R E A L E S T A T E Outside the Box Real estate veteran Carol S. Billups explores some unexpected finds in Los Cabos 34 Los Cabos Magazine | winter 2017 COURTESY MAR ADENTRO Loyal Los Cabos readers know there’s great diversity among the region’s real estate listings. But this abundance of options goes beyond golf or beach views, one story or two. Here we highlight three exciting options: a high-tech smart house, a fixer-upper, and an unplugged oasis. All are listed—as of press time—with MLS-BCS, the multiple listing service that regulates Los Cabos real estate practice and operates the listing database. The ultra-modern Mar Adentro complex is located on the water in San José del Cabo and features the very latest in technology. The property features a hotel and residences that were designed by architect Miguel Ángel Aragonés. They were envisioned as a series of floating boxes with walls of windows facing the ocean. The residences are connected to the luxury hotel, and their owners have access to all of the amenities found there. Each individual residence features Samsung electronic systems indoors as well as outdoors, in addition to Miele appliances, a personal lighting program, Ferrari technology blinds, and Control4 capacity to run everything from a tablet. Each unit is furnished by Poliform, and even the Nespresso facility offers a “capsule menu.” The developer is promising that this project will deliver state-of-the-art technology with every detail. Since this is a new project, there are several opportunities for full ownership. At press time, a third-floor one-bedroom condominium was being offered for $630,500 U.S. It is said that the very first fideícomiso (the trust that allows foreigners to own property in the country’s coastal and border areas) in México was issued in Los Cabos for a property in the gated community of Cabo Bello. One of the original master-planned communities, Cabo Bello is a collection of 359 homes, lots, and condominiums located several miles outside of Cabo San Lucas, adjacent to a secluded swimming cove on the Sea of Cortés. It is a delightful neighborhood, well maintained and pristine. But, some of the homes there could use a little updating. In fact, the neighborhood is becoming gentrified, with many older homes undergoing astonishing face-lifts. For this article, we selected a home that, while not that old, is described by the listing agent as being in need of some TLC. The two-bedroom, two-bath house with gorgeous stone work in the living room has an asking price of only $249,000 U.S., well under the median asking price of $457,000 U.S. in Cabo Bello. Many Americans and Canadians shy away from fixer-upper properties because they over-estimate the cost and hassle involved with such a project. In this case, I asked Azul Property Management and Home Repair to take a look and give me a ballpark estimate for redoing the kitchen and master bath. “The kitchen isn’t bad, just boring,” was the conclusion. The recommendation was to change the cabinetry, countertops, and lighting for an approximate cost of $6,000 U.S. For about $5,000 U.S. more, the master bath would get new counters, fixtures, lighting, and nice tile. As for fur
Los Cabos Magazine Issue 45 Winter 2017
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