RETA

Real Estate Trend Alert

By Ronan McMahon

A Simple 3-Step Play to Profits

Wednesday, June 02, 2021

Ronan McMahonDear Your Overseas Dream Home Reader,

Keep your eyes on the target…

That’s one of the lessons I’ve learned about surfing. Set a target with your eyes and get there fast.

Truth be told, despite my love of the ocean, I haven’t got up on a surfboard yet. But I intend to take a lesson at the surf school when I’m back in Playa Caracol on Panama’s Pacific Riviera.

As you may know, I bought there last November as part of a killer RETA-only deal.

It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. A potential profit monster and almost totally hands off. The perfect play…potential for big profits, hands-off income…

Plus, it gives me a luxurious part-time base in peace and comfort where the weather’s warm and the ocean—a short walk away—is warm year-round.

A place where I can learn to surf, where I can be close to Panama City, where I can enjoy a breathtaking array of amenities…and where I have passive income rolling in when I’m not there.

Eyes on the target…

Already this year, I gave members two chances to buy at Playa Caracol, first in Haven and then in Pueblito.

But unfortunately, both of those deals were fully reserved within hours and many RETA members missed out.

I hate hearing this, so I went back to the negotiating table with developer Alfredo Aleman to unlock even more inventory at Playa Caracol, exclusively for RETA members…

Alfredo is as savvy as they come, he fully understands the group buying power of RETA members, and so he was more than happy to do an exclusive deal…

In a nutshell RETA can once again take advantage of what I call “the Great Bailout” to secure savings of $68,000 and lock down a fully furnished, turnkey luxury condo…this time in Serenity at Playa Caracol…

I think of this opportunity as a three-step play…

Step #1: Huge Potential Gains

We are buying at an insanely low price.

When the deal opens on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET, RETA members can lock down a fully furnished and spacious two-bedroom condo a short stroll from the beach from only $144,200.

I predict that within five years of delivery, these condos could sell for $263,000. That’s over $118,000 in profit from capital appreciation alone. And that’s my most conservative estimation, because already in this best-in-class beach community, members of our group are sitting on paper gains of $100,000.

We’re getting a piece of what I call “the Great Bailout”—a national program known to only a few insiders and the reason we are saving $68,000 on this killer deal…that’s on top of our RETA-only discount.

With $17,000 worth of furniture and fixings included, your condo comes turn-key, ready for rental…or for you to spend time there.

These furnishings include everything down to the cutlery and cushions. Cooker, fridge, freezer, beds, linens, towels…the whole nine yards.

Which brings me to step two of this three-step play…

Step #2: Incredible, Hassle-Free Yields

These luxury condos are specifically designed as high-end rentals.

High-amenity beach living on the doorstep of Panama City hits many markets…

These condos are extremely attractive to the international executives Panama City draws. International vacationers and folks looking for a weekend retreat from the city. Well-heeled Panamanians are already coming. Then you have the surging number of “work from anywhere” folks…surf in the morning, check email in the afternoon…dine out in the city in the evening.

beach_playacaracol
Playa Caracol is already attracting surfers from Panama City…

I figure on strong rental income once the machine starts to hum. Rent at 40% occupancy for $160 per night and you could gross $23,360 per year (after costs you net about $8,220, or a sizeable 5.7% yield).

Rent at 60% occupancy for $170 per night and you could gross $37,230 per year (after costs you net about $17,810, or a whopper 12.3% yield).

And thanks to a five-year rental program you don’t have to visit, to figure out furniture…nor promote your property on Airbnb…a team of experienced professionals will manage and market your property for you, meaning you don’t have to lift a finger to generate rental income…

Plus, of course, you get to use it yourself…

The completely hassle-free nature of this play is a big reason why I’m already an owner in Playa Caracol.

And that leads me to the third step…

Step #3: Stunning Beachfront Community in a Global Safe Haven

I’ve been visiting and scouting in Panama for decades and can’t think of anywhere I’d rather relax and spend time than the beachfront community of Playa Caracol.

Playa Caracol’s sand is soft and fine. The sky blue. The sea a darker shade of blue.

The consistent waves make it a surfer’s paradise. And of course, it’s great for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing.

Some 30 miles off the coast you’ll find the Pearl Islands. There’s more than 200 of them. Renowned for scuba diving and whale watching. You can book boat trips out to them and spend the day exploring.

Inland there’s plenty of hiking options. Climbing Cerro Chame for a sunset or sunrise over the Pacific is highly recommended.

Then there’s Panama City, just over an hour’s drive away, and dozens of quaint highland towns in the surrounding area, like El Valle, a picturesque town built in the crater of an extinct volcano.

But of course, with such a stunning beach on your doorstep, and a host of modern amenities, you’ll be just as happy spending your days at Playa Caracol.

Caracol is beach-facing. Set on close to a mile of beach, the community is only 300 yards or so deep. You’re only a stroll to the sand from anywhere in the community.

The latest plans I’ve seen for Playa Caracol have blown me away…

To me, Serenity will have the feel of a country club by the beach. It’s quiet and exclusive and will have excellent sporting and exercise facilities. There’s a planned gym, tennis, basketball and multi-purpose courts…

Plus, there will be a Beach Club where you can unwind and enjoy a smoothie or cocktail.

beach_hamptons
Digital renders are never as good as the real thing, but the render here gives you a good idea for what Serenity will look like when it’s completed…

The Pueblito, which will be the heart of the action, a “mini-downtown” is only minutes’ walk away. Plans for the Pueblito call for boutique stores, markets, restaurants, bars…everything we and our renters will want from a top-class commercial area.

There’s also an events center, which fits neatly into a huge gap. There is nowhere for events on the beach like this, nothing so close to the city. It will be perfect for weddings, corporate get-togethers, you name it. They will come in their droves. There is set to be a wedding pavilion too.

On a manicured lawn directly in front of the beach we’ll have outdoor events, open-air movies with the ocean a stone’s throw away.

There will be smaller events rooms. A dog hotel, a professional beach volleyball court, skate rentals, bike rentals…yoga studio, a co-working area, a golf simulator, and a tour operator.

And, course, you’ll find a surf club. Where you might also find me making my first attempts at catching Play Caracol’s Pacific waves…

Eyes on the target…

Our deal launches tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET.

Stay tuned…

Wishing you good real estate investing,

Ronan

Ronan McMahon, Real Estate Trend Alert


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Your Comments and Questions

Linda says: Hi Ronan and team. Question re. Portugal’s Golden Visa: When you mention an investment (€500,000 for example), am I correct that the investment means the cash put into the properties, not including the mortgaged amount of the property?

Completely changing topic… Have you ever considered having a site online where members can list their rentals for anyone subscribing to International Living to view? Now that travel is opening up, people will be traveling to look at different places before considering a move or a purchase—why not give them a place to look to support fellow subscribers?

Ronan says: Hi Linda. That’s correct, for the Golden Visa, it needs to be cash invested. However, you can still use a mortgage if the property you’re buying goes over the visa’s threshold. For instance, if you’re buying a €500,000 home in an area that only requires €280,000 for a Golden Visa, then you can use a bank financing for the remaining €220,000.

The listings service is a good idea. I believe, at the moment, IL accept classified ads in their magazine, which sometimes features rentals. I can suggest your idea. However, I do think you want to reach as diverse a rental pool as possible, and for that you’re better off focusing your efforts of the biggest vacation rental portals—Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Tripadvisor, HometoGo, etc.

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