Prudential Vallarta Blog

By Marilyn Newman

On Friday, March 13, 2009, Vallarta Real Estate agents were awarded diplomas for the first A.M.P.I. (Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios)  board certified Real Estate I course endorsed by the Instituto de Formación para el Trabajo del Estado de Jalisco (I.D.E.F.T.).

The participating agents represented various agencies throughout the Banderas Bay area in the week-long 40 hour course presented by Mr. Rafael Valdez Becerra at the Las Juntas facility of I.D.E.F.T..

The Director of I.D.E.F.T., Lic. Alejandro Regino Torres, and the three A.M.P.I. sector Presidents, Mr. David Pullen of AMPI-Vallarta, Ms. Tere Kimball of AMPI-Riviera Nayarita, and Mr. Juan Jose Martinez Alarcon of AMPI-Compostela, were on hand to present the agents with their diplomas.

Lic. Regino remarked that it was a pleasure to have agents of such high caliber taking the real estate courses and that it instills greater confidence in A.M.P.I. and the level of professionalism of the agents involved.

“Education is the key to better serving our clients.  I congratulate you for taking the time from busy schedules to educate yourselves.” The three presidents told participants.  “We wish to thank all those involved in making this course possible.”

For more information regarding upcoming real estate courses being offered in the Vallarta area please contact Evelyn at evelyn.marquez@prurealtypv.com or Elena at elena@move2mexico.com .

Juan Jose Martinez, David Pullen, Marilyn Newman, Tere Kimball & Lic. Alejandro Regino Torres

Marilyn Newman is a real estate consultant with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division. She can be reached at her office (322) 226-2690, Toll Free from the US and Canada: 1 (888) 778-3639, or by email to marilyn.newman@prurealtypv.com.

Nicole,

Patti and I are totally thrilled with the villa you helped us find. It is, to us, Paradise Found (see list below). What is most amazing to us is that we had spent the last two and a half years looking feverishly in south Florida at second home opportunities. We made 6 – 7 trips and literally looked at over 150 homes/condos – all to no avail. We simply could not find the “total package” that excited us…yet, somehow you were able to accomplish this in one long weekend!

After spending several weeks vacationing here in our new 2nd home we couldn’t help coming up with the following list of our “Top 10 Things About Our Home in Paradise” (the fact that we could not stop until 13 speaks volumes…)

1. The view is world-class!! (Far better than anything we saw in Florida.)

2. The weather is perfect! After 6 weeks in our villa, we have not seen one drop of rain, the temperatures have not dropped below the low sixty’s, and everyday has had plenty of sunshine. I have not yet put on a long sleeve shirt…during the months of Dec, Jan & Feb!

3. The floor plan is stunning (again, better than anything we saw in Florida).

4. The price of the unit was an incredible value. In our mind we ended up with a far superior property versus our choices in Florida – at a fraction of the cost.

5. Such proximity to the ocean is a rare luxury. To be able to view and hear the ocean, as well as walk across the street to enjoy it is simply sublime.

6. The town of Puerto Vallarta is a charming authentic Mexican town that is both picturesque and thoroughly enjoyable.

7. The restaurants and cuisine are extraordinary.

8. The value of the American dollar is ridiculously high – it has improved 50% in less than a year.

9. The shopping has been a most pleasant surprise; the town is filled with exceptional galleries and shops.

10. There are virtually no insects! (We can only speak for the winter, but that is all that is important to us).

11. The Mexican people have been consistently friendly, hospitable and gracious.

12. Cuban cigars are available everywhere – and at a fraction of what one would pay in Canada.

13. The ability to grow birds of paradise, bouganvilleas, palm trees and other tropical plants year round on our patio and balconies is ‘Paradise Found’ for a couple of native Michiganers!

As great as all this has been, we must add that our experience with Nicole has been equally superlative. Having been in the real estate development profession for over 35 years we have had scores of high caliber sales agents who have worked for us. In all honesty, I can genuinely say that I have never encountered one who is more professional, knowledgeable, helpful and personally delightful than Nicole. And her service attitude and helpful spirit did not diminish one iota after the sale was made…imagine that! Very simply, I would hire Nicole in a heartbeat – and then try to clone her. Nicole, you are unbelievable!

Patti and Gary Fenchuk
Midlothian,Virginia, USA

The A.M.P.I. Riviera Nayarita monthly meeting was held this past Thursday, the 5th of March, at lovely Casa Panoramica  (South) hosted by listing agent Christne Chin of Prudential Vallarta.

At this meeting concerns were discussed regarding the current negative media barrage directed at Mexico in general. It was agreed that everyone in the section would do their best to promote Mexico and Puerto Vallarta as a safe destination and a great place to invest.  It was emphasized that the real  estate community must join efforts to do this at the municipal level.

Tere Kimball announced the Realtor event at Paradise Village to be held on March 28th and Carlos Lemmus announced the opening of Marival condominiums in Nuevo Vallarta.

The For more information on A.M.P.I  Puerto Vallarta, Riviera – Nayarita or Compostela, please contact Elena at El Grupo de Bienes Raices (329) 298-1212 or Evelyn Marquez at Prudential (322) 226.2690.

Jonathon Smart and Tere- Kimball

Maricarmen de Pablo, Alma Arredondo and Tere Kimball

William Mc. Fadden and Christine Chin

The Girls at Prudential

More than 60 real estate professionals attended the five hour seminar which was given by attorney David Connell and his fiscal expert Gabriela Rojas, both of Connell & Associates, this past 24th of February at the Hotel Westin Regina Spa & Resort hotel in Marina Vallarta. The event was hosted by the three A.M.P.I. (Mexican Association of Professional Realtors) chapters; Vallarta, Riviera-Nayarita and Compostela.

The topic of the course was all of the applicable real estate taxes involving sales & rental transactions. Various tax scenarios for foreign property owners were discussed at the course, including information regarding partial and full exemption from capital gains tax, which is determined by the Notario handling the transaction. Property owners would be encouraged to consult with a professional to determine their personal tax liability and whether they could qualify for any type of exemption.

The course was only one in a series of planned courses to be sponsored by the three A.M.P.I. chapters throughout the year for the area’s real estate professionals.

This course will count for five hours for those who attended. A minimum of 25 hours will be required at the end of the year for all members and affiliates to be able to renew their association with AMPI.

Ongoing mandatory education is essential for the real estate community¨ say the three Presidents, Tere Kimball AMPI Riviera – Nayarita, David Pullen AMPI Puerto Vallarta and Juan José Martínez AMPI Compostela. “We must be aware of our current tax laws and how they affect our clients”.

If you require more information about AMPI, please contact Elena Andrade at:
Telephone: (329) 298.-1212.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
From: 1pm – 4pm Jalisco.

Visits by appointment only

Communication by E-mail any time: elena@move2mexico.com

Carmen Garcia, David Connell, Tere Kimball, Saul Groman

David Pullen, Tere Kimball, Saul Groman

Sarah Elonghorn, Ariel Ochoa, Carmen Garcia, Joel Lucano, Saul Groman

by: Marilyn Newman

“The Fourth Annual Vallarta Lifestyles’ Real Estate Conference” was held at the Krystal Hotel Conference  Center on Thursday, February 26, 2009, drawing many of the area’s real estate industry professionals.

Providing information on Vallarta’s real estate market, the theme of this year’s conference was:  “Surviving and Perhaps even Prospering during Turbulent Times”.

The conference was only for those actively involved in the local real estate industry and provided statistical Information as well as several Realtor Panels covering various aspects of the local and global markets, past, present and future.

Vallarta’s real estate community has become a very cohesive group of professionals.   We’re always looking for ways to better serve our clients and our community.  One way of doing this is to educate ourselves and stay on top of our markets.

Marilyn Newman is a real estate consultant with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division.  She can be reached at her office 322 226 2690, by cell 322 306 0534, Toll Free from the US and Canada:  1 888 778 3639, or by e-mail: marilyn.newman@prurealtypv.com