Prudential Vallarta Blog

I learned the art of keeping a pool clear firsthand. My significant other and I built our first pool after months of working on design, tile selection and I must say it could be compared to a complicated pregnancy. The pool came as our first priority and wound up being almost as big as the house. 

When the pool was completed the inauguration was glorious and we jumped in fully clothed while it was half way full as we could not wait. 

A couple days later, the pool was green and we had new pets… tadpoles. 

Did you think that all you have to do is skim the surface and throw in some bleach? We did. Did you check references on the contractor you used for pool construction and the installation of systems and equipment? We didn’t. 

Before building a pool consider the following: 

• Do you already have a reputable maintenance company who will service your pool or do you have a neighbor who can highly recommend a person who is knowledgeable on PH levels?

• Do you have a warranty on the pool pump? 

• Do you know what a PH level is?

• Will you actually use the pool frequently or do you prefer the ocean? Many homeowners build a pool to find themselves spending more splash time in the pacific.

•  Do you enjoy cold water? Our winter months are slightly chilly and if your property is used for vacation rental, the renters usually like to enjoy a heated pool which is costly to keep warm.

If you plan on doing it yourself, DON´T DO IT!

Find the right trustworthy pool maintenance person!

 Here is a little bit more on prevention of Green Algae in  swimming pools that I hope can be of use to you or if you wish to give up…….. let your pool take it´s natural course evolving into a pond.

http://www.wikihow.com/Eliminate-and-Prevent-Green-Algae-in-a-Swimming-Pool

This article is courtesy of sales executive Nicole Martin of Prudential

By Marilyn Newman

Moving to a new home can be stressful, to say the least. Make it easy on yourself by planning far in advance and making sure you’ve covered all the bases.

1. Plan ahead by organizing and budgeting. Develop a master “to do” list so you won’t forget something critical on moving day, and create an estimate of moving costs.

2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.

3. But don’t throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, you’re probably right. However, it’s possible to go overboard in the heat of the moment. Ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d feel if you no longer had it. That will eliminate regrets after the move.

4. Pack similar items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils. It will make your life easier when it’s time to unpack.

5. Decide what, if anything, you plan to move on your own. Precious items such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you. Don’t forget to keep a “necessities” bag with tissues, snacks, and other items you’ll need that day.

6. Use the right box for the item. Loose items are prone to breakage.

7. Put heavy items in small boxes so they’re easier to lift. Keep the weight of each box under 50 pounds, if possible.

8. Don’t over-pack boxes. It increases the likelihood that items inside the box will break.

9. Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom and sides of boxes. If necessary, purchase bubble-wrap or other packing materials from moving stores.

10. Label every box on all sides. You never know how they’ll be stacked and you don’t want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what’s there.

11. Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code a floor plan for your new house.

12. Keep your moving documents together in a file. Include important phone numbers, driver’s name, and moving van number. Also keep your address book handy.

13. Print out a map and directions for movers. Make several copies for friends or family who are lending a hand on moving day, and highlight the route. Include your cell phone number on the map. You don’t want them to get lost!

14. Back up your computer files before moving your computer. Keep the backup in a safe place, preferably at an off-site location.

15. Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives.

16. Make arrangements for small children and pets. Moving can be stressful and emotional. Kids can help organize their things and pack boxes ahead of time, but, if possible, it might be best to spare them from the moving-day madness.

Marilyn Newman is a sales associate with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division.  She can be contacted at  marilyn.newman@prurealtypv.com .

Piñatas play a large part in Latin American festivities; a fiesta is not a fiesta without one. The origin of the Piñata dates back many centuries before the arrival of the Spanish explorers. Mexican Indians made piñatas from jars made of earth and decorated them to resemble the gods that they worshipped and filled them with simple toys and favors. (The logic of beating the daylights out of a revered god is a mystery to me).

Piñatas gained popularity with the early Spaniards and they began sending them to their homes in Spain. Now, the Piñata, originally from Mexico is enjoyed worldwide. The variety of figures is mind boggling, if you should enjoy watching Bart Simpson or Winnie the Pooh smashed to pieces.

The game is played by children (or adults) taking turns, blindfolded, spun around and given a pole to try to break the Piñata as it is raised and lowered by a rope. Things usually get a bit wild. Imagine an excited child (or adult) in the center of a circle of other excited children (or adults) brandishing a lethal weapon. Piñatas are often described as made from delicate clay pots, but this is a myth in Mexico. In order to smash the thing, a good deal of force is required. When finally broken, candies and small toys (or assorted adult items) fall to the floor and a frenzy of figures scramble to get their  share.  A piñata bashing is not a bash unless the piñata song is sung. It is repeated over and over and over and over while each kid gets a turn. A typical party can have anywhere from 20 to 50 kids, so you will have learned the lyrics by the time the candy falls.

The Piñata song lycrics!

Dale, dale, dale,
no pierdas el tino;
Porque si lo pierdes
pierdes el camino.
Ya le diste una,
ya le diste dos;
Ya le diste tres,
y tu tiempo se acabó

Nicole Martin is Sales Executive with Prudential Vallarta. Her favorite pastime is making homemade piñatas out of recycled paper bags and helping her niece and nephew decorate and then fill with whatever they can find in her refrigerator!

Every real estate show or property description I see makes great emphasis on granite countertops. As a weathered sales woman I often catch myself reciting “notice the fabulous granite countertops” as I proudly run my hands atop like Vana White” It’s almost as if nothing else is worth mentioning with such emphasis. Wrong! Is granite gold?  Whatever happened to good old Formica or Corrion.  The latter come in zillions of colors and no their durability is not that of lifetime granite but are you going to be content with that sparkly rock counter 15 years from now when the Italians will probably have come up with a glow in the dark surface?

I have had many sellers proudly announce that they have upgraded their kitchen with the same enthusiasm as if they were to announce a birth arrival. I try to show my excitement but it is becoming difficult. Can granite truly make a difference in the price of your house and its sellbility?  Answer even if it hurts is yes.

What is a counter? A surface to chop? Gathering area? Pets favorite lounge spot? And should it be a status symbol?

Now more than ever, motivated by the wonderfully enticing decoration shows that television offers, people are updating their old ceramic tile countertops for something that looks dazzling. Granite is quite expensive for a limited budget and if you are looking for more affordable countertop finishes, Mexico has wonderful craftsman who perform miracles with tiles of all sizes or river stones set in polished cement creating custom masterpieces that any homeowner should be proud of.

The majority of granite used in Mexico is from India, Brazil and Italy but you will find many people venturing outside the box to enjoy wonderful stones Mexico has to offer like Cantera, Pink Quarry, Ticul and a favorite on the coast Conchuela. If these are properly sealed they can be wonderful counter tops.

If you are going through a kitchen remodel, shop around, compare prices and ask your contractor to physically show you examples of these surfaces in real kitchens before making this important decision.

Nicole Martin is Sales Executive with Prudential Vallarta. She retiled her kitchen one long weekend with miniature white tiles that could rival Martha Stewart´s kitchen.

There is a rapidly multiplying population of part time resident homeowners in Puerto Vallarta  who frequent super stores they so comfortably identify with  buying monstrous quantities of food in bulk which winds up to be disastrous for the wallet.

They often find themselves shamefully throwing away pasta ridden with small insects, precious spices covered in mold, petrified coffee, flour or cereal that has such a high humidity factor that milk is no longer necessary.

How can you avoid this?

We are fortunate enough to be submersed in a wonderful small town culture. I recommend stepping away from what you might be accustomed to in the US or Canada and don’t hesitate to fall in love with a particular merchant´s goods at your local Mercado.  My favorite……Emiliano Zapata downtown South where I can purchase fresh small quantities of almost anything.

Here are a few tips that might extend the shelf life of your food and………wallet.

1. Store all spices, pasta, cereals, and grains in the refrigerator.

2. The only human consumption items to be on display in your panty should be canned! Sodas and liquor have long shelf lives and reputably vacuum packed products.

3. Canned items have a shorter life in the tropics and you might notice a fine tin of imported product might be covered in rust when you return after absence.  Be careful.

4. Buy intelligently.  Just because you keep a clean pantry, doesn’t mean the grocery store does.  When buying pasta or rice, check carefully for small bugs. The tiniest of insects can find their way into pasta that has been on a shelf for eternity whose plastic might have broken from transport.

5. Pet food.  You might find that your furry friend loses his appetite during the rainy season.  This could be due to the fact that the open bag of kibble has become humid.  Have you ever tried to eat a stale cracker with salsa Mexicana? Store kibble in air tight containers in a well-ventilated area.

6. Baked goods and bread.  If you CAN´T EAT IT ALL the day of purchase..Freeze!

7. Cooking oil. If you are a weathered Vallartense, I am sure you find some pasta hot or cold may taste well, just OFF.  Your oil went rancid! Ewe!  This lesson was costly as I learned from rapidly gone bad Corsican truffle oil.  Odd as it sounds, I recommend storing oils in the refrigerator.

8. Don’t throw out plastic or glass containers.  Puerto Vallarta is in first generation recycle mode and you can help out by keeping your garbage organized and to a minimum.  These containers can come in handy for providing a well-sealed environment for any precious tea bag or that designer swimsuit that will definitely lose its elastic if it endures our steamy summers.

All in all. Less is best.  Don’t buy that one kilo bag of cumin for your curry night during your two week stay. Borrow it from your neighbor.

Nicole Martin is Sales Executive with Prudential Vallarta and made her move to the Bay of Banderas in 1989. Nicole.martin@prurealtypv.com 

First time purchasers in Puerto Vallarta make the same mistakes over and over again when it comes to furnishing a property.  Many come from colder, dryer climates but Puerto Vallarta is far from cold and dry.

We have new, modern highrises that rival Miami´s Brickell neighborhood and, yes, the units enjoy air-conditioning.   But part of Vallarta´s true charm is to be found in the older, rustic and superbly charming properties throughout downtown, including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton´s old stomping grounds in Gringo Gulch, all the way to majestic Mismaloya Bay on the South Shore.  It is common among the latter mentioned to find homes/condos that do not have any doors or windows and are fully open to the Pacific Ocean and Sierra Madres.  You might ask ¨what about air-conditioning?¨ and I can respond:  fans and fabulous breezes!  Being in the real estate industry and discovering these older treasures reminds me why I live, love and enjoy being in Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta´s growing population of Baby Boomers and national vacationers acquiring second homes has brought such a demand for home decor needs that many of Guadalajara´s large furniture stores have opened up locations to serve the Bay of Banderas.

Here are some tips on what you can do to maximize your pesos when it comes to decorating your Puerto Vallarta property:

1. HIRE A DECORATOR:  Interview various candidates and compare prices, attitude, and check references!   A relationship with a decorator is like a marriage and chemistry is a must. Decorators are accustomed to being interviewed and will respect your telling them that you are interviewing various candidates. Compare estimates and don’t hesitate to negotiate and be firm on your budget.  Many homeowners reside out of country so hiring the service is a must.  There are very reputable décor companies to choose from. The furniture selection/creation process can be done via internet and he/she can coordinate delivery and installation of all items/remodel/paint etc.

1. DIY (DO IT YOURSELF):  If time is not an issue, you could spend one full week in Puerto Vallarta checking out all that our wide selection of home decor shops have to offer.

1. RENTAL PROPERTIES:  If your property is going to be on the vacation rental market, beware! This is where a decorator’s expertise can come in handy as they spend most of their days furnishing properties that have a lot of traffic. Upholstery fabric, linens, and window treatments must be carefully selected using fabrics that can handle bright sun, and of course children, damp with salt water and sand!  What many homeowners will do is have separate sets of linens and slip covers for their own use.

1. CORROSION ON METAL:  Avoid furniture/drapery that has metal details. Corrosion is frustrating for persons living in the tropics. WD40 is used as frequently as toothpaste.

1. USING WOOD:  Tropical wood is fantastic, but termites share the same feeling.  If you must have wooden furniture, preventative fumigation is a must and recommended on a regular basis.

1. PLASTIC:  There is some fabulously funky modern furniture available that fits well with our modern skyscrapers. Remember that plastic needs to stay out of direct sunlight as it will slowly disintegrate sometimes bringing an odor similar to that of an armpit.

1. LESS IS BEST:  Anything you do, keep it to a minimum and don’t jump the gun feeling that you must furnish quickly. Some of the best pieces can be found over time, so keep it minimal and add furniture and splashes of color little by little. Making friends is a great way to get decoration ideas.  Other people´s homes can be inspiring and imitation is the finest form of flattery.

This article is courtesy of Prudential Executive Sales Nicole Martin who made her move to Puerto Vallarta in 1989.

In Mexico, unlike the US and Canada, home inspections are not compulsory and are rarely part of the real estate transaction process.

In the US and Canada, after receiving an accepted offer, the next step is the home inspection, which in many cases can be a deal breaker when many hidden problems (not visible)surface and are registered by the inspector. Many properties might look fine “on the outside” but show turmoil in the inspection.  Once the home inspection takes place, the bills to repair the damages found can be a cause of dispute for the sale to take place or not. The buyer will always try to get a discount equal to or at least as close to that amount as possible.

Generally houses in Mexico are built entirely of cement making them much more resistant than houses built of wood and dry wall and do not have the same risk to collapse or rot. Home inspections are recommended when buying an older property and “a must” when buying a fixer upper. In many properties in Vallarta the humidity plays an important role in the damage of the electric and plumbing systems as they get rusty and blocked resulting in various degrees of damage. In many cases humidity damage is only superficial and it is common to see crystallization on walls where there are humid circumstances. Preventative maintenance is needed in the tropics and it is normal to scrape and paint yearly where needed.  It is important to have the advice of an expert, in order to get more familiarized with the topic.

Here are some recommendations:

• Check the web to get as many home inspector names as possible
• Meet with them personally for interviews
• Ask for references
• Check the references!
• If you don’t speak Spanish, many contractors will offer a courtesy translation of the report
• Compare estimates of the damages found

This expense might not be contemplated in your original purchase plan, but it may save you a lot of money and headaches!

Carmen García is a sales associate with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division. She can be contacted at carmen.garcia@prurealtypv.com.

Home owners in Puerto Vallarta live with different bugs than many cities in the US and Canada due to our fabulous tropical climate year round. Getting used to this difference is sometimes challenging but many have made the move south of the border and truly have enjoyed it.

During the rainy season which starts mid-June ending in October, every day holds a new adventure. The first rain brings new creatures many harmless and some potentially dangerous and knowledge of these bugs can make your lifestyle easier and let you sleep at night with confidence. During the summer months, you can see a variation in the bugs and it can be fascinating especially the ones that glow in the dark or the jolly Mayates (June Bugs) that can drive one crazy with their antics

Condominium owners usually have a preventative fumigation plan in place by their HOA fumigating once a week inside their unit and common areas. This is to control mosquitos and roaches.

Homeowners depending on where the house is located whether it be jungle/downtown/beachfront/golfcourse/canalfront will each have a different method of prevention. Many of our fabulous homes in the Bay of Banderas have Palapas! These are wonderful to look at but house many critters and need fumigation.

Keep in mind, many chemicals are toxic and an expert should be hired. Many homeowners now that Puerto Vallarta has super stores purchase their own spraying machine and prefer to do it themselves. I suggest asking your realtor if he knows of a reputable fumigator he/she can recommend.

Pets and your neighbors Pets! Be very careful if you are going to fumigate without the help of a professional that you are familiar with the chemicals you choose to use always moving animal food dishes out of harm’s way and keeping your furry friends well away from chemicals for a determined period of time.

Here is an informative site by Puerto Vallarta resident Biologist Petr Myska to familiarize yourself on who will be your neighbors if you choose to have a home in the fabulous tropics!

This article is courtesy of Executive Sales Agent Nicole Martin who looks forward to the summers where never is there a dull moment in the Bay of Banderas. Be good to Bugs!

My first memories of Puerto Vallarta were sitting under a palapa on Los Muertos beach, cherishing every moment before returning to West Coast Canada’s dreary weather only to count the months until my family could return to the Bay of Banderas to soak up the sun once again.  Who would have known that years later I would return to call Puerto Vallarta home?

Palapa : Courtesy of Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org/ (a Spanish word of Malayan origin, meaning “pulpous leaf”) is an open-sided dwelling with a thatched roof made of dried palm leaves. It is very useful in hot weather and very common in Mexican beaches such as in Acapulco. It is perhaps one of the most important architectural contributions of Philippine culture to Mexican West cultures.

Being a fortunate active member of Puerto Vallarta’s real estate community, witnessing palapa construction is part of daily life whether it is enjoying the magnificent grand palapas in the lobbies of hotels like the Fiesta Americana in the Hotel Zone or Grand Velas in Nuevo Vallarta. Both masterpieces must be viewed to be left awestruck at the fine craftsmanship.  But the best palapas can be found on any inhabited beach and enjoy the humble huts at Punta Mita, Sayulita and my all-time favorite pastime is sitting under a palapa as shelter during our magical rainy season.  The mini waterfall spectacle and scent of the damp brush will be a memory to hold on to.

If you are planning on including a palapa in a home construction in Mexico and are looking for a craftsman for the job, your contractor might be able to recommend someone to you.  Or you might run across a ‘palapero’ at work repairing a palapa in your favorite restaurant.  Don’t be shy and ask if he is looking for work.  Just make sure to ask something similar to the following before committing to hire:

1. Ask to see palapas constructed by the craftsman
2. Ask if you can receive a reference or conversation from previous clients
3. Make sure to establish a fixed price for the finished palapa and refrain from paying day to day as the craftsman may drag the construction on for a decade
4. A palapa needs to be re-woven every five to ten years
5. Palapas need ongoing preventative maintenance including fumigation as palapas house termites, lizards, scorpions and many other insects

This article is courtesy of Prudential Sales Executive Nicole Martin and she can be contacted at nicole.martin@prurealtypv.com

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