Condo.com Blog

University Inn Condominium

Tue, 20 May 2008 13:53:53 GMT

The University Inn condominium is located at 1280 S Alhambra Circle in the "City Beautiful" - Coral Gables. University Inn Condo in the Gables offers 1 and 2 bedroom units perfect for University of Miami students and residents living in the area. In the heart of Coral Gables just steps away from the University, fine restaurants and boutiques South Florida has to offer.

More than 15,400 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world call UM home during the academic semesters. The University was chartered in 1925 by a group of citizens who felt an institution of higher learning was needed for the development of their young and growing community.

About University Inn Condo

Year Built: 1990
Number of Floors: 4
Number of units: 146
Sq. Ft. range: 620 or 840 or 910
Beds: 1-2Baths: 1-2
University Inn Condominium Amenities:- Gated- Assigned Parking- Pool- Jacuzzi- Clubhouse- Close to U.M. - 5 Mins- Centrally located

Miami Condos

Tue, 20 May 2008 03:59:37 GMT

Daily Real Estate News | May 19, 2008
Advice for Anyone Facing Foreclosure

Jacob Benaroya, president and managing partner of Biltmore Capital Group, which purchases distressed loans from a wide array of lending companies, offers these seven tips for home owners facing foreclosure.

Don’t hide. Open the mail; answer the phone. Respond.
Be proactive. Contact the bank or lending institution and discuss your financial situation.
Know your mortgage rights. Review loan documents so you know what your lender may do if you can't make payments.
Avoid foreclosure prevention companies. Don’t pay money for foreclosure advice..
Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds free or very low cost housing counseling nationwide. They’ll help you understand the law and your options, organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender if assistance is required.
Prioritize spending. After health care, keeping your home should be your first priority. Review your finances and see what spending can be cut in order to make your mortgage payment. Look for optional expenses - cable TV, memberships, entertainment - that can be eliminated. Delay payments on credit cards and other "unsecured" debt until you have paid your mortgage.
Use other assets. Do you have assets such as a second car, jewelry, a whole life insurance policy-that can be sold to help reinstate the loan? Can anyone in the household bring in additional income?

Source: Biltmore Capital Group (05/16/2008)

Community Banks: Foreclosures

Mon, 19 May 2008 20:47:12 GMT

When a homeowner loses a house to a bank foreclosure, the nightmares are just beginning — for the bank.

Along with assuming the costs of property taxes, insurance, maintenance and security, banks are looking — with little success — for a buyer willing to pay more than a fire sale price.

Even when there’s a chance that the mortgage can still be salvaged, banks are scrambling to find experienced people who know how to work out a payment plan. Some have been lured out of retirement and others hurriedly cross-trained from the now dormant loan originations department.

That’s assuming the homeowner still wants the property. If the owner is a flipper or has abandoned the property, it’s too late.

As their role of reluctant landlord mounts, banks coping with the headaches of looking after rising numbers of foreclosed properties will surely be followed by the heartburn of massive losses banks will endure upon their sale.

Just turning the key to such a home can bring unpleasantness.

“When you open the door to a foreclosed property, the inside may not have anything in it,” said Richard Purdy, senior vice president of asset preservation at Coral Gables-based BankUnited. “We’ve had all the way down to the doorknobs and the bathroom fixtures exit prior to the sale. Counter tops, cabinets, appliances, electrical fixtures, carpets, flooring. I can’t imagine why someone would take the bathtub with them, but it does happen from time to time.”

Banks looking to move their properties are turning to brokers, Web sites, auctions and direct marketing, among other avenues, just hoping to get out from under the mounting inventory.

No one knows how bad it’s ultimately going to get.

Community banks have never been ground zero for the mortgage crisis — larger banks and nonbank lenders have borne the brunt of it — and 52 of South Florida’s 79 community banks reported no foreclosed property at all in 2007.

Those that did, however, have been hit hard.

BankUnited, the region’s largest community bank, reported nearly $47 million in foreclosed real estate at the end of 2007, compared to only $413,000 the previous year.

Fort Lauderdale’s BankAtlantic’s $17.2 million in foreclosed real estate is actually down from $21.7 million in 2006 but, in a precursor of further problems, reported nearly $180 million in non-performing loans last year.

By dollar value of foreclosed property, Mercantil Commercebank ($9.8 million); City National Bank of Florida ($7.1 million) and The International Bank of Miami ($6.5 million) round out the top five of South Florida banks. The latter two institutions reported no foreclosed property at all in 2006.

Richard Swerdlow, founder and chief executive of Condo.com, an online clearinghouse for condominium projects that boasts 500,000 listings, said lenders to troubled condo projects want to see if the contracts are actually going to close and how many people are going to walk away from their deposits. “Then they’ll know, ‘Look, we’ve got a problem on our hands so let’s not continue to extend the loan to the developer, let’s actually foreclose and take the assets back.’ ”

Swerdlow said the main issue is at what point the banks realize that they need to take a big discount on their assets so that they can start selling them effectively.

“The banks have not yet agreed to accept the losses,” he said. “There is still a very big gap between the bid and the ask, between the banks and the vulture funds trying to come in to buy the assets.”

Hoping to mitigate such problems, community banks facing nonperforming home loans are contacting mortgage holders, checking up on them to head off problems early. News of a lost job or an illness could signal a call to action for the lender.

“Even if you can make payment in April and May, you may not be able to make in June and certainly not in July,” said Ken Thomas, an independent banking consultant based in Miami. “Why wait until August when it’s 30 days past due?”

The approach banks are taking depends largely on the institution’s size and reach.

“Usually, the very, very big banks will put these distressed loans together and sell them as a package,” Thomas said. “The big banks, they don’t have time to go through them one by one, so they just drop them in a bucket and get rid of them on a wholesale basis. They clean up their problem and loans, and it looks better for Wall Street.”

Thomas said community banks — instead of moving properties from the top down on a wholesale basis — are going from the bottom up and looking at individual properties, taking a house-by-house approach.

He said another problem facing banks is that they have gotten involved in troubled loans in distant markets.

“Look at the banks like Corus Bank in Chicago and Fremont Bank in California that have loans down here,” Thomas said. “They don’t know which condos are doing better than others. They’re just putting them together in wholesale packages and getting rid of them.”

If there is any opportunity to avoid a foreclosure, a bank — and especially a community bank — has got to pursue it, Thomas said. “It not only saves the bank from a problem loan, a write-off of capital, but the likelihood is that the loan is not by itself. The bank might have other loans nearby. One foreclosure could affect surrounding property values and hurt the entire portfolio. That’s why we encourage banks to work these out one by one, even before they see problems.”

BankUnited’s Purdy said that each part of the country has its own sales rhythm and, if the bank has properties in more than one state, it’s difficult to know how long it will take the bank to move all of its foreclosed properties off the books.

Meanwhile, the vulture funds are circling patiently.

“Every other guy has a fund, but what are you going to buy? The assets aren’t available,” Swerdlow said. “The only way to buy those assets is that you’ve got to deal with the senior lender. You’ve got to wait until the bank controls it.”

Until the banks can see the full-extent of the damage, “they’re not ready to face that day of reckoning and sell for 25 cents on the dollar,” he said. “In the next six months, we’re going to see a closing of the gap between the bid and the ask on these projects.”

As Taken From The Daily Business Review

My First Week at Condo.com

Mon, 19 May 2008 16:28:06 GMT

To say that my wealth management internship last summer was difficult for me would be quite the falsity. For the first time in my professional life, I am actually being challenged (and in doing so, I am learning a ton!).

As it turns out, I will be spending most of my time here at Condo.com with Jim Fried, a prominent Real Estate professional within the Florida market. Jim is the President of Sandstone Realty Advisors (a Real Estate investment banking boutique firm based out of Miami, FL), and is currently working with Condo.com to take advantage of emerging opportunities within the global condo market.

During my first week, my primary task was to create a database including foreclosure defense attorneys, finance/banking/RE professionals, and Condo developers within the US condo market. Using both this database and his existing contacts, Jim plans on contacting everyone that he can in regards to Condo.com and its services. In obtaining this database information, I persistently dug through newspaper foreclosure listings, Real Estate magazines, and internet websites to give Jim the most comprehensive and effective list possible. As I continue to come across new contacts in the weeks to come, I plan on adding them accordingly.

In addition to this contact database, other tasks I was given last week include the beta testing of a cloned Condo.com site (for errors), the creation of this blog, and the creation of Jim’s sales kit for the Las Vegas ICSC. As all of this was taking place, I constantly took notes as Jim began contacting industry professionals to generate Condo.com business.

Next week, I will be traveling to a residential development grand opening in Cancun, Mexico as a representative of Condo.com. Feel free to stop by again to see how it goes!

ICSC GETS GOING

Mon, 19 May 2008 14:28:04 GMT

Arrived in Vegas for ICSC and the place is hopping. Lots of US and international folks looking to do deals. While the retail sector is cooling like all others...everyone wants to talk condos. We will have lots of meetings with owners and developers seeking to market their projects...should be a great day.

Having a Hard Time Finding Funding For Your LARGE COMMERCIAL PROJECTS?

Sun, 18 May 2008 17:40:49 GMT

Here are some of the requirements of the 100% loans:

20 Million min. amount with no max.

Acquisitions and or developments

Domestic or International

General Terms of Funding are:

The platform will take 30% IV position in the project

No MTG, NO Debt Repay, No Debt Service, No liens

Projects with weak, unclear or underdeveloped proposals are unlikely to receive an invitation for full project funding.

90 day LIBOR + 1.5 currently 4.49% (rates are subject to change daily) on a 5 yr note! If note is paid on time for 5 yrs the note can be extended another 5 yrs! Get you deals in before the hedge fund closes!!

If you have any questions please call me 414-241-3100 or e-mail brynn@a-newmortgage.

Are You Having a Hard Time Finding Funding For Your LARGE COMMERCIAL PROJECTS?

Sun, 18 May 2008 17:37:58 GMT

Here are some of the requirements of the 100% loans:

20 Million min. amount with no max.

Acquisitions and or developments

Domestic or International

General Terms of Funding:

The platform will take 30% IV position in the project

No MTG, NO Debt Repay, No Debt Service, No liens

Projects with weak, unclear or underdeveloped proposals are unlikely to receive an invitation for full project funding.

90 day LIBOR + 1.5 currently 4.49% (rates are subject to change daily) on a 5 yr note! If note is paid on time for 5 yrs the note can be extended another 5 yrs! Get you deals in before the hedge fund closes!!

If you have any questions please call me 414-241-3100 or e-mail brynn@a-newmortgage.

ON TO THE ICSC IN VEGAS

Sat, 17 May 2008 16:22:35 GMT

Every year for the past 10 years I have attended the International Council of Shopping Centers national show in Las Vegas. This year will be my most escuting and anticipated show ever!

I will be attending as the Director of Institutional Services for Condo.com. and have something to say that no one else at the show can say…I represent the world's most visited site for folks seeking to buy,sell or rent condos – WORLDWIDE.

The show’s main focus is on retail, but as we all know, retail developers have shifted focus over the last few years to have their projects include other property types such as residential condos.

I will be one of the few at the show seeking to make deals for condos and we can really help these developers generate leads and close them. We can sell the units individually or in bulk.

As the retail developers and their partners struggle with their residential components condo.com can bring our 50+ combine years of expert marketing savvy and proprietary buyer list to the table to move product.

So as I pack my bags I eagerly anticipate a very successful convention.

Retirement in Puerto Vallarta--Condominium or Villa?

Sat, 17 May 2008 14:05:16 GMT

By: Jim Scherrer

Invariably, when North Americans visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, they have such a good time under absolutely ideal conditions that they hate to leave. Upon returning home, many start planning their next trip to Vallarta and can only dream about retiring here someday. The fortunate ones, either currently retired or about to retire, often start thinking about how they can own a piece of Paradise and spend at least a part of their retirement in Vallarta.

Many visitors interested in pursuing the idea of retiring in Vallarta will rent a condominium during their first extended stay, and while doing so, will experience all the benefits Vallarta has to offer, and will explore the market for condos and/or villas. Once they have determined that Vallarta will be their full time or part time retirement destination, they are ready to start considering which is most appropriate for them, a condo or villa.

There are certain aspects of condo and villa ownership that are constant; for seven months from November through May, the climate will be ideal, there will be numerous activities to enjoy and an abundance of friends to enjoy them with, and every condo or villa will have a panoramic, breathtaking view of the Banderas Bay and the Sierra Madre mountains.

The following discussion is to address the differences between condo and villa ownership.

The first variable that most consider is the percentage of time expected to be spent in Vallarta each year. For those planning full retirement in Paradise, a villa with staff might be the best choice; association fees are minimal, there are no neighbors or renters upstairs, value appreciation is most favorable, furniture and personal items can be shipped into Mexico making living conditions more similar to back home, and most importantly, the old house in the US or Canada can be liquidated, thus freeing up the capital for retirement and travel.

Those planning part time residency in PV might favor condo ownership; they will be close to many of the restaurants, shopping areas, and activities, they will be able to turn the key and forget about it at the end of the “high season”, they will have an opportunity to generate rental income while away, their maintenance expenses will be minimal, and they will retain their permanent family residence back home.

The second variable to consider would be the number of friends & family that might be expected to visit each year. When you live in Paradise, you’ll be amazed at how many “dear friends” you had back home! Of course, the smaller the condo, the fewer “dear friends” you’ll have. Whereas, if you own a grand villa, you’ll have more “dear friends” than you ever knew you had.

The third variable has to do with the age and health of the retiree. A younger retiree might favor a villa where he can call it home, living there as he would in any permanent residence, without having that temporary or transient feeling. Also, since most of the villas are located on the mountainside, they are usually multi-story and involve stairs, thus presenting obstacles for those less fit. Maintenance of a villa requires much more time, effort, and money and therefore, to many of the older or less healthy retirees, it alone might rule out villa ownership. Typically, the older retirees find the advantages of condo life outnumber those of villa ownership, whereas the younger retirees with many healthy years ahead of them prefer villa ownership.

Due to the ever increasing cost of land, as a “rule of thumb”, you can use an average cost per square foot for a villa of $250, whereas the average cost for a condo would be a little less, at $200 per square foot. Of course, there are many properties in Vallarta that sell for substantially less, however, we’re only considering those with magnificent views and all of the modern amenities. On the surface, these prices may seem high; however, similar properties with comparable views would be two to three times as much in the States. Furthermore, association fees are much less and property taxes are negligible in Mexico.

An additional consideration that every retiree must have relates to real estate future values. In Mexico in general, and in Puerto Vallarta specifically, there is no housing slump or fear of recession, as prices continue to escalate at a rate of 10% or more per year.

All properties, whether condos or villas, are purchased through 50 year trusts, held by a designated bank. These trusts give the holder exclusive right to property usage for 50 years and can be renewed after 50 years, can be given to a designated beneficiary upon death and then renewed for another 50 years, or can be sold, allowing the buyer to renew the trust for new 50 year term. These bank trusts are as safe as the title and deed used in the States or Canada; plus, since they are Mexican bank trusts, they are virtually untouchable by any outside entity.

Since all real estate legal transactions in Mexico are done in Spanish, it is imperative that the buyer is represented by a qualified attorney. Also, much of the Mexican coastal land is classified as ejido land, and as such, was designated by the Mexican government many years ago to be used by the natives as farm land. North Americans are unable to purchase some of this beautiful coastal land and therefore, any North American retiree considering real estate ownership in the Vallarta area, must have competent representation to assure them that the land is appropriate for foreign ownership.

Due to the differences in laws and language, an exclusive buyer’s agent is a prerequisite in order to avoid the potential pitfalls associated with real estate purchases in Mexico. Having a truly professional agent with 100% buyer dedication and loyalty will assure you a safe and pleasant real estate purchase, regardless of whether you’re buying a condo or villa in Paradise.

Jim Scherrer has owned property in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for 24 years and resided in PV for the past ten years. The mission of his series of 38 articles pertaining to retirement in Puerto Vallarta is to reveal the recent changes that have occurred in Vallarta while dispelling the misconceptions about living conditions in Mexico. For the full series of articles regarding travel to and retirement in Vallarta as well as pertinent Puerto Vallarta links, please visit us at Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Buyers’ Agents and click on ARTICLES.

The Importance of an Exclusive Buyer's Agent in Mexico

Sat, 17 May 2008 13:58:56 GMT

By: Jim Scherrer

As we all approach retirement, we often dream of someday owning a piece of Paradise, somewhere in Florida, Arizona, Hawaii, or even Puerto Vallarta; someplace with a climate conducive to kicking back and enjoying life to its fullest, year round.

To more than 50,000 retirees, Puerto Vallarta, located on the Mexican Riviera along the Pacific Ocean at the same latitude as Hawaii but six hours closer and with a lower cost of living, has been selected as their primary or part time retirement destination. Unlike the arid zones of Arizona, magnificent ocean views are available everywhere in Vallarta. Unlike the flat land and low elevations throughout Florida, the Sierra Madres provide the back drop to all of the Vallarta area providing a beautiful array of tropical flora and fauna.

The city of Puerto Vallarta lies on the innermost part of the 25 mile diameter Banderas Bay. The total land perimeter of the bay is approximately 60 miles, however only about 40 miles of shoreline is available for foreign ownership. This available land extends from Mismaloya, 10 miles south of Vallarta, to 25 miles north of Vallarta near Punta Mita in the state of Nayarit. An additional stretch of Pacific Ocean shoreline extends about 15 miles north of Punta Mita with certain portions available for foreign ownership, thus providing the total Greater Puerto Vallarta area roughly 55 miles of beachfront property.

With Greater Vallarta´s large area of magnificent land, its climate similar to that of Hawaii, and a pro-growth Mexican government with many new investment incentives, the area has virtually exploded with new residential construction and consequently, with new real estate agencies. Aside from re-sales, these listing agencies are currently marketing in excess of 100 new condominium complexes containing more than 7,000 new condominiums under various phases of construction. An additional 20,000 condominiums are in the conceptual or planning stages and are scheduled for construction during the next 15 years.

In order to promote these properties, there are currently over 80 listing agencies serving the area with approximately 500 agents, all having a fiduciary duty to the developers and property sellers. That being said, in order to avoid a conflict of interest, they must pay their dedication and loyalty to those with whom they have contractual agreements and represent; the developers and sellers. Of course, these agents will do everything within their power to sell one of their own listings first, prior to considering the listings of others, in order to satisfy their clients as well as double their own commissions.

Now that we have established that the area in and around Paradise is huge, the quantity of new villas and condos is overwhelming, and 500 listing agents are putting forth their best effort to please their clients, the sellers; certain questions arise. How in the world do visitors to the area go about locating their retirement destination without searching through 80 agencies? What assurances do the prospective buyers have that they are getting exactly what they want, in the location that best suits their objectives, and at the best price available? How, in Mexico where all legal contracts are in Spanish and the laws are somewhat different, can the prospective buyers be assured that they are being treated fairly when the listing agent is representing the developer or seller?

To answer those questions and for numerous other reasons, the use of a buyer's agent is a prerequisite for any foreigner considering the purchase of real estate in Puerto Vallarta. There are a few agencies in the Greater Vallarta area that claim to be buyer's representatives; however most of them also have listings within their agencies. In order for prospective buyers to be absolutely confident that they are receiving 100% loyalty and dedication, they should attempt to employ the services of an agency with absolutely no listings, no biases, and no ulterior motives; one who knows the area well, that has access to all listings, and that has the legal team, property inspectors, appraisers, mortgage bankers, escrow agents, etc. working on the buyer's behalf.

Agents that exclusively represent buyers are quite common in the US and Canada, however they are few and far between in Mexico. Such agents do request signed contracts with the buyers stating that they are acting on the buyer's behalf, however there is generally no charge to the buyer since commissions are shared by the listing agent.

Listed below are some of the benefits associated with using an Exclusive Buyer's Agent in Mexico:

EBA Represents no sellers and has no listings
EBA Avoids dual agency and conflicts of interest
EBA Owes complete fiduciary duty and loyalty to buyer
EBA Maintains buyer information as strictly confidential
EBA Has access to all properties on the market
EBA Is unbiased in showing all properties available
EBA Conducts an objective comparative market analysis
EBA Thoroughly researches property pros and cons
EBA Obtains appropriate inspection reports and appraisals
EBA Strives ethically to gain bargaining advantage for buyer
EBA Negotiates for buyer to optimize purchase agreement
EBA Obtains most favorable legal and financial professionals
EBA Prepares contracts in Spanish with accurate English translations
EBA Works with 100% buyer dedication throughout entire process
EBA Charges the buyer no fees for representation services
EBA Often saves the buyer time, money, and provides peace of mind

In summarizing, the prudent buyer will always locate and use an Exclusive Buyer's Agent when searching for his/her retirement residence in Mexico; where caveat emptor, or buyer beware, is the rule to follow. In so doing, the retiree will be assured a stress free and enjoyable first retirement experience in Paradise.

Jim Scherrer has owned property in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for 24 years and resided in PV for the past ten years. The mission of his series of 38 articles pertaining to retirement in Puerto Vallarta is to reveal the recent changes that have occurred in Vallarta while dispelling the misconceptions about living conditions in Mexico. For the full series of articles regarding travel to and retirement in Vallarta as well as pertinent Puerto Vallarta links, please visit us at Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Buyers’ Agents and click on ARTICLES.

Kalele Kai in Hawaii Kai - Hawaii Real Estate for the Discriminating Buyer

Fri, 16 May 2008 22:27:51 GMT

Prestigious Kalele Kai, in Hawaii Kai, East Oahu, is a gated luxury community on the marina in the center of Hawaii Kai. . This is a gated luxury community on the marina in the center of Hawaii Kai. There are 227 deluxe 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in three 6-story towers and ten 3/2.5 townhouses on the waterfront. All units have luxury baths, designer kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances and huge lanais providing grand indoor-outdoor living. Amenities include pool, spa, barbecue area and clubhouse. Sales in 2007 ranged from $590,000 for a 2-bedroom to $1,400,000 for the largest 3-bedroom home.

Visit my market analysis page on my web site for full details: http://www.movetohawaiikai.com/Hawaii_Kai_Market_News/page_1893904.html

The Honolulu Board of Realtors issues very complete statistics for monthly sales on Oahu. Contact me for a free copy:
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
808-226-2537

Smart People Invest in Mexico

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:29:27 GMT

Dear Reader,

Please take a moment and look at what could be the smartest investment you ever make. In Cancun and the Riviera Maya, the real estate market is now flooded with American and Canadian buyers and investors. For the very first time in this country, foreigners can actually own beachfront property and get US and Canadian financing to assist you with your purchase. Most properties on the market are going up in value on a weekly basis due to supply and demand; there has been nearly a 23% increase since last year.

After the successful development of Cancun, it was only inevitable that the shoreline of the Mexican Caribbean would beckon to international developers. The Riviera Maya is now one of the top vacation destinations in the world due to its accessibility, affordability and diverse beauty.

Here are some of the top reasons to invest in Mexico:

Mexico is located right next to the United States; it has excellent transport links to North and South America, Europe and Asia making it an all round accessible country for tourists and retirees and a country that can forge stronger economic ties with all of the aforementioned regions over the long term.
Mexico has already signed free trade agreements with more countries in the world than any other nation to make the country massively competitive and attractive
The Mexican government is committed to a program of economic growth through sustainable development and improvement which has already made Mexico an attractive investment.
Mexico has already attracted in excess of 16,000 foreign companies to its shores and this has created jobs, and increased the wealth of thousands of local Mexicans which in turn has resulted in increased domestic purchasing power. There is now a strong rental market especially in prime tourist locations which a real estate investor could consider targeting for long term rental income.
The tourism sector already generates around eight percent of Mexico’s GDP, it provides nine percent of all jobs in Mexico, it generated in excess of 8.9 billion annually and is Mexico’s third biggest currency generating activity and is therefore of massive and fundamental importance to the economy of Mexico. As a result the Mexican government is not only keen to further promote it, they are keen to receive foreign in vestment into the tourism sector as well.

With all these factors in mind, real estate investors should consider that Mexico is one of the safest emerging countries with a forward thinking government committed to economic growth and that the real estate market in Mexico is growing built on solid foundations, is affordable and is growing in appeal with housing units in cities and major resort areas massively in demand from both locals and overseas buyers creating the perfect environment for price growth and rental yields.

We here at ProCorp Real Estate Investments would like to invite you to review one of our exclusive property investments at www.cancuntowers.net/tour.php and encourage you to make your next investment with our team of knowledgeable and specialized sales consultants.

Please also review our Fly and Buy Program with Puerto Cancun, where our buyers may come in person to see our properties and receive a reimbursement on their travel expenses.

Thank you for your time,

vanessa cole

Why should YOU invest in Mexico

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:28:08 GMT

vanessa cole

procorp real estate investments

www.procorprealestate.com

There are several reasons why mexico real estate is so popular and sought out. Not only is Mexico a great place for a person to travel to visit, but mexico real estate is a great investment. The government of Mexico has relaxed the rules that once prevented foreign buyers from purchasing certain properties in Mexico. With a bank trust structure investors can purchase some of the most beautiful prime beachfront land in Mexico.

In addition to bank trusts, the Mexican government is committed to the economic improvement of their country and to this end they are doing everything in their power to attract foreign direct investment particularly into the tourism and mexico real estate sectors. Mexican real estate is incredibly popular with Northern Americans because it is affordable and easily accessible and also because Mexico itself is a low cost country in which to live.

Mexico is working on developing policies to make the country more attractive for overseas companies and investors. This means that Mexico has created substantial employment opportunities for the local people, which mean that unemployment is down, GDP is up and mexico real estate is beginning to rise.

Both mexico properties to let and mexico real estate to buy mean that the demand for investment properties is ever so popular. Not only is the government making it easier to buy properties anywhere in the country, but also they are making it easier to make large investments. In the end, Mexico will be a better place for both buyers and real estate investors.

www.procorprealestate.com

vanessa cole real estate agent cancun

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:26:32 GMT

vanessa cole - real estate agent in cancun

HI! my name is Vanessa Cole, I am an agent at a company in Cancun Mexico called ProCorp Real Estate Investment. Our team specializes in meeting the needs of the American and Canadian investor and buyer. We also specialize in foreign financing for mexican properties! We have all the information you need and we will assure you comfort from start to finish! For more information on our agents and our qualifications we invite you to our website www.procorprealestate.com

Investing in Mexico Real Estate

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:23:19 GMT

Reasons to Invest In Mexico Real Estate

There are several reasons why Mexico real estate is so popular and sought out. Not only is Mexico a great place for a person to travel to visit, but Mexico real estate is a great investment. The government of Mexico has relaxed the rules that once prevented foreign buyers from purchasing certain properties in Mexico. With a bank trust structure investors can purchase some of the most beautiful prime beachfront land in Mexico.

In addition to bank trusts, the Mexican government is committed to the economic improvement of their country and to this end they are doing everything in their power to attract foreign direct investment particularly into the tourism and Mexico real estate sectors. Mexican real estate is incredibly popular with Northern Americans because it is affordable and easily accessible and also because Mexico itself is a low cost country in which to live.

Both Mexico properties to let and Mexico real estate to buy mean that the demand for investment properties is ever so popular. Not only is the government making it easier to buy properties anywhere in the country, but also they are making it easier to make large investments. In the end, Mexico will be a better place for both buyers and real estate investors.

For more information on how you can own property in Mexico please call or email us at www.procorprealestate.com / Vanessa@procorpagent.com

Sky Las Vegas High Rise Condominums BEST Deals Above 1100sqft

Fri, 16 May 2008 02:22:44 GMT

Is there still good deals in the Las Vegas High rise condo market? You better believe it quick and jump all over them because the boom is on it's way back! There is still a definitely demand for luxury High Rise Condos here in Las Vegas. We have seen projects flop and watched others make it to the top. One of the most successful developments that was completed was Sky Las Vegas. Sky offers an array of amenities to their residence while providing some of the BEST views Sin City has. I was searching through the MLS today and picked out the most exciting and impressive deals at Sky Las Vegas. The deals range in square footage from 1100 to over 5000. Please keep in mind these were the cream of the crop picks ladies and gentleman not just average deals that our laying around out there waiting to be found. These DEALS are such a tremendous value and provide so much I can definitely say people won't be seeing these types of deals in the near future once projects like MGM City Center & Fountianbleua open their doors. Ok enough of me blabing about the BEST Deals at Sky Las Vegas check them out for yourself by clicking here

What Condo.com Is All About

Thu, 15 May 2008 20:03:25 GMT

When I first got here on Monday, I didn’t know much about what Condo.com actually did. After speaking with Max yesterday, I now have a much better idea. Here is how it breaks down:

The purchase of a home is the single largest investment made by most individuals residing within the United States today. One of the largest issues with investing in a home is the lack of liquidity, which can be defined as the rate at which you are able to sell your home and reconvert your accumulated equity back into cash. People sometimes go months or even years without being able to complete this crucial step within the home-selling process using conventional methods (such as local classified ads or real estate professionals within their area). This is where Condo.com comes into play to serve your Real Estate needs. In today’s world, 85% of all potential homebuyers use the internet to assist in their Real Estate purchase. Within this collection of related Real Estate websites (~54 million related websites), Condo.com is ranked #1 across the board. From search rankings on prominent search engines to the quality and capacity of the website and staff, Condo.com brings buyers and sellers together across the globe. Additionally, Condo.com is the largest Condo marketplace on the World Wide Web (including over 500,000 condo listings), and currently has an international presence in France, Germany and the United Kingdom. As the world continues to become smaller as technology progresses, Condo.com’s impact on the worldwide condo market will only continue to grow.

For the average individual (such as myself), this all equates to an easier purchasing experience and a faster sale.

Beachfront vacation rental Riviera maya mexico

Thu, 15 May 2008 19:53:18 GMT

Casa Toscana was designed to please your senses in absolute harmony with the environment and the breathtaking Caribbean Sea, all sheltered by a number of 5 star resorts and private homes in the gated community of Playacar. This home embodies charming luxury and creative design captivating the Mexican flavor with every amenity you may think of.

Casa Toscana is located just 45 minutes from Cancun there is an exclusive ocean front gated community retreat.

Casa Toscana will come professionally furnished and ready to move into including all high quality linens, dishes, art work and everything else you would need to begin your vacation stay. A spectacular model home, with quality finishes, and beautiful interior design. The kitchen is fully equipped and has new appliances. It comes with, two 42 Inch Plasma Televisions, Satellite Television, Bose Home Theater System and Speakers Throughout. Casa Toscana is situated on a corner lot with an easement for easy beach access across the street. It is a low traffic area due to a dead end at the end of the block. The home is designed as a Mediterranean Villa that blends interior and exterior space to maximize the temperate climate of the region. There is also High Speed Wireless Internet Connection and a Maid Service is provided 6 days a week.

Amenities

Beachfront
3 Bedrooms
1 Studio
Living Room
Dinning Room
Air Conditioners with Remote Controls or Central A/C
2 King Size Beds
2 Twin Beds + 1 Sofa bed
7 Bathrooms
Fully Equipped Kitchen
LCD Flat Screen Televisions in bedrooms
Bose Home Theater System and Speakers Throughout
Jacuzzi Outside
Laundry Facilities
Satellite TV
Access to the beach
Private Swimming Pool
Maid Services 6 times a week

Rates

Start Date*** End Date*** Daily*** Weekly

2008-01-06 / 2008-08-31*** N/A ***$8,500 USD

2008-09-01 / 2008-12-21 ***N/A *** $6,800 USD

2008-12-22 / 2009-01-05 ***N/A*** $12,750 USD

ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE $2.2 million USD

FOR MORE INFO VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.procorprealestate.com OR CALL US TO SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR VACATION RENTAL PROFESSIONALS @
TOLL FREE USA: 1-866-331-4022
TOLL FREE CANADA: 1-866-374-1919
MEXICO: 52-998-883-3833

Green Light

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:46:43 GMT

The enactment of new laws and public demand for more energy efficient homes is likely to start a major movement toward retrofitting the existing supply of older matriculated condo buildings.

By Jay Barker

The Palace Pier condominium in Humber Bay Shores (Toronto, Canada) is going green, but it is not a new condo tower.

The Palace Pier represents tens of thousands of existing condo buildings built before there was an environmental commitment in the UK or Asia, and before LEED standards were adopted by US developers.

While it is now considered cutting edge to develop new condo buildings with the latest green technologies, there is an incredible amount of conversion and retrofitting of existing older condos to new standards that could become the next wave of sustainable building.

Even though older buildings may not structurally be energy inefficient often the technology for heating, cooling, and lighting is based on products that didn’t previously need to consider energy savings.

The Palace Pier condominium in Toronto is one such building. Built in 2003 the tower is not old by most comparisons, but still did not use the latest most energy efficient products. That fact alone exemplifies just how fast the latest green build movement has evolved new technologies, and how receptive the building industry has become to using them.

The Old New Green
Today, a condo building that can say “we’re green” as it is being built is encouraged to turn this into a marketing advantage and not just list it as a placid fact of construction. This means older buildings who still need to compete will be forced to examine and discover ways to update energy sources so they can make the same or at least similar environmentally conscious claims.

And this trend won’t end soon. Professor Arthur Nelson has predicted in a report published by the Brookings Institution that by the year 2030 the US will have rebuilt almost half of its entire built environment. While this report is not just about condo towers, the current demand for urban housing ensures that today’s new buildings will always be playing catchup with tomorrows newer technology.

LED Your Way To Savings
In the case of Palace Pier 44 residential hallways are getting new lighting from LED’s that use almost 90 percent less electricity than the original halogens lamps. The major lighting retrofit of Palace Pier is the first of its kind in North America. The building was motivated to update to the newer technology as a way of saving the building’s condo owners more than $180,000 in maintenance and electricity over the next five years.

LED’s are much more efficient because they use computer chips rather than typical filaments as a way to convert electricity into light. The increased efficiency of LED’s is dramatic with each lamp in the Palace Pier retrofit using just 4 watts, compared to the 31 watts used by the original halogen lamps.

Is The Cost Too Great?
As you have probably guessed by now there is a significant cost to retrofitting an entire building with newer technology, but Mark Porter the general manager of Palace Pier takes a long-term view of the savings rather than focusing on the initial capital outlay of $80 per LED. And Ontario’s chief energy conservation officer Peter Love likes his way of thinking, “I want people to think about electricity, which is a challenge because it’s invisible…most importantly I want people to act.”

There are a lot of reasons for inefficient condo buildings to upgrade their energy sources to newer green technologies, but whether they do it as a result of a government mandate, for long-term savings, or just to stay relevant with younger more environmentally conscious home buyers, this is a trend likely to get more attention in the coming months.

To view photos of Palace Pier and read additional stories about international condos, architecture, design and urbanity visit CondoCrush.com Jay Barker is a Realtor in Phoenix Arizona specializing in urban condo living, and is founder of CondoCrush.com, a condo lifestyle "blogazine."

City Center Vdara Condo Hotel Today

Thu, 15 May 2008 01:00:08 GMT

Great News for MGM's City Center Vdara Condo Hotel topped off today. I read a article on the Las Vegas Review journal today about MGM City Center Vdara topping off which is great news that means its just that much closer to completion. City Center is estimated to be completed in November 2009. Click here to read full Article