Real estate has been a valued and coveted commodity throughout history. Historically, real estate can ensure economic stability, while often other investments may be very cyclical. Although some people prefer the stock market, real estate normally provides similar returns, more cash flow, and additional tax incentives (for example: depreciation and expense deductions).
Like stock, real estate can be purchased with an IRA. Let’s face it, owning property on a tropical island as an investment, a retirement strategy, or a new place to live is a lot more fun than getting an e-statement each month on your stock.
What are your plans for 2015?
Every time I stand before a beautiful beach, its waves seem to whisper to me: If you choose the simple things and find joy in nature’s simple treasures, life and living need not be so hard. –Psyche Roxas-Mendoza
Health Care
One of the premier health care providers in this country, CEMESA, (many would call CEMESA the premier health care provider), announced last year, the building of a state-of-the-art hospital on the island of Roatan.
The facility is major remodel, but not a ground-up construction project, and it is estimated that the facility will be completed this year. On a personal note, I have had excellent, quality care with CEMESA including three surgeries. The new building is great news for the people of the island and for anyone who is considering living and investing here.
This is just one more reason Roatan should be one of your top picks for retirement, relocation, and investment! I will keep you updated on the new facility, as quality health care is important to all of us.
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Snappers Seafood
Do you live near the source of the food you eat?
Blueberries brought in from South America never have the same flavor as they do when they are grown locally. Michigan cherries, Georgia peaches, Indiana sweet corn, yum.
When you experience the fresh food on the island, it will make your taste buds explode!
Fish, lobster, and shrimp are just part of locally obtainable food here on the island. In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables, including hydroponic lettuce can line your plate. You will be surprised to discover bananas and carrots, which actually taste like bananas and carrots.
In addition, if you like fish, you will want to stop in at Snappers. At Snappers, you can order your favorites to eat or take with you. Snappers has fish fresh off boats that go out right here on the island. Snappers also has fresh meat.
Find Snappers located at the Mega Plaza Mall in French Harbor
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City Embrace Counseling and Resource Center
City Embrace Counseling and Resource Center was established to enable survivors of sexual and domestic abuse to take back control of their lives. They exist to aid individuals in their recovery through a number of different treatment modalities and seek to make these services as widely accessible as possible.
In Roatan, City Embrace Counseling and Resource Center is broadening their scope and sending counselors to local clinics. Last October, they created a Vocational Center in Oak Ridge called Prosperity Vocational Center. Prosperity Vocational Center (PVC) teaches young women and men how to sew and manage a small business.
In addition, at PVC they have arts and crafts days for young children where kids make little souvenirs to sell, and the profits are split amongst themselves. PVC also holds English classes for all members. With unemployment high on the island, PVC teaches young men and women skills, which will serve them for life.
Every service PVC provides is 100% free of cost for the students and clients. PVC keeps the program in operation with the help of charitable donations from members of the community and revenue generated by the students.
With your help, PVC can open similar programs all over the island. This means more jobs for people who need them, and the continued production of essentials, such as reusable grocery bags, uniforms for school kids, and linens.
Your support matters. If you’d like to know more about this project, go to www.cecrc.org and click on Updates and Events.
At the bottom of the page there is also a DONATE button where you can help them continue their mission.
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Discovery & Investment Tour -Time to Book!
March Tour Dates. We have arranged a preferential rate with the Mayan Princess Beach Resort (http://www.mayanprincess.com) for anyone who is participating in the Discovery and Investment Tour.
When you book your accommodations, please make sure you write Juan and Merry (emails below), and let them know that you are part of our RE/MAX group.
You can book online, but then send Juan an email noting you are with the RE/MAX Discovery Tour to make certain you get the preferred rate, which includes free breakfasts.
Contact Info: Juan Francisco Gomez De La Torre (juan@mayanprincess.com). Please copy his assistant Merry Jackson on your email (merry@mayanprincess.com).
Of course, you are welcome to stay anywhere you wish. However, I would advise you make your arrangements in the West Bay Area as that that will be our host location. Please contact me with any questions about accommodations.
If you are on the fence regarding your decision to participate in the Discovery and Investment Tour, I would urge you to make up your mind as soon as possible. In order to arrange transportation, a sunset sail, food, and speakers, we need to know the number of people who will be in attendance. If you have questions about the Discovery and Investment Tour, please contact me, and I will be happy to address any questions or concerns.
Again, the Discover and Investment Tour is a very unique and beneficial opportunity. Nowhere, no one, can anyone offer you all of the information you need to make an informed decision.
To have all the experts in one place at one time is priceless!
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HGTV-See footage of the Bay Islands from your home!
If you are in the research stage of investing on the Bay Islands, HGTV recorded multiple shows last fall, and they are rolling out the episodes now.
You can go to the HGTV website to get the times for the Bay Islands episodes. They include episodes on both Roatan and Utila.
I believe HGTV has also recorded 5-6 shows, which they will be airing this year so you can certainly get a feel for the islands.
In addition, I haven’t found the House Hunters International episode that was first broadcast New Year’s Day, but here is a link to the Half Priced Paradise show on Utila https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvcgsMW3XBE
Because there’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away. –Sarah Kay
Price reduced – Feel the tropical jungle, short distance to best beach on the island!
This property has Paya ruins, fruit trees like Bananas, Papaya, Mangos and much more. The amazing landscaping offer a great view of the island from west to east. Sunrise and moon rise. It has a constant breeze that keep bugs away and keep the house cool all the time. From the all around wooden deck, you will look at Inguanas, Watusa, Falcons and many kinds of birds. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-354-moon-cliff-house/
New Listing , Great Price – A great beach lot that has both over 100 feet of water frontage and frontage on the main road. A great lot for a commercial venture. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-353-beachfront-sandy-bay/
New Listing, very good deal, rooftop pool!- This is a True Dream Villa on the beach with Lawson Rocks largest patio (15’x30′), Huge kitchen, rooftop pool, sunset views, 2 luxurious bedrooms, beautiful bathrooms, just not enough words to describe this Villa. Many Extras such as an over $10,000.00 ‘Tempupedic’ mattress and there are 3 in this Villa. The wood work is amazing, imported granite, out door shower. A Must see! https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-351-lawson-rock-angelfish-villa/
Waterfront Home-with a free dock- This beautiful waterfront home on 513.40Mt comes with a dock & boat slip, fully furnished, triple water filtration system, custom cabinets, tile & wood floors, just gorgeous! Swim just outside your front door, world class snorkeling, quiet Bay, Furnished, Artistic Murals, lots of beds, turn key! Great Home or Investment, There’s so much more, A MUST See! https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-350-waterfront-home-on-brick-bay/
One of my favorite homes on the island! Great spot for full time living! This Beautiful 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom Mountain Top Home with Caretaker Home & Private Driveway is highlighted by spectacular views of both the North and South shores of the island and a Turquoise Blue Swimming Pool. Upstairs enjoy a huge Kitchen, Living room and Balcony that all have beautiful Views. Both wind and solar are utilized to help power the home. A True Dream Home. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-323-mountain-top-home/
Add some solar and a cistern to your Dream house and be ‘off the grid’ of the world! Only $25,000 U.S. Lot B-1’Off the grid’, boat access only, location at Pine Point on the west end of Utila. 170 feet from beach. Only a few houses are located in the vicinity. Community dock is some 650 ft from property. A ‘green’ buffer zone separates the property from land to the west. The northern boundary borders ‘national’ land. Many mature trees and palms of various descriptions populate the Lot. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-337-0-39-acre—ocean-view/
A STEAL OF A DEAL! Great view lot in Sandy Bay only $39K!
This lot is the best deal for a lot in Sandy Bay area. Located beside ( West of ) Lawson Rock top lot. This lot offer an amazing view of the Caribbean sea looking of the north side, with concrete road all the way to the lot, with water and power access. Great lot and great deal. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-317-lot—20
Waterfront home site for only $49K. ‘Close-in’ to shopping, golf and amenities but a feel of being on and island all your own. Are you looking for that perfect little place to call your own in the Caribbean? How about a place right on the water? A place that will make you feel like you are a million miles from reality? A place to build your getaway? A place ‘close-in’ enough for short trips to groceries, restaurants, mall or golf? Large, almost one half acre. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-199-waterfront-place-for-boat/
A very short walk to the BEST BEACH in Central America and one of the Top in the World!
If you are looking for your own little ‘piece of paradise’ for investment or future build out this will be your perfect place. Just a very short walk to the sugary white powder sand of one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean- West Bay Beach. There are two little home sites that are just perfect. Just large enough to put a small home and have a garden all the way around it. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-291-west-bay-beach/
Large Home site, Top Community, Bargain Price!
Stunning south sound residential home site inside of Parrot Tree facing First Bight Harbour. Exceptional opportunity to build your dream home in this dream location. Parrot Tree offers many amenities such as marina, beach, swimming pool, restaurants and much more. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-257-lot—42–parrot-tree/
Pete Dye (Hall of Fame Designer) Golf course lot!
Take your pick of this lot (one of two of the nicest home sites -3002 & 3003), in this prestigious ‘Pete Dye’ design golf course community. Over 1/4 acre of views overlooking the beautiful golf course greens and the ‘eye candy’ blues that will remain unobstructed and ready for your custom home. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-167-prime-golf-home-sites/
Need a career change?- How about a commercial venture?
Opportunity knocks.. This small parcel has several assets, primarily that it is all about location, location, location and this property sits +/- 150 meters west of the Royal Caribbean Cruise port pedestrian exit on the same road. With a pretty good sized shell of a building in fairly good condition, it makes the idea spot for either a great cruise ship excursion or business. https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-149-cruise-ship-location/
Two properties – Colibri Hill Resort Hotel – 4,320 sq ft, 3 story Hotel with 8 bedrooms and 2 apartments/suites with feature Swimming Pool on 0.34 acre lot, & 60 ft away – El Castillo Restaurant, single story 1,525 sq ft Restaurant on 0.09 acre lot. Colibri Hill is rated 76% in Trip Advisor.Property Owner left Utila several years ago and since had various lessees and friends managing the business https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-316-colibri-hill-resort-hotel/
How about a strip mall with a very nice ROI?
This retail strip mall with a historically high occupancy rate, on the main road of the island, at the main junction of Coxen Hole may be the income property you are looking for.With thousands of cars going past the front door it offers businesses a great opportunity to be in the exact right place on the island.It also offers the owner a 8-10% ROI https://www.roatan-realestate.com/listing/listing-248-mango-tree-center/
Are you new to the newsletter and interested in a possible investment? You should really spend some time on this link? https://www.roatan-realestate.com/roatan-buyers/
Are you a mobil app user? Here is a MLS version for you if you wish to search on the go http://mymobile.flexmls.com/BayIslandsRealEstate
If you wish to search out your own piece of paradise out MLS link is here for your convenience! http://link.flexmls.co/oq9ggfooh53,2
That is it for this month folks. Please do your best to join us on the March Tour, and get your notification in as soon as possible. It has been seven years since the last tour like this happened and getting out of the winter is not such a bad thing, even if it is temporary. Warm white sand, crystal clear aqua waters, gorgeous sunsets and warm breezes. What is not to like?
Happy New Years to all!
Larry
