Baja Home Magazine

Why Use A Real Estate Agent?

Casa Connie - El Pedregal

By Rick Parks, REmexico Real Estate, Rick@CaboRealEstate.com

The process of buying and selling real estate anywhere in the world often involves using a local real estate agent to assist you. There are a number of reasons why this is a very good idea especially if you are considering purchasing in Mexico.
Los Cabos is one of the few areas in Mexico that offers an MLS (Multiple Listing Service) to both buyers and sellers. This is important to you because it gives you the opportunity to see every property available without having to search through multiple real estate websites. Every licensed brokerage and agent in Los Cabos operates through this system.Buying or selling real estate in Los Cabos can be a fun and exciting journey. Your real estate agent is your guide through that journey. They are there to make you feel safe, fill you with knowledge, negotiate on your behalf and take care of the details. That is a very valuable friend to have in your corner. So when you are ready to step into the market don’ be afraid to contact a licensed real estate agent and get them working for you.

SO WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS A POTENTIAL INVESTOR IN LOS CABOS?

  1. 1
    Protection - In order for an individual to legally sell real estate in Los Cabos they must be licensed through the State of Baja Sur California. Ensuring that the individual you are working with is licensed gives you the confidence to know that they are fully trained, knowledgeable of the area and governed by the laws of the MLS and the State. You can now move forward in your search knowing you are not at risk.
  2. 2
    Knowledge - As a licensed real estate agent we not only know the area, but we are trained in the local laws, regulations, processes and timing of a real estate transaction. When you work with a licensed agent you will be guided through the buying or selling process with full understanding of what is happening, why it is happening and how long it will take. Don’t be afraid to ask your real estate agent the tough questions. If they are unable to answer those questions - look for someone who can.
  3. 3
    Negotiation – Los Cabos is a diverse and booming real estate market. Knowledge of that market is key to being able to negotiate the best deal for you – the client. Your local real estate agent will know the trends, the hot spots, the places where deals can be found and how to put together a real estate deal so that it is a win/win for everyone involved.
  4. 4
    The Details – Buying real estate in Mexico is a completely different process than in any other part of the world. There are many details that need to be taken care of as you transfer a property from one owner to the next. Those details, if not completed properly and on time can severely slow down the transfer process. Your real estate agent is your first point of contact to make sure all those details are dealt with.

Own in Southern Baja

by Julie Kershner, REmexico Real Estate, Julie@CaboRealEstate.com

Congratulations, you’ve done your homework and you are ready to buy a home in paradise! Bienvenidos!

Casa Connie - CaboRealEstate.com

You have found the home of your dream, but how much should you pay? As you know, the value of a home is based on what a buyer is willing to pay and what a seller is willing to accept, so please consider the following when determining the amount of your offer.

Because Los Cabos has an active MLS system, and has had for nearly 20 years, obtaining market data is easy. Your agent will be able to access data showing recent sales of comparable properties, as well as providing information on market trends within Los Cabos.

To insure you are comparing this property with other comparable properties, take into consideration how similar the other comparables are. Age, condition, and location are very important aspects to consider. Other information helpful in determining an offer price is the length of time on the market and whether the home has been a vacation rental. Many times a home being used also as a vacation rental will not be available for showings, thereby extending the length of time on the market. This has very little to do with the appeal of the home, but it is hard to sell a home you cannot show.

Casa Niparaya - CaboRealEstate.com

If your dream property needs a face lift, consider the cost of the improvements compared to an available property with those improvements already included in the sales price.

Lastly, consider the seller’s situation. If the seller has recently made a price improvement (reduction), it indicates they are motivated to sell. Pricing a home for sale is somewhat subjective and owners generally have a price range in mind for the value of their home. This range is refined and adjusted based on feedback from buyers and agents. If the seller has made the necessary adjustments to the correct selling price, a lowball offer may be considered insulting.

After owning a home in Los Cabos for over 20 years, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions of my life. 

Featured Property – Vida Soul Hotel

Welcome to VIDASOUL HOTEL, an exclusive beach-front boutique hotel and a one-of-a-kind property. Dive into the design of this contemporary structure that awaits you on a glorious secluded beach on the East Cape.

Beautifully situated just 22 miles north of downtown San José del Cabo, and offering immediate access to the welcoming Sea of Cortez, VIDASOUL HOTEL presents a superlative opportunity for growth and remarkable lifestyle.

With 18 rooms already built, a restaurant and beach-side pool, plus plans available for 82 additional rooms, the property is designed to be eco-friendly, off-the-grid and fully solar powered with generators in place. The boutique hotel includes 93 meters (305 ft) of ocean-front and an the adjacent beach-front 4+ acres are also available.

For more information on this exclusive property contact: 

Susanne Giraud (624) 122-2401
Susanne@CaboRealEstate.com

Or visit:
www.CaboRealEstate.com

Marcela Valles (858) 842-7890
Marcela@CaboRealEstate.com

The Contemporary Beach House

By Aimee Meisgeier

Typically when the term “beach house” comes to mind, the image that is thought of is one of a cozy, shake shingle-sided home full of mix and match “shabby chic” style furniture and a nautical theme throughout. That traditional look still holds true, but there is a new generation of beach houses that gear towards a more contemporary aesthetic approach. These modern beach homes are full of natural light, trending materials and entertainment areas that highlight the “indoor/outdoor” living spaces. 

In designing a modern beach house, one consideration is the surrounding environment. Showcasing the beautiful outside elements throughout the project is easily done with a floor to ceiling moving glass wall system. This feature allows the house to fill with natural light, as well as provide a view from every angle. Another bonus to a moving glass wall is that when slid open all the way, it allows for a seamless transition of indoor/outdoor living space which is one of the key aspects of a beach house. These spaces provide inviting entertainment areas filled with gorgeous views.

Some trends that are being seen in modern beach houses are neutral color palettes to reflect the tranquility of the outdoors, textured materials such as natural fiber wall paper or three dimensional tile backsplashes, or architectural walls and elegant yet functional materials like composite countertops that mimic the look of natural stone, but do not have the same high maintenance upkeep. Neutral color palettes help keep the outdoor views as the main focus, but if the idea of no color in your life is not appealing, an easy and affordable way to add pops of color without too much commitment is by adding colorful throw pillows, area rugs and accessories throughout the space. These pieces are easily replaced after a few years if you tire of the color and want to try something new.

Natural fiber wall papers such as grass cloth, sisal or three-dimensional tile are a great way to bring texture into a space, adding visual appeal. With these textured pieces, a little goes a long way though. A nice way of incorporating this trend without overwhelming things too much, is to keep the installation to a single wall, such as the headboard wall in a bedroom or a wall in the main entryway to create that modern edge.

Textured finishes at Ocean Club Residences in Diamante

The choice of your finished materials should reflect the functionality of the space. While natural stone countertops are beautiful, they require constant upkeep which to some is not desirable. Composite countertops such as quartz come in a variety of patterns to look like marble or granite but with less maintenance; you can even install them in your outdoor kitchens without fear of the elements. You will not have to worry about the wear and tear of your counters while entertaining and cooking.

Another finish material to choose wisely is flooring. If you love the look of wood but once again do not want to deal with the product maintenance, consider installing “wood” tile. The technology of this product has come a long way over the years and now provides a realistic wood look with the durability of tile. You will have no more fear of soggy towels or wet feet coming in from the pool or ocean. All in all, no matter how you design your modern beach house, the most important thing to provide is a place of relaxation in which to enjoy the beautiful surroundings with family and friends for many years to come.
 

Community Spotlight – Cabo Bello

By Justine Schock, REmexico Real Estate, Justine@CaboRealEstate.com

Cabo Bello is a well-established oceanside gated development and was one of the first master-planned communities in Los Cabos. With more than 350 single and multi-family homes, vacant lots and condominiums, Cabo Bello offers homeowners a laid-back lifestyle within close proximity to all that Cabo San Lucas has to offer. Active listings in Cabo Bello currently range from $250,000 USD to $695,000 USD, while available lots currently range from $119,000 USD to $359,000 USD. Beachfront homes in the double gated Cabo Bello beachfront enclave of Playa del Rey (when they are available) usually start around $1.5 million USD.

Cabo Bello is located just 6 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas and 40 minutes from San José International Airport. Home Depot, Blue Net Hospital, Vinoteca, Costco, Walmart, restaurants, salons, shops and more are all just minutes away by car. For homeowners or vacation renters who do not want to deal with the hassle of driving a car in Mexico, the public bus (Ruta del Desierto) will take you from downtown Cabo to just outside the gates of Cabo Bello for roughly $30 MXN (approximately $1.50 USD). But the best part about Cabo Bello is the beach! Every home is walking distance to a semi-private swimmable beach where you can safely swim, snorkel, or sunbathe with friends, family and guests. The development also offers homeowners 24-hour security with guards at the entry gate, and roaming on ATV’s throughout the development.

The homes in Cabo Bello are very eclectic and not at all like the newer cookie cutter developments of recent years. Some of the more outdated homes from the 80’s and 90’s have undergone major renovations, yet the charm and unique spirit of the community remains. A lot of the homes within Cabo Bello have stunning arch and ocean views, which adds to the value and appeal of the neighborhood. Many of the homes offer second units, for example our Casa Santa Fe Duplex listing (with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms in Unit 1, and 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in Unit 2), gives the owner instant rental income whether they prefer to find vacation renters on sites like Airbnb, VRBO or HomeAway, or find long term renters. Long term renters give the property owner a steadier income stream, while vacation rentals tend to yield higher returns.

Other homes, like Casa Jose, boast multiple master suites with a detached casita that could be used for a mother-in-law apartment or live-in caretaker, maid or nanny. Homes with these kinds of flexible living spaces are great for investors, vacation rentals, or extended families looking for a little separation and privacy. You can find additional information about both Casa Santa Fe and Casa Jose in the last pages of this issue of Baja Home Magazine, or online at www.CaboRealEstate.com.

Overall, the whole neighborhood is well maintained. The homes in Cabo Bello are close enough to the water that during whale season you will be able to see these majestic creatures playing and breaching in the waters of the Sea of Cortez. Not only will you see whales, but private boat tours and yachts regularly pass by the shore, and private firework shows over the water are a common occurrence, typically several evenings a week.
Buyers looking for less maintenance and upkeep may prefer a condominium over a single-family home. Plaza Calafia condominiums are also located within the gates of Cabo Bello. Plaza Califia features two pools and a jacuzzi, tennis courts, a BBQ area and their own 24-hour security, all located just two blocks from Cabo Bello’s secluded beach.

Interested in learning more about Cabo Bello? Contact a local real estate professional and start the search for your own piece of paradise today!