Real Estate
Find your own slice of heaven in the international real estate market.
Articles
The colonial city of Antigua in the Central highlands of Guatemala has a thriving expat community. It’s no surprise that foreigners choose to live here full- or part-time. They enjoy the history-steeped cobbled streets and a vibrant culture. Visitors often extend their stay, swapping family home stays or hotel accommodation for short or long-term rentals in Antigua.
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.
Six years ago, I received a birthday present worth over $70,000. No, I’m not friends with Oprah. We had recently fallen in love with—and bought—a crumbling, pigeon-infested, 150-year old maison bourgeoise in northern Burgundy, France, only two hours away from our apartment in Paris.
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).
Compared to other major European capitals, Berlin property is remarkably inexpensive. For example, 89,900 euro ($117,000) buys a well-maintained, 45-square-meter apartment with stucco details in a Prenzlauer Berg Altbau dating from 1902. Prices like that don’t exist anywhere in London or Paris, let alone in their fashionable districts.
We’ve pinpointed three locations with strong rental potential. Two of them would make fantastic second home destinations. The third would suit investors looking for a mix of good potential rental yield and appreciation.
If a small Italian farmhouse with a vineyard sounds sweet, then look to the Abruzzo (pictured), a region of southern central Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea.
There’s a lot to consider when buying a home anywhere, but especially one overseas. First thing you want to know is how much it’s going to cost. With bang-for-your-buck in mind, Ecuador comes out on top, offering some of the best-value real estate in the world. For $50,000 you can buy a penthouse suite in a colonial town or a beachfront condo.
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.
I’m in an SUV in La Paz, in Mexico’s Baja California Sur. The sun is hot and we’ve rolled down the windows as we drive through town. We go at a leisurely pace, stopping at street corners to obey the four-way stop signs; La Paz is too low-key to need many stop lights.
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.
Tucked between the southern regions of Andalucia and Valencia, Murcia delivers the best of Spanish essentials: mild winters, wine villages, tapas bars, fantastic beaches and (for Europe) relatively low living costs. You may ask “why Murcia”—a region that’s almost unknown to North Americans. Especially when Spanish property values have slumped.
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.
The icing-sugar sand is cool against your feet. The turquoise sea pushes perfect ruffled whitecaps gently up on the beach. Sitting in the shade of a coconut palm, an exotic cocktail in your hand, you fall in love with Caribbean living.
I never imagined breakfasting outdoors in December. Not in Europe. Then again, I’ve never visited the Murcia region before.
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.
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