By: Jim Scherrer

The word ?iguana? is the Spanish derivation of the Carib (Amerindian) word, ?iwana?; a name given to a family of lizards that are found throughout the Americas.

Iguanas are one of the five generally recognized infraorders of the lacertilian suborder of reptiles which includes all lizards. The Iguanidae family is only one of about 17 families of the lacertilian suborder; it includes the subfamilies of iguana iguanas (green) and spiny-tailed (black) iguanas which are abundant in the Puerto Vallarta, Mexico area. This entire order of reptiles has been traced back to Tianyusaurus who roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous Period, 65-100 million years ago.

Iguanas have been used as a food source in Central and South America for the past 7,000 years and are still used as a source of meat; often referred to as gallina de palo, “bamboo chicken” or “chicken of the tree,” because they are said to taste like chicken. Leather from the iguana hide has also been a prized material for centuries.

Although green iguanas are in peril, they are not considered an endangered species; they are considered to be a threatened species and today they are used mainly as pets with 800,000 imported to the U.S. in 1995 alone. Even though hunting, trapping, or killing iguanas is illegal throughout Mexico, they are nevertheless still sought after as pets. Aside from humans, iguanas have few natural predators; however hawks and owls will attack the smaller ones. Since iguanas are preyed upon by hawks, their fear of hawks is exploited by blowing a hawk’s whistle which makes the iguana freeze and become easier to capture in the wild. Iguanas have claws and powerful tails to fight off most all other land based predators and if caught, they have the ability to shed off a portion of their tail which will later grow back.

Iguanas are commonplace around the Puerto Vallarta area living mainly in trees but also often seen bathing in the sun while on the ground or on large rocks. The tropical climate and lush foliage in PV provide the ideal environment for these ancient reptiles (as well as for us ancient retirees!); a never ending year-round supply of food with an abundance of leaves, fruit, and flowers such as hibiscus and bougainvilleas. As we have witnessed at one of the eight local golf courses, they are pretty fast runners and excellent swimmers!

In Puerto Vallarta, iguanas are often used as company logos, in names of establishments such as restaurants, nightclubs, and cantinas, house names, fiesta names, etc., even in the name of a prestigious neighborhood: Isla Iguana, located in the Marina area. They are often the subject of large sand sculptures on the beach in front of the downtown malecon, molded into pottery items, incorporated into all types of paintings, and included in various other forms of art. Of course, it?s almost impossible to lay on the beach in PV without one of the local boys coming by with his four foot long pet iguana for a photo op! In fact, it was the iguana that put Puerto Vallarta on the international map in 1963 when John Huston filmed ?The Night of the Iguana?. Ever since then, the iguana (along with its relative, the gecko) has remained one Vallarta?s most recognized symbols.

Okay, you must be getting impatient wondering what the deal is regarding the three eyed iguanas of Puerto Vallarta; well, it just so happens that all iguanas have three eyes! The third eye, referred to as the parietal or pineal eye, is located on top of the iguana?s head. It is covered by a thin film of skin and therefore does not clearly see color or details but it does detect sun, shade, and movement of overhead predators.

These three eyed reptiles also have a large loose flap of skin under their chin called a dewlap. The dewlap can be moved in or out to show off during mating or warn attackers, but more importantly, it?s used to regulate the body temperature. It has many blood vessels running through its thin skin and therefore, on a hot day, the iguana can get in the shade and stick out its dewlap to let the body heat escape; on a cold day, it can bathe in the sun and stick out its dewlap to absorb as much of the sun rays as possible. With this handy little built-in heat exchanger, the iguana can enjoy the hot Mexican sun and never sweat!

Folks who rent a villa Puerto Vallarta for a week or two might think of Mexican food as international and exotic, but to folks who live in this resort city year-round, it?s really just home cooking. Here, genuinely international cuisine has its origins much farther away (the burgers at Carl?s Jr. do not count as ?international? for this purpose, even though their roots are from north of the border). In fact, local diners in the know have voted, and they recommend a couple of restaurants for the hungry who seek an ?ethnic? dining experience.

Good Eats in El Centro

When the taste buds call out for something sweet or spicy with an Asian flair, Archie?s Wok appears to be the place to go. Located in El Centro at Francisca Rodriguez 130, the place gets good reviews from the people who eat there, and it earned a place as the People?s Choice ?hands down? favorite for superb Asian dining in 2009. They serve lunch and dinner from 2 to 11, and word is it?s the best non-Mexican food in town; savory dishes feature coconut milk, curry, garlic and more in a blend of Thai and south Asian cuisine.
Not a fan of Asian food? Don?t worry ? there are plenty of other great ?off shore? dining opportunities a short taxi ride from your villa Puerto Vallarta. La Dolce Vita, for instance, is quite popular for Italian food. The pizza, the homemade pasta and the views from Diaz Ordaz 674 in El Centro make for a winning combination. Quite a few return diners say they make it a point to take a meal here at least once during their visit to town.
El Brujo, at Venustiano Carranza 510 in El Centro, is more renowned for its seafood dishes than for its international flair (remember, Mexican food is not international when you?re in Mexico). This place is affordable and the food is fresh and tasty, so expect a wait if you arrive without a reservation. Don?t let the modest d

If you’ve ever considered getting involved in the, Mexico Real Estate market Puerto Vallarta may be the best choice of location. With its sparkling waters and relaxing beaches, Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s top vacation destinations. For people who want to spend their time relaxing, Puerto Vallarta also offers opportunities for spa treatments and other services that will help vacationers relax and enjoy the beauty of this beach destination.

If you want to rent or buy your own property, get familiar with the Puerto Vallarta real estate market so you’ll know what areas have the best properties and the most attractions. If you want a quiet location, you may want to consider choosing a property in a more secluded area. The property you purchase will depend greatly on your own personal preferences; there is no perfect property that will make everyone who wants to get involved in the Mexico real estate market completely happy.

If you need help searching for potential properties, you can enlist the help of a qualified Mexico realtor. He or she can help you figure out what kind of property you would like to rent or purchase and then help you find properties matching your needs.

Investing in the Puerto Vallarta real estate market is different than purchasing your own home for personal use. There are many types of investment properties available from condos to villas and even commercial property sales. The key to successfully investing in this market is to find out what you are looking for in an investment property and then viewing properties that match these carefully chosen details.

If you want to purchase the property, make repairs, redecorate, and then sell it for a profit, you’ll want something that is structurally sound and needs only minor repairs. Some fresh paint and updated fabrics can make all the difference in the world when showing a property to potential buyers. If you intend to keep the property in your investment portfolio and use it as a rental property, you’ll need to purchase a property that will be in demand by vacationers or local residents.

You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with the rules of being a landlord in Puerto Vallarta to make sure your property remains an investment and not a nightmare. Whether you choose to make your home there or simply invest in a property, the Puerto Vallarta real estate market has something to offer for everyone.

Your beachfront Puerto Vallarta property in Mexico is within your reach. Check out the listings of Puerto Vallarta Real Estate, Cancun Real Estate and Playa del Carmen Real Estate, Puerto Vallarta Property and Cancun Real Estate for insight into this booming market.

Tom Budniak operates, owns, and manages Realty Executives Vallarta here in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Tom’s office is considered by many in the industry to be the top office in Puerto Vallarta. Tom, from Realty Executives Vallarta and Mexican Caribbean is a Certified Member of RMRE and MLS 4 Riviera Maya. Check out all of the resources available through Tom and Realty Executives Vallarta.

Author: Tom Budniak

If you are considering buying a luxury condo or a dream home on the Mexico Beachfront,  Puerto Vallarta Real Estate provides one of the best options available.  Besides the luxurious condos or beautiful villas available with a fantastic view of the ocean and the Sierra Madre Mountains, we must remember one of the key reasons why we are choosing to buy real estate in Mexico; the beaches.  Puerto Vallarta’s beaches are among the best, and besides the natural beauty, the municipal and state governments are constantly making an effort not only to keep them clean and safe, to make sure that they meet the highest standards and continue to be among the best.  Recently this effort was recognized when the prestigious “Clean Beaches” certification was given to two of Puerto Vallarta’s beaches.

This certification ensures the cleanliness, safety and environmental protection of the the beaches,  with ongoing cleanliness and protection.  The certification increases the competitiveness of Puerto Vallarta real estate within the Mexico beachfront market.  So far only eight beaches have been certified in Mexico, and two of these are in Puerto Vallarta, making the Puerto Vallarta Real Estate region one of only five areas that have received this special distinction.

The two beaches are “Garza Blanca” and “Los Camarones,” and the city invested weeks of intensive work to comply with  the 60 conditions of the new program.  A large amount of work and dedication was required to obtain the certification.  While Puerto Vallarta’s beaches were already very clean, the certification has purposely been made very difficult to obtain – a fact which speaks even more for Puerto Vallarta’s accomplishment.  The effort will be on-going, in order to maintain the certification.  Besides this effort the city is also planning to improve signs, access for people with disabilities, implement educational measures and public awareness for care of the environment.

In Puerto Vallarta looks are not deceiving; the luxury you see is real, and the beautiful, clean beaches have been certified to be free of pollution and to meet the highest level of safety.  If you are considering buying beachfront, why not buy in a place that is guaranteed to have the best beaches around?

TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

By: Jim Scherrer

With the incredibly fine winter climate, proximity to the US and Canada, and the amenities offered, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico has long been recognized as a great resort destination as well as retirement haven for North Americans.

Beginning early in the 21st century, Vallarta, as with many other resort destinations, began an explosive period of growth. Developers from around the world flocked to Vallarta in order to cash in on the baby boomer retirement plans. Within a short period of time, most of the finest beach front and hillside properties were snatched up and planning began in earnest. Tower cranes were erected, dotting the skyline throughout the city, and construction workers from neighboring states rushed to the area for employment.

As soon as the above projects were announced, the developers threw up beautiful sales offices and prepared for the land rush. These nice, spacious, air conditioned offices typically had comfortable lounge areas with new furnishings, pretty magazines, sometimes piped in music and perhaps a few free margaritas. They were typically staffed with English speaking, well dressed, experienced, professional sales personnel. Most of these new offices had multiple sales cubicles with the capability of negotiating two or three contracts at a time; some even had counters where the buyers could get in line to wait their turn for such a unique opportunity to own a piece of Paradise. Granted, it never quite reached the point that it did in Florida, where they were holding lotteries and drawing lucky buyer numbers out of a hat!

During the first few years of the decade, the North Americans were grabbing up the new condos at such a torrid pace that many of the construction projects were 30%, or more, sold out before they even broke ground. Pre-construction pricing of 10-20% off their suggested list price was frequently offered to owners of condos previously built by the developer. After all, these privileged speculators had earned the right to have the first chance to scoop up the most desirable condos at what seemed to be reasonable prices; few could afford to pass up such a no-brainer investment opportunity!

Meanwhile, as the tower cranes started whirling around and the thousands of construction workers, looking like a huge colony of ants, began their construction, the beautiful buildings started coming to reality. Money was flying in every direction and it seemed as though everyone that came to town had an extra half a million dollars to spare for their retirement dream residence. Of course, during those years, re-financing and second mortgages on North American real estate with highly inflated values was commonplace; the herd had a feeling of easy money and never ending wealth!

With the herd of somewhat naive buyers in town, the question was never whether or not they should buy a condo; it was which condo they should buy. They were virtually knocking down every real estate office door in town (approximately 80 in the area at its peak!); it was definitely a seller’s market. The developers would usually negotiate 5-10% off list price in order to give the buyer a sense of satisfaction that they had received a good deal, still leaving the developer with a substantial profit margin; everyone was happy as the good times rolled on!

By the middle of the decade, the local real estate market was humming on all cylinders and new projects were being announced almost daily. The Mexican Tourism Board announced plans for developing a new 20 mile stretch of beaches north of Vallarta and planning was underway for another 20,000 new condos. Obviously, as long as the stampede continued, they would continue building and prices would continue to escalate, resulting in a tripling of real estate values during a short 7 year period of time, i.e. the old rule of supply and demand was in full force; keep coming and we’ll keep building!

Well, as always happens, a global recession hit in 2008. However, this time it was much deeper than most had ever experienced, severely impacting the PV real estate market as the demand virtually disappeared overnight. Developers and speculators were left holding thousands of new unsold condos creating the greatest buyer’s market ever experienced in this part of the world, i.e. the supply (glut) of new condos far outnumbers the demand. Consequently, the developers and speculators are on their knees just trying to recover their costs, often discounting by 30% or more while many of those fancy real estate offices in PV were forced to close and those remaining open are doing so on shoestring budgets and reduced staffs.

The herd mentality has been clearly demonstrated on a daily basis for a number of years all over the Vallarta area and is still in play, except now the buyers are all following each other in the opposite direction; postponing purchases until someday in the future when the economy is more certain, i.e. until the coast is clear. The masses seem to feel a sense of urgency to purchase when their peers are doing so and feel no sense of urgency to purchase when prices are at the lowest levels possible. During the past year, it has been absolutely amazing to see the herd of what appear to be intelligent, educated buyers walking away from once in a life time opportunities because there’s no line up of buyers. It’s as though everyone’s afraid to be a contrarian; consequently, they’ll end up buying later at a higher price.

Buying into a given real estate market is essentially the same as buying into the stock market. Why does the herd always insist on buying high and selling low? The developers are never going to sell below their cost and current prices are as low as they’ll ever be; bargain opportunities are everywhere but once they are recognized and scooped up by the savvy buyers, the prices will surely start escalating again.

We thank our lucky stars for having bought a villa in PV twelve years ago (before it was the in-thing to do) and have seen it more than triple in value. Of course, anyone buying today at these severely depressed prices could realize a short term gain of 50% (or more) on their investment, if and when the economy ever recovers. However, knowing the way the herd mentality reacts, the majority of buyers probably won’t return to the table until it’s too late to take advantage of the current situation with its tremendous real estate values.

Are there any contrarians out there? Are there any retirees or about-to-be retirees that have any money (or credit) left? If so, you’ll never find a better time to take advantage of a seriously depressed and overbuilt real estate market. Pack your bags and come on down for a week of fun in the sun this winter and check out the phenomenal opportunities that await you in Puerto Vallarta. With the current availability of mortgages in Mexico, this is a rare opportunity to buy low and perhaps someday in the future, sell high; it’s a great concept! Disregard what the herd is doing and remember just one thing; they’re usually wrong!

(Please see Puerto Vallarta PHOTO GALLERY)

If you’re looking for the ideal vacation rental home, Puerto Vallarta Condominiums and Villas may be the solution you need to have a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation in this beautiful destination. Instead of trying to have a great time in a cramped property with none of the comforts of home, you should consider renting one of the finest pieces of Puerto Vallarta Real Estate that you can find. One of the best things about the Puerto Vallarta real estate market is that you can find rental properties in a number of sizes and styles to suit your budget and personal needs. If you don’t need a lot of space, but you want a lot of comforts and conveniences, a condominium may be the ideal solution. Condos are often smaller than villa and other types of vacation homes, but they’re also usually well-equipped with all of the amenities you will need to have a wonderful vacation. If you have family traveling with you, a villa or other large vacation property is a better idea. You’ll have more bedrooms and bathrooms available so you won’t be stuck in a crowded rental property without access to things you need to make your vacation a relaxing and enjoyable one.

If you’re worried about finding the perfect property, relax. With the explosion of online technology, you can look for Puerto Vallarta condominiums and villas from the comfort of your own home way before you’re ready to make a decision. If you plan on visiting a specific area of Puerto Vallarta, you can choose the amenities and attractions you’re looking for and generate a whole list of vacation properties matching your criteria. You can view pictures and even take virtual tours of some of the more upscale properties. The property descriptions will let you know how many bedrooms and bathrooms are available, what kind of outdoor space each property has, what attractions are nearby, and the type of amenities that accompany each property. You’ll be able to see if a particular property matches your criteria and make your decision without having to rely on the recommendation of someone you don’t know or a short description that has no pictures or details. Finding a Puerto Vallarta real estate property can be exciting because you’re choosing a major part of the success of your vacation. If you stick to a list of what you’re looking for, shopping around for Puerto Vallarta condominiums and villas can actually be a pleasurable experience.

Your beachfront property in Mexico is within your reach. Check out the listings of Playa del Carmen Real Estate, Puerto Vallarta Property and Cancun Real Estate for insight into this booming market.

Author: Tom Budniak

Condo rentals in the Mexico?s resort city of Puerto Vallarta are situated at convenient locations from where the tourists can get easy access to the essential items of daily needs. Prices of the condo rentals rely on the provided facilities and the season as well. Common vacationers also enjoy at Puerto Vallarta as Condos that are optimally priced and decently furnished are also available in large numbers. Puerto Vallarta offers various attractions for the vacationers. Tourists staying in condo rentals get the chance to seek and enjoy many varieties of attractions at the same time. In condo rentals the visitors enjoy subdued life and also relish the adventures of the neighborhood places. Puerto Vallarta marine life is very colorful and diverse.

Tourists staying in condo rentals really enjoy scuba diving. They also get the opportunity to explore the dolphins, sharks and fishes living there as they snorkel in the bay. Calm waters allow the visitors to enjoy leisure of skiing, para sailing and swimming as well. There are vast varieties of water sports in Puerto Vallarta that attracts the vacationers. Waters around the city make it a great tourist?s destination for fishing. Different types of fishes are found in the waters of Puerto Vallarta like dorado, sailfish and marlin. Tourists can easily catch these fishes by the help of fishing boats. Tourists in Puerto Vallarta condo rentals can enjoy both salt water & fresh water fishing.

Besides all these luxuries and entertainments in Puerto Vallarta, there are also other entertaining activities and attractions as well that make the vacations of the tourists more enjoyable and delightful. Near the condo rentals are located the golf courses when the vacationers can play and really have a ball. Tourists can register easily in any of the golf courses and have fun. These golf courses are near the condominiums, so the tourists can go there easily by taking a short walk. Sponsored buses are also available that take the visitors from the condo rentals to the golf courses.

Art galleries, boutiques, shopping malls are found in large numbers situated near the condo rentals in Puerto Vallarta. Everything is available in Puerto Vallarta for the tourists to shop including expensive art pieces to low cost ornaments. Tourists in Puerto Vallarta city have easy access to the department stores & the clothing of well known designers from the condo rentals and villas. Puerto Vallarta for its famous foods and vast varieties of restaurants is known as the Mexico?s “culinary capital”. There are about 250 restaurants in Puerto Vallarta that cater to the different clienteles visiting the city. Tourists staying in condo rentals get the chance to relish the Mexican and other international cuisine as well in the restaurants situated near by the condo rentals in Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta is a dream paradise for the honeymoon couples. Night life in Puerto Vallarta is very delightful and enchanting so those couples who are looking to make their honeymoon more pleasurable should come to Puerto Vallarta. Couples staying here in luxury villas and condo rentals enjoy spending their time in night spots and relish all different kinds of drinks and music.

Please visit ?PVRPV.COM? to get exceptional and best deal rentals offers on luxury villa rentals, condo rentals, vacation rentals, bucerias vacation, beach rentals, gay rentals and sayulita vacation rental in Puerto Vallarta resort city.

If you’ve been looking for the perfect romantic getaway destination to share with a loved one, Puerto Vallarta Real Estate has a lot to offer in one of the best destinations in the world. The sparkling beaches and relaxing atmosphere are perfect for weekend getaways and long honeymoons alike. If you want to live in the ultimate comfort during your vacation, Puerto Vallarta villas offer all the conveniences of home in a destination known for its beauty and enchantment. These luxurious Puerto Vallarta real estate properties offer a wide range of comforts for couples looking to enjoy an exciting and romantic vacation. Enjoy luxurious linens, pampering bubble baths, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems in a beach setting that you’ll remember forever. If you want to meet other couples on your getaway, there are many Puerto Vallarta villas that are nestled next to other complexes designed so that couples can meet each other and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Mexico beach scene as a group. If you’d prefer to be alone on your getaway, many Puerto Vallarta real estate properties are secluded in out-of-the-way locations that are perfect for sharing some quiet time with that special person.

When you’re ready to venture outside of your luxurious villa, you’ll be greeted by sandy beaches, sparkling waters, and a number of activities that are perfect for couples. If you want to spend your time in the sun and sand, Puerto Vallarta is one of the best destinations in the world. Water sports abound in this beach destination ? from swimming to boating, you can spend your days getting chilled in the cool beach water and warming up in the bright sunshine. Other outdoor activities include fishing, golfing, and spending your days walking the beaches looking for the perfect shell. If you and your love are indoor types, there’s no shortage of activities to help you create the perfect vacation. Fine dining, games, and other indoor activities can help you stay out of the sun while creating a lifetime of Puerto Vallarta vacation memories. Many of the best Puerto Vallarta real estate properties are within walking distance to beaches and other recreational activities, making these vacation homes the best value for your money and your time. Planning your Puerto Vallarta vacation is sure to get you excited for your trip, but nothing will match the excitement you will feel when you’re greeted by the beauty of this Mexican beach destination. So pack your swimsuit and your sandals and get ready to have the vacation of a lifetime.

Your beachfront property in Mexico is within your reach. Check out the listings of Playa del Carmen Real Estate, Puerto Vallarta Property and Cancun Real Estate for insight into this booming market.

Author: Tom Budniak

Vacation to Puerto Vallarta is an extremely unique and unforgettable experience. Puerto Vallarta villa rentals seem to be the unanimous choice of vacationers from all over the world when they come to this tropical paradise of Mexico. The Puerto Vallarta rentals are affordable and constitute more luxurious alternative to hotels.

By: Jim Scherrer

Fifty years ago, before John Huston brought Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, and Deborah Kerr to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to film “The Night of The Iguana”, Vallarta was merely a sleepy little Mexican fishing village nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madres along the shores of Banderas Bay on the Pacific Ocean. Although the population at that time was only a few thousand friendly natives, the magnificent climate and incredible scenery was so inviting that Richard Burton and Liz Taylor fell in love with the village (and each other!) and bought a couple of “getaway” homes on the hillside overlooking the city. 

After John Huston introduced Vallarta to the world in 1963 as a beautiful Paradise just two or three hours from most major US cities, the sleepy little fishing village gradually but consistently grew in size to about 100,000 residents by 1990.  Since 1990, the greater Vallarta area has witnessed explosive growth as the Pre-Boomers started retiring and the Boomers began preparing for retirement. Today, PV is home to approximately 350,000 residents of which an estimated 50,000 are expats from the US and Canada.

With the rapid influx of tourists and retiring North Americans came numerous construction and service related job opportunities. As the area grew and prospered, Mexicans from surrounding states migrated to PV in search for employment and related improvement in living standards. Naturally, with the entire local economy based on tourism and immigration of North American retirees, the entire infrastructure of roads, electrical power distribution, water treatment facilities, etc. was upgraded to current standards,  fine restaurants, air conditioned shopping malls, tennis courts, golf courses, etc. sprung up everywhere, the “big box” stores came to town, the language barrier broke down with English being commonplace, and all of the other amenities that we’re accustomed to became available.

In the early to mid 90’s, as the growth became noticeable and the Pre-Boomer wave started migrating south, new construction of houses and condominiums in Vallarta slowly began. By 2000, the strong demand for new houses and condos became quite apparent and the developers started flocking to town. Along with the growing demand, the current governing PAN party in Mexico under the leadership of President Fox and now Calderon (both Harvard graduates!) with their pro-foreign investment philosophies and FONATUR, the Mexican tourism development foundation, provided new incentives that promoted growth and encouraged the expansion of this resort area along the Mexican Riviera.

With the strong demand for new housing, a government and local citizenry welcoming such, and developers anxious to make a buck, came the onslaught of new construction to meet the supply side of the equation! During the first decade of the new millennium, most of the prime beachfront parcels around Banderas Bay and some of the best Sierra Madre hillsides were snatched up by the eager developers. Financing and planning began in earnest as tower cranes were erected all around the city. In a matter of a few short years, a number of high rise condominium towers were constructed, hundreds of smaller condo complexes sprung up, and many new million dollar villas were built in an attempt to meet the current as well as future demands of North American retirees.

What was about to happen caught all of these developers and speculators totally off guard: first, in March of 2008, the mortgage crisis hit the US followed by the most serious global recession (and corresponding 40% plunge of most stock markets) that most of us have ever witnessed, followed by the media frenzy related to the drug war along the Mexico/US border, and finally the hyped up swine flu scare in Mexico that occurred during April and May of 2009. This trifecta of negative events provided the perfect storm for virtual devastation of the local economy in Vallarta resulting in much of the new construction slowing to a snail’s pace or coming to a grinding halt with some of the projects left unfinished or put on indefinite hold, many new project plans left dormant on the drawing board, and a glut of more than 7,000 new condos on the market. 

It should be noted that the border town drug war is taking place about 800 miles from Vallarta; about the same distance as from New York to Atlanta or St. Louis. (Would you avoid going to Atlanta if something bad was happening in New York?) Regarding the swine flu outbreak: we were in PV the entire quarantine time of April through May of 2009 and never saw anyone sneeze, let alone contract any kind of flu! During those two months of quarantine, at the end of the seven month “high season” of November through May after which the local economy had already been annihilated by the failing global economy, there were perhaps as many as 100 cruise ships that abandoned their docking plans in Vallarta. Keep in mind that there were 9,000 confirmed cases of swine flu in the US and about 5,000 in Mexico, mostly in Mexico City which is 500 miles away from Vallarta, and less than a handful of H1N1 cases were ever reported and confirmed in Vallarta. (See article on swine flu update in PV)

So, what does all of this aforementioned doom and gloom mean and how does it affect you? Well, it provides you an exceptional opportunity, a once in a lifetime chance, to take advantage of speculators that invested too much at the wrong time; an occasion to capitalize on the misfortunes of others!

There are numerous re-sales where listed prices have been reduced by as much as 25% however we have not observed many new condo development list prices change during the past year. What we have seen is that the developers are now willing to negotiate as much as 25-35% off their list prices whereas a year ago they would only drop 5-10% off their list prices. These developers are eager to unload their inventories, fairly close to their cost, because they’re anxious to continue on with their development plans. You ask, “Why are they so anxious to do that in such a terrible economy”? Well simple, because the Mexican peso has devalued by 30% during the past year and the developers can now pay their labor personnel and buy their construction materials including steel and concrete at greatly reduced costs and when the economy does turn around, they‘ll be back in the catbird seat ready to rake in the handsome profits they had forecasted for their initial phases of construction.

Although foreclosures are virtually non-existent in Mexico, because up until the last five years almost all real estate purchases were done on a full cash basis, there are many owners of second homes and “getaway” condos in PV that, due to their losses of retirement savings, are strapped for cash and need to liquidate their retirement dream properties. Add to them the more than 7,000 new, unsold condos and you’ll fully appreciate why it’s such a bona fide buyer’s market in Vallarta today. The current supply of beautiful new condos and villas far outnumbers the demand and if you have any money (or credit!) left, now is the time to take advantage of the situation.

If you too have been hurt by the falling stock market and have seen 40% of your IRA or 401k savings evaporate, you might want to consider the readily available Mexican mortgages. Mortgage companies in PV such as  MexLend and MortgagesInMexico are easy to deal with and provide up to 30 year mortgages having fixed interest rates of less than 8% with anywhere from 20-50% down payment. This concept should be especially appealing to Canadians because in the writer’s opinion, the Canadian dollar will in all probability appreciate in value relative to the US dollar and the Mexican peso over the near term; i.e., Canadians will see their purchase get cheaper as their loonies strengthen over time!

Having owned property in Vallarta for more than a quarter of a century, we can emphatically state that we’ve never seen a better time to buy property along the Mexican Riviera and seriously doubt that we’ll ever see it again during our lifetime. The selection is huge, the availability of credit is great, and the sellers are desperate, i.e., Puerto Vallarta is ripe for the pickin’ for the savvy investor as well as the retiring Baby Boomer! So, if you have been dreaming about owning a piece of Heaven and it doesn’t make you feel too much like a criminal taking advantage of someone else’s misfortune, come on down and have some fun in this exceptional buyer‘s market!