Roatan

There are some really good deals out there by both Sellers & Developers. (How about a house in the Premier Community of Lawson Rock originally listed $543,500 that now is only $379,000 ?). For our non U.S. dollar clients with the dollar sinking? What a great time to buy! Sometimes the “stars all align”. Great pricing, financing available in many instances, island development on the upswing………… too many reasons to not act now.

Phase 2, the water front Phase, of a development east of center island call Mariposa has just been released. The developer wishes to generate a sale NOW! There are six lots on the waterfront and he has priced them right at $179,000. BUT the Buyer of the first one gets 30% off that price. First sale only folks but if your time line is 5+ years to build this is a great place to start - http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=611

Another great property that comes to mind is “Infinity Bay”. This hotel/condo concept property on West Bay Beach is a top of the line vacation spot on the best beach on the island. For years we wanted so badly to be able to offer financing here but it was mostly Seller financing or not at all. Well, not only do their prices start at $199,000 U.S. they also are offer financing with rates starting at just 5.5%, 10 year. They also have 15 and 30 year deals. This is ironic to a degree. For years mortgages flowed easily there and none here, now visa versa, go figure.
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=427
Another developer that offers financing on the island is Pristine Bay. “PB” is the home to the “Black Pearl”, Pete Dye design course. They have it available on their Casita Condos, Marina Condos and both financing and special deals on some of their home sites. We have some new photos up there this month if you are interested in the progress, which has been substantial. http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=418

Keyhole Bay is a great spot and a bargain on a very quality residential condo or home site that has it all, (security, views, breezes, value, amenities, it’s own water and electrical supply)-
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=390
New Listings/Hot Deals-
If you are shopping on the “high end” of the spectrum and are looking for one of the best homes on the island this is exactly the place for you. This place has it all, gorgeous pretty much wraps it up-
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=603
Blue Harbor SHORT SALE ALERT ! – Some real estate people refer to Blue Harbor as the “mini Lawson Rock” Beautiful place. The developer there has beach front lots at $350.00. I have a motivated Seller that wishes to move his beachfront, prime, beautiful location listed for just $275,000. Try to buy a beachfront lot in Florida for that little money that certainly, I do not believe, will happen. The Seller says bring him an offer.
Check here for details – http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=609

Are you or do you know a big time developer? This is arguably one of the top places on the island. 135 acres of spectacular beach, reef, views and vegetation- http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=607

How about a more modest very nice home site in a very nice residential area at a very value price-
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=608

A well priced 2br/2ba condo in West End. Only $229K-
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=353
One of the best deals on the island. Would make the perfect hostile or inexpensive B & B. A beach front home originally listed at over $600K by another company is now listed at $259K and the Seller is looking for any reasonable offer- http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=436

Rare find West Bay Beach Bargain home - $180.00. Do not miss out –
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=610

If you are not sure what you are looking for you can search our island wide MLS and find your dream come true –
http://link.flexmls.com/oq9ggfooh53,2

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border, offshore investments, Roatan, Roatan/Retirement/Caribbean, Tropical Caribbean - Roatan Bay Islands

-Discovery Tour
In last months issue I announced our upcoming “Discovery Tour”. For years, real estate both there and here did nothing but just keep going up. Understandably the island was not hit as hard in regard to price decreases as some places were hit in the states, but there is no doubt that the affect of both the economic and political situations was felt by all here. Going back the last 5+ years I believe I can easily say that right now is absolutely the best time I have seen to buy here on Roatan.

The response to the announcement of the tour was very substantial. I had no idea there would be so many serious Shoppers/Buyers/Investors on our list that would write and show interest in the Tour. Our Tour Director, Janine Goben, has responded to all those interested and would like to ask anyone who is interested to please write us as soon as possible. I realize it is scheduled for February but not only will that happen fairly quickly, with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years in between the time will FLY by. We have negotiated preferred rates on West Bay Beach with Mayan Princess (http://www.mayanprincess.com/ ) so you will certainly be comfortable.

Bottom line, nowhere will you be able to get all the information you need, access to all the professional services, (Attorneys, Title Insurance, Accounting, Builders, Ex-Pats to share their experiences,…) in one place, at one time like you will on our “Discovery Tour”. PLUS you will be able to do such in a no pressure atmosphere, (we provide the information, you make the decision). AND did I mention we are talking February? Do you really have something better to do than spend your time on a beautiful tropical island in February? (February, you know the month where you have reached your limit with cold, snow, ice, and still have a month or possibly much longer left of it). Really does it get any better? Just hit “Reply” and tell us that you want to sign up. We will take it from there. We are sure you will love your visit. Sign up today!
http://roatan-realestate.com/roatan-investment-tours.php

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border, Golf Pete Dye Course, Real Estate Investment, Roatan, Roatan/Retirement/Caribbean

-Cruz'n to the Island
Over the past +/- ten years there has been considerable discussion among people on the island regarding the cruise ship industry and it¹s place and future on the island. Many on the island depend on the ships as sources of income, the government enjoys the tax revenues and many who have never heard of Roatan are now able to visit our beautiful island.

The new cruise ship dock/facility in Dixon Cove, (AKA Mahogany Bay), is coming along very quickly and seems like it will be ready to go for the upcoming season. This second international cruise ship port will be a Carnival Cruise Lines location and will be self-contained, with a beach facility, many activities and shopping galore. It looks like it will be a first class facility that will provide island visitors with a pleasant visit to this beautiful island. The newly designed and remodeled port in Coxen Hole, (Royal Caribbean), will start the expansion of the docking facilities this fall (projected October start), which will allow the tendering of multiple ships. Both of these facilities are very nice and will change the island for decades.

Bottom line is that Roatan will be a much busier place. A place that despite the economics of much of the world or a political crossroads, will still continue to grow and be a great place to retire, invest or vacation. Companies of this large size do not put tens of million of dollars into a location if they do not think the island has a lot to offer. They are investing heavily.

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border, Pristine Bay and the Pete Dye Black Pearl Gold Course, Roatan, Roatan/Retirement/Caribbean

A great home site at a very reasonable price. Concrete streets, underground utilities, gorgeous views, trade winds……….. certainly worth a look. Motivated Seller, West Bay Beach area. Walk to the white sand.
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=545
Prime location estate site or something to split and sell yourself.
Spectacular Aqua Views. Gorgeous knoll top lot of over 3 acres in this beautiful, gated area. Unobstructed views NORTH to the sea... and a excellent building sites! Water, road access, and electricity. "Eye candy" aqua blue views to the reef. Untouched "rain forest" feel. The ultimate in privacy and
quiet. Sitting on Top of the World!
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=585

Homes in this area are hard to find, rare actually. Emerald Beach Vacation Home! A charming Caribbean home in a simply lovely private setting. This 1 bedroom 1 bath with lush landscaping is only a 2 minute walk to West Bay Beach. Covered Carport. Sold Furnished. Only $180,000.
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=586

MLS 08-502 This is a great opportunity for you to own your piece in paradise.
Located in a very peaceful, tranquil community, with great ocean views and beach access. Very spacious ½ acre home site. Outstanding views.
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=558

MLS 08-233 Gorgeous Ocean Views! Immaculate 1 acre parcel. With approximately 50 feet of road frontage. Enjoy the beautiful sunrise with southeast island breezes-
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=497

MLS 08-293- Small home site with very large views, walk to the beach and amenities. This 0.17 acre home site with ocean view in Sunset community is the perfect size and location for your island home. It's just at walking distance of the beach, dive shops, restaurants, stores and much more.
This is the perfect opportunity for you to own a piece of West End.

http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=499
Spectacular view from this hilltop lot above Crawfish Rock from Palmetto Bay Plantation to the west and Black Pearl Golf Course to the east, and all the way down the island. Great breezes, flat building area already prepared with underground electric and transformer.

http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=587
MLS- 09-417 - 9.8+ acres on West Bay/Flowers Bay Road near junction. Two sided island sea views. Very Hot Price. Less than half of original listing price!

http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=592

Take the MLS for a ride, the below link has it all. Every listing on the island that you can set up your own searches, based on price, type of property, and even the area with most listings having mapping to show you right where it is on the island. Live your dream long distance.
http://link.flexmls.com/oq9ggfooh53,2

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border, Roatan Honduras - retirement real estate, Roatan Honduras Investment -Retirement

Real Estate Overview
An Overview is always a tough thing to do especially in the economic and political times we are in. The market certainly has changed here. There is far more of a Buyer’s market than in several years and there are a fair amount of very good deals floating around. My experience year to date is that there seems to be more Buyer’s interested in homes versus condos and home sites than previous years and budgets are tighter meaning that the lower end of the market
seems to be where most of the closings are. Being a cash market for the most part we really have no foreclosure or short sales, though there are some motivated sellers.

Pristine Bay/Black Pearl, the new Pete Dye design golf course community seems to be all but unaffected by anything that happens in the world and continues to move forward in their progress. Their new island hole is all but completed and there are people already doing some practice drives on the driving range.
Take a look here fro some updated photos just days old. The pre-construction stage of the new marina villas are impressive and value priced. Dye Designs are the top golf designer in the world with almost 300 courses. Pete Dye is one of only four designers in the world to be in the World Gold Hall of Fame. One very impressive place they are building here-
http://roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=418

Overall at this point in time I believe the market is stable. There is no doubt that overall prices have decreased, people are more motivated to take offers that would not have been considered a year or two ago and if you are looking this is the best time in several years to look and invest at Roatan. It seems that the “pundits” are saying that the economy is turning around worldwide. Prices low, value high.

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border, Caribbean Islands, Honduras, Investment Alternatives. More fun than a monthly statement., Pristine Bay and the Pete Dye Black Pearl Gold Course

My last Blog encouraged any and all "Baby Boomers" out there to investigate the possibility of retiring abroad. Fact of the matter is it may or may not be for you.

Some people never move past their own neighborhoods their entire lives. The alway wish to be in their "comfort zones". That is fine for some, not so for others. There thenis the group that do what many of their parents did, that being make it as far as Florida or Arizona each winter. That also is fine, for them.

For me and millions of others there are desires, and needs, to push the envelope a bit further. Financially there can be large advantages. I think the greatest majority desire adventure. For some that may be challenging the expressway to get to the nearest music festival. For others it may mean finding another country that offers "new. By "new" I mean "NEW". New climate, new culture, new foods, new adventure,......."NEW". Most have spent 40 years + doing what they were supposed to do. Plenty of ups and downs and challenges. Raising children, caring for elderly parents, and driving down the road of life with all it's curves, bumps and accidents.

The internet is an amazing source of information. Most have anywhere from a year to several before you are scheduled in your own mind to retire. Investigate the possibilities the world has to offer.

Now it is time for you! Life is short, live it!

Specific reasons for moving off-shore............... next blog.

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border

Roatan? Where is that?

We used to hear that a lot. Now not so much, but still on occasion. For those not familiar Roatan is an island in the far Western Caribbean which is one of 62 cays and islands of the "Bay Islands" of Honduras.

Historically British in culture the mid 1800's in a treaty between Spain and England they went to Spain.

Until 1991 they were of little interest to Honduras. Even then of minimal interest. To the country Honduras itself they really were a place where English speaking Anglo, Blacks and a few of Payan Indian culture lived, mainly in the shrimp, lobster and fishing business.

1991 brought a change to the constitution that allowed for foreign ownership of land. They the Bay Islands were "discovered". Foreiners started to invest, cruise ships started to trickle in and what was a remote location for avid divers on the second largest coral barrier reef in the world started on it's way to beingfound by the rest of the world.

White powder sand beaches, aqua blue, warm waters, English speaking, democratic government, friendly people, ......it had all the pieces of the puzzle.

If you are looking for that place that the Wall Street Journal ha called the "next 'it' spot in the Caribbean, you just found it. Drop me a note with specific questiona or follow my blog and get more details on this spectacular location.

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border, Golf Pete Dye Course, Real Estate Investment

A recent news item on FOX News, (can be seen here on U-Tube)-
http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21534341/south_of_the_border.htm#q=Baby+Boomers

Although the piece discusses Mexico in particular the basic theme is that
there will be 76 million baby boomers retiring and that over a million are moving south of the border. Over a million in Mexico alone. This is happening throughout Central America and Roatan one of those places. The more that come the more improvements are being put in place. Roatn which is mainly English speaking, has that advantage over may destinations where an overall lower cost of living exists.

Whether this be for a second home a future retirement home that may generate rental income until that retirement happens or just an investment alternative in a shaky market for their personal or retirement portfolios, it seems many are jumping on the band wagon.
Maybe a time to consider? http://www.roatan-realestate.com/index.php

Labels: Baby Boomer Investment South of the Border