RETA

Real Estate Trend Alert

By Ronan McMahon

Where Should We Scout?

Weekly Wrap-Up

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Ronan McMahon Dear Your Overseas Dream Home Reader,

Welcome to your Saturday Wrap Up!

Let’s start with where you think my team and I should go…

I’m forever telling you where I’m headed next in my endless search for real estate opportunity. But today I want you to tell me where you’d like my team and I to hit up.

Tell me right now. And tell me why…is it for pure bargain dream homes…or do you want to find serious profits there?

As it stands, I’m off to Mexico’s Riviera Maya very soon, and from there it’s Portugal—flying from Cancun direct to Lisbon on a new direct air route.

My team are currently spread out around Latin America and Europe making their plans.

This means now is the ideal time to voice your opinion! Remember, there’s always opportunity somewhere when you’re looking everywhere!

So tell us where to go.

Topless in Puerto Vallarta

I signed up to Instagram a while back as a way of sharing instant snapshots of my travels with friends and family. I quickly found it’s a good way to make them jealous! Especially those in colder climates.


A snap I threw up on my Instagram: Cooling down in my Airbnb after a day scouting around Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

I took a flurry of photos and video in Puerto Vallarta recently. I was there vetting opportunities in the city’s Centro area and another on the marina. There are two potential RETA deals that are now well advanced.

I gave you the full skinny in your e-letter of March 25.

Puerto Vallarta is one of the most successful expat communities in all of Mexico. Thousands of snowbirders come to escape the freezing weather back home. In Puerto Vallarta they can enjoy tropical weather, great dining, and the beach.

I stayed in a boutique hotel called Villa Divina. It’s in Conchas Chinas, a high-end community just south of Puerto Vallarta’s highly popular Zona Romantica—a hip, colorful, and buzzing area of the city with an excess of bars, cafés, and restaurants.

Due to restricted travel, I had the hotel entirely to myself. There was a team of staff and private chefs at my beck and call. I essentially got a $10,000-a-night-experience for under $200 a night.

Shame I spent most of the trip pounding the pavements…though I did get some pool time. If you have an Instagram account check out my photos here.

The deals when they come—as always—will be in Real Estate Trend Alert.

Here’s a Mouthful for You…

Word of the moment among my research team is “instagrammability” and whether it’s going to make a roaring comeback with the post-pandemic travel.

Various studies came out pre-pandemic from around the world showing the profound effect of Instagram on travel. Large numbers of people—especially millennials—choosing their travel destinations for the opportunity to get that perfect Instagram photo…

To be seen to be traveling…

Here’s an interesting overview of the Instagram effect.

Tulum on Mexico’s Riviera Maya is a brilliant example of the Instagram effect at work. The New York fashion set began vacationing in Tulum years back…

Then came Instagram…photos of models on the perfect white-sand beach…celebrities frolicking in the waves…

Today Tulum is among the most fashionable place to be seen in the world. It’s become a byword for a style of fashion…a type of décor…

You’ll hear of “Tulum chic” and—if you’re more fashionable than I—you might even know what it really means.


Over 6 million Instagram posts hashtagging Tulum.

I bet Alan Faena knows all about Tulum chic.

Alan Faena is a real estate influencer. Word is he’s involved in a big project in Tulum now but he began his career in fashion, founding the Via Vai label at only 19.

When he moved into real estate he partnered with Len Blavatnik, Philippe Starck, and Foster + Partners to transform abandoned docklands in the Puerto Madero neighborhood of Buenos Aires. He created the Faena District, a $200-million development. It encompasses a hotel and an arts center, core elements of the transformation of this once sleazy locale.

In 2013, Faena branched out, doing another Faena District in Miami Beach. This was a four-block, billion-dollar project. Its centerpiece was the Saxony Hotel, an Art Deco building that was in ruins. The Faena District injected fresh blood into Miami Beach, establishing it as a cultural and entertainment center.

On Tuesday my senior researcher, Margaret Summerfield wrote from Cannes in the South of France on the subject of real estate influencers. Catch up on that e-letter here.

As for RETA deals…well, that’s why I’m going to Tulum this month. I’m working on something extremely special. If you’re a RETA member stay tuned to your alerts.

Wishing you good real estate investing,

Ronan

Ronan McMahon, Real Estate Trend Alert

Connect with Ronan on Instagram Ronan's Instagram or Facebook Ronan's Facebook