Mexico Becomes First Choice For Many Second-home Buyers

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Home to many popular tourist destinations, such as Cancun, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Baja California, Mexico is also fast becoming a popular destination for those looking to purchase a second home for vacation, retirement or investment.

As more and more families seek to balance their hectic, high-stress lifestyles, having a second home is gaining appeal as a way to get away from it all, reduce stress, participate in recreational activities and enjoy more quality time together, and all while making a good investment for the future.

Located north of Central America, Mexico is an exotic and affordable choice for second homes. At nearly three times the size of Texas, Mexico boasts over 5,500 miles of coastland. The country is graced with a temperate climate year round.

Because real estate in domestic locales such as Arizona and Florida has become so expensive, vacationers and retirees are seeking out more affordable locations. Mexico is an attractive alternative due to its tropical climate, lower cost of living and welcoming attitude towards foreigners.

Its affordable real estate allows U.S. investors to purchase a luxurious second home at prices 20% to 50% less than they would pay for a comparable property back home. And, as demand for these properties increases, owners can expect their investment in Mexico real estate to appreciate.

A variety of quality properties is available for foreign investors seeking second homes in Mexico. Developers are meeting the surge in demand by constructing resort-like, master-planned communities brimming with luxurious amenities such as golf courses, infinity pools, full-service spas, state-of-the-art fitness centers, fine-dining restaurants and exciting entertainment venues.
International buyers appreciate that Mexico offers an attractive infrastructure similar to that of the U.S. It boasts good main roads, Internet access, cable television, good cell phone reception, and availability of many American-style products and services. New and improved airports and frequent flights to and from major U.S. cities, make Mexico easily accessible.

Though Mexican law once prevented non-citizens from purchasing property within 31 miles of the coast, the government has introduced a system known as fideicomiso (fee-day-e-co-me-so), a title-holding trust that allows non-citizens to own property inside of the restricted zones. Therefore, many of the new vacation homes being developed and marketed to foreign investors are built near Mexicos beautiful beaches.

Financing for properties in Mexico has become easier to obtain as developers work in tandem with lending companies in Mexico to offer favorable loan packages to international buyers. In addition, U.S. lenders are starting to offer loans for properties in Mexico.

Mexico is clearly worthy of consideration for those looking to own a second home that will provide years of enjoyment and also offer the potential for appreciation and profit in the future.

Three Benefits Of Choosing Orlando Vacation Homes

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Vacation houses and villa rentals are now becoming the top preference by many vacationers, in terms of accommodation in Orlando, Florida. Those who love to see the famous attractions as manifested by Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and Sea World would opt to stay in vacation houses nearby the attraction sites. Indeed, the availability of vacation homes in Orlando truly gives way to millions of vacationers to avail the best accommodation offers. Group travelers, particularly those with their families are the ones who benefit much from the presence of these houses and villa rentals around the city.

Depending on your budget, needs and preferences you can start looking for the right vacation home to stay. Here are three of the essential benefits you can get from staying in a vacation home on your Orlando visit.

1. Large space for the entire family. Compared to hotels, vacation homes offer plenty of bedrooms and large space, good enough to accommodate everyone in the family. Vacation homes also provide you with an ambiance that is closely similar to your own home. They are all equipped with complete facilities and services to meet the needs of the family abode. All these are rendered for the comfort of you and your family while enjoying a great vacation in the city.

2. More private and secured. Everyone seeks for privacy and peace after the busy day. A complete privacy can only be achieved by having your own room where you can rest well and sleep. This is one good feature of vacation homes that are not available in hotels, especially if you are with your families and friends. Given with plenty of individual rooms, you can be on your own, relax and get ready for another exciting adventure the next day.

3. Saves you money. Having a vacation in Orlando is typically expensive. You will have to spend for almost everything. For you to enjoy the attractions at the parks, you would have to pay for admission tickets. Good thing there are special offers made by some rental agents as part of the so-called vacation packages that are offered to those who choose to stay in certain vacation home rentals. This includes discount tickets, freebies and lower rates that help you save money on your Orlando visit. Vacation rentals are also equipped with complete kitchen facilities for you to cook your own meals. So, you and your family would not need to spend money from eating out at restaurants.

The abovementioned benefits of staying in a vacation home in Orlando are just few of the factors that will help you obtain the best of your vacation experience. Be sure to get the right accommodation first, and every good thing on your Orlando vacation shall follow.

Disney World Vacation Homes – A Guide to Choosing the Best Location

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If you ask any Hospitality professional what the three most important factors are for business they will always tell you the same 3 things, Location, Location, Location! When it comes to choosing a Vacation Rental Home in Orlando the same can be said for the priorities of Disney Vacation seekers. Everybody looking to rent a Vacation Home in Orlando will certainly list location as one of their top 3 priorities.

Let’s be honest, no family wants to be staying an hour way from the parks, since they will have to make that drive 2 or 4 times each day. Those who choose to spend the entire day at the parks to only make the return journey once each day will either cut their day short or become worn out before their vacation is over.

Those who choose to stay as close as possible to the resorts will certainly benefit from their smart decision. Staying as close as possible without actually staying in a Disney resort will allow you to return to your Vacation Property during late afternoon/early evening, have a quick dinner and return to the park refueled and ready for more fun and an exciting firework display or parade.

So how can you filter your Vacation Rental inquiries to those resorts that are a manageable distance from the parks? It is not easy at all since many property owners will not be entirely honest about the distance their homes are from the resorts. For example, “Just 10 miles from the parks!” may sound enticing, until you understand the truth and what that could equate to.

The majority of owners will quote distances and journey times to the entrance of World Drive. What they fail to mention is the drive to the end of World Drive and the Magic Kingdom car park is an additional 5 miles. Now factor in the traffic during the busy morning Disney traffic along the 192 highway and your 15 mile journey is now close to a 40 minute drive.

The closest resorts to the start of World Drive are within 3 Miles and there are around 10 resorts within this distance. I would advise doing your research and find a place within a few miles of the entrance to World Drive. Any complex within this distance will not only offer a short drive into the parks, but will also provide the convenience of many restaurants, bars and stores within a very short distance. Your drive to Animal Kingdom can be as little as just 2 miles and all other parks will be within around 8 miles and less than a 15 minute drive on the busiest of days.

Travelers to Orlando are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of renting a Vacation Home instead of the more expensive option of staying in a Disney Resort. Vacation Homes provide families with much more space for a lot less money, as well as all the conveniences that come with staying in a home away from home. However, these benefits can quickly be negated if you choose to stay in a resort further from Disney World just to save a bit of cash. Remember you are there for the children, so save everyone from the frustrating traffic and stay in a Rental Home as close as possible to the parks, you will not regret it!

Fun Things to Do In Central Florida On A Girlfriends’ Getaway Vacation

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A Central Florida vacation often conveys mental pictures of families swarming fairytale castles and a certain upright walking mouse. However, there are so many more things to do in Central Florida than visit endless theme parks. With so much to see and do, an excursion to the sunshine state can prove a perfect girlfriends’ getaway location. Whether looking to see the sights, indulge in some shopping or simply relax, a Central Florida vacation will surely offer something for all the ladies in the your travel party.

Where To Stay On A Central Florida Vacation

Finding the perfect Central Florida vacation rental for a girls’ getaway will set the tone and ambience for the entire trip. Rent a luxury vacation home including a personal pool and relax by requesting a private masseuse and private chef to pamper you and your girlfriends. Imagine Vacation Homes and Contempo Vacation Homes provide lavish surroundings for their guests. Some resorts will even host an intimate dinner party in your travel group’s honor. The Stanford Inn, another great choice, offers bed and breakfast accommodations as well as tea room services.

What To Do On A Central Florida Vacation

For a truly unique adventure, unleash your inner cowgirl at the Westgate River Ranch Resort. This authentic dude ranch located near Lake Wales boasts an extensive range of recreational activities to boost the fun and excitement factor in any girls’ weekend all in one location! Some of the many events visitors can participate in include horseback riding, nature hikes, swimming, fishing, airboat and swamp buggy rides, golf and even trap and skeet shooting.

Those ladies looking to kick up their heels on a Central Florida vacation can experience authentic line dancing at the River Ranch Saloon which offers entertainment, live music and even line dancing lessons on Friday and Saturday nights.

All this outdoor exertion can work up quite an appetite. Dine at the Smokehouse Grill for a delicious meal with your girlfriends. This waterfront restaurant features a menu to satisfy any craving. Post-dinner, be sure to mosey on over to the Westgate River Ranch Rodeo Arena. The weekly Saturday night rodeo showcases genuine old west talents like trick riding, calf-roping and barrel racing. This traditional country-western exhibition will certainly entertain and amuse!

The dude ranch isn’t the only adventure in town on a Polk Country girlfriend getaway. Fantasy of Flight offers various adventures for groups looking to get airborne and enjoy the scenic sky vistas of the region. Sign up for a hot air balloon ride and indulge in a relaxing three hour trip over the surrounding countryside. The thrill seekers in your crew can also experience a Fantasy of Flight biplane ride complete with historical background details and various tales before takeoff. Theres even an option for visitors to fly the plane themselves. Plan ahead and make advance reservations to secure a spot on these busy schedules.

Retail Therapy On A Central Florida Vacation

Polk County also offers a plethora of shopping opportunities within its borders. The area abounds with antiquing establishments. These little shops make for a perfect all day girls-only outing. Antique buffs should check out The Barn Antiques, The Stable Gifts and The Back Porch Tearoom. Additionally, downtown Lake Alfred is home to Sherman’s, Biggars and Potpourri Antiques and Gifts. All these merchants provide an abundance of collectibles as well as the chance to do a little window shopping with friends. While in Lake Alfred, enjoy lunch at Lavender & Lace Tea Room or Langs Taste of Florida Caf. Some shops and restaurants are open seasonally so be sure to put a call in before leaving.

Of course, some girls prefer searching for new items rather than classics. Round up the ladies and check out the Lakeside Village Shopping Center in Lakeland. Home to an endless selection of shops, boutiques and restaurants, this shopping village will provide hours of deal hunting, browsing and conversation.

With so many exciting, relaxing and fun activities to choose from, Polk County makes an ideal location for the next girlfriends’ getaway.

The Florida Panhandle A Terrific Place To Invest In Real Estate

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We have vacationed in Northwest Florida, Walton County in particular, for twenty years – and love it! The best, uncrowded beaches in the country – reasonable cost – great restaurants – terrific beach properties to lease! So we are very enthusiastic about the area – but what about the economic realities of investing in Florida — at this time?

Northwest Florida has a vibrant and steady tourist business, with low unemployment. The brand new Panama City International Airport, projected to open in January 2010, will make the area quickly accessible from virtually anywhere in the United States and Europe. It is expected to provide a major boost to the areas economy, and should increase demand for real estate.

We believe the Florida panhandle is a solid place to buy real estate, and that real estate values, though flat right now (January 2008) are likely to move sharply upward, especially for oceanfront and Gulf view properties. But thats our view! Here are some other folks opinions on the area.

CNN Money.com (Feb. 12, 2007) highlighted Panama City, Florida as the #1 place to buy real estate in the United States.

American Express says that the Florida panhandle is one of its Top Ten tourist destinations in the United States. The Florida panhandle is second only to the Orlando area in Florida tourism. Northwest Florida beaches are among the best in the world, attracting over seven million visitors annually – more than any other East Coast beach area.

Real estate professionals in Walton County say that prices are less than during the peak year of 2005. But they are expecting closings to increase, as more deals become available. Many residences are priced below the cost to build. “If you are looking for a property to hold on to for the next five years, the time to purchase is now. We are still very undervalued compared to other regions of Florida.”

The St. Joe Company (NYSE:JOE), whose corporate headquarters are in Jacksonville, FL, is the largest landowner in the Florida panhandle, owning some 718,000 acres of development land – half of it less than ten miles of the coast. St. Joe has been a big player in the area for a long time, beginning as a timber company but realizing in recent decades that the value of its holdings was far greater as investment property. So now theyre in the vacation home development business, with a great deal of activity centered on Walton County.

According to St. Joe’s Investor Relations Department the long term outlook for Florida panhandle real estate is particularly upbeat.

Long-term economic and population trends continue to favor Florida, whose economy is fundamentally solid and diversified. The state’s population is forecasted to increase by three-fourths (to 28.6 million) by 2030. Its demographic growth rate regularly outperforms that of the rest of the United States: since 1970, the State’s yearly rate of growth has outpaced the national average by 100%. By 2010 Florida will pass New York to take its place as the nation’s third most populous state.

Florida’s solid, diversified economy regularly outperforms the U.S. mean, with a burgeoning tourism industry, plenty of high-tech jobs and a strong high-tech manufacturing sector. A large military presence with a number of active and expanding bases provides stability to the region’s economy. Within the Florida panhandle, Walton County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Florida and the U.S.

Florida is the commercial center of the Americas. Geographic location, as well as economic and political stability, places Florida at the heart of trade and business throughout the region. Vacation property sales to retirees remain robust, and Florida is a favorite spot for retirement relocation.

Northwest Floridas beaches are the states second favorite tourist destination, behind only Orlando. They draw over seven million visitors each year, more than any other stretch of beach in the eastern United States.

Beaches in the Florida panhandle rate as some of the most beautiful in the country and the world. Beaches in Walton, Bay and Gulf Counties have been selected for the number one ranking by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, an authority on beach quality and author of America’s Best Beaches.

Northwest Florida enjoys a very favorable climate, with mild winters, lots of sunshine and clear days. Northwest Florida is located in U.S. Climate Zone 8, the same climate zone as renowned vacation areas such as Hilton Head (SC), Amelia Island (FL), Kiawah Island (SC) and St. Simons and Sea Island (GA). Floridas beauty and variety of landscape is well-known. The Emerald Coast has a distinct geography, culture and cuisine that is very different from Miami or Orlando.

Northwest Florida entertains approximately seven million visitors annually. According to Visit Florida, the states tourism and visitor agency, 33 percent of these visitors are from households with incomes over $75,000 and 16 percent are from households with incomes over $100,000.

The number of private resort developments in the Florida panhandle is increasing. At communities like Seaside, Rosemary Beach, WaterColor and WaterSound Beach, oceanfront lots have sold for $40,000 per linear beachfront foot to prosperous families who have chosen Northwest Florida.

The new Panama City airport now under construction is expected to be in operation by February 2010. It will be a major international airport, thus opening the Emerald Coast to easy access from both coasts, the Midwest, Canada and Europe. Previously, access to the area by air was limited to regional airports.

Economists expect that the new airport will become a strong economic development engine for the area. Throughout history airports have a powerful track record for increasing economic development activity.

The new Panama City airport will be the first major airport built in the United States in almost fifteen years. As a large-scale greenfield airport location, it offers unique opportunities and unmatched flexibility for companies dependent on air transport and logistics infrastructure.
Examples of how airport construction stimulates local economies may be seen in Huntsville, AL, Savannah, GA, Jacksonville, FL, Fort Myers, FL and Northwest Arkansas. All of these airports have stimulated significant adjacent development.

The State of Florida projects that over its first decade, the new airport is likely to create 8,000 new jobs and at completion a total of 13,000 jobs. An important comparison is the construction of the new Southwest Regional Airport in the Ft. Myers/Naples area in 1983, which had a tremendous impact on real estate values. Since the airport opened in 1983, total residential real estate values in the region have increased an average of 11 percent annually.

Fortune Magazine (October 14, 2007) highlighted the St. Joe Company as one of the Ten Best stocks for 2008, citing the long-term potential of the company and its development business situated in the Florida panhandle. The article says: “When Florida real estate does rebound, investors will be kicking themselves for not recognizing today’s $28 stock price for St. Joe Co (JOE) — Florida’s largest private landowner — as a rare opportunity.”

In the quickly shifting economic climate, it is important to research and ask questions before making any investment choice. Yet the truth is that the Florida panhandle is a rarity, with a delightful climate and stunningly beautiful, mostly empty beaches. As you sit on the pristine, white sand with your feet in the emerald clear Gulf water, with pelicans and gulls flying overhead and dolphins cruising by you can see that there are some very important intangibles here. Northwest Florida is a very special place – and they’re not creating any more beach property!