Roatan

-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

There is no doubt that markets in many places in much of the world the real estate industry would label as “Buyer Markets”. Roatan to a great degree is no different in that there no doubt are some of the best deals available for many years. Many Sellers are in a “buy and hold” pattern, meaning they have their properties for sale but are holding fast to the price points, whereas other Sellers are far more motivated. For years developers have been hard liners in regard to their price points. More and more are developing programs that allow more flexible offers or programs for financing which in many instances are not happening very easily in the U.S. the quality is just as great as it always been. Infinity Bay now has a 5.5% interest rate program on purchases with 50% down and Keyhole Bay is saying “bring me a contract” –

For those who are not familiar you really should visit the links above. Keyhole Bay is a top of the line quality operation a short walk from West Bay Beach that is the perfect place for a retirement or second home situation. It has the lowest price per square foot of the top end projects and has historically had a great reputation for delivering some of the most beautiful and well built units on the island.
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=390">http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=390 >

Infinity is a Hotel/Condo operation that is not only a top of the line operation but also the absolutely perfect place for vacations if you are a beach lovers. Infinity Bay is on the Famous West Bay Beach. (AKA Tabyana) as in this article
http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=427">http://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing.php?id=427 >

Another recent visitor wrote this and posted it online……
http://www.jacksonnjonline.com/2009/09/16/the-hidden-gem-of-honduras/

Labels: Caribbean Vacations, Golf Pete Dye Course, Roatan, Roatan/Retirement/Caribbean

-Is moving Abroad for you?

My monthly newsletter is intended to inform you, the reader, about Roatan;
investors, adventurers, and "Baby Boomers" out there investigating the
possibility of buying, living and retiring abroad. Fact of the matter is,
Roatan may or may not be for you. sign up for your newletter here-

http://www.roatan-realestate.com/roatan-real-estate-newsletter.php

Some people never move past their own neighborhoods their entire lives,
happy to remain in their "comfort zones". That's fine for some, not so for
others. There then is the group that does what many of their parents did -
they 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. 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 "new².
By "new" I mean "NEW". New climate, new culture, new foods, new
adventure,......."NEW". Financially there can be large advantages to
moving abroad. Most Baby Boomers have spent 40+ years doing what they were "supposed" to do; they've had 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. If you have anywhere from
one year to several years before you are scheduled in your own mind to
retire, you owe it to yourselves to investigate the possibilities the world
has to offer.

-Market Overview-
I believe every real estate company on the island was pretty much holding
their breath from October though January, like almost everyone in North
America, regarding the economic crisis. We watched markets like Los Angeles,
Las Vegas, large parts of Arizona and Florida and saw their real estate
values tumble. All the real estate companies here experienced slower
business than previous years and wondered "what is next"? Well, it seems we
now have the answer - not much has changed. We are all doing business,
prices have not tumbled and things are pretty much the same. There have been a few bargains from Sellers who found themselves "upside down" on their mortgages at home, but overall the market here is just fine. Sales have kicked back in. Not sure what the motivating force is; investors, Baby Boomers, people looking for second homes, vacation homes, or home sites for
future retirement homes. Some believe that a piece of real estate on the
island will be a better investment than what their stock portfolios have
produced. I believe for the most part, though, that what we are seeing is
what we have always seen - just a gap of 3-4 months with people holding
their breath. Visit us here www.roatan-realestate.com

Join Us August 17, 2009 on our "Discovery/Investment Tour"

Labels: Golf Pete Dye Course, Roatan/Retirement/Real Estate Investment/Off Shore Baby Boomers/Caribbean, sand beach

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