Life's a Beach | Expat Life in Playa del Carmen : Playa del Carmen Real Estate, Market Conditions, Real Estate

Acanto Boutique Hotel is Now Open!

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:28:00 GMT

Great Hotels of the World has announced one of its new member properties, Acanto Boutique Hotel in Playa del Carmen, Mexico has just completed a $5 million refurbishment following a two year rebuild. Acanto Boutique Hotel has rebuilt the entire hotel with 14 added bedrooms, making it fully equipped with 21 luxurious one, two and three bedroom mega suites.

The suites are fully furnished with deluxe marble flooring and granite counters, along with solid wood cabinets and plasma televisions. They will now also have their own fitted kitchens and private outdoor areas with hammocks, where guests can enjoy the climate and relax within the privacy of their own terrace. The hotel will feature brand new leisure facilities, including an intimate spa, offering an array of treatments, seven new rooftop Jacuzzis and the possibility for guests to host barbecues on the terrace. A total of 21 underground parking spaces have now been added to the property, ensuring greater convenience for its guests.

Acanto Boutique Hotel has added a café and a wine bar to further add to the services provided. With a prime location, being just one block away from the beach and half a block from Playa Del Carmen’s bustling 5th Avenue, Acanto Boutique Hotel now offers guests privileged access to the Playa del Carmen Beach Club and discounted rates at the fitness centre, located only one block away.

Matthew Schilowitz, director of sales at Acanto Boutique Hotel commented: “Acanto Boutique Hotel has undergone rapid improvement, putting our hotel in a unique position.“We have all worked extremely hard to incorporate a variety of new features and facilities and we only hope to move forward in improving and bettering Acanto Boutique Hotel in every way we can for our guests.”

Acanto Boutique Hotel was one of the first boutique hotels in the area from 2004 and has been recommended by Frommers and Master Card global premium division. The hotel also has a selection of residences.

Source: Breaking Travel News

For information about condominium sales at Acanto and other Mexico investment opportunities, contact Rob Kinnon.

Oceanview Condo for Sale in Playa del Carmen - REDUCED

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:09:00 GMT

Announcing a price reduction on this stunning oceanview condo for sale in Playa del Carmen. This spacious unit has 1,505 sq.ft. of interior living space and a 172 sqft private terrace overlooking the beach and the Caribbean. The condominium has 2 bedrooms, each with ensuite bath and is offered for sale fully furnished and ready for immediate occupancy.

The unit is fitted with hurricane and sound proof glass windows and sliders to protect this valuable investment. No detail has been overlooked to ensure years of comfort and enjoyment for you and your guests.

This exclusive residence is located on the beach and within steps to the fabulous restaurants and shops of Playa's world famous 5th Avenue. World class golf, sport fishing, dramatic ruins and all the attractions of the Riviera Maya are within minutes of this luxurious location.

This unit has a strong rental history and a detailed proforma is available upon request. Please contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com for a private viewing.

For more real estate listings in Playa del Carmen, visit www.BuyPlaya.com.

Price Reduced on Casa Manana in Club Real

Rob Kinnon — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Announcing a price reduction on Casa Manana Now Just $299,000 usd!

This is a beautiful, fully furnished 2-story Mexican Colonial villa for sale located in the exclusive golf course community of Playacar and inside a secondary gated neighborhood called Club Real. The ensuite upstairs master bedroom with balcony and dressing area stretches the entire width of the house and provides a wide overview of the back yard. The 2nd bedroom upstairs in front is also ensuite with a balcony overlooking the front yard. The upstairs 3rd bedroom may also serve as an office complete with telephone, TV cable and high speed wireless Internet connections. All bedrooms have connections for Cablemas cable TV. The main floor has an open floor plan with a half bath, laundry room with washer and dryer and lots of windows looking out over the lovely fenced back yard and tropical gardens. There are fans and air-conditioning units throughout the home and the house is wired for telephone, cable TV and high speed internet access.

Built in 1999, this house has 2400 square feet (221.93 m2) of living space and is situated on a lush green 449.42 m2 lot. This house is located on a quiet cul-de-sac just a 2-minute walk to the pool, a 5-minute walk to the tennis courts, and a short drive to the most beautiful beaches in the world. Guests living in Playacar Phase 2 receive VIP access to the Reef Beach Club and reduced greens fees at Playacar's world class Golf Club.

This is one of the best deals we have to offer for Playa del Carmen real estate. Contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com today for a private tour of this lovely home.

Ultra Modern Villa For Sale in the Campestre

Rob Kinnon — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:00:00 GMT

3 Bedroom Luxury Villa for sale in Playa del Carmen - $335,000 USD

Located in the quiet suburban neighborhood known as the Campestre, just across the highway from Playacar Phase 2, this newly constructed ultra modern home awaits. The home is nearly completed with only finish work left to be done. The Campestre is an exclusive residential neighborhood only 3 minutes from the Central Maya shopping mall and 10 minutes from central Playa del Carmen. This a traditional Mexican neighborhood which surrounds a quiet central park with a quaint church and ball courts. This is an ideal location for a family with children. This unique home has a private pool and beautiful jungle views from the rooftop terrace.

For more information and to arrange a viewing please contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com or call 518-250-1269 US/Canada 984-115-4611 MX.

Fixer-upper for Sale on the Beach in Playa del Carmen!

Rob Kinnon — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:00:00 GMT

• 900 sq.ft. - $400,000 USD - Right on the Beach

Beachfront, Playa del Carmen - If you have been hoping to find a "fixer upper" investment property in Playa del Carmen, this could be exactly what you have been looking for. Located right on the beach in the heart of downtown Playa del Carmen, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath beachfront condominium is in need of a complete remodel but when it is done, you will have a unique property perfect to enjoy personally as a beachfront getaway or to use as an income producing vacation rental.

The unit is unfurnished and unequipped and needs a full overhaul. If you are looking for a project with a great return, contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com immediately. This is a unique opportunity to invest in Playa del Carmen Real Estate.

Lovely Villa for Sale in Playacar

Rob Kinnon — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:01:00 GMT

$399,000 usd

Playacar Golf Course Community, Playa del Carmen - This is a beautiful, fully furnished 2-story Mexican Colonial villa located in the exclusive golf course community of Playacar and inside a secondary gated neighborhood called Club Real. The ensuite upstairs master bedroom with balcony and dressing area stretches the entire width of the house and provides a wide overview of the back yard. The 2nd bedroom upstairs in front is also ensuite with a balcony overlooking the front yard. The upstairs 3rd bedroom may also serve as an office complete with telephone, TV cable and high speed wireless Internet connections. All bedrooms have connections for Cablemas cable TV. The main floor has an open floor plan with a half bath, laundry room with washer and dryer and lots of windows looking out over the lovely fenced back yard and tropical gardens. There are fans and air-conditioning units throughout the home and the house is wired for telephone, cable TV and high speed internet access.

Built in 1999, this house has 2400 square feet (221.93 m2) of living space and is situated on a lush green 449.42 m2 lot. This house is located on a quiet cul-de-sac just a 2-minute walk to the pool, a 5-minute walk to the tennis courts, and a short drive to the most beautiful beaches in the world. Guests living in Playacar Phase 2 receive VIP access to the Reef Beach Club and reduced greens fees at Playacar's world class Golf Club.

Click here for more photos and property information

Sleek Modern Condo for Sale in Playacar

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

$162,000 usd

Playacar Golf Course Community, Playa del Carmen - Only a few units remaining! Spacious modern 2 bedroom condominiums located in a quiet area of Playacar Phase 2. Puerta del Cielo is located close to schools, grocery stores, medical facilities and all the conveniences for comfortable living. The complex is just a few minutes drive from the beach and all the excitement of downtown Playa but tucked away from all the hustle and bustle of city life. This is the perfect place to retire or just get away from it all for awhile! Contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com to arrange a tour of this quiet complex.

1206 sqft.
2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Mini split A/C on each bedroom and the living room
Living room, dining room, kitchen,
Roof Terraces
Parking Space
Swimming Pool
Laundry room, parking
Access to beach club in Playacar
Near the beach
Near schools & shopping mall

Click here for more pictures and property information

Executive Residence for Sale in Playacar

Rob Kinnon — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Perfect Family Home

• 3,800 sq. ft., 4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths - $795,000 USD - Exclusive Residence

Playacar Golf Course Community, Playa del Carmen - This remarkable executive residence is located on a large 560 square meter lot on a cul-de-sac in the most desirable location in Club Real. The home was designed by an award winning architect from Cuernavaca and features 392 square meters of construction. The home is being offered for sale fully outfitted and partially furnished with top quality pieces imported from Italy. In our opinion, this is by far the best built home in all of Playa del Carmen and far superior to any other properties listed in this price range. No expense has been spared, no detail overlooked. The list of property Highlights below clearly shows why this house is one of a kind in all the Riviera Maya.

Please contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com for a complete inventory and to schedule a tour of this beautiful home.

Click here for more property information

Modern One Bedroom Condo for Long Term Rental

Rob Kinnon — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:44:00 GMT

In a Popular Expat Neighborhood in Downtown, Playa del Carmen

***Available January 4, 2010 a spacious one bedroom, one bath apartment for $750 usd/month ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED!***

This recently completed modern complex offers several one bedroom apartments for long term rental. Each unit is fully furnished and equipped for an extended stay. Guests will love the rooftop sundeck with outdoor kitchen and plunge pool. The complex is located in a popular and safe neighborhood about 9 minutes walking to the beach and close to a major grocery store and produce market. The owner of the complex lives on-site ensuring that the building is perfectly maintained at all times.

Click here for more pictures and Property Information

Long Term Rentals in Playa del Carmen

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:52:00 GMT

The excitement of moving to a foreign country does not come without a host of challenges to overcome. Learning a new language, adjusting to a new job, a new culture, making new friends can be difficult and frustrating at times. One of the most stressful decisions you can make when trying to settle in a new country is finding a place to call home. Regardless of the length of your extended stay, whether it be for a few months or a few years, trying to identify and secure a long term rental remotely, with no opportunity to actually SEE the property before you commit to it, requires patience, due diligence and a certain amount of good faith. Finding an agent to assist you and act on your behalf can make the difference between an easy, smooth transition and one that results in a less than ideal living situation.

When Rob and I moved to Playa del Carmen with our young family, five years ago, we had a leg up on the process. Our partner and his wife had moved here a few months earlier and settled in well. They were able to find a great house for us and had it ready to move into by the time we arrived. Finding the right house, in the right area helped us to adapt quickly to our new way of life and assimilate quickly into the community. For this reason, we take the process of house hunting for our clients, very seriously. It must be undertaken thoroughly and with great care and sensitivity to each individual customer.

Whether you have visited Playa del Carmen before or you are coming for the first time, you will want to have a representative here, to scout out the various neighborhoods, look for rental properties, take pictures and relay the information to you in a timely manner. Because the Playa del Carmen vacation rental market is so strong, owners are often reticent to commit to a long term rental at a discounted rate. Many owners use their properties personally throughout the year, making it impossible to consider a long term tenant. While there are probably hundreds of villas and condominiums in the city being rented on an extended term, (generally meaning 6-12 months, sometimes as few as 3-4 months), the vast majority of these properties will never hit the open market as we know it. Playa is a small city with a very strong expat network. Good, well located, well priced rentals are easily filled as soon as they are vacated simply through word of mouth with no need for agency promotion. For this reason, as you initiate your search for a long term rental in Playa del Carmen, you may be surprised just how few you will find listed on the internet. It takes a tremendous amount of legwork on the part of an agent to find, photograph and post these listings. Most real estate brokerages have neither the time nor the manpower to invest in an activity that generates very little profit in comparison to sales.

When you do find and agent who will represent you, one who cooperates with the better, more reputable property management companies in Playa del Carmen, be sure to supply them with as much information as you can about yourself and your specific needs. A retired snowbird couple looking to relax for a few months will have different needs than a single person coming here to work or start a business. A family with young children will have different considerations than a couple with none. The more detailed information you can provide to your agent, the better job he or she will be able to do working on your behalf. When communicating with a rental agent for the first time, you will want to keep in mind the following criteria:

Dates of Stay: When are you planning to arrive and how long are you planning to stay. If you have some flexibility in your arrival date, be sure to say so. Being able to adjust your travel dates by even a few days may mean the difference between securing a great rental rather than one that is just "so-so". Rental rates will often vary depending on the season you are arriving and how many months you are staying. A 12 month lease will guarantee you the lowest possible rates.

Location: Are you a country mouse or a city mouse? Playa del Carmen may not have much to offer the true country mouse but that does not mean you can't find a rental with nice gardens and green space. If these things are important to you, say so! If you are looking for a stand along house or villa, your choices will be limited to Playacar and similar gated communities that have sprung up all along the Riviera Maya in the past few years. Playacar in particular is popular with families concerned about having plenty of space for their children to run, bike and make friends. Many newcomers love Playacar for the access to the Reef Beach Club and the reduced greens fees at Playacar's Golf Club. If you are a city person, there are various neighborhoods to consider as well. Be sure to ask what the demographic of the area is when you are considering a particular unit.

Budget: While there are certainly exceptions and rental rates will vary somewhat by area, you can expect to pay at very least $400 usd for a studio apartment, $700 usd for a one bedroom, $800 usd for a two bedroom and $1800 usd for a three bedroom condo or villa. These prices are representative of what is currently available, east of the highway, in this market, right now. These numbers represent rates for rental properties in areas generally considered favorable by foreigners moving to Playa del Carmen. Naturally, the closer to the beach a property is, the more expensive the rental rate. Unless specifically noted, most rentals do not include utilities. You may find a few owners who will include gas, water and internet but electricity is almost always separate. While everyone's usage will vary, electricity is expensive here in Playa. Renters coming for the winter months may not need to run the air conditioning very much and thus, avoid outrageous charges. Summer visitors should definitely keep electricity in mind when creating their household budget.

Pets: Many, many people these days are bringing their pets along even just for extended stays of 3-4 months. Finding owners who will accept pets in their home is quite a challenge. Expect your choices to be limited and expect to pay a separate pet deposit on top of the regular and customary damage deposit (generally the equivalent of one month rent). Dogs are not permitted on the beaches here in Playa, nor are they allowed in cabs or buses. That being said, most of Playa del Carmen and by extension, Playacar, is fairly pet friendly. Dogs can often be seen with their owners in offices, bars and restaurants. Once you find a pet friendly long term rental, if you clean up after them in public and make sure your pets are well house trained and socialized, you should have no trouble at all.

Amenities: Once you have started communicating with a long term rental agent, be sure to let them know what amenities and features may be important to you in a possible new home. If you or anyone in your family has mobility issues, we sure to ask for a ground level unit or one accessible by an elevator. Many buildings in Playa del Carmen are not handicapped accessible. Make sure your agent knows if you have any physical limitations to consider. Pet owners may also prefer a ground floor unit. Taking Fido up and down the stairs from your penthouse may get old after a few weeks. Television, either via cable or satellite, seems to be available in most rental properties these days but internet is still hit or miss. Be sure to confirm that the specific unit your are renting has internet already or that it can easily be set up or activated once you arrive. Pools are always high on the "most wanted" list for long term and vacation renters and with good cause. Many. residential complexes have large common pools maintained for the use of owners and guests. Even the newer condominium buildings in town are including pools, roof top and otherwise, in their designs. If you intend to use the pool for exersize, be sure to clarify the depth and length with your agent. Laundry facilities are a huge plus for long term renters. If there are no facilities either in the unit itself or onsite, be sure to find how how far away is good "lavandaria" is. Parking is nearly always available in Playacar and in the newer condominium complexes in town. If you are bringing a vehicle or plan to purchase one here, make sure the units you are considering have parking, especially if you are living in downtown Playa.

In the past three months, we have been contacted by over twenty individuals, couples and families who are planning a move, some permanent, some temporary, to Playa del Carmen. Each of these customers has a specific list of needs and desires in regard to housing and each of these details needs to be taken into account as we search for their new home. In each case, we do our very best to match up each customer with the villa or condo that is best for them based on the criteria we have been given. If you are considering a move to Playa del Carmen, make sure you have carefully though through your needs and those of your family. Look at your lifestyle choices and your social habits, both those you have now and perhaps new ones you may wish to adopt in your new host country. Always keeping in mind WHY you are moving to a new country will play a great part in the house hunting process and help to assure that you find the home that is right for you and your family.

Are you looking for a long term rental in Playa del Carmen? Feel free to contact us and also check out our Long Term Rental listings on www.BuyPlaya.com.

Playa del Carmen Construction Update June 2008

Rob Kinnon — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:41:00 GMT

Well, I guess I have put this off long enough. It has been so rainy and miserable, I just haven't wanted to go out and tromp around on muddy construction sites. My good friend Mike (of WWMD fame) gave me a gentle nudge via email this morning, so out I went. This is going to be a brief update. Not only did the rain and stormy weather keep me in, it also kept a lot of jobsites from working at max capacity.

This month we received an overwhelming amount of interest in this new modern complex, Haab. This project has gone up very quickly. With 2 bedroom condos, 2 minutes from Shangri La Beach, and lofts starting at just $180K, this is certain to sell out quickly. Check out the guy in the red shirt putting on a show for me!

While some condominium complexes seemingly spring up overnight, this project, Zaphira, on the corner of 5th Ave. and calle 38 has been a long time in the making. It sould have been because of the weather, but I didn't see anyone on site at all. I have a feeling there may be a cash flow issue at play here. The plans and renderings all look very nice and we look forward to its completion.

Another luxury project making excellent headway in the construction process is Lotus, another stylish development from Bertram Rothe. His previous buildings, like The Shailly, have been very attractive, well built and well received by Buyers. This is certainly no exception. I believe there is only one unit still available!

Not too much to report on this month. Frankly, I'm about done with the weather. Everyone think warm, sunny thoughts.

Grand Opening - Origo Offices in Playa del Carmen

Rob Kinnon — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:17:00 GMT

Yesterday evening, Rob and I were invited to the grand opening party for the offices of Origo, the prolific developers of the fabulous condominium projects "The Elements, Playa del Carmen', "Vaiven" in Playacar and coming soon...."The Elements, Puerto Aventuras". The offices are located, conveniently, just down the street from our house on 10th Avenue in the Tendenza Building. The offices, which are beautiful and completely reflect the style that these developers are knon for, have been built for the use of local Brokers and Agents working with clients and customers. Access to this chic new space is going to be another one of the great sales tools that Origo provides for us in support of our sales efforts. Bravo!

For more information about Origo and their current projects Vaiven and The Elements, contact us through our website www.BuyPlaya.com.

April 2008 - PDC Construction Update - Issue 1

Rob Kinnon — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:12:00 GMT

In response to numerous inquiries from friends and customers, today I will be starting a series, reoccurring monthly, of construction updates via actual photos of projects going up in and around Playa del Carmen! Many of you have already purchased pre-construction property here in the area and are now back at home, no doubt, wondering what the heck is going on with your money! Well, here you go! At the beginning of every month, I will visit various properties in progress, take pictures and report back. And the best thing.....I take requests! That's right! Even if you are NOT one of our customers, (and shame on you for not coming to us) if you have made an investment here in Playa, let me know and I will be happy to go and snap some photos at the beginning of the month. Hopefully, this will be a good way to not only reassure you, the investor, but also your family and friends who may think that you had too many "Panty Rippers" while you were here on vacation, have clearly lost your mind and might as well have thrown your money into a giant cenote! For those of you still working through the process and trying to make a decision, I hope this helps you feel more in touch with the real estate market in Playa del Carmen and the many options available!

Sabbia - Ave. 20 at Calle 34

Sabbia - May not look like much right now while they are digging and putting in the VERY IMPORTANT substructure but not to worry. There are tons of workmen bustling around the site and everything is moving along well. This is the slowest part of the process to show progress. All good here!

Oasis 12 - Ave. 15 and Calle 12

Oasis 12 - This project is flying along. Lots of people onsite. Their showroom is already complete. This should be a very attractive project, completed on-time if not sooner!

Arena - Coco Beach Area

Arena Condominiums - Done, just cleaning up a bit. Most, if not all, of the units have been delivered. A very nice project, well done.

Costa Turquesa - Coco Beach North

Costa Turquesa - This is a seriously HUGE project! The developers are very experienced and have plenty of money behind them. Lots of activity onsite and one of the condo towers appears to be nearing completion. Once that is complete and the showroom is open, right on beautiful Coco Beach...look out. Sales will start flying!!

The Elements - Coco Beach

The Elements - After what seemed like an eternity of drilling and ground work, (which we like to see FYI) The Elements has finally sprung skyward. The site is teeming with workers and the project is moving right along, it seems, on schedule. If The Elements turns out to be half as beautiful as the plans portray, it will be a real feather in your "investor cap".

Casa del Mar - Coco Beach

Casa del Mar - Moving right along, next door to The Elements. Well priced but no ocean-front condos remaining. Good purchase for those lucky Buyers who got in early!! Lots of workers onsite, everyone is hustling to get open before the next high season!!

Capri II - Ave. 10 and Calle 38

Capri II - Done and most units sold and delivered. Good location, not much from the outside but inside, the units are actually quite lovely.

The Building Loft I - Ave. 10 and Calle 28

The Building Loft I - Putting on the finishing touches, cleaning up and ready to go! The Winery had been open for some time and doing a brisk business. One unit left to sell in Phase 1? The Building Loft 2 is just starting on Ave. 10 and Calle 26. Lots of digging and groundwork for the supports and underground parking.

So, that's what I've got to show for this 1st monthly update. I hope this has been and will be helpful. Let me know what you would like to see michelekinnon@gmail.com and I'll be sure to get it up here. Updates will come in the first week of every month. Bookmark this site www.LifesaBeachBlog.com for easy reference or sign up for an automatic RSS feed if you don't mind suffering through all the entries about raising our children, travelling and the demanding social schedule here in Playa. OK, there's actually some good stuff there...so sign up!!

Mortgage and Financing News

Rob Kinnon — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:38:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C)

Banamex & Citibank (Banamex USA) Announce New Mortgage Program for U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents Buying Property in Mexico

Mexico City - Banco Nacional de México, S.A., a member of Grupo Financiero Banamex ("Banamex") and Citibank (Banamex USA), both subsidiaries of Citi, the world's leading financial services company, announced the launching of their mortgage program for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are interested in buying real estate property in Mexico. The financial and service capabilities of the group, in Mexico as well as in the United States, will guarantee the success of the program.

The loans will be originated, approved, and extended by Citibank (Banamex USA) in the United States with very competitive conditions and similar to those offered in that country. The loan will be supported by Citi's infrastructure.

The loans include down payments as low as 20%, term up to 30 years, and programs of fixed or variable rates and without prepayment penalties. Loan and ancillary expenses (trust and insurance) can be conveniently paid automatically if the borrower maintains an account with Citibank (Banamex USA).

In its first phase, the program will cover Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita, Cancun, the Riviera Maya, San Carlos, Puerto Peñasco, the Rosarito tourist corridor, and San Felipe. Later on, the geographical coverage area will be expanded.