Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Real Estate Prices and sales volume show signs of recovery….


I read this article today on RealtyTimes.com by Kenneth R. Harney; here is the jist of the article:


Sales of existing homes and condos continue to power the real estate market, in some areas they're up by double digits, and despite all the negative headlines about foreclosures, even prices are rising in many places as well.
Sales in the second quarter ending June 30 jumped by nearly 4 percent countrywide, according to the National Association of Realtors. Second quarter sales in 39 states were higher than the first quarter, as they were in 129 out of the 155 largest markets.
New York saw an impressive 22 percent increase for the quarter.
Wisconsin. California, Michigan and Minnesota all registered double-digit sales gains.
In the Denver area home prices were 6 percent higher in June than in May, and resale numbers increased by 32 percent.
Average prices in Boston gained 2.9 percent for the month, according to IAS. In Chicago they were up 1.3 percent, Los Angeles 2.2 percent, San Francisco 1.7 percent, and San Diego 1.4 percent.
Most economists, and even the Federal Reserve, are encouraged that the recession will be over this year. I am convinced along with them…now if we can get the media to start reporting the positive news instead of dwelling on the negative, we might just fix this mess.
On an international level, I recently read that in the Bahamas prices have held steady, Belize continues to hold property value, the Dominican Republic is doing well and in Nicaragua, well…get ready for some real good buzz in this country as the laws have changed drastically for the first time years, making it more attractive to own beachfront property…which leads me to this new release I have come across.

Special Pricing on 4 Beachfront Home Sites in Nicaragua

The all new Isla Mariana Beach & Marina Resort has just released 4 stunning beachfront home sites:
Home site 1H: 30 feet of beach frontage, only $ 45,000 USD
7G: 40 feet of beach frontage, only $ 59,995 USD
3F: 60 feet of beach frontage, only $ 90,000 USD
7F: 72 feet of beach frontage, only $108,000 USD

Phase One of this spectacular resort community originally sold out at pre-construction prices in just 6 months. These home sites are now being offered in an advance notice of Phase Two (which the developer tells me will be announced publicly any day).



Isla Mariana Beach & Marina Resort is a hidden oasis located on the secluded island of Isla Real de Las PeƱ as, situated on the virgin beaches of Nicaragua's Pacific Coast. This 17-acre retreat offers some of the world's best fishing, a sailing school for the adventurous, exciting water sports, sunny and rare volcanic sand beaches, gorgeous swimming pool, gracious accommodations, exquisite dining at the Beach Grill Restaurant, Plumeria Spa, and the casual, relaxed pace of Nicaragua.

Financing and building packages are available; for more information, including site plans, maps and photos of this incredible Pacific Ocean front development please click here.

What ever you do...hit 'em straight!

SkipJack

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Invest in Real Estate without actually buying the RE...?




Okay, so this is supposed to be all about the Caribbean, Caribbean adventures, experiences and opportunities...but every now and then an opportunity comes up that simply breaks the mold!
Actually, my friend Thom (who is the managing partner in this new fund) is my first real estate colleague who opened the doors to all these real estate opportunities. Thom is a developer in the Rocky Mountains (okay, a bit colder at times, but certainly a paradise in it's own right).
Thom just opened up The Income Fund, LLC specifically to take advantage of an opportunity in the Teton Valley. Here's what happened...the FDIC took over one of the largest mortgage holders in the region and The Income Fund is planning to buy some of these mortgages (secured of course, by the homes and the property)from the FDIC (which doesn't want them) at a pretty steep discount...can you say instant equity!?
This is a perfect opportunity to own a piece of a (real estate investment)company, get into the real estate market when the time is...well...perfect! And do it without becoming a landlord! It is a fantastic opportunity to rebuild the IRA portfolio because your self-directed IRA can own units in The Income Fund...read: win...win...win situation! If you don't have a self-directed IRA, well...you will soon, it's the smartest way to take control of your future and my guess is that my general readership is pretty smart!
For further info...click here on The Income Fund, LLC and to learn more about self-directed IRAs click here.

Hit 'em straight!

SkipJack

Monday, August 3, 2009

Nicaragua Approves New Coastal Real Estate Law



Nicaraguan officials have approved a new law that bans property from being built within 50 meters of the high tide line on the beach front. The decision is a tremendous relief to developers, who have had to endure 5 years of uncertainty and speculation…it was feared that the ban would be approved at 800 meters from the beach front! Could you imagine? 800 meters is a long way!
The New Coastal Law establishes a clear set of laws, rules and guarantees for land ownership and development along the shores of the ocean, lakes and lagoons, but river front property is excluded from the law…this gives developers who have been in limbo about how to move forward a huge sigh of relief and a green traffic light.
It is speculated that this new law and the green light it gives to developers could create up to 10,000 new jobs! Something the Nicaraguan people and economy could sorely use…just like the rest of us.
I’ve got friend who visits Nicaragua every year and he loves it! The people are wonderful…warm, friendly and very hospitable. The country is very diverse from a visitors perspective, you can choose from a beach vacation to a lake front trip to mountain retreats and if investing in Nicaragua is in your sights, property here is approximately 20-30% less than comparable property in Costa Rica….oh…and the surfing is fantastic from what I hear. I am not a surfer, although I’d like to give it a try (bucket list item number 124!) I’ve seen some video and have been told that surfing on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua is world class.

Cant’ wait for the world to believe that the whole economic downturn has flat-lined and starts opening up their wallets again…maybe if the media started reporting upbeat positive news…ah well that’s probably too much to ask for. I can tell you this…this new Coastal Law in Nicaragua is excellent news for Nicaraguans and for real estate investors who are paying attention!
‘Til next time…Surf’s Up!
SkipJack