10 Reasons to buy Property in the Yucatan in 2010

As the New Year approaches it has never been a better time to buy a home in the Yucatan from Mayan Living Real Estate. As more and more people look for a simpler, easier life the time is right to invest now! I have pulled together my top ten reasons to buy now:

1) Affordability - moving to the Yucatan can cut your cost of living from 35% to 50%. My water bill is less than $5 a month with unlimited usage, my home taxes are $36 a year. Day to day living is also much cheaper than up north, veterinarians come to the house for under $20, a friend of mine just had an ultrasound for $34. The dollar rose about 30% against the peso this past year. You now receive about 13 Mexican pesos to the dollar. Talk about a dollar stretcher! Where else can you buy a beachfront home for $200,000 or less? Or go one house back from the beach and buy for under $100,000. Beach life isn't your style? Buy a beautiful colonial home in the cleanest and safest city in Mexico. Live in a city with opera, the symphony, a wealth of shopping malls and more. Friends of mine just went to see Handel's Messiah at the symphony for less than $40 a seat!

2) Health Care - Merida is home to some of the best doctors and medical facilities available and all at a very reasonable cost. Friends of mine use a private insurance company that provides them with a low deductable and wonderful coverage for around $1600 year. There is also the IMSS medical system that is available to all of those with a FM3 (legal right to be in the country) for under $300 a year. Click here to see more about IMSS. Medicare is looking into coverage in Mexico and some Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans already pay. The standards here are very high end and the care much cheaper than north of the border.

3) Easy Access- Flights come in and out of Merida from Houston daily, you can be back on US soil in as little as 2 hours! When we were exploring where we wanted to settle down, one thing that was very important was to be able to get home quickly in case of a family emergency. You can also fly in and out of Cancun airport, that is only 4 hours away.

4) Government Investment in the Infrastructure- Even though Mexico like all other countries tightened their belt a bit in 2009, they still have wonderful new roads in our area. There is a new bridge linking Progreso to Chelem, a new 4 lane highway from Merida to the beaches and they are widening the roads in Chelem and Chuburna. They are building a new pier in Progreso and expanding the malecon to the west. There will be many new shops and a Swim with the Dolphins Center.

President Calderon has announced the Vive Mexico (Mexico Lives) campaign which will see the government injecting over $1.2 billion US into the tourism sector to safeguard businesses at risk from the steep dip in tourism as well as promoting Mexico as a prime holiday destination.

5) We at Mayan Living can now offer financing for qualified buyers! This is very new in the area and we have formed a partnership with a US based company.

Mexico has historically been a cash-based economy, but with the influx of investment by foreigners, financing has become a viable alternative. Many US lenders and banks have turned to the Mexican market, and their previous US experience makes the process more familiar than if one were to finance directly through a Mexican bank.

Mayan Living has chosen to work with Mortgages In Mexico, LLC. Mortgages In Mexico was the first loan broker to open up in Puerto Vallarta (September 2004), they have loan officers all over Mexico, they are now the longest tenured loan broker in Mexico. Their experience and professionalism, as well as their on-the-ground presence, make them the best choice for obtaining a mortgage. They represent all of the reputable sources of money available in Mexico and will be happy to discuss the available loan options. It is always a good idea (but not required) to be pre-qualified so you have a better idea of what to look for when you begin shopping for properties in Mexico. You can begin this process by visiting their website, http://mortgagesinmexico.web-loans.com/loancenter.aspx , and filling out an online loan application (please use the “long form”). Mortgages In Mexico’s website also has additional valuable information about financing and contact information for the loan officers covering your area (www.MortgagesInMexico.com). If you have any questions or would like more information on beginning your loan process, feel free to contact us via e-mail or telephone. If you have any questions about financing or would like more information on the process, please contact Doug Jones, President of Mortgages In Mexico at doug@mortgagesinmexico.com

6) Supply and Demand - With International Living citing the State of the Yucatan as the #1 retirement haven in the world in 2008, the demand is rising rapidly. While Merida can expand, there is only so much beach property, it is disappearing quickly and when its gone.......they just aren't making anymore. When demand out weighs suppy, prices go up! Buy now while it is still affordable!

7) Sunshine all year round!- Escape from the cold winters, snow and frozen pipes! Never have to wear a heavy coat again. We have beautiful tropical weather year round and plenty of sunshine. The winters are wonderful here with average temperature in the high 70's and low 80's. It does get hot in the summers with temps rising to 100 degrees, but thats why there are pools and air conditioning! Living in a tropical climate and being surrounded by beautiful landscapes are features of the Yucatan that can definitely boost your sense of well being.

8)Mexico is an emerging market - Investors in the know realize the huge potential for growth in Mexico as the world is trying to recover from the recession. Last fall, the one millionth American established residency here in Mexico. That makes Mexico the host nation for the largest American expatriate community in the world. There are now more Americans living in Mexico than there are in the U.K. or Canada.

This trend is accelerating as the U.S. recession deepens and job losses across the United States,” said an official at the Mexican Consulate in New York. “There are definitely more Americans emigrating to Mexico than this time last year.” We’ve seen an increase of almost 40 percent in the number of American citizens making inquiries about the requirements for moving to Mexico." An expat in Merida states “I never would have thought that to live out the American Dream I’d have to move to Mexico!"

9) Proximity to natural and architectural beauty -

The Yucatan is a land of legend, sun, beaches, jungle and recreation. There are few places in the world that are privileged with such a combination of Spanish architecture, Mayan ruins, beautiful beaches, wildlife, cenotes and more. The Yucatan is home to Chichen Itza, one of the 7 wonders of the world as well as many other wonderful sites, Uxmal, Dzibilchaltun and the recently restored Mayan city of Ek Balam. Come and spend some time in Merida, the White City, where the old meets the new, and respect for tradition and modern urban development are united with originality.

The Yucatan has something for everyone, find gorgeous beaches, watch flamingos flying overhead, go deep sea fishing or spend a day in the jungle exploring. Take a boat ride thru the mangroves and watch the wildlife. The Yucatan offers a culture of Mayan and Mexican descent and has a wonderful supportive expat community.

10) The people- I can't say this enough! We have traveled and lived in other places and countries, by and large we have never met such wonderful people as the ones that live here in the Yucatan! Kind hearted and generous to a fault, the local people will share their world with you. They love to show you around and welcome you into their hearts and homes. These are people that live an easier, simpler life style, much like the US in the 50's. Family and friends are the most important things in their lives, we are very blessed that we have found this piece of paradise and are able to call it our home!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

The past few weeks have been a flurry of activities as we who live in sunny Mexico get ready for the holidays. It is different having Christmas in another country and not being with all of our loved ones. What I have found is that people here have the Christmas spirit year round. The locals are always kind and giving and so many of the expats want to make a positive contribution to our new home.

The Chelem/Chuburna area has many expats living here full-time year round, it also has others that live here from October thru April and then head north to spend time back home when the weather is good there. Here at the beach there are many wonderful things going on in the community; programs to help the school children, monthly fundraisers for the Childrens Christmas fund, plans are under way for a new shelter for the local dogs and cats. The expats here are eager to give back to the wonderful people who so graciously allow us to live in their town.

A few gals have put together a wonderful monthly dinner with all contributions going to the Chuburna Christmas Children Fund. Bev, Nanci, Marta and many others have worked hard all year so that every child in Chuburna will have a Christmas gift. They met their goal by donation only, and this year over 800 children will be the recipients of their kindness.



The December dinner at Bev's place
How much fun we all had, isn't this the real reason for the season?
Next came the grand opening of La Playa Chelems beach bar. La Playa has been open for a year but just got permission to have barstools and is now the only bar/restaurant on the beach. Here are Nancy and Robert visiting us from Cleves

My honey, Doug at the new bar


Robert and Lyle


Mary and Jeff, these guys just recently joined our community. They bought a house here in March and just got here a few weeks ago to spend the winter. They drove down and filled their PT Cruiser with goodies for the kids.

They had us all over for a get together before the Christmas get together........Look at their beautiful tree


They also brought down this sleigh and all the gifts in it for the children of Chelem. Two days ago they went with Gaby and passed out these toys to the under privileged children here in town. I think we have gotten a couple of angels with these two!


The gangs all here at Jeff and Marys having food and bevvies!
Happy Jack!

Barbara Bell

And then their was girls day on the beach, Julie, Susan, Marlene, myself and Nan relaxed with good food and a bottle of wine. We are across the street from my house at a little hotel called Sian Kaan. Gotta love it here, I asked if they had any white wine and they said no, I said can I bring a bottle from my house? Of course you can!


The beach at Sian Kaan
And another end to a perfect day! Why do I love it here? Let me count the reasons!


Until the next time, Chillin' in Chelem!

Health Care in Merida- Video

American Refugees Seek Health Care in Mexico
Wyatt Cenac examines the Mexican health care system that's attracting
desperate Americans by the thousands. ALL FILMED IN MERIDA. http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-november-30-2009/american-refugees-seek-health-care-in-mexico

BEACHFRONT DEAL OF THE MONTH- CHELEM

Take a look at this beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 bath beachfront home! This would be perfect as your own beachfront Bed & Breakfast! This home has been lovingly maintained and updated. I don't see many homes this large and well maintained that come along at this price!




$212,000

Introducing an outstanding beachfront value! Impeccably maintained and outfitted with many features not often found in this area at this price! Let’s start with a fully walled lighted and gated entry, drive onto your private estate where you park one of your cars in a secure two space garage with aluminum doors. Wow! Now enter your new home where spaciousness is the word of the day. Big kitchen with a huge walk in pantry, vaulted ceilings in the dining and living areas, four large bedrooms with finished and doored closets, four full sized modern shower baths with heated water, and great storage spaces throughout! From the grand front porch you can take in the sea breezes and vistas in glorious shade, right on the Gulf of Mexico! Up stairs in the grand master suite you have your private modern bathroom, vaulted ceiling, and a private terrace with 180 degree views high above the beach! This home has a laundry bodega with hook-ups, is fully hurricane shuttered, the roof is new, and it has modern wiring. Lot is 53 x 14.5 M


This is your chance to escape from the harsh northern winters and live in the sunshine year round! A great value for your money and the business potential is unlimited! Check out our website for more pictures and how to get up with us! Remember Mayan Living Real Estate has been in business over 8 years, we have sold more homes this month than any of our competitors! Why do we sell more homes? Because we are honest and trustworthy, we live here full time and know the area like the back of our hand. Let us help you find your dream home today!

Sunday in the Yucatan

The past few weeks have been just crazy! As it starts getting colder up north more and more people are dreaming of buying a beach home in sunny Mexico! Our phone has been ringing off the hook and I spend hours daily answering emails while Doug is out showing properties. I'm not complaining, this is how we make our living after all........ For those of you looking at properties here south of the border, now is the time! The inexpensive ones are being sold as fast as we can list them! Check out our website http://www.mayanliving.com and see what deals we have to offer and how many homes have been sold lately.

On another note, Doug and I hadn't had a day to ourselves in weeks. We decided that we would take Sunday, turn off the phone, ignore emails and just enjoy our time together. It is a shame to being living in such a cool place and not experiencing it. We had heard through our Mexican grapevine that they were having some kind of small boat races on the lagoon Sunday morning so that was our first stop. It was a perfect day, clear skies, light breeze, temperature around 85 with no humidity. One of the first people we saw was Jose, Eduardo's brother. He explained that the race was called a singa, which means the type of boat used. There would be different races with the winners of each participating in a grand finale. The prizes were a refrigerator, TV and stereo. Doesn't sound like much to us gringos does it? But for the locals these are luxury items and the competition was fierce.

This is Jose, sizing up the competition,

Spectators

View of the shore from the pier

The guys lining up, getting ready to start, there are no motors, just an oar placed in the middle of the back of the boat and swung madly, reminiscent of a gondola in Venice

These local fisherman are really working it!

The crowd watches and waits.....

Unfortunately our buddy Jose, didn't win, however he is a good sport, gives a "thumbs up," and continues on with the day.

The much sought after prizes,

Okay, enough of that guy stuff, I wanted to go check out the flamingos, I just love them as I may have mentioned one or twice before. A friend of mine was saying that she had just seen a lot of them on the back road from Chuburna to Komchen, so off we went. There have been sooooo many flamingos here this year, I see them everywhere, but this was the most I have seen at one time! They were everywhere in the mangroves and lagoons!

This is what the lagoons look like when you are just driving by. If you look very closely you will see flocks in the very back. One of these I'll have a really good camera and then I'll never stop taking pictures of all the cool things here in the Yucatan!

These guys were really close to the road, and we didn't seem to bother them at all!

More flocks

And more flocks, you guys know how much I love pink flamingos!

They don't even look real do they?

Okay, enough is enough, but I just think it is so cool, that I can take a 2 minute ride and see these beauties in their native habitat!

Until next time, remember that there is still an untouched place not far from home. The reason so many expats have picked Mexico is the quick access to the US and Canada. Add in friendly people, low cost of living and of course flamingos and it all equals paradise! Warm breezes and cold beers coming at ya, Chillin' in Chelem!

Revolution Day in Chelem

Celebrated throughout Mexico, November 20th marks the day in 1910 when the war to overthrow the dictator General Porfirio Diaz began. The revolution was fought due to the growing disparity between the rich landowners and the rest of the population who were mainly poor peasants and farmers. The day is celebrated with colorful parades and parties and celebrations.  Here in Chelem of course there was something going on too!   We were able to attend the morning celebrations, but had many real estate clients in town so we were back home and at work by 9:00.


It all started by the lagoon, all the local school children were dressed up in their Sunday best for Revolution Day!  Here is a picture of the beginning with Senorita Revolution leading the parade,



Next the Colorguard:


Those that aren't in the Colorguard marched too,


Here come the kindergarten children,


Look at how precious they are, all dressed up in white, hair slicked back, wonder if they looked so clean at the end of the day?







My girl Gaby, she is just the best!

I love the horses and hats!



These guys on horses are exactly what my Mom thinks is normal here.  Can't convince her that people have cars!



Finally my "adopted" grand baby, Yomara, isn't she a beauty?

Weather in Chelem

The last week has been very unusual here in Chelem. After going through months with no rain, it has rained now all week long. And I mean rained! The wind has blown and the temperatures have dropped down to the high 70's. Our normally green Gulf Coast waters have turned rough and gray. The tides have been much higher than normal and much of the coast has seen the effects of erosion. Now we have hurricane/tropical depression/tropical storm Ida heading towards the Riveria Maya coast. While we have no fears of it hitting us, it means more rain! This morning I got up and saw a ray of sunshine, I grabbed my flip flops and shades and headed to the beach. The smell of the salt was much stronger than normal, the high tide mark was higher than I have ever seen it, the beach was full of seaweed and treasures. I only had a few minutes, clients were coming over to look at houses at 9:00, but here is a quick sampling of what I found.


First the ocean, gray and muddy, looking more like the Atlantic than the Gulf

A variety of sea shells, unfortunately I don't know their names, except for this one, a conch


And this one a starfish, or in Spanish: estrella de mar

Don't know what these are, but thought they were cool looking
We used to call thes cone shells when I was a kid, may not be correct
Some kind of whelk possibly

All my treasures accumulated in about 10 minutes
The weather here may not always be perfect, it may be too hot or it may be rainy like the past week, but there is always something here to be thankful for! Good friends, good food and small treasures. Until next time, Chillin' in Chelem

Update! Today (Sunday) has been lovely, the storm clouds are gone, the sun is shining and the time is right for heading south! Now is the time to move south. Contact us at www.mayanliving.com to buy your piece of paradise now! For all of you up north where the weather isn't so nice, check out this: