Ten Sunny, Affordable, Seaside Retreats--Which One Do You Want to Live In?

Date: 08/16/2007

Sun hounds…beach lovers…those who simply enjoy waterfront deals and good-value coastal properties in

sun-splashed locales…listen up: I have good news.

There are still miles of coastline around the world where unspoiled natural beauty, secluded beaches, friendly people, and a relaxed way of life are waiting for you. And you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy them. In fact, you can buy your own home in the sun for a lot less than you might think.

Your own home on the beach is not a dream never to be fulfilled, nor the distant reward for years of careful saving and planning. You can buy a second home in the sun right now.

A lot on the island of Eleuthera with an ocean view for $40,000…a Caribbean island with prime lots a few feet from the beach for $15,000…a sea-view apartment in the Dominican Republic for $79,000…a three-bedroom tropical island home for $40,000.

If buying isn't your thing, don't worry--you can rent an upscale apartment in some of these locations for $450 a month.

We asked one of the more intrepid writers we know in Latin America to conduct a full and frank investigation into buying a second home in the tropics. His name is Don Ediger. "Don," we said, "IL readers always ask us where they can buy a house in the sun for less than $100,000…sometimes a lot less." We continued, "Don, find out where, how, and how much, and tell the readers."

You may recognize his name. Don is a regular contributor to these Postcards, and has worked for Business Week, The Miami Herald, and other leading publications. Don grew up in Mexico and speaks Spanish--he's as comfortable on the backstreets of San José, Costa Rica, as he is on the pink-white beaches of Eleuthera, The Bahamas. But best of all--and I don't think Don will mind me telling you this--he's pretty stubborn. No, that doesn't cover it. Don is tenacious. Persistent. Hardboiled. More than once, Don ran into a smokescreen while carrying out this research. "Oh no," someone would tell him, "that's the lowest price you'll find to buy something around here. You won't find anything decent in this part of Costa Rica/the Dominican Republic/Mexico/wherever for less than that. There's no need to research this town any more". You just don't say something like that to Don.

They told him a Riviera lifestyle in the tropics was beyond a modest budget. Don kept pushing. They said the French West Indies are too pricey. Don disagreed. In the end, Don discovered bargains galore for less than $100,000…and full details on exactly how to get them.

He investigated The Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe and Martinique, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.

The highlights of his research we present this coming week, our "Your Own Second Home in the Sun" week.

Enjoy.

Kathleen Peddicord

Publisher, International Living

P.S. This week will be jam-packed…but we won't be able to cram into five short days everything Don discovered about the 10 countries and island nations he explored. So, Don literally wrote the book on Your Own Second Home in the Sun. We can't give away this handsomely-bound tome…but if you pre-order your copy now with this link, you get a hefty 15% discount and a free special report, How to Own Your Own Private Island.