Life's a Beach | Expat Life in Playa del Carmen : Real Estate, 2008, Buyer Information, Mayan Riviera

Playa del Carmen Construction Update - May 2008

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:08:00 GMT

As requested by "Life's a Beach" Readers......

Far and away our most popular and fastest selling investment property of the year, The Fives is teaming with activity as the enormous free-form pool that meanders throughout the property gets dug in and poured. Many of the towers have been completed and are getting a fresh coat of paint and windows fitted. We spent several hours onsite today with buyers looking to snap up the few remaining units. Due to the recent purchase of a neighboring parcel, The Fives beach frontage has been dramatically increased and is, as always, spectacular.

In Playacar Phase 2, a large swath of land has been selectively cleared and dug in preparation for the new project from Origo, Vaiven del Viento. This is the first phase of the ambitious Vaiven project consisting of 149 2 and 3 bedroom luxury condominium residences set on over 9000 square meters of property. Features of this project include underground parking facilities, a cinema lounge, a fully equipped gym, Yoga, dance and Tai Chi Solariums, an onsite infirmary and a children's playground. A majority of the mature tropical trees have been preserved on the property and the developers plan to make use of sustainable resources for their building materials and impliment a rainwater catch system to irrigate the massive gardens and green spaces on the property. Delivery is scheduled for Fall 2009.

Playacar Phase 1 has quite a bit of construction going on including this enormous 2 villa project going up quickly next to Casa Vista. Reported to boast a whopping 8 bedrooms each, these new ocean-view homes will certainly be a great vacation rental option for large groups or families traveling together. I should mention that this is the most professional and well managed worksite we have ever seen in Mexico. Notice the hard hats and reflective vests. The clean and orderly appearance of the jobsite, the covered lunch area and laundry facilities make the standards of this builder unique in this region. Bravo. We look forward to seeing the final results!

Back in downtown Playa del Carmen, just one block from the beach, Acanto Condominiums are ready to begin construction. The lot, located next to the popular Acanto Hotel on calle 16, has already been cleared. These luxury 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condominiums have been designed by the same award winning architect who created the Villas Sacbe, Porto Playa, El Taj and most recently, Maya Villas. In keeping with the design of the hotel, these condos will have a romantic appeal with influences from the far East. Prices for full ownership include gym menbership and start in the low $300,000s.

Just next door on Avenida 1, the construction of Maya Villas is progressing rapidly. Today, the crews were putting a smooth finish on the exterior and painting. Some palapa is already in place over the spacious terraces. Delivery of these units in time to capture high season rentals seems very likely. This is a beautiful project with just a few units left to sell.

The construction of El Faro Residences is moving along quickly with its well funded crew. The model unit is ready to show and several of the buildings have been completed. The interiors remain to be finished but it appears that this controversial project will successfully reach completion and delivery.

OK, that's all for this month. Feel free to contact me and let me know if you would like a photo update of a particular property added to June's roster.

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.

Marina Turquesa Condominiums - The Pool is in!!

Rob Kinnon — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:51:00 GMT

Rob and Stuart and I visited the jobsite for Marina Turquesa and what a pleasant surprise....our pool is done, filled, clean and beautiful!! The guys were laying the last few tiles of "cool deck" and raking the newly laid sod when we arrived. OMG! We might actually finish this project ;)

A line of palms have been planted along side of the building creating a shady walking path from the parking area to the pool and the marina front.

This the next unit at Marina Turquesa to be delivered, a garden level 2 bedroom that opens right out to the new pool! I know the new owner will be thrilled to see these pictures!

Solid mahogany cabinets.

We now have our carpenters living onsite and the work is moving along quite well. Handcrafted cabinetry and doors makes a huge difference!

Lots of warm red ticul in the bathrooms.

The washer and dryer, plumbed and installed.

Working on the sliding glass door and installing the locking mechanism.

The wide patio opening out to the garden and pool area.

View from one of the penthouse rooftop terraces.

Look at the color of the ocean!

Nice view overlooking the pool.

It's taken us a lot longer to get to this point than we ever could have anticipated but, looking back, I think it was well worth the struggle. We are really proud of the way Marina Turquesa has turned out and excited that the new owners feel the same way. I think I'm ALMOST ready to do it all again!

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!!

Chan Chemuyil Price Increase - March 1, 2008

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:17:00 GMT

This just in from Bill Mabra and BG Realty in Chemuyil.

Greetings from sunny and warm CHEMUYIL MEXICO!

VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

March 1, 2008 Chan Chemuyil homes will have a price increase from $39,900usd to $49,900usd

Now before everyone gets their (you know whats) in a wad--we are going to this price so that we can INCLUDE many things that everyone pays separately for right now.

The new price will include ALL closing costs ($5000usd) and also will include the following items:

-Water heater installed and hot water line run to the kitchen

-Gas tank, gas lines installed and gas tank filled and ready for connection to stove and connected to water heater

-Electric conversion to 220v

-Water deposit paid and city water turned on

-Electric deposit paid and electricity turned on

-Home cleaned, repaired if necessary, and power-washed

-Screens installed for all windows

When you add everything up we are only really having about a $2500 to $3000 price increase and now when someone buys they only have to purchase furniture, appliances, and AC if they want it to move in. This is truly a MOVE IN price as a person could literally move in when we are done.

SPREAD THE WORD---March 1, 2008 the new price goes into effect

Any contract in, either in person or via scanned/emailed and dated PRIOR to March 1, 2008 will obviously be honored. Any contract dated March 1, 2008 or later will be at the new price without exception.

Until next time . . .

Kind Regards,

Bill Mabra

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Auction Update - Marina Mia, Puerto Aventuras

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:30:00 GMT

Dear "Life's a Beach" readers and BuyPlaya.com customers:

This just in from the Sheldon Good Auction House regarding the upcming auction of the units at Marina Mia in Puerto Aventuras:

"Dear Auction Participant:

We are very pleased to announce that the registration of Marina Mia in New Jersey is filed and expected to be approved shortly. This registration allows for our simulcast of the auction to New Jersey and allows prospective purchasers who prefer not to travel back to Mexico for the auction to bid from a location in the United States. In order for us to put this location officially into the auction and to soon be able to send information to residents of New Jersey, the seller has authorized an extension of the auction date to Saturday, March 29th.

Please keep in mind that the date of this auction continues to fall in the spring vacation season and travel arrangements should be made in advance in order to obtain preferred hotel locations and airline pricing.

We continue to be available daily at our auction information center at Marina Mia to answer any of your questions and to show you representative model condominiums from now until the auction.

Sincerely,

Sheldon Good & Company
Auctions, LLC "

For more information and to register yourself for this auction, please contact us at BuyPlaya@gmail.com or call Rob at 518-632-1116.

A Quiet, Cloudy Day in Chemuyil

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:32:00 GMT

Rob and I were working with a Buyer yesterday in Chemuyil and rather than rush back to the office, we decided to take our time and stay for lunch. Here are some photos of the beach and the town of Chemuyil.

I love Xcacel beach on days like this. It reminds me of Rhode Island and makes me a bit homesick.

The guard shack at the entry to Xcacel. The beach is open to the public for a small donation which supports the caretakers of the property and the beach. They do not speak English but are very friendly and welcoming to visitors.

Help keep our turtles safe and coming back every year! For all of our new home owners in Chemuyil, your dogs are welcome, just 10 minutes or so north, on the beaches in Akumal. Just be sure to clean up after them so that privilege is not taken away.

A bench overlooking one of the cenotes in the Chemuyil subdivision. A nice quiet place to sit and watch the fish.

A lot of clean up work has been done in the areas in and around the two onsite cenotes. Here, at the second cenote, a small retaining wall has been built and the area laid with gravel.

The path through the jungle to the highway is now clearly cut in, allowing faster access to the beach.

Walking in from the path into the neighborhood.

Having missed lunch, we went into the town of Chemuyil to grab a quick bite. This sleepy little town practically shuts down during siesta.

La fruteria.

La Palapa Cockteleria.

Chemuyil Preschool.

One of the things I find unique about Chemuyil is the attention paid to both public and private green space. There are small seating areas and parks with shady trees and flowering bushed scattered throughout the town. Every home and restaurant has dozens of potted plants decorating their entrances and front yards.

Leo's Pizza was open for business, so we stopped in for a light lunch.

Totopos, fresh out of the deep frier and tangy salsa.

Fresh bread topped with mushrooms and melted manchego cheese.

Grilled chicken sandwich with all the fixin's and crisp fries.

The best sopa de mariscos I have ever had and an enormous, fresh naranjada.

The food was absolutely delicious and the staff could not be more friendly. All you lucky new homeowners in Chemuyil will really enjoy having this lovely town as your neighbor. Nice local restaurants, mini-supers, produce stands, video stores, bread makers...what more could you ask for.

Update - The Riviera Maya International Airport

Rob Kinnon — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:29:00 GMT

The much-discussed Riviera Maya airport will be in the Tulúm area

Those of you who have bought property in the Riviera Maya, take heart—the wait for a new airport may soon be over. Bidding for the new Riviera Maya Airport has not yet been announced, but the project is now considered so certain that it’s regularly listed as one of Mexico’s top infrastructure projects for 2008.

Having a shorter commute to your property is hardly the only benefit a new airport may bring. As we've seen in other areas in Mexico, a new airport can drive up real estate values, attract foreign investment, and lead to public and private infrastructure projects. (And, in fact, highway expansion and improvement in the state of Quintana Roo, where the airport will be located, are also high on the list of infrastructure projects for this year.)

Newspapers here in the Yucatán say that the preliminary studies for the airport, including market and technical studies, have been submitted to the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (Ministry of Communications and Transports, or SCT).

The SCT has already announced that it will open bidding for construction in the first half of 2008. As we wrote in October, four firms have indicated that they’ll bid on the project.

A message from Mexico First Alert
International Living
January 16, 2008
Tulum, Mexico