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I recently spoke to Javier Noguera (www.alegranza.com.mx; www.alegranzavacations.com), a property develeloper in Los Cabos, who shared his expert knowledge about the Cabos real estate market, the Mexico safety situation and the overall economic picture in Baja California Sur.

Everyone knows that the real estate market in the U.S took a serious beating over the last two years. How is Cabo’s market faring? Cabo’s market has not avoided what happened in the world, but has some particularities that has protected it from major danger. First of all, Cabo never had an over offer of product. It’s not like some parts of Florida, Nevada or California where you have millions of dollars in inventory pending to be sold. Less competition has kept the market a bit away from massive price reduction. Secondly, there are no foreclosures. Only 2 % of the real estate market is leveraged or has a mortgage. Therefore, there are not as many desperate owners trying to sell and as many foreclosures, which brings the market down. Cabos’ properties have reduced an average of 7-10% and the market touched its bottom several months ago. If you are thinking on buying property in Los Cabos, this will would probably be the best time in decades.

How would you describe the overall economic situation in Cabo? Cabo suffered last year from bad U.S Media because of reports of swine flu, which reduced tourism enormously despite the fact that there were zero cases in town. Security on the border also affects Cabo, even though we are 1,000 miles away and we have the lowest crime rate in all the Americas.  Then there is the overall economic situation. Cabo has taken a year to recover and has overcome its major challenges as restaurants and tourist services reopen, and roads, bridges and hotel infrastructure improves. Fifty percent of the room bookings at any hotel in Los Cabos was coming from “incentive groups,” most of them paid by U.S corporations for tax deduction purposes, bonuses to employees and motivational trips. U.S corporations hardly made any profits in 2009 so they did not have to spend their money to reduce tax payments. That eliminated half of the market in room bookings. The positive news is that U.S corporations did get profits again in 2010 so this 50% of the market is coming back

What do you see as the long-term real estate and economic repercussions on the Mexican market and economy, if any, as a result of the U.S. crisis? Forty-five percent of the tourist real estate purchases above U.S$150.000 used to come from the U.S, with 45% from Canada and the remaining 10% from the Mexican mainland. So there is a clear dependence. The important thing that I see is that there are thousands of semi-retirees willing to change their lives and move to Mexico, where the cost of living is much lower and property taxes and monthly fees are 20 times lower, along with better service and better weather

Are most foreigners in Cabo “snowbirds” or year round residents? What kind of resources, activities and benefits does Cabo offer a foreigner? We receive both, with more full-time residents every year: Lawyers, doctors, architects, financial people, consultants, entrepreneurs are the people that moved for a while and ended up staying full time. They can participate in any outdoor activity they want, such as surfing, sailing, fishing, diving –we do have the second largest reef in the Paficic after Hawaii—as well as golfing, mountain biking, hiking, shopping, fine dining or just lying on the beach! There are about 60 direct flights a day from any major US city, Canada or mainland Mexico

Why do you think that Americans, Canadians, and Europeans would want to move to Cabo? As of today 100.000 foreigners own property in Los Cabos and the reason has been a mix of things:

• The best weather in the world: Dry, no humidity, never rains
• Security: 100% safe
• Cost of living (less than in their home towns), really low property taxes, food and service
• Great beaches, golfing, infrastructure and nice people
• Distance from home:  from 2 flight from San Diego, 3 from Dallas, 4:30 from Ny, Calgary, Vancouver

Many individuals thinking about visiting or moving to Mexico are scared off by the country’s safety reputation. What can you tell me about the safety situation in Cabo? Does Cabo take any special precautions to protect expats and foreign visitors? Cabo is surrounded by twp oceans, the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific and we belong to the Baja California Sur State, which is almost as big as Italy but with less than one million people. As a high end tourist destination, our San Jose del Cabo airport receives the largest percentage of private planes vs. commercial planes in Latin America. We have three hotels in less than 20 miles distance whose average rate is US$800 a night.  We have multimillionaire houses and resorts. Those who know Cabo and its past are not afraid since they have experienced it and they know there is no crime. The problem is those who have never been in Los Cabos, but once they fly in, they find out and don’t have a problem. There is no need for special protection because there is no risk or danger. You can walk outside at 5am in the morning and nothing will happen. Can you do that in LA or NY? San Jose Costa Rica? Panama City?  There is a U.S and Canadian consulate in town and people can even live here without speaking Spanish

As Mexico gets more negative press in the media, are you finding it harder to “sell” Cabo? How do you deal with these challenges? What are some of the common stereotypes you have to deal with? Certainly, media is a key part in the name and reputation for Los Cabos, and Mexico as a country needs to change this. It is very unfair to be living in this paradise, with extremely low (or nonexistent) crime and full security, great beaches, two marinas, eleven top 100 golf courses, the best fishing in the world , nice hotels and resorts providing great service and suffer from Mexico’s poor safety reputation. We are very isolated from the mainland and anything happening in Mexico.  We receive pop stars and VIPs staying in our beautiful hotels and enjoying our great weather every week.

I remember a couple from San Francisco calling me when all this swine flu happened telling me that they were praying for me and my family while I was holding a beer in my terrace overlooking the whole San Jose Bay and observing the boats coming in an out of the marina. I told them, “You better pray for you since you have swine flu cases there.” And there was a guy from Houston that saw that 40 people were killed in Tamaulipas on TV. I told him that this was less than 100 miles from his home town in Houston and 3,000 miles from Cabo!  It’s all about education. Every single person working in this industry must contribute a bit, from the federal Government to the smallest entities working for tourists. U.S Media is a way to protect some private US interests that try to avoid money going to Mexico. People must know that Mexico is almost as big as the U.S; if there is a hurricane warning in Florida, people from California don’t have to be affected by tourism. Only a few people geographically understand the different parts of Mexico and most just treat it as a whole.

Can you tell me a little bit about your projects and what you do exactly? What market do you cater to? How long have you been doing what you do? In 2006 we decided to develop a nice property in San Jose del Cabo and we completed a nice gated community resort called Alegranza (www.alegranza.com.mx). The resort has 95 units and 90% of the project is sold. There are three heated saline water pools, Jacuzzis, fire pits, saunas, fully equipped gym, nice restaurant with room service, putting green lighted tennis court, concierge, BBQ areas, Sky TV ,wireless internet and preferred rates on many activities in town. Our prices range from $500,000 to $900, 000 U.S dollars and our units are from 2,000 sq.ft to 3,200 sq.ft. People remember us for our views, probably the best ocean views in town, our location, walking distance from everywhere, quality finishes, privacy and the right amenities. We also manage the rentals, so our owners actually get some revenue from rentals while they don’t make use of their units. So we also operate as if we were a hotel, but with the feeling of a home. Forty-five percent of my owners are from Alberta or British Columbia and the other 45% are from the U.S, mostly Colorado, California, Texas, and Montana. The remaining 10% are either from Mexico or Europe. This is the first project we’ve completed in Mexico but my family has been developing in my home country of Spain since the 1950’s.

Article by Jade D’Angelo

Overview: It’s hard to imagine a more culturally packed, higher intensity place than Ciudad de México.  Currently rivaling Tokyo and Seoul for the most highly populated city in the world, Mexico City sits squarely on the pulse of Central America. Mexico is a beautiful dichotomy: A sprawling modern metropolis inhabited by some of the world’s best, but maintaining a strong Mexican tradition and culture.  You may be able to find Starbucks at every corner, but don’t be surprised if you also spot an indigenous couple walking barefoot down a main highway. Mexico City is a fast-paced, colorful, textured, rich urban hot spot.  It is chock full of amazing museums, art, music, delectable food, traditional dances and events, soccer stadiums and fans and breathtaking architecture. The options of things to see and do are endless, and with a little planning, you will be enthralled by what you find in this cultural hybrid.

Mexico City is an easy travel destination.  It is not a holiday destination and thus, there are hotels at every price point constantly available.  Airlines are rarely over-booked from Europe and the Americas, and many direct flights are available to one of the two airports. Plenty of ATMs are scattered about. You can always find an open Internet café, and the city has the largest metro in the world, making transportation a breeze.

History: Mexico City has a tangled history of vast kingdoms, brutal conquests and industrialization.  It rests on what was once a lake, a woof and warp-like structure of canals and farmland.  The maize has long since been replaced with endless asphalt and buildings, but even amongst this modern world, you can happen across the ancient Temple Major in downtown, centuries old cathedrals, and the reverend Guadalupe. There are few cities in the world that provide such an exciting mix of tradition and modern existence.

Climate: There is no right time to visit Mexico City. The climate is temperate year round.  If you do not enjoy frequent showers, you will want to avoid the summer months from June to September. If higher temperatures are not your cup of tea, consider visiting in April. The entire city is green and alive with beautiful purple jacaranda trees.  Whenever you plan on coming, rest assured that the city will be alive with activity — the two exceptions are Holy Week, the week before Easter Sunday and the couple of days after it, and Christmas to New Years, when the city slows down considerably as locals go on vacation. If you are looking to do business in the city you definitely want to avoid these times.  One climatic characteristic to be aware of is the altitude. The city stands at almost a mile and a half above sea level (7,200 feet).  This, combined with the fact that it is in a valley flanked by mountains and two volcanoes, which promote heavy smog, makes everyday activities exhausting for travelers.  Being aware of this can make all the difference. Don’t be surprised if after a day or so of running on adrenaline you suddenly crash. Take it slow, drink plenty of water, rest as needed and you should still enjoy a delightful Mexico City experience.

Attractions and Neighborhoods: Being such a large city, there are truly endless excursions to go on and sights to be seen.  The historic center offers a rich cultural experience and gives one a quick glimpse of DF’s history.  For a bohemian feel you can head to Roma; to Condessa if you desire a beautiful residential area full of hip cafes and a buzzing nightlife, or the affluent Polanco for upscale hotels and cutting edge chefs.

One really should spend a day in the Centro Histórico Neighborhood (Historic Center) and the surrounding areas.  This historical downtown area of Mexico City has a wide plaza known as El Zòcalo.  Full of museums, restaurants and cafes, street merchants, markets, art, music, Aztec dancers, and hotels this is a wonderful place to start.  The Palacio National (the presidential palace and home to exquisite Diego Rivera murals), cathedral, and excavated site of Temple Mayor (the main Aztec Tenochtitlan temple) are just a few of the sights which could keep you occupied for hours.

Directly west of the Zócalo lies the breathtaking Palacio de Bellas Artes.  Slightly further, you will find Mexico City’s famous street, Paseo de la Reforma, adorned with the “Monumento a La Independicia, El Ángel.” This beautifully gilded angel stands as the symbol of Independence and rises above the city to watch over her people.  Daily tours are available and upon summit you will be treated to a bird’s eye view of the city.  Several other monuments mark this grand boulevard and you can easily follow it down to Zona Rosa and enjoy any of the many restaurants on your way to Bosque de Chapultepec. This park is a trip within itself, with lakes, gardens, and abundant trees.  It also holds several museums, including the world famous Museo Nacional de Antrologia and the Museo Nacional de Historia.

Getting Around: Transportation is a breeze throughout the city.  The Metro is extremely economical ($3 pesos, or about 25 US cents and you can ride to any destination one way, no matter how many stops or transfers) and criss-crosses the city very efficiently. Taxis are also extremely abundant and affordable.  Avoid all “Libre” taxis, which are denoted by an “L” before the vehicle’s registration number and license plate. Instead look for a “Sitio”taxi, traditionally denoted by a “S”.  New regulations (changes in license plates) have made it almost impossible to differentiate between Libre and Sitio taxis.  The smartest course of action is to always call a 24-hour Sitio taxi service, which is available at 5516-6020 to 34, 5571-9344, and 5571-3600.  Your hotel or restaurant will gladly call one for you.

Dining: You are never far from some of the world’s most delicious cuisine in Mexico City.  Any type of global delight can be found, although some of the most delicious food to be found is in the markets and taquerias.  Keep in mind this rule of thumb:  Don’t eat unless you can sit at the establishment. Hopefully this will help you avoid any run-ins with less than sanitary establishments.  Perhaps the most tantalizing way to find good eats is stop locals and ask them what they recommend.  Make sure you try the “T Diet” while you are in town, which consists of tortas, tamales, and tacos.  Some of the best al pastor and bistek tacos are to be found in the city, and any good Samaritan can direct you.  Eating is generally quite inexpensive and one of the true joys of Mexico City.  Due to Mexico City’s dichotic character, you can enjoy tamales on the street for breakfast and an exquisite world-class dinner in Polanco later that day.

Safety: Mexico City does have a reputation for being one of the more dangerous cities in the world.  Precautions should be taken to not draw attention to yourself. Do not wear expensive jewelry or watches, carry or show large amounts of cash, advertise your nationality, or generally advertise yourself as a foreigner.  That being said, you will immediately notice how friendly the city is.  In general, the Mexican people are proud of their country and happy to assist in any way they can.  As in any large city, take the proper precautions to not put yourself in dangerous situations, such as hailing a taxi off the street.

Jade D’Angelo is a native Texan with a life long love of travel, exploring different cultures, writing and the people of the world.  After graduating with a liberal arts and biology degree as well as her diploma as an English teacher, she has pursued her life-long dream to live abroad and learn Spanish.  Currently, she can be found living in Mexico City hunting down tacos and absorbing vibrant culture.  Her personal blog that features  her daily adventures can be found at http://lifewithjades.blogspot.com.

Diego Rivera was arguably one of the greatest and most renowned Mexican and World wide artists of the 20th Century.  For at least sixty years, Dolores (“Lola”) Olmedo did not have the slightest doubt about who the greatest painter of the twentieth century was. While in the USSR in the 1950s, Diego Rivera often sent Dolores Olmedo love letters and notes, one of which he translated into a mural that spans the entire ceiling of his studio that she had specifically constructed for him on her estate in Acapulco. Following his surgery, and treatment for prostate cancer in late 1955 in the USSR, Olmedo invited him to recuperate at her Acapulco vacation estate, House of the Winds, which she had purchased in 1951. In the 18 short months before his death he had created 5 large murals, 24 sunset paintings, and numerous lithographs of Dolores’s children. These priceless works of art were his way of showing his lifelong friend and patron just how much he appreciated her generosity, friendship and love at that time and throughout the years.

Now 7 years after Dolores’ passing the private estate is being offered for sale by the family. Never before has there been such a unique opportunity to own Diego Rivera Murals, no to mention on such a magnificent private property which overlooks the famous La Quebrada cliffs on the Pacific side in Acapulco.

The facade of Exekatlkalli (House of the Winds) features the rarest of murals created by Mexico’s most important and influential artist and muralist of the Twentieth Century, Diego Rivera. Rare and unique because they all relay unique messages that relate to the naming of the estate~ House Of The Winds. Rare because they are the last ones he completed before his death in 1957. And rare because they are the only Diego Rivera murals to exist on privately owned land in the entire world. House of the Winds not only possesses the facade murals, which draw thousands of art enthusiasts from around the globe each year, but also three additional murals located in the maestro’s studio – two gracing the exterior patio and one covering the entire ceiling of his studio. These registered historic landmarks were created in 18 months from 1955 to 1957, in which time Rivera also painted 24 the famous stunning sunset scenes and produced numerous lithographs of Dolores Olmedo’s children. Sitting in the magnificent room where Diego painted and enjoyed his days with his dear friend Dolores, you can feel the history still lives in this home and the studio.

ABOUT DIEGO RIVERA

Diego was a leader in the Mexican mural movement believing art should serve the working people, not just the wealthy and so he became interested in frescos where he took the art outdoors where everyone could enjoy them. Diego represented the working class people, painting murals on public buildings with narratives of the story and history of his native country.

One of his first Murals in Mexico was a work at the National Preparatory School in 1922, at which time Frida Kahlo was a student there. He went on to paint a series of frescos for the Ministry of Education, and one at the National Agriculture School. He worked in a modernist artistic style and is best known for his powerful, politically charged public murals painted on the architecture and walls of Mexico and the United States. He is one of “Los Tress Grandes” of Mexican modernism, along with Josè Clemente Orzoco and David Alfaro Siqueiros creating artwork with revolutionary, politically leftist themes.  Diego was both talented and politically controversial, refusing to separate his political message from his work. He was more socialist while Siqueiros was an open communist.

ABOUT DOLORES OLMEDO

Savvy businesswoman, art collector and socialite are synonymous with the name Dolores Olmedo Patiño. She was a loving mother who raised four wonderful children, as well as a great philanthropist who loved her native country.

Dolores was born in 1908 in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico to Maria Patiño Suarez who was a professor and Manuel Olmedo Mayagoitia, a businessman. She would go on to become an educated woman who, not only amassed the largest collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, but also turned a brick factory, on the edge of extinction, into the largest construction firm in Latin America. This in itself was an incredible accomplishment during the 1940s for a young Mexican woman: A time when men ruled and women in the workforce were virtually unheard of. This experience was perhaps what made her a respected no-nonsense businesswoman who always went after what she wanted and, more often than not, got it.

Dolores Olmedos first marriage was to Howard S. Phillips, a naturalized Briton who decided to remain in Mexico after reporting on the Mexican Revolution. This marriage – her longest – produced three sons and one daughter. Her four children each went on to achieve success in their own right; Alfredo Phillips Olmedo was appointed Mexican Ambassador to both Canada and Japan, served in Congress, and was Chief Executive of the North American Development Bank; Eduardo Phillips Olmedo is a prominent cybernetic engineer and project manager who worked for Kodak, Renault & American Motors Company and is credited for creating the computer systems and networks for the Mexican Finance Ministry; Irene Phillips Olmedo is a talented professional and highly regarded celebrity in México City;  Carlos Phillips Olmedo currently handles the historical and cultural landmark museums (Casa Azul, The Anahuacalli, and La Noria) bequeathed by his mother to the People of Mexico.
“Casa Azul” (The Blue House) in Coyoacán is now a museum dedicated to artist Frida Kahlo. It is the home where she was born, where she spent her whole life – with her family and then with husband, Diego Rivera – and eventually died in.

“The Anahuacalli Museo” (Mexico City Valley House) was the home in which Diego Rivera lived in Mexico City. It was transformed into a tribute/museum to the artist in 1963 by Dolores Olmedo and opened to the public in 1964. His vision was to create a “City of the Arts” in a pyramid shaped structure with an atmosphere where music, theatre, crafts and dance could be enjoyed by everyone. “La Noria” (The Well) in Xochimilco is a spectacular 16th Century monastery where Dolores Olmedo resided and eventually restored and created the Museo Dolores Olmedo. This historic property is home to the largest collection of original works by Diego Rivera – 143 pieces including 24 sunset paintings created from his favorite chair as he gazed out over the Pacific Ocean from the living room of House of the Winds in Acapulco. A bronze likeness of Rivera greets La Noria’s worldwide visitors. Immaculate grounds are roamed by graceful peacocks as do eighteen Xoloitzcuintle – the beloved rare hairless breed that Dolores Olmedo was very fond of. Giving La Noria to the people of Mexico was an extremely generous gift to Mexico, and to visitors worldwide, as the artwork and artifacts it houses span more than 400 years of history and worth hundreds of millions of dollars. This generosity was perhaps a life quest that was set into motion when her mother, Maria Patiño Suarez told her daughter, “Share all that you have with other people”.

Despite the focus on her social status, along with her philanthropy work, art and artifact collections, and business dealings, one can hardly mention Dolores Olmedo without mentioning Diego Rivera as well. Perhaps it is because her museum houses the largest Diego Rivera collection (with thousands of smaller items such as letters, notes, etc. not on display yet) – or the fact that Rivera named her “Custodian of his Art” upon his death. Or maybe it’s because he adorned her Acapulco estate, House of the Winds, with five grand murals while he was her houseguest from 1955 to 1957. Whatever the reason, the two had become life-long friends after a meeting when she was 12 years old.

Just when Diego Rivera returned from U.S.S.R. in 1956 and being already in Acapulco, he portrayed on the studio the letter that he sent to Lola who was in Europe:  “From the land of peace the artist toad flew through the clouds to deliver its palette and its heart to its beloved”.  The letter to Lola Olmedo is represented on the ceiling of the studio by a dove; the land of peace is represented by the hammer and sickle (U.S.S.R.); there is a plane, fish, the toad (symbol of Diego Rivera) and the heart (Dolores Olmedo) with four stars (her children).

“House of The Winds” estate has a total of 9,746 square feet of living space between the home and studio. The estate is host to Diego Rivera Studio Acapulco, a freestanding building within the compound. The pool and grounds are dense with tropical foliage, huge windows, magnificent vistas, and spectacular decks overlooking the Pacific Ocean, La Quebrada cliff diving platform, and the yacht club harbor hosting the Acapulco Marina.

This property is a cultural landmark and represents a unique opportunity to acquire major Diego Rivera murals. To learn more about this unique offering please visit (bi lingual website) www.houseofthewinds.com or contact Heidi Wosak of Century 21 Sun & Sand. heidiwosak@century21penasco.com

I miss my pup.  He’s up in the states chasing squirrels like an idiot, a relentless pursuit that will probably never bear fruit.  Pets – be it dogs, cats, hamsters, ferrets, and the like – are practically members of the family in the U.S. and Canada.  Leaving one behind is a very tough thing to do; thus, when considering moving to Latin America, a major question is “Can my dog/cat/etc come too?”  The answer is yes.  And depending on the country, the process is quite easy.

Mexico: With hundreds of thousands of visitors from the U.S. and around a million expats and retirees living in the country, Mexico is pretty straightforward in allowing pets across the border.

For dogs the main concern, of course, is rabies.  PROOF OF A RECENT RABIES VACCINATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENT YOU CAN BRING!  Do not even attempt to bring Sparky into Mexico without one.  Fortunately, they are easy to obtain anywhere in the U.S.  This vaccination must be done at least 30 days before entry into Mexico but cannot be older than 1 year.  For dogs under 4 months, the animal must be kept at the owner’s residence in Mexico until it is old enough to get a rabies vaccination.  Cats and other animals do not need proof of rabies vaccinations.

Also, for all dogs its necessary to get a Certificate of Good Health from your vet.  This just says that, well, your pet is healthy, free of any contagious diseases.

With cats the process is a bit easier.  All that is needed is a Certificate of Good Health, obtained at any vet’s office in the U.S.  At the border your cat will be inspected, and if it is deemed that the animal is unhealthy, you will have to pay for kitty to be treated by a vet in Mexico.  But if the cat is healthy, then there are no problems.

Birds are a bit more of a hassle.  Some species are restricted by either the Mexican government for importing or the U.S. government for exporting.  You may even have to quarantine your bird at one of the U.S. Animal and Health Inspection Service’s center before going to Mexico.  It’s best to get in touch with them before planning to take your bird southward.  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/

Other animals, such as hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, and other furry critters are allowed into Mexico without much fuss as long as they are in good health.  Reptiles and amphibians, however, have restrictions depending on the species; check with http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ for specific information.

Costa Rica: The regulations for bringing pets in is similar to Mexico’s, with a few differences.

Both dogs and cats need proof of a rabies vaccination performed at least 30 days prior to entering Costa Rica, but no more than 1 year old.  Failure to have this document will result in a lengthy quarantine and many headaches.  They will also need the Certificate of Good Health form saying they are carrying no communicable diseases.

Birds are now allowed into Costa Rica; however, you are not allowed to take them out if you decide to leave.  So make sure the move is what you want if you plan on bringing a bird along.

Other pets such as small mammals and reptiles also require the Certificate of Good Health.  Some species may be restricted, so it is good to check with http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ first.

Panamà: Compared to Panamà, getting an animal into Mexico or Costa Rica is a breeze.  Panamà has more paperwork, more procedures, more headache – but don’t panic, LW is here to help.

For dogs and cats the usual forms – Certificate of Good Health and rabies vaccination – are the first thing you should get done in the U.S.  They are the same as the ones in Mex and Costa Rica and have the same time restrictions.  Additionally, you need to mail a $30 money order to the Consulate General of Panamà.  And, most annoyingly, you need to send a Quarentine For Domestic Animals form to the Minister of Health in Panama.  This must be done at least 3 days before the animal’s arrival.

Now here’s the tricky part.  Your cat or dog MUST be checked by a Panamanian vet at the Tocumen airport in Panama City, and the vet must be government-authorized.  Easy, right?  Well yes, except the vets only work from 9am to 3pm and from 7pm to 10pm Monday through Friday.  If your plane lands after hours or on the weekend, you either have to keep your pet at the airport until the vets go back to work or arrange for a government vet to meet your plane.  You can arrange this with the Ministry of Health, but will have to pay extra.

Birds and reptiles are a real pain to get into Panamà, but not impossible.  The first document you need is an import permit, which you get from the National Environmental Authority (ANAM).  Next, your bird needs to be vaccinated before arriving in Panamà for the following diseases: New Castle, Tuberculosis, Avian Influenza,  Chlamydia, and Salmonella.  Proof of these vaccinations must be included in the Certificate of Good Health.  Also, the Certificate of Good Health and the import permit must be certified by the Consulate in Panama before your bird arrives.

With such strict deadlines and procedures, it may not be a bad idea getting the help of an attorney in Panamà to assist you in bringing an animal in, especially if its a bird, reptile, or other kind of exotic pet.

Brazil: The land of samba welcomes pets; just make sure the paperwork is in order.

For dogs and cats the first thing you need is the rabies vaccination, which follows the same guidelines as the other countries: no less than 30 days and no more than 1 year since the vaccination.  Second is the ubiquitous Certificate of Good Health, obtained in the U.S.   However, with Brazil, this certificate needs to be authorized in the U.S. by an APHIS office.  Check their website http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ for an office near you and make an appointment (walk-ins aren’t allowed).  The APHIS signature costs $24.  After this step, take the certificate to a Brazilian Consulate in the U.S: for further authorization, which will require a money order of $20.

After all of the authorizations are complete, your pet is ready to go.  You only need two documents: the original rabies vaccination and the double-authorized Certificate of Good Health.

For all other animals an import permit is required, which must be obtained before the animal arrives in Brazil.  This form is obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture (Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento).

No quarantine facilities exist for pets at Brazilian airports.  If there are problems with the paperwork, the pet, be it a dog, cat, or iguana, will be sent back to the U.S. at the owner’s expense or destroyed!!

Do you have additional info on pet travel?  Hints or tips?  Success or horror stories?  We want to hear from you!

If you are looking to move down south, you can find Latin America real estate by clicking on the link.

photo provided by jorgenjuul at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorgenjuul/309794248/

It is, ultimately, the point where the process of living in Mexico diverges into two distinct paths.  The question of whether to rent or to buy – to purchase that clifftop villa on the Pacific or just rent a nice place in the nearby town – plagues many a prospective buyer in the U.S. and Canada.  The decision has more variables in it than a college calculus class, but here are a few things to take into consideration if you are having the same quandary.

1. Renting keeps your options open

If you are like me and have a total fear of commitment (relationships, locations, etc. etc.) then renting is perfect for you.  Well, that and if you are just not totally sure on living abroad for long periods of time or permanently, or don’t fancy investing money in a property in another country.  Renting can be a great option for the certain type of person, especially those new to Mexico.  Buying or building a house ties you down to that property.  Renting does not.  Simple as that.  If you find out that you hate Mexico and want nothing more than to stay in the U.S., it is much easier to cancel or see out a lease than it is to sell a home.  And if you want to travel around Mexico or Latin America for an extended period of time, it is usually easy to sublet your rented property to recoup some of the losses.

2. Buying a house is an investment

While the global recession has driven down home prices in Mexico in recent months, owning a home south of the border is still a great long term investment.  The Mexican economy hasn’t been hit as hard as the U.S. has and the situation north of the border will recover in time.  In fact, many real estate professionals are predicting a strong buyer’s market in the coming months in hotspots like Puerto Vallarta and Cancun.  With a bit of shrewd cunning great deals can be found these days and when the markets bounce back – and they will – owning a property in Mexico suddenly becomes a very, very valuable commodity.

3. There is far less of a financial investment when renting

Well, duh.  Financially speaking, it is definitely the “safer” of the two options.  While you certainly get more bang for your buck in Mexico than you do in the U.S., buying a home is still a major financial investment.

4. YOU own the house and deal with no one else

Anyone that has dealt with landlords knows it can be a real headache.  Its no different in Mexico.  The fact that you do not own your rental property and have to answer to a higher up may lead to squabbles over anything from redecorating to rent to leases.  Choosing a good rental management company can prevent conflict if you want to rent.

On the other hand, when you own a house, you decide what goes in it, what additions will be put on, etc. etc.  You are your landlord.

5. More choices when buying

Odds are, you will find a property for sale in Mexico that matches your desires before a rental.  There are just more options out there to choose from. Rentals are only ultra popular in certain areas frequented by vacationing tourists, while good homes for sale exist everywhere.

The choice ultimately comes down to you.  Owning a home in Mexico can be the experience of a lifetime, but it isn’t for everyone.  My advice would be to rent a house for a few months in your desired location….get to know the culture, climate, and lifestyle.  If you fall in love with it, jump in.  If you hate it, simply back out or try a different region of Mexico.  This is by far the smartest approach to take – many a gringo have made impulse buys after a two week vacation in Cancun or Cabos and ended up with a house they later realize they don’t want.

photo provided by Ze Eduardo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/97968921@N00/756377225/

photo provided by cocolimemonkey at http://www.flickr.com/photos/locachica/2926141774/

LatinWorld: First of all, whats the real estate market like right now? How has it fared during the economic crisis? What are homeowners, Realtors, and the Mexican government doing to shore up the housing market?

Mitch Creekmore: In Mexico, the real estate market that sells to foreigners can be best described in two words; depressed and challenging.  Markets like Cabos San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, the Riveria Maya and even San Miguel de Allende have seen 50-75% reductions in residential sales activity.  It is not the fault of Mexico.  It is not about Mexico.  They are the victim of the financial debacle in the United States coupled with “bad” press concerning our southern neighbor.  What had been a robust and vibrant second or retirement home market to North Americans for more than the pastdecade has become painfully quiet and dormant.  The simple fact is Americans have lost their desire and enthusiasm for a second home purchase…, anywhere!  Mexico hasn’t changed, buyers have.  With a 30-40% diminishment in personal net worth, debt coming due and no ability to refinance or restructure home equity loans or mortgages, liquidity and disposable income for the “dream” home acquisition have dried up.  At least for the next several years.  There is nothing the Mexican government can due to thwart the demise of their second home market to North Americans.  Mexico can only wait out the crisis that has Americans sitting on their hands and each day monitoring the status of their own domestic situation.  Canada isn’t in any better situation with an ongoing diminishment of their dollar.  Americans, for the most part, are going be cautious and reluctant to make any financial move until they can see a return to normalcy in their personal status or predicament.  Financial risk is not the order of the day.  Too many Americans already have plenty of that.

LW: What is the future of Mexican real estate? Where specifically can we expect to see a boom in sales?

MC: Real estate in Mexico will once again be vigorous and dynamic once the financial crisis in America stabilizes. When Americans can feel good about their personal net worth and disposable income, they’ll look to our neighbor south of the border for that second home purchase.  There will also be a number of Americans that will look to Mexico to be their retirement destination in the years to come.  The cost of living and everyday affordability that Mexico offers grossly surpasses that of the United States.  Many U.S. citizens that will be living on fixed incomes or simply have not saved enough for their retirement will look to Mexico to be their residential locale, their safe haven.  And for good reason.  Mexico and Mexico’s national tourism agency get it.  They understand the inherent value of what Mexican property acquisitions by foreign buyers provide for their country and their citizens.  They are acutely aware that Americans will need an alternative to remaining in the U.S.  With Mexico’s close proximity, improved health care, infrastructure, airlift and geographic diversity, many North Americans will make Mexico their home.

LW: What are some of the current popular trends? i.e. larger homes, condos, rentals, etc etc.

MC: There are not a lot of new trends and especially in a dormant market.   One area that will be more in demand will be fractional ownership.  With limited potential buying power and possible disposable income issues in the near future, buyers will look for greater affordability.  Fractional ownership is one such avenue given the limited vacation time Americans normally have and carrying expenses on a unit in whole ownership.  Another market type or innovation is condo hotels.  What lenders there are in the market for financing Mexico residential projects, and those are virtually non existent today, will require an income stream via nightly rentals.  They need to proforma occupancy income to make with loan perform.  They just can’t wait for sales to occur and with greater potential for loan default given the dire sales landscape that exists in Mexico right now.

LW: Describe briefly title insurance in Mexico.  Your company, Stewart Title Insurance, was one of the pioneers in title insurance south of the border.  How does it differ from title insurance in the United States?

MC: The concept of title insurance in Mexico basically emerged in 1994 with the inception of NAFTA and Mexico’s strategic changes in their foreign investment law.  With a vision toward the future, Stewart Title Guaranty knew there would be an opportunity to introduce and sell title insurance policies to foreign purchasers of Mexican real estate.  Title companies have never existed in Mexico or in any other civil code jurisdiction for that matter.  Notarios publicos are the title companies in civil code countries as well as in common law jurisdictions outside the U.S.  Federal governments empower these individuals, as attorneys, to transfer title to property and establish judicial certainty in one’s real property rights.  The difference with our American system that utilizes title companies to convey title is that notarios do not provide a monetary indemnification or a warranty of title in the event of a title defect or loss.  American title companies provide this protection to buyers and stand behind their acquisition or sale from a legal and monetary standpoint via the title insurance policy issued to a buyer.  Though the concept of obtaining a contract of indemnity (a title insurance policy) has existed in the U.S. for more than 135 years, it has only been available in foreign countries for about 20 years.  Stewart’s title policy issued on Mexico land is very similar to the basic policy issued in the United States.  It can contain affirmative coverage’s, endorsements and modification like the U.S policy, subject to underwriting approval, and has its own particular additional insuring provisions created for Mexican title issues like “ejido” land matters.  As with U.S. title policies, it provides for legal defense costs in the event of a title claim or assertion of ownership and the insured can bring their claim directly to Stewart in the United States.  Moreover, Stewart’s Mexico title policy can be issued to anyone on either side of the border.

LW: What kind of advice would you give to someone buying their first property in Mexico?

MC: First and foremost, educate yourself about real estate in Mexico.  There is a world of good information out there so you can learn and know about all aspects of purchasing and owning property in this beautifully diverse country.  DO NOT rely solely on the advice of the real estate agents in Mexico.  One must remember that 95% or more of these individuals have never held a real estate license anywhere nor have they ever attended a real estate class prior to selling properties in Mexico.  You need to be the knowledgeable person.  This is precisely the reason why we wrote the book on Mexico.  A prospective buyer needs to know “what’s wheat and what’s chafe” as I often say.  It may be more about the agent’s commission than your security and good title.  It always depends on the agent just like in the U.S.

Secondly, don’t get in a hurry.  Take your time.  Purchasers are not standing in line right now given the dynamics of the market.  Buyers are still going to get “pushed” to move quickly by the seller and by the real estate agent.  Request a copy of the owner’s deed, require a due diligence period of at least 30 days in the sales contract, get a title examination done on the particular property to be purchased with issuance of a commitment for title insurance on same, and put money(ies) into an independent, third party escrow account.  These services didn’t exist in Mexico in 1994, but they do today.  It’s been Stewart’s evolution of the process to create a U.S. standard of title assurance applied on Mexican real estate.  There is no reason why Americans can buy, own, enjoy and profit from a residence in Mexico…., proved they know how the process works and what safeguards are available.  If nothing else, read the book we wrote!

To find Mexico real estate for sale and for rent, you can visit VivaReal.

front photo provided by Gabriel Daniel at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gdgstudio/2649145346/

first internal photo provided by Gabriel Daniel at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gdgstudio/2648315259/

second internal photo provided by Video_vik at http://www.flickr.com/photos/57768426@N00/2142305668/

third internal photo provided by violet and ivy at http://www.flickr.com/photos/babyfrank/2138913337/

Figueroa: First of all, the impact in Panama of the whole international crisis has not been felt as it should be compared to the neighboring countries, never mind the United States and European countries that are really feeling the stress of the economic situation.  And there are several factors for this.  First of all, Panama has a very sound and solid banking system.  None of our banks failed during this crisis.  The only bank that failed was Stanford bank, and that was because it is based in the United States.  This is important to know, because we do have a very solid market in Panama.  In addition to that, we are undertaking the expansion of the canal, a project that has and will continue on schedule.  So the demand for jobs and the demand for services with that project will maintain the economic growth at a faster pace than normally.  And that expansion project, by the way, is larger than the original canal project from 1904-1914.  So the expansion project is larger than the original canal, as far as movement of land.

LW: I remember being in Panama, and it was definitely a very exciting time.  Just how many jobs the expansion was going to create, and then once, of course, its finished the real boom to the economy the canal will bring.  It really couldn’t have come at a better time because it is a kind of safeguard in this economic crisis, with all the jobs created as a direct result of the expansion and as a byproduct.

Figueroa: In addition to that, its very important that we have the Martinelli factor in place.  Ricardo Martinelli is a businessman, he is business oriented, and he has been very successful in his career. Last year he invoiced around 450 million with the Super 99 supermarket chain.  He has a vision, a different vision than most presidents.  Normally we have had a lot of corruption, which is rampant in Latin America, but Martinelli said “No, we aren’t going to steal any money, we are going to work and make government efficient.”  Now, if Martinelli is successful, and I believe he will be, in making government efficient, then panama has an opening to be the first economy in the world.  Panama is a very small country, we came out of the ocean 3 mill years ago, united the two continents.  This made an ecological wonder.  We have more bird species than any other country in the world.  We have more bird species than North America and Europe combined.  We have 177 World records in deep sea fishing, so if yo want to go fishing, you don’t go to Miami, you don’t go to Mexico, Jamaica, or the Bahamas, you go to Panama.  This is where the big fish are.

For the 6th consecutive year Panama has won the World Coffee Championship in Charlotte, NC, which makes Panamanian coffee #1 in the world. Most people think the best coffee comes from Brazil or Costa Rica, but it comes from Panama.  One of the most important assets that Panama has, and people do not look at this as important now but they will in the future, is water.  Panama has a lot of water.

The country that controls the water of the world will be the new world leaders, and Panama is a sponge of water.  We have a very fertile jungle.

I remember a few weeks back i was walking on the causeway and there were some American tourists walking and they were holding a bottle of Evian.  I asked them why there were drinking Evian in Panama.  After all, Evian spelled backwards is naive.  They paid $6 for the bottle at the hotel.  Of course, the hotel didn’t tell them that the tap water in Panama is just as good or better than Evian.

Panama has the largest merchant fleet in the world.  More ships have Panamanians flags than any other.  Panama has the second largest free trade zone, behind Hong Kong, so we have a lot of progress going in our favor.  Martinelli intends to build more highways that will revolutionize this country, the way the U.S. changed during the Eisenhower administration in the 1950s and the construction of the interstate highway system.  By construction highways in Panama, including the Caribbean coast, running from the Kuna indigenous islands of San Blas to the Costa Rican boarder, that whole area of the Caribbean, which is virgin, will be exploding with tourism and commerce.

We mention in our government plan that we are going to build 5 more international airports.  That may seem very exotic to some people, but the Dominican Republic, which is smaller and much poorer than Panama, has 7 international airports.  So building 5 additional airports in Panama is not something that is out of whack.  So by building the airports and highways, as well as developing the ports – last December Panama became the Latin American home port of the U.S. cruise industry.  So cruise ships originate and terminate in Panama.  That brings in additional tourists that were not there before.  We intend to go forth and knock on the doors of all the major cruise lines – Norwegian, Carnival – to bring this business to Panama.

Panama has only 3 million inhabitants.  So, per square mile we have a lot of land. So to grow we need to stop thinking Lilliputian.  We have to think big.  The problem with many of the Panamanian governments before is that they were thinking small.  Two lanes? No, you need to do six lanes!  This is Martinelli’s view of panama.

Now when my customers come to Panama i tell them to take a window seat on the airplane.  They have a fantastic view of the Panama canal, and then as they approach, they see the Panama City skyline, and I don’t care if you are from Manhattan, you will be awed by that.  They get off the plane and say “Wow, we did not expect this.”  And you see all the movement in Panama, you see all the cranes.  Its exploding.  Especially the people from Europe, who come from countries with few high-rises, and Panama’s skyline is very impressive.  Now we open the new coastal highway, which is very beautiful, which is due to open June 15th.

I think we will focus more on developing tourism in the interior of the country.  Right now only 2 out of every 10 tourists cross the bridge of the Americas to enter into the interior.  So we need to develop that area in an orderly fashion.

So Panama continues to grow.  We intend to knock on the doors of all of the large multinational corporations that are now have headquarters in Florida, Atlanta, and the southeast US and to bring it to Panama.  Panama is an excellent place to do business.  We have fiscal incentives, we are free of earthquakes and hurricanes, we have the dollar currency…there are a lot of pluses for doing business in Panama.  But most companies do not know that.  But now a lot more American and multinational companies will be coming to Panama to establish regional headquarters, because we also have a hub of the Americas here.  We fly to every country in Latin America and 5 cities in the US on a daily basis.

By looking at that I can forecast to you, first of all, that Martinelli will be very successful, changing the dormant way the government does business, and he will put priorities in the right place because hes a business man and surrounded by business people.  That will help us grow more aggressively than before.  Even though we may have this recession in the world, as a matter of fact this recession has been very good because people are looking at Panama as an option and were not looking at us before.  I think the market will keep on growing in that direction.  I am going on the 6th of June to Milan Italy to the largest real estate conference in Italy to make a presentation.

In Panama, we are now focusing more on the high-end market.  For example, we are building the Trump Ocean in Punta Pacifica – those units begin at over $1million, so we have to focus on high-end buyers.  We also have everything..everything on the road.  Now, we don’t want make Panama a welfare state.  We don’t want people coming in and saying “oh, i cant live on my social security in the U.S. so I am going to move to Panama.  No, that’s not the idea.  We want to concentrate on the high-level tourists and retirees to move here and enjoy the quality of life that we have here.

Photo provided by kenobando at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kobando/2683729227/

The property tax rate in Mexico may range from 0.275% to 1.350%, depending on the location of the property and it is payable annually. Regardless the property location, property taxes are lower than those in the US.

Average real estate taxes in Mexico

When compared to the United States real estate market, Mexico´s property taxes are almost 50% less than those of the US. A property of around $450,000 located in Sayulita can have an annual property tax of just $150. Similarly, the owner of a property of around $200,000 will normally not exceed $130.00 per year.

Why are property taxes in Mexico so cheap?

Mexico´s priority is to encourage investing, so instead of having property taxes as a source of big revenue, the government prefers to attract investment and promote homeownership by making the real estate market an attractive and profitable investment for foreign real estate buyers.

The cost of property ownership tax (Impuesto predial) in Mexico is pretty reasonable. After the owner receives the bill via mail they can pay it at a local bank where a receipt will be issued. Bear in mind that these paid receipts are a key document for the sale of the property in the future.

Photo used for this entry was kindly provided by Flickr user blmurch