Baja Home Magazine

A Dirt Road Adventure to the Baja East Cape

By Elisa Allen

Baja Sur is full of untouched beaches and scenic drives - all available to any adventurous wanderer with a full picnic basket and a 4WD vehicle. One such day trip starts near the airport in San Jose del Cabo, with a turn onto an unassuming neighborhood road. This road will take you through the shade of huge mango trees on the local huertas, before you cross the large sandy arroyo of Los Cabos. The road then begins to wind past casitas with chickens in the front yard and larger ranchos. Palm trees, palo verdes, and palo de arco trees are abundant in the low spots here so close to the underground water of the arroyo. This time of year, both the palo de arco and the palo verde trees are green and often blooming with yellow flowers. It’s best to drive slowly as there are often cows wandering across the road in this section. You will soon begin to climb and will be surrounded by sprawling desert interrupted by the occasional rancho. From here, there are unimpeded views of the local mountains from the road, including Picacho de la Laguna, the tallest peak in the Sierra de la Laguna range.

This road trip covers only about 22 miles, but takes over an hour to complete on the dirt road from San Jose Viejo to the coast. As far as Baja’s dirt roads go, this one is in good shape, though a careful eye for soft spots, topes, and blind turns is always necessary. Cell phone service ends about 5 miles into the desert, though there are easy-to-follow signs for the Vidasoul Hotel you can use when Google Maps fails. The drive takes you through a few different ecological zones of the local desert, and different flora and fauna are easily seen from the car. Keep your eyes peeled for wayward goats, jackrabbits, roadrunners, and slow-moving farm trucks. About halfway through the drive, you’ll pass through the small town of Palo Escopeta, which includes a little school, a dirt soccer field, and scattered roadside homes. Eventually you’ll reach the top of a hill and begin to see the ocean up ahead and below. The road ends at the coast on the East Cape and there are many real estate opportunities and empty beaches to explore in this area. To the left, you’ll find Vidasoul Hotel across an arroyo, where you can order lunch and a cocktail at oceanfront Crossroads Restaurant. They also have quads to rent and a pool to enjoy. Rocky surf spots can also be found with some 4WD meandering. Whatever your interests are, this quiet part of the East Cape is definitely worth the trip!

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