Playing the Big-Home Niche for Bumper Profits
Many of these rough diamonds were languishing on the market in the good times...there’s a smaller market for such properties. Now, find the right seller, and you could cut the deal of a lifetime.
Real Estate
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Real Estate Archives
A Beachside Apartment That Pays Its Own Way
I’d flown to Uruguay to meet several American expats who’d retired to the small South American country, and as part of that trip I arranged to meet a real estate friend I’ve known for years, Sancho Santayana, who runs 360 Terra International Realty. I wanted to spend a morning touring various apartments in Punta del Este...
Why Now Is a Good Time to Buy in Guatapé, Colombia
When I was doing my check-out trip to Medellín in early 2012, Guatapé was one of my first day trips to the countryside. I had lived on the coast of Maine for 27 years before my decision to move overseas, so I was used to having quick access to water. The lake area in Guatapé is the closest body of water to landlocked Medellín...
Slowly, Sittee River Emerges on the Expat Scene
The small country of Belize is quickly developing in many well-known areas, such as the island of Ambergris Caye or the laidback peninsula town of Placencia. As reported in the November 2019 issue of International Living, development on the island of Caye Caulker is opening up new real estate opportunities...
Is Real Estate Trend Alert a Scam?
I’m here today to address a couple of questions that keep popping up…Is Ronan McMahon for real…is Real Estate Trend Alert a scam? Well, as you can see, I am definitely for real! I’m talking to you today from my condo in Los Cabos. This is my winter base… I am originally from Ireland. I’m Read more...: Is Real Estate Trend Alert a Scam?
House Hunting in Bali
Time flies when you’re having fun. We’ve been living in Bali for four years and have moved homes six times, so I can’t tell you how pleased I am to finally have a long-term lease and a place to call home. I must say, it became an easier decision to make as we spent more time in Sanur, knew more people...
The Joy of Living in Sarlat-le-Caneda, France
It’s impossible to escape the geese in Sarlat-le-Caneda. Images of these plump birds adorn shop windows, and products of all kinds are decorated with the likeness of the animals that have been adopted as the unofficial mascot of the area. Often known simply as Sarlat, this town with a population of about 11,000 is in the center of the Dordogne region of southern France. Sarlat offers big-city convenience and activities packaged in a small-town setting that make it a delightful location to visit...
An Expat Secret Revealed: The “Other” South of France
"Gascony's the real France," Jean-Jacques said. "Everywhere else—it's another country." Jean-Jacques, a local farmer, was leaning from his tractor—behind him, a bright field of sunflowers and the 18th century farmhouse my parents call home. His sun-beaten face squinted down at me. "Gascony is the hidden jewel of France—it's our best kept secret."
Fall in Love with Jungle Life in Tena, Ecuador
Toucans and macaws glide around the lush jungle canopy and scores of monkeys parade through the overhanging branches. Neon-green and electric-blue butterflies of preposterous sizes flit across gurgling streams, while waterfalls drop into deep pools. Welcome to one of my favorites among Ecuador’s secret spots…a place hidden in the east of the country, where indigenous shamans still perform timeless rituals and a small number of adventurous expats have found new lives surrounded by nature.
Dolega: One of Panama’s Most Affordable Retirement Towns
There are many low-cost places to retire to in Panama. For those who enjoy the slower pace of rural living, Chiriquí Province, where I live, offers a delightful climate, easy convenience, and a quality lifestyle in an affordable retirement destination. While the city of David offers all the amenities of a good-sized city and the town of Boquete is a favored expat haven, some of the smaller towns in the area combine access to these desirable features with a lower cost of living. Dolega is one such small town in Chiriquí Province in western Panama. The four-lane highway that runs north and south between David and Boquete runs right through Dolega, so it’s easy to find. A new pedestrian overpass marks the main turnoff into town, at the Municipal Palace, shaded by a gigantic mango tree. Dolega is the administrative seat of the district of the same name, which encompasses a total of nine towns such as Los Anastacios, Dos Rios, Los Algarrobos and Potrerillos.