Real Estate News Blog February Archive

For housing professionals, emerging markets are places to expand

By Art C Ryter at 02/20/07 19:44

Discusses the opportunities for real estate professionals in emerging markets like Central American and Eastern Europe. Real estate in places like Panama, Costa Rica, and Armenia, among others, is starting to have solid legal and financial foundations to make valuation and trade possible. The establishment of global standards and the use of technology are propelling a worldwide expansion of the market for real estate property.

Original source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. For housing professionals, emerging markets are places to expand, teach and learn

Development fuels staggering growth in tropics

Central American and Caribbean states are experiencing staggering growth due to coastal development aimed at attracting American investment. Many are comparing the real estate opportunities in places like Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, and others to Florida at the turn of last century. Picture perfect views cost a fraction of what they do in the U.S. An American developer in subdivided his parcel into eighteen $300,000 to $400,000 lots and has already sold ten.

Original source: Herald Tribune. Development fuels staggering growth in tropics

Money Makers: Why they head south for retirement

Yitch Creekmore, author of _Cashing In on a Second Home in Mexico_, answers five questions about why Americans buy real estate in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and other Central American countries. The questions range from availability of property and health insurance to how the election of leftist governments may affect your overseas living opportunities.

Original source: The Houston Chronicle. Why they head south for retirement

LandAmerica Opens in Costa Rica

LandAmerica Financial Group Inc. opened LandAmerica Commonwealth Title of Central America, headquartered in Costa Rica.

The company offers title, escrow and other real estate transaction services for investors and second home owners in Central American countries such as Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Belize. Title insurance is relatively new in Latin America so this offering is a great service to be sure that the land you buy will be insured against possible property ownership conflicts.

Original source: Associated Press. [404 Check: was link to http:/ / www. forbes. com/ feeds/ ap/ 2007/ 02/ 16/ ap3435675. html, anchor: LandAmerica Opens in Costa Rica]

Worldwide property boom prices locals out of market

The rising real estate values in developed countries and the desire by many to opt out is fueling a real estate boom in places like Costa Rica, Bulgaria, Mexico, and others. Many buyers are buying, building, and selling second homes all for profit. This turn over has raised the real estate values in some choice cities by 300% in just a few years. People have become savvy international real estate investors, yet discontent is on the rise in some locations as locals begin to resent the lack of affordable first homes.

Original source: International News. [404 Check: was link to http:/ / www. newkerala. com/ news4. php?action=fullnews&id=105078, anchor: Worldwide property boom prices locals out of market]

Costa Rica Marina Strategy Pays Off for South Florida Real Estat

Bahia Escondida, a residential, resort and marina destination situated on Costa Rica's Golfe Dolce Bay in the famed south Pacific resort town of Golfito started construction in October 2006. Prices for the residences have already risen as the demand for Costa Rican real estate in this development is very strong. The target market is second home owners tired of high real estate taxes in the States and boat owners who will be able to dock at this one of a kind marina in Costa Rica.

Original source: Press Release. [404 Check: was link to http:/ / biz. yahoo. com/ prnews/ 070214/ aqw050. html?. v=2, anchor: Costa Rica Marina Strategy Pays Off for South Florida Real Estate Team]

Flush With Cash, Americans Snap Up Properties Abroad

Yany Americans are traveling to Central America and end up falling in love with the lifestyle and natural beauty of the region. Three anecdotes supply the grist of information which mainly focuses on purchases made in Costa Rica. Many countries have made their home ownership laws more foreign investor friendly, and think of second home ownership as a development to boost their economies.

Original source: Hispanic Business. Flush With Cash, Americans Snap Up Properties Abroad

International Living Magazine Details Top Seven Real Estate Oppo

The list of the top seven real estate opportunities worldwide in 2007 are: Montenegro; Cartagena, Colombia; Malaysia; Calabria, Italy; Ciudad Vieja, Uruguay; Honduras Cloud Forest; and Mexico’s Flamingo Coast. Each of these real estate picks should be vetted personally, though, because even if real estate is cheap, there might be a reason, such as extremely poor neighborhoods, really old structures, or organized crime.

Original source: Press Release. [404 Check: was link to http:/ / biz. yahoo. com/ prnews/ 070215/ nyfnsy02. html?. v=9, anchor: International Living Magazine Details Top Seven Real Estate Opportunities Worldwide in 2007]

Real surfers don't wear business suits

Comments on the New York Times article about surfers discussing business in places like San Diego, California. The author suggests that if you are going to surf in Costa Rica or Mexico, leave the business suit at home!

Original source: The Daily Times. [404 Check: was link to http:/ / www. delmarvanow. com/ apps/ pbcs. dll/ article?AID=/ 20070215/ DCP03/ 702150303/ 1058/ DCP, anchor: Real surfers don't wear business suits]

Turtles, surf draw tourists to Nicaragua

Nicaragua has generally been overlooked by tourists because of political turmoil during the 1980s, but its time has arrived. San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, shares many of the natural draw travelers to Costa Rican and Mexican hotspots, but fewer tourists. Turtles laying hundreds of eggs in nests in the sand; surf as pristine and as uncrowded as though it were the 1950s. If you have a sense of adventure and an appetite for risk, it just might become the next Puerto Vallarta or Puntarenas.

Original source: The Seattle Times. Turtles, surf draw tourists to Nicaragua