The Riviera Maya section of AMPI (Association of Mexico Real Estate Professionals) recently celebrated their swearing in ceremony with over 175 invited guests. Along with members of the Riviera Maya, guests included members from Canc ún, Merida, and Cozumel as well as the National President of AMPI Mario Aviles of Mexico City.

The event included many local dignitaries in the audience as well as and those who presided at the event along with President-elect Laura Zapata and vice-president Ruben Rios.  Speakers at the event included Carlos Joaquin, Municipal President who spoke on the professionalism of the organization and agreed to assist the section in bringing the national convention of this organization to the Riviera Maya in 2008. Victor Alcerreca, Secretary of Economic Development for the state, addressed the audience with plans to create a state real estate license, something the organization has had on it's agenda for many years. The unexpected comment from the secretary was met with hearty applause from the audience.  Laura Zapata spoke on the need to continue to grow through education and the need for customer confidence which can only be ensured through education and regulating agents with a state license.

Special presentations were made to Hugo Hernandez as Developer of the Year, Cesar Vidales as Outstanding Developer and special recognition for their continued support of the organization was made to Sergio Zapata and Estrella Rodriguez. Ulla Meibohm was honored as Outstanding Member of the year.
AMPI Riviera Maya took a giant step forward in the eyes of the community that evening when it presented two outstanding videos, one of the developments in the area and the other, it's members. The organization awaits confirmation in November of the site of next years National Meeting which if this evening was any indication can be nothing but a first class event. It was a night that showed just how professional this group is. AMPI Riviera Maya members were all stars that shone that night.

--
Laura Zapata
Presidente, AMPI Riviera Maya

This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
U.S. 361 877 7279
Mx. 984 879 3107 y 984 876 2134

Strong currency, tax benefits, and lifestyle gains lure Canadians South
Managing financial risk is critical to investment success

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 24, 2007 /CNW/ -- According to HiFX, one of the largest providers of foreign exchange services to individuals and businesses, Canadians are more actively purchasing homes in Central America and Mexico.
HiFX surveyed more than 100 Mexico real estate agents as well as agents in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and found that nearly 30 percent of all real estate clients in these regions are Canadian. Broken out by country, more than 32 percent of the clients purchasing in Mexico are Canadian, 27 percent of clients purchasing in Nicaragua are Canadian, and 26 percent of purchasers in Costa Rica are Canadian. Jaime Niembro, owner of Ajijic Real Estate based in Western Mexico stated, "I've experienced the trend of Canadians purchasing real estate in Mexico and Central America first hand, and based on continued favorable market conditions, I expect this trend to continue, and perhaps even pick up steam in the future." Ward Naughton, president of HiFX stated, "Various factors are coming together to make Central America an increasingly popular destination for savvy Canadians with a global mindset." Naughton continued, "The strength of the Canadian dollar is making purchases in Central America increasingly attractive, and meanwhile you are in some of the most naturally beautiful regions of the world."

Last week I visited the island of Cozumel, Mexico to meet with James Watts and Greg Czora of RE/MAX Complete Cozumel real estate. During the conversation, Greg invited me to visit one of his listings called "Mariposa Estates". So I accompanied him and spent about an hour or so finding out about the area, viewing the lots and learning some very interesting things I did not know about this residential development.
 
Mariposa Estates first opened in 2001 with 30 lots for sale in Phase 1 and some additional land for future development in Phase II. It is an ecologically friendly development forforest style living on the southern part of Cozumel that starts about 300 meters back into the forest directly across the road from some of the best beaches on the island, Playa Mia, Paradise Beach, and San Francisco Beach Club. The lots continue back for almost 2 kilometers to within about a mile of
El Cedral. Mariposa Estates is on the new highway that runs from the car ferry pier at Puerta Maya to Punta Sur, the southern most tip of Cozumel.  Along this highway is where the next major growth area for Cozumel is starting to happen. But because the new growth has only just begun and because the developer has taken a low-keyed approach to sales, the Mariposa Estates development is one of the best kept secrets on the island. Yet in spite of that, there are only about 7 lots still available for sale, each of which is 2 hectares (20,000 sq. meters or about 5 acres each).

Greg has a home and lives on lot #11 (see website for pics), Cristina Roman of "Dive with Cristina" has built one casita on Lot #3 with plans for more,Jorge and Bianca who run the restaurant in town by the same name have
applied for building permits and hope to complete their home by early 2008 on Lot #14.  Two other lot owners have similar plans to build in the nextyear. As we sat enjoying a cold drink on Greg's pool deck in total peace and quiet, I realized how nice it was NOT to hear the sounds of scooters,construction, loud music, or cars and trucks going by.  Instead, I could hear the birds and the nice breeze rustling the branches and leaves in the surrounding forest.  Amazingly, there were no flies or mosquitoes, none.Only the gentle cool ocean breeze. Greg said, "If you like this, you should see this place at night when the stars and the fireflies are out!" Yes, there are mosquitoes once in a while but typically only after a very heavyrain that leaves standing water. It is not something that happens often as the rock is very porous and the water drains quickly. Speaking of water,Greg has plenty of potable well water all year long and his two tank Rotoplast septic system is approved by the city government.

Last week the Presdient for the Mexico chapter of FIABCI, Gerrado Parades, was in town to meet with AMPI members as well as other real estate professionals in Cancun and the Riviera Maya Mexico real estate community.  He presented to the members in attendence at the AMPI meeting talking about forging international business relationships as they relate to real estate and how FIABCI is bringing people together for real estate transactions here in Mexico and around the world.

Currently FiABCI has more than 1.5 million members globally and they have been in existence since the 1950's.  The organization was founded in Paris, France and now has membes from all different components of the real estate industry around the world.  FIABCI is made up of real estate brokers/agents, architects, developers, builders, appraisers, and many other affiliated professions to the real estate industry.  The Riviera Maya Real Estate News had an opportunity to catch up with Gerardo Parades for a brief podcast interview in Puerto Morelos last week.  To listen to the podcast simply click on podcast at the top of this page, then click listen now and it is the very first interview that comes up.  To learn more about the international organization FIABCI please visit their webste www.fiabci.org

(pictured) Laura Zapata the Riviera Maya AMP President and Gerardo Parades address the AMPI members and guests. 

Listen to the latest PODCAST radio show from Riviera Maya Real Estate News recorded last Friday. 

The Riviera Maya Real Estate News welcomes Shawn Bandick to the podcast radio show.  Shawn is the current owner/broker of One Stop Realty in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.  He is also a columnist for the Mexico Inside, a division of International Living magazine.  The show is hosted by Bill Mabra and they discuss everything from Hurricane Dean's expected arrival, new Mexican real estate tax law, and the current market conditions and driving forces in the market.  Listen to the full interview by clicking here or go to the PODCAST link at the top of the page.  Then click listen now and select the first interview.