unique mix of desert, mountains and coasts that can be found near the city. The dry heat and desert setting makes for incredible photo opportunities and some really cracking ATV, horseback and even camel tours!

El Arco – Where the Sea Meets the Ocean

The El Arco rock formation is an interesting place in Cabo, geographically speaking, as it is the only place in Mexico where you can swim in both an ocean and a sea at the same time. Here the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. This unique status and the beauty of the rock formation has made El Arco the subject of many tours. Owners at Villa La Estancia Residences can enjoy prime views of El Arco from their balconies.

Restaurants and Shopping

Cabo San Lucas is somewhat of a celebrity playground, and many a famous face has graced these sun-soaked streets (in fact, many have homes here). As such it should be no surprise that sophistication and luxury are the order of the day when it comes to shopping and dining-out in Cabo San Lucas. At the Marina, in particular, there are wonderful restaurants and wine bars.

Fun Activities

There really is an activity for everyone here! At certain times of year (November to March) you can even go whale watching. There is also zip-lining, jet skiing, fishing, golf, scuba diving and snorkelling.

Golf Courses

Golf lovers will find Cabo San Lucas to be an absolute paradise! In the 1990’s Jack Nicklaus started the city on this path with his design and construction of the El Dorado and Palmilla Cabo del Sol golf clubs. Other big names like Greg Norman, Davis Love III and Tiger Woods have also designed courses in the city.

These are but a few of the reasons we could give you as to why you should consider living in Cabo! For more information about real estate and why you should live in Cabo, give us a call on 1 877 499 1901 or send an email by clicking here .

Top Advice When Buying Real Estate

Top Advice When Buying Real Estate

If you are considering buying real estate in Mexico here is some advice that might make the process a more comfortable one. The buying procedure is a little bit different than that of the United States and Canada. It is not better or worse, it is just different. A good realtor can make it very easy.

Puerto Vallarta is a wonderful place to enjoy retirement or escape snowy winters part time offering the quality of life North Americans are accustomed to. With numerous benefits like friendly people, cultural and adventure activities, endless beaches, world class medical facilities, 8 golf courses and of course the unparalleled quality of the tropical life. The population of Puerto Vallarta is approximately 350,000 inhabitants and this includes an enormous number of US and Canadians many of them property owners.

If you are thinking of making a move, make sure to get to know and check the references of your realtor or development sales agent and his/her broker or legal representative. Your realtor must be an A.M.P.I member which is the Mexican association of professional realtors. Ask him/her the following questions to get to know who you are dealing with and what their knowledge is:

  • Why did you move to the Bay of Banderas?
  • How long have you been practicing real estate in Mexico?
  • Give me five reasons why I should work with you?
  • Can you provide owner references?
  • Describe your work ethic
  • Do you own property in Mexico?

The latter is a good one. If your sales agent owns property in Puerto Vallarta they surely know the ins and outs of the town, know where to go and know what to do. Whether you choose to buy in Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town, South Shore, Mismaloya, Hotel Zone, you want an expert who can guide you through every square meter of your new neighborhood.

Although buying property in a foreign country may seem tricky it’s not better or worse, it is just different, so be sure to keep an open mind when dealing with paperwork and bureaucracy.

Villa La Estancia Real Estate

Villa La Estancia Real Estate Riviera Nayarit

Villa La Estancia Real Estate Riviera Nayarit can offer magnificent realty that can become your reality in one of the most loved beach locations in Mexico. Should you wish to enjoy a short stay or a long vacation or even spend the rest of your life in Riviera Nayarit, Villa La Estancia Real Estate offers many special choices for those seeking a home or wanting to invest in the property markets.

Real Estate Riviera Nayarit

You will be able to find many unique real estate opportunities available at Villa La Estancia Real Estate Riviera Nayarit. Located on one of the longest beaches in Banderas Bay, Villa La Estancia can offer full and fractional residences in one of Banderas Bay’s most exclusive districts. You can obtain exclusivity in your real estate which will retain its value for years to come in the future.

Luxury Real Estate at the 5-star Complex

For those looking for something special in life, luxury real estate at the five-star resort is available from Villa La Estancia Real Estate. We cater for all budgets and persuasions and if you require a luxurious penthouse with exceptional views or a delightful condo located on the beach, Villa La Estancia Real Estate Riviera Nayarit can certainly match your needs. Within its large portfolio of available properties, you can opt for full time ownership for those wanting to live in Banderas Bay permanently. A collection of limited edition fractional properties is also available.

Fractional Real Estate in Riviera Nayarit

Villa La Estancia Residences can offer Fractional ownership too which is a real estate option that sits somewhere between the ease of vacation club membership and the privileges of full time ownership. As an owner of fractional Villa La Estancia Real Estate you and the other “partner owners” will share a villa at the resort in Riviera Nayarit, with each owner using the same unit at different times of the year. Fractional ownership at Villa La Estancia Riviera Nayarit is divided into 8-week or 12-week intervals, for life! One of the big bonuses of purchasing fractional Villa La Estancia Real Estate is that when you are you are ready to make Riviera Nayarit your home in the future you can use the equity from your fraction towards buying a full property or upgrading the size of your fractional property.

Deed Real Estate in Riviera Nayarit

As a Villa La Estancia Real Estate investor, whether full or fractional, you benefit from deeded ownership, just like any traditional real estate purchase. This also means you have the right to use our house rental program to rent your residence, either long or short term, sell your property, bequeath it and so on.

If you have any questions or would like to receive further information about Villa Estancias Real Estate in Riviera Nayarit or Cabo San Lucas, leave a comment or contact us .