Category Archives: Living in Mexico

5 Top Riviera Maya Real Estate Trends 2021

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5 Top Riviera Maya Real Estate Trends 2021

2020 was a surprising year for real estate in Riviera Maya real estate. Many have asked me what do I see is in store for 2021?

While Covid settled in 2020, we thought our market would just dry up. Contrary to that, 2020 proved to be a very strong year for real estate in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Aventuras, Puerto Morelos. Will we see more of the same results in 2021? Whether you’re selling, buying, or staying put, here are some 2021 real estate trends that are important to you.

These are just my views based on my experiences of 16 years here in Riviera Maya and also reading based on what is going on in the US, or strongest neighbor.

Riviera Maya Real Estate Trend #1: Slim Pickings for Home Buyers

Okay, this is probably the most difficult to believe: It’s true, the desirable properties got snatched up in Covid. Really cool properties that you always saw for sale online, have now been sold. New products are still coming in line sure, but we still see less growth of new than in previous years and higher absorption of the great location resale properties.

But don’t worry, we’ll walk you through what to expect if you enter the market.

What Slim Pickings Mean for Buyers

Low inventory means you need to be prepared. It also means you should trust what your agent is telling you about the market not just what you “see online”.

We KNOW the truth of the market status. We live here and work it full time.

The internet is a big messy advertising medium for Riviera Maya Real Estate with a high inaccuracy of price and availability. ASK us, we can verify the true status for you of any property.

  • Somethings’ gotta give. If you can’t find the property you want, be willing to trade some “nice-to-haves” for your “must-haves.”
  • Be open to other possibilities. What if the location where you’re planning to buy is too competitive? You might be surprised at the gem in a less popular neighborhood. Working with a real estate agent at LivingRivieraMaya.com who really knows the area is the best way to find a home that fits your budget and lifestyle.
  • Be clear about your finances. This is primarily a cash market. VERY few options for mortgages to foreigners. Know what you can afford in cash and the timing of when funds will be available.

Contact US, your real estate experts in Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya Real Estate Trend #2: Prices

In the US in November, home prices grew by an incredible 15% compared to 2019. We can’t say that here, yet. Price homes in the US rose to a national median of well over $300,000. This marks more than 100 straight months of year-over-year price gains. This is partly the reason for our increased velocity of Playa del Carmen real estate transactions, and other Riviera Maya real estate destinations. Investors had more available cash to float from their primary residences to invest in Riviera Maya Real Estate.

What I can foresee for 2021 is that the speed with which Riviera Maya real estate is bought and sold should continue to increase, as long as PRICES are reasonable. Why do I say this? Real estate in Playa or Tulum is still primarily a cash-based, second home market for investors. Keep your prices reasonable when selling to make it accessible for these reasons.

What Prices Mean for Buyers.

Be real with how much house you can really afford.

Don’t make stupid low offers if you really want to own that ONE. We have seen some disappointed buyers who worked hard at looking and deciding, only to go away empty-handed because they were looking to steal property because of Covid. Yes, due to Covid we did see some flexible sellers, but not stupid low prices.

For more help on buying a home in this crazy market, check out our free Home Buyers Guide. It has all the answers you need to buy a home in Mexico with confidence.

What Prices Mean for Sellers

If you have been trying to sell for a year or more, this is good news. You can expect to accomplish this goal as long as the prices are reasonable.

To get the best offer for your home, list it with us, an experienced real estate agency that really knows your local market.

Having said that, be sure to work hard with any offer that comes in so you don’t lose an opportunity.

Some buyers may try to gut punch you with a low number. Work it, don’t ignore it.

We have seen some really low offers turn into really serious negotiations that close and I believe this will continue to be the case for 2021.

Source: Global Property Guide

Riviera Maya Real Estate Trend #3: Mortgage Interest Rates In the US Are Still Super Low

Bottom line? This means you can take out a line of credit on your existing home there and buy a home in Playa del Carmen or Tulum or Puerto Aventuras.

We see more people wanting out of the cold and into the warmth; more people can move their dreams forward, rather than wait; many people are tired of being confined and want the warmth and openness of Mexico.

The average mortgage interest rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 2.31% in November 2020—the lowest it’s been since Freddie Mac started reporting nearly 30 years ago!

And now economist geeks think interest rates will continue to hover around 3% in 2021, which is still pretty low.

This represents a good chance to cash out there and buy a home in Playa del Carmen or Tulum or Puerto Aventuras or anywhere in Riviera Maya.

What Lower Rates Mean for Buyers

Sure, interest rates are low right now—which can help you get into Riviera Maya Real estate market. Just be careful to calculate how much you can afford and let us know truthfully.

What Lower Rates Mean for Sellers

If interest rates stay low, buyers will be more motivated to buy your home sooner than later. But if interest rates do start to increase later in the year, just plan for your house to be on the market a little longer.

Riviera Maya Real Estate Estate Trend #4: Online Real Estate Services Are Growing

No doubt you’ve heard of real estate services like Zillow that allow you to browse or list homes for sale online with the click of a button. But did you know that online services are now offering to buy and sell your house for you?

We Offer Services as “Virtual” Agent

It’s a great way to view a property or get to know an area. Book an appointment with one of my trusted experts to get started. We dedicate the time and energy to you to show you real-time what a property can look like, distance to the beach, distance to town, restaurant facades, whatever you want to see.

In 2020 at LivingRivieraMaya.com we saw an increase in online closes by 45% over previous years. Some people had never even been to the town they purchased in and not physically seen the home prior to closing.

I see this as a continued trend in 2021, especially for those Canadians who are must quarantine for 14 days when returning from travels.

Online Closings

In related news, digital technology is also making it easier to handle document-based tasks virtually. For example, many home transactions are using electronic signature apps and remote online notarization to streamline the process.7 In other words, there’s a chance you can buy or sell a house this year without getting out of your car or ever-changing out of your bathrobe and slippers.

Real Estate Trend #5: Confidence

Equity probably won’t decrease through 2021.

With most housing markets at low risk for a downturn, Freddie Mac (US) believes home prices will continue to rise in 2021—but at a slower pace of nearly 3%.

Real Estate in Riviera Maya usually follows tourism and tourism is buoyed by the US economy and the economy in the US is a lot driven by real estate equity.

Does this mean a strong velocity of sales in Riviera Maya real estate for 2021? If we just base our predictions on all the above, yes. However, there are always mitigating external factors that we cannot predict.

A real estate market crash looks unlikely.

With all the uncertainty behind everything that happened in 2020 and with home price growth possibly slowing down in 2021, you might be wondering if the housing market could collapse. Well, it’s impossible to know for sure, but economists suggest a housing crash is unlikely. Again this = CONFIDENCE.

After all, the super-low mortgage rates are motivating investors to bring some cash from the US or Canada and enter the Playa del Carmen real estate market, which increases demand. Many investors and buyers are looking to move full time to Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

But there’s still a very low supply of home listings. This is keeping home-buying competitive and allowing home price growth to soar.

Take Control of the Trends With a Top-Notch Real Estate Agent

Whether you’re selling or buying, you can take advantage of the current trends by partnering with a professional real estate agent at LivingRivieraMaya.com

Find your real estate agent today!

5 Reasons You Should Invest in Tulum Real Estate Right Now

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The white-sand beaches, ancient Mayan history, and culture here in Tulum are some of the main draw factors to why you should invest in Tulum real estate right now. Not to mention that the real estate market in the Mayan Riviera is pumping and many people from all over the world are drawn to this area.

Tulum Real Estate - Cenotes are found in Tulum

The Cancun International Airport in the Mayan Riviera is situated only 1.5 hours from the heart of Tulum and only 45 minutes to the outskirts of Playa del Carmen. With an international airport being so close you can book last minute flights back home or easily pick up guests at any time. Let’s dive deeper into what those main reasons are that you should invest in Tulum right now without delay.

1. The time is now
2. The location is prime
3. Large equity gains
4. Many eco-friendly developments
5. The market is trying to tell you something

The time for Tulum Real Estate is now:

There is no better time than the present to invest in real estate in Tulum. The longer you procrastinate, the less money you can potentially make if you are purchasing your property as an income property. With the way the market is heading and the number of properties that are being purchased in the Mayan Riviera by investors, you will want to get your hands on one before it’s too late.

Think retirement. Whether you are purchasing a property for your retirement or not, down the road you can have it paid off and not have to worry about it. The rental market is prime in Tulum right now as it is a hot destination for travelers all over the world.

Tulum is in a prime location:

I previously mentioned about the international airport in Cancun and how Tulum is in close proximity to it. This is definitely a selling feature and a way to attract potential renters to your property. People don’t want to have to travel for many hours in order to reach their destination. However, Tulum is close enough that it is ideal but yet it is far enough away from the city life that they have their full Zen-experience. Tulum is a place to relax but you can also enjoy some cocktails and dancing in the evenings. It offers the best of both worlds.

Tulum Ruins – Source: zkahlina.ca

Large equity gains:

There are large equity gains that can be made in Tulum due to supply and demand. There is more demand than supply right now, which goes to show how popular Tulum is becoming. Demand drives real estate prices up, which is another reason why buying pre-construction is a good idea and will save you money.

Did you know that Tulum was at a 100% occupancy rate in 2016 and 2017 throughout the high season? For investors who are looking at buying an income property, these are the statistics you want to see. There was close to an 8% increase of international visitors last summer in the Riviera Maya in 2018. People are not only flocking to Tulum to escape the winter, but they are also moving here and visiting all year-round.

Tons of eco-friendly developments are being built:

As you are probably aware, Tulum is an eco-friendly beach town that is looking to be self-sustainable. With all the eco-friendly developments that are being built as we speak, there will be many up and coming opportunities to purchase real estate in the later 2019. If you can purchase an eco-friendly development, why wouldn’t you? You then are working towards making a difference in the environment in Tulum and all over the world.

Listen to the market:

It’s important to listen to the market and look at the different market trends. Trends don’t lie and you can grasp a lot of information by comparing the market trends over the years. Especially in Tulum, Tulum has grown exponentially and continues to attract investors who are eco-conscious and want to invest in a location that is laidback, yet glamorous.
Tulum has many options for investors who are looking at investing in Tulum real estate in the upcoming future. There are many developments in Tulum that will offer a good return on your investment. Speak with a real estate agent today to learn more!

More than a Beach: The top 10 things to do in Riviera Maya

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Cenote in Riviera Maya
As much as one enjoys going to the beach on vacation, sometimes it’s good to switch it up and experience something different. Maybe on a certain day, you are feeling a little sunburnt? The great news with the Riviera Maya is there is so much to see and do, that it is nearly impossible to experience it all. There are many activities that one can only experience in the Riviera Maya and that is what makes this place so unique. Let’s take a look at the top 10 things to see and do in the Riviera Maya when you want to switch up a beach day:

Continue reading →

Most of Caribbean and Central American Resorts Look at Long-Term Solutions to Solve Sargassum Issue

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Growing reports of seaweed-covered beaches are reaching traveler’s ears who are beginning to worry about the quality of their beach vacations in the Caribbean and Central American Countries.

The aforementioned reports have prompted resorts to take extreme measures to control the onslaught of sargassum that can overwhelm beaches in the region. However, the public should not be alarmed for sargassum isn’t something that happens daily. It doesn’t take place every day nor on every beach. Continue reading →

Benefits of buying a Re-Sale Property

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We can show you any property that interests you in the Riviera Maya. There is no need to look with many agencies. We will show you any pre-construction new condo project, and any already built properties.
Most important is to find the right property, at the right price for you.
Often we see that resale properties, already built, are overlooked by our investors in favor of a buying pre-construction property.
Why?
Many people are pre-sold on the belief that pre-construction is “the best deal” out there.
However, this can often be a misconception. The savvy buyer understands the following:

  • There are great deals available on resale properties. Prices often can be lower than a pre-construction property.
  • It’s our specialty to know and show you the market.
  • Use of escrow when paying for a property means funds are protected.
  • No risk of paying a developer directly who might not complete a pre-construction project.
  • You know what you are buying, such as the condition, the colors, the appliances, etc.
  • With pre-construction properties, what if it does not turn out the way you thought?
  • Often resale properties are fully furnished, as added value.
  • Buying furniture can be considerably more expensive than anticipated for new construction.
  • Resale is ready for immediate personal use.
  • There is no waiting period for construction to finish as with pre-construction.
  • It has the HOA (homeowners association) established, you will know the cost of maintenance, pool work, yard work before you negotiate on the transaction.
  • It has a property tax value established.
  • You purchase in an established neighborhood. You know what is around you.
  • Streets, lights, neighborhood parks, and restaurants are established.
  • Resales offer a shorter timeline to close on the transaction,  get the deed from the
    notary and you get the keys. NO waiting time for those important items.
  • Bring your suitcase and open a cerveza. Turn-key ready.
  • You KNOW what you are buying. No mystery involved.

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A RESALE:

  • You will have to pay for it all time of purchase upfront, no payment plans.
  • You might want to renovate to your liking.
  • Hidden cost upgrades? Use Property inspection.

Ready to make an informed decision? Check out our Riviera Maya Re-Sale Listings

Tulum or Playa del Carmen as an Investment Option

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You have picked two of my favorite places to invest in the Riviera Maya. Both are great investment opportunities for different reasons, and being in close proximity to either place, you can’t go wrong with investing in Tulum or Playa del Carmen. This article will show you the advantages of investing in Playa del Carmen and the advantages of investing in Tulum. Continue reading →

Ancient Relics found in Tulum Underwater Cave

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Earlier this year, the World’s longest underwater cave system was discovered in Tulum, Mexico. More recently, an archaeological mission to the site has revealed a stunning site frozen in time by the water and sediment.

Researchers from the Gran Acuifero Maya (GAM) exploration and preservation group presented ancient relics recovered from the site, including fossils of a type of ancient elephant, giant sloths and a shrine to a Mayan god. It’s believed that desperate animals ventured into the caves in search of water at times of severe drought, some of which then became trapped.

“It’s very unlikely that there is another site in the world with these characteristics. There is an impressive amount of archaeological artifacts inside, and the level of preservation is also impressive,” Guillermo de Anda, an underwater archaeologist, told a press conference earlier this year.

Two networks of underwater caves, known as the Sac Actun and Dos Ojos, totalling 350km (217 miles) in length were discovered in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. They were found to intersect at a natural pit or sinkhole, known as a cenote, in a jungle area of the coastal town of Tulum. It is hoped that the remains found within these networks will help scientists develop a picture of the cave’s history, which they believe dates back more than 2.5 million years to the Pleistocene era.

You can own property in this ancient Mayan land! Click here to see our homes for sale in Tulum.

Eco Tourism in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

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The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a massive wildland area of 5,200+ square kilometers, including part of the coral reef formations of the Caribbean Sea, east of the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto and just south of Tulum. The reserve also contains 23 known Mayan archaeological sites, including Muyil, and has attained the world famous status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, one year after being established.

A number of regional and international entities have carried out more than 200 conservation projects within eight protected natural areas that include the reefs of Banco Chinchorro, Xcalak, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Cancun, and the islands of Cozumel and Contoy with the participation of scientists, technicians, students, fishermen, farmers, rural promotors and administrators from the region.

Today, several organizations work together in the area to develop a more responsible tourism industry that preserves the biodiversity of the whole reserve, taking advantage of the fact that the Yucatan Peninsula region, in general, is among the most successful travel destinations in the world, boasting around 11 million tourists and cruise ship passengers yearly. This intense activity brings economic stability and prosperity, but also a growing impact on the environment.

For this reason, local businesses have a desire to protect the biosphere’s ecology while still taking advantage of zone’s potential for Eco-tourism. Local organization Amigos de Sian Ka’an has been taking on this task for the last few years. No less than 17 companies are working with tour operators from the region to promote a kind of tourism that’s authentic, with a high social benefit and a low environmental impact.

If you’re interested in eco tours to visit the biosphere from Tulum, the two most common access points to the reserve are Punta Allen and Muyil, which provide two completely different experiences and contains two very different ecosystems. The Punta Allen route is great if you want to see ocean lagoons, beaches, dolphins, turtles, fish, etc. The rates for one-day trips on this ocean side of Sian Ka’an start at around USD 120.

The Muyil route is great to see the jungle, the Mayan ruins, wetlands, freshwater lagoons, mangrove forests, and to float down Mayan-carved canals. One day trips to this side of the reserve cost around USD 110 and have less logistic impediments. For adventurous travelers, there’s even the option to do it as a DIY trip for as little as half the price.

Mexico is the Top Destination for Romantic Travelers

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According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, one in four couples around the World chooses Mexico as their destination for romantic getaways and weddings, with Riviera Maya at the top of the charts.

According to “Riviera Maya News”, 600,000 weddings are performed in Mexico each year, with a whopping 70% of them taking place on the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean.

The beautiful beaches, cosmopolitan cities and colonial towns in the area awaken passion in foreigners and locals alike.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, “Although there are no precise indicators of the increase in the influx of visitors for the concept of romance tourism, some destinations have metrics, including San Miguel de Allende, which reported a growth of 25 percent both in number of visitors and in economics registering 750 weddings in 2017.”