The Black Sheep of Overseas Properties

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Dear Reader,

The gated or private community, in my extensive experience with people buying abroad, it’s the one type of property that buyers instinctively dismiss. They declare that they want to live in town or out in the countryside…like a local. Yet the vast majority of buyers go on to purchase in a private community—either a gated community of houses or a condominium.

And it’s worth taking a minute to understand why.

First of all, private communities offer a degree of security for properties that are often left unattended, when owners only use them for part of the year. In a private community, you can have a truly “lock and leave” property. There’s someone to deal with burst water pipes or to take delivery of a piece of furniture while you’re away. Many private communities offer rental management services on-site, too.

Private communities offer amenities that would be quite expensive if you had to pay for them on your own… like a gym, sauna, swimming pools, tennis courts, or well-kept recreational areas. These are amenities that attract local buyers and renters as well as expats.

Private communities offer a degree of control. In most of Latin America, US-style zoning simply doesn’t exist. If you don’t want an all-night bar opening next door to you…your neighbor using his front yard for a car repair business…or a new owner building a shack in the vacant lot next door…you should consider a private community. Most have regulations that cover those scenarios. Living like a local, you’ll have to try legal remedies to fix those problems…and often, you’ll have no legal right to complain.

Private communities offer a ready-made social network, with friends and dinner companions close at hand. You’re not restricted to fellow expats either; locals appreciate the benefits of private communities, too.

Many believe that the Homeowners Association fees make for a high cost of ownership. But in reality, the money spent on HOA fees can be less than you’d spend on a stand-alone property, where you’ll have to hire a caretaker, especially when you factor in the extras, such as a pool or gym memberships.

So many expats, once they actually get their feet on the ground, decide that a private community suits their lifestyle best…especially part-time residents.

Here’s my pick of the best private communities right now, in the countries on our beat:

Horses, vineyards, and golf. If these are your passions, La Estancia is your paradise. Spread over 1,500 acres, this community has 360 spacious home sites, ranging from 0.5-1.5 acres. The layout of the home sites ensures privacy and quality views… of mountains, vineyards, pastureland, or the golf course.

And what a golf course. Back dropped by dramatic landscape, the Bob Cupp designed, links-style 18-hole course is open for play, complete with pro-shop, and changing rooms, in the Heath Club… which overlooks a lake with the magnificent Andes towering behind.

Wine lovers can live the life of a winemaker in the 180 acres of planted vineyards…from helping with the harvest, to sampling varieties…or creating your own unique blend.

Owners can keep their own horses in the property’s equestrian center—or ride one of La Estancia’s Paso Fino horses. Riding trails weave throughout the property…but this is horse country, so don’t stop there: you can even ride into the nearby towns and villages.

Future plans include polo fields, a social clubhouse, and spa. Contact (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to find out more.

Five Beaches, Horses, & Spa. Set on rolling hillsides and cliffs rising from the Pacific Ocean, this established community already has 83 homes built or under construction, and a clubhouse and restaurant. You can meet fellow residents for lunch or dinner…or simply enjoy an evening cocktail to the backdrop of the fiery-scarlet sunsets this coast is famous for.

Nature trails wind their way through the 2,700-acre property—ideal for horseback riding—or you can take an equestrian tour along the beach and through local villages. And at the end of a day on horseback, you can ease those aching muscles with a relaxing massage at the spa.

The real beauty of this community is the stunning setting. With more than two miles of Pacific coastline, the development boasts five beaches. You can choose your favorite…from the swimming beach at Playa Los Perros, to the crashing surfing waves at Playa Santa Ana…to the decadent Playa Rosada, with its rare pink sand. Or simply lie back in your hammock, rock in the ocean breeze, and watch your worries float away…

If you’d like to see this place for yourself, try a chill weekend trip here…it’s a mini-vacation, and a chance to get a feel for this place. The next trip is November 10th-14th. Click here to find out more.

Beach, Golf, Spa, & Entertainment. This resort community will spoil you for choice. The 5-star amenities include 11 restaurants, 21 bars, a 27-hole golf course, a white-sand beach, shops, and a spa.

Dotted with cenotes (limestone sinkholes), the world-class Robert Trent Jones golf course opened late last year. The 7,600-square meter clubhouse has a spa, tennis courts, and restaurants overlooking the course.

With a long white ribbon of silky sand…and the unmatched turquoise and neon Caribbean Sea…you’ll want to spend as much time as you can on the beach…swimming, snorkeling, tanning, unwinding…

In the evenings, take your pick from the wide range of dining options, and then sit back for an evening at the movies or some live entertainment. You can head to a hip beach town just 30 minutes away, for a spot of people-watching from one of the little cafés on the main street…or party the night away in a trendy club.

For only $180, you can try this Caribbean resort lifestyle for size, from November 7th-9th. Click here to reserve your spot.

There you have it. Three little pieces of paradise that should convince you—if you need convincing—that planned, private communities are not the black sheep of overseas properties.

Margaret Summerfield

Editor’s Note: If you’re buying in a private community, you should check out the rules and regulations…and make sure you’re comfortable with them. We covered these in more detail last week. Read more here.

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mexico, nicaragua, argentina

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