In January I told you about the opportunity we have in Costa Rica’s (formerly) undiscovered lake country of Arenal. It's in a project called The Preserve. Guess what? The market in Arenal there has taken off. The early-in window of opportunity is closing. The best lots are being snapped up and prices are rising. For now we can buy a lake view lot “off market,” perched above the boat dock, with a down payment of $2,500 and monthly payment of $187.50.
Last Friday I told you about the results of Ireland's most recent fire sale auction. The catalog for the next auction (May 3) has been released. This time there are fewer apartments in the bigger urban centers. The focus is on commercial units. Some have tenants with leases of varying terms. Others are vacant. Homes and building plots scattered around the country also go under the hammer. Some are far from the big urban centers and will likely sell for a song.
In this dispatch, I'll report on the results of Ireland's latest fire sale. I'll also look at some non-auction listings located along the scenic Ring of Kerry for less than $100,000.
In northeast Brazil, miles of wide and deep white-sand beaches connect little fishing villages and kite surfing outposts. A typical year has 300 days of sunshine. A typical day is in the low 80s with sunshine and refreshing breezes from the ocean. This is where Brazilians and Europeans come to vacation. This is a stretch of coast you should visit first-hand to see the opportunity I have been telling you about. Today, I’m extending a special invitation
I want you to be the first to receive my invitation. After all, the schedule is designed for you. And with only 150 places available, it's important that you have the opportunity to consider dates and act before these few seats sell out.
On December 16, I told you about a new pre-release opportunity called Piazza Coliseu in the Iracema Beach area of Fortaleza, northeast Brazil. You still have a brief window of opportunity...maybe just two weeks...to get in before the launch to the local market. At this point I expect prices will rise by at least 5%.
Ecuador’s nicest 100-mile stretch of coast used to be difficult to get to. That’s changed with the new highway. One strong opportunity I’ve told you about on this coast (most recently in yesterday's Alert) is Jama Campay. This is where you can buy a 960-square-foot condo perched above…yet only a four-minute stroll from…a white-sand beach. Even from the ground floor you have views past the beach and breaking waves to the Pacific Ocean.
You’ll find Ecuador’s nicest stretch of coast in the north. It runs for 100 miles of sandy beaches, rocky coves and steep forested hills around the town of Jama. RETA members have bought beach homes here—at the Jama Campay project. When I was in Cancun recently for International Living’s Ultimate Event, Francisco, the developer at Jama Campay, burst into the exhibit hall waving pieces of paper. “I have it...I have it...I got it yesterday...just before I got on the plane...” He was talking about permits—his condos are now permitted.
On the Dominican Republic’s Samana peninsula, Las Terrenas is a little piece of paradise. Nineteen miles of walkable public beach, palm trees, warm breezes and stars so bright it feels like you could pluck them from the sky… I can’t think of a nicer place to have a beach home. You’ll find your dollars stretch here, too.
Next Thursday (March 1) the sixth fire sale auction in Irish real estate will take place in the luxurious Shelbourne Hotel on Dublin’s Stephen’s Green. I expect prices will hit an all-time low. Finally, it’s truly “game on” for distressed sales in Ireland.