Real Estate in Los Cabos & Baja, Mexico

Always in search of the ideal retreat by the sea to complement my marvelous home in Sedona, I have ranged from Hawaii to the islands of the Caribbean to the coasts of Central America. The Hawaiian and Virgin Islands are gorgeous, as are the Bay Islands of Honduras, the cayes of Belize, and the Mexican "Mayan Riviera." In the final analysis, however, those locations share four significant drawbacks: travel hassles, rain & high humidity, mosquitoes, and devastating hurricanes.

What's better? Los Cabos and the southern end of the Baja Peninsula, Mexico, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. "Cabo" has become a hot spot of international real estate investment because of its beautiful azure seas teeming with exotic fish and whales, its plethora of golf courses, and its lovely clear and dry weather. It's a golfer's, fisherman's, diver's, celebrity watcher's, and sun worshiper's paradise. You'll find great beaches in the Baja, but Los Cabos is more of a desert-by-the-sea climate. Palm trees and some agriculture, but no jungle. Prices, however, can be high compared with the rest of Mexico, particularly now that it's been discovered by the Hollywood crowd and the likes of Donald Trump. Some of the most exclusive resorts in the hemisphere are located here. Makes for a solid investment climate, however.

Cabo is well-served by the major airlines with plenty of direct flights from many U.S. cities. My flying time from Phoenix, for example, is about one hour and forty-five minutes. That makes even a weekend trip pretty easy.

Although trees, flowers, and other vegetation abound in seaside towns and resorts and mountainous areas, the Baja is essentially a desert with minimal rainfall. Except for late summer and early fall, there is hardly any humidity. July through September is hurricane season in the tropics. The Baja is situated such that it is usually off the radar screen for major storms, but it often does catch some of the moisture kicked up by them. Los Cabos occasionally gets hit with the odd hurricane, though far less than areas to the south of it, especially the Caribbean .

Contrary to a common myth, foreigners can safely own real estate in Mexico. It can, though, be a tricky business, laden with legal pitfalls. Real estate laws there are rather loose and agents there are not covered by local licensing. "Buyer Beware" is the watchword. It's extremely important to use an agent whom you can trust without question. I would never make a move without the services of a first-rate, trusted professional.
 
I strongly recommend contacting Julie Hampton Kershner, CIPS, at: julie@juliekershner.com. She can be reached via US phone: (520)204-5450. Not only is Julie one of the three CIPS's in Cabo, she is the immediate past president of the Los Cabos Multiple Listing Service and past president of the Baja chapter of AMPI - the Mexican Association of Realtors. She's also recognized by Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate. Julie is a font of knowledge about real estate in Cabo and the Baja and is clearly highly respected by her peers. That's important in an area where very few real estate agents are licensed or have any formal professional training. Julie will also be happy to send you a copy of "Beaches of Gold" - a booklet with extensive information on buying and selling real estate in Los Cabos. It's a "must read." Visit her website at: www.JulieKershner.com.