February Issue: Your Invitation to the Half Price Buyer’s Club

February Issue: Your Invitation to the Half Price Buyer’s Club

I’ve heard whispers about Costa del Sol’s insider circle. I know they exist, and the strategies they use to get killer deals, but trying to track them down proved impossible. Until now, that is... Finally, we have a way in to this secret, closed, group that knows how to buy Spanish real estate for as little as half what it might cost on the open market.

January 2018: Costa Rica: The Land of Real Estate Opportunity… How and Where to Profit In 2018

January 2018: Costa Rica: The Land of Real Estate Opportunity… How and Where to Profit In 2018

Costa Rica is a haven for tourists and second home buyers who want to experience paradise. But, when it comes to profiting from real estate, you have to dig deep to find the opportunity. Do it right—buy in the right place in Costa Rica at the right time—and you could make a killing. I’ll show you how.

April 2017: The Last Great Spain Crisis Opportunity Could Hand Us the Biggest Profit

April 2017: The Last Great Spain Crisis Opportunity Could Hand Us the Biggest Profit

It was 2009 and as Spain’s economy had cratered and unemployment soared, the real estate market stalled. One wealthy Russian thought he could buck the trend. He had one of the best combinations of location and spectacular views on the Costa del Sol…and deep pockets. The homes were built…but never sold. And this has created one of the strongest Costa del Sol opportunities I have ever brought to RETA.

March 2017: Big Profits in Playa del Carmen’s Golden Zone

March 2017: Big Profits in Playa del Carmen’s Golden Zone

Here...over here!” My contact shone the flashlight of his camera phone at a gap in the fence behind a faded billboard. He squeezed through. I hauled my six-foot-two frame after him. We left behind the wide, tree-lined boulevard. Luxury SUVs passed by, their drivers unaware of our presence beyond the fence. Or what the future of this Playa del Carmen neighborhood holds...

February 2017: Double Your Money in the Caribbean Beach Town I Almost Didn’t Visit

February 2017: Double Your Money in the Caribbean Beach Town I Almost Didn’t Visit

I’ve just returned from Placencia, Belize. And I dropped everything to put this report together for you—because our opportunity there has knocked my socks off. On my trip, I was following Placencia’s Path of Progress—a path that I discovered could lead you to double your money in one, four, or five years.

January 2017: Right Now We’re Seeing Potential For Killer Deals on the Costa del Sol

January 2017: Right Now We’re Seeing Potential For Killer Deals on the Costa del Sol

Last October, I took an extensive 10-day scouting trip to Spain's Costa del Sol. One place high on my scouting list was Estepona, south of Marbella. This is the locale where Real Estate Trend Alert members have locked down townhomes for just $189,000. That deal came thanks to Spain's dysfunctional and grossly inefficient real estate market. Taking advantage of Spain's inefficiencies is the best way to get in here now...but you have to be ready to act...

December 2016: No One’s Paying Attention to This Overlooked Market in Cabo—But We Can Make a Killing

December 2016: No One’s Paying Attention to This Overlooked Market in Cabo—But We Can Make a Killing

All the cranes in Cabo are being used to build new luxury hotels. No one is building the homes needed for the hotel managers, the golf pros, the IT experts, and all the other new business owners. No one, that is, except for one smart developer. And it’s through him that we get our opportunity—a chance to profit from this boom. Our gains could be spectacular…

November 2016: Chame, Panama: The Best True Beachfront Play on Our Entire Beat Right Now

November 2016: Chame, Panama: The Best True Beachfront Play on Our Entire Beat Right Now

Our latest deal in Panama is so strong, so compelling, and so obviously profitable that it’s a no-brainer. It’s the best true beachfront play on our beat right now, bar none—and the best Panama beachfront play I’ve seen in my close on 13-year career scouting and investing in Panama real estate.

September 2016: An Easy Way to Profit From a 50-Year Path of Progress on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast

September 2016: An Easy Way to Profit From a 50-Year Path of Progress on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast

Real Estate Trend Alert members have banked some serious gains on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. In two weeks’ time, I’ll spend my first night in my A-nah townhome. Two years ago, RETA members could lock one of these down with members-only pricing of $215,000. Now a similar townhome lists for $287,000. Our opportunity on this coast is still strong. Our latest members-only opportunity will be one of our easiest opportunities to do well on the Riviera Maya.

August 2016: Buy Europe: We Can Now Get Killer Deals in The Heart of Portugal’s Algarve

August 2016: Buy Europe: We Can Now Get Killer Deals in The Heart of Portugal’s Algarve

Maybe you've never heard of Amendoeira. Anybody who's interested in championship golf courses in the Algarve, they know about this place. I know it. I've played here. You shouldn't be able to buy luxury like this in this part of the world for less than €500,000 ($560,000). Yet here, you can get in for half that. And it's all because of the crisis running across Europe...

July 2016: Auctions: A Source For Killer Deals When You Know How to Play Them

July 2016: Auctions: A Source For Killer Deals When You Know How to Play Them

Auctions can be a great way to pick up a piece of real estate priced well below market value. And buying the right property at auctions can lead to a killer deal. You need to find the right property at the right auction. It takes work and thought, but do it right and you can pick up a bargain piece of real estate for far less than market value.

June 2016: A Tale of Two Brazils—Why It’s The Best of Times For The Northeast Coast

June 2016: A Tale of Two Brazils—Why It’s The Best of Times For The Northeast Coast

To an outsider, it looks like a calamity in Brazil. One million protestors calling for the president’s impeachment…corruption scandals…a financial crisis... The country’s congress and senate have both voted to impeach president Dilma Rousseff. Last month, she was suspended from duties for 180 days. Far from being a reason to avoid Brazil, it allows us another opportunity to buy well here…and to take advantage of some special-situation deals...

May 2016: Profit From The New Upwardly-Mobile City of Leon, Nicaragua

May 2016: Profit From The New Upwardly-Mobile City of Leon, Nicaragua

Right now, we have an opportunity in Leon that will allow us to tap into this Northern Nicaragua story I've been telling you about. A new and emerging middle class is among the most powerful drivers of profit opportunities I know. We've seen the middle-class opportunity play out in Fortaleza, in Medellin, and again in Cabo, Mexico in 2015. Now, we have a chance to do the same again in Leon, Nicaragua.

April 2016: Potentially Double Your Money With a Luxury Condo on Spain’s Costa del Golf

April 2016: Potentially Double Your Money With a Luxury Condo on Spain’s Costa del Golf

I've played golf on some of the best courses in the world. And I'd put the course surrounding our latest opportunity in Spain on my list of top courses. What I found was luxury, standout condos priced at €230,000 ($259,500)… Also in your latest Special Edition, get all you need to know to make sure your rental property is set up to earn bigger rental yields right here.

March 2016: How to Get Free Beachfront in Nicaragua—And Three Other Ways to Get a Property For Free

March 2016: How to Get Free Beachfront in Nicaragua—And Three Other Ways to Get a Property For Free

Sometimes in real estate a rare moment comes along when everything lines up and you can essentially own a property for free. It isn’t a big secret or even difficult to do…if you do it the right way. I’ve found opportunities in three of the strongest real estate locations on my beat where you could own a hotel, a condo, or some prime beachfront land for free.

February 2016: Once in a Lifetime Buying Moment in Medellín, Colombia

February 2016: Once in a Lifetime Buying Moment in Medellín, Colombia

Medellin is the only modern and sophisticated city on my beat that I know of where you can buy a high-end condo of 800 square feet—in the most desirable neighborhood—for $100,000. For less than double that price, you can get an even better deal: a three-bedroom condo of 2,300 square feet…as I explain in this Special Edition of Real Estate Trend Alert.

December 2015: The Best Way to Get Ahead of Cabo’s New Growth Trajectory

December 2015: The Best Way to Get Ahead of Cabo’s New Growth Trajectory

I thought ours was a very brief window in jet-set Cabo on the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula. One in which we could buy luxury cheaply, and profit. But 10 months and three research trips later, I see that something much bigger is happening…as I explain in this special edition of Real Estate Trend Alert

January 2015: Limited Window of Opportunity on Mexico’s Riviera Maya

January 2015: Limited Window of Opportunity on Mexico’s Riviera Maya

The real estate market at the southern edge of Mexico’s Riviera Maya is the fastest moving market on my beat. The buying moment is now—but we have a limited time to act before the moment passes. Tulúm has gone mainstream in a big way…In this special edition of Real Estate Trend Alert I reveal the opportunities we have yet to look forward to.

December 2014: Dramatic Golf and Views of the Sea of Cortez—The Best Luxury Buy on My Beat Right Now

December 2014: Dramatic Golf and Views of the Sea of Cortez—The Best Luxury Buy on My Beat Right Now

Until recently, Cabo, at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula in Northwestern Mexico, wasn’t on my radar. Today, thanks to a rare combination of events, we have a very special opportunity here—an unusual pricing anomaly in a high-end, blue chip location, as I explain in this special edition of Real Estate Trend Alert

November 2014: Act Now Before Spain’s Window of Opportunity Closes—Snap Up a Deal in the Costa del Sol Today

November 2014: Act Now Before Spain’s Window of Opportunity Closes—Snap Up a Deal in the Costa del Sol Today

Right now the south of Spain is on a tear. The best distressed real estate deals are being snapped up, and the window of opportunity is fast closing. The situation in the Costa del Sol is playing out just like I forecast. Now is the time to act.

October 2014: Why Uruguay’s Farmland is the Best Place to Park Your Cash (While You Collect a 9% Yield)

October 2014: Why Uruguay’s Farmland is the Best Place to Park Your Cash (While You Collect a 9% Yield)

Uruguay has a long tradition of accepting investment in its land from outside of the country. Safe, solid, and reliable Uruguay, with its infrastructure of roads, ports, agri-business, and legal and tax environments, is a place we can securely and profitably invest for yields of up to 9%.

September 2014: Puerto Vallarta—Killer Deals if You Know  Where to Look; Risky Business if You Don’t

September 2014: Puerto Vallarta—Killer Deals if You Know Where to Look; Risky Business if You Don’t

Puerto Vallarta—one of Mexico’s most popular expat destinations—is home to an estimated 50,000 North Americans. It has endless beaches, marinas, and a yacht club. But California money helped turn a sleepy, stable market into a crazy mess. In the aftermath, we may find opportunity.

July 2014: Icaraí de Amontada – Brazilian for “Cheap, Beautiful Beachfront”

July 2014: Icaraí de Amontada – Brazilian for “Cheap, Beautiful Beachfront”

Europeans came to Icaraí and fell for the stunning curve of beach and a charming little fishing village—now it offers us cheap, beautiful beachfront opportunities. Plus, in this special edition: where you can combine profit potential and real estate for personal use in the Algarve...questions to ask before doing a deal on productive land...short-term rental markets and the local laws you should be aware of...and more.

May 2014: Chiang Mai – The New Land of Opportunity

May 2014: Chiang Mai – The New Land of Opportunity

Five months ago I spent two weeks scouting through Thailand—most of that was spent in Chiang Mai, for that is where the opportunity lies. This is a complicated market, as I explain in a special edition of Real Estate Trend Alert—ready to download here. In this special edition, you'll also discover... How to profit from inefficient markets... The condos in Medellin, Colombia that you should avoid... And lots more...

April 2014: My Buy of the Decade, a $20,000 Check, Panama Incentives, and More

April 2014: My Buy of the Decade, a $20,000 Check, Panama Incentives, and More

A special edition of Real Estate Trend Alert—on my buy of the decade on the Riviera Maya. In this special edition, you'll also discover... What happens when unstoppable tourism demand meets limited land opportunities... The excellent protection offered by Brazilian "reciprocity" contracts (I just got a check for $20,000)... A new real estate investment trust in Ireland... The opportunity in retirement care in Ecuador... Incentives to invest in Panama City's 341-year-old historic quarter...

March 2014: Is Malta The Safest Bet In Real Estate You Can Make Today?

March 2014: Is Malta The Safest Bet In Real Estate You Can Make Today?

Is Malta the Safest Bet in Real Estate You Can Make Today? Could Be…Case Study: The Last Great Crisis Investment in Ireland…The Window is Closing on Our “Spanish Triple”…Burma—New Condominium Law that Allows Foreign Ownership…Will U.S. Flights Ever Land at Planned New Airports in Costa Rica and Nicaragua?...The Latin Currencies That Mean a Buying Opportunity for You…And More.

October 2013: A New Opportunity to Profit in Brazil

October 2013: A New Opportunity to Profit in Brazil

Your October issue of Real Estate Trend Alert is ready. Here is just some of what you'll find in your latest issue: ∗ A New Opportunity to Profit in Brazil: I've scouted an exciting new deal in Brazil's Northeast where there is still a window of opportunity to profit. There are limited lots (only 43 left) for members at a special 10% discount with developer financing before the project launches to the local market. Find out more...

September 2013: Strong Opportunities<br> on the Costa del Sol

September 2013: Strong Opportunities
on the Costa del Sol

I'm excited to deliver your first ever special extended issue of RETA today. Inside this issue, you will find a report on my scouting trip to the Costa del Sol. It details the strong opportunities I found in San Pedro, La Duquesa and the luxurious New Golden Mile. Aside from giving you the lowdown on killer deals on the Costa, I offer valuable insights and insider information on what I look for when scouting property. I also share my photo diary with you—all you have to do is click on the links contained in my report to view images of the places and properties I checked out.

Double Your Money with This “Buy and Hold” Play

Double Your Money with This “Buy and Hold” Play

John Jacob Astor started his professional life as the owner of a few fur and flute shops, but by the time of his death in 1848 he had acquired a net worth equivalent to $140 billion in 2019 U.S dollars. How did he do it? He used his earnings from the fur and flute trade to buy and hold land on an island on the East Coast of the U.S. called...Manhattan.

The Nimble Will Profit

The Nimble Will Profit

There are 7.7 billion people on earth. Last year saw 1.4 billion tourist arrivals. That's 18% of humanity. But you don't need figures from the UN's World Tourism Organization to know more people are traveling than ever before. Just take a trip...you'll see them in the airports and old towns of Europe...on the beaches of Mexico...in the jungles of Costa Rica...in the temples of Thailand...

“I Never Thought I’d Eat This Well in the Jungle”

“I Never Thought I’d Eat This Well in the Jungle”

When I first arrived in the heart of Costa Rica's Southern Zone, Ojochal was a tiny place, just a few stores at a crossroads. As always, I took a closer look. I explored down thickly forested roads and got into the hills, combed the beaches...and I found some fine restaurants run by passionate expats intent on serving the best and freshest food.

Month in Review: Who Cares About Lehmans…

Month in Review: Who Cares About Lehmans…

People like anniversaries. The media love them. It's easy news to talk about the past. Much harder to report on the messy present or predict the future. You just roll out the talking heads. They muse and ponder, pontificate and pretend. This month it was the collapse of Lehmans Bank—the biggest bankruptcy in American history. A 10-year anniversary is juicy stuff for the media and it seems like every newsroom in the world prepared a piece.

Who Wants a FREE Stay in Panama?

Who Wants a FREE Stay in Panama?

On Thursday, I wrote about our seven discounted condos in Playa Caracol, Panama. We could buy a brand-new, finished condo next to the sand with three bedrooms and bathrooms from $399,800. That's our members-only price. The list price on that condo is $509,885: $110,085 more. You're locking in capital gains from the outset. And, there's more to come. I figure these condos could be worth $700,000 in five years' time.

Notes from the Field podcast: The Last Laugh and $100,000 Savings

Notes from the Field podcast: The Last Laugh and $100,000 Savings

I recorded your latest Notes from the Field from the cliff-top town of Carvoeiro. There’s a welcome sea breeze here. On Portugal’s Algarve it’s 46 C (114.8 F). This part of Europe is experiencing a heatwave. But it’s the wave of bank fire-sales and special situation opportunities I discuss in this podcast that brought me here.

Only 16 Handpicked Condos Will Be Available in This Incredible Resort at 1pm E.T.

Only 16 Handpicked Condos Will Be Available in This Incredible Resort at 1pm E.T.

At 1 p.m. E.T. today, our chance to lock down a condo in The Fairways at Mavila community in Cabo opens...and you'll be in line for some big gains. I'm talking expected capital appreciation of $190,200 in five years' time...and annual gross rental potential of $40,000 (with the right marketing).

The View Is Mesmerizing… The Profit Potential Even More So

The View Is Mesmerizing… The Profit Potential Even More So

The sky is blue... the ocean a darker shade of sapphire. Waves roll up and break on the soft cream-colored sand. Farther back, I can see big sand dunes. In the village close by, some of the homes are covered in clapboard. Others are large, spacious and modern with sleek minimalist design. Their owners are drifting into the restaurant for a late lunch.

You Need to Act Quickly If You Want in on This Panama Deal

You Need to Act Quickly If You Want in on This Panama Deal

Coco Place, our first-ever Panama City opportunity, opened yesterday at 1 p.m. E.T. And if you haven't acted, I urge you to go here now to lock down the best available condo—while you still can. The response from your fellow RETAmembers has been phenomenal, but there is a limited number of condos still available for you to lock down.

3 Hours to Go: Our First Panama City Deal Opens at 1 P.M. With $220,000 Potential Gains

3 Hours to Go: Our First Panama City Deal Opens at 1 P.M. With $220,000 Potential Gains

I've just found the deal of the decade in Panama City, Panama...and you're on notice that you need to be ready at 1 p.m. E.T. today. That's when you'll have a RETA members-only chance to get in and profit. I expect all available condos will be snapped up in a matter of hours—this deal is a complete no-brainer.

Insider Podcast—Is It Our Time to Profit in Panama City? This Expert Thinks So

Insider Podcast—Is It Our Time to Profit in Panama City? This Expert Thinks So

In your March edition of your RETA Insider podcast, I'm talking again to one of the most innovative developers I know—a guy who is highly specialized in his niches and incredibly diversified in his development portfolio. Combining both of those qualities is rare...seriously rare. And that's why I'm talking to Alfredo Aleman for the second time in your RETA Insider podcast.

INVITE: Come to Costa Rica This April to See Our Opportunity in Person

INVITE: Come to Costa Rica This April to See Our Opportunity in Person

In recent days, I told you about the opportunity members of our little group have to lock down lots in Costa Rica's Southern Zone, with pricing from just $20,000. That's an immediate gain for RETA members, anyone else walking in off the street would pay at least $40,000 for a lot in the same community, but not us. Thanks to a deal I've negotiated on your behalf, you're locking in gains of 100% from the get-go from your lot.

February Issue: Your Invitation to the Half Price Buyer’s Club

February Issue: Your Invitation to the Half Price Buyer’s Club

I’ve heard whispers about Costa del Sol’s insider circle. I know they exist, and the strategies they use to get killer deals, but trying to track them down proved impossible. Until now, that is... Finally, we have a way in to this secret, closed, group that knows how to buy Spanish real estate for as little as half what it might cost on the open market.

January 2018: Costa Rica: The Land of Real Estate Opportunity… How and Where to Profit In 2018

January 2018: Costa Rica: The Land of Real Estate Opportunity… How and Where to Profit In 2018

Costa Rica is a haven for tourists and second home buyers who want to experience paradise. But, when it comes to profiting from real estate, you have to dig deep to find the opportunity. Do it right—buy in the right place in Costa Rica at the right time—and you could make a killing. I’ll show you how.

White Paper: The Trends We’re Watching into 2018 and Beyond

White Paper: The Trends We’re Watching into 2018 and Beyond

In the 1950s, having a computer in your company's office was a sign that you were at the cutting edge, innovative, and wealthy. To lease a computer (not buy it outright), you could spend the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars a month, adjusted for inflation. And you needed to give up a whole room or even a floor to store the machine.

In Search of Our Newest Caribbean Opportunity

In Search of Our Newest Caribbean Opportunity

This is my first visit to Placencia. And, I'm charmed. Placencia is a 16-mile-long spit of land that forms a peninsula in southern Belize. On the east side of the peninsula, you have white-sand beaches backed by swaying palm trees. Docks protrude into flat waters. Waters lap against these docks in afternoon breezes. On the west, you have the protected lagoon—a boater's and nature-lover's paradise.

Maybe Our Strongest Ever Riviera Maya Deal: Turnkey Condos From $132,000

Maybe Our Strongest Ever Riviera Maya Deal: Turnkey Condos From $132,000

The Path of Progress is racing down Mexico's Riviera Maya. And now we have an opportunity to buy a pre-construction condo at special Real Estate Trend Alert members-only pricing of $132,000 (which includes a furniture pack). This is an opportunity to lock in gains from the get-go and to make a killer rental yield on a condo that will be turnkey on delivery—right down to the linens.

Flash Alert: Double Your Investment in 3 to 5 Years—And Make More Than $50,000 in Rentals Along the Way

Flash Alert: Double Your Investment in 3 to 5 Years—And Make More Than $50,000 in Rentals Along the Way

I've just got word of one such opportunity. I was on the phone with my contact in Nicaragua, Jordan Clark. He told me about a one-off opportunity to buy a colonial property with serious rental potential. An opportunity where one Real Estate Trend Alert member could do well. Very well.

Visit Los Cabos Before Our Las Brisas Opportunity Passes

Visit Los Cabos Before Our Las Brisas Opportunity Passes

I can't wait to get back to Los Cabos. I'm planning a visit for late October or early November to scout out our latest opportunities. But, by the time I get there, I expect our opportunity at Las Brisas to have passed. If you want to get in, you can't wait. You need to reserve your place on our Real Estate Trend Alert members-only scouting trip this September 22-25.

Just Six Available: Members-Only Pricing on Three-Bedroom Cabo Condos

Just Six Available: Members-Only Pricing on Three-Bedroom Cabo Condos

Our opportunity, Las Brisas at Ventanas, is now open. This opportunity is strictly limited to the last six condos. And as a Real Estate Trend Alert member, you can act now and snap up an ocean-view condo from only $159,000. And it gets better: The first five members to act can cut $5,000 from our members-only pricing—that means the first five pay $154,000.

Three-Bedroom Condos in Luxurious Cabo—But Only Six Available

Three-Bedroom Condos in Luxurious Cabo—But Only Six Available

Luxurious Cabo is in the throes of a major growth trajectory. I've been calling a big new era for Cabo for the past 20 months. Now it's happening. Cranes dot construction sites right along the coastal corridor and new roads have opened up. It's getting ready to open up to a new upper-middle class market of locals, vacationers, and second-home owners.

Prime Lots in Costa Rica With a 25% Discount:  Only 10 of You Can Act

Prime Lots in Costa Rica With a 25% Discount: Only 10 of You Can Act

To remind you, only 10 Real Estate Trend Alert members can take advantage of our opportunity to buy in one of Costa Rica's premier communities with a 25% members-only discount. I negotiate special members-only terms and pricing on your behalf on deals. But a 25% discount is a rare event. One I recommend you take advantage of.

40 RETA Members, My Trusted Contacts, and My Entire Team – All in One Room

40 RETA Members, My Trusted Contacts, and My Entire Team – All in One Room

Our Gathering will be a deal fest. I'll reveal the strongest hot-off-the-presses deals. I'm running the rule over them as we speak. They will be members-only pre-release deals in the hottest markets. My contacts are flying in from around the world, too. It's a very rare thing to get us all in one place at one time.

This Riviera Maya Trip Is Free and Exclusively Members Only:  Lock Down Your Place

This Riviera Maya Trip Is Free and Exclusively Members Only: Lock Down Your Place

I usually spend half the year on the road. And while I get to see some of the most beautiful places on the planet, I'm not there to sight-see. I'm putting boots on the ground, checking that a location and a potential deal stack up. And it's something I tell all Real Estate Trend Alert members they should do, too. Today I'm reminding you again. Just like me, you need to put boots on the ground in the locales that offer the top profit opportunity.

The 3 Rs of a Great Deal: Rental Yields,  RETA-Only Pricing, and Riviera Maya Location

The 3 Rs of a Great Deal: Rental Yields, RETA-Only Pricing, and Riviera Maya Location

The developer has a deal exclusively for Real Estate Trend Alert members. It's a chance to get in on one of the Residences at A-nah Village. It's bigger than the townhome that I locked down. It's a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with plenty of outside space and high-quality finishes.

Here’s How That Auction I Told You About Played Out

Here’s How That Auction I Told You About Played Out

On Wednesday, I sent you your monthly Special Edition of Real Estate Trend Alert. In the cover story, I gave you the lowdown on auctions—and how we can play them to pick up a killer deal. One of the auctions I told you about was the Allsop auction in Ireland. I spent Wednesday keeping an eye on the progress of that auction. You can view the results here.

Flash Alert: Only Two of You Can Act on These  RETA-Only Condo Deals in Cabo

Flash Alert: Only Two of You Can Act on These RETA-Only Condo Deals in Cabo

I asked the developer a few days ago if he had some other deals he could offer toReal Estate Trend Alert members. He came back with a couple of interesting offers. I pushed him a little harder. And the deals got better. The deal is for only two condos. If you're interested, you need to act fast. These will go in a flash.

The Last Time I Brought You an Opportunity Like This,  It Was Gone in 90 Minutes

The Last Time I Brought You an Opportunity Like This, It Was Gone in 90 Minutes

We all like a taste of the good life. It's a powerful driver of prices. Certain brands come with a cachet and desirability. You can pay $50 for a pair of jeans. They'll do the job. But they won't look quite as good, or get you as much attention, as the made-to-measure pair with a trendy label…and a price tag of $1,000.

Flash Alert: Two-Bedroom Portugal Home  With Capital Appreciation Potential

Flash Alert: Two-Bedroom Portugal Home With Capital Appreciation Potential

I'm planning a research trip to Portugal's Algarve next month. This will be my sixth trip since crisis came to Portugal. A killer deal there just crossed my desk, the kind of deal that gets snagged in a matter of days. It can't wait for my visit and full reports—that's why I'm sending you this Flash Alert today.

Congratulations If You Locked One of These Condos Down

Congratulations If You Locked One of These Condos Down

Our latest opportunity, Sunrise at Sanctuary, opened on Saturday. Members of our little group had the chance to lock down a true beachfront condo from only $184,300. I told you this was a strong opportunity that needed immediate attention. Your fellow members agreed. Every last one of our 18 pre-release condos were locked down. And there's a waiting list.

Now Open: Buy Jet-Set Cabo at Seriously Discounted Pricing

Now Open: Buy Jet-Set Cabo at Seriously Discounted Pricing

Our opportunity today at Copala is on five luxury homes. They feature three bedrooms and just over 2,000 square feet of interior space, plus 392 square feet of space for entertaining on the rooftop terrace. I've been able to negotiate an exclusive members-only price on these five homes of $427,905. That's a members-only saving on retail of $131,449.

Book Your Visit Now—A Riviera Maya Suite From $135,000

Book Your Visit Now—A Riviera Maya Suite From $135,000

Over the last few days you've heard about our brand-new opportunity at Luxe on Mexico's Riviera Maya. Today, I'd like to extend a members-only invitation for you to visit and see our opportunity at Luxe firsthand. The developer will pick up the tab for your visit. This FREE trip is a special perk of your Real Estate Trend Alert membership. Grab your spot here.

Now Open: Your Newest Riviera Maya Opportunity  – Suites From $135,000

Now Open: Your Newest Riviera Maya Opportunity – Suites From $135,000

Our opportunity at Luxe is now open. Members of our little group have the chance to lock down a Riviera Suite from only $135,000. (The first five members to act can take a further $5,000 off that price, bringing to $130,000.) As a Real Estate Trend Alert member, you can avail of developer finance at a low rate of 5%. (Locals pay 12% or more for their bank mortgages here in Mexico.) And, you can spread your down payment out over the construction period with manageable payments.

A Killer Members-Only Deal in Mexico—Get Ready to Act

A Killer Members-Only Deal in Mexico—Get Ready to Act

Our latest opportunity in the A-nah Village community opens tomorrow. In Luxe at Village, five members can lock down a one-bedroom (plus a den that converts to a second bedroom) Riviera Suite with members-only pricing from $130,000. Every piece of furniture you need to move in or rent is included. You can avail of developer finance, and buy with a manageable down payment and monthly payments of only $490.

Our Brand-New Riviera Maya Opportunity Opens This Saturday

Our Brand-New Riviera Maya Opportunity Opens This Saturday

Strictly speaking, it's low season on this strip of coast right now. Peak winter season has passed, along with Easter. But it's still full. At 2.15pm yesterday, I drove by the Hartwood restaurant. A line was already winding its way along the road outside its doors. East Coast hipsters stood waiting in retro hats and intentionally mismatched bikinis. They only had another 3 hours and 45 minutes to wait before the restaurant opened.

The Window Is Closing: Golf Condos From $120,000 in Spain

The Window Is Closing: Golf Condos From $120,000 in Spain

If you want to get in on the Costa del Sol's undervalued real estate, this is your moment to act. The window here is set to close. Members who have acted have done well. Right now we have two strong opportunities to buy at deeply distressed prices. Both opportunities happen to be in golf communities. That's a nice perk whether you care for golf or not—golf is big business on the Costa del Sol.

Flash Alert: A Guesthouse in Costa Rica  With Serious Income Potential

Flash Alert: A Guesthouse in Costa Rica With Serious Income Potential

The best play right now in Arenal, Costa Rica is to take something unloved, but with potential, and to add value through clever thinking, a few bucks, or some elbow grease, to create a new use for an underappreciated property. That's the sort of opportunity I got word of when I was in Costa Rica a few weeks ago—a guesthouse that could be a nice little earner for an investor with time to spend on a project.

Flash Alert: Ocean-View Lot in Southern Nicaragua for $75,000

Flash Alert: Ocean-View Lot in Southern Nicaragua for $75,000

I told you yesterday about the Path of Progress that's steadily rolling along Nicaragua's southern Pacific coast. More people are coming here to live or for vacation, and a regional middle class is emerging. Property prices are on the up. And today I'm telling you about a great members-only deal I've found in Rancho Santana that just can't wait. It's a steal.

Four Days in the Riviera Maya for Free—Book Your Spot Now

Four Days in the Riviera Maya for Free—Book Your Spot Now

Here's an invitation I strongly urge you to take up. It's time to book your flight and check out the Tao community you have been hearing about in these alerts. Best of all, developer Benjamin Beja will pick up your tab. On February 4–7, a small group of Real Estate Trend Alert members will be hosted at Tao. You'll check out this opportunity, and experience the ''Tao Life'' firsthand. The ''Tao Life'' is the experience of spending time there.

Save Over $27,000 on This Riviera Maya Ocean Residence

Save Over $27,000 on This Riviera Maya Ocean Residence

The Tao Ocean Residences, which I've told you about in these alerts, are perfect for this rental market. And you can take 6% off the price of one—that's a discount of more than $27,000—right now. And because of access to the scarcest commodity of all, beachfront, they have excellent prospect for capital appreciation. You have the best of all worlds.

Last Call for Our Special Insider Gathering

Last Call for Our Special Insider Gathering

The countdown is on for our Real Estate Trend Alert insider gathering this December 10—13 on Mexico's Riviera Maya. In late August I invited members to join me in the Tao community for this gathering. The good news is that the team at Tao have been able to secure additional condos for our dates. So, I can open up another 14 spaces. You can lock down your place here.

Do This When a Brazilian Offers You a Dead Chicken (It’s not what you think…)

Do This When a Brazilian Offers You a Dead Chicken (It’s not what you think…)

''Mind if we pull in here? I got a dead chicken in here last Thursday,'' my Brazilian contact Daniel asked. Before I knew what was happening the barrier to the underground car park of the luxury condo building rose. We drove in. My head was fuzzy. I had just stepped off a long flight from Lisbon.

Flash Alert: Rental Potential with a $42,000 Discount in Mexico

Flash Alert: Rental Potential with a $42,000 Discount in Mexico

Tao is a best-in-class community with a rental market that is set to grow. Demand far exceeds supply. As I explained yesterday, this stretch of beach shows a chronic shortage of rentals right through the year. If an inexpensive condo, with strong rental potential, is what you are looking for then I have just the thing for two members.

Price Increase Alert: Snap Up Your Luxury Condo Now

Price Increase Alert: Snap Up Your Luxury Condo Now

As a member of our little group you will be familiar with the opportunity to buy high-end Cabo luxury at a price that nowhere near reflects the quality of the community or those who will want to live and rent here. I’ve just received notification that retail prices have risen by $32,400 or more in the Copala community at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.

Everybody Wants to Stay Here—And You Can Own a Rental

Everybody Wants to Stay Here—And You Can Own a Rental

The short-term rental market in Mexico’s Riviera Maya is the strongest I know. More vacationers and snowbirds are coming and more folks are moving here to work or set up a business. I expect strong rental demand for suites here at a weekly rate of up to $750…each. And strong occupancy thanks to overflow requirement from the new hotel that will come on top of an already strong rental market.

Eavesdrop on My Private Conversation…

Eavesdrop on My Private Conversation…

I recently caught up with my contacts from Northeast Brazil, Daniel and Hanna Neves. We talked over how some of the opportunities members of our group have bought are working out—like getting a year’s worth of rent in just one month in the landscape and beach class condos we bought in 2009 and 2010 on top of strong appreciation. And, the rise in values in my recent recommendation of Fazenda Imperial.

The Brazilian Deal I’m Buying Into

The Brazilian Deal I’m Buying Into

Five days ago I told you about the opportunity we have in Fortim, Brazil to buy a lot with a down payment of $4,920 and monthly payments of $312. This is a really strong deal in an area with a stunning stretch of beach that, thanks to a newly upgraded highway, is now only 90 minutes from Fortaleza. There's a new airport 15 minutes away. Fortaleza's new upper middle class is exploding. This is where they will want to have their beach homes.

Member-Only Trip: Investigate New Brazilian Beachfront Opportunities

Member-Only Trip: Investigate New Brazilian Beachfront Opportunities

As you read in yesterday's special report there are a number of opportunities I'm tracking in the area of Northeast Brazil centered on Fortaleza. I visited the beach town of Icaraí in late April. Europeans came here and fell for the stunning curve of beach and charming little fishing village—it's a place where we can buy cheap, beautiful beachfront.

You Haven’t Missed Out on This Killer Pre-release Deal

You Haven’t Missed Out on This Killer Pre-release Deal

Six days ago I sent you my report on why I believe our buying moment is now along the southern edge of the Riviera Maya. Three days ago I told you about our member-only opportunity to buy a luxurious condo pre-release at Ceiba at A-nah Tulum. These little condos are a great bolt-hole to escape the winter up north and relax in your own piece of Caribbean luxury.

Update from the Road: Interesting Finds in Spain, Portugal, and Brazil

Update from the Road: Interesting Finds in Spain, Portugal, and Brazil

I'm in stunning Jericoacoara, 185 miles along the coast from Fortaleza in Northeast Brazil. Wide empty beach is backed by giant mountainous sand dunes. Back from the beach and in the dunes you have white-bottomed lakes where adventure travelers come to kite surf (although not at this time of year), dive or just kick back and relax.

Ocean View Lots in Uruguay from $21,093

Ocean View Lots in Uruguay from $21,093

Uruguay's "beach province" of Rocha has the country's best beaches and most charming beach towns with white sands, backed by dunes, stretching for miles. Beyond the breaking waves, the Atlantic is blue and flat to the horizon. The beach towns in Rocha have a quiet charm. La Paloma is the biggest and most vibrant...La Pedrera has a more upscale ambiance...and tiny Cabo Polonio is famous for its arty residents.

Second Chance for a Killer Deal on the Costa del Sol

Second Chance for a Killer Deal on the Costa del Sol

Last Thursday I told you about the opportunity to buy a two-bedroom condo six minutes from the luxurious Puerto Banus on Spain's Costa del Sol...from 129,000 euro. My boots-on-the-ground research when I visited Spain a few days earlier turned up this opportunity. I passed on my research to you as soon as possible, predicting these condos (45 units) would sell quickly.

This is Urgent: A Once-in-a-Generation Deal on the Costa del Sol

This is Urgent: A Once-in-a-Generation Deal on the Costa del Sol

I've just learned of a killer opportunity on the Costa del Sol—and I don't expect it to last long. The luxurious Puerto Banus sits on the eastern fringes of Marbella. This is where you find the jet set. A mooring for your super yacht will set you back seven figures. Homes sell for well into eight figures. I saw one rental that asks for $60,000 per week. Gucci, Chanel, and Rolex have all set up shop here.

Special Alert: Safe Havens, Crisis Investing, New Rules in Burma, and More

Special Alert: Safe Havens, Crisis Investing, New Rules in Burma, and More

Your March issue of Real Estate Trend Alert—a special report on the best opportunities in Europe right now—is ready to download. I'll tell you more in a moment...but first, an important update. There was a significant price hike yesterday in the luxury condos in the Spanish community of Alcaidesa, on the Costa del Sol.

Case Study: How RETA Members Have Profited in Tulum (So Far)

Case Study: How RETA Members Have Profited in Tulum (So Far)

Close on a decade ago I first stood on the white sands at Tulum. Playa del Carmen was my base for this trip, and I saw firsthand what was happening. Playa was taking off—as were its real estate values. Ninety minutes down the coast (before the road improvements) Tulum was a secluded piece of paradise. It was an empty beach—there wasn't a single soul.

For 25 Members Only—Early–in Opportunity in a Stunning Location

For 25 Members Only—Early–in Opportunity in a Stunning Location

I'm writing to you today to tell you about a strong early–in opportunity close to one of the world's finest stretches of coastline. Last Sunday, I received confirmation that my lawyer had successfully run the rule over the construction permit for this new development. This last piece of paperwork is what I have been waiting for—I'm raising the "buy" flag.

Something Big is Happening in Tulum…You (and 11 Other Members Only) Can See for Yourself

Something Big is Happening in Tulum…You (and 11 Other Members Only) Can See for Yourself

Mark your calendar: January 28-31, 2014. That's when the next members-only Tao chill weekend takes place. And this one's a little different. Tao, as long-time members know, is set in the Gran Bahia resort. Usually RETA members stay in the resort's luxury hotel on a chill weekend. But for this trip, the resort can't accommodate even a small group of RETA members. It's booked solid until March.

Two Pockets of Opportunity in Europe—Window Now Closing

Two Pockets of Opportunity in Europe—Window Now Closing

Real estate bubbles send all prices too high. When they pop, they bring everything down with them. Sometimes too far. The same irrational views that drove the prices up help push them down, and for a short time quality properties become very cheap. In recent months I have come across two pockets of opportunity amid Europe's crisis that fit this picture

VIP Invitation on All-Expenses Paid Trip to Tulum

VIP Invitation on All-Expenses Paid Trip to Tulum

One of the most stunning areas on my beat is Tulum on the southern edge of Mexico's Riviera Maya. Its white-sand beaches, ancient ruins, white-bottomed lagoons, nature preserves, caves and cenotes make it stand out. On Wednesday, I told you about a new deal I am currently researching in this area. It's too early to say if this development will be our next big opportunity as I'm still scrutinizing the project. However, if Mexico's Caribbean coast is on your radar, I have another prime opportunity for you.

Book Your Place on This Luxury Pacific Coast Escape (Places Limited)

Book Your Place on This Luxury Pacific Coast Escape (Places Limited)

Imagine sipping a cool drink while listening to the sound of Pacific waves crashing against the rocks below. The ocean views are jaw-dropping. It seems a shame to leave your sunny spot by the pool at all. But you promised yourself a swim in one of the five beaches on your doorstep...or maybe some horseback riding on the warm sands...and you'll relax this evening with dinner in The New York Times-acclaimed gourmet restaurant, with friends and fellow expats...

A Real Estate Proposition For You in a Five-Star Community

A Real Estate Proposition For You in a Five-Star Community

I call Rancho Santana "frontier luxury." Forbes magazine described it as "simply stunning." But who knows how long it will stay frontier for? It's only a matter of time before the world catches on... As I told you last Wednesday, plans are well advanced for a new international airport 15 minutes away from this community. With only 390 lots tucked into 2,700 acres, this resort will always be stunning. Remember, it's got five beaches, rocky points and rolling hills with 270 degree ocean views.

The First—and Last—Buy-Back Offer I’ll Ever Bring You

The First—and Last—Buy-Back Offer I’ll Ever Bring You

I’ve written to you before about the Rancho Santana community on Nicaragua’s stunning Pacific coast. Last January, I told you about plans for a new international airport just 15 minutes away. I’m well connected on the ground in Nicaragua, and, at the Rancho Santana community in particular. You see, the developer is Pathfinder and International Living’s parent company. I’ve just heard some important news from one of my key contacts in the resort. Something you’ll want to pay attention to now.

Agricultural Deals: How to Play the Game and Profit

Agricultural Deals: How to Play the Game and Profit

It was great to meet so many members of our little group at International Living’s recent Fast Track Your Retirement Overseas conference in Las Vegas. I enjoyed catching up with members and shooting the breeze on my beat here at Real Estate Trend Alert. Some of you asked about how we can play the predicted surge in demand for food over the coming decades—and why I haven’t brought any opportunities to your attention. That’s why today I’m revisiting this topic. The investment case for food crops and the underlying land is straightforward: Demand is going up; supply has constraints like suitable land, availability of water and infrastructure to get crops to market.

Firesale Opportunity: Buy a Hotel in Ireland from $4,900 per room

Firesale Opportunity: Buy a Hotel in Ireland from $4,900 per room

Too many hotels were built during Ireland's boom. Hoteliers borrowed too much. They built fancy spas, speculated on real estate and lost sight of their business. Now they are in a bind. As a reader of these alerts you will know that this crisis has created a buying opportunity. Today we can buy a hotel in Ireland from as little as $4,900 per room.

A New Opportunity to Buy Affordable Real Estate in Ecuador

A New Opportunity to Buy Affordable Real Estate in Ecuador

Ecuador has some of the best real estate values on my beat. An early-in opportunity in a community called Montecristi Golf Club & Villas recently crossed my desk. The deal grabbed my attention because of the strength of the group behind it. There's good bang for your buck too with lots starting at $39,504. With trips to Spain, Malta, Thailand and Nicaragua in my diary from September to mid-November, my schedule has been too busy to visit yet. But I'm planning to check out this project as soon as my schedule permits.

Urgent Fire Sale Opportunity in Spain: Penthouse from $148,400 (Only Seven Released)

Urgent Fire Sale Opportunity in Spain: Penthouse from $148,400 (Only Seven Released)

Last week, I told you about the opportunity we have on Spain's Costa del Sol. I also gave you a heads up about the imminent new release of fire sale inventory in the picturesque marina town of La Duquesa. I've just got off the phone with my contact on the ground. Game on. Forty condos have just been released. I expect they will sell fast. Seven condos stand out. These are penthouse condos with pool views and some (limited) sea views. I expect these will sell out in a matter of days—maybe by the weekend. As I told you in last week's newsletter, good inventory—at the right price—sells out fast in this area.

One to Avoid in Spain

One to Avoid in Spain

I delivered my special report from my scouting trip along Spain's Costa del Sol to your inbox on Wednesday. I made some exciting discoveries on this trip including strong real estate opportunities in La Duquesa, The New Golden Mile and the little town of San Pedro de Alcántara. As with every scouting trip I take, I check out numerous properties in different areas but only a handful of deals meet my "buy" criteria.

Get Ready: Special Alert Out Tomorrow

Get Ready: Special Alert Out Tomorrow

As your personal property scout, I spend up to two weeks of every month traveling the world searching for the most undervalued real estate opportunities on your behalf. I then hone in on the best way to profit. When I visit an area I spend my time meeting in-country contacts, gathering detailed information, comparing and carefully analyzing the pros and the cons of every real estate deal I come across. I write about the best opportunities in your regular RETA mailings. But I also get a lot of in-depth market information, local real estate news and insider tips that’s impossible to cover in our regular mailings. They’re simply too short.

Own a Lot in Stunning Costa Rica from $411 a Month

Own a Lot in Stunning Costa Rica from $411 a Month

Today, I want to tell you about a part of Costa Rica that is still a secret to most of the outside world. This place is called the forgotten coast because it is the least discovered and most unexplored region in Costa Rica. For years, tourists have flocked to the country’s Pacific coast and business has gravitated to the capital city, San Jose. Most people overlooked Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.

Your Chance to Profit in Distressed Ireland

Your Chance to Profit in Distressed Ireland

There are two segments of Ireland’s property market where I see the potential for strong demand—and there’s a limited supply of housing. Rents and values in these two sectors are rising. First-off, there’s a shortage of family homes in Dublin’s leafy suburbs and residential areas. With almost no activity in six years, there’s a pent-up demand to buy good-sized family homes.

Members-Only Trip to This Caribbean Coast: 9 Places Only

Members-Only Trip to This Caribbean Coast: 9 Places Only

As a member of our little group you will be familiar with the Tao project close to Tulum on the southern edge of the Riviera Maya. This is where you, as a member, get a 7% discount on condos in a new building and other goodies like a 10-year free Tao Wellness Center membership, $5,000 credit toward your furniture package and $1,000 toward travel expenses. In the Tao Wellness Center, you can swim in lap pools, work out in the fitness center, or try yoga and meditation.

Own a Lot in Costa Rica’s Lake Country from $299 a Month

Own a Lot in Costa Rica’s Lake Country from $299 a Month

As a member of our little group, you will know that I scout for overlooked and undervalued real estate in the world’s most stunning locales. I then negotiate special pricing and terms on your behalf. Costa Rica’s lake country of Arenal is a place that ticks my boxes. This is a place where I love to spend time. It’s relaxing, quiet, and surrounded by stunning scenery. Looking along the lake directly in front of me, Volcano Arenal points toward the heavens, its cone reaching 5,300 feet. Looking out to the horizon, the light and dark blue of the lake meets the rich pastoral green of hills and fields interspersed with forest.

Hola from Sunny Spain

Hola from Sunny Spain

Greetings from Ronda, Andalucía. I’m standing almost 400 feet above the canyon floor on the new bridge that connects the old and new part of this ancient city. Of course new is a relative term. Work started on the bridge in 1751. The first attempt fell down. Then the next effort stalled as funds dried up. The bridge was finally completed in 1793.

Three Real Estate Opportunities in this Stunning Pacific Coast Resort

Three Real Estate Opportunities in this Stunning Pacific Coast Resort

As a member of our little group you will be familiar with Nicaragua's stunning south Pacific coast and the Rancho Santana community in particular. Today, I'd like to tell you about three opportunities within this community that have just crossed my desk. I wanted to make sure that you hear about these deals first. I've also ensured you get a window to make a quick cash offer before these deals hit the streets—you have ten days to make your move.

New Auction Date: Twelve Irish Cottages for $400,000 (That’s $33k Each!)

New Auction Date: Twelve Irish Cottages for $400,000 (That’s $33k Each!)

I recently told you about an opportunity to buy 12 cottages in rural Ireland for $400,000 ($33,000 each). These vacation homes were due to go under the hammer at a firesale auction in Dublin on July 4. However, dramatic protests stopped the Allsop Space property sale from going ahead. A handful of demonstrators, some of whom have lost their homes in the economic downturn—shouted "Ireland is not for sale". Police were called to the protest and the auction was called off.

Explore Undervalued Real Estate on This Dreamy Island

Explore Undervalued Real Estate on This Dreamy Island

I've arranged a special RETA members-only Chill Weekend to a dreamy island destination with stunning beaches just for you. It's a place where you will enjoy delicious French and Italian food under palm trees in the tropical sun. You will also see undervalued real estate in a market with good rental potential. You can spend time with other members of our little group—swap stories and pick each other's brains about property deals over cocktails.

Own a Luxury Caribbean Beach Home for $129,000

Own a Luxury Caribbean Beach Home for $129,000

There's a special island on my beat where you will find incredible value in Caribbean real estate. It's a postcard-perfect destination with white-sand beaches, calm waters and tropical sun. The natural beauty of this island has made it a hotbed for the filming of Hollywood blockbusters. As a member of Real Estate Trend Alert, you could own a piece of this Caribbean lifestyle for $129,000.

Come to Las Vegas to Meet My Real Estate Contacts

Come to Las Vegas to Meet My Real Estate Contacts

This September 27th-29th, I’ve been invited to speak at an International Living event in the U.S. with all of my trusted real estate contacts. It’s the only event on U.S. soil which I’m traveling to this year—and I’m looking forward to meeting you in person and kicking around some ideas. My contacts are traveling to Las Vegas from the places I’ve written to you about in these alerts.

Prices will Rise on Friday

Prices will Rise on Friday

I’ve just got off the phone with the team at the A-nah condo project. This is the early-in opportunity I told you about in Mexico’s Playa del Carmen last month. As I expected, their pre-release condos have been selling fast. That’s what happens with strong opportunities like this. These condos come with spacious terraces and have been snapped up. That’s why they have brought forward a planned price increase on ground-floor units to this Friday, July 19 at 6.00 p.m. ET. A one-bedroom, ground-floor condo is set to rise in price from $144,000 to $154,000. These condos are selling like hot cakes and construction is moving forward.

Where to Buy in Costa Rica (Near the Pacific Coast)

Where to Buy in Costa Rica (Near the Pacific Coast)

I'm writing to tell you about a special opportunity in Costa Rica. My contact on the ground, Steve Linder, has arranged a private members-only trip to the Southern Zone for our little insider group. I've visited several times and I'm always struck by the area's natural beauty. Stretching from the beach town of Dominical to the chic village of Ojochal, the Southern Zone is a rugged wonderland of pristine mountain tops blanketed in lush green rainforest that plummet dramatically toward the deep blue ocean.

Fire Sale on Irish Cottages: 12 for $400,000 (That’s $33k Each!)

Fire Sale on Irish Cottages: 12 for $400,000 (That’s $33k Each!)

As a member of our little group, you will know that Ireland's economy and real estate market is in deep distress. Property sales had all but stopped until firesale auctions came to the country in April 2011. After a series of these sales, market clearing prices were set. Sale prices were 50% to 90% less than peak prices. Today, we're two years on... and you can now buy at prices comparable to these auctions through regular channels.

Boquete: The Best Value in Seven Years

Boquete: The Best Value in Seven Years

I've just returned from my first scouting trip to Panama's mountain country of Boquete in five years. Back in 2007 to 2008, the market became frothy and prices too high. I stopped visiting until now. This time, my trip threw up some interesting opportunities. The most significant development I noticed in Boquete is how real estate prices are at their lowest in almost a decade. I'm working on some special situation RETA members-only deals there which I will be telling you about in the coming weeks.

“Fire Sales” Near the Spanish Coast for Less Than $127,000

“Fire Sales” Near the Spanish Coast for Less Than $127,000

An opportunity on Spain's Costa del Sol has my attention today. But upfront I'd like to draw your attention to a two of things: 1. My lawyers haven't reviewed the paperwork relating to this deal or the mortgage offer. 2. I visited this area on my last scouting trip and stood outside this building. But I haven't seen inside. Despite these two things, I think you should know about the opportunity today because my hunch is the units will sell out before I make my next visit.

Early-in Condo Deal near Caribbean Beach for $139,500

Early-in Condo Deal near Caribbean Beach for $139,500

I’m just back from my second scouting trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya this year. I’m excited to tell you about a new strong early-in opportunity in a project I visited. Before I tell you about the deal, let me remind you about the Path of Progress I’ve seen in this region. Not too long ago, Playa del Carmen, the jewel in the Riviera Maya, was a small village with sand streets. In the last 10 years, it rapidly became a hip beach town.

Last Chance to Profit in Brazil at this Low Price

Last Chance to Profit in Brazil at this Low Price

I'm writing to you today to remind you about a great deal we have on lots in northeast Brazil—but the prices will go up in three more days. Brazil is famous for its endless miles of white-sand beach, turquoise lagoons and buzzing city beaches. For many decades Brazil was regarded as the country of the future. The world looked on in envy at her beaches, beautiful people and staggering potential to be one of the world's richest places. Today, Brazil has arrived. It's a global power broker. It's the world's sixth-biggest economy.

Get Ready to Profit in Brazil

Get Ready to Profit in Brazil

Today, I'd like to tell you about a new deal near a pretty beach village in Brazil. It's a great opportunity to buy a lot within commuting distance (10 minutes) of the port of Pecem I've been writing to you about. Pecem in north-east Brazil is set to explode with the creation of thousands of jobs there. All of the middle-class workers will need somewhere to live—and that's why I've taken such an interest in the area.

Costa Rica’s Highway Brings Us to This New Deal

Costa Rica’s Highway Brings Us to This New Deal

As a member of our little group, you will know that one of the big trends I'm interested in is the "Path of Progress." I'm talking about new roads or airports that make stunningly beautiful places more accessible. On my last visit to Costa Rica I drove a new highway to the Colinas de Miramar project west of San Jose. The upgraded route has halved the drive time from two hours to one hour.

Scouting for Bargains: Where I’ll Travel in May

Scouting for Bargains: Where I’ll Travel in May

I've just returned from a scouting trip to Panama. My trip focused on the city, beach areas within 90 minutes of the city and the mountain area of Boquete. I also spent four days on the road last month scouting deeply undervalued vacation homes in Ireland's south-west. On my travels I uncovered some nuggets. I visited some areas with a distinct lack of opportunity. But, a trip is never wasted. Even if there's no opportunity there's something to be learned from each market if you scratch the surface..

Own a Lot with Caribbean Views for $505 a Month

Own a Lot with Caribbean Views for $505 a Month

It’s a little known fact but Costa Rica’s actually got a Caribbean coast. Real estate shoppers forgot about it when they got caught up in a buying frenzy on the northwest Pacific Coast. But this area is opening up to business and tourism and it’s starting to grab attention. Developer Gill Phelan is the guy behind the gold standard community in this area—Grand View Estates.

You Are Invited on a Trip to the Caribbean (Members Only)

You Are Invited on a Trip to the Caribbean (Members Only)

The latest opportunity you have as a member of our little group is to lock down a Caribbean condo for $129,000. This project already has a Robert Trent Jones II golf course. Plans call for tennis courts, boat docks and cocktail bars. You need to see this opportunity for yourself—and I've arranged a special invitation for you to take a members-only scouting trip to La Romana...

Best Value on a Caribbean Island: $129k

Best Value on a Caribbean Island: $129k

I've discovered an island condo that's the best value for Caribbean real estate on my beat right now. A gentle stroll from here is a white-sand beach, where the calm waters are sparkling in the tropical sun. I can hear beach umbrellas gently flapping in the warm breeze. I'm sipping an ice-cold drink and enjoying a taste of life in the private beach club of this early-in Caribbean resort community.

The Best Beach Deals on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast

The Best Beach Deals on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast

My beat here at Real Estate Trend Alert is to scout the globe to find places where a set of circumstances have come together to create a window of opportunity. First, I look for a place of outstanding natural beauty where prices have stayed low. Sometimes prices stay low because an area is difficult to get to. Or perhaps the region is misunderstood. Sometimes stunning locales are simply off the mainstream radar for now. Then I look for a transformational event that will allow this place to fulfill its potential.

Visit the Riviera Maya as Soon as You  Can (I’ve Made it Easy for You)

Visit the Riviera Maya as Soon as You Can (I’ve Made it Easy for You)

Just-released condos in the luxurious Tao community will have stunning views of lush gardens or past the golf course and with the Caribbean in the distance. I would like to invite you to visit this area (April 25-28) with fellow members, see the stunning white sands of the Riviera Maya and Tulum for yourself, and take the Tao life for a test drive.

What Caribbean Opportunities Remain in Tulum?

What Caribbean Opportunities Remain in Tulum?

I'm recently returned from Tulum on Mexico's Caribbean coast. These white sands are deservedly regarded as among the top five beaches on earth. I've told you about the opportunity to buy condos pre-construction in an established high-end community called Tao that's close to here. And if you have been a member for a couple of years, you will recall the opportunity to buy five acres of pristine jungle in an eco-community at Los Arboles de Tulum. I'm here to review progress at these projects.

Get Ready for a Deal in one of Ecuador’s Quito Valleys…

Get Ready for a Deal in one of Ecuador’s Quito Valleys…

Nestling in an Ecuadorian valley just 30 minutes northeast of downtown Quito is the upscale neighborhood of Cumbaya looks and feels North American. You’ll appreciate its conveniences. But it mightn’t be the Ecuador you expected. Buying land here was the play a decade ago. Today, it’s country club living for the well heeled. The development of Quito’s valleys is set to go in another direction with a new highway connecting you to both Quito’s Old Town and the conveniences of Cumbaya.

A Grand Vision: Chill in the Dominican Republic

A Grand Vision: Chill in the Dominican Republic

Sitting here, calm Caribbean waters sparking in the tropical sun, a warm breeze gently flapping beach umbrellas, an ice cold drink in hand; I’m enjoying my first taste of life in this early-in Caribbean resort community. This is the first of six beach bars and restaurants to open in the residential community of the Gran Bahia Principe La Romana, in the Dominican Republic. This is a strong, early-in opportunity if you are looking to be part of an accessible Caribbean resort community.

Ireland’s New Property Resource

Ireland’s New Property Resource

When you buy a property in Ireland you pay stamp duty (transfer tax). The property registry has collated details of every residential real estate transaction in Ireland from January 2010 to September 2012. You can search by address, county, town etc. The information about the properties is limited. As a standalone resource it doesn’t help much. But, using it in conjunction with other research it can be very useful.

To Greece!

To Greece!

There will be many more potential tipping points as Greece’s economy and politics continue to unravel. I won’t be watching the news feed. I’ll be on a flight to Greece for two weeks of serious boots-on-the-ground research. That’s more important than the Angela/Antonis body language.

Best Beach Condos on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast

Best Beach Condos on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast

On Friday I told you about the opportunity to buy a lot at the Jama Campay project on Ecuador’s North Coast. Members of our little group can buy a lot with a starting price of $32,256. With the special member-only finance terms, we can buy this lot with a down payment of $16,128 and monthly payments of $448. But maybe you are looking for something more turnkey?

Best Beach Deal on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast

Best Beach Deal on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast

Ecuador’s nicest 60-mile stretch of coast is now accessible. It’s here, on the best part of this stretch of Pacific Coast, in a “best in class” project, that we can buy a lot from $32,256. This is an “off market” deal—14 lots in this project are only available to members of Real Estate Trend Alert. With the special member-only finance terms, we can buy this lot with a down payment of $16,128 and monthly payments of $448.

Member-only Invitation to the Caribbean this October

Member-only Invitation to the Caribbean this October

On May 31, I told you about the opportunity members of our little group have to buy a lot here with a down payment of $21,350…with 36 monthly payments (interest-free) of $800… and a final payment of $19,200. A small number of these lots are still available. Today, I would like to extend a special invitation to visit and experience what it will be like to spend time here and explore the surrounding areas.

Mark Your Calendar for a Labor Day Trip

Mark Your Calendar for a Labor Day Trip

I’d like you to invite you to a special event. This invitation is only open to members of our little group. Your five-star accommodation will be free. Your gourmet meals and cocktails on the beach won't set you back a single cent. Call it a perk of being part of Real Estate Trend Alert. It's an opportunity to visit and experience first-hand a stunning Caribbean resort community.

Get Ready for a Greek Opportunity…

Get Ready for a Greek Opportunity…

Imagine perfect, white-washed homes...and churches with rounded roofs...that cling to the sheer edge of an ancient volcanic crater. The sun sets like a fiery cannon ball at Oia. Yes, the black beaches are interesting, but here it’s all about the dramatic views from the crater edge. This is the Greek island of Santorini. My favorite. And like the rest of the Greek islands, real estate here is about to get dirt cheap—because of the great crisis the country faces today.

Trip to Costa Rica for 13 Members Only…

Trip to Costa Rica for 13 Members Only…

Along Costa Rica’s Southern Zone, the bright, thick, green jungle canopy rolls down to a coast of sandy beaches and rocky points. It’s truly stunning. One project along this coast stands out as the gold standard. It’s here that members of our group can buy with a down payment of $20,000 and interest-free monthly payments of $556. And where a small group (strictly limited to 13) of Real Estate Trend Alert members will gather this July 19-22.

Lake View Costa Rica for $188 a Month

Lake View Costa Rica for $188 a Month

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.

Latest Fire Sale in Ireland Now On

Latest Fire Sale in Ireland Now On

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.

See the Opportunities in Brazil for Yourself…

See the Opportunities in Brazil for Yourself…

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

Special Trip to the Best Stretch of Pacific Coast…

Special Trip to the Best Stretch of Pacific Coast…

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.

The Best Project on This Stretch of Pacific Coast

The Best Project on This Stretch of Pacific Coast

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.

The Properties Everyone Wants – Near the Beaches Everyone Visits

The Properties Everyone Wants – Near the Beaches Everyone Visits

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.

Notes From the D.R. – “I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It!”

Notes From the D.R. – “I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It!”

The plans at the Gran Bahia Principe (the new resort I told you about in my last report from the Dominican Republic) call for a self-contained mini-town. Residents here will be able to go to school...get medical treatment...enjoy their leisure activities (like golf and tennis)...dock their boat...get dressed up for fine dining...dress down for cocktails and a snack on the beach...buy groceries in the supermarket...You get the idea.

The Dominican Republic Scouting Trip, Part 1

The Dominican Republic Scouting Trip, Part 1

Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic and one of the largest cities in Latin America. I haven't explored it yet. That will have to wait until the tail end of my scouting trip. Pulling out of the airport...across the bay her skyline glimmers. I'm most interested in the restored colonial center. Museums, restaurants and short-term rental market. My 11-day scouting trip will end in Santo Domingo.

One of the World’s Best-Kept Caribbean Secrets – For Now

One of the World’s Best-Kept Caribbean Secrets – For Now

Tulum's beaches are mesmerizing. Nestled at the end of a stunning powder sand Caribbean coastline, surrounded by untamed jungle, ancient forest cities, a protected nature reserve, and the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea, Tulum is one of the world's best-kept secrets...for now. Close by is the exclusive development called Tao. It's a project made up of condos, town homes and residences. RETA members bought pre-release and pre-construction here 18 months ago. Back then, not a single sod had been turned. But developer Benjamin Beja had a vision, a hard-working team and a truly special piece of land.

Full Details About That Lake-View Costa Rica Deal

Full Details About That Lake-View Costa Rica Deal

Lake Arenal in Costa Rica's lake country is stunningly beautiful. The weather, with year- round temperatures in the 70s, is near perfect. From the lake (and from the elevated lots at The Preserve, the project I told you about yesterday) the views to the towering Arenal Volcano are jaw dropping. This is rich pasture and tropical jungle country. You might think you are in Switzerland. The roar of howler monkeys... flamboyant and dramatic...and brightly colored birds tells me I'm not.

Get Ready to Buy Costa Rica for $143 a Month

Get Ready to Buy Costa Rica for $143 a Month

Lake Arenal, Costa Rica has been overlooked. I can't explain why. I can see no good reason. It's just one of those anomalies. It's stunningly beautiful. The weather is near perfect. The community of locals and expats is welcoming and friendly. The road here is good and you don't want for any modern conveniences or amenities. I've seen situations like this before.

For 30 Members Only: Trip to the Most Affordable Beach on the Pacific Coast

For 30 Members Only: Trip to the Most Affordable Beach on the Pacific Coast

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 is Jama Campay. This is where you can buy a 1,800-square-foot home perched above...yet only steps from...a white-sand beach. From your lap pool you have views past the beach and breaking waves to the Pacific Ocean.

Property Trip to Costa Rica for 13 Members

Property Trip to Costa Rica for 13 Members

Along Costa Rica’s Southern Zone the bright, thick, green jungle canopy rolls down to a coast of sandy beaches and rocky points. It’s truly stunning. While prices in the north soared…prices here stayed low. It was difficult to get to. But a new smoothly paved coastal highway has changed that. One project along this coast stands out as the gold standard. It’s here…on a stunning ocean view lot surrounded by jungle-clad hills in Pacific Lots…that a small group of Real Estate Trend Alert members will gather this February 8-11.

Full Details on That Brazil Deal

Full Details on That Brazil Deal

The opportunity in Iracema is strong. In two months, a major and reputable developer will launch a new condo project called Piazza Coliseu on one of the best plots here. The plans and the show apartment are ready. It will likely be the last week of February before he launches. After Carnival is when the real estate market really heats up. We can get in now pre-release, with special member pricing and terms.

15 Lots Left in the Most Affordable Deal on the Pacific Coast Right Now

15 Lots Left in the Most Affordable Deal on the Pacific Coast Right Now

As a member of our little group you will know that we have a strong opportunity to profit on Ecuador’s north coast. A new highway has reduced drive time from the capital, Quito, to the coast. What once took eight hours now takes three and a half hours. We can buy a lot in Jama Campay, a “best in class” project, with a manageable down payment and monthly payments of $416.

For One Member Only: A Strong Yield Situation in Brazil

For One Member Only: A Strong Yield Situation in Brazil

Joao Pessoa, in Brazil’s northeast, is surrounded by miles of beautiful beaches. The weather’s warm and sunny year-round. Roughly 75 miles from Recife and 110 miles from Natal, the city is the third oldest in Brazil. This is where many Brazilians retire (young), vacation and buy second homes. In particular, the city is popular as a retirement destination for senior civil servants. They retire early from their government jobs. Active and healthy, they relocate here to start the next phase of their life. That’s good news for the businesses of Joao Pessoa. As more of these wealthy young retirees move here, the city’s businesses have more customers. There’s more demand for services—like dentists and cardiologists and financial planners. Times are good if you own quality office space here.

The Truth About Colombia

The Truth About Colombia

In June I visited Medellín, Colombia with friend and IL’s Roving Latin America Editor Lee Harrison. Lee was there to pull the trigger and buy. I was there to see first-hand if Medellin is a place we can generate a strong rental income with the prospect of capital appreciation. Lee did indeed buy a property. A couple of weeks ago he filled me in on how things are working out. The proof of the pudding, so to speak. He followed up with the note below. This is valuable hands-on experience. Also, it’s worth drawing attention to how clear Lee is about his goals. Clear goal-setting is the first step that can be missed so easily.

Full Details on That Secret Caribbean Property Deal I Told You About

Full Details on That Secret Caribbean Property Deal I Told You About

Last year I told you about an opportunity near Tulum, on the Southern edge of Mexico's Riviera Maya. The project is called Los Arboles Tulum. Real Estate Trend Alert members snapped up all 62 lots available last year, with member-only pricing and terms. This year, developer Greg Schnurr moved to the next phase of the project—home and lot packages, and community building. Twelve homes are under construction or at permitting stage. Many more are at the planning stage. Greg has just opened up a new and final phase (called Tejon) of 20 lots. Eleven of these lots are only available “off market” to members of our little group. We get special pricing and interest-free finance.

Where to Look in the Year Ahead for the Best Property Deals

Where to Look in the Year Ahead for the Best Property Deals

Greetings from Quito, Ecuador. In a few moments, I leave for the north coast. This is Ecuador’s nicest stretch of coast. We have the opportunity to buy lots here with monthly payments of $500 or less. Because of the new highway we’ll reach the coast by 9.30 a.m. or so. In time for morning ceviche on the beach. I’m looking forward to seeing the improvements in the coastal highway that runs south to Canoa since I last visited. I’ll send you my full report soon on the infrastructure developments and improvements at the Jama Campay project. In fact, while the year is winding down...my travel schedule and deal pipeline is filling up. These are exciting times.

All-in Trip to Tulum This December

All-in Trip to Tulum This December

The Tulum area at the southern edge of Mexico's Riviera Maya has been on my radar since I first gazed from a rustic palapa along the white-sand beach to the turquoise waters beyond. With warm powder sand between my toes, and warm sea breezes rustling through the palm trees, my jaw hit the floor. It's that stunning. That was seven years ago. It was a special place then. It's a special place now. With government plans to improve infrastructure (roads, bridges and an international airport) and boost tourist number (from 3 million to 11 million a year) this area is set to take off. It's not too late to get in. Here's how...

Come See the Most Affordable Deal on the Pacific Coast Right Now

Come See the Most Affordable Deal on the Pacific Coast Right Now

Last week I told you about a strong opportunity we have at the Jama Campay project on Ecuador’s dramatic north Pacific Coast. This is an "off market" deal—30 handpicked lots are only available to members of Real Estate Trend Alert. With the special member-only finance terms, we can buy one of these lots with a down payment of $15,000 and monthly payments of $416. On Nov. 1st, 2014 you could make your last payment of $416.

Two Price Lists in Costa Rica

Two Price Lists in Costa Rica

Along Costa Rica’s Southern Zone the bright, thick, green jungle canopy rolls down to a coast of sandy beaches and rocky points. It’s truly stunning. While prices in the north soared...prices here stayed low. It was difficult to get to. A new smoothly paved coastal highway has changed that. One project along this coast, rich in nature on land and sea, stands out as the gold standard. It’s here...on a stunning ocean view lot surrounded by jungle-clad hills in Pacific Lots... that a small group of Real Estate Trend Alert members will gather this December 8th-11th. They will have two price lists. One for all the inventory at the project. The other, a list of special pricing for our little group on more than 22 handpicked lots.

The Most Affordable Deal on the Pacific Coast Right Now

The Most Affordable Deal on the Pacific Coast Right Now

Ecuador’s nicest stretch of coast is now accessible. Buying here can position you ahead of the Path of Progress. It’s here, in the nicest part of this 100-kilometer stretch of Pacific Coast, in a “best in class” project, that we can buy a lot from $30,000. This is an “off market” deal—30 lots at Jama Campay are only available to members of Real Estate Trend Alert.

The Next Deal on the Riviera Maya – More Than $18,000 in Savings

The Next Deal on the Riviera Maya – More Than $18,000 in Savings

Unless you're a new member, you will already be familiar with the Los Arboles Tulum project on the southern edge of Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Last year RETA members bought large, five-acre lots in this jungle community for $65,000 with special member-only, interest-free financing. They have done well—a lot recently sold for $100,000. The next opportunity here is available to you now...with a discount, special terms, and financing. I'll share the full details with you in a moment. First, a quick bit of background on how the last deal at Los Arboles stacked up for RETA members.

Irish Castles, Land, and Ocean Views – Is It Time to Deal?

Irish Castles, Land, and Ocean Views – Is It Time to Deal?

As you know I have been watching Ireland closely for some time now. I have been studying....waiting on the sidelines for things to really get interesting. According to a survey of 50 markets published in Ireland’s Sunday Business Post this month, Ireland tops the table for the highest price falls this year. Our waiting and patience is being rewarded. The deals are getting better. I expect we’ll retain high flyer status in this regard. There will be further price falls.

My Plans For the Fortaleza Market

My Plans For the Fortaleza Market

Long-time readers of these dispatches will know that I’m bullish on Fortaleza in Northeast Brazil. It’s now three years since RETA members (me included) first got the opportunity to “buy well” here. I’m happy with the units I have purchased. The first of our units from those early pre-releases will be delivered early next year. That means we need to start making a plan. We will need to decide whether we want to rent short-term or long-term? What vendors and partners will we choose for fit-out and rental management? These are important decisions. They could have a big impact on the yields we generate. Many of you have been asking about my own plans.

A Lot in This Scenic Part of Costa Rica From $45,000…With Financing

A Lot in This Scenic Part of Costa Rica From $45,000…With Financing

As a member of our little group, you will know that we look for Path of Progress opportunities. I'm talking about infrastructure projects like a new road...or a new bridge that will make an area more accessible and desirable. When this happens, prices rise. Like we’ve recently seen in Costa Rica's Southern Zone...and in Tulum, on the southern edge of Mexico's Riviera Maya. My colleague at Pathfinder, Margaret Summerfield recently returned from a trip to Costa Rica, where she investigated the impact of a newly upgraded road that stretches out from the capital, San Jose. She returned to her base in Panama excited about a project she had seen in the area.

Get Ready For This Brazil Deal…

Get Ready For This Brazil Deal…

Long-time readers of these dispatches will know that I have been recommending opportunities in Fortaleza for the past three years. We have been able to buy pre-release at special member-only pricing and terms. I have bought multiple units here. I'm happy with my investments. I recently sold a condo I bought on my first trip for $43,500 more than I paid. And it's not just me. RETA members have seen strong price appreciation. It gets better though...

A Strong Yield Situation in Brazil (Easily Double Figures)

A Strong Yield Situation in Brazil (Easily Double Figures)

Brazil is bursting with millionaires...and billionaires seem to be created by the month, as are thousands of new or expanded businesses. No surprise to you. We've been discussing Brazil's new middle-class status for a long time in RETA. Today I'm going to share a way we can profit from this trend...and it's probably not something you're expecting.

Caribbean Financing – Respond Today

Caribbean Financing – Respond Today

I strongly urge you to read this alert carefully. The Tao project near Tulum is a strong opportunity I have told you about in these alerts. The developer finance offer makes it stronger. You can buy here with $15,000 down and monthly payments of $800. Plus, as a RETA member you get additional benefits (more below). The finance offer will likely close in a matter of weeks. Only 100 units can be sold with this developer finance package...and 81 have been sold—with signed contracts. There are additional reservations which are closing by the day. You need to act now to avail of this this offer. In the future some finance may be available...or it might not be. BUT—a finance offer this good will never be made again.

Big $28,710 Lots in Uruguay’s Best Beach Town

Big $28,710 Lots in Uruguay’s Best Beach Town

On June 17th I told you about the opportunity at La Serena Golf in the province of Rocha, Uruguay. This is a great deal from a strong developer. Not far away (but closer to Punta del Este) lot prices range from $40-$135 per square meter. That's $162,000 to over $500,000 for an acre lot. And, these prices include projects without golf or tennis. Projects with hardly any amenities, in fact. At La Serena Golf you have both. Half-acre lot prices start at $31,900. As a RETA member you can avail of our member-only pricing and get a 10% discount. That gives you an entry point of $28,710.

Today’s Fire Sale Auction in Ireland

Today’s Fire Sale Auction in Ireland

I'm watching developments in Ireland closely. In 2008 Ireland's banks and real estate industry spectacularly imploded. Since then we have been waiting. Not much happened until a couple of months ago. The real estate market never found a floor. There were almost no transactions. The nationalized banking system and the bad bank (NAMA: National Assets Management Agency, established to wind down failed developers and get land speculation loans off the banks' books) stayed silent. They have been sitting on all the Irish inventory on their books. That's set to change. Get ready.

The Best Way to Play Uruguay’s Coast

The Best Way to Play Uruguay’s Coast

If you want to tap into the next trend in Uruguay's "beach province" for less than $60,000 an acre...this is it. In this alert I'll give the relevant background on Uruguay...some context that shows why this is such a strong opportunity right now...and then the specifics on this real estate deal—which includes a discount ed price list for any RETA member who wants to buy.

3 Deals…and My 7-Country Scouting Schedule

3 Deals…and My 7-Country Scouting Schedule

Summer...180 attendees...and 23 of my trusted contacts...have all arrived in Toronto for the International Real Estate Investment Forum. The exhibit hall is buzzing. It’s great to see so many of those green badges that are reserved for members of our little group. It’s been energizing and informative to share ideas and experiences with those of you who have been able to make it. It has also been exciting to see so many RETA members connecting. At member-only events in the past, friendships have been made that turned into business relationships. That’s what happens when you pack a room with smart people chasing the same thing: Undervalued real estate opportunities.

All-in Trip to Tulum This July

All-in Trip to Tulum This July

As you know, I’m bullish on Tulum. Not just because of the coast and white sands but also because improved infrastructure and a government program plans to grow tourist number. When I was last there, I was impressed with progress at Tao. I stayed in the Sian Ka’an condo Hotel where some RETA members bought last year. This project is also being developed by Benjamin Beja. The build quality and the finishes are first class. The staff are friendly, the food is great...everything is tastefully done. It bodes well for the quality at Tao. Today, I would like to extend an invitation from developer Benjamin Beja to visit and see what I saw; to get the Tao experience. This is an offer you should give serious consideration to.

New Markets, New Opportunities – 8 Places I’ll Visit This Summer

New Markets, New Opportunities – 8 Places I’ll Visit This Summer

Summer has arrived. For me, it brings with it a jam–packed schedule of scouting trips on your behalf. I'm looking for new places where we can profit from the major trends on my beat, including: – New Middle Class: As people join the middle classes they can afford things they couldn't before like a new condo or vacation on the beach. – Path of Progress: New bridges, roads and airports that are going to improve accessibility – Distressed opportunities created by crisis. My travels will take in Colombia, Ireland, London, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Ecuador’s Next 2 Opportunities

Ecuador’s Next 2 Opportunities

Nestling in an Ecuadorian valley just 20 minutes north-east of downtown Quito is the upscale neighborhood of Cumbaya. At 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) it's a bit lower than Quito's downtown. That makes it sunnier and warmer. Here, you will find high-end gated communities, restaurants, malls and car dealerships. You will also find the Hospital de los Valles...a private hospital of 100 beds and 250 doctors. This hospital plans to target Americans for medical tourism.

How to Appeal to Brazil’s “Jet-Set” Market

How to Appeal to Brazil’s “Jet-Set” Market

Finally, a true five-star resort community is coming to the Fortaleza area of Northeast Brazil. It’s been years in the making. In fact, when I visited this part of Brazil over three years ago roads had already been constructed and earth moved for the golf course. Today, the golf course is open…as is the five-star Dom Pedro Hotel. We can now get in on the first luxury condo pre-release with special member-only pricing and terms.

Video Reports From the RETA Jungle Trip…

Video Reports From the RETA Jungle Trip…

The evening of the first day of our recent "Path of Progress" private members retreat, developer Greg Schnurr invited us to his Los Arboles Tulum project. To remind you, Los Arboles Tulum is a development of 221 five-acre residential lots, and 10 commercial lots, set in 1,200 acres of pristine jungle. Your back yard is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Members of our little group bought these five-acre lots last year with a small down payment and interest-free monthly payments.

What We Did at the RETA Retreat in Tulum…

What We Did at the RETA Retreat in Tulum…

A few weeks ago I was joined by a group of our fellow members for our inaugural “Path of Progress” private members-only retreat in the Tulum area of Mexico’s Riviera Maya. I chose Tulum as the venue for this gathering because it’s the focal point for one of the major Path of Progress stories on my beat. Driving from Cancun airport the new system of flyovers at Playa del Carmen looks 98% complete. I hear it will open in the coming months. Playa will no longer be a bottle neck in times of heavy traffic.

A Small Brazilian Beach Town With Big Views

A Small Brazilian Beach Town With Big Views

Thirty minutes west of Fortaleza’s glimmering boardwalk is the pretty beach town of Cumbuco. In fact, you can see Fortaleza’s skyline from the beach at Cumbuco. Each time I visit Cumbuco, I am greeted by new parks, squares, trendy beachfront bars, kite surfing shops and posadas. But Cumbuco is still a charming little town with a laid-back feel. I expect it will keep this feel even as development comes.

Profit from these Personal Introductions

Profit from these Personal Introductions

As a reader of these dispatches you will know that I spend as much as two weeks a month on the road scouting the globe’s best Real Estate opportunities....and then negotiating special member-only pricing and terms. I introduce you to special places, member-only opportunities and trusted contacts in these alerts. This June 9-11 in downtown Toronto I’m going to make those introductions in person. I’ve invited the crème de la crème into one room. You are invited to join us.

Here’s the Deal on Those Handpicked Lots in Costa Rica

Here’s the Deal on Those Handpicked Lots in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's Southern Zone is a text book Path of Progress play. This is a beautiful place where price stayed low because it was difficult to get to. Now it's easily accessible by road. And President Laura Chinchilla was in the area last November, lending her support to the new airport. The week before last a small group of our fellow Members assembled on a stunning ocean-view lot here surrounded by jungle-clad hills. Price lists fluttered in the breeze. There were two. One was the price list for all the inventory at the project. The other was a list of special pricing for our little group on more than 20 handpicked lots.

Incredible Lake Buy – How Has This Place Stayed Under the Radar?

Incredible Lake Buy – How Has This Place Stayed Under the Radar?

If there's a better lake buy in Central America than Lake Arenal, I haven't seen it. The final part of the Costa Rica leg of my recent scouting trip brought me to Lake Arenal en route to crossing the border into Nicaragua near Liberia. This was my first visit to Lake Arenal. I left scratching my head as to how this place stayed under the radar. It's beautiful and there are some amazing real estate values.

90 Homes on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast

90 Homes on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast

The stretch of Ecuador’s north Pacific coast between Canoa and the area just south of Pedernales is her most scenic. The project of Jama Campay is 30 minutes south of Pedernales in the nicest part of this coast. Ecuador’s finest white-sand beaches are here. But what really sets this stretch of coast apart is the rich luminous green jungle that rises steeply from her coast of beach and rocky outcrops. Jama Campay is a project of 90 homes and 90 condos surrounded by amenity-rich gardens. (The condos aren’t fully permitted yet. I’ll alert you about those once they have their approvals).

New Report: Four Places to Grab Early-In Deals

New Report: Four Places to Grab Early-In Deals

As a reader of these dispatches, you know that my beat includes research and trips to find the next Cancun, Northern Costa Rica or Bay Islands of Honduras. These are places where prices went through the roof as new airports, roads and major resort developments rolled though. We call this profiting from the Path of Progress. A batch of new members recently joined our little group. I sent them a special report to bring them up to speed on the Path of Progress opportunities that are on my radar right now. In this report (Four Places to Grab Early-in Deals in 2011) I show you what to look for when following the Path of Progress, four places where you could profit...and how best to take advantage of the opportunity. In this report you'll find my best Path of Progress recommendations in one place.

The Best Boardwalk Deal in Fortaleza

The Best Boardwalk Deal in Fortaleza

Iracema Beach is immediately to the west of Fortaleza's bustling boardwalk—the tourism, social, entertainment, and high-end real estate center of Fortaleza. Real estate prices have doubled here in the past three years. Ocean view condos sell for up to $4,500 per square meter. (That's approximately $450,000 for a 1,000-square-foot condo.) Rentals stay full and charge top dollar. This is where Brazilian millionaires and billionaires own condos; some as big as 5,000 square feet. Today the boardwalk is fully built out. Don't worry. There's a way we can get in on Fortaleza's boardwalk at the ground floor.

Full Details on That Costa Rica Deal…

Full Details on That Costa Rica Deal…

Costa Rica's Southern Zone is a text book Path of Progress play. This is a beautiful place where price stayed low because it was difficult to get to. Now it's easily accessible by road. And President Laura Chinchilla was in the area last October, lending her support to the new airport. Pacific Lots is only a few minutes from the little town of Ojochal and its restaurants and cafes. It's right in the heart of the Southern Zone and the finest project in the area—yet $65,000 buys you a half-acre oceanview lot (that's a RETA members-only price).

Our Plans For 2011

Our Plans For 2011

Happy Holidays. And a big "thank you" for investing the time and money to be part of our little group. This is RETA's third Christmas. Our numbers are growing and we are an increasingly active group. That's good for everyone. You see, it gives me more leverage to negotiate member-only pricing and terms. And, to get developers to pick up some or all of the tab for members-only chill weekends and scouting trips.

Two Important Stories About Brazilian Land

Two Important Stories About Brazilian Land

Brazil is fast becoming the bread basket of the world—it's the largest exporter of coffee, soy, orange juice, beef, chicken, sugar and ethanol. The cerrados, Brazil's high plains, cover 500 million acres. The USDA has estimated that 400 million acres of this could be opened for crop production. The area yet to be opened for agricultural production is 25% larger that the total crop acreage of the U.S.

A Gov’t Program in Brazil That Could Work For Us

A Gov’t Program in Brazil That Could Work For Us

Brazil has energy, food, water and manufacturing resources in abundance. It is emerging as one of the world's economic powerhouses. Wealth has been created and living standards have improved. Brazil is now defined as a "middle class" country with 53% of the population falling into this bracket. This new middle class wants to move into a shiny new condo or house. They will want to be near infrastructure that will bring them to work and play.

5 Videos and a Land Banking Opportunity

5 Videos and a Land Banking Opportunity

I’ve just returned from a seven-day scouting trip to Ecuador’s finest stretch of coast. Here, virgin forest covers dramatic hills. The beaches extend ribbon-like along the seashore—pristine, empty, and beautiful. This time of year the foliage is lush and green...almost luminous. The water is clear and blue. In parts...when the sun hits it in a certain way it almost looks turquoise. In other parts lone surfers have miles of beach and awesome surf breaks to themselves.

You Are Invited to Take a Trip…

You Are Invited to Take a Trip…

On January 27th this year I told you about developer Benjamin Beja’s plans for a new community on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. At International Living’s recent Ultimate Event, Benjamin shared his vision with members of our little group in person at our private investors meeting. We were the first to hear. Next week we will be the first to see. Benjamin has invited us to come and see the site and his plans first-hand.

Urgent Investment Opportunity White Paper: My Favorite Brazilian Play Right Now

Urgent Investment Opportunity White Paper: My Favorite Brazilian Play Right Now

On Aug. 20, a Brazilian developer is going to launch to the public a new project 40 miles east of Fortaleza. The project will be called Areias Coloridas Resort. It will be a unique project, the first of its kind in this area. If you share my interest in this stretch of coast you need to pay close attention to this deal...

Crisis Investing – 3 Deals I Discovered This Morning

Crisis Investing – 3 Deals I Discovered This Morning

I consider crisis investing and distressed sales to be one of the hottest international real estate plays today. I’ve called on several sources to help me identify the best opportunities--bankers, developers, finance specialists, and others. This morning I spoke with Colin Murphy. Based out of Madrid, Spain, Colin spends his time pouring over the books of banks--cherry picking the best distressed opportunities in Europe’s major markets. Through his company (Torcana), Colin offers these opportunities discretely to his clients. This is what’s know in the trade as an “off market” deal, i.e. deals that will never be publically advertised. Here's what we discussed.

All Expenses Paid–for RETA Members Only

All Expenses Paid–for RETA Members Only

In March I told you about an exciting opportunity in the Gran Bahia Principe Resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Today, I’m passing on an all-expenses-paid invite to visit the property for a weekend. This is the same invitation I personally received when developer Benjamin Beja first offered to show me the development. In other words, most visitors won't receive this level of attention.

The Mexican "Gilt Resort Program" With a Guaranteed Income

The Mexican "Gilt Resort Program" With a Guaranteed Income

True rental guarantees--that accurately reflect the market--are rare. So rare, that I think of them as a unique type of program for savvy investors--it's a type of resort rental, but I call them "Gilt Resort Programs" because of the guaranteed fixed payments. I know of a few programs like this in France…and one in Mexico, which is the opportunity I'm writing to you about today.

The News From Ecuador

The News From Ecuador

Last year I was joined by a small group of your fellow members for a scouting trip to Manta, Ecuador. This country has my attention because it offers some of the cheapest property values in the world today. For example, you can a buy high-end 1,000-square-foot condo on the beach for less than $100,000…or a comfortable mountain retreat for less than $50,000.

Chasing Real Estate Deals Across the Globe

Chasing Real Estate Deals Across the Globe

I’m covering a lot of ground on your behalf. Tomorrow I travel to the capital city of one of the world’s economic power houses to chase rental yields...then straight to what I consider to be the best beachfront buy in the planet right now…and from there to scout a relatively undiscovered area in the country that topped International Living’s Global Retirement Index for five years running…and finally to one of my favorite beach retreats to sort through all the opportunities.

How to Boost Your Rental Income Anywhere in the World

How to Boost Your Rental Income Anywhere in the World

It is easier today than at any other time in history for small investors, like us, to make strong gains from renting our real estate out, particularly short term. But, you need to know what you’re doing. You need to get the basics right—buying the right real estate in the right market at the right price. Then, you need to spend time growing your customer base and boosting your occupancy to bump up your returns. Get it right, and your rental can be a license to print money. This report will show you how to do just that.

The Real Estate Trend Alert Guide to Traveling to Discover Profit

The Real Estate Trend Alert Guide to Traveling to Discover Profit

Ronan McMahon and his team rack up hundreds of thousands of miles each year carrying out boots on the ground research. Long before Real Estate Trend Alert members hear about a deal, Ronan has spent time on the ground in the destination where that deal is located, digging deep into the local real estate market and the opportunity on offer. And it’s something he recommends you do, too. He’s put together a new report to detail a little more about how and why he travels…and shares some of his best tips for traveling well.

Ronan McMahon’s Profit Principle: An Insider’s Guide to Doubling Your Money in Real Estate Overseas

Ronan McMahon’s Profit Principle: An Insider’s Guide to Doubling Your Money in Real Estate Overseas

International real estate expert Ronan McMahon has been scouting and investing in real estate for close to two decades now. And he’s distilled all that hard-won knowledge and years of fine-tuning his investment strategies into a new 200-page book called Ronan McMahon’s Profit Principle: An Insider’s Guide to Doubling Your Money in Real Estate Overseas. In it, Ronan lays out his formula for spotting the best real estate opportunities around the world and reveals the strategies and techniques he’s personally taking with his own money. He also talks about why he believes investing in real estate overseas right now—bought the right way, in the right markets—can be the ultimate insurance protection against a downturn and against changes to the dollar...shows you how to distinguish a worthwhile profit play from one you should walk past, fast…introduces you to seven overlooked markets around the world today which are—when played the right way—ripe for profits…and much more.

Real Estate Transaction Costs

Real Estate Transaction Costs

We have compiled this report which lists the real estate transaction fees in our favorite countries in Central and South America. We asked attorneys in each of the countries to pull together a fact sheet which details all the transaction costs you need to know about. Maintenance tax in Brazil…annual property tax in Ecuador…capital gains tax in Panama…we’ve got it all covered in this collection of fact sheets. Our attorneys have also included their contact details should you have any more questions related to the buying, or selling, process in their country of expertise.

How to Due Diligence Your Real Estate Deal

How to Due Diligence Your Real Estate Deal

There’s something about buying a property overseas. The purchase process is alien compared to the one back home…you don’t speak the language…and it’s all so exciting and full of possibilities. It’s easy to get caught up in the buying process, and it’s very easy to get carried away. You need to remember that some things stay the same. Don’t leave your common sense at home.

Real Estate Trend Alert Insider Podcast: This Cabo Developer Reveals His Investment Strategy

Real Estate Trend Alert Insider Podcast: This Cabo Developer Reveals His Investment Strategy

In this month’s edition of Real Estate Trend Alert Insider, exclusive to RETA Lifetime members, Ronan talks to his key contact in Los Cabos, Mexico, Proto Pena. Proto is the man behind Ventanas, Cabo del Mar and is one of the most insightful and intelligent developers here, placing a strong emphasis on community.

Real Estate Trend Alert Insider Podcast: Land Holding in Nicaragua and the Next Miami

Real Estate Trend Alert Insider Podcast: Land Holding in Nicaragua and the Next Miami

In this month’s edition of Real Estate Trend Alert Insider, exclusive to RETA Lifetime members, Ronan chats to Bill Bonner, founding publisher of International Living, Agora’s Chairman, and partner at Rancho Santana, one of Central America’s most luxurious and in-demand beach resorts.