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Alice Donahue - Mexican Huatulco Hiatus
1924 Views :: 16 Comments :: :: Second Homes
Alice Donahue Mexico Huatulco Hiatus

With all the Mexican buyers coming to South Padre and helping our market make a surprising recovery, Alice returns the favor to check out Mexico's hottest new resort in Huatulco Mexico on April 26-27 2009. Come join the fun and be part of the special tour arrangements.


Alice and Judy in Huatulco Mexico at the new Cosmo Residences Resort

Huatulco is being called Mexico's new Hawaii and is receiving international acclaim as one of the world's newest hot-spots for real estate investment.

International Living Magazine says:
"Imagine if you’d bought a spacious, affordable beachfront condo or house in Los Cabos before it became a household name. Imagine enjoying sunsets on a spectacular coast, slow walks along white-sand beaches, and moonlit dinners on your balcony. Now imagine how much that home would be worth today… You may have missed your chance for bargain buys in Los Cabos—but today you can still find them on another coast that’s poised to boom. The place is Huatulco, on the state of Oaxaca’s Pacific coast. With nine lush bays and 36 beaches, Developers are pouring in, and Mexico’s President Felipe Calderón (a fan of Huatulco himself) has promised $1.4 billion in improvements to the area"

Alice and Judy checked out Huatulco last month and thought it was one of the most beautiful resort areas they ever saw. So they have arranged for a property tour on April 26-27th 2009 to investigate the opportunity.

Check out these non-stop direct flights from Houston to Huatulco
More about Huatulco at About Huatulco
Read the article Huatulco Uncut

Alice says - "Comparing the safety of Huatulco (on the remote southern pacific coast of Mexico) with the crime in the news centered around Ciudad Juarez, is like comparing the Hamptons to Harlem in New York" "Huatulco is one of the most beautiful and safest spots on earth"
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Comments
Steve @ Thursday, April 02, 2009 10:44 AM
Alice is always a lady with an eye for a bargain, there must be something to the investment opportunity down there.
Mark @ Thursday, April 02, 2009 10:45 AM
A couple years ago I heard that US banks can now loan money for Mexican property, but I don't know if it is true. I also heard that US citizens couldn't directly buy Mexican coastal property - you had to lease long-term it from the Mexican government, or something goofy like that. (I don't think that rule applied to properties deeper inside the country.) If they have all the problems worked out, your dollars could go quite far in Mexico, especially considering the recent peso devaluation. But I sure wouldn't do it alone without knowledgeable professional help. Alice, I hope your new venture into Mexico works out well. Diversification away from the Texas coast could be a good thing. Just don't get kidnapped for ransom. Good luck!
KRISTIN FINAN Houston Chronicle @ Thursday, April 02, 2009 1:27 PM
Huatulco is a town with a natural attraction!

Huatulco attracts its visitors with nine bays, 36 beaches and an average year-round temperature of about 80 degrees. By offering bird-watching, coffee plantation tours, live music and Oaxacan cuisine, it is becoming a haven for those seeking a diverse yet relaxing experience.

See full article at:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/travel/features/6353612.html
Linda Sabrowski @ Thursday, April 02, 2009 10:08 PM
Yes, I am sure there are bargains down there, but please be careful Alice. Most crimes in Mexico go unreported, and nobody who wants your business is going to tell you how bad things really are. Oaxaca has been known for a lot more than their famous cheese in recent years. In 2006 they had a major riot, two teachers were shot dead, and 10,000 federal police and the army intervened. Then, in 2007, protesters from APPO clashed with the police who used tear gas to disperse the crowd resulting in scores injured. Not exactly what I would call peace and tranquility, but it was a couple years ago.

Of course they are also subject to tropical weather. 12 years ago they got hit by Pauline, a category 4 storm, and hundreds lost their lives. So if you buy property down there, make sure it is rock solid construction.

But we can't ignore that the peso buys a LOT more than it did a year ago, so maybe this is a good time to pick up bargains. Perhaps you could work with some of the locals down there to set up dirt cheap "vacation" packages for potential gringo buyers. Fill up a small direct charter flight, and hire a hotel and bus down there to take care of the buyers, and escort them around. And don't forget to have lots of those fresh margaritas on hand to grease the skids. You would be amazed at how many time shares they sell with only an offer of dinner to potential buyers, an hour tour of the property, and a couple margaritas. All you need is a credit card to make the initial deposit.

Selling property in Mexico will really expand your horizons, that's for sure. Let me know when that first charter flight leaves, and I could be your first customer. I wouldn't mind having an ocean front home, which you could probably pick up for about what a beach front condo costs in SPI, right?

alice @ Friday, April 03, 2009 9:19 AM
Linda - Thanks for your comments. As with visiting any foreign country we are always well aware of what is going on around us. This last trip to Huatulco I went on a bus from Matamoros to Monterrey, flew to Mexico City and into Huatulco. That was an experience! I know there has been some trouble in Oaxaca in the past as I have friends who are missionaries there but that seems to have subsided. Also, the great news that they are daily arresting the top level drug lords is encouraging. Remember Al Capone? Our country went through the same thing and I think eventually things will get straightened out in Mexico. My developer at Cosmo has been living down there for 8 years and he has never seen any crime, it has to be the cleanest place I have seen yet and I have lived in Central America and been all over South America. We are super excited about our sales already! There is no money borrowed to build the property and the prices are very reasonable. Also, the taxes are very low. Thank you for your concern and I will let you know when the big party is! I also wanted to let Mark (the gentleman who was worried about me getting kidnapped) know that like the little fish they will probably throw me back! Please write more, I enjoy hearing everyone's comments.
Tom James Overseas Property News @ Friday, April 03, 2009 11:48 AM
They say that every cloud has a silver lining and the current global economic problems are bringing some unexpected silver linings for overseas property investment.

A number of governments around the world now have newly-pressing agendas – how to stimulate both their property industry and their residential tourism sector to help boost their economies.

Some of the world’s biggest markets are reacting to the global recession with changes which they hope will encourage more foreign investment.

Many countries which currently have fairly stringent visa requirements and restrict property purchases by foreigners and non-residents are now looking to ease or remove those restrictions.

The government of Mexico, is now making moves to kick-start their property industries.

Mexico’s constitution does not permit foreigners to enter into real estate contracts within 31miles of the coastline or 50 miles of an international border.

Foreigners wishing to buy property in these areas must enter into a trust agreement with a bank, known as a fideicomiso.

Now, senator Mario Lopez Valdez of the Institutional Revolutionary Party in Mexico has called for changes to the country’s constitution to allow foreign (but not commercial) ownership of land, to boost Mexico’s property market.
Tom Budniak @ Friday, April 03, 2009 4:53 PM
How to buy Mexican real estate using a Bank trust called a "Fideicomiso"

Mexico Real Estate is always in high demand especially among American citizens.

Though under Mexican law, foreigners may obtain direct ownership of Mexican property in the interior of Mexico, foreigners cannot acquire direct ownership of residential property within the area 50 miles from the border and 30 miles from the coastline.

This zone in Mexico is known as the "Restricted Zone". But there is an indirect way to purchase and enjoy Mexican property in the restricted zone through a Bank Trust or "Fideicomiso" authorized by the Government of Mexico.

Fideicomiso is the legal equivalent of deeded ownership (commonly referred to in the U.S. as fee simple)

The Fideicomiso has advantages such as the avoidance of probate and transfer tax upon sale of Real Estate in Mexico.

How it works.

Upon the purchase of Real Estate in Mexico through a Fideicomiso, the Mexican government issues a permit to a Mexican bank of the buyer's choice.

The property Title is then delivered to a Mexican Bank which acts a "Trustee". The Bank then designates the buyers as the beneficiary of the trust.

The beneficiary now can use the property. The Beneficiary has the same rights to lease, mortgaging, selling, inheriting, willing and improving the land as any other Real Estate owner in Mexico.

There are selected banks that are authorized by the Mexican government to hold the Real Estate Fideicomiso.

The bank reviews property documents to ensure that they are complete and legal.
Therman Finerman @ Saturday, April 04, 2009 10:32 AM
For us older folks, do they have good medical facilities, and English speaking doctors - or is this place more suited to vacationers than full time residents? I don't know much spanish, and am too old to learn. The restaurant waiters gotta speak English too.
Jorge @ Saturday, April 04, 2009 4:05 PM
good question. Hey Alice, why don't you go down there the next time you need a cavity filled, and pretend like you don't speak a word of Spanish. Then after it's all over, tell us how it went, and if you still think it's a great place to live.
alice @ Sunday, April 05, 2009 12:39 AM
Mr. Finerman - I don't know the answer to your question but I will find out April 25th. Jorge, I didn't speak spanish when I was in Huatulco. Everyone at the hotel and restaurants spoke English so maybe the Doctors do as well. All of the Dentists in Matamoros were educated in the US and alot of us go there for our dental work because it is much less expensive, I will try our your experiment and get back to you.
Dr. J. Wes Stucki @ Monday, April 06, 2009 12:52 PM
I went there about ten years ago on a non stop American Airlines flight out of Dallas. I don't even know if American flies there anymore. The fishing was good and the resteraunts were clean and mostly owend by Americans.
Dr. Wes Stucki @ Monday, April 06, 2009 2:34 PM
American no longer flies to Huatulco non stop. It requires 3 stops from DFW and the cost is 1,000us even 21 days out.
Mike @ Monday, April 06, 2009 3:00 PM
Continental Airlines fly's non-stop from Houston International to Huatulco.
Harvey @ Monday, April 06, 2009 9:28 PM
I just looked it up on Expedia. Tried several dates, more than a month out. Best price was $737 round trip from Houston, two stops. That's with American Airlines connecting to Mexicana. 9 hours 30 minutes is the best total transit time I could find, my poor butt gets sore just thinking about that.

Seems kind of expensive to me. I can fly from Houston to Orlando round trip for less than $200. I do however seem to recall that anytime you cross the border in an airplane, it costs you a whole lot more. Don't know why. Maybe you can make up for the expensive airfare with discounts on everything else once you get there?

I dunno Alice, but to me this doesn't look like the type of place a person would go to spend a long weekend, as many do on SPI. Southern Mexico is a very different market, for people who have at least a week to stay, especially for middle income snow birds.

I am however VERY curious about prices down there. How much does a 2 bedroom beachfront condo cost to own and maintain? Just a rough idea would be fine, or maybe you can point us to some specific deals. (After all, you are the coastal real estate queen of Texas, right? You've earned our trust.)

Do they have good golfing and fishing down there? Something for the grandkids to do?
Linda @ Tuesday, April 07, 2009 8:24 AM
Mexico has become a scary place. Below is a recent story about how a Catholic priest was murdered for $72. Be careful Alice, you no longer have to be a "big fish" to get into serious trouble in Mexico. I'm going to say a prayer for your safe return.

http://www.lmtonline.com/articles/2009/04/06/front/news/doc49da5e0993ccd737407215.txt
Ken the investor @ Friday, May 08, 2009 7:28 AM
Any successful investor will tell you "buy low, sell high". With the drug violence, swine flu, and economic problems in Mexico, it doesn't get any worse than this. That's exactly why it could be the perfect time to pick up a once-in-a-lifetime deal on Mexican property. Good Luck with your new Mexican business, Ms. Donahue, and do take care when you're down there. History will eventually prove that this was a great time to invest in Mexican property.
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