In early 2010, the Tulum Real Estate industry took a major step forward with the opening of the Tulum chapter of AMPI, The Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals. Some of the main objectives of AMPI Tulum are to consolidate the new chapter of the association, organize the first Tulum Real Estate – Tourism Congress possibly in September this year, develop a real estate MLS (Multi-Listing System) and help promote the urban image of the new municipality.

Currently, Tulum has growing opportunities for land investment, as well as for Mexico Condo developments on the beachfront. Mexico Homes are also a growing possibility in the area, as more buyers who have invested in land purchases build high quality homes for resale. Developments such as Aldea Zama, a place next to the current town center, provide land purchase opportunities in a contemporary-rustic village setting for buyers wishing to have their own homes built.

AMPI Tulum will be headed by Benjamin Beja Lezama. In January, the AMPI national president, Hector Obregon Serrano, swore in the board for AMPI Tulum, officially giving the new chapter its start. At the ceremony, a representative of the state govermnent, encouraged real estate professionals to focus on the promotion of developing buildings and houses in the municipality -  still considering the preservation of the environment, both for its own sake and because of the fact that the natural setting of Tulum is currently one of the main concepts attracting tourists and real estate buyers.

“One of our main activities is to promote the destination,” said a representative of AMPI Tulum. “(We want) To attract more foreign investment into the country.”

For real estate, Tulum has a series of opportunities for consolidation and expansion; for 2010, the forecast for growth is greater than ten percent, surpassing that of 2009. In addition, the construction of the Riviera Maya International Airport – only about 8 miles from Tulum – will begin and is currently in the process of private bidding. The airport will be a major catalyst for growth in both tourism and real estate.

AMPI Tulum will be working with the local government to ensure orderly growth of Tulum, to provide better urban image to tourists – both domestic and foreign – and to ensure that real estate sales continue to be attractive in Tulum for new development and for resales from investors.

Source: TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

TOPMexicoRealEstate, a website and network of Mexico’s leading real estate agents and professionals, has recently joined forces with Rebecca Loto, an agent working in the Costa Maya Real Estate area, who has aready contributed to the Network’s recent Mexico Real Estate Guide. While Costa Maya is a relatively new market, the large-scale success of Cancun and Playa del Carmen in the north of the state, as well as significant advancements in the Tulum Real Estate area point to high potential for real estate in Costa Maya.

Costa Maya is located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, about an hour and half north of the boarder of Belize and Chetumal, the capital of the state of Quintana Roo, which is also home to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Tulum. While the area is currently not highly developed in terms of tourism infrastructure, this is expected to change over the next decade.

The success of the north of the state (Cancun, etc.) during the past couple of decades shows the draw that the Mexican Caribbean can hold for tourism and real estate buyers. While there is already one international airport nearby in Chetumal, the new international airport in Tulum is expected to “open up” the southern half of this state for more extensive tourism. Besides the major boost that this will give to the Tulum Real Estate market, it will also draw more attention to beautiful real estate opportunities in the Costa Maya area, where are large amount of tourism growth is expected.

Currently, Costa Maya is ideal for real estate buyers seeking a relaxing lifestyle on the beaches which have made the Caribbean coast famous.

“Everything is very laid back,” says Loto. “No traffic as there is only 1 road that runs along the beach. Great community feeling.”

The Mexican population welcomes the idea of foreign investors, as they have noticed the opportunities opened in the cities to the north. Currently, prices are still considerably lower than in the established real estate destinations. With growing attention on Costa Maya, new infrastructure such as international stores and more sports facilities will begin to appear (currently residents need to travel to Chetumal to take advantage of these conveniences) and this relaxing lifestyle will become continually more convenient. Nature-related sports are already a favorite directly in the area, such as scuba diving – Chinchorro Banks 28 miles away was named one of the best locations in the world by Jaques Cousteau – as well as kayaking, snorkeling, beach volleyball, running and swimming.

“Now there are more restaurants and bars,” observes Loto, “but a lot of socialising was and still is drinks and dinner at friend’s houses.”

Rebecca Loto herself has been living in Costa Maya for 6 years, where she had her own experiences in purchasing real estate and building a home, and decided to offer her professional services to other foreigners endeavoring in this new market. Her knowledge of the area, both in terms of lifestyle and real estate availability, her Honours B.A. in “Urban Development” (from her home country, the U.K.) and many years of working internationally allow her to offer international clients the highest level of service. Loto is also bilingual, and her friendly treatment of all people alike is both appealing to clients and allows her to get the “inside scoop” from the locals.

In the brief time since joining TOPMexicoRealEstate, Loto has already used her experience in the Costa Maya area to contribute to Top Mexico Real Estate Guide: Buying Safely, a guide outlining the basics the buying process in Mexico.

TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

This December a TOPMexicoRealEstate helped a Canadian client successfully receive a Mexico Mortgage for his Playa del Carmen Real Estate purchase. While in Canada and the U.S acquiring property by means of a mortgage is fairly common, in Mexico the option is relatively new, and is not common yet. While the process is more complicated than in other countries, the client’s Mexico Agent guided him through the process, greatly reducing the time commitment required on the part of the client. This successfully completed process, along with other similar recent cases, represents a real, feasible financing option for buying Mexico real estate.

The Canadian client in question bought a beachfront condo in Playa del Carmen, which his TOPMexicoRealEstate agent managed to find at more than 30% below market value. After the bank gave approval for the property and the borrower, the client was signing the final documents within 10 days, and the deal was closed in the first week of December.

Financing for real estate investments and purchases was basically non-existent for many years in Mexico, and interest rates were historically above 15 points. Almost all real estate transactions were cash deals. Many Americans and Canadians would leverage their Mexico investment using properties from their home countries.

The benefits of receiving a mortgage from a bank in Mexico include:

• using the same Mexican property as collateral; this frees up assets in a buyer’s countries
• interest rates which have dropped by more than 50% from 3 years ago; in October / November of this year, rates dropped 1%
• automatic payments can be arranged with the lender, which are convenient for Mexico property owners

There are some potential difficulties of which buyers seeking a Mexico Mortgage should be aware. One of these is the process time.

“Non-Mexicans should prepare for a longer process to obtain approval for financing than in their home countries,” points out Thomas Lloyd, founder of TOPMexicoRealEstate. “The process might

take nearly 6 – 8 weeks.”

There are also strict requirements regarding the property itself, and many properties or sellers might not qualify. In the operation with the Canadian client, the property did not have insurance coverage which is one of the requirements. His agent set up discounted insurance coverage that not only fulfilled the requirements of the bank but also protected the property from unexpected damaging occurrences.

Ensuring that the property qualifies and has all the documents necessary to fulfill the requirements of the lender is one of the main processes that needs to be administered. A qualified, experienced broker can save a client time and frustrations; clients should find a broker who will know how to identify properties that have a better probability of qualification.

“The key to successful Mexico real estate acquisitions and investments is putting working with EXPERIENCED brokers and an experienced team,” advises Lloyd.

TOPMexicoRealEstate, a network of  certified professionals that specialize in guiding new buyers through the Mexican purchasing process is currently presenting the Aldea Zama development as one of the top retirement options currently available in Tulum Real Estate.  Aldea Zama offers many benefits for buyers interested in a land purchase where they can build there dream home for retirement, and has already begun delivering lots to excited buyers.

Aldea Zama offers not only a oceanfront community near one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, but the community has been designed in a way to offer the highest level of convenience and lifestyle, ideal for retirees, in addition to other property buyers.  Aldea Zama has been described as a “mixed-use village” with the “pulse of a new generation.”  The community is located next to Tulum’s Mayan pyramid site, and the well known MayaZama resort development, combining the area’s rich history with luxury beachfront living.

With the old town of Tulum just to the north, Aldea Zama is designed with the “village” concept – a residential development with a town center area.  The design of the town center, as well as the area as the whole, will appeal to those who enjoy a high-quality, casual lifestyle, defined by “elegant but hip” style.  The town center will include top-name stores, boutiques and restaurants, and is will offer top international trends.  The visual style in Aldea Zama will be contemporary, using rustic materials such as stone, wood and thatched roofs, with landscaping that likewise combines natural with modern.

While the Aldea Zama community offers many benefits in itself, the new MayaZama development directly to the south will add even more to the community’s lifestyle.  MayaZama will include a Jack Nicklaus golf course and academy, spas, restaurants, small shops with unique items for sale, art galleries, cafes, and many other cultural activities.  The design of MayaZama’s commercial area is a pedestrian walkway, lined with trees and gardens, ending at Tulum’s beautiful, white beaches, overlooking the turquoise blue sea.  This pleasant area provides a beautiful place to enjoy the weekends and evenings out, and a very picturesque walk to the beach.  The proximity of MayaZama and the beachfront, makes all of this within a very short walking distance.  For residents who prefer not to walk, there will also be the option of using golf carts, or, for a more romantic way of spending a relaxing retirement, there are water taxis which use Mayan waterways winding through the village.

Aldea Zama offers real estate options for single family homes, ideal for those who already have ideas in mind for their dream retirement living space.  There are also sites available for condominium   development, as well as commercial opportunities in the village center.

MayaZama is the developer of Aldea Zama, and although the development is in its early stages, properties have already been delivered to customers who completed their purchasing process through TOPMexicoRealEstate, and are now ready to prepare for their retirement.

TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

As a small town with clear plans for infrastructure development, Tulum Real Estate currently offers some excellent opportunities for land investment.   Aldea Zama, located downtown Tulum, is a prime example of these opportunities.  Recently TOPMexicoRealEstate.com interviewed the first couple, Mark and Linda, to receive their Aldea Zama lot.  The couple showed a high level of satisfaction with the process of purchasing with Aldea Zama, talking about the draw of Tulum’s natural setting, and their future plans – both for building and lifestyle.

The couple began the interview by telling TOPMexicoRealEstate about their satisfaction with the processes involved in the real estate transaction.  The couple described the process of Aldea Zama as “efficient, simple and easy.”  The process of preparing the paperwork and documentation while they were in the U.S., their home country, was also described as simple, with everything ready when they arrived, so all they had to do was sign.

“They were always on time and as soon as we arrived we went down to sign the papers,” explained Linda.  “We had a very good experience and no problems of any kind.”

The interview followed with a discussion about their reasons for choosing to buy Tulum Real Estate.  Mark and Linda named several factors which drew them to purchase in Tulum, including the fact this it is not over developed – there is still a very natural environment, and Tulum still only has a population of 30,000, and Linda described the town as “more laid-back” and “less stressful,” comparing it to Washington D.C., and the stressful lifestyle that many Americans experience day to day.  At the same time, a direct 3 hour flight home from the nearby Cancun International Airport, will offer the couple convenient travel to and from their new Tulum home.

The couple also mentioned the beautiful, turquoise blue beaches, and the type of development which has been planned for the area, referring to the town center, the roads and the sidewalks for easy access to the town center and the beach.

“We liked the description of the development,” said Mark.  “We thought it would have the kinds of things we’d be interested in.”

All of these factors together also pointed to a good investment opportunity; Tulum land currently offers a great potential for investment, which served as another factor in their decision.

Although Mark and Linda pointed out that they are not entirely sure when they would begin building – it would be when they reached a point in their careers that they could take a few months off every winter – the couple already has a vision for their future home.  Their idea is to build a home with a “modern but rustic look” using materials such as stone and wood.

“We like the very clean, natural contemporary style that they do down here in Mexico,” explained Mark. “Modern, but rustic materials, used in a new way.”

Linda added that they would want a pool and a garden, with a natural atmosphere.

In keeping with the contrast Linda had made to Washington D.C., when the couple begins their life in Tulum, they plan to live a relaxed, “more retired” lifestyle.  Linda, for example, is a yoga instructor, and hopes to continue with yoga sessions in her new Tulum home.

“I could see something like that continuing over the winters when we’re down here,” said Linda, “having friends visit, or doing Yoga retreats, that type of thing.”

TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely