The more than 50 revelers joined Broker Tere Kimball in raising the roof as well as the spirits for the year 2009 with music and laughter.

Tere commented on the challenging year coming to a close and spoke of the team’s optimism and strength for the year to come. “We’ve weathered the worst of it; all of us in the real estate and tourism industries are now going through a renaissance and we’ll be stronger than ever. Our team has continued to grow, evolve and improve each year, and that’s what counts. The people at Prudential Vallarta will again make the difference in ’2010.”

Nicole Martin, executive sales associate, organized the cocktail event with her usual panache, with fireworks, beautiful floral arrangements appointing white draped tables and delicious catered hors d’oeuvres on a backdrop of stars and the Vallarta city lights.

Alex Urrutia Tere Kimball and Antonia Lavender

Ana Maldonado Laura Barajas Veronica Flores

Rosana Chavez Carmen Garcia and Ignacio Benitez

Paloma Mestre and Ed Rogalski

Marilyn Newman and Gary Amrine

Idalia Corrales Denise Lopez Desiree Lara Veronica Flores

Prudential Vallarta agents congregated at Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta recently for a refresher course on professional ethics and a pop quiz on terms and requisites of real estate in Mexico, specifically for our area and market.

There were also motivational topics presented with plenty of role playing and interaction between the agents to prepare them for the coming travel season.

Indicators suggest that real estate markets in both Canada and the US are on the mend. As Prudential agent Luis Muñoscano puts it, “whatever happens in Canada and the US, positive or negative, will ultimately be reflected in our market as well”.

Up-beat Prudential agents are prepared to rally in the new season with enthusiasm and élan.

Marilyn Newman is a real estate consultant with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division. She can be reached by e-mail at marilyn.newman@prurealtypv.com.

I and several other area real estate agents recently sat for the exam of the A.M.P.I. approved Real Estate II course in English, given by Lic. Rafael Valdez, a certified instructor recognized by SEP (Secreteria de Educación Pública) and IDEFT (Instituto de Formación para el Trabajo del Estado de Jalisco).  The course covered a range of topics to re-enforce daily professional life and to instruct the experienced real estate professional in certain aspects of real estate law and documentation.

There were not nearly enough agents taking the course though.  It might seem like we are beating a dead horse by perpetually bringing up the benefits of continuing education for all area real estate agents and brokers, but I hold that the horse isn’t dead, he just needs a good beating.

For those agents who have not taken advantage of the courses being offered, there will be another opportunity to become the professional, well educated and informed agent we all hope to be.  A new course is being considered for early October and others will be formed based on requests.

For more information on course schedules and topics please contact Lic. Rafael Valdez by e-mail:  raval@rex-mexico.com; or cellular:  (322) 294-1679.  To learn more about A.M.P.I. please contact Elena Andrade at El Grupo Bienes Raíces, (329) 298-1212, or Vanessa Lopez with AMPI Vallarta, Cel: 322 135 7421, ampivallarta@gmail.com

Marilyn Newman is a real estate consultant with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division. She can be reached by email at marilyn.newman@prurealtypv.com.

A seminar entitled, Latest Trends in Fiscal Agrarian Reform, provided by Attorney Jorge Carreaga, Notary four and twelve of Nayarit, was hosted by the three area A.M.P.I. chapters for their members and affiliates.

Attorney Carreaga spoke regarding ejido property and agrarian law, as well as the challenges real estate professionals face when working in these areas.  A simultaneous translation of the presentation was provided by Attorney Maria O´Connor for the English speaking agents.

Attorney O’Connor stated, “I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to participate in such an interesting and informative program.  As an attorney, it is always important to stay current with changes in the laws and their interpretation.  The value and importance of agrarian law and its reforms are crucial for us here in the Bay as the influx of foreign investment in the region increases and interest in rural property intensifies.”

Attorney Careaga provided an overview of the history of indigenous communities and the ejidos, agrarian law prior to 1992 and the sweeping reforms affecting the treatment of rural property.

The second part of the presentation covered the differences between the “titulo de propiedad”, “certificado parcelario” and “constancia de posesión”, among others, and closed with a look at recent fiscal reforms regarding the payment of capital gains tax on regularized property.

The seminar was another opportunity for agents and brokers to participate in continuing education and to stay informed of leading factors in real estate, maintaining the level of professionalism required in today’s sophisticated market place.

For more information on A.M.P.I  Riviera Nayarita, contact Elena at El Grupo de Bienes Raices (329) 298.1212 or for A.M.P.I Vallarta, Vanessa at 044.322.135.7421.

Marilyn Newman is a real estate consultant with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division. She can be reached at (322) 226-2690.

Prudential Vallarta is proud to announce the marketing launch for the residential horizontal condominium “Ikal”, located adjacent to one of the region’s most prestigious golf courses; ¨El Tigre¨.

The first 14 two story townhomes are currently under construction and the first phase which include 37 homes will be completed in the first quarter of 2011. The development will ultimately include 103 two story townhomes on a nine acre lot with extensive green areas.Ikal will have its own crystal water lake, and a first-class clubhouse with a large size pool, playground, grill terrace, entertaining terrace, walking areas and a fitness center.

The project is being developed by Desarrolladora Bahia de Banderas, SA de CV, formed by a solid young group of Mexican businessmen, and designed and built by GVA Gómez Vázquez Aldana, one of the most renowned architectural firms in Latin America. Ikal offers four different model homes and eight distinct floor plans, all with two covered parking spaces, as well as shared visitor parking.

But the best news about Ikal is its pricing. With excellent finishes throughout that include some features that you could only find in more expensive homes, Ikal´s pricing starts at just $250,000US.

Tere Kimball, broker/partner for Prudential Vallarta, says “I am extremely thrilled that our team has the opportunity to market this project, with excellent quality and great location. No more than ever, people looking for an affordable retirement home, a family who’s looking to invest to create future equity, all becomes a reality with Ikal.

This is truly a unique project that fills the gap of what is needed in the Bay of Banderas, especially in Nuevo Vallarta”.

“Ikal provides harmony with regional traditions”

The model home at Ikal is open from Monday thru Friday form 10am to 6pm. Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 11am to 3pm. If you require more information, please email us at: info@prurealtypv.com or call 297 5146 or 226 2690.

“She has to be one of the most amazing people I have ever met,” said Grace Ramirez. “Playing with her was the experience of a lifetime.”

When Grace is not golfing, she is one of the top sales associates at Prudential Vallarta. But last Saturday, it was all about world class golf at the First Annual Ambassador of Tourism Golf Tournament played on the championship par-72 Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Vista Vallarta Club de Golf.

Participation in this stellar event was by invitation only through the Secretary of Tourism, with only 72 players teeing up. There were some outstanding performances on the course, but at the end of the day, the players who stood out from the crowd were Mario Nunes, Mauricio Pellegrini, Manuel Mayorga and Alejandro Rios.

Security was tight as you might imagine, but Golf Club General Manager KC Crandall pulled off the tournament without a hitch, demonstrating his many years of experience and expertise in staging international events. Vista Vallarta has hosted many such world-class tournaments and is a favorite choice of many event planners around the globe. Spread across 478 acres and encompassing two 18-hole, par-72 championship courses, the Signature course designed by golf icon Jack Nicklaus, and the neighboring course designed by golf-great Tom Weiskopf, are first-rate venues for those on their game.

As an added kudo, Grace Ramirez was informally dubbed the “hostess” of Vista Vallarta Club de Golf and received the distinction for hitting the longest drive at the tournament in the women’s category.

The event culminated with the releasing of doves to symbolize Lorena Ochoa’s designation as Ambassador to Puerto Vallarta and receiving the key to the city.

Not to make light of the recent A(H1N1) pandemic that has hit globally, or of the individuals who have been effected most, Prudential Vallarta wanted to bring a bit of relief to the otherwise serious perspective we are all experiencing at the moment by declaring Wednesday, May 27, as Prudential Pig Day.

Prudential agents were asked to create their own version of what a pig (a.k.a. swine) would look like in a perfect world, to be presented at their weekly office meeting.   Everyone was told, “You must wear pink or black (black for mourning of the inhuman killings of the pigs in Egypt) and (Pink for hope of better times to come).”

A fertile mind can sometimes be a scary thing.  The entries donned such names as:  Swine Lake, a pink jewel-studded pig in satin ballet flats created by Mary Palomino, and The Swine Flew, a winged porcine fashioned by Marilyn Newman; Nicole Martin festooned her ceramic pig in gun-metal gray with a hygiene mask, three little piggy offspring, mini soda and cell phone, and there was even a Pork n’ Beans (should be self explanatory) which Luis Munozcano submitted.   After much consideration however, the ultimate winner was… Porker Oats, created by Joan Gil.

The Winers Joan and Eduardo Gil

All entries will be on limited display at the Prudential office for anyone wishing to stop by and see these formidable creations for themselves.

Mary Palomino and Swine lake

Nicole Martin and her creation

Marilyn newman and her creation the Swine Flew

For those businesses wishing to arrange for a temporary loan of the exhibit for their establishments, please contact the Prudential office at (322) 226 2690.  Prudential is located at the Holiday Inn, Zona Hotelera, in Puerto Vallarta.

Don’t forget to think P.I.G. (Perseverance, Integrity and Guts).

For those who know me, they know, if asked my opinion, I’m going to give it; right, wrong or indifferent.  Well, no one has asked my opinion, but I’m going to give it anyway.

In today’s “buyer’s market”, if you want a good deal you have to be a visionary—see value before anyone else does.  To sit and wait for someone to offer you a good deal, you’ll be sitting on the sidelines.  If you want a good deal, you have to ask for it.

When we were in a “seller’s market”, we were getting “low-ball” offers all the time.  Some were accepted, some negotiated and some summarily refused. 

A lot of people are sitting on the fence these days.  “We want to wait and see what the market does”, they say.  Well, yes, the market is continuing to go down, but if you want to get the best deals you have to step to the front of the pack and take the initiative.  Don’t wait for the market.  

If the market here continues to fall for a while, why does it make sense to make an offer now?  The best of distressed real estate deals may often happen relatively early in a downward cycle, simply because quality products at a good discount tend to sell first – even when the market is still declining.  So if you continue to wait for a terrific price on a good property, you are likely to lose it.

Another point:  many market rebounds have been “V-shaped,” meaning once they hit the bottom, the rebound is steep and almost immediate.  Real estate recoveries tend not to be as “V-shaped” as the stock market, but trying to “time” the real estate market here, or anywhere, is a very difficult game.  

Do you think Warren Buffet waits for something to happen?  No, he makes it happen.  Bill Gates?  Did he get where he is because he waited for the right time?  No, he made it the right time.  You need to do the same if you are going to win and win big.

If you see the property you want, ask yourself, if I were to buy this property, what price would it take to make me happy?  Then make the offer.  They could say no, but if they say yes… congratulations, you’ve won.  Be a leader not a follower is the “buy-line” in today’s market.

Marilyn Newman is a real estate consultant with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division. She can be reached by e-mail at marilyn.newman@prurealtypv.com

… and so it does with the latest gathering of A.M.P.I. –Riviera Nayarita brokers and agents in their May breakfast meeting held this past Tuesday, May 14th, at Las Palmas in Punta Mita; the breakfast meeting was hosted by Jonathon Smart Associate Broker of Coldwell Banker Previews.

Of primary importance to everyone was the question of health and economic issues facing not only our area of Bahia de Banderas, but that of the entire country.

Tere Kimball A.M.P.I Riviera Nayarita President/broker of Prudential Vallarta and Antonia Lavender of Prudential attended a meeting with government officials earlier in the week where measures were outlined which would aid businesses and workers alike to weather the difficult times in which we find ourselves, providing resources and strategies to ease the way until the normal balance returns to our communities.

There was further discussion regarding how we, as a group and individually, can help by networking within our sphere of influence in the real estate community, and also with the media and general public sectors here and abroad.  

Continuing education projects were also announced providing the means to maintain the high level of real estate professionalism A.M.P.I. strives to provide.

For more information on A.M.P.I Riviera Nayarita, contact Elena at El Grupo de Bienes Raices (329) 298-1212 or for AMPI Vallarta, Vanessa Lopez 044.322.135.7421

As a seller, your No. 1 goal is to sell your property as quickly as possible at or near the listing price. In today’s market, where there is much more competition for buyers, it is important to put your best foot, or in this case, home forward because first impressions are vital.

Many of today’s prospective buyers are looking for properties that don’t require a lot of work. Therefore, a property in move-in condition is much more attractive. Before placing it on the market, you may want to invest in making needed repairs.

To get started, make an inspection inside and out. Take inventory of practical and aesthetic repairs. You may want to apply a fresh coat of paint on the walls, doors and cabinetry.  Tighten and polish hardware. Repair cracks in walls. Clean or re-grout kitchen and bathrooms. Repair dripping faucets and drains or plumbing fixtures that aren’t operating.    These are just a few of the details buyers will notice and could make the difference in making an offer.

Some experts also recommend hiring a home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate the property. (For a list of inspectors in your area, ask your real estate professional for recommendations.) A standard report will review the condition of the home’s air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors.  If there are recommendations for improvement, consult with your real estate professional in prioritizing the list of repairs.

Depending on your goals and budget, you may want to repair only items that could cause significant deterioration to the property, such as a leak. In addition, your local market conditions may dictate how extensive your repairs need to be. Let your budget and your real estate professional guide you.

However, be careful about major repairs. Sellers rarely recoup money on major remodeling projects, and you may want to save funds for your new home. 

A home in good condition demonstrates pride of ownership. Taking the time to make small repairs can go a long way in making sure that your property is presented to potential buyers in its best possible light. They also just might make the sale.

Marilyn Newman is a real estate consultant with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division. She can be reached by e-mail at marilyn.newman@prurealtypv.com