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For some time, I’ve been captivated by images I’ve seen on Instagram of empty golden-sand beaches on little cliff-lined bays…the views you get from homes and condos perched on steep hillsides overlooking the glittering Pacific…in a low-key Mexican beach community called Huatulco. That’s saying a lot considering where my winter base is… My point is Read more...: This Mexican Beach Town Is a Hidden Gem
Mexico is one of the most popular expat destinations in the world. Due to its large size (it’s about three times the size of Texas), it has a location for every taste. World class cities…rural villages…funky beach towns…charming colonial spots. You can enjoy heat, humidity, and sea breezes on the coast. Temperate climates in the Read more...: City, Mountain, and Sea Homes in Mexico
Never send an algorithm to do a scout’s work. There’s a reason why I spend six months a year traveling the world, putting boots on the ground…and why my team and I spend over a million dollars a year on scouting and researching real estate. We do it because, well, there is no other way Read more...: 4 Lessons from a Real Estate Disaster
Looking for a dream home overseas is lots of fun. Picking your location…researching listings…figuring out where in the neighborhood your local café for your morning coffee and pastry is located. It’s an exciting process. But, and not to put too much of a downer on it, there is also a very practical side to all Read more...: Your Real Estate Questions Answered
Its churches are masterpieces of Baroque architecture. The colonial-era mansions pressing in upon its cobbled lanes and shady plazas hide flower-filled courtyards with tinkling fountains. Bougainvillea cascades down pastel-colored walls in the town’s historic heart, which is compact, walkable, and strictly protected by a raft of regulations. San Miguel de Allende was once among the Read more...: Is This the Best Small City in the World?
I’m very much a beach person. I love the sound of the waves crashing into the sand…an early morning walk along the beach clears my head and sets me up for the day ahead. And you’ve probably heard me say, when I’m looking for an overseas property for myself (in other words, not an investment Read more...: Bargain Homes With Pools Around the World
The air is cool inside the old winemaker’s house, a welcome break from the summer sun. The house has three floors. In total there are six bedrooms, and lots of what you’d call “character”—original floor tiles, heavy wooden doors and wrought-iron finishes. It also has a small shady garden in front making it perfect for Read more...: Bargains on France’s Mediterranean
Say “Tuscany” and most folks will think of historic Florence…the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance…the glorious rolling landscapes…and the world famous cuisine. But Tuscany’s popularity has also meant that it’s often viewed as a place in Italy where only those with huge bank balances can afford to buy a dream home. But…and if you’ve been Read more...: Homes in Tuscany for Under $100K
The easiest money I ever made (and lost) was in the stock market. Here’s the story of my wild ride, and how I invest my money today… In 1999, when I was just 24-years-old and fresh out of university with a degree in finance, I found a “sure thing” investment. Ireland’s government-run telecommunications company Telecom Read more...: How I Got it So Wrong on the Stock Market
Last week, I spent two days scouting in northern Costa Rica, right at the border with Nicaragua. It’s unbelievably stunning. Lush, mountainous jungle spills down to a coastline of quiet bays and pristine Pacific beaches. I saw baby foxes, howler monkeys, colourful birds, and giant butterflies, all protected by a nature preserve. Everything feels neat, Read more...: Notes from Costa Rica’s Secret Coast