I recently had the honor of being interviewed by the New York Times. Please visit newyorktimes.com and click on the Real Estate link on the front page. As of 4/8/09 it is the main Real Estate story. It will be the main one for a few days, then it will slowly start sliding down the scale. For quick access, here is the link... http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/greathomesanddestinations/08gh-sale.html?ref=realestate Please take a look, and provide any feedback. It is already generating some interesting phone calls. I will keep you guys posted!

Survey: The World's Next Great Cities

Cities that were not so long ago little more than big fishing villages are rising to global commercial prominence.

Using the MasterCard Worldwide Emerging Markets Index, which ranks 65 cities in 30 markets on the basis of business environment, economic growth, and financial services environment, Forbes magazine chose the world's next great cities.

Turbulence in world markets is affecting some of them, but others are mostly escaping these issues.

"Many of these emerging economies have not been as financialized as those in established countries," said Saskia Sassen, a professor on Columbia University's Committee on Global Thought.

Here are the top 10 emerging cities:

1. Shanghai, China
2. Beijing, China
3. Budapest Hungary
4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
5. Santiago, Chile
6. Guangzhou, China
7. Mexico City, Mexico
8. Warsaw, Poland
9. Bangkok Thailand
10. Shenzhen, China

Source: Forbes, Matt Woolsey (10/23/08)

Isn't this what most of us want to wake up and see from our balcony every morning?  Don't most of us work hard every day so we can retire or semi-retire and buy a home in paradise?

Something happened to me in Cancun that has kept a doubt in the back of my mind since last year.

As we were leaving our all inclusive resort in Cancun after a weeks stay.  By the way, it was the MINT-AMPI Real Estate conference which I attended and also took my family-business and pleasure!!).  We were sad to leave and we jumped into the taxi for the airport.  We started a coversation with the driver and we were all telling him how lucky he is to be living in paradise.  My mother mentioned to him "You must be at the beach everyday?!" (The beaches are absolutely amazing anywhere in the Caribbean waters)

His response was "Oh the beaches, yeah I go about once a year.  I really don't have time".  He said that whether he lived there or anywhere else didn't matter much to him.  We all were surprised at his comment.  We left it at that and returned safely home.

For me, that comment made me think alot and it has changed the way I see many things.  I thought "Here is a fellow that is where I dream of being one day and he sees no value of being so close to what I want to wake up and see everyday"  My phone, computer, paintings, pictures all over my home and office of are beach areas. 

Maybe I am shooting for something that in the end won't be enough.  In other words, is the grass not greener on the other side?  Maybe the taxi driver did not have the disposable income that is needed to relax and enjoy it.

One good thing that changed is I now value more what I have and where I am at this point in my life.  Why, because if I work so hard that I don't enjoy myself now, I might regret all this hard work when I get to paradise and realize it was not 100% worth what I gave up. 

What do you guys think?  I would love to hear from our friends that are already working and living in Mexico.  Please tell me that it's worth all our hard work!!

 

This picture is of a home in of our developments in Acapulco.  Isn't this what most of us want to wake up and see from our balcony every morning?  Don't most of us work hard every day so we can retire or semi-retire and buy a home in paradise?

Something happened to me in Cancun that has kept a doubt in the back of my mind since last year.

As we were leaving our all inclusive resort in Cancun after a weeks stay.  By the way, it was the MINT-AMPI Real Estate conference which I attended and also took my family-business and pleasure!!).  We were sad to leave and we jumped into the taxi for the airport.  We started a coversation with the driver and we were all telling him how lucky he is to be living in paradise.  My mother mentioned to him "You must be at the beach everyday?!" (The beaches are absolutely amazing anywhere in the Caribbean waters)

His response was "Oh the beaches, yeah I go about once a year.  I really don't have time".  He said that whether he lived there or anywhere else didn't matter much to him.  We all were surprised at his comment.  We left it at that and returned safely home.

For me, that comment made me think alot and it has changed the way I see many things.  I thought "Here is a fellow that is where I dream of being one day and he sees no value of being so close to what I want to wake up and see everyday"  My phone, computer, paintings, pictures all over my home and office of are beach areas. 

Maybe I am shooting for something that in the end won't be enough.  In other words, is the grass not greener on the other side?  Maybe the taxi driver did not have the disposable income that is needed to relax and enjoy it.

One good thing that changed is I now value more what I have and where I am at this point in my life.  Why, because if I work so hard that I don't enjoy myself now, I might regret all this hard work when I get to paradise and realize it was not 100% worth what I gave up. 

What do you guys think?  I would love to hear from our friends that are already working and living in Mexico.  Please tell me that it's worth all our hard work!!

I usually answer this question by suggesting the following:  Ask everyone (family, friends, clients, associates) about Real Estate in Mexico.  Here is what you will find.

1. They have at one time or another have been interested in purchasing property in Mexico.

2. They know someone who owns property there.

3. They think only Mexican citizens can own property.

4. They think land can only be leased.

5. They think the Mexican government can confiscate your property at anytime.

From this point you should notice two things.  One, people need to be educated on this topic.  Two, by helping them...there should be an opportunity to increase your income.

 (El Angel de Independencia, Historic Landmark in Mexico City)

I invite you to try this and report back.  Share your questions, successes and failures.  Together, by first helping each other help our clients, we can all learn new ways to include Mexico in our business plans!

(If I can increase my income by selling Mexican Real Estate from Salem Oregon! YOU CAN TOO!!)

I usually answer this question by suggesting the following:  Ask everyone (family, friends, clients, associates) about Real Estate in Mexico.  Here is what you will find.

1. They have at one time or another have been interested in purchasing property in Mexico.

2. They know someone who owns property there.

3. They think only Mexican citizens can own property.

4. They think land can only be leased.

5. They think the Mexican government can confiscate your property at anytime.

From this point you should notice two things.  One, people need to be educated on this topic.  Two, by helping them...there should be an opportunity to increase your income.

 (El Angel de Independencia, Historic Landmark in Mexico City)

I invite you to try this and report back.  Share your questions, successes and failures.  Together, by first helping each other help our clients, we can all learn new ways to include Mexico in our business plans!

(If I can increase my income by selling Mexican Real Estate from Salem Oregon! YOU CAN TOO!!)

Being able to sell internationally has been a dream of mine for over seven years. 

About a year and a half ago, I took the first step.  I took the introduction class for the CIPS designation.  It was a real eye opener.  It lead to a trip to Mexico City for the NAR-AMPI conference, in which, both Associations became official partners.  AMPI is Mexico's version of NAR.  It was a great event, then President of Mexico, Vicente Fox attended!  I got those pictures up in my office and I talk about them to everyone.

I felt that this was something I could do.  I realized that my mistake was trying to do it all myself.  I got together with a few agents in my office and we made a committment to each other.  We have spent a lot of time and money in order to find the way!  I could not have done it without them. 

In the next coming months, I will have a lot more first hand experience to share.  It is almost too exciting to believe but it is coming true for us. 

For those of you that are in it alone, please think of us (Tu Casa Real Estate, Oregon Assoc. of Realtors Int'l Biz Council, CIPS members) as a resource.  Once you receive your CIPS designation, you need to find new ways to educate yourself on international dealings.  Through the NAR, you will find many resources and opportunities to network.  Attend as many as possible to see what others are doing.  Dealing internationally has many different paths, you will need to find the one that fits you.

While the vision of being able to travel, make some money, and handle international transactions sounds great.  What will make you succesful is finding a niche, a true need of the people.  Once you find it, the ability of being able to help others is what makes it all worth it!

 

Being able to sell internationally has been a dream of mine for over seven years. 

About a year and a half ago, I took the first step.  I took the introduction class for the CIPS designation.  It was a real eye opener.  It lead to a trip to Mexico City for the NAR-AMPI conference, in which, both Associations became official partners.  AMPI is Mexico's version of NAR.  It was a great event, then President of Mexico, Vicente Fox attended!  I got those pictures up in my office and I talk about them to everyone.

I felt that this was something I could do.  I realized that my mistake was trying to do it all myself.  I got together with a few agents in my office and we made a committment to each other.  We have spent a lot of time and money in order to find the way!  I could not have done it without them. 

In the next coming months, I will have a lot more first hand experience to share.  It is almost too exciting to believe but it is coming true for us. 

For those of you that are in it alone, please think of all of us as a resource.  After the CIPS education, the NAR does not have any more education.  You will find many resources and opportunities to network.  Attend as many as possible because dealing internationally has many different paths.  You will need to find the one that fits you.

While the vision of being able to travel, make some money, and handle international transactions sounds great.  What will make you succesful is finding a niche, a true need of the people.  Once you find it, the ability of being to help others is what makes it all worth it!