Mexico Real Estate Services & Info

Tijuana aims to reshape its image

2010-09-21T18:24:00Z

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}...(read more)

PALACIO DEL MAR LUXURY LIVING AT A FRACTION OF US PRICES

2009-11-24T21:15:00Z

/**/

Palacio Del Mar

Luxury Living at Palacio Del Mar

_{Written by Melinda Bates}

Palacio del Mar was especially designed to provide opportunities for the healthy and active life style so popular with people of all ages. Grupo Pes, the developers of Palacio, are based in Mexico City and known for creating upscale communities throughout Mexico. They wanted something special for this, their first project in Rosarito Beach, and that meant building a place where people can come to enjoy a fuller, healthier life at a fraction of the cost they’d pay in the United States. Architect Juan Carlo Lopez heads up the design team, and says, “We started by finding the perfect spot: ten acres of sand right on the blue Pacific that will become home to four towers, fourteen villas, countless luxury amenities and beautiful common areas.”

Palacio Del Mar

function getHubSlideshowHtml(size, hasBorder) { var border = hasBorder ? size+'Border ' : ''; return "

See all 9 photos

"; }

See all 9 photos

Amenities like a Movie Theater, Spa treatments, Shuttle and Concierge services make Palacio Del Mar the most luxurious resort in Northern Baja California.

imgCtrl_5648156 = new ImageViewerControl(5648156, "right", "Slideshow", "1"); var rec = null; imgCtrl_5648156.setDisplaySlideshowLinks(true); rec = { 'id':2129821, 'urlOriginal':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129821.jpg', 'urlFull':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129821_f520.jpg', 'urlFullPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129821_f496.jpg', 'urlHalf':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129821_f260.jpg', 'urlHalfPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129821_f248.jpg', 'urlQuarter':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129821_f120.jpg', 'urlThumb':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129821_50.jpg', 'caption':'San Tropez Tower is the first tower at Palacio del Mar with a second one undergoing construction.', 'esc_cap':'San Tropez Tower is the first tower at Palacio del Mar with a second one undergoing construction.', 'origHeight':'480', 'origWidth':'640', 'ratio':0.75, 'maxSize':0 }; imgCtrl_5648156.addPhoto(rec); rec = { 'id':2129820, 'urlOriginal':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129820.jpg', 'urlFull':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129820_f520.jpg', 'urlFullPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129820_f496.jpg', 'urlHalf':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129820_f260.jpg', 'urlHalfPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129820_f248.jpg', 'urlQuarter':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129820_f120.jpg', 'urlThumb':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129820_50.jpg', 'caption':'Palacio Del Mar\'s heated indoor pool inside the Club House is the only one of its kind on Northern Baja California.', 'esc_cap':'Palacio Del Mar's heated indoor pool inside the Club House is the only one of its kind on Northern Baja California.', 'origHeight':'480', 'origWidth':'640', 'ratio':0.75, 'maxSize':0 }; imgCtrl_5648156.addPhoto(rec); rec = { 'id':2129826, 'urlOriginal':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129826.jpg', 'urlFull':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129826_f520.jpg', 'urlFullPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129826_f496.jpg', 'urlHalf':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129826_f260.jpg', 'urlHalfPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129826_f248.jpg', 'urlQuarter':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129826_f120.jpg', 'urlThumb':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129826_50.jpg', 'caption':'Amenities like a Movie Theater, Spa treatments, Shuttle and Concierge services make Palacio Del Mar the most luxurious resort in Northern Baja California.', 'esc_cap':'Amenities like a Movie Theater, Spa treatments, Shuttle and Concierge services make Palacio Del Mar the most luxurious resort in Northern Baja California.', 'origHeight':'480', 'origWidth':'640', 'ratio':0.75, 'maxSize':0 }; imgCtrl_5648156.addPhoto(rec); rec = { 'id':2129822, 'urlOriginal':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129822.jpg', 'urlFull':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129822_f520.jpg', 'urlFullPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129822_f496.jpg', 'urlHalf':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129822_f260.jpg', 'urlHalfPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129822_f248.jpg', 'urlQuarter':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129822_f120.jpg', 'urlThumb':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129822_50.jpg', 'caption':'Palacio Del Mar is a beachfront resort with private access to a seasonal sandy beach.', 'esc_cap':'Palacio Del Mar is a beachfront resort with private access to a seasonal sandy beach.', 'origHeight':'480', 'origWidth':'640', 'ratio':0.75, 'maxSize':0 }; imgCtrl_5648156.addPhoto(rec); rec = { 'id':2129825, 'urlOriginal':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129825.jpg', 'urlFull':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129825_f520.jpg', 'urlFullPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129825_f496.jpg', 'urlHalf':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129825_f260.jpg', 'urlHalfPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129825_f248.jpg', 'urlQuarter':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129825_f120.jpg', 'urlThumb':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129825_50.jpg', 'caption':'Palacio Del Mar sits on the sandy dunes of El Descanso Bay. A unique small environment south of Rosarito Beach.', 'esc_cap':'Palacio Del Mar sits on the sandy dunes of El Descanso Bay. A unique small environment south of Rosarito Beach.', 'origHeight':'480', 'origWidth':'640', 'ratio':0.75, 'maxSize':0 }; imgCtrl_5648156.addPhoto(rec); rec = { 'id':2129827, 'urlOriginal':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129827.jpg', 'urlFull':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129827_f520.jpg', 'urlFullPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129827_f496.jpg', 'urlHalf':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129827_f260.jpg', 'urlHalfPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129827_f248.jpg', 'urlQuarter':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129827_f120.jpg', 'urlThumb':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129827_50.jpg', 'caption':'The scenery surrounding Palacio Del Mar is just beautiful with natural wonders like this Cabo-style rock arch.', 'esc_cap':'The scenery surrounding Palacio Del Mar is just beautiful with natural wonders like this Cabo-style rock arch.', 'origHeight':'480', 'origWidth':'640', 'ratio':0.75, 'maxSize':0 }; imgCtrl_5648156.addPhoto(rec); rec = { 'id':2129829, 'urlOriginal':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129829.jpg', 'urlFull':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129829_f520.jpg', 'urlFullPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129829_f496.jpg', 'urlHalf':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129829_f260.jpg', 'urlHalfPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129829_f248.jpg', 'urlQuarter':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129829_f120.jpg', 'urlThumb':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129829_50.jpg', 'caption':'The sandy beachfront of Palacio Del Mar is filled with Palapas made with dry palm tree leaves.', 'esc_cap':'The sandy beachfront of Palacio Del Mar is filled with Palapas made with dry palm tree leaves.', 'origHeight':'480', 'origWidth':'640', 'ratio':0.75, 'maxSize':0 }; imgCtrl_5648156.addPhoto(rec); rec = { 'id':2129828, 'urlOriginal':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129828.jpg', 'urlFull':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129828_f520.jpg', 'urlFullPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129828_f496.jpg', 'urlHalf':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129828_f260.jpg', 'urlHalfPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129828_f248.jpg', 'urlQuarter':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129828_f120.jpg', 'urlThumb':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129828_50.jpg', 'caption':'Palacio Del Mar its a whole different experience at night time. With onxy lamps setting a soothing and romantic mood.', 'esc_cap':'Palacio Del Mar its a whole different experience at night time. With onxy lamps setting a soothing and romantic mood.', 'origHeight':'480', 'origWidth':'640', 'ratio':0.75, 'maxSize':0 }; imgCtrl_5648156.addPhoto(rec); rec = { 'id':2129824, 'urlOriginal':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129824.jpg', 'urlFull':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129824_f520.jpg', 'urlFullPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129824_f496.jpg', 'urlHalf':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129824_f260.jpg', 'urlHalfPad':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129824_f248.jpg', 'urlQuarter':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129824_f120.jpg', 'urlThumb':'http://z.hubpages.com/u/2129824_50.jpg', 'caption':'Palacio Del Mar\' infinity pool is probably the most popular place to be in the resort, with amazing sunsets ans views of the Pacific Ocean', 'esc_cap':'Palacio Del Mar' infinity pool is probably the most popular place to be in the resort, with amazing sunsets ans views of the Pacific Ocean', 'origHeight':'480', 'origWidth':'640', 'ratio':0.75, 'maxSize':0 }; imgCtrl_5648156.addPhoto(rec); if ($("slide_display_5648156")) { imgCtrl_5648156.setMaxHeight(Math.ceil(($("slide_display_5648156").offsetWidth / 260) * 195)); } if($("slide_display_5648156")) { //$("slide_display_5648156").style.height = Math.ceil(($("slide_display_5648156").offsetWidth / 260) * 195) + "px"; } imgCtrl_5648156.render();

A world of amenities

First to be designed was the 25,000 square foot club house. One could spend a day there, from every kind of exercise in the well equipped gym to relaxation in the peaceful spa. And Palacio is built right on the ocean front. In response to the need to be active year round, there are two pools, one right on the beach, one above the beach overlooking the ocean, with an elegant infinity edge, Jacuzzi and children’s pool, and the ONLY indoor pool in the Rosarito area. Nearby is a 600 square foot palapa that will be home to a barbeque area and one of several fresh fruit juice bars. The fruit for the juice bar will come from the nearby organic market.

The indoor pool is clad in fine, gray granite and the high roof is glass to welcome the warmth of the sun as swimmers do laps, while others relax with a best seller in lounges on the deck. This is the only facility of its kind in the area, providing perfect year ‘round temperatures, regardless of any chill outside.

Weight lifters or cardio junkies will find a state-of-the-art fitness center where you can train while looking out over the shining ocean. Imagine doing yoga under a palapa on the club house roof, a spot so tranquil it calls for meditation, and following your workout with a warm dip in one of two more Jacuzzis. Or stretch out here with a good book and ocean waves to soothe you. Forgot to bring one? That’s OK, there’s an elegant library off the lobby, with its own fireplace.

And after your workout or tennis game, the men’s and women’s spas beckon, each with its private steam rooms and massage spaces for singles or couples. There’s a mud bath and meditation room with a soothing waterfall.

The lobby of each tower is also designed with activity in mind. In addition to the Library you’ll find a pool table room with flat screen TVs, and the all time favorite: our movie theater, where owners and guests gather to screen movies and watch sports on the big screen. Grandparents love it for keeping the grandchildren occupied for an hour or two while they play cards in the game room.

There’s a Concierge Desk where you can arrange for in-house maid service, doctor’s appointments, or taking Barky to the dog groomer. Just name it and the concierge can help you.

Palacio del Mar is the first community of its kind in Northern Baja and it continues to get even better. Recently home owners expressed an interest in gardening – so an area has been set aside for nurturing prize roses or perfect tomatoes. A basketball court was installed next to the tennis areas. Perhaps one of the most appreciated amenities is the private shuttle bus that will pick you up at the airport in San Diego, bring you to Palacio, drive you to a five-star restaurant in Tijuana or Ensenada, or the grocery store, and take you back at the end of your visit – no car necessary, no driving in unfamiliar places. It’s all handled for you.

Palacio Del Mar has completed its first Tower, home to seventy two units with spacious floor plans. All master bedrooms front on the ocean, and both bedrooms in the two bedroom condos do – a very unusual feature on the coast. For more information about availability, shuttle service and a tour please contact us at sales@palaciodelmar.com or visit the Palacio Del Mar website.

BAJA 1000 coming to town !!

2009-11-10T20:11:00Z

Credit to UTV Weekly http://utvweekly.com

LOS ANGELES—From Ampudia to Wilson, desert racing is all about family ties and among the nearly 350 entries for next week’s 42nd Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 are over 30 entries with multiple-family members competing in the granddaddy of all desert races. With racers competing in 29 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, the legendary race will be held Nov. 19-22 in Ensenada, Mexico. Completing its 36th year as the World’s foremost desert racing sanctioning body, the event is the finale of the five-race 2009 SCORE Desert Series. To date, adventurers and the world’s best desert racers have come from 39 U.S. States and 14 countries to gather on the majestic Baja California peninsula. While many entries have family members on support crews that can swell to as high as 50 people and some entries now have third-generation desert racers, the Ampudia, Bio, Baldwin, Hall, Herbst, McMillin, Vildosola and Wilson families are among the prominent SCORE Baja racers that have multiple family members competing either in the same vehicle or in separate vehicles this year in the world’s most challenging desert race. “There is no sport in the world that attracts more family participants than desert racing,” said Sal Fish, SCORE CEO/President since soon after SCORE International started in 1973. “SCORE is both humbled and honored to have so many of the greatest racing families in the world competing with us in the most incredible desert race in the world. To think with everything going on in the world today that we have nearly 350 entries heading to Ensenada is a true testament to the preeminent position this race holds in the motorsports world.” It’s the oldest and most well known of all desert races, and it remains as the single most appealing accomplishment to a driver. Since 1967, the Granddaddy of all desert races has been run over the mysterious Baja California peninsula. Because of the economics and logistics involved, some years it is a peninsula run while most years it is a loop race, starting and finishing in Ensenada. This year’s 672.85-mile race will start for the 35th time and finish for the 20th time in Ensenada. The motorcycle and ATV classes will start their journey at 6:30 a.m. (PST, Friday, Nov. 20) with the car and truck classes starting at approximately 10:30 a.m., or three hours after the last ATV leaves the line. Vehicles will leave in 30-second intervals in the elapsed-time race and while the fastest finishers are expected to complete the course in approximately 14 hours. All vehicles will have a 31-hour time limit to become official finishers in the legendary adventure. Rodrigo Ampudia Jr., of Ensenada, splits driving in Class 8 with his father Rodrigo Sr. while Cisco Bio and his father Pancho Bio, of El Cajon, Calif., will share the driving in two classes—Cisco as driver of record in SCORE Lite and Pancho as DOR in Class 9. B.J. Baldwin and his father Bobby Baldwin, of Las Vegas, drive separate Chevy Silverado trucks in the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division while Rod Hall will drive in two classes, one with each of his sons. The venerable Hall, Reno, Nev., is only individual who has raced in all 41 previous Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 races. The legendary Hall has a race-record 19 career class wins in this event and is the only driver to have competed every year (all in a car or truck class). Hall, who will turn 72 on Nov. 22, will be looking for two class wins this year as he is entered as the second driver for his sons Josh and Chad Hall in Hummer H3 vehicles in both the Stock Mini and Stock Full classes. The three-generation McMillin Racing family, who all live in the San Diego area, continue to follow in the racetracks of family patriarch Corky McMillin, who raced until shortly before he passed away at 76 in 2006. Corky’s sons Mark and Scott will both drive in the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck division. Mark will share driving with longtime team member Brian Ewalt while Scott will be the second driver for his son Andy, who won the 2006 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 driving with Robby Gordon. Mark’s sons Daniel and Luke McMillin will share the driving in a Class 1-2/1600 entry. McMillin Racing has 12 class wins in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, led by Mark McMillin’s eight class wins which includes five overall titles. Another prominent Mexican race team, Gus Vildosola Jr. and Gus Vildosola Sr., share the driving in a Ford F-150 in the SCORE Trophy-Truck division. Wilson Motorsports of Long Beach, Calif., is another of the prominent multi-generational SCORE Baja race teams. In this year’s race, Randy Wilson and his brother Ronny will team up in Class 1 where Randy is the current class point leader heading into the season finale. In Class 1-2/1600, cousins Brian Wilson and Brad Wilson will share driving with Las Vegas’ Sammy Ehrenberg. Brian Wilson enters the race currently tied for the Class 1-2/1600 point lead. The only husband/wife combination entered as drivers of record this year are Cameron Steele and Heidi Steele of San Clemente, Calif. Cameron Steele races in SCORE Trophy-Truck while Heidi Steele is the Class 6 point leader in her Ford Ranger. Both racing in motorcycle classes, leading the brother and sister racers entered this year are Quinn Cody and Anna Cody. Quinn Cody, Los Olivos, Calif., is a team rider for Johnny Campbell Racing in the open Class 22 while Anna Cody, Simi Valley, Calif., is the rider of record for a strong team in Class 20. Among the other father/son teams competing together are Las Vegas’ Rudy and Carlos Cortez (Class 1), Stuart Chase, Burbank, Calif. and Eric Chase, San Diego (Class 1), Mexico’s Carlos and Gerardo Iribe (Class 1-2/1600), Mark and Shea McIntyre, Oakland, Calif. (Class 1-2/1600), Dan and Thomas Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif. (Class 7), Lee and Lee Banning Jr. (SCORE Lite), Luis and Luis Barragan Jr., Mexicali, Mexico (SCORE Lite), Brian and Cody Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif. (SCORE Lite) along with Ron and Jeremy Purvines, Henderson, Nev. (Class 21). John Langley, the Producer of the popular COPS Television show, has two family vehicles entered in the SCORE Lite class. He is driver of record in one vehicle with his son Zak as a co-driver and his other son Morgan is driver of record in the second vehicle. This year’s race also features two sets of twin brothers racing together. Arturo and Able Velazco, Banning, Calif. (Class 1-2/1600) and Matt and Max Eddy, Barstow., Calif. (Class 22) are the two sets of twins. Leading the brothers racing separately are England’s Darren and Gavin Skilton. Darren Skilton races in Class 3 while Gavin Skilton competes in the Stock Mini class. The brothers each won their respective classes in this race last year. Among the other brothers racing together are: Phoenix’s Nick, Larry and Mike Vanderwey (SCORE Trophy-Truck), Eric and Hiram Duran, Tecate, Calif. (Class 1-2/1600), Sacramento’s Donald and Kenneth Moss (Class 3), Scott Wisdom, Lake Forest, Calif. and Brady Wisdom, Huntington Beach, Calif. (SCORE Lite) and Ryan and Connor Penhall, Corona, Calif. (Class 22). The race will start and finish on Boulevard Costero adjacent to the picturesque Bahia de Todos Santos in front of the historical Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada. Pre-running on the 672.85-mile loop course officially began this past Saturday. Pre-running is allowed from Ojos Negros and back, starting at race mile 43.3. One way pre-running from the start to Ojos Negros will be allowed only on Wednesday and Thursday of race week (Nov. 18 and 19). During the race, the first section of the course, approximately 40 miles, will be used both leaving the city and returning to Ensenada. While late entries are accepted up to race day, a total of 326 entries have officially been accepted for the race as of today which will put the starting field in the top 10 in the 42-year history of the storied event. The car and truck classes with the most entries to date are SCORE Trophy-Truck (35), Class 1 (24), Class 1-2/1600 (15) and SCORE Lite (14) and Class 10 (10). Among the motorcycle and ATV classes, the open motorcycle Class 22 has the most entries to date with 18 followed by Class 30, riders 30 years old and over, which has 13. Leading the six Sportsman classes in the race is Sportsman Motorcycle over 250cc which has 37 entries and Sportsman Motorcycle under 250cc which has 15 entries to date. The defending overall champions are all in this year’s field: Roger Norman, Reno, Nev./Larry Roeseler, Boulevard, Calif., in the No. 8 Norman Motorsports BFGoodrich Tires Ford F-150 SCORE Trophy-Truck, the No. 1x Class 22 open motorcycle team led by Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif., on a Kawasaki KX450 and the No. 1a Class 24 open ATV team led by Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif., on a Honda TRX700XX. With massive crowds reaching nearly 250,000 anticipated to again be spread out along the rugged course that travels from Ensenada to Ojos Negros, east down Laguna Salada to San Felipe, down through the legendary Matomi Wash, around Mike’s Sky Ranch, through both Rancho Las Truchas and Rancho El Coyote, down the infamous Simpson’s Hill and back to the Pacific Coast below San Vicente and up through Santo Tomas, Uruapan and back to Ojos Negros, covering much of the northern half of the majestic Baja California peninsula to and from Ensenada. Pre-race festivities on Thursday, Nov. 19, for the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, including the vastly popular tech and contingency of all vehicles and the SCORE Manufacturer’s Midway will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Boulevard Costero in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. The pre-race mandatory driver/rider briefing will be held Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral Room at the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. Racer and media registration will be held at the San Nicolas Resort Hotel from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18 and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19. The post-race Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 Survivor’s Celebration will be held poolside at the San Nicolas Resort Hotel at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22. This year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race will be televised on a delayed basis as a one-hour NBC Sports special, in association with SCORE and Aura360, for the sixth consecutive year. It is scheduled to air on NBC at 2 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, Dec. 19 on the NBC Television Network. It will also air on a delayed basis outside of the U.S. on ESPN International. In addition to season point class point championships, drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are also racing to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to all drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season. Being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 24th consecutive year, a total of 16 drivers remain eligible after Round 4 of the 2009 SCORE Desert Series. This race also features the prestigious Sal Fish SCORE IronRider awards presented to each motorcycle or ATV rider who completes the course within the time limit while riding solo. To date, 28 individuals have officially declared that they will be attempting to complete the course riding solo. Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Sunoco Race Fuels -official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant and Red Bull–official energy drink. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Terrible Herbst Inc., Blue C Enthusiast Advertising, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics. Additional associate sponsors for the 2009 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 are Proturismo de Ensenada and the State Tourism Department of Baja California. For more information regarding the series, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2009 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

The Villa’s at Club Marena - Relaxed Riviera Style

2009-10-22T18:38:00Z

In 1989 the partners of the Club Marena Development decided to take beautiful strip of the Baja coast in a well know cove, south of Rosarito, to create some of the most premium Baja Real Estate that the area had ever seen. The land was originally owned by the Cota family and was a popular camping spot from as far back as the 1940’s. Surfers from around the world would set up camp to sample the smooth pealing point waves. Surfing Legends the likes of Skip Fry, Corky Carrol and Jerry Lopez would dawn the point for pleasure and even a few completions.

Marena’s decision to transform this idyllic piece of Baja into the Coast’s first true luxury development turned out to me a monumental one. Twenty-Seven luxury villas & one custom home-site were planned, for phase one, of what would become one of the coasts most successful residential resorts. An impressive clubhouse, a spectacular spa and an infinity edge pool were all part of the plan.

Each villa would have an idyllic layout for a seaside retreat. Drive into a private, two car garage with complete laundry facilities. Pull in and park in safety and comfort. Walk into a lush, well appointed personal courtyard and feel the Mediterranean essence of this Riviera style resort. The courtyards offer a special space for private puttering in your own garden. It is the perfect place for a private hot tub, koi pond or outdoor kitchen. Some of the villas have a casita with a third bedroom bordering the courtyard.

The charm of the architecture and the well planned layout of this location are exceptional and were unprecedented, at the time, in this sleepy village in the area south of Rosarito know as Bahia Descanso, “restful bay”. This area represented the premium Rosarito Real Estate and a unique geography on this section of the coast at the time of construction.

People who know the area are very cognizant of the unique micro-climate in this locality. Southern orientation with coastal hills keep the winds side shore, the weather patterns a little sunnier and the area more temperate than just 15 minutes up the coast.

The oceanfront master suite represents the dream we all have in coastal sleeping comfort. The sounds of the waves pour past the private balcony and into the spacious sleeping space accented with the warmth of a cozy fireplace.

The open floor plan of the lower level provides a spacious living space with great accommodations for home entertainment and adorned with another fireplace. A well designed kitchen opens up to the dining and living area. Walk though the space and onto the brick patio and your private wood sundeck. Outdoor living space is what the villas bring better than any condo and most homes in the area. This is what makes life in a Club Marena villa so special.

By 1992 this first phase of what would become one of the coasts most coveted developments would be completed. Villas Marena, as it was know back then, launched a new era of development on Baja’s Gold Coast. Baja had not yet scene this Riviera style of luxury architecture and planning combined with stylish oceanfront amenities. Many phases of development have followed and additional amenities have been added. However the unique character of the villas makes then one of the most desirable acquisitions in Rosarito real estate.

Browse for Club Marena Listings

---

Larry French is an Executive Sales Agent with Baja Real Estate Group with 10 years experience with web based and multimedia marketing. incorporated in Mexico for Real Estate and investment business for over 6 years. Active investor in Northern Baja with very successful portfolio. Certified member of AMPI/NAR Full-time resident of the Northern Baja area with visa and work permits.

Choosing a Trusted Real Estate Brokerage in Mexico

2009-10-21T19:42:00Z

When you realize that Mexico Real Estate is your best investment for your retirement with a saving of up to 30-40% on your cost of living, you need to then explore not only what area of Mexico you will live or eventually live.

You will also need to explore which community fits your lifestyle. Who are your neighbors and what amenities fit you or even your family. After all, when you live in Mexico, friends and family don't just come for dinner they come for the weekend. You become their Mexico vacation.

Other common questions are: how close are the markets? How accessible is health care? What is the status of the Home Owners Association? Is it well funded? Well run? Reasonable CC&R’S, and of course is it a safe investment.

This is when you realize that you need not only a long time established Broker with years of experience in Mexican Real Estate, but you need a Broker with years of living in the area and that is also part of the community. A good Brokerage will keep their agents trained and updated on the market, different communities and new developments, starting pre-sale or already delivering. A good Brokerage will make sure that every buyer or seller their agents takes on, they will be well represented and informed with the good or bad.

Most of all you need an experienced and knowledgeable Broker when choosing your Brokerage. Kathy & Max Katz have more than 19 years living and doing business in Mexico, they have become the most trusted names in Baja real estate as well as their Agents.

Contact a Baja Real Estate Group Agent today and see the difference yourself. A group of agents that exclusively represent Baja's best real estate developments, who have inventory to sell in some of the best ocean front communities in the area. If you are currently working with an Agent, this is not intended for solicitation, just information. We gladly work with all Brokers and Agents.

Thinking about a long term Baja rental before you buy? Or just to explore what the Baja lifestyle is like on a long term basis? Contact us about our rent to own listings.

---

Search our Mexico MLS for Mexico real estate. Or browse for Baja real estate.

How Americans are Stretching Their Money South of the Border in Baja California Mexico

2009-10-20T18:06:00Z

Americans struggling with the economy are finding relief south of the border. The overall lower cost of living, affordable beach front housing, lower property taxes as well as proximity and accessibility to US services, have made Baja California a preferred choice for relocation among retirees and families alike.

ROSARITO, BAJA CALIFORNIA. MEXICO - Many Americans with reduced and fixed incomes are looking outside of the US for retirement and economic relief in these tough times, finding it just south of the border. Baja California, Mexico is leading the trend to cater to retirees, by offering services that appeal to the growing number of foreign residents. These services include assisted living, property and personal care among others at significantly lower prices than in the US.

US store names like Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Smart and Final, Applebee’s and Ashley Furniture are some of which are becoming more common in strip malls around the area. State of the art medical facilities equal to those on the US have been and are being constructed in order to provide quality medical care services to the growing number of foreign residents, the only difference being the lower cost.

The area between Rosarito and Ensenada just 45 minutes south of the border has become the preferred area, for new Baja real estate where developers are also getting on board by bringing amenities to these new homeowners. Calafia Condos & Villas is one of these developments, where their new tower offers more amenities and social atmosphere for people with an active lifestyle. Plus, it is pet friendly. Some of these amenities include a club house with a TV room, game room, computer area, large gym, outdoor and a private Jacuzzi. These amenities are becoming standard for new communities. Palacio Del Mar, Luxury Ocean Front Condos & Villas, has built the first 25,000 square ft ocean front club house, that will not only have an ocean front infinity pool, spa, saunas, gym and bistro, they also offer an indoor granite bottom pool.

A current resident of Northern Baja, Karen Erstad says “I purchased a second home in Las Gaviotas , (an established Northern Baja community), over 10 years ago with the intent to someday live my retirement years by the Ocean”. When she decided on early retirement and make her move, her family and friends thought she was not on her right mind. Even though she would be only a 2 hour drive away, their primary concern was medical care and the question of who would look after her.

Some doctors in this Rosarito-Ensenada area are willing and do still make house calls; there are also excellent medical facilities throughout the state. Serena Senior Care is a corporation dedicated to improve the quality of life for senior residents in Baja; among their services are nursing assistance and doctor visits, which gives family members’ peace of mind. In addition, ocean front developments in Baja are largely inhabited by expatriates making them very tight communities, who look out for one another.

Karen continues by adding “I can also put my own concerns at ease, by moving to Mexico I can live the same lifestyle if not a better one as if I were still working”.

Karen is one of many Americans discovering the benefits and lower cost of in-home services that the Northern Baja region offers; furthermore, with the increased purchasing power of the US dollar against the Mexican peso they can lower their monthly expenses considerably, here is an example:

Grocery bill around 250 dollars a month for a small family.
Cost of a movie for two people from less than 11 dollars including popcorn.
Doctor’s visits starting at around 20 dollars.
Internet Access and Cable TV from 60 dollars.
Property taxes average 300.00 dollars and up per year.
Game of golf starting at 35 dollars
Private bilingual school around 175 dollars monthly tuition
Hair Salon hair cut and color can start at around 27 dollars
Eating out
McDonalds, less than 4.50 for a super size combo
Chinese food, less than 4.50 for a “lunch” (enough for 2 people)
Traditional Mexican food, complete meals from around 4 dollars.
5 star meal starts at 20 dollars per person.

Most of these coastal Baja developments, like Calafia Condos & Villas are also located just 10 to 15 minutes from the newest hospital in the area. Downtown shopping, and a 45 minute drive to the wine country, where on Wednesdays and Saturdays they offer an organic farmers market. Living in these communities Americans have the same lifestyle as they currently have back at their homeland but for much less.

Max Katz owner of Baja Real Estate Group says “Due to the entire housing inventory on the coast, developers set themselves apart by offering more amenities, services and discounts”. He continues saying, “Not only the newer developments are following the trends, even long time established communities such as Las Gaviotas, an ocean front community that has been a model of success for retirees over the last 35 years, are upgrading to larger gyms, creating social committees and having weekly golf and tennis tournaments”.

Clearly, relocating to Northern Baja California has become a solution for Baby Boomers and American retirees against the economic crisis. Especially for those who would like to remain closer to their families and amenities in the US. For others, is just good business.

Written by Alejandra Esquivel

Original Source: How Americans are Stretching Their Money South of the Border in Baja California Mexico
---

Browse for Mexico Real Estate

Mexico Real Estate – Two Developments with Construction Well Under Way

2009-10-19T20:59:00Z

Deciding to invest in a foreign real estate market can be a scary decision when the construction projects is finished and even when they are turn key ready, a lot of uncertainty and doubts arise when it comes to purchasing real estate outside of your home country; this uneasiness only increases when there is partial or no actual construction assuring the investor of their purchase.

Costal Baja has long been a preferred choice of retirement, relocation or vacation for Americans who want the lower cost beach front living experience, and the closeness to the US. This brought a growing number of real estate developers to Northern Baja, and construction of resort communities designed for expatriates were being developed all along the coast.

Since the slowdown of the real estate market in the US, several construction projects in Baja slowed down or completely stopped in the past year; as a result of this some of developers refunded the investment partially or completely, others transferred the property to another development, but still a number of investors were left with out money and property.

With all of these less than reassuring stories you are left with uncertainty and doubt. What then, are you to do if have your heart set in purchasing a home in Baja?

As with everything, the best advice any one can give, is to do your homework. When interested on investing on pre-construction and pre-sale developments, a few of the questions to be answered should be the following:

Who is the developer heading the project?
How many years have they been in business?
What other projects have they finished and what is the quality they have presented?

Proper research to answer these questions along with a reputable Mexican real estate broker with experience in pre-construction and pre-sale can bring pace of mind to what otherwise could be a daunting experience.

Two of the developments along Baja’s coast which have continued construction through these tough times, are Calafia Condos Resort and Villas and Palacio del Mar ; the first a well known community in expansion, the second a new development promising luxury at every turn.

Grupo PES, with more than 25 years of experience is one of México’s leading real estate development companies; they have completed projects both beautiful and elegant in central Mexico such as Villas del Lago Residencial, six apartment towers within an old hacienda complex. Residencial Insurgentes 116, a 14 story 76 unit high rise in Mexico City, is also one of their recent developments completed in 2006.

Their current Baja real estate project, Palacio del Mar, located just 10 minutes from downtown Rosarito, has not stalled construction since it began on spring 2006. As a manner of giving peace of mind to prospect buyers, it should be noted that Palacio has escrow. This complex has been designed to provide a lifestyle of unparalleled luxury surrounded by the breathtaking landscape of Baja. This complex offers a 25000 sq. ft. club house and a granite bottom indoor pool as well as a movie theater and business center among many more amenities.

Calafia Condos and Villas, a long established community that Grupo Gor and his partners began in the early 1990’s with the construction of the first tower, since then it has grown to a complex of 2 condos towers and 35 villas, all of which sold out and were delivered with title. The current construction is for the third condo tower, one of the fast moving projects on the coast, as part of the expansion of this community which now includes a new ocean front club house, ocean front pool and a gymnasium; this expansion is also said to bring a conference room, game room and putting green to the many amenities this resort community already offers.

Slowly but surely, the economy will recover, and with this will come a new development boom in Baja with its share of success and discouraging stories. None of that though will take away from the beauty of the region and the peace and nourishment it can bring to resident and visitor alike. Information is the best tool everybody has at their disposal as well as the choice to seek and make use of it.

---

Browse for Rosarito Real Estate, Ensenada Real Estate, Baja Real Estate and Mexico Real Estate.

Owning In Mexico Blog Post

2009-04-02T03:43:00Z

Recently added territory, Now covering the entire Baja Penisula.

See our recently added properties under the general listing tab

http://www.owninginmexico.com/HomesAuthenticated.aspx?tabid=2113735&__ts=1238644042532