Ronan McMahon
Articles by Ronan McMahon
Brilliant bright white sand reflects the warm early afternoon sunshine. Fresh breezes mean it’s pleasant to eat outside. On a peninsula like this you can rely on these breezes almost year round. The water is flat, clear and turquoise. The sand a rich tan. If you have preconceptions about the Dominican Republic, put them to one side.
Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic and one of the largest cities in Latin America. I haven’t explored it yet. That will have to wait until the tail end of my scouting trip. Pulling out of the airport…across the bay her skyline glimmers. I’m most interested in the restored colonial center. Museums, restaurants and short-term rental market. My 11-day scouting trip will end in Santo Domingo.
White-sand beaches. Turquoise waters. Coconut palms. Brightly colored beachfront pizzerias. And hopefully a big opportunity for us… My bags are packed. I’m heading to the Dominican Republic (DR).
When you buy international real estate you can generate income in another currency. All your eggs aren’t in one basket. If the value of your dollar goes down, for example, you might be very happy to have an income stream in Brazilian reais…or Colombian pesos. Diversification…particularly in turbulent times…is just plain common sense.
I’m five minutes out of town on the beautiful white sands of Sokha Beach, contemplating the glass-flat turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Small islands dot the horizon. Some have overnight accommodation. On others you can bring your tent. With only four other people on this beach, it’s quiet here and leaving won’t be easy.
Lake Arenal in Costa Rica’s lake country is stunningly beautiful. The weather, with year- round temperatures in the 70s, is near perfect.
From the lake (and from the elevated lots at The Preserve, the project I told you about yesterday) the views to the towering Arenal Volcano are jaw dropping.
This is rich pasture and tropical jungle country. You might think you are in Switzerland. The roar of howler monkeys… flamboyant and dramatic…and brightly colored birds tells me I’m not.
Lake Arenal, Costa Rica has been overlooked. I can’t explain why. I can see no good reason. It’s just one of those anomalies.
It’s stunningly beautiful. The weather is near perfect. The community of locals and expats is welcoming and friendly. The road here is good and you don’t want for any modern conveniences or amenities.
I’ve seen situations like this before.
In Tulum, you’ll find some of the world’s finest white powder beaches…backed by palm trees that rustle in the Caribbean breezes… and you’ll find the world-famous Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve, too.
A 12-minute drive from the white sand and sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea you’ll find a one-of-a-kind project called Los Arboles Tulum.
Ecuador’s nicest 100-mile stretch of coast used to be difficult to get to. That’s changed with the new highway. One strong opportunity I’ve told you about on this coast is Jama Campay.
This is where you can buy a 1,800-square-foot home perched above…yet only steps from…a white-sand beach. From your lap pool you have views past the beach and breaking waves to the Pacific Ocean.
Along Costa Rica’s Southern Zone the bright, thick, green jungle canopy rolls down to a coast of sandy beaches and rocky points. It’s truly stunning.
While prices in the north soared…prices here stayed low. It was difficult to get to. But a new smoothly paved coastal highway has changed that.
One project along this coast stands out as the gold standard. It’s here…on a stunning ocean view lot surrounded by jungle-clad hills in Pacific Lots…that a small group of Real Estate Trend Alert members will gather this February 8-11.
With any real estate opportunity I strongly urge you to use you own independent legal advice and to visit.
Visiting is where your due diligence meets fun and adventure. The best way to do it is on a special member-only scouting trip or “chill weekend”. Some of these gatherings are free.
The best beaches in the world are in Brazil. Ask a Brazilian and he will tell you Brazil’s best beaches are in the northeast, centered on Fortaleza. Miles of wide and deep white-sand beaches connect little fishing villages and kite surfing outposts.
The opportunity in Iracema is strong. In two months, a major and reputable developer will launch a new condo project called Piazza Coliseu on one of the best plots here. The plans and the show apartment are ready. It will likely be the last week of February before he launches. After Carnival is when the real estate market really heats up.
We can get in now pre-release, with special member pricing and terms.
West of Fortaleza on Brazil’s northeast coast, wide white-sand beaches stretch to the horizon. You can drive for hours along these beaches. Charming fishing villages with cobbled streets and well-maintained town centers sit just off the sand.
Ecuador’s most impressive stretch of coast is in the north. I’m talking about the area around the town of Jama where steep hills covered in a rich, thick, green jungle rise steeply from sandy beaches to give jaw-dropping, 270-degree ocean views in places.
The new highway from Quito has brought the drive time to this coast down from eight to three and a half hours.
It’s here, near the village of El Matal, where you’ll find the beachfront community of Coco Beach Village. This is a strong project. We can buy a spacious lot with member-only, interest- free finance terms. Monthly payments are just $500.
As a member of our little group you will know that we have a strong opportunity to profit on Ecuador’s north coast. A new highway has reduced drive time from the capital, Quito, to the coast. What once took eight hours now takes three and a half hours.
We can buy a lot in Jama Campay, a “best in class” project, with a manageable down payment and monthly payments of $416.
Joao Pessoa, in Brazil’s northeast, is surrounded by miles of beautiful beaches. The weather’s warm and sunny year-round. Roughly 75 miles from Recife and 110 miles from Natal, the city is the third oldest in Brazil.
This is where many Brazilians retire (young), vacation and buy second homes. In particular, the city is popular as a retirement destination for senior civil servants. They retire early from their government jobs. Active and healthy, they relocate here to start the next phase of their life.
That’s good news for the businesses of Joao Pessoa. As more of these wealthy young retirees move here, the city’s businesses have more customers. There’s more demand for services—like dentists and cardiologists and financial planners.
Times are good if you own quality office space here.
The Caribbean side of Costa Rica languished, creating what is today a bargain-hunter’s dream. The neglect of this region is one of those anomalies that produces excellent profit opportunities. And I’ve found a way you can buy land in a Gold Standard gated community here for less than half of what you could pay just outside those gates.
In June I visited Medellín, Colombia with friend and IL’s Roving Latin America Editor Lee Harrison. Lee was there to pull the trigger and buy. I was there to see first-hand if Medellin is a place we can generate a strong rental income with the prospect of capital appreciation.
Lee did indeed buy a property. A couple of weeks ago he filled me in on how things are working out. The proof of the pudding, so to speak. He followed up with the note below. This is valuable hands-on experience. Also, it’s worth drawing attention to how clear Lee is about his goals. Clear goal-setting is the first step that can be missed so easily.
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