Two-time Canadian Olympian champion and world championship Alpine Cary Mullen was recovering from a ski accident in Maui, Hawaii. He began to reflect on the wonderful place in the world to build an affordable beach community of houses and condominiums for people like him; those who are still reliably young, but are already beginning to think about a warm climate for partial living, a future for themselves and their families. He compiled a list of 44 factors to consider, investigated 30 countries and personally visited more than a dozen before settling in Puerto Escondido, in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca.
Mullen was not interested in building just the sun, sand and retirement. In a conversation at the Vivo Resorts construction site, he explained that the idea would never involve only retirees:
“I watched two demographics:“ Kids for Kids ”and“ Generation Mex ”. [and Americans] who understand that they do not need to live in a cold climate all year round. retirement, which may occur after three, four or ten years in the future. "
In 2007, Mullen acquired 30 hectares of land, about 12 minutes from the Pacific coast from Puerto Escondido. The development has 735 meters of ocean, is 400 meters deep, and includes a peaceful part of the property (planned to be preserved as such) for the exclusive use of residents relying on a lagoon filled with mangroves, fish, birds and other diverse flora and fauna.
Mullen has already sold several areas of the ocean and the ocean, as well as several condominium units in the first stage of its development. As of the end of November 2010, construction of a condominium and swimming pool was ongoing.
Why buy in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, Versus Anywhere Else Around The Globe?
There are four factors of Mullen. Comparative analysis made the choice of Puerto Escondido, unlike any other location on the beach, relatively easy.
Weather as a key factor in choosing Puerto Escondido
Among other considerations, Mullen studied the frequency and strength of hurricanes, changes in temperature, and precipitation. He found that, for example, Cancun had 38 significant hurricanes over a 150-year period, compared with only three in Puerto Escondido. In Puerto Escondido, there is only an average temperature change of 5 ° F throughout the year, from 78.3 to 83.3, and the total rainfall between the end of October and the end of May is about 1/3 inch.
The water temperature in the Pacific Ocean in El Escondido is warmer than in the Caribbean or Hawaii. “When vacationers can take a job for a week or two, they need good weather, they really want them to guarantee that they will have great weather all the time,” Mullen stresses. He continues: “I realized that real estate agents only want to show the warm properties of the ocean climate in the morning, because in the second half of the day the wind usually rises, but in Puerto Escondido we are only blessed with gentle breezes. "
Terms of investment for the purchase of land or condominium in Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is one of the few beach areas that still demonstrate the relatively low cost of land and construction per square foot. Mullen refers to the properties of a resort in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, as an area where exorbitant land costs have made purchases out of reach for most. He showed that in Cabo San Lucas it is almost five times more expensive than buying on the coast of the Pacific Oaxaca.
"And here, in Puerto Escondido, we see very strong investment returns from renting a condominium." He continues with a sound forecast: “Wait until the highway expansion project between the city of Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido is completed. Condominiums along the coast. Mexico has one of the strongest world economies, compare it with the United States in recent years, for example. "The Mexican stock market is phenomenal."
Security and Protection in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
"I spent most of my life on the track of the World Cup, risking my life," Mullen admits. “The last thing I want to do now is all that would create fear and insecurity in my life, in Mexico, with my grandchildren. I bought a condo for us. Now I, my wife and children live here six months a year, and in Canada six more months. But our future is Puerto Escondido, sometimes not 12 months a year in the near future, but this is what I want for my wife and our family, and an investment for our children, so they always need to go somewhere on vacation, and the opportunity to turn Puerto Escondido into your home. ”
Mullen led the recent arrival in Puerto Escondido from a new hospital, several car dealerships, significantly improved options for private schools for children and a large network of grocery stores. In addition, a number of building materials, testifying to the construction boom. “And there is more on the way. Listen, in the state capital, ”he says,“ we already have the Samsk club, Sears, Fábricas de Francia [similar to Bloomingdale's], their homework and confident in the growth potential, which means confidence in the future security and security in the region. "
Mullen correctly quotes comparative statistics in support of the suggestion that the media casually and incorrectly paint all of Mexico with one broad stroke of the brush, and that Puerto Escondido is much safer than the cities where most Canadians and Americans live. He continues:
“Last week a heavy snowfall occurred in Calgary: over 600 traffic accidents occurred in one day. From accidents from hippo. My mother has no doubt to go on long walks along the beach to Puerto Escondido or to the city for that matter. Acapulco?
People and Pace in Puerto Escondido
While it is difficult to compare statistics when it comes to people and the pace of life in one part of the world compared to others, according to Mullen Puerto Escondido, stands out from many other warm weather conditions of retirement and tourists. He finds people extremely friendly, always welcoming him with a smile and offering them help. He believes that he and other non-Mexicans are not particularly distinguished and, of course, are not constantly subjected to harassment from all types of products and services. It is easier for Canadians and Americans to become part of a community of leaders if they are so inclined, because the people of Puerto Escondido have been used to dealing with foreigners for several generations; Puerto Escondido exists as a port city for literally hundreds of years, and not Mexicans come and go and remain.
Puerto Escondido vs Huatulco, Short Drive Down the Pacific Coast
My personal bias has always been in favor of Puerto Escondido nad Uatulco, two completely different cities, but separated by only 1 hour of the coastal highway. Back in 2005, I predicted that over time, Huatulco, a resort town built by the Mexican government, would become a world-class tourist center, develop its own quirkiness, akin to Puerto Escondido, and a unique culture full of color and entertainment. I thought that within one generation, the Mexican population in Huatulco, that is, those who move from other parts of the state and country to provide goods and services, will inevitably build neighborhoods, markets, bars and comedies, and other signs of a complete social structure. . Mullen sees such a metamorphosis as far. He argues that there is still a significant difference between the two sister cities; I have to agree with his assessment:
“Huatulco is like a set of films, designed and maintained. With the exception of the small city center, La Crucecita, which is located at a distance from most resort areas, there is an air of unreality to it. another, he simply does not have something. Puerto Escondido has a soul, and there is a positive atmosphere that Huatulco, in my estimation, is missing, simple and simple.
“Even the subculture component for surfing in Puerto Escondido is wonderful. And yes, it seems to me that winter, but at the same time a very strong local dimension, with traditional national festivals that are held throughout the year, as was the case for generations, the factors that I originally listed and compared, have a significant difference in the attitude that I indicated. ”
Carey Mullen's lineage: success in real estate development leads to Mexican investment
Carey Mullen is not only a retired ski champion who wants to conquer another series of tycoons. Success in real estate is in his blood; no different from his athleticism. When Mullen was 10 years old, he saw that his father bought his first investment building, and he paid attention to it and immediately became interested. Mullen spent the weekend with his father, studying the trade. At 19, he received his real estate license, and in 21, he bought his first property on his own: “I knew that I should have a backup plan, and that a short career was a professional athlete, especially as a skier. # 39; not like the majors of the league, who can work in their forties, arranging how they throw the ball, or how Bret Favres is in the football world. ”
Mullen was closely looking at the residential real estate market, so he began to buy and sell houses, always earning an extreme profit at every turn. He will always buy prime geography. He turned the duplex into four shoulders, and then into a residential building in condominiums; All this during the competition on the ski slopes.
Canadian real estate experience has taught him to look for opportunities - undervalued properties. “This is my new game in which you will find an affordable beach that is attractive to people in my demographic condition. I did not just go out and buy a piece of the ocean, but decided to build and sell years using the study habits. has been improved and improved for more than 20 years. ”
It's one thing to have investors, work with your money and hope for the best. But this is another one to do it all yourself, based on your experience, instinct and research, and put it on the line. In fact, Mullen had the opportunity to take on partners in Vivo Resorts. But he is an expert in what he does; the same drive, passion and talent that raised him on the world skiing world, sends him to Puerto Escondido.
“Wait a minute, Alvin,” says Mullen, as we walk down one of the beachfront villas. “I need to talk to one of my people and show him something. A couple of days ago, I decided to make changes to this unit in order to make the living room larger and appear more spacious, with a large ocean view. to show him what I mean. You see, I had investors, we met and discussed, but it's just me, so I can decide for myself what I know for people, # 39; m sell And yet I was very lucky that I have an incredible team working with me. "
Vivo Resorts in Puerto Escondido offers a wide range of investors, vacationers and retirees
One of Mullen’s goals is to provide as much of the condominiums as possible about the ocean. At the same time, he sought to make prices affordable to the widest possible range of potential buyers.
In its initial development, there are 156 units of condominium and 104 construction sites, although now it just focuses on the first stage of development. Condominium prices range from $ 59,000 for a studio, to $ 549,000 for an oceanfront penthouse of 4,886 square feet ... and everything in between. Residential complexes Vivo Resort range from $ 40,000 in the mountains overlooking the mountains, up to the vast sandy beaches on the coast in the $ 265,000. I did the math, and the price per square meter made an impression, both in terms of serviced lots and condominiums built with a higher end.
Those who buy commodity lands have the opportunity to use one of the recommended contractors Mullen (he chose the Mexican team for his development after interviewing and evaluating Mexican, Canadian and American companies) or independently retaining architects and contractors. Homeowners have access to all condominium club facilities, such as a restaurant, lounge and spa; room for meditation and yoga; tennis courts and a sports field; fitness club overlooking the ocean; VIP business center; conference hall; main store; and children. club / kindergarten; “As you can see, Vivo Resorts is not only for retirees, I want families, like mine, to have the opportunity to spend most of the year here, as well as with the Internet and the global economy, many working men and women have the opportunity to approach life from any places, even here, - looking at the ocean from their living rooms. ”
Casa Rubia in Puerto Escondido facilitates a visit to Vivo Resorts
Despite the fact that Mullen sponsors information sessions to attract potential buyers, he is not the one who believes in a solid sale or in the guise of giving up anything. He says: “No, no, no, it's not me, and this is not my style and has never been due diligence. In fact, I never disappoint people in looking at different opportunities. What I really did a few years ago, looked at all my options and why I bought this piece of land and do what I do. ” He goes ahead about this: “And I don’t give away free trips to a Mexican resort.”
In fact, Mullen provides potential buyers with the opportunity to go down to Puerto Escondido, spend a few days browsing the area and their resort in the context of a vacation. During the visit, they stay at Mullen's Casa Rubia, an ultra-luxurious six-bedroom oceanfront complex, each with a bathroom, a media room with WIFI and satellite TV, a living room with a spacious dining sofa overlooking the refined dining room, and all other objects of more than 15,000 square feet.
Yes, Mullen is a guest diaper with special bilingual staff, including girls, butler, property manager, chauffeur / handyman and Mexican chef. But he does not give free trips to Puerto Escondido. Purchases of the prospectus can look at his site, communicate with him or his staff by phone or e-mail, and then, if he has interest, fly out at his own expense and stay at Casa Rubia at a rate well below the specified cost. “Of course, for those who ultimately buy, we will reimburse part of the cost of the vacation,” admits Mullen, “but those who come down and decide that this is not for them, for some reason they leave excellent holidays, the first class is completely ".
Mullen provides Casa Rubia and Vivo Resorts an all-inclusive package. Each visitor is provided with a personal, comprehensive and extremely detailed “Travel and Games Tour” for six days describing food and happy hours, shopping and boat tours, visits to the main beaches, rest periods in the sun and swimming in Casa Rubia, and, of course , time to visit the development of Vivo Resorts to learn and ask questions. It is noteworthy that only three days out of six are devoted to visiting developmental periods and questions and answers - a two-week and one afternoon session.
Definitely, visiting Casa Rubia and Vivo Resorts makes you think about your future and the quality of life that you want for yourself and your family, both on the road and now.
