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Realtors here often say that snowbirds have slightly different criteria for their homes than vacationers. Just to verify that, we polled the Los Cabos Tomatoes, an informal group of women who meet bi-weekly for socialization and networking. A large number of them fit into the snowbird category. Although highly unscientific, the Los Cabos Magazine poll verified the realtor’s experience. Sure, weather, view and location are important considerations, but when you’re going to be living here for months at a time you also want to think about many of the same features you sought in your primary residence. Access to churches, the Internet, and medical facilities all rate high with snowbird home hunters, as well as proximity to banking and shopping. Because the house will be vacant for large periods of the year, it’s also important that the home be in a secure community with 24-hour security and have support staff to handle bill paying and everyday maintenance. Snowbirds are looking more for the feel of a residential community than a resort atmosphere. Luckily, we’ve got just what they’re looking for.
From the East Cape to the Pacific side, there are literally hundreds of snowbird-suitable options in a variety of price points. For the upscale lifestyle, consider a home site in Puerto Los Cabos, just east of San José and home of two golf courses and a new marina. Lots in the El Altillo community of Puerto Los Cabos average about one half acre and sell for around $800,000 U.S. There are sometimes finished homes and resale lots available in the Fundadores and La Noria sections. Designed for year-round living, the town homes of Villas de Oro, in the prestigious Palmilla community in San Jose del Cabo, offer luxury and security. Located on a 32-acre site within Palmilla, Villas de Oro includes golf, tennis and health club amenities for the active lifestyle. Two- and three-bedroom units are priced in the $800,000 U.S. range. Also in Palmilla you will find the ultra-luxurious Villas Del Mar development. These professionally managed homes feature every lavish detail including golf, private beach club and concierge service. The four-bedroom model in the Entradas section is one of the very few opportunities for single-story living in Los Cabos. Single story living is something of interest to many retirees; when single story design isn’t possible, many of the homes are incorporating elevators or trams. Twenty-eight new homes are planned, located along the 6th and 7th holes of the Nicklaus-designed Palmilla golf course. Prices here start at $2,200,000 U.S.
On the opposite side of Los Cabos you’ll find the established gated community of Pedregal. Within its gates work has begun on the new El Rincon Pedregal: an exclusive gated enclave of 26 homes surrounding a private spa and fitness center. These homes are offered completely furnished and with property management services which include maid, gardener, concierge and payment of bills. The two-story model offers four bedrooms in approximately 4,500 square feet, the three-story plan has five bedrooms and will be approximately 6,500 square feet. All of these homes will have spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Reservations are being taken at press time secured with a refundable deposit; prices will start at $1,900,000 U.S.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, don’t despair. There are plenty of more affordable options in all areas of Los Cabos. Some of them offer amenities similar to the ultra-luxurious communities. Along the Corridor between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas you’ll find many mid-sized or small developments of homes suitable for the snowbird lifestyle. La Vista Residences and Spa features condominiums and townhomes starting at $300,000 U.S. You’ll also find value at Ventanas Residencial, where 2- and 3-bedroom homes start at around $350,000 U.S. There are three floor plans available from 1,300 to 2,200 square feet, with top-notch finishes on lots averaging 2,700 square feet. Although developer inventory is gone, Casa Mexicana, near Cabo San Lucas, is a gated community close to beaches and golf courses. Some of new units were purchased by speculators and are now on the Multiple Listing Service starting at about $300,000 U.S.
Building your own home is also a great way to be sure you get exactly what you want. Although building lots are at a premium in Los Cabos, you’ll find them at Cresta del Mar on the San Lucas side of the corridor starting at $200,000 U.S. and Club Campestre San José starting at about $165,000 U.S. Club Campestre San José, a 550-acre development by Grupo Questro, near the junction of Mexico Route 1 and the airport toll road, surrounds the newest Jack Nicklaus course in Los Cabos. Upon completion it will include the golf course, a beach club, shops, restaurants, cinemas, and private schools. With high quality medical services nearby, it has everything a snowbird could want. Recently, nineteen new lots were introduced at the exclusive private golf resort Querencia with prices starting at $800,000 U.S.; at press time two remained in inventory. Scattered resale lots are available in most of the developments in Los Cabos. You’ll be best served to consult a local realtor for help in locating them, as they are elusive.
When building a winter home, you should keep in mind that many snowbirds become frustrated after a few months because they realize that they bought (or built) a home that was too small for their needs. In many cases they have to sell the first property they acquired and purchase one more appropriate to their lifestyle. You’ll want to pay particular attention to the kitchen and closets. In resort-type homes, designed for short visits of about a week, storage can be inadequate for snowbird use. More than a few times I’ve had clients tell me they don’t care about the kitchen because they have no intention of cooking while they’re here. But when you’re down for months at a time, you’ll eventually want to use the kitchen, if only for simple meals. And as you begin to make friends in the community, you’ll be doing more entertaining than you’d anticipated. After all, Los Cabos is a very social town.
Closets can be an issue for similar reasons. Remember, you’re going to be here for months and that means a larger wardrobe than you would bring for a vacation. Even though our seasonal changes are minor compared to those you may experience at home, there are subtle differences in the weather from month to month and you’ll want clothes to accommodate this. More clothes equal more closet space. You may not need as big a home as your primary residence, but you should consider storage realistically. While planning storage, don’t overlook a place to keep all your toys: golf clubs, surf boards, fishing gear and other recreational items. If you are building in a residential community, this makes a great deal of sense for re-sale purposes. Your eventual buyer is likely to be a snowbird or full time resident who will value the upgraded kitchen and loads of storage. In recent years, Los Cabos has seen the opening of a number of excellent appliance stores so you’ll be able to outfit your new home with the latest technology. It’s not uncommon for snowbirds’ Los Cabos home to be better equipped and more efficient than their primary residence.
Not every snowbird wants a single family home or townhome. If a condominium is your idea of the perfect winter retreat, there are options that suit. The snowbirds we polled suggested paying particular attention to Internet access, telephone lines and television service, while trying to match the offering of the condominium complex with the services you use in your primary residence. As some snowbirds are actually working when they’re here, the reliability of these services is crucial and their existence should not be presumed. In some of the resort-type developments these services are an afterthought as they are of lesser importance to a vacationer. Don’t take for granted that they exist; ask your realtor.
The number of bedrooms you’ll want is also something to consider. The Tomatoes responding to our survey averaged two bedrooms in their Cabo home; many replied that this was too few. When you’re here for the season, you’ll want to spread out, perhaps using one bedroom as a home office or hobby room. And you’ll have guests. If our Tomatoes are at all indicative, you’ll have between two and three visits from houseguests each season, with most of them staying for at least a week at a time. On the Cabo San Lucas side, you’ll find Cascadas, Portofino and Cabo Viejo all under construction in Pedregal and all designed with full time or snowbird residents in mind. Prices start in the $300,000 U.S. range for a two-bedroom unit with about 1,200 square feet of living area. Three-bedroom units are also available. On the corridor, the La Vista Residences and Spa construction is underway on two- and three-bedroom condominiums starting at roughly $330,000 U.S. for around 1,400 square feet of space.
As with any category in Los Cabos real estate, snowbirds do very well with resale properties. From the Pacific side to the East Cape there are wonderful opportunities in pre-owned residences and many are highly suitable for the snowbird lifestyle. The Cabo Bello community has long been popular with snowbirds. A private cove, with a swimming beach, and its proximity to downtown make it an excellent place to winter; resale homes in this community start at about $450,000 U.S. Once rustic and on the outskirts of town, the area known as Brisas del Pacifico is now in the center of everything. Older homes in the original section are sometimes available and feature large lots and mature vegetation. In San José del Cabo snowbirds can often be found in the Fonatur section surrounding the golf course or on Gringo Hill, where the views and the breezes are heavenly. The Cabo Colorado area is also prized for its peacefulness and seclusion. Resale homes and condominiums are available in virtually every development in Los Cabos if you’re willing to wait for one to come up and act quickly once it does.
There is one point on which snowbird buyers are no different than any other: it is imperative that they follow safe real estate practice. Always buy property in a fideicomiso, or trust, prepared by a Notario Publico and be sure to get title insurance and use a third party escrow. Here in Los Cabos we pride ourselves on having the most sophisticated real estate protocol in México. It has evolved for the protection of our buyers and it would be unwise to try to bypass any of its features. For more information on the safeguards in place to protect buyers, refer to the “Take Care of Yourself” article on www.loscabosmagazine.com/contents.
With the help of a locally experienced realtor you’ll find your perfect new snowbird’s nest and start living the lifestyle most of us can only envy. Soon you will be truly enjoying the best of both your worlds.
Editor’s Note: Los Cabos Magazine and the author would like to thank the Cabo Tomatoes who participated in our lifestyle survey. Even if you’ve never characterized yourself as a ‘joiner,’ attending their meetings is a great way for new snowbirds to become acquainted in the community. For more information e-mail: loscabostomatoes@yahoo.com
Article by Carol S. Billups |
Copyright © 2008- Joseph A. Tyson - All Rights Reserved - www.loscabosmagazine.com
Los Cabos Magazines Inc - Tyson Promotions, Inc - Promociones Tyson, S. A. de C. V.
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico - Last Revision - November 30, 2007 - AAS
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