Not only is the real estate industry turned on to full heat, the entire service support system is finding its footing, the second step of the growing industry in the burgeoning volume of rentals that follows. Important developments are being made in several fronts including the Costa Vallarta Boutique Villas of John Youden (www.costavallartaboutiquevillas.com), Shannon Beston Properties (www.shannonbestonproperties.com) and Puerto Vallarta Rentals Premier Vacations of Tim Longpré (www.pvrpv.com) all of which handle upper end rentals.
A double open house in Punta de Mita brought to light a brand new home as well as one back on the market. Represented by La Punta Realty, Catherine Martin showed the magnificently understated Casa Canela that allows the surrounding natural beauty permeate the essence of the home. Five bedrooms, 8,500 square feet situated on ¼ acre of oceanfront property presents the ocean as if it were yours. Three outdoor decks, an Infinity pool, a barbecue pit and outdoor bar, all conspire to keep you outdoors. A gourmet kitchen, fully equipped office, media room and finally, the observation room at the top that offers a 360-degree view of paradise. See Catherine Martina at La Punta or call her at (329) 291-6420.
A bit further down the road at Punta del Burro, Carlos de la Torre of La Cruz Realty hosted an open house at Casa Agua Pristina situated right above the soft sandy curve of the beach. Large terraces on this three-bedroom vacation home open out onto the view of the bay. The Infinity pool features a lounge bed for taking sun with a swim-up bar and barbecue area, large patios and a quick skip down the steps to the beach. Set up for entertaining with a gourmet kitchen, the beachfront home opens possibilities for vacation rentals in privacy and security. Contact Carlos de la Torre of La Cruz at (329) 295-5805.
In Nuevo Vallarta, Condo El Muelle 28 popped up on the market, offering an option in the quiet above the marina with a view of the sea, marina and mountains. The low-priced low maintenance solidly built condo-apartment is in one of the most secure complexes in Nuevo Vallarta. Built in 1990, the construction includes 12-inch walls as well as new appliances, original Mexican tile with a bar, parota cupboards, large closets (yes, that’s what I said!) and a large terrace with the unrestricted view. As the owners are moving to Spain, they’re selling nearly everything other than a few personal items after 12 happy years in the area. Contact Kayte Soasey of Re/Max at (322) 221-0821 for a viewing.
That same day in Nuevo Vallarta on the very private Isla Capitan, Applegate Realty went all-out in an evening event that included a full bar, hors d’oeuvres, mariachi and wine served on a tray with uniformed waiters. The two homes, designed by Alejandro Iñiguez Mendoza, create an environment with a focus on the adjacent water. The brand-new villas are professionally designed and furnished for this turn-key purchase with 9,000 square feet of construction on two easy levels. Each home has four bedrooms, 6.5 baths, designer kitchen with all appliances, Infinity pool overlooking the marina, Jacuzzi and a private double deck with amazing entertainment possibilities. Contact Moray Applegate of Applegate Realtors at (322) 221-5434 for a viewing of this boater’s dream.
Right in downtown Puerto Vallarta, the gorgeous Casa La Playa was shown by La Punta Realty’s Yumiko Takinami. The seven-suite double-tower modern home is right on the beach just a block north of Spiaggia, formerly Cabana Club. Every well-appointed room has its own balcony not only overlooking the beach and the bay but also the pool area in the garden level. Created by an artist, this impressive open space allows in light from every angle with various levels, stairways and an elevator. Other amenities include connection to the outside world via DSL and satellite with easy access to downtown restaurants, clubs and shopping. Contact Yumiko at (329) 291-6420.
The very awaited Villas de la Colina II, represented by John Swanson of Tropicasa, held an open house just after the closing of this issue. Look for information and photos next month.
Several of the local realtors have mentioned how well their projects are selling. Prudential Realty’s Cristina Borbolla at (322) 293-3983 reports that they are down to only 32 left in Nitta Nuevo Vallarta, one of the new concepts with total integrated design by Vallarta’s Jorge Rubio. Tropicasa’s Alfredo Covarrubias at (322) 222-6505 mentions similar success in the eco-friendly Rio Amapas with five out of nine sold in the first phase. Hot properties are moving and what is new and different is what attracts attention.
REAL ESTATE CONFERENCE
The upcoming 3rd annual Real Estate Conference, sponsored by John Youden of Producciones Viva, is around the corner. While a plan to create a base of statistics for tracking of data didn’t come to fruition for this important conference, it will surely be a topic of discussion to bring stronger focus on the value of maintaining continuous records that can be accessed at any time by any member of MLS. Many of the speakers will be familiar to those who attended last year while the panel will consist of Wayne Franklin of Tropicasa, Tere Kimball of Prudential, Silvia Elías of PV Realty and Carlos Osuna of Sierra del Mar. See www.virtualvallarta.com/puertovallarta/realestate/realestateconference/index.shtml for more information.
In the local media, a total of 41 new developments were announced at a recent conference in Nayarit with the tourism authorities of the state, namely Secretary of Tourism Jorge Sánchez Ibarra and others. In this important meeting, attendants included representatives of CEAPA (Comisión Estatal de Agua y Alcantarillado, or the state water and sewage commission) as well as the municipal representative of the same commission. Among issues discussed were the final details of the proposed water treatment plant in Valle at a cost of $380 million pesos to focus on the needs of the agricultural zone, the installment of the pumps to complete the water treatment plant in Sayulita and the reconditioning of the already existent plant in Bucerías. Total expected output will be 250 liters per second up from the previous 180 lps. While the jurisdiction of a master plan for water usage comes under the federal commission of water, coordination will continue with the state and municipal levels to reach an agreement on the appropriation of funding.
While coordination seems to operate more smoothly on the north side of the Ameca River, efforts are under discussion for a similar plan of action in the state of Jalisco which has jurisdiction for Puerto Vallarta. Of prime focus in these early months of the Mayor Javier Bravo Carbajal is the master plan of development that never reached ratification under the previous administration. It’s interesting to note that the federal government is bringing attention now to the entire Banderas Bay region following the recent visit of FONATUR (Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo, the national tourism board) who met with governors and municipal representatives. Watch for further news on a long-term plan for the region.
Important for everyone to remember is that a passport will now be required of all citizens of the US to return to their country. As of last year, immigration reports that up to 40 percent of the travelers from the US arrived without passports while since the New Year of 2007, that figure has dropped to ten percent. That either means that the others didn’t get theirs in time, they’re staying longer than that date or they’ll deal with it when they return. Remind your clients in plenty of time to ensure no delays in any of your transactions for nonresidents.
Note: Last month I reported that Prudential represented the Belaire Complex at a recent inauguration; it should be Real Nuevo Vallarta. I apologize for the mistake.
