La Paz update November 2006

Hóla

The weather cooled off a little early this year.  Part of the reason was the jet stream and hurricane John that came this way.

We had a big fire downtown that gutted the Perla department store.  The building was an old landmark of about 146 years old.  I heard that they planned to have it rebuilt in 8 months or so.

My wife and I attended the AMPI 50^th anniversary real estate convention in
Mexico City the 4^th to 7^th of October.  It was their largest convention ever.  A co-operating agreement was signed with NAR that should make it easier for foreign real estate buyers to find professional Realtors (AMPI members) in
Mexico.  The agreement allows the AMPI members to display the Realtor ‘R’ logo.  So when buying property in
Mexico hire a professional Realtor.

Conficasa International now has mortgage loans in Pesos for Canadians.

The new development Marvia located North of town is open with several lots sold and construction to begin on a couple homes later this month.

I have a new listing on a great water front property.  It is one of the very few beach front properties in
La Paz.  About 3000 square feet on a 7000 square foot plus lot.  Two years old.  Off street parking with space for an RV or boat & trailer.$749,000 USD  On my web site http://osmx.com under John’s Casa.

Also available is El Comitan another beach front home on the South end of the bay on one-half acre plus.  Also on my web site.

In Chametla near the road to the airport is a home on about 800 square meters in a rustic setting.  Only $80,000 USD.  Not on my site yet.

On the www.lapazmls.com site (our local MLS) is the large Fidepaz house for $180,000 USD.

 November 2 in
Mexico is El Dia del Muerto or day of the dead.  The people create altars and decorate the graves of their loved ones with mementos and food for their sprits.  For more info on this custom check out the article on Bajainsider.com

This month don’t forget Veterans Day and don’t get over stuffed with turkey on Thanksgiving Day.  The left over’s sure are good.

Regards

Gordon

La Paz update November 2006

Hóla

The weather cooled off a little early this year.  Part of the reason was the jet stream and hurricane John that came this way.

We had a big fire downtown that gutted the Perla department store.  The building was an old landmark of about 146 years old.  I heard that they planned to have it rebuilt in 8 months or so.

My wife and I attended the AMPI 50^th anniversary real estate convention in
Mexico City the 4^th to 7^th of October.  It was their largest convention ever.  A co-operating agreement was signed with NAR that should make it easier for foreign real estate buyers to find professional Realtors (AMPI members) in
Mexico.  The agreement allows the AMPI members to display the Realtor ‘R’ logo.  So when buying property in
Mexico hire a professional Realtor.

Conficasa International now has mortgage loans in Pesos for Canadians.

The new development Marvia located North of town is open with several lots sold and construction to begin on a couple homes later this month.

I have a new listing on a great water front property.  It is one of the very few beach front properties in
La Paz.  About 3000 square feet on a 7000 square foot plus lot.  Two years old.  Off street parking with space for an RV or boat & trailer.$749,000 USD  On my web site http://osmx.com under John’s Casa.

Also available is El Comitan another beach front home on the South end of the bay on one-half acre plus.  Also on my web site.

In Chametla near the road to the airport is a home on about 800 square meters in a rustic setting.  Only $80,000 USD.  Not on my site yet.

On the www.lapazmls.com site (our local MLS) is the large Fidepaz house for $180,000 USD.

 November 2 in
Mexico is El Dia del Muerto or day of the dead.  The people create altars and decorate the graves of their loved ones with mementos and food for their sprits.  For more info on this custom check out the article on Bajainsider.com

This month don’t forget Veterans Day and don’t get over stuffed with turkey on Thanksgiving Day.  The left over’s sure are good.

Regards

Gordon

October update 2006

Hóla

It is still warm here during the day but the nights are cooling down into the 70’s.  The hot weather normally tapers off about the middle of October.  With the cooler weather come the part time residents that own homes here and of course the snowbirds from the cold areas up north.

The home building in the area continues at a steady pace.  The wanna-be developers looking for large parcels of beach front properties are tripping over each other trying to contact the property owners.  Driving the local real estate people crazy as there is very little beach front property that can be sold as most of it is still in the Ejido and has not been privatized.  So finding a property with beach front is like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

Good news for air travelers to
La Paz.  Delta Airlines is supposed to start Los Angeles to La Paz service October 15^th and
Alaska is to resume their service sometime between now and December.

Several Developments are in the pre-sale stage and others are in the permits and construction phases.  New luxury and ultra luxurious units are coming to
La Paz.  As I mentioned before the old Grand Baja Hotel is being re-hab’d and will be the GRAND BAJA HOTEL & SPA.  There will be 123 one, two, and 3 bedroom bay view units priced from the low $200,000’s to $400,000 USD.  Two more towers are planned.  VISTA CORAL MARINA ESTATES will have units near the water and marina in the $375,000 to $457,000 USD range.  For those that want to be on the water front or want to keep an eye on their boat there is ATALANTA CONDOMINIUMS  at the Marina Palmira.  Two bedroom, two bath units $300,000 to $420,000 or the penthouse at $1,000,000 USD.  The new LA CONCHA PEARL condos are planned for on the beach next to the La Concha Resort Hotel will be luxury units.  Prices have not been set but I would guess starting around $400,000 USD.  Just past the La Concha area on 835 feet of beach front will be an ultra luxurious development PLAYA DE LA PAZ.  Units starting at about $700,000 USD.  It will be gated and with security guards.  MARAVIA COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES is a new gated community that is under construction.  Phase I lots start at $38750 USD.  12 models are available to choose from.  Finished homes with integrated solar power start at $98,000 USD.  A future 18 hole golf course is planned also.  In the over 12 years that I have lived here someone has been promising a golf course.  So far not one has ever been built.  At the moment there are at lease 6 golf courses planned or being worked on but when one will open is any ones guess.

I will be out of the office from the 4^th to 10^th to attend the A,M.P.I. Congresso in
Mexico City.  The National Association of Realtors is signing a cooperative agreement with A.M.P.I. (Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales inmobiliaros,A.C.).  NAR hopes to help establish better cooperation and more ethical real estate practices in
Mexico.  The agreement will permit A.M.P.I. members to display the REALTORS logo.  So when you purchase your dream home in Mexico HIRE A REALTOR, look for an A.M.P.I/NAR member and not the taxi driver or your waiter.

Conficasa International has 6 loan programs for your real estate purchase.  You can pre-qualify online on my web site financing page http://osmx.com  For those of you that have homes here with loans and would like to pull some cash out we can do refi’s

I have a supper NEW beach front home available, see El Comitan on my web site.  Make a reasonable offer NOW.  Owners must relocate.

Enjoy the great fall weather, the fall colors and of course the holidays, Yom Kippur, Columbus day and Halloween.

Regards

Gordon

SEPTEMBER UPDATE

Hóla

This month’s update will be short as we could be without electricity for a day or so IF John should dump a lot of rain on us plus some wind.  Most people are making preparations for the storm.  For the latest storm information for Cabo and the
La Paz area, go to the Bajainsider link on my LINKS page http://osmx.com .  A good source of information about this area in general and the email subscription is free.

The local projects are moving along and there are new ones in the planning stages.  Costa Baja may have some inventory available for sale sometime in October.

My web site now has available ROUGH machine translations of the content in 10 languages.

Also check the house section for new information about the PREVADA LA POSADA development and COLINA DEL SOL CONDOS by Decope.  Decope will also be opening in October a new RE/Max general real estate office on the Malecon.  They will handle their projects plus general real estate for the public.

For those interested in Mortgages on your primary or vacation homes, we have 6 different loan packages available.  With a mortgage perhaps you would not have to liquidate all of your assets to have your dream home here in
Mexico.  Check out the financing page and you can pre-qualify online.

Enjoy the Labor Day weekend.  The kids are going back to school so watch for the school zones.

Regards

Gordon

Hóla

Not much happening here at the moment.  It has been warm, about 100 degrees or so lately.  Various summer activities at the beaches, family outings, fishing tournaments etc.  Many people out walking evenings on the Malecon, catching the beautiful sunsets of La paz or enjoying an ice cream, coffee or pizza.  On Saturday’s the students from the university provide for a couple of hours of various types of music, folk dances etc.

School vacations will finish about the end of the month.  Everyone will be shopping for school uniforms and school supplies.  The stores are all stocked up for the rush.

We had a couple days of rain last week.  Some of it came over from the mainland.  The rest was spin-off from a storm that came up the coast.  The nearly 2 inches of rain was about one third of our annual rainfall here in La Paz.

Progress is still moving along on the various developer projects.  Costa Baja will have more units available soon.  Privada La Posada phase II is under construction and five units have already been sold.  Another new deluxe and exclusive project called Playa La Paz is to start construction about October.  It is situated just past La Concha hotel and the aquairium.  Pre-construction reservations are available.  Prices start at about $700,000 up to $1,200,000 for a 4000 squqre foot plus penthouse.  All with views of the bay.  A little more information is on my web site at http://osmx.com   Marina Sur is busy building more homes near the water out near the road to the airport.  In the Los Barrlies area are the beautiful colonial style homes with a view of the Sea of Cortez.  Villas Pacifica units are about $325,000.

Just a reminder that Conficasa International has more mortgage loan programs than anyone else to help you acquire your Mexican dream home.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Regards

Gordon

08/11/2006

Hóla

In an effort to get the local builders & developers to change their designs to more accommodate the foreign market we would like your input in regards to this short survey.

Tell us what you would like in a vacation home (second or primary home or condo) in Mexico.

Beach front

Beach view

Walk to Beach

In town

Lot Size

Home sq. ft.

Garage  0  1  2  car

Single story

Two stories or more

Kitchen cabinets

Closets

Counter tops:granite, tile polished concrete

Pressure water system

Dishwasher

Washer/Dryer

Garbage disposal

Air conditioning

Covered patio

Pool  and or spa

New home or re Sale Home or condo

Price range

Pay cash

Would like to finance

How much down payment

Other comments:

You may respond to this survey by email omni@osmx.com or respond to the blog.

Thank you for your time in replying to this survey.

Gordon G. Herpst,  Omni Services, La Paz Mexico

July Update

Hóla

Not a lot of tourists from the northern states as the weather warms up and hurricane season starts.  However there are lots of things that are going on in the Baja and
Mexico in general.

Statistics released by INEGI, the Mexico Department of Statistics, Baja California Sur is the second fastest growing state in
Mexico.  Just over 512,000 people.  The capital
La Paz now has a population of 219,596 persons.

There are several new golf courses scheduled to be built in the Baja, including the one on El Mogote for Paraiso del Mar in
La Paz. 
La Paz has a turf nursery that supplies special turf for golf courses, soccer fields or private homes.

Near the downtown area there are plans for and properties under construction for the American and Canadian market as well as the pent up demand in the Mexican market.

The old 11 story beach front Grand Baja hotel is being renovated and will be turned into luxury 123 one, two, and three bedroom condo units.  Most all will have a view of the bay.  Two additional towers plan to be built next to the original building.  The site will include tennis courts, swimming pools and a spa.  Prices will be from the low $200,000’s up to $400,000.  Reservations are now being taken for these units.

At Vista Coral(on the water front) the existing condo building will be added to by another 17 unit 5 story building called Vista Coral Marina Estates.  A few of the two bedroom 2 bath units are still available for purchase.  They have a great view of the bay and the downtown water front.  These are priced from $$374,000 to $457,000 USD.

At Marina Palmira there are condos for persons that have a boat and want to live on the water front. 2 bedroom, 2 bath units of 1,281 sq ft to 1,636 sq ft.  Priced at $300,000 to $420,000 USD.  3 bedroom 3 bath penthouse, 2,938 sq ft. $1,000,000 USD.

At the La Concha Resort are plans for the La Concha Pearl luxury condominium in a new 7 story 34 units on the beach.  The luxury units will be studios, one, two, and three bedrooms plus luxury penthouses from 3,800 to 5,000 square feet.

North of La Concha on the beach is another development called Playa de La Paz.  A 60 unit luxury condo project with one, two and three bedroom units.  Square footage runs from 2,100 to 4,500 square foot penthouse unit.  Construction time about two years.  Prices start at about $700,000 USD.

These are just some of the things happening in
La Paz at this time.  Lots of other smaller gated areas from $125,000 to $279,000 in the planning stages or already under construction.

We have financing available for homes throughout
Mexico for foreign and Mexican buyers.  Mortgages provided by Conficasa International.

Enjoy the July 4^th holiday and your summer

Regards

Gordon

JUNE UPDATE

Hóla

It’s June and most of the snowbirds have returned to cooler areas. Temperatures have been running about 97 degrees here. Also hurricane season has begun. Normally we do not get much activity in the La Paz area until September or October. We have had some tropical disturbances down South already this year.

According to the sales department of Paraiso Del Mar the road access is in and they are putting down gravel for the base to support the heavy equipment they will bring in. They are still unsure when construction of the homes and condo will begin.

For any developers out there or if you know of any that want to build in Baja Sur Mexico let me know. I have several large parcels available. Some of the properties have beach front and bay views.

Speaking of developers. We have finally gotten the attention of a few of the Mexican developers regarding their home designs. They want to attract the American market however their designs are not what Americans like. They are now considering designs for the retirees such as, master bedrooms and baths downstairs, laundry room downstairs and no concrete washing stands. More open space, level entry from the car, doors wide enough for wheelchair and walker access. Hopefully they will start incorporating these items in their designs.

For persons interested in the Los Barriles area there is a new development of nice Mexican Colonial design homes with a view of the

Sea of Cortez. Priced about $325,000 USD. We have mortgage financing available for persons with good credit.

Also available in El Comitan at the South end of the bay is a new custom home on ½ acre plus beach front. Owner has to travel and has just reduced the price to $650,000 USD.
Lot of photos on my site. http://osmx.com

A large 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath home in Fidepaz. Needs minor work to finish the interior. Owners were transferred. Asking $180,000 USD. Will consider offers.

Also in Fidepaz is a 10 home gated area. Home designs and construction plans should be completed in a couple weeks. Sizes vary in the 2000 square foot area and a couple lots are large enough for a pool and spa.

That about does it for this month. Don’t forget dad on Fathers Day.

Regards

Gordon

May Update

Hóla

This will be a short email this month as no new openings have occurred in
La Paz lately.  There are lots of stories and speculation going on as far as new developments but so far nothing for certain.

A new development opened in Los Cabos with a view of the bay.  These homes are nicely decorated and suitable for younger persons.   Because of all the steps to enter and all bedrooms upstairs, it is not really good for retirees with bad knees, backs, etc.  It is difficult to get the developers here to design a home with easy access and with a master bedroom and bath on the first floor.  One developer’s homes even have the laundry room with washer & dryer on the second floor.  Eventually they will get the message that they have to improve their home designs to accommodate the older buyers.

They have opened branches of HSBC and Banamex banks across from Soriana’s at Plaza La Paz.  That will be a good addition for the people in that part of town.

We have had a few holidays here lately with Easter, May 1^st. 
La Paz’s birthday May 3, and Cinco de Mayo  on Friday.

Don’t forget Mothers Day and enjoy the Memorial Day weekend.

Regards

Gordon

APRIL UPDATE

Hóla

It’s that time again.  Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead.  Also keep your umbrellas handy for the April showers.  For those of us in
La Paz we seldom need an umbrella.

Not a lot new going on at this time.  All the developers are still working away on their projects.  The Waldo Group just opened a new WALDO’S store on 5 de Febrero near McDonalds.  It is a one price store.

La Posada Privada phase two construction is underway and already two homes have been sold.  Last Tuesday Homex, one of the largest builders in
Mexico and listed on the NYSE, opened their model at the Marina Sur Residential development.  The project has some bay frontage and is to have commercial areas and a golf course.  Two three bedroom models are available. Sizes range from a little over 1500 to 1800 plus, square feet in two stories.  Prices are from about $148,000 to $165,000 depending on the exchange rate at the time.  Conficasa International will be handling the financing and closings.  There are a few photos on my web site under Homes, Marina Sur.  Financing info is on the financing page.  You can get pre-qualify online.  http://osmx.com

Also to be available this fall are the 2 bedroom bay view hillside condos by Decope.  These are price from about $179,000 to about $279,000.

If you are looking for other types of properties let me know and I will see what is available in the area to fit your needs.

Enjoy the Easter Holidays and stay out of the April showers.

Regards

Gordon