Uruguay: Capital Living for $69,000

For the next couple of days, I’m staying in a friend’s rental apartment in the Centro district of Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital. A similar two-bedroom property in the building recently sold at auction for $63,000. Incredible, considering the downtown location above a smart gallery.

The building has an elevator and courteous daytime concierge. Plus, my balcony has a grandstand lookout over Plaza Entrevero’s fountain and gardens. In the southern hemisphere, it’s now fall. Misty mornings and falling leaves…but roses remain in bloom.

Passing schoolchildren wear uniforms styled on the white smocks worn by 19th-century French artists–complete with floppy black cravats. Apart from a blanket-clad guy seeking a few pesos to oversee parked cars, most people dress smartly. Like in any Spanish city, this is suit and tie territory.

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Does the life of a travel writer excite you?

I know I enjoy it. These days, I get paid to write about white sand Caribbean beaches… wildlife sanctuaries in Borneo… Indian Ocean hideaways… Rome… Paris… London…

Of course, it wasn’t always that way. I left school at 15 to live in a hippy squat house in London. I’ve tended bar in a strip joint… inspected bolts at a factory… waitressed in a Chinese restaurant…

I tell you that for one simple reason: Because if I can live the romantic life of a travel writer… you most certainly can. It’s just a matter of learning a few secrets, just like I did. And here’s your chance…

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Outside seats at the Plaza’s cafe are always busy. Under canary-yellow umbrellas, people turn their faces to the warm daytime sunshine, read newspapers and gossip over 25 pesos ($1.30) espressos.

It’s fun watching the amateur dancers who come to tango and waltz on the square in the late afternoon. The rhythm is kept going by a music outlet, but Plaza Entrevero attracts live singers too. On Saturday afternoon, a brass band performed.

Montevideo has a distinct European feel. Even so, it’s not quite the Europe I’m used to. For one thing, garbage collectors still use horse drawn carts. The flute-playing man is a knife grinder–flutes have long been the mark of their trade.  Almost every other person carries a thermos flask, a gourd-like cup and a metal straw to drink from. Business people…cops…delivery boys. Obviously Brits aren’t the world’s biggest tea addicts–we certainly don’t tote flasks around. Here the tea is yerba mate–a sludgy green concoction that you probably need to be Uruguayan-born to appreciate.

Plaza Entrevero forms part of Avenida 18 de Julio, Montevideo’s main artery. The avenue reminds me of a miniature version of Madrid’s Gran Via: imposing domed buildings…cinemas…swish shops and galleries…supermarkets…restaurants…newspaper kiosks. Behind my apartment is Calle San Jose–very neighborhoody with shops of the butcher, baker, and candlestick-maker variety.

Centro is appealing if you enjoy the bustle of urban living. La Rambla, the miles of Atlantic promenade leading to the suburbs and city beaches, is only a 20-minutes walk away. Locals come here to walk, jog, and spend the afternoons lounging, reading or dangling fishing rods from walled niches. It’s also an easy stroll to the historic district.

It’s tricky finding English-speaking real estate agents in Centro, but I’ve located one. Near where I’m staying (a 10-minutes walk away), an 807-square-foot-apartment in good condition cornering 18 de Julio is $69,000.

My real estate contact here has a couple of cheaper apartments for $48,000 and $55,000 in need of refurbishment. He says Centro apartments change hands quickly. Judging by the few Centro listings in La Nacion newspaper, he could be right. I’ll share full contact and listings information with International Living subscribers.

Finally, steak lovers take note: Locos de Azar is a great local Parrilla restaurant. (San Jose 1067). Along with three bottles of top-notch red Tannat wine, the bill for four was $143. For two courses, with a jug of wine, I figure it would cost around $17 per person.

Steenie Harvey
Roving Europe Editor (on loan to Uruguay), International Living

Editor’s Note: For the next three days, there’s a way you can get our exclusive “Ultimate Uruguay Package” free. It includes:

* A special report from our resident Uruguay guru, Lee Harrison, called “From Colonial Charm to Coastal Hotspots–10 Towns in Uruguay Where Your Dollar Goes a Long Way.” In this special 50-page report Lee will share with you some of the most fascinating corners of this diverse country…10 places where the living is easy…and property bargains abound.

* A recording of Lee Harrison’s standing-room-only presentation at IL’s Ultimate Event last month. In this valuable talk, Lee tells you everything you need to make the move to Uruguay in the next six months. You’ll learn about where to find the best value health care, why it’s so easy for Americans to “fit in,” why you won’t find gringo mark-ups in pricing, where to discover the best rental yields, which towns hides the most charming and least expensive old colonials, and more.

* A bonus recording of Lee discussing with a small group of readers the Uruguayan market hotspots of Punta del Este, Colonia, and Montevideo. This recording also includes a question-and-answer session with the readers.

“The Ultimate Uruguay Package” isn’t available anywhere at any price…but here’s how to get it free…for the next 3 days only.

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Collect a large income from anywhere in the world you choose to live

With today’s economic situation, many readers are wondering how they’ll ever manage to retire or move overseas.

It’s a common problem… yet it can be a simple one to fix. If you’re in that situation yourself, we’ve found an easy solution you can use right now.

In short, it’s a way for  you to collect a great income from anywhere in the world you wish to live. What I like best about it, is that you don’t need years of education, or any special skill to do it.

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Your Slice of the Pacific for $36,000

Thanks to Nicaragua‘s President, Daniel Ortega, You Can Now Buy an Ocean-View Lot in the Country’s Premier Community, along the Riviera Pacifica for only $36,000

The same magical stretch of Pacific Riviera that has
prices in Costa Rica marked at a premium.

Dear International Living Reader,

Daniel Ortega, the former Marxist we love to hate, responsible for the best ocean-view deal I’ve seen in ages along Nicaragua’s stunning Pacific coast? True, albeit indirectly.

Let me explain…

When Ortega was elected president of Nicaragua in November 2006, fears of his left-leaning politics gave a lot of would-be buyers a serious case of the jitters…sending them to the wings to wait and watch which way the wind would blow in Nicaragua.

Their knee-jerk reaction, it turns out, could be your second-chance at a ground-floor real estate deal in Nicaragua …for the simple reason that those doom-and-gloom forecasts just haven’t played out.

On the contrary, Ortega has been won over to capitalism and is openly embracing tourism and foreign investment.

According to the Latin Business Chronicle, a U.S.-based publication, Nicaragua’s current competitive business environment and strong integration with global markets bode well for the country’s future…

Nicaraguan exports continue to rise…

Tourism has surpassed coffee exportation as the country’s leading revenue source…

Nicaragua’s Law 306 (enacted in September 1999) is the most attractive–and most aggressive–tourism-incentive law in Latin America. Law 306 is sweeping in scope and offers hard-to-beat benefits for entrepreneurs who take advantage of the program. For one…if your business qualifies, you pay no income or real estate taxes for up to 10 years, and you can bring in (or buy locally) all the supplies you need–from furniture and boats to linens and cash registers–tax-free.

The south Pacific Coast of Nicaragua…one of the most stunning seacoasts in the
world, perfect for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, sunbathing…or
just wandering along the seemingly endless, empty beaches. This is the type of
private Pacific Coast retreat most people can only dream of.

And the World Bank feels so positive about current prospects in Nicaragua, it is helping the country buy back more than $1.3 billion of its foreign commercial debt at 4.5 cents on the dollar.

Even the mainstream media is jumping on the Nicaragua bandwagon…

US News and World Report recently named Nicaragua one of the top 10 retirement destinations in the world. An MSNBC report called it “the world’s best-kept retirement secret.”

And late last summer, the New York Times Travel Section heralded “The Rediscovery of Nicaragua, a staggeringly beautiful country…emerging as an idyllic vacation spot. Ortega has changed, he is now ‘President of a different Nicaragua’, but this destination is still earmarked as ‘the next Costa Rica’.”

The reality is, a little over a year and a half later, those fears of Ortega’s politics don’t appear to hold any substantive ground. The mainstream media are looking again to this country’s unspoiled coastline, majestic scenery, and colonial cities. As we have seen before it is only a short matter of time now before buyers and investors will follow. The tide is just starting to turn again for Nicaragua’s boom.

In the last few years, as Americans on the prowl for second homes, or just an investment, have found places like Costa Rica already overrun by their own kind, a boom has started in the country just to its north. New York Times

The Rediscovery of Nicaragua

Developers sat tight during the flattened real estate market following Ortega’s election, but the tide is turning, and they’re now putting their prime real estate back on the market. They are relaunching at low prices but will quickly ratchet them back up as interest returns, which given the media interest already there, won’t be long.

This situation has created a unique second chance for you to pick up a piece of real estate along Nicaragua’s stunning Pacific coast at a pre-Ortega, ground-floor price. It is like turning back the calendar a decade in Nicaragua…

Lots at Rancho Santana started selling in 1998 for $19,000. Those same lots a few years later were being flipped for $200,000. We can expect to see values soar once again, with the Rediscovery of Nicaragua …but for now the window is wide open for you to cash-in on incredible real estate at history book prices.

Right now you can lock down a Pacific Ocean view lot for only $36,000.

The developers of Rancho Santana, are once again opening up opportunities to buy into the “Grand Dame” of oceanfront communities along Nicaragua’s Riviera Pacifica. This is an established community built on prime coastal real estate with five expansive private beaches. And here, ocean-view lots are currently still available at only $36,000.

If you’ve ever priced property along Central America’s Pacific coast, you’ll immediately understand the immensity of this deal…and why it’s bound to have forward-looking investors soon scurrying to Rancho Santana.

Elsewhere along Central America’s Pacific coast, ground floor deals on ocean-view properties just don’t exist anymore.

The developers at Rancho Santana have just announced the release of 27 one- to three-acre ocean- and valley-view lots in this first-class development–with prices starting at only $36,000.

That’s a sensational bargain (almost a steal, really) when you consider that just 50 miles to the south in Tamarindo Costa Rica, similar ocean-view properties are a premium commodity…selling for as much as $575,000 and upward.

Don’t think for a moment, though, the lower prices here mean you have to settle for less. Rancho Santana is the benchmark of gated communities in Nicaragua and is set in a stunning 2,700-acre reserve of lush rolling hills and cliffs above five secluded beaches.

The wave breaks along this stretch of the Pacific attract surfers from all over the world…dramatic rock formations and ridges present unparalleled ocean vistas…and the brilliant scarlet and orange sunsets are truly jaw-dropping.

The lots are laid out to enhance and preserve the natural beauty of the developments rich tropical landscape and to allow you take full advantage the stunning ocean, mountain, and valley views that are the signature of Rancho Santana.

Nicaragua is an exotic land…where the sun shines all
day long…on rugged landscapes, tropical rivers, and miles
and miles of undeveloped, pristine nature.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful location in Costa Rica (or elsewhere, for that matter)–particularly for as little as $36,000.

An unspoiled private oceanfront development five years in the making

If you are an International Living reader, you’ve certainly already heard about Rancho Santana. The property was purchased about 10 years ago by Bill Bonner (International Living’s founder) and a handful of private investors made up primarily of International Living insiders. In fact Bill retains his own personal getaway right here on the beach.

Savor fine wines and good food in your own private sanctuary

Since then, the transformation of the landscape at Rancho Santana has been amazing, but one thing hasn’t changed. The beaches and the surrounding land are as beautiful as ever. With its dramatic coastline and pristine views, Rancho Santana remains an extraordinary piece of real estate. It is, simply put, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, anywhere in the world.

Join an established, thriving community

Rancho Santana is a growing, thriving place. Visit anytime, and you won’t want for dinner company. With over 300 lots already purchased, 26 homes and 17 casitas dotting the lush landscape, and an additional eight homes currently under construction, a very established community is in place.

Sip a refreshing cocktail as you watch the sun set in all its tropical glory

Homeowners are fully enjoying their investment. At any given time, you’ll see residents carrying their surfboards back from one of the pristine beaches, relaxing poolside, enjoying a fine-dining experience in the ocean-side restaurant, or sipping a cool drink at the new seaside bar.

The more adventurous take off in groups hiking, biking, or on horseback (there’s a fully-staffed community stable with horses on site). They sojourn the surrounding hills, or explore the more than 3,000 acre reserve, the surrounding villages, or the dramatic cliffs above the ocean. There is also a health spa, and tennis and basketball courts, among other amenities.

And the setting is knock-your-socks-off beautiful…with five sandy beaches (one of them rose-colored) and a private clubhouse, for use by residents only, where you can dine when you don’t feel like cooking…or where you can meet with fellow residents for a cocktail on the patio while you watch the sun set in its tropical glory over the crashing Pacific before you.

All the comforts of the 21st century

And it’s high-tech to boot. Wireless Internet. A cell phone tower on the property. Direct TV. A DVD player in the lounge and a library of DVD’s to choose from.

And a staff of very friendly people–made up of Nicaraguans, Americans, and other nationalities–standing by to help you do whatever you’d like to do. Have a meal…practice your Spanish…sip a cocktail on the patio…check your e-mail…

There’s a workout center…a Spanish-language instructor on call…bicycles…a nature trail. Every comfort and convenience you could hope for…and every pleasant distraction and entertainment you could imagine.

Rancho Santana has been developed as an exclusive, private retreat with first-class amenities.

One of the biggest issues when buying property in Nicaragua right now is that you are betting on the fact that the developer is going to deliver what’s in the sales brochure…that the pool will be installed, the internet access will arrive, the clubhouse will be built, and that the electricity and water will work.

Overlooking the crashing Pacific Ocean waves, the Clubhouse includes a dining
area, an office (with high speed Internet access), a conference
room, an expansive patio, a library, and a swimming pool…

Not so at Rancho Santana. The high-speed wireless internet service is installed and in use by residents. If the power company falters, the emergency generators take over to supply basic power needs. The underground utilities are in, bringing homeowners both power and pure water beneath the nicely maintained and curbed roadways. And the sparkling ocean-side pool is already a favorite place to relax and watch the surf roll in.

If you want a change of scenery from the five private beaches, two Clubhouses, and two pools, you can meet friends and family in the restaurant. If you would like to spend your afternoon horse riding, there are stables with horses available for riding…mountain bikes…a tennis court…a workout center; and a nature trail. Members of Rancho Santana’s community are already enjoying their own private playground in a safe, secluded haven.

You don’t have to worry about waiting years, (or worse still never see) the amenities promised. IL always warns readers to buy what you see, and if you check out Rancho Santana in person you will find an upscale development already in place. You will meet contended, relaxed people enjoying a luxury lifestyle in a stunning location.

Just off the shores of Rancho Santana is some of the best surfing and fishing in the world. If you like to fish or snorkel, it doesn’t get much better than these pristine waters. (Watch how fast the locals can pull a beautiful fish from the water…sometimes without even using a rod!) When you walk the beaches, you only rarely encounter other people. You’ll more than likely have a whole beach to yourself, anytime you want You can’t help but to relax when you get here–away from all the distractions of the everyday world. A word of warning…Rancho Santana is not for everyone. If you are looking for amusement park rides, boardwalks, T-shirt shops, and wild nightlife, you’re not going to be happy here. If, on the other hand, you enjoy wide-open spaces and want to join a group of like-minded people in one of the most upscale communities along the beautiful Pacific Coast, Rancho Santana could be for you. A quiet, peaceful, affordable retreat to escape the fast pace and stress back home for a few weeks or months a year…or for a lifetime.

If you surf, you’ll find some of the best waves in the world, right in front of your beach house. “My favorite part of Santana is the surfing. I have surfed since I was 12 years old. I am now 47, and I will do it until I die. The Santana area has some of the best surfing reefs and beaches in the world. This is something we do not want to publicize because the owners who surf (and there are many of us) don’t want the world to discover this paradise and have it become crowded.” “My wife Nancy and I enjoy all the other amenities, too…clean, secluded beaches, pool, exercise equipment, friendly people, natural environment, stunning sunsets, continuous breeze, wireless Internet and cell phone communications, horseback riding, fishing, biking, nature trails, and excellent food at the restaurant. “Most importantly, Nancy and I are very impressed with the security. This was a key factor in choosing Santana. If you can’t feel safe somewhere, then why bother?” Jan Glenn, Owner at Rancho Santana.

 

Nicaragua is an exotic land…where the sun shines all day long…on
rugged landscapes, tropical rivers, and miles and miles of undeveloped, pristine nature.

Rancho Santana really is a no-brainer…

You’re buying property in a first-rate community that’s already up and running…and doing so in a world-class manner. You don’t need to “bet on the infrastructure,” because it’s here. What’s even better is that prices are competitive, particularly right now–and homeowner’s fees are by far the lowest of any in the area, greatly reducing your overall cost of ownership.

Rancho Santana made sense as a value-buy 10 years ago and with ocean-view estate lot prices starting at only $36,000, it makes even better sense today.

But you won’t want to sit on this incredible offer for very long.

As word gets out that Ortega’s presidency has not brought development in Nicaragua to a standstill, buyers and investors are going to be taking another serious look at this enchanting country. And values will soar again.

These newly released estate lots with their inspiring views–at prices that I thought were consigned to the history books for this standard of community–means that Rancho Santana definitely merits a serious look.

But you need to act now …we don’t expect this amazing offer to last.

And to make this deal a little sweeter…the developers of Rancho Santana have an offer that’s hard to resist. If you’d like to come down to see Rancho Santana for yourself, they will organize and pay for your airport transfer along with two night’s accommodation with breakfast.

And if you do decide to buy a lot here, they will reimburse you up to $1,000 on your airfare costs!

To quote Lee Harrison (International Living’s Latin America Real Estate Editor) Rancho Santana certainly is “the Cadillac of beachfront communities in coastal Nicaragua”.

To register your interest click here or call 1-877-465-1416 today.

Regards,

Margaret Summerfield
Pathfinder Ltd.

P.S. There’s no requirement to build on the property right away, making this a great opportunity to pick up a piece of choice real estate in a very desirable location. You can buy the lot now at an extremely attractive price…then either sit on it until you’re ready to build your dream home or vacation getaway, or flip it a couple of years down the road.

P.P.S Not only are these new lots a tremendous bargain…but they come with financing or a three year guarantee. I won’t go into all the details of the financing numbers here, but they definitely make sense. What’s really amazing, and a true sign of confidence that buyers will be happy, however, is the developers promise–“we have a three-year no-hassle, no-strings money-back guarantee on land purchases. So if you change your mind at any point up to three years from the time you purchase your lot, you can get a full refund on your purchase money.”

To register your interest click here or call 1-877-465-1416 today.

Your Slice of the Pacific for $36,000

Thanks to Nicaragua‘s President, Daniel Ortega, You Can Now Buy an Ocean-View Lot in the Country’s Premier Community, along the Riviera Pacifica for only $36,000

The same magical stretch of Pacific Riviera that has
prices in Costa Rica marked at a premium.

Daniel Ortega, the former Marxist we love to hate, responsible for the best ocean-view deal I’ve seen in ages along Nicaragua’s stunning Pacific coast? True, albeit indirectly.

Let me explain…

When Ortega was elected president of Nicaragua in November 2006, fears of his left-leaning politics gave a lot of would-be buyers a serious case of the jitters…sending them to the wings to wait and watch which way the wind would blow in Nicaragua.

Their knee-jerk reaction, it turns out, could be your second-chance at a ground-floor real estate deal in Nicaragua …for the simple reason that those doom-and-gloom forecasts just haven’t played out.

On the contrary, Ortega has been won over to capitalism and is openly embracing tourism and foreign investment.

According to the Latin Business Chronicle, a U.S.-based publication, Nicaragua’s current competitive business environment and strong integration with global markets bode well for the country’s future…

Nicaraguan exports continue to rise…

Tourism has surpassed coffee exportation as the country’s leading revenue source…

Nicaragua’s Law 306 (enacted in September 1999) is the most attractive–and most aggressive–tourism-incentive law in Latin America. Law 306 is sweeping in scope and offers hard-to-beat benefits for entrepreneurs who take advantage of the program. For one…if your business qualifies, you pay no income or real estate taxes for up to 10 years, and you can bring in (or buy locally) all the supplies you need–from furniture and boats to linens and cash registers–tax-free.

The south Pacific Coast of Nicaragua…one of the most stunning seacoasts in the
world, perfect for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, sunbathing…or
just wandering along the seemingly endless, empty beaches. This is the type of
private Pacific Coast retreat most people can only dream of.

And the World Bank feels so positive about current prospects in Nicaragua, it is helping the country buy back more than $1.3 billion of its foreign commercial debt at 4.5 cents on the dollar.

Even the mainstream media is jumping on the Nicaragua bandwagon…

US News and World Report recently named Nicaragua one of the top 10 retirement destinations in the world. An MSNBC report called it “the world’s best-kept retirement secret.”

And late last summer, the New York Times Travel Section heralded “The Rediscovery of Nicaragua, a staggeringly beautiful country…emerging as an idyllic vacation spot. Ortega has changed, he is now ‘President of a different Nicaragua’, but this destination is still earmarked as ‘the next Costa Rica’.”

The reality is, a little over a year and a half later, those fears of Ortega’s politics don’t appear to hold any substantive ground. The mainstream media are looking again to this country’s unspoiled coastline, majestic scenery, and colonial cities. As we have seen before it is only a short matter of time now before buyers and investors will follow. The tide is just starting to turn again for Nicaragua’s boom.

In the last few years, as Americans on the prowl for second homes, or just an investment, have found places like Costa Rica already overrun by their own kind, a boom has started in the country just to its north. New York Times

The Rediscovery of Nicaragua

Developers sat tight during the flattened real estate market following Ortega’s election, but the tide is turning, and they’re now putting their prime real estate back on the market. They are relaunching at low prices but will quickly ratchet them back up as interest returns, which given the media interest already there, won’t be long.

This situation has created a unique second chance for you to pick up a piece of real estate along Nicaragua’s stunning Pacific coast at a pre-Ortega, ground-floor price. It is like turning back the calendar a decade in Nicaragua…

Lots at Rancho Santana started selling in 1998 for $19,000. Those same lots a few years later were being flipped for $200,000. We can expect to see values soar once again, with the Rediscovery of Nicaragua …but for now the window is wide open for you to cash-in on incredible real estate at history book prices.

Right now you can lock down a Pacific Ocean view lot for only $36,000.

The developers of Rancho Santana, are once again opening up opportunities to buy into the “Grand Dame” of oceanfront communities along Nicaragua’s Riviera Pacifica. This is an established community built on prime coastal real estate with five expansive private beaches. And here, ocean-view lots are currently still available at only $36,000.

If you’ve ever priced property along Central America’s Pacific coast, you’ll immediately understand the immensity of this deal…and why it’s bound to have forward-looking investors soon scurrying to Rancho Santana.

Elsewhere along Central America’s Pacific coast, ground floor deals on ocean-view properties just don’t exist anymore.

The developers at Rancho Santana have just announced the release of 27 one- to three-acre ocean- and valley-view lots in this first-class development–with prices starting at only $36,000.

That’s a sensational bargain (almost a steal, really) when you consider that just 50 miles to the south in Tamarindo Costa Rica, similar ocean-view properties are a premium commodity…selling for as much as $575,000 and upward.

Don’t think for a moment, though, the lower prices here mean you have to settle for less. Rancho Santana is the benchmark of gated communities in Nicaragua and is set in a stunning 2,700-acre reserve of lush rolling hills and cliffs above five secluded beaches.

The wave breaks along this stretch of the Pacific attract surfers from all over the world…dramatic rock formations and ridges present unparalleled ocean vistas…and the brilliant scarlet and orange sunsets are truly jaw-dropping.

The lots are laid out to enhance and preserve the natural beauty of the developments rich tropical landscape and to allow you take full advantage the stunning ocean, mountain, and valley views that are the signature of Rancho Santana.

Nicaragua is an exotic land…where the sun shines all
day long…on rugged landscapes, tropical rivers, and miles
and miles of undeveloped, pristine nature.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful location in Costa Rica (or elsewhere, for that matter)–particularly for as little as $36,000.

An unspoiled private oceanfront development five years in the making

If you are an International Living reader, you’ve certainly already heard about Rancho Santana. The property was purchased about 10 years ago by Bill Bonner (International Living’s founder) and a handful of private investors made up primarily of International Living insiders. In fact Bill retains his own personal getaway right here on the beach.

Savor fine wines and good food in your own private sanctuary

Since then, the transformation of the landscape at Rancho Santana has been amazing, but one thing hasn’t changed. The beaches and the surrounding land are as beautiful as ever. With its dramatic coastline and pristine views, Rancho Santana remains an extraordinary piece of real estate. It is, simply put, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, anywhere in the world.

Join an established, thriving community

Rancho Santana is a growing, thriving place. Visit anytime, and you won’t want for dinner company. With over 300 lots already purchased, 26 homes and 17 casitas dotting the lush landscape, and an additional eight homes currently under construction, a very established community is in place.

Sip a refreshing cocktail as you watch the sun set in all its tropical glory

Homeowners are fully enjoying their investment. At any given time, you’ll see residents carrying their surfboards back from one of the pristine beaches, relaxing poolside, enjoying a fine-dining experience in the ocean-side restaurant, or sipping a cool drink at the new seaside bar.

The more adventurous take off in groups hiking, biking, or on horseback (there’s a fully-staffed community stable with horses on site). They sojourn the surrounding hills, or explore the more than 3,000 acre reserve, the surrounding villages, or the dramatic cliffs above the ocean. There is also a health spa, and tennis and basketball courts, among other amenities.

And the setting is knock-your-socks-off beautiful…with five sandy beaches (one of them rose-colored) and a private clubhouse, for use by residents only, where you can dine when you don’t feel like cooking…or where you can meet with fellow residents for a cocktail on the patio while you watch the sun set in its tropical glory over the crashing Pacific before you.

All the comforts of the 21st century

And it’s high-tech to boot. Wireless Internet. A cell phone tower on the property. Direct TV. A DVD player in the lounge and a library of DVD’s to choose from.

And a staff of very friendly people–made up of Nicaraguans, Americans, and other nationalities–standing by to help you do whatever you’d like to do. Have a meal…practice your Spanish…sip a cocktail on the patio…check your e-mail…

There’s a workout center…a Spanish-language instructor on call…bicycles…a nature trail. Every comfort and convenience you could hope for…and every pleasant distraction and entertainment you could imagine.

Rancho Santana has been developed as an exclusive, private retreat with first-class amenities.

One of the biggest issues when buying property in Nicaragua right now is that you are betting on the fact that the developer is going to deliver what’s in the sales brochure…that the pool will be installed, the internet access will arrive, the clubhouse will be built, and that the electricity and water will work.

Overlooking the crashing Pacific Ocean waves, the Clubhouse includes a dining
area, an office (with high speed Internet access), a conference
room, an expansive patio, a library, and a swimming pool…

Not so at Rancho Santana. The high-speed wireless internet service is installed and in use by residents. If the power company falters, the emergency generators take over to supply basic power needs. The underground utilities are in, bringing homeowners both power and pure water beneath the nicely maintained and curbed roadways. And the sparkling ocean-side pool is already a favorite place to relax and watch the surf roll in.

If you want a change of scenery from the five private beaches, two Clubhouses, and two pools, you can meet friends and family in the restaurant. If you would like to spend your afternoon horse riding, there are stables with horses available for riding…mountain bikes…a tennis court…a workout center; and a nature trail. Members of Rancho Santana’s community are already enjoying their own private playground in a safe, secluded haven.

You don’t have to worry about waiting years, (or worse still never see) the amenities promised. IL always warns readers to buy what you see, and if you check out Rancho Santana in person you will find an upscale development already in place. You will meet contended, relaxed people enjoying a luxury lifestyle in a stunning location.

Just off the shores of Rancho Santana is some of the best surfing and fishing in the world. If you like to fish or snorkel, it doesn’t get much better than these pristine waters. (Watch how fast the locals can pull a beautiful fish from the water…sometimes without even using a rod!) When you walk the beaches, you only rarely encounter other people. You’ll more than likely have a whole beach to yourself, anytime you want You can’t help but to relax when you get here–away from all the distractions of the everyday world. A word of warning…Rancho Santana is not for everyone. If you are looking for amusement park rides, boardwalks, T-shirt shops, and wild nightlife, you’re not going to be happy here. If, on the other hand, you enjoy wide-open spaces and want to join a group of like-minded people in one of the most upscale communities along the beautiful Pacific Coast, Rancho Santana could be for you. A quiet, peaceful, affordable retreat to escape the fast pace and stress back home for a few weeks or months a year…or for a lifetime.

If you surf, you’ll find some of the best waves in the world, right in front of your beach house. “My favorite part of Santana is the surfing. I have surfed since I was 12 years old. I am now 47, and I will do it until I die. The Santana area has some of the best surfing reefs and beaches in the world. This is something we do not want to publicize because the owners who surf (and there are many of us) don’t want the world to discover this paradise and have it become crowded.” “My wife Nancy and I enjoy all the other amenities, too…clean, secluded beaches, pool, exercise equipment, friendly people, natural environment, stunning sunsets, continuous breeze, wireless Internet and cell phone communications, horseback riding, fishing, biking, nature trails, and excellent food at the restaurant. “Most importantly, Nancy and I are very impressed with the security. This was a key factor in choosing Santana. If you can’t feel safe somewhere, then why bother?” Jan Glenn, Owner at Rancho Santana.

 

Nicaragua is an exotic land…where the sun shines all day long…on
rugged landscapes, tropical rivers, and miles and miles of undeveloped, pristine nature.

Rancho Santana really is a no-brainer…

You’re buying property in a first-rate community that’s already up and running…and doing so in a world-class manner. You don’t need to “bet on the infrastructure,” because it’s here. What’s even better is that prices are competitive, particularly right now–and homeowner’s fees are by far the lowest of any in the area, greatly reducing your overall cost of ownership.

Rancho Santana made sense as a value-buy 10 years ago and with ocean-view estate lot prices starting at only $36,000, it makes even better sense today.

But you won’t want to sit on this incredible offer for very long.

As word gets out that Ortega’s presidency has not brought development in Nicaragua to a standstill, buyers and investors are going to be taking another serious look at this enchanting country. And values will soar again.

These newly released estate lots with their inspiring views–at prices that I thought were consigned to the history books for this standard of community–means that Rancho Santana definitely merits a serious look.

But you need to act now …we don’t expect this amazing offer to last.

And to make this deal a little sweeter…the developers of Rancho Santana have an offer that’s hard to resist. If you’d like to come down to see Rancho Santana for yourself, they will organize and pay for your airport transfer along with two night’s accommodation with breakfast.

And if you do decide to buy a lot here, they will reimburse you up to $1,000 on your airfare costs!

To quote Lee Harrison (International Living’s Latin America Real Estate Editor) Rancho Santana certainly is “the Cadillac of beachfront communities in coastal Nicaragua”.

For more information, CLICK HERE…

Regards,

Margaret Summerfield
Pathfinder Ltd.

P.S. There’s no requirement to build on the property right away, making this a great opportunity to pick up a piece of choice real estate in a very desirable location. You can buy the lot now at an extremely attractive price…then either sit on it until you’re ready to build your dream home or vacation getaway, or flip it a couple of years down the road.

P.P.S Not only are these new lots a tremendous bargain…but they come with financing or a three year guarantee. I won’t go into all the details of the financing numbers here, but they definitely make sense. What’s really amazing, and a true sign of confidence that buyers will be happy, however, is the developers promise–“we have a three-year no-hassle, no-strings money-back guarantee on land purchases. So if you change your mind at any point up to three years from the time you purchase your lot, you can get a full refund on your purchase money.”

For more information CLICK HERE

Invest in a Piece of Italian History…From $31,000

Invest in a Piece of Italian History…From $31,000

International Living Postcards–your daily escape
http://www.internationalliving.com

 

Small, conical, dry-stone roofed houses or trulli cover the hill like barnacles on a turtle’s shell. Lord of the Rings is what first springs to mind when you see Alberobello in Puglia’s Itrea Valley, between the Adriatic and Ionian seas.

Legend has it that the local farmers and peasants built these unique houses to escape heavy land duties–some are more than 400 years old. News of the tax collector’s arrival would spread through the area and the trulli dwellers would swiftly pull apart their dry-stone home to make a pile of stones. The rubble was not worth a second look, and the farmers could rebuild their home as soon as the bothersome tax-man had left.

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Medieval walled towns perched like tiaras on hilltops…classic farmhouses set amongst a landscape of vineyards, cypress trees and fields of nodding sunflowers.

Alpine resorts, golden beaches and sultry volcanoes. Fabulous food and wine. Most people realize Italy is a vacationers’ paradise, but owning or renting a home here can cost far less than you probably imagine.

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Today, it’s the day-trippers who come to inspect and the home-owners who are looking to make money. Alberobello is a full-blown attraction with the UNESCO seal of approval and no hidden corners for you to go “off the beaten track”. From the trullo church at the top of the hill right down to the main square and the endless trulli cafés and gelateria (ice-cream parlors), no opportunity is lost to sell you souvenirs.

But for all its commercialism, it’s certainly a town worth visiting. Nowhere else can you see such a concentration of these ancient dwellings, with their whitewashed walls and grey roofs daubed with pagan or Christian symbols.

Steenie Harvey first wrote about them in February 2002. Back then, you could pick up one of the cone-roofed homes or trulli, with three bedrooms–already fixed up–and plenty of land, for $102,000. Today it would be worth at least $240,000 with a rental income of between $1,400 and $2,000 per month over the summer period.

If you want to buy one of these unusual buildings in Alberobello, the trulli capital, you’ll need at least $133,000 for a three-cone structure on the outskirts. And you’ll need to fix it up. For better value–and a decent sized yard to go with it–I’d look elsewhere.

The trulli hunting ground stretches from Castellana Grotte to Martina Franca and Ceglie Messapico. Simply by driving around the countryside here you’ll come across them, from the plain run-down to the proudly maintained. The area between Martina Franca and Ceglie has gentle hills and copses as well as the usual olive groves, and is a good place to start.

I asked Tony, from Gruppo d’Amico Immobiliare in nearby Cisternino, to show me several versions of a trullo, from the fixed up to the totally rustic. The first was a modernized two-bedroom home in the countryside 11 miles from the sea, with under floor heating, a stone fireplace, electric blinds, and fly screens for $172,000. The grounds include a large olive grove, orchard, and small wood, far from any other houses.

An architect had restored the next place on our tour–a five-cone cluster. ­­Any ideas of trulli being cramped vanished as soon as I stepped inside. This was a luxury three-bedroom, two-bathroom home–airy, spacious, and light with typical cream-colored chianche stone flooring. And a price to match: $374,000.

Our last port of call was a trulli cluster so hidden among the olive and almond groves that it took us several phone calls and u-turns to find it. A perfect hideaway. For $180,000 euro you get four cones and four alcove extensions, three acres of olive groves, almond and other fruit trees, and a panoramic view of the valley. Full renovation will cost around $156,000.

Cheaper trulli are available–in the agency’s website I saw a habitable two-bedroom home for $87,000, and a small one to fix up for $31,000. Don’t forget, though, that if a trullo has only one cone, there’s no way it’s going to be roomy inside, even allowing for an extension (check with the local councils to see what the rules are as they differ from town to town). But a cluster of three or more cones can make a comfortable home.

During my short trip to Puglia, I was offered more visits to trulli than any other type of property, and my feeling is that they are now well-established as vacation or retirement homes, not just a peculiar home for the locals (who are still proud to live in them). It’s easy to find builders to fix up, expand, and modernize them–be prepared to wait for their services, though, as they are much in demand. The little stone towers are popular in the summer as rented accommodation with both Italian and foreign visitors. Tony himself enjoys spending time in his family trullo, making a welcome break from the dust and bustle of the local towns.

Leigh Fergus,
Roving Europe Editor, For International Living

Editor’s Note: Leigh Fergus and Steenie Harvey will be sharing their tips for making the most of the low cost of living, pleasures and practicalities of life in southern Italy at the Ultimate Event in Cancun, Mexico, May 28 – 31.

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