Below is the second half of an interview by an international property magazine, VENTANA, talking with TOP Mexico Real Estate agents & Brokers member from the Ixtapa real estate market, Tim Sullivan. The first half of the interview and an introduction of Mr. Sullivan can also be found in our Mexico Real Estate Blog, TOPmexicorealestate.com. 

What can an interested buyer expect to pay for a new beachfront property in I-Z? How do prices differ between Ixtapa real estate market and that of  Zihuatanejo?

Contrary to popular belief, there really is no significant price variation between the two towns which make up the I-Z municipality.  Whether in Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo, or in any of the surrounding beaches, prices for new Mexico beachfront properties are running on average between $225 and $350 dollars per square foot of construction.

How have current economic conditions affected Ixtapa real estate prices in the area?

The present world-wide economic situation is affecting every corner of the globe.  Not one area appears to be immune to the effects of the credit meltdown and I-Z is no exception.  The volume of sales of Ixtapa homes and properties are experiencing a marked decrease compared with previous years.  In addition, some of the developments have slowed the pace of the construction and pushed back delivery dates.  Fortunately, though, prices have remained steady both in the new and resale sectors.  Moreover, some developments are still able to offer direct or Mexico mortgages financing at very competitive rates with comfortable amortizations.

What do you foresee will happen to current property prices?

Well, if I had a crystal ball, I’d be worth a fortune!  But since I do not, I am loathing any predictions in what remains a very unpredictable and volatile market.  What I hope to see is an unfreezing of the credit markets coupled with a renewed commitment to established, ethical practices on the part the people involved in the creation marketing of mortgages.  Only then, I think, can the market regain some measure of confidence thus stoking demand with sales.

What evidence would suggest that I-Z’s real estate will appreciate in value in the coming years?

I-Z is the poster child of real estate’s “Rule Number One:” LOCATION, LOCATION, and LOCATION.  I-Z is ideally situated between the azure Pacific Ocean to the west and the spectacular Sierra Madre Sur Mountains to the east.  We have world famous sportfishing, boating, championship golf courses, scuba diving, scores of miles of golden beaches, fun nightlife, shopping, history, culture, and some of the friendliest people anywhere in the globe.  Each and every one of these guarantees a bright and prosperous future.

What are the best things to do or see in I-Z?

In addition to the activities I mentioned, I can only add to the list my favorite activity: walking to Playa Palmar every morning with my yellow Labrador retriever, Suli, to greet the new day.

Tim Sullivan has been helping buyers and sellers in the Ixtapa Real Estate market over the past 18 years. Broker owner of TICAR offices and member of AMPI, Tim brings North American professional services to the regional market place. www.TOPmexicorealestate.com 512-879-6546

Since the development of Ixtapa a few decades ago, the Ixtapa real estate market has grown not only in size, but also in quality of life A result of the large numbers of non-Mexicans choosing Mexico as their home, foreign investment, the North American Free Trade agreement, and some positive policies of the current and last administrations, infrastructure and services have been brought up to date and modernized Those buying property in Ixtapa now enjoy a quality of life similar, if not equal, to what they had back home With giant leaps forward in quality of infrastructure and services, not only Ixtapa real estate, but the whole Mexico real estate market, is now in the process of letting the world know this reality, leaving behind the old, obsolete reputations based in the western movie images of Mexico.

As an industry closely tied to that of real estate, tourism in Mexico is in the same process FONATUR, the Mexican organization to fund and promote tourism development, has been responsible for the development of some of Mexico s top tourist destinations, including Ixtapa, which was FONATUR s second integrated tourist development project.

As the quality of services in FONATUR s projects has risen to international standards, this organization not only needs to project its image, but also protect this image and its name in the international market For this reason, FONATUR is currently in the process of obtaining a trade-mark registration from the World Intellectual Property Organization.

In some countries, such as Panama, the brand name FONATUR already exists, used by local companies FONATUR is hoping to protect the image of its name on an international level by preventing generic companies from using the name, and building a reputation of high quality in all tourism-sector products and services

FONATUR s goal is to set a high standard of quality and responsibility in judgment, which will produce viable development, and project this image, not only in Mexico, but internationally. Displaying name means that FONATUR backs the investors and other companies involved in its projects, ensuring that they follow guidelines of the organization. Since tourism is becoming increasingly international, it is important for FONATUR to ensure that tourists from around the world recognize its name as a sign of quality, and do not confused it with organizations which may not adhere to the same levels of quality.

As a result, tourists and investors will continue to recognize FONATUR as a symbol of the quality it upholds, and Mexico s tourism industry will to see increasingly positive results from its investments.

While all major real estate destinations in Mexico will be benefitted through the strong, positive, international image of FONATUR, and the image it projects of Mexico s current qualities, Ixtapa real estate, and other destinations, most notably Cancun, have FONATUR s name directly tied to the history of their development (In Cancun, a visual connection is made through the FONATUR sculpture in the Hotel District.) The quality Ixtapa real estate offers is tied into FONATUR s international image, and the current steps to strengthen and protect this image are good news for Ixtapa.

Tim Sullivan has been helping buyers and sellers in the Ixtapa Real Estate market over the past 18 years. Broker owner of TICAR offices and member of AMPI, Tim brings North American professional services to the regional market place. www.TOPmexicorealestate.com 512-879-6546

If you are thinking of buying properties in the Ixtapa real estate market it is most likely you are asking yourselfWhat s happing in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Cultural events are an important consideration for anyone looking for Mexico Real Estate; fishing, surfing, cheerleading tournaments, cultural celebrations, great food – Ixtapa offers a wide variety of events and activities for people of all tastes, as this sample of events from the past year shows.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo welcomed the year with a spectacular display of fireworks. At exactly 11:59:50 on December 31st, 2008, a 15-minute-long show of continuous fireworks began, with shapes of chrysanthemums and the traditionalcastles in the air The incredible display could be enjoyed from various beaches in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa a real bonus for anyone considering Ixtapa Beachfront Real Estate. More than 100 different restaurants and hotels offered wine, liquors and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo s famous cooking traditions to visitors and residents who celebrated the New Year here.

One of the advantages of Mexico Beachfront Real Estate is the sea and all the activities and adventure it offers. At the beginning of May Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo hosted the 26th International Sailfish Tournament, which included marlins as well. Ixtapa is internationally recognized as one of the best destinations for sport fishing during this season Sailfish in the area can reach up to 175 pounds.

Almost immediately following the fishing tournament, the city hosted the 15th National Cheerleading Championship, organized by the Asociacion Nacional de Porristas (National Cheerleading Association). The event welcomed more than 1000 participants from universities throughout the country. The Association is recognized on an international level, having participated in competitions such asThe United States All Star Federation ,The International All Star Federation ,The International All Star Federation for cheer and dance teams and theAustralian All Star Cheerleading Federation Likewise the competition was judged by an international panel.

Last year, from September 18th to 21st, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo also hosted the Latin-American Surfing Tournament, a six-star competition (the highest possible category in surfing championships), and the most important competition of its type in Latin America. This was made possible by the logistic support, planning and organization of various local and national organizations, and by the ideal conditions in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. The city welcomed more than 100 participants from various countries including Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Panama, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The competition took place onEl Palmar beach in Ixtapa, one of the most ideal places for surfing not only in Mexico but also in the world.

Tim Sullivan has been helping buyers and sellers in the Ixtapa Real Estate market over the past 18 years. Broker owner of TICAR offices and member of AMPI, Tim brings North American professional services to the regional market place. www.TOPmexicorealestate.com 512-879-6546

Below is an interview by an international property magazine, VENTANA, talking with our newest TOP Mexico agents & Brokers member from the Ixtapa real estate market, Tim Sullivan Tim is the owner of TICAR Real Estate company in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Guerrero.This beautiful oceanfront city sits on the Pacific Ocean, north of Acapulco and south of Puerto Vallarta.Tim arrived to Mexico back in 1987 and has been here ever since.In 1994, after having worked various years with local brokers and developers, Tim along with his beautiful wife of 15 years, Carmen, started their brokerage company Ticar, S.A. Mr. Sullivan will be joining the panel at the Mexico Real Estate Blog, TOPmexicorealestate.com where he will be sharing his expertise and development updates in this regional market of Mexico

Why did you choose this market in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo as your destination in Mexico

In actuality, I do believe that Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo chose me. Back in the autumn of 1987 circumstances conspired to allow my then partner, Linda Fox, and I to take a six-month long sabbatical and travel to Zihuatanejo where Linda had lived sporadically since the early 1970 s I had never been to Mexico before and had only some erroneous preconceived notions of what Mexico was all about. My concept of Mexico I d harvested from westerns and Saturday morning serials As soon as the plane landed at the Zihuatanejo airport all of those old stereotypes went right into the waste can.

What sets Ixtapa Zihuatanejo apart from other real estate locations in Mexico such as Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos

The Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo market has a unique flavor which distinguishes it from the other destinations in Mexico whether they be beach resorts or colonial towns. The distinction is analogous to one of this area s most famous dishes;tiritas , which is a recipe calling for strips of locally caught fish marinated in lime juice, onions and sliced Serrano chile. This simpleplatillo is exquisitely satisfying and uniquely particular to the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo area.

How large is the expatriate community here How many Canadian and American expats are living here

The use of the termexpatriate is one which I tend not to promote given that some of its synonyms areexile andoutcast . Certainly there are some of those but the vast majority of the 3,000 or so yearround and seasonal inhabitants are average citizens of their respective home nations who have chosen Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and the surrounding areas as their home or home away from home.

How do expats assimilate to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo s Mexican society and culture

By and large the non-Mexican visitors and residents have immersed themselves in the culture and rhythms of the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo experience. There is any number of charitable organizations such as Ni os Adelante and S.O.S Bahia, S.A. to name just two, which receive bountiful donations of both time and money from the foreign and local communities alike. Social events are equally polycultural as lassos between individuals create expanding webs of interdependency.

Has real estate grown here over the years If so, what has detoned it

In the twenty plus years that I have lived in this paradise, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has experienced a slow, steady growth both in the permanent population as well as in the number of short-and long-term vacationers. Over the course of this steady expansion there have been two very strong booms: 1991-1995; and, 2005-2008. In each of these boom periods the prime stimulus for the growth in the specific area of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo was the real value investors found in the local real estate in comparison with other destinations in Mexico where rapidly rising prices had out paced the demand. In contrast, in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo supply had always lagged behind a increasing demand.

Tim Sullivan has been helping buyers and sellers in the Ixtapa Real Estate market over the past 18 years. Broker owner of TICAR offices and member of AMPI, Tim brings North American professional services to the regional market place. www.TOPmexicorealestate.com 512-879-6546