You can make a profit in Rocha, Uruguay

A deserted  beach that feels remote…yet isn’t… A beach where, beyond the breaking waves, white foam caps skim along the deep blue ocean.

On land, a steady breeze rustles through the dune grasses…white clouds drift by and flocks of birds swoosh down, fishing along the coast. That’s what you’ll found in Rocha, Uruguay. The beaches here are the finest in the country. And there’s one wide, sandy expanse which is the finest stretch in Rocha. The beach is yours to walk alone. But you’re not too remote. Ten minutes away is the beach town of La Pedrera, which has an upmarket feel, with large weekend homes beside a sweeping curve of beach. You’ll find surfers and tourists from Brazil and Argentina…but almost none from North America.

Rocha is a special place to visit and spend time, no question. But it’s also a place where you can profit. And I’ve arranged a special deal for IL subscribers here. Let me walk you through the opportunity… Stable, peaceful, and first-world, Uruguay is on the upswing. The regional powerhouses of Argentina and Brazil are the country’s only neighbors. It’s a democratic country. It has no disputes of any consequence and is one of the safest and least corrupt countries in Latin America.

The economy is strong. It grew by 8.5% in 2010. Growth of 6% is forecast this year. 40% more tourists visited this January (the peak month of the year for visitors) than last year. The country is edging toward investment grade.

Uruguay has good infrastructure—the tap water is drinkable, roads are modern and paved, your smart phone or laptop will pick up a free WiFi signal in many public places and even on some buses. Foreign investors are coming. Foreign direct investment pushed close to $1.6 billion last year. That’s four times more than seven years ago.

The soy dollar is big in Uruguay…as is the beef dollar…and the “Brazil effect” is starting to take life. Brazil is one of the world’s fastest growing and biggest economies. Brazil’s president, Dilma Rousseff, was in Uruguay earlier this year to sign bilateral agreements and discuss potential infrastructure projects that would encourage trade and economic links between their countries.

Uruguay’s farmers are profiting from high commodity prices. Uruguay doesn’t have export tariffs and encourages foreign farmers and agri-business. The economy is strong. It grew by 8.5% in 2010. Growth of 6% is forecast this year. 40% more tourists visited this January (the peak month of the year for visitors) than last year. The country is edging toward investment grade.

Uruguay has good infrastructure—the tap water is drinkable, roads are modern and paved, your smart phone or laptop will pick up a free WiFi signal in many public places and even on some buses. Foreign investors are coming. Foreign direct investment pushed close to $1.6 billion last year. That’s four times more than seven years ago. The soy dollar is big in Uruguay…as is the beef dollar…and the “Brazil effect” is starting to take life.

Brazil is one of the world’s fastest growing and biggest economies. Brazil’s president, Dilma Rousseff, was in Uruguay earlier this year to sign bilateral agreements and discuss potential infrastructure projects. And there are opportunities for investment. The best of these are here in Rocha.

Rocha is the department (province) that follows the coast east from Punta to the border with Brazil. White sands stretch for miles and miles. You can walk along here for hours undisturbed by another human being. Just inland is the protected Laguna de Rocha, where 18,000 acres of pristine wilderness act as a bird-lover’s and boater’s paradise. It won’t get spoiled with super yachts, though. The use of engines is restricted. This is a place to fi sh and putter around under canvas.

When you want to go out for a meal, buy groceries or just sip a cold drink, you’ll make your way to one of the beach towns nearby. La Paloma is the area’s biggest beach town. La Pedrera is quieter and more upmarket. Cabo Polonia is where the arty set hangs out.

When most people think of Uruguay’s beaches, they think of Punta del Este. That’s where the jet set hangs out. They shelled out $2.25 billion on luxury condos in the 12 months to April 2011. Condos have changed hands at prices north of $7 million.

The pocket of opportunity I’m talking about in Rocha is close to Punta del Este, in a place where you can position yourself ahead of the Path of Progress. As development continues to move steadily up the coast from Punta I expect real estate prices will rise. Major Argentine developer Eduardo Costantini is planning a $350 million project here. And there’s the possibility of infrastructure projects and improved economic ties with Brazil, which borders the province of Rocha.

I’ve struck a special deal in Rocha exclusively for International Living magazine subscribers. One which gets you into the area’s best opportunity at a bargain price.  La Serena Golf is close to one of the best beaches in Rocha, and the Laguna de Rocha. Residents can enjoy golf and tennis within the gates of their community. Around 55% of the total 225 acres of land will be preserved as green space. Seven lakes will dot the project, adding to the relaxed country feel of the property.

The developer of La Serena Golf, Daniel Oks, is a prominent former banker from Buenos Aires. He is well connected. And his real estate development track record is on full view in glossy books on the coffee tables of Argentina’s wealthy. His other project nearby includes some of the region’s most photographed, high-end, and architecturally unique homes. He has proven his capacity to attract the right clientele. That’s crucial in a place like this where most buyers are wealthy Argentines.

A half-acre lot here at La Serena Golf lists for $31,900. This is a great deal. Closer to Punta (but still outside town), prices range from $40 to $135 per square meter. That’s $81,000 to over $250,000 for a lot of the same size. And, these prices include projects without golf or tennis.

Project with hardly any amenities, in fact. Here you will get these amenities and pay much less. Subtract your 5% discount as an IL magazine subscriber and the deal is even stronger. The price for you for this lot is $30,305.

This is a strong opportunity. The developer of this community has an excellent track record and the concept is right for the market here. Finally, the pricing and the IL magazine subscriber deal is strong. See here to get your exclusive magazine subscriber discount or to find out more.

Why Uruguay Makes Sense

There are no hurricanes, earth- quakes, or volcanoes. Uruguay has a European feel. The capital Montevideo’s streets reveal an endless succession of French and Art Deco-style buildings, a classical opera house, tree-lined streets, and shaded plazas. Restaurants and even supermarkets offer hand-made Italian pasta…and the delicate pastries in the cafés will remind you of Paris.

Medical care is good quality and highly affordable. In major cities like Montevideo, you have a choice of health care providers, including the British Hospital. Residents can use the national health care system’s free clinics, too. Monthly fees for private medical coverage starts at $51.

The climate is seasonal and mild. It doesn’t get boiling hot or freezing cold. You won’t see ice or snow. Temperatures average 61-82 F in Montevideo in summer and 43-59 F in winter. Remember that seasons in Uruguay are the opposite of those in North America. When it’s winter in North America, it’s summer in Uruguay.

Residency is easy. You can become a resident if you can prove income of $6,000 a year ($500 a month). Rental income from a property that you own in Uruguay qualifies as income for residency.

Make Money From the World’s Real Estate Trends

When Ronan McMahon isn’t scouting for Pathfinder, IL’s preferred real estate advertising partner, he’s heading up the Real Estate Trend Alert. To follow real estate trends with the potential for profit and to access his recommendations and advice, see here.

Editor’s Note: This article was taken from a past issue of International Living’s monthly magazine. To get full access to all past and future articles and to receive the magazine in the mail or online each month, you can subscribe here.

Read more articles from our sample issue here.