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.

Lic. Gabriel Cuellar Álvarez y equipo de Prudential

Prudential agents from all three office locations received an update on the changes in fiscal law for 2009 by Licenciado Gabriel Cuellar Álvarez of Notary #12 in Nuevo Vallarta.

Seventeen of Prudential’s finest paid close attention to the information provided by Lic. Cuellar regarding requirements and documentation to formalize or transfer ownership, the differences between the transactions for foreigners and Mexican nationals, and agrarian law pertaining to requirements for regularization of Ejido land for titling.

Prudential Vallarta strives to keep agents informed of changes or additions to Mexico’s laws as part of their continuing education and overall commitment to the community in which they serve.

For more detailed information regarding the above mentioned topics, please contact the Prudential office in the Holiday Inn at (322) 226-2690.

Marilyn Newman is a real estate consultant with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division. E-mail her at marilyn.newman@prurealtypv.com.

“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).

Says Broker/Partner Tere Kimball, “We are providing this new service to our buyers as a way of helping them find the best values for their specific property profile.  It’s really an efficient way to match buyers with the best values in the market.”

Profiles and photos of the properties designated as having Exceptional Value are listed on the agency’s website:  www.prurealtypv.com.  Kimball said, “Of course, we believe that all of our listed properties represent attractive values – or we would not have accepted the listing.”  But she said the new “EV” category represents “a positive response to new and very challenging market conditions.  With an innovative program like Exceptional Values, we can help the buyer cut through the confusion caused by trying to review just too many properties.”

She noted that “In one sense, the oversupply of inventory in all real estate markets today has made it more difficult for clients to sift through the enormous number of product options and reach a decision with confidence.  Our “EV” program pre-screens properties for buyers and gives them a realistic focus on a manageable number of choices in their price range and preferred location.”

The criteria for selecting Exceptional Value properties always begin with “location, location, location,” says Kimball.  Other important factors include access, design, views, amenities, finishes, square footage (covered and open), energy efficiency, and quality of ownership documentation.  

Prudential Vallarta does a formal Comparative Market Analysis to assure that each “EV” property offers a clear price advantage over similar products in the same market.

“We also consider resale and rental potential,” Kimball said.  “But we can’t be 100% scientific.  There is always some degree of instinct and judgment in real estate.  But we find that the truly Exceptional Value properties tend to stand out clearly from the average values in each product category.”

The Exceptional Value program does not focus on “cheap” properties, Kimball explained.  “It’s all about the relationship between price and quality.  For example, we have included a number of Exceptional Value properties priced in the millions of dollars.  They are great buys.   But the EV price range begins at less than US$100,000.”

Prudential Vallarta is the leading listing agency in the Puerto Vallarta/Nuevo Vallarta region, with nearly two hundred properties listed exclusively with the agency.  “We recognize that what really counts is the buyer’s preference and judgment – not ours,” Kimball said.  “Ultimately, we listen to the buyer for guidance – not to our own opinions on value. ”

“But we do think our new “EV” system can be an excellent tool for home and investment buyers entering this complex but very exciting market.”

Tere Kimball Prudential Vallarta Broker   Prudential California Real Estate, Vallarta Division Phone from US and Canada: 1-800-778-3639. Local number: 322-226-2690.

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

Blaire Osborne and Nicole Martin of Prudential

Marilyn Newman and Luis Muñoz Cano

Pat and Lynn Lane

The golf begins

What an event!  On Saturday, March 28, more than 250 realtors and guests experienced the best of Vallarta, Paradise Village-Style.

Prudential Vallarta and Paradise Village hosted the event which encompassed a complimentary golf tournament at the world-class El Tigre Golf Course, a Volleyball tournament at El Tigre Sports Club and a day on the beach at Playa Royale Beach Club with tours of Playa Royale Condominiums and Grand Marina Villas.

The day culminated with a spectacular lunch buffet at El Tigre Club House where prizes were awarded for the winners of the Golf and Volleyball tournaments, notable achievers and raffle winners.  The prizes were huge:  laptops, spa certificates, even a 50” flat-screen TV, to name just a few.  There were some very happy participants.  Everyone was a winner that day.

Coming in first in the golf tournament out of 117 participants was Prudential’s own Grace Ramirez, along with Rene Clay Bernal, Edson Rodriguez Loaiza and Luis Mario Ortiz Villanueva.

There were fewer participants in the Volleyball tournament, but the competition was no less fierce, with Team Zamilpa narrowly edged out of first place by Team Ixtapa lead by Guadalupe Reynoso.

Other than just being a good reason to get together with Vallarta’s real estate professionals and valued clients, the event also launched new ventures being offered by Paradise Village.  On hand to give a market perspective and information about up-coming projects were Mr. Barry Cohen and Mr. Graciano Sovernigo of the Paradise Village Hotel Group. Afterwards a tour was offered at Condominiums Ibiza, La Privada and Residencial Los Tigres for agents and clients.

All in all, it was a very fun day.  Perfect Vallarta weather, good food and good people.  Thank you, Prudential and Paradise Village for a great day.

Image Gallery

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.

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