"Dancing with the Stars"  in Playa del Carmen.

By Enrique Saldana

A friend of mine, a very successful Realtor back in Chicago, used to tell me that he “would dance with his clients” every time he would go out to get a property listed. What he actually meant was that he would go and deal with each client differently and according to their needs to ensure he could meet his client’s expectations.

A Look at the Hottest Current Topics in the Mexico Resort Real Estate Market.

By Matthew A. Miller

As the Mexico resort real estate market continues to gain popularity among North Americans, one common theme exists; an increasing demand for insightful and relevant information among the entire Mexican resort real estate community, including developers, realtors, owners, resellers and potential buyers. This is especially true in light of today’s more difficult economic times. Therefore, it seemed worthwhile to highlight the hottest current topics in the industry as discussed at the fourth annual Mexico Resort Development Conference in Carlsbad, California held in December 2008. 

How Does the Obama Effect Affect the Playa del Carmen Economy?
The election of Barack Obama as the next President of the USA has certainly removed uncertainty, which will have a positive effect on the USA economy, since consumers and investors are looking for a new direction and leadership. with an improvement in the stock market, the US economy will be given a boost,  and by helping to recapitalize banks, the future for the USA economy is looking  brighter from here on out.

Investing in real estate in Playa del Carmen; some tips from a local Realtor.

To be successful in real estate, investors must anticipate fluctuations in the market, as well as recessions.  Recessions are necessary for a healthy economy to avoid inflation and depressions. Always invest and prepare to keep your properties for a minimum of 5 years.  If you get lucky, and your values increase drastically in less time, consider yourself fortunate but realize this is not the norm in real estate.

Financial Real Estate Crisis Offers Opportunities

In an adverse situation like we are seeing in the real estate market today, it is possible to buy property at cheaper prices, for those who like risk, and it also opens up the possibility of investing in the stock market.  The financial crisis and the current volatility of the real estate market, foreign exchange, and stock markets can represent investment opportunities.

Caribe Properties in Playa del Carmen- Open Since 1998!

Meet Trevor Jacobi and Veronica Ortiz Vasquez; Playa del Carmen Residents, Real Estate Agents and Investment Specialists.

Both Veronica and Trevor work at Caribe Properties in Playa del Carmen. Owner, Bob McCain, who is originally from the US, has created a real estate firm that has withstood the test of time, and changing markets, and has become a strong local company over the past 10 years.

WHO YA GONNA CALL?
-PDC Mortgage Watch September 2008-

Who doesn't remember the popular movie "Ghost Busters" that became a tremendous hit in the United States and all over the world after being released in 1984? Remembering this film, and thinking about the everyday calls we get from some of the local realtors, some of them to meet with people to later find out they do not qualify for a mortgage, has prompted me to begin a list of Important Questions to Ask at the First Interview with your mortgage property purchaser candidate.  This is in an effort to save the Realtor time and money, while working with clients, and to only dedicate time to qualified buyers.

Going Green with Mary Odermatt

The Riviera Maya is blessed with a year round temperate climate, which makes for perfect conditions for gardening; specifically tropical fruit trees. Although some trees may take quite awhile to mature they can offer much in return; they act like the lungs of our planet filtering out carbon dioxide and many of them are extremely useful in other ways as well. Many tropical trees that bear fruit can easily grow in the Riviera Maya; some are native to this area and others are not, but most of these are relatively easy to grow from seed. A handful of these trees include:  avocado, banana, citrus, coconut, mamey sapote, mango, papaya and tamarind.

Meet Ed Blume: Diving enthusiast, active volunteer and renewable resource expert.

Ed Blume grew up in northern Indiana, and he always dreamed of living in a tropical paradise.  Now living in Madison, Wisconsin, Ed works as a communications director for RENEW Wisconsin, an NGO that promotes renewable energy policies and projects, like solar, wind, and biomass energies.

By Bruce D. Greenberg, MAI, SRA, ASA, President, Valuaciones Montaña Verde, SA de CV

Technically, the United States economy is not yet in an economic recession, which is defined by two consecutive quarters of economic contraction, or negative economic growth. However, many economic indicators such as jobless claims, manufacturing activity, housing starts and core inflation, which have traditionally signaled the onset of a recession, are already indicating that, at the very least, a significant slowdown is inevitable. Despite technical definitions of the current health of the United States economy, one of the obvious causes and weaknesses of the current situation is the sector of residential real estate.