A look at what’s hot in Los Cabos real estate
By Carol S. Billups
The Four Seasons, Solaz, Diamante, Chileno Bay…Los Cabos is awash with new uber-high-end real estate developments. Notable among them is VieVage, an Auberge-branded condominium complex nestled within the posh Chileno Bay master-planned community. Currently under construction with completion scheduled for November 2016, units are now being offered for presale. The spacious (more than 3,000 square feet of air-conditioned space) three- and four-bedroom units include extremely high-end finishes and appliances, as well as access to the resort’s world-class amenities. Chief among the amenities is access to the Tom Fazio–designed private golf course, but owners will also enjoy a 128-meter swimming pool, over-the-top spa, and an environmentally conscious boutique hotel. Prices here start at $2.25 million U.S. Your multiple-listing service agent can arrange a tour of VieVage and any of the other new resorts.
While most builders are targeting the elite 2 percent, one has been continuing to focus on providing high-end amenities without the seven-figure price tag and without sacrificing quality construction. Portus group is currently preselling luxury beachfront condominiums at Soleado on San José del Cabo’s popular Costa Azul surf break. Prices for a three-bedroom condominium here start in the mid-$500,000 U.S. range. In addition, the firm is continuing to build in Phase IIIB of its popular Ventanas brand, providing mid-level-priced ocean-view single-family homes and condominiums with high-end amenities and services in the community clubhouse. Unique, but very important for retirees, the newest model single-family home is a single-story, three-bedroom model priced at about $300,000 U.S. And closer to the center of Cabo San Lucas, you’ll find Portus’s Cabo del Mar Ecopark, often referred to as Phase IV. These homes have access to all the same amenities offered in prior phases but also feature solar panels on the roof of every single-family home. The on-site private school is currently holding classes at the elementary level and will eventually offer K–12 classes. The entire development is designed as a park with each home having easy access to green spaces. Prices here start in the low $200,000 U.S. range, making Portus a perfect real estate trifecta. Your real estate agent can arrange a visit to all of the Portus projects.
Stewart Title Los Cabos is now offering bundled, one-stop title, escrow, and settlement services for properties in Baja California Sur. As part of the Stewart Title Latin American network, it can provide a suite of services or individual modules tailored to the buyer’s needs. The escrow service, which holds the funds for the transaction in an FDIC-insured U.S. bank until the transaction is complete, is a key component of a safe purchase. In addition, it can provide title searches and opinions and complete “front-to-back” closing coordination. Your real estate professional can provide detailed information on all the closing services you will require.
Quivira Los Cabos is best known for being home to Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach resort and several high-end time-share projects. It also has deeded full-ownership opportunities. Copala was introduced three years ago, and it offers an affordable golf course option with both condominiums and single-family homes. Initially offered for presale, homes and condos are currently being delivered with less than 50 percent still in inventory. The more recently announced Coronado offers single-story luxury homes and are currently in presale. And, just at press time, the developers of the Coronado and Copala properties have announced very attractive financing packages, including a first for Cabo: Canadian currency financing. In addition to receiving 15-year financing in your choice of pesos or U.S. dollars, Canadian citizens can now elect a payment schedule strictly in their own currency. And, no matter which currency you choose, you will pay 0 percent interest during the construction period and for the first two years following delivery of your home. After two years, the interest will vary depending on which currency you’ve selected and the length of the loan; current offerings start at 3.5 to 8 percent. The developers are also promising two new developments to fill in the price niches in the full ownership market, however they are not releasing further details at this time.