Guatemala and the new Fuego Maya golf course @ La Reunion

Guatemala???? What's your first thought??? Well, if you are like most North American's....."Is it safe?" Then, where is it?
Well, it's nothing like you would have imagined and like most foreign countries-don't leave your head at home. It is a beautiful and magical place! I myself was fortunate enough to attend the opening this past week of the Dye designed golf course of Fuego Maya. Probably the most beautiful course I have ever seen! Have you ever seen a bubbling creek flowing through a tee with millions of multi-colored poppies everywhere leading up to the base of an erupting volcano???!!!! Just the image is fascinating in itself! I took a walk/jog....a walk/jog because the incline and elevation is stunning and exiliarating...of the course the morning prior to the grand opening. No need to rise at 6am here because the weather is perfect!
As I was saying. I was fortunate enough to attend the opening and stay at La Reunion Resort and Golf Course near Antigua, Guatemala http://www.lareunion.com.gt/ As I was taking notes for this blog, I was sitting in my own private pool outside my casita overlooking the course and the volcano. Truly a 5 star experience. The resort consists of a 5 star clubhouse, 450 lots, 27 villas with future proposed villas and a proposed boutique hotel. The lots start at about $180k and the homes approximately $500k. 2 bedroom villas @ $350k and 3 br villas @ $450k.
Guatemala is a country of stunning beauty, perfect weather, rich culture, complex history, kind people, 27 different languages and an experience at every turn. Again, nothing like you would ever imaging and everything to return for.

Is it a good time to buy real estate?

You are going to get a lot of different answers. But, essentially-yes, it is. Am I a real estate broker? Yes, I am. And, if you were to ask any broker they would say “If I had the cash, I would buy”. But, before you plop down any money you better ask yourself a few things. First-what is the market like in the area I am considering. Did it appreciate exponentially over a short period of time and how much adjustment has been made to correct this? For example, the majority of Chicago’s downtown market did not spike like much of the country so there is not that enormous correction to be made. Depending on reports and the product, the prices are down 5-15% from this time last year. Essentially, prices are at 2004 levels.

Having myself been in real estate 20 years in Chicago and my clientele being largely first-time buyers, the market is prime for them. Rates are at their lowest and so are prices. Though, it’s not as easy at it seems. Many first-time buyers who would have easily qualified before with 5-10% down my now be seeing that they need a co-signer and/or 20% down. It’s imperative they get a pre-approval before even looking. Now, say they are qualified. Now it is time to think about what and where. I always tell my clients-think about what you do in your free time, what kind of work commute is acceptable and what’s your style. This narrows things down quickly. I tell my clients “It’s not what I like, it’s what you like”. I build a picture in my head to visualize what will work for them. I hear many people say “Oh! There’s so much out there!”. Well, there is inventory but only a small percentage really fits your criteria. If your agent is doing their job right, there really will only be 15 -20 properties. Again, it’s not what they like it is what you like and they should be developing that picture in their mind. Now comes the easy part. Seller’s are negotiable and prices are better than ever. Everything is at a 10-30%+ discount. Can’t beat that!

Now, let’s go back to “Is it a good time to buy”. Taking what I’ve just said and your own personal situation into account, you make the decision. Are you going to hold on to it for 3-5 years? Yes, 3-5 years. I have historically told my clients that and have historically been correct. 3 years to break even and 5 years to make money. Even in this market it holds true. Real estate is historically the best investment and hasn’t lost close to what the stock market has and still has all the tax benefits. No one. I repeat NO ONE has a crystal ball to know what exactly is going to happen, but historical data helps us make some educated decisions. That, along with a qualified and dedicated agent are the necessary tools for you to make the right decision.



Posted Dec. 1, 2008 by Debbie Maue

Are you looking for a luxury oceanfront home at a discount?

Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course

Costa Rica continues to offer opportunities for beachfront homeownership at a discount! Taxes of 1/4 of 1%!! Live in maids for $250/month! I have a great opportunity at Hacienda Pinilla , the home of the new J.W. Marriott and Mike Young golf course in Guanacaste w/one of my luxury home builders. It is a beachfront, golf course home of Casa Bella Vista. A 4 bedroom 5 1/2 bath home w/2 car garage located on hole 14 of Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course priced at $1,499,000

Posted Dec. 1, 2008 by Debbie Maue

Myth #1 If you buy property south of the border, the government can take it away.

Truth-This is not necessarily true. Yes, there have been cases where land was taken back but the root of the issue was really that “Clear Title” was never given in the first place. Many people get caught up in the excitement of purchasing a beautiful peice of paradise and leave their common sense at home! American’s can own clearly titled property throughout Latin America. The different countries have different restrictions, but as a whole ownership is much the same as it is here in the states. American’s can own beachfront property in Mexico. You will hold it in a bank trust w/you as the beneficiary. Inland you may hold w/out the bank trust. Belize offers the same benefits of ownership to foreigners as Belize nantionals. Costa Rica has very little titled beachfront property, but offers the opportunity of a “concession” which is a renewable long-term lease with the government. Concession varies so you do want to do your research. Many concessions restrict the amount of time you may actually utilize the property while offering it up in a tourism/rental capacity for the remainder. Panama has similar restrictions. Again, it’s important to do your research which includes the various restrictions as well as a title search. For example, Stewart Title is located throughout Latin American and can offer these resources.

Posted Nov. 22, 2008 by Debbie Maue

Charity Golf Raises $3,000 For Seniors

Seventy golfers raised about $3000 last weekend, in the Costa Rica Global Association of Realtors’ Eighth Annual Charity Golf Tournament.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go towards a public senior retirement home in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste.

“It was a very good turnout,” said CRGAR’s President, Sarah Myers, adding the day had attracted about 30 more players than last year.

“We had people coming from all over the place.”

Players took part in a shotgun scramble format — a style which “allows those with little or no golf experience to play and have a fun weekend”, event organizers said.

The team with the lowest gross, going around the 18 holes in 53, was Don Van Akkeren, Gabe Bettinsoli, Greg Mullins and Stephen Aler. First, once rounds had been netted, finishing with a card of 43 were Steve Islas, Grant McLean, Steve Twin and Robert Twain.

The longest drive by a woman was Debbie Maue and the longest by a man, by Robert Twain. Mark Peterson was the closest to the pin, on hole 15.

More info at http://www.thebeachtimes.com/article.php?id=14&at=2237

Posted Nov. 19th by Debbie Maue

MIchigan Cottage in Lakeside for Sale

I’m selling my cottage in Lakeside Michigan. It’s a super cute 3bedroom/1 bath cottage on a very quiet, secluded & wooded lot. Only about 3 minutes walk to the beach down a dirt road. It’s fully furnished w/an eat-in kitchen, fireplace, heated and a large yard. Check it out http://www.vrbo.com/61388 It’s only 1 hour 15 minutes from Chicago, 5 minutes to New Buffalo (great shops & restaurants), loads of antique shopping, restaurants, entertainment, biking, Warren Dunes, etc.! $369k

NAR (National Association of Realtor's) Orlando Expo

Just having returned from Orlando (and yes, the weather was much nicer than here in Chicago!) and the NAR Annual Expo, I’m happy to say it was a very beneficial trip. I was named the 2009 NAR President’s Liaison to Costa Rica. What does this mean? Essentially, I’m the “real estate Ambassador” to the real estate association’s in Costa Rica. My role is to assist them in their needs as they relate to NAR and offer guidance/support. Costa Rica does not require a license to practice real estate, but there are real estate “certificates’, loads of education, and the ability to advertise that the professional is a member of NAR and subscribes to the Code of Ethics. When working with a “real estate agent” in Costa Rica, it is best to look for those agents who are members one of the two associations CCCBR or CRGAR and NAR.

Beyond my reappointment, I was able to establish more relationships throughout Latin American including Guatemala. I look forward to visiting them and presenting to their members “The Importance of Professionalism, Licensing and Code of Ethics”.

As well as, I met up with my friends Mitch Creekmore of Stewart Title Latin America and Nicole Pavisic of American Invesco International then headed to the Animal Kingdom w/my neice! That was way more fun than I expected! I highly recommend The Bug’s Life and The Lion King presentations! Oh, but the ride to the airport was $60! Painful!

Posted November 15th, 2008 by Debbie Maue