Vallarta Blog

Responding to numerous requests Puerto Vallarta-based MexLend, an industry-leading mortgage broker in Mexico, is thrilled to announce two new mortgage programs for Canadian Citizens allowing them to purchase their dream home, villa or condo in Mexico.

“We are ecstatic with the introduction of yet another fund option available for Mexican properties,” stated David Schwendeman, co-founder and COO of MexLend. “Our Canadian clients have been asking for programs geared for them and we are thrilled to be able to deliver.”

MexLend has secured the following loan options for Canadian Citizens. One program offers 80% financing (20% down) for qualified borrowers with a starting Interest Rate 9.25 %. The other program offers 60% financing (40% down) for qualified borrowers with a starting Interest Rate 7.50 %. “Our goal at MexLend is to keep adding new loan and fund options for our customers. By offering the most lenders and more options in Mexico than our competitors, we are able to offer our clients programs that better match their needs and financial situation,” added Terence Reilly, CEO of Mexlend.

As recently as three years ago, your options to purchase a home in Mexico were limited to paying cash or to mortgages with extremely high interest rates. Within the past year, many lending options have opened up to foreigners seeking a mortgage, but only one Mortgage Broker – MexLend - has been singled out for customer service. In recently announced results based upon post-closing client interviews conducted by Mexico’s largest US lender, MexLend won the #1 mark of distinction for both client satisfaction and fastest closings for the second straight cycle. Time and time again, Mexlend was praised for their attention to detail, ease of process and timeliness. Forging partnerships with banks, private lenders, title insurance agencies and attorneys has afforded MexLend the unique ability to streamline the mortgage process in Mexico. Many brokers will make a claim of their ranking and closings; make sure they have the back up to support their claims.

MexLend is not limited to mortgages for Puerto Vallarta, as they can offer their award-winning services and multiple loan options for purchasing property in any city, town or resort area throughout Mexico – in US Dollars or Pesos – to refinance a current loan or simply cash out on existing equity. For additional information, log onto www.mexlend.com

Article copied from VirtualVallarta.com

 By Lisa Ianucci

ICON Vallarta to Showcase Artistry of Yoo by Philippe Starck — Puerto Vallarta, MEXICO — Yoo by Philippe Starck will lend its design artistry to ICON Vallarta, a new $200-million luxury condominium development by Related International, located on four acres of oceanfront property in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Yoo by Philippe Starck is an international branding, design and investment property company. ICON Vallarta will also include the architecture of Arquitectonica, an architecture, interior design and planning firm led by Bernardo Fort-Brescia and Laurinda Spear, and it is scheduled to break ground later this year.

The ICON Vallarta will include 336 one-, two- and three-bedroom condos, many with private elevators. The community will also feature seven two-story, two-bedroom villas with private roof top terraces.

Prices will range from the low $200,000s to $1 million. The residences include large living rooms; floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors opening onto outdoor living terraces; ocean and mountain views; Italian-designed kitchens with stainless steel appliances; and stone-clad bathrooms.

A hacienda-style wall will enclose the project, and the entryway to the towers will be through a lushly landscaped private drive and a porte-cochere in the front tower.

The design pays tribute to both modern and traditional Mexico, but will also retain the trendy, hip and modern flavor of The Related Group’s other ICON properties, ICON Brickell and ICON South Beach in Miami.

ICON Vallarta, located near the cobblestone streets, traditional festivals and open markets of Puerto Vallarta, will incorporate authentic Mexican touches such as sculpture in the exterior gardens, a native felled tree in the lobby and an openness that celebrates the seaside location.

“I imagine residents will feel a little like Alice in Wonderland,” says Philippe Starck, YOO creative director. “Especially in the gourmet restaurant, where 30-ft. trees sit in enormous red pots and a long white table invites all to share a sunset repast.”

Some of Starck’s unique design elements will include a shallow pool that will flow through the lobby of the first tower; a bistro and bar with tables set within the water of a second pool; and a third pool that will appear to flow over its infinity-edge into the Pacific Ocean.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico stands out among vacation destinations as one of the very best.

Lying at the tip of the Bay of Banderas is one of the most sparkling jewels of the Pacific Ocean.

Puerto Vallarta is a unique mix of ecosystems and atmospheres, from the white sand beaches to the tropical forests and mountain vistas, to the historical colonial architecture and ancient ruins.

 With its blend of history and tradition, along with exciting sights and activities, Puerto Vallarta will leave you breathless!

Puerto Vallarta is one of the sunniest places in the world, ideal for those who enjoy outdoor adventure! Take advantage of the nearly perfect Puerto Vallarta weather and take an off-road tour of the tropical jungle framed by the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Or take an exhilarating zip tour over Puerto Vallarta’s primitive canopy, getting a bird’s eye view of all that Mother Nature has bestowed upon the tropical paradise!

Take a cultural tour of Puerto Vallarta, visiting the ruins at Ixtapa, and pass through small villages where you can learn about the Mexican culture from the people who live it. There is also hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking to keep you busy!

If you want to experience adventure at sea, your wish is Puerto Vallarta’s command! There is incredible snorkeling at the Majahuita Cover or Los Arcos. The scuba diving is superb, with the clear blue Pacific waters the setting for some truly amazing marine sights.

And the deep-sea fishing is truly first-rate, with a number of fish biting in the Bay of Banderas and the Pacific Ocean. And there is always surfing to try, of course.

In addition to all of the adventurous things to do in Puerto Vallarta, there is plenty of opportunity to relax and amble. Try relaxing beachside, with the rolling waves of the Pacific teasing your toes. Take a stroll down the cobblestone streets and stop in quaint little shops peddling their wares.

Dine at authentic Mexican eateries, serving both traditional cuisine of the region and the freshest seafood around. And stay up late and play at one of Puerto Vallarta’s lively clubs, featuring dancing, live musical entertainment, and plenty of margaritas!

Puerto Vallarta is home to some of the most luxurious hotels and resorts in the world. Catering to the wealthiest, many of the lodging options offer excellent amenities and services, at pretty steep prices. If you would rather get value for your vacation dollar, you should consider a vacation rental in Puerto Vallarta.

There are several vacation condos and rental homes that are beachside, that offer incredible views, convenience, and all the comforts of home!

You still have access to all of the activities and amenities of the resorts, but you have a spacious place to come back to every evening that you can call home, at least temporarily!

Puerto Vallarta rentals often offer more space than a hotel or resort room, and often at a better value.

Rentals give you everything that you are used to at home, including full-sized kitchens and multiple bedrooms, which is ideal if you are traveling with kids!

A vacation in paradise should equal comfort. A vacation rental in Puerto Vallarta will provide you with all of the comfort you could ever want in paradise!

The World’s First Condo for Gay Men Unveiled in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Private Residences at Casa Cupula offers discerning buyers the best of two worlds!

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – You don’t have to be an heiress with the last name Hilton to have your own private residence in a five-star hotel. Condo-hotels have become very popular way to buy a home in many of the top mainstream hotel resorts.

Now Vallarta’s own Casa Cupula, named one of the “Top 5 Most Luxurious Gay Guesthouses in North America” by the editors of Out & About, announces: The Private Residences at Casa Cupula.

Billed as the world’s first condo-hotel for gay men and friends, The Private Residences at Casa Cupula combines the best of two worlds: the luxurious services and ambience of the award-winning Casa Cupula with the pride of ownership and potential return of a real estate investment in gay-friendly Puerto Vallarta.

“Building on Casa Cupula’s successful growth, it was a natural progression for us,” stated Don Pickens, General Manager for Milagro Properties – owner and developer.

“We have many guests who have purchased homes and condos in Puerto Vallarta after staying with us, but they told us they regretted having to trade off Casa Cupula’s ambience and services because they wanted to buy real estate. Now we can offer the best of both worlds.”

These condo-hotel units are available in both full and fractional ownership. A fractional interest offers fully deeded ownership in perpetuity (unlike a timeshare) for as many four-week periods as available and as decided upon by the buyer.

Buyers then keep their capital investment to a minimum but still own a luxury home of the highest quality.

 Community amenities include rooftop terrace with an infinity dipping pool, secure indoor parking, shared use of an SUV, 24/7 security and a state-of-the-art gym and spa. PLUS all of Casa Cupula’s luxuries including room service, concierge, free continental breakfast, free WiFi Internet access, luxurious linens and much more.

Each unit will be uniquely designed by some of Mexico’s most celebrated designers – no more cookie-cutter designs where each unit looks like the next.

They include home theaters with LCD TVs and music speakers in the baths and on the terraces, dual-headed showers, in-suite laundry, mini-split air conditioning, amazing views, built-in Jacuzzis… the list goes on and on. Some units also even include individual dipping pools, gourmet kitchens and private roof-top terraces.

Following Highway 200 to the south, you will find the dense, lush jungles of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Along this highway, you will pass through a primarily residential area, sometimes referred to as Taxco by the Sea, but known to most as Conchas Chinas.

Located just south of Los Muertos Beach, Conchas Chinas starts at the water’s edge and stretches up to the top of the mountain. This residential community is one of Vallarta’s most prestigious areas where some of the most beautiful homes along Mexico’s Pacific coast are located.

This area is renowned for its exclusive villas and condos, some of which are featured in programmes screened around the world and is the choice for private relaxation. Many gated communities perched high on the mountainsides directly on the ocean, enjoy one of the best beaches in Vallarta and the town is only a few minutes away.

For many, that’s the primary reason for living in this exclusive zone just south of Vallarta’s South Side. But it’s not the only reason. A major consideration is always resale value, and Conchas Chinas has it in spades with some of the most expensive properties along the entire coast located here. In the following table of pros and cons, consider these comparisons.

Pros:
View of town and Banderas Bay
Stable value of land and properties
Location close to town, yet in another world
Most properties have parking garages and street parking is plentiful
Direct access to beach from lower Conchas Chinas properties
Neighborhood association very strong
Strict building codes

Cons:
Lots of stairs in most properties
Very few homes have yards
No playgrounds for children, although streets are generally safe
Prices may be out of the range of many

Strict building codes may make remodeling prohibitiveThe majority of people buying Conchas Chinas oceanfront properties are post-retirement. The home is usually not their primary residence, so it doubles as a family vacation spot and source of rental income.

Rentals are very successful in this area, both on the beachfront and along the winding streets of nearby Amapas and the hills of Conchas Chinas. The larger villas and condominiums on the hills are very popular with group rentals, many returning year after year for their annual conventions or conferences.

Construction varies from the earlier period in the ‘50s and ‘60s to the newer residences of the current decade higher on the hill. An advantage is that it’s one of the more stable areas for withstanding earthquakes, as the homes are built on rock. It doesn’t get more solid than that. The Vallarta style is common, with large, open terraces facing the view, frequently with swimming pool or Jacuzzi.

Although yards aren’t common, many have been built in or around the trees of the jungle, offering shade. Palapa roofs are popular as well, some of them quite expansive, offering protection for entertaining guests. Even though original wall colors were white, it’s becoming more popular to paint the adobe walls pastel colors such as peach, tangerine, yellow or nectar.

Early architects were pioneers in style and construction, such as Guillermo Wulff, associate of legendary director John Huston. Others are José Díaz, Oscar Montiel and Arturo Ramos. The hacienda style creates walls around an interior courtyard, nearly always with a fountain or water element.

Several levels take advantage not only of the views, but also of the hillside terrain. Some of the larger homes even have tennis courts, while several beachfront homes offer private beach access with showers and changing rooms.

The entire area of Conchas Chinas, whether it’s the beachfront or the hillside or closer Amapas, is the most exclusive residential area on the coast. As building continues further north, it only throws into striking contrast the advantage of living so close to Puerto Vallarta, where the best restaurants are at your fingertips.

Entertainment continues to offer a variety of theater, movies, musicals and other shows for evenings spent on the town, a major consideration for group rentals.

A variety of properties are available, such as this month’s cover. Other properties include condominiums, lots, villas and even entire buildings. Costs generally begin from just under a half million to over $4 million USD.