The Fun Way to Find Out if a Place is Right for You

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Dear Reader,

By following the first two steps in our four-step guide to finding a home abroad, you’ll soon have your list of second-home destinations narrowed down to three or four countries. Step three is the fun part. Once you have your shortlist, you can schedule a short visit to each country, to get a feel for the place…and see if it’s worth coming back for a longer stay.

Pathfinder Chill Weekends can help you do this, without the hassle of logistics--and without draining your bank account.

Pathfinder works with developers who are confident in their properties. They’re sure that once you see the property for yourself, you’ll want to own a piece of it. And to help you see the property, they’re willing to pick up some of the tab.

In exchange for allowing the developer to showcase their property on a short trip, you get a taste of your new life overseas. All you have to do is book your flight, turn up at the airport—and then kick back, and relax. The developer takes care of the rest.

We call these short trips chill weekends because they usually run over a weekend, and there’s no pressure, no hard sell, and no sleazy sales pitch. A chill weekend is perfect chance to explore another country, culture, and lifestyle… and get a feel for whether the place makes sense for you.

Soak up the sun on a wide, sandy beach. Laze away the afternoon in a hammock shaded by a palm tree. Wander around the nearby towns and villages. Chat with the locals. See if the restaurants, cafes (and, of course, the cocktails) are up to scratch.

If it all looks good, then you can ask all the questions you need to ask about buying overseas, and get the low-down on financing, rental yields, or residency options. If it all adds up, you’ve found your piece of paradise--without spending a lot of your own money.

If it doesn’t add up—well, there are no strings. You’ll have enjoyed a mini-vacation, and have one more place crossed off your shortlist.

Our developers offer chill weekends in Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua and Uruguay. Here are three of the hottest chills right now:

Riviera Maya, Mexico: May 13th-16th, 2010

Mexico’s Riviera Maya is picture-perfect…a series of crescent-shaped white sand beaches, lapped gently by the neon-blue Caribbean. The jungle interior reveals Mayan ruins and exotic wildlife, and the world’s second-longest coral reef hugs the coastline.

The chill weekend runs over four days and three nights. You’ll stay in a beach and golf resort, with all the amenities—a 27-hole signature golf course, swimming pools, spa, a choice of restaurants, and entertainment. Better yet, the weekend only costs $150 per person.

Southern Zone, Costa Rica: May 14th-17th, 2010

You’ll find dramatic landscapes, lush, green mountains, dense jungles, and one of Costa Rica's top beaches in the Southern Zone. Prices here have stayed low for one reason. It's been difficult to get to. That's changing. A new international airport is on its way… and the upgraded coastal highway opened officially in January 2010. Yet, you can still buy a lot here in an established community for $40,000.

This four-day and three-night chill weekend includes transfers, accommodation, and meals, for $250. It's a perfect opportunity to explore the Southern Zone’s jaw-dropping scenery...investigate the pristine beaches...have a mini-vacation…and uncover why this location could be Costa Rica’s next boom zone.

Gran Pacifica, Nicaragua: June 25th-28th, 2010

For anyone interested in a Pacific beach golf resort, Gran Pacifica is worth serious consideration. Gran Pacifica is an ambitious beach community development. It’s becoming a lively and vital community where you'll love to spend time…and it offers you the chance to get a piece of Pacific-coast lifestyle at a price that won't buy you a shoebox-size condominium in many communities in the U.S.

The developer’s team will pick you up from Managua airport, and take you to Gran Pacifica. You'll stay in an oceanfront condo, where they’ll wine and dine you, and help you discover this amazing Pacific coast location for yourself. You’ll also see Granada, Nicaragua’s most beautiful colonial city, and visit Masaya, the largest handcrafts market in the country. The trip costs $349 per person, $515 for a couple.

So, when you’re ready to take a first-hand look at your favorite countries, check out our chill weekends. You have nothing to lose; at best, you’ll find a new home abroad...at worst, you’ll have a fun vacation, with someone else picking up a chunk of the tab.

Margaret Summerfield