Archive for January, 2010
Real Estate Yes But Not Like Back Home
Being from Colombia but having lived in the US for the last19 years has given me a unique view on the real estate market in Mexico from the perspective of a Spanish speaking foreigner.
About 6 years ago I fell in love with Tulum and vowed to return to live in this paradise for good. Since I was fluent in Spanish or so I thought I felt comfortable and confident enough that there would be no actual transitional period from New York to Tulum. I felt that my love and determination would help me overcome all difficulties and it did. But the lessons learnt are important enough for me to want to share since I believe that those who are thinking of buying property here whether to live or to expand their portfolios will benefit from them. Resilience or once ability to bounce back from the immediate set backs encountered in Tulum is of the greatest importance.
One of my first findings and shocking realizations regarding real estate not only in Tulum but in all of Mexico is that anyone can sell real estate without need for any sort of formal education. There is an organization know as AMPI Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios that for several years has been working with the government to pass a law that would make it mandatory for all involved in real estate transactions to become certified in order to legally sell properties but this has not happened yet and there is still no set date for when this will happen. For now then the term real estate professional must be used loosely but this is not to say that although you can ask the cab driver taking you to the beach to help you buy property that there arent a great many serious and professional agents out there continuously looking to further their knowledge in their profession in order to provide better service. In fact the lesson here is that when making the decision between going with the cab driver not that there might not be some good ones out there trying to save money on commissions and going into an established real estate office odds are that the reps in the office will be for obvious reasons more inclined to have taken or be taking courses in the subject thus being a much better choice even if it were to cost a little more.
For anyone whos purchased a home before the reasons to go with a real estate professional are immediately obvious and for those whom have yet to experience this wonderful roller coaster of emotions it should be an even easier decision to make since they must assume that their lack of experience is not only a disadvantage in their own country but imagine where they might stand in foreign ground. Even well versed real estate buyers from the US for instance will find the terminology confusing. For instance a notary in the US is an office without much power generally one would use it to authenticate documents but here in Mexico a notary public is not only a very import step in the process but an indispensible one since without it the transaction would not be valid.
For anyone foreign or national looking to purchase property in Mexico one of their first conversations with a sales associate should be regarding the required steps to purchase and which of these steps will the sales person be present for. The buyer must not only be concerned about possible language barriers but by having a sales associate from the region by their side will absolutely aid in facilitating the purchase at the different stages of the process. Some of which entail conversations and negotiations with other agents/offices the seller possibly developers bank executives accountants lawyers and notaries just to name a few. With this in mind it becomes easier to see how the cab driver or the great new local friend might not be the best choice.
It is rare to find but definitely possible a stand alone real estate professional who can provide effective counseling to all parties involved not just the buyer in a real estate transaction. Thats why going into a professional real estate office not only betters your chances of not loosing your money but of avoiding future hurdles after the purchase. It is key that once you find the property that you like your next question be whether a thorough search and investigation has been made of all the documentation provided by the seller to ensure their authenticity. Verifying that the title to your soon to be property is still up to date perhaps the neighbor with which it borders has moved his fence a few feet into yours should be the job of the sales associate and not that of the lawyer or the notary. Do not fall into this situation. If want to ensure that your documents are correct the answer is easy to get by hiring topographer and having him physically go to the property and verify the measurements a process that will only take a few days. If you wait to do this until after youve bought the property you may be loosing some of your brand new slice of paradise.
Always remember that it is in the best interest of your sales associate to walk you through the entire purchase process from beginning to end since a true professional will not only be interested in repeat business but also in referral business. So if a sales associate wants to leave you too soon it may be a sign that something is wrong.
The lesson here then is even if you speak Spanish and are a native of Mexico please remember that in this emerging market many things work differently but the one thing that remains the same is if the sales associate youre speaking with doesnt feel right ask someone else.
So for now the best advise I can give anyone regarding whom to purchase from is to take your time become as well versed as possible in the subject visit more than one real estate office and above all follow your gut feeling because if it doesnt feel right it most likely isnt.
About the writer: Tulum Real Estate Guide Tulum Beach
Popular Luxury Hotels In Sweden
Stockholm is a thriving capital of culture and has more than 70 museums and attractions 100 art galleries numerous stages for dramas and music and is home to more than 1500 artists. Due to its diversity of attractions Stockholm attracts a huge number of visitors every year. The city is made of fourteen islands which gives uniqueness to this beautiful city. People book hotell Stockholm online through web portals and Hotell Web is one portal where you can book Stockholm Hotels easily online. Stockholm offers a range of hotels to its guests including economical and cheap Stockholm hotels popularly known as billiga hotell Stockholm ranging around 2 to 3 star hotels. Superior and luxury hotels are also available for booking in Stockholm Sweden and they include 4 and 5 star hotels. Before you plan your trip to Stockholm it will be a good idea to go over this article to decide the hotel of your choice where you should book a room for your stay.
5 Star Hotels in Stockholm
Hilton Stockholm Slussen: The Hilton Stockholm Slussen Hotel is located just 2 minutes walk from the Old Town. The hotel overlooks the calm waters of Riddarfj?en to Stockholm City Hall and offers luxurious facilities including Jacuzzi gym and a beauty salon to its guests. The hotel is located to popular tourist attractions including a Park Museum and Zoo.
Radisson SAS Royal Viking Hotel: Nestled in the heart of Stockholm close to all the city’s attractions the Radisson SAS Royal Viking Hotel offers some of the best dining rooms and meeting facilities. The hotel has 459 air conditioned rooms and suites fully equipped and furnished with the highest quality materials.
Grand Hotel Stockholm: The Grand Hotel Stockholm is situated in the heart of the city. The hotel has large sized rooms offering exceptional services with a blend of modern and antique furnishings. The Hotel also has a French Dining Room which serves French Cuisines to the guests.
4 Star Hotels in Stockholm
Rica Hotel Stockholm: Rica Hotel is a newly renovated firstclass hotel centrally located in the heart of the city. The hotel is located very close to public transportation shopping malls theatres and other cultural events.
Elite Palace Hotel: The Elite Palace Hotel is situated in Vasastan one of the most picturesque regions in central Stockholm. The hotel has 215 nicely decorated rooms that are comfortable well furnished and equipped with a host of modern amenities. Elite Palace also has a popular conference hotel with its own exclusive reception and offers different activities for relaxation and recreation also.
Mornington Hotel City Stockholm BW: The modern Mornington Hotel City Stockholm BW is located in the residential Ostermalm district of Stockholm Sweden one kilometre from the Old Town. The hotel offers a number of facilities to its guests including a library nearby fitness centre and a conference room for guests.
About the writer: You can see many more hotels in Stockholm and hotels in Sweden and reserve them online by visiting Hotell Web one of the most popular Scandinavian Hotel Booking and Reservation websites.
Palace On Wheels The Gem Of The Rajasthan Train Tours
When it comes to Rajasthan Train Tours Palace on Wheels features the very best that India offers. Embark on a journey back in time of peacefulness tranquility adventure culture cuisine… an unforgettable sojourn all made possible for you on this superb luxury train.
Since its beginning in 1982 the guests of the Palace on Wheels have received service above the ordinary with an experience which was unashamedly romantic and adventurous. To this day the travelers expect nothing less. This is a journey which should only be embarked upon with the highest of expectations. The train provides an opportunity to explore the centuries to appreciate the history and culture of Rajasthan without missing the features and details of the passing landscapes and enjoying all the on board comfort and stateoftheart facilities one could ask for.
Rajasthan is one of the most vibrant and historically and culturally rich states of India. The history of Rajasthan is all bravery and chivalry of the Rajputs. Their tales of gallantry and valor are part and parcel of the Rajasthan culture. Their passion for buildings and architecture is manifest in the myriad of magnificent palaces forts havelis and temples that speak volumes about history and heritage of the state.
The Palace on Wheels is an effortless way to experience Rajasthan at its best. The spectacle of Rajasthan’s great wilderness will take your breath away. This Rajasthan Train Tour is truly worthy of kings not surprising the experience is labeled as the Palace on Wheels. In a series of trips the train links some of Rajasthan’s greatest destinations including Jaipur Jaisalmer Jodhpur Ranthambore Chittorgarh Udaipur Bharatpur and Agra before culminating the journey to New Delhi. The itinerary covers the very best attractions of North India from Jaisalmer at the tip of Rajasthan to the pink city Jaipur from scenic splendors as diverse as the bird sanctuary of Bharatpur to the sleepy villages of Jodhpur from the desert landscapes of Chittorgarh to sparkling lakes of Udaipur and the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra. During your cruise you will experience the fascinating history and spectacular scenery exotic wildlife the beautiful heritage havelis palaces and forts desert villages and rippling sand dunes.
The train combines the luxury of five star hotel with the charm of train travel. The Maharaja and Maharani dining cars receive only accolades for their connoisseur selection of Rajasthan cuisines. The food served during the sojourn puts sheer good taste on a plate while gracious hospitality puts you on a pedestal. With 14 coaches named after former Rajput princely states with spacious cabins the passengers on board the Palace of Wheels have plenty of space time and encouragement to do as they please. One can enjoy the company of others recline idly with a favorite book or simply watch through the window which unfolds new vistas of passing beauty.
With an experience of more than 25 years recreating a service on board which is delivered with flair originality and personal care the journey aboard the Palace on Wheels is truly one of distinction. It’s a journey of a lifetime for those who appreciate finer things in life. Embark on this Rajasthan Train Tour and treasure the memories of the rolling luxury called Palace on Wheels for a lifetime.
About the writer: Rohan Arora is a travel writer based in India. Get more information on Rajasthan Train Tour Rajasthan Tours from us. Book your tour now to explore beauty of rajasthan.