THE NEXT BIG THING

Dear International Living Reader,

"This stretch of Caribbean beachfront, about 200 miles south of Cancun, and its 3-million annual visitors, is supposed to be the Next Big Thing in Mexican tourism.

"And, if memory serves, that's what they used to say about Cancun."

As you well know, dear reader, it's also what we've been saying about Mexico's Costa Maya for more than three years. The rest of the world is beginning to catch on. The quote above is from last weekend's Sunday Travel Section in the Baltimore Sun.

This discovery of the Costa Maya by the mainstream travel press is great news for you if you've already invested in beachfront along the Costa Maya.

I have a confession to make. I haven't.

We have been telling readers to buy up pieces of this filet of sandy coast...know many readers who have...and have been tempted ourselves. But this was shaping up to be another of my "Boy-I-wish-I-had-bought-there" stories.

I've decided this month, though, not to let that happen. Sure, I should have bought on the Costa Maya, near Majahual, three years ago...or two years ago...or last year. Every year since our editor Jen Stevens discovered the opportunity on these shores, I've wondered if I hadn't already missed out...already waited too long...told myself it was probably too late to get a good deal...and allowed myself to be distracted by other opportunities.

Meanwhile, prices have increased 100% and more in the three years since Jen's first report. And continue to rise.

No, you can't get a good price today if you buy retail. Deal through one of the big real estate agencies operating in the area, and you'll pay top-dollar...maybe twice as much as you could pay otherwise...and probably too much to make the investment numbers work.

But it is still possible to buy at a price that should assure good capital return if you go direct. I'll be beaten up on this point. I can feel the backlash already.

"Buy direct!"

"Why would you tell anyone to try to buy real estate from a local owner in Mexico? Don't you know about title issues? Don't you realize that any gringo shopping alone in this part of the world is likely to be offered property by people who don't own it? To be taken advantage of regarding price?"

I've made this recommendation before. And I've weathered the resulting onslaught.

All good points. But...wait...aren't we the ones who make them all the time?

I believe this is a responsible recommendation...because I'm making it to an educated reader. As a reader of International Living, you know that buying direct in a developing, unregulated market (like Mexico) doesn't mean going it without an attorney...or without title insurance. You know that, once you leave U.S. borders, all safety nets disappear. And you need to create your own.

If you've got the time and the inclination to do the legwork, there are still a handful of good buys to be had on this southern stretch of Mexico's Caribbean coast. But not many and not for much longer. I believe the window for buying here for investment is closing. This isn't hype. There's nothing in it for me.

Except one last chance to act so I won't have to include this on my list of investment regrets later in life. That list is long enough already.

Kathleen Peddicord
Publisher, International Living

P.S. How can I say with such confidence that it's possible to buy direct on the Costa Maya today...safely...and for a good price?

Because Julia Guth has just done so. Julia's not only a longtime personal friend, she's also the Executive Director of the Oxford Club. She's written a full report of her experience for members of the Oxford Club...and has agreed to share it with subscribers to International Living as well--with her compliments. If you're a subscriber to the print edition, you can click here now to download the report. If you're not a subscriber, you can become one--and gain access to Julia's Costa Maya report--here.