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Santo Tomas

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Questions to Consider When Investing in Beachfront Property in Mexico

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There are a number of articles out there talking about the scams associated with Mexican real estate, and rightfully so. From bogus contracts to ground never being broken on homes and countless other nightmares, there have been enough horror stories from people who have attempted to buy beachfront property in Mexico that people are justified in feeling wary about it.  

However, there are also several legitimate opportunities to invest in Mexico beachfront property, and for great deals, too. You just need to be aware of the right questions to ask and make sure you thoroughly understand the process so you can catch any red flags that may arise.

If you are considering buying beachfront property in Mexico, be sure to ask lots of questions, such as the following:

  • What does the financing process look like?
  • Who will be building my home? Have they been qualified by the developer?
  • Do local laws and tax rules allow me to turn the home I am building into a rental unit?
  • What is the current land value?
  • What is the timeframe for completing the building of my home?
  • What do I need to know about various rules, laws, and taxes in Mexico that will affect my land/home purchase?

When you choose to buy a lot and build in the Santo Tomás Beach Community, we make sure that you have answers to your questions like the ones above. We also want to make sure you  understand the process from beginning to end, and you can rest assured that you will:

  • Have a direct working relationship with Tom, the owner and developer of Santo Tomás Beach Community
  • Be provided with an understanding of the purchase process as well as the building process prior to signing any contracts
  • Work directly with the design team in creating the home you want
  • Get quotes from multiple builders
  • Be able to discuss changes that you want and a have a voice throughout the process
  • Be provided with a timeframe for the completion process of your home
  • Have a signed contracts for both the land contract and building contract

At Santo Tomás, our goal is to help you to build your dream—without having to worry about the headache and heartache involved with being scammed. Contact Santo Tomas today to find out if our beach community might be a good fit for your beach home dream!   

cruises-out-of-rocky-point

Cruises out of Rocky Point

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Are you a cruise lover or interested in experiencing one for the first time? If so, we have some exciting news for you that is in keeping with all of the amazing and continuing growth of Sonora, Mexico! After extensive coordination and lengthy planning, it was publically announced this week by the Governor of Sonora, Claudia Pavlovich Arellan, that for the first time ever, a cruise ship will be departing from Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point). The first cruise ship is scheduled to depart later this year, on December 7, 2019.  

There are currently six cruises scheduled between December 2019-February 2020. The cruises will be through the cruise line, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Great Britain’s award-winning, and most prominent independent cruise line. Each of those cruises will be eleven days long and will be highlighting some of the great beaches and tourist destinations along the beautiful Sea of Cortez including the following stops: Topolobampo, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, and Santa Rosalía. The ship will then return to Puerto Peñasco at the conclusion of the cruise.

The Maritime cruise ship, Astoria, will be utilized for each of the six cruises already scheduled. The ship has 250 cabins and can accommodate over 500 passengers. And aboard the Astoria, you can expect all of the typical luxuries of any cruise ship: leisure facilities, great dining, onboard entertainment, guest speakers, and more.

Here at Santo Tomas, we love seeing the ongoing growth of Sonora and our neighboring cities and look forward to the economic boost that cruises out of Rocky Point will bring! It’s an exciting time to be involved with the development of the area, and there’s seriously never been a better time to dive into business and real estate opportunities in the Sonora region, including Santo Tomas. Want to learn more? Contact us today! We look forward to hearing from you!

Favorable-Exchange-Rate

Favorable Exchange Rate

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We know that many people plan their vacations on a pre-determined budget. Because of that, they may look for various deals on activities they would like to participate in or excursions they would like to go on. They might also try to find inexpensive hotels and airfare. Another area for cutting costs is traveling to countries where the exchange rate is in their favor. Mexico is one such budget-friendly destination and will typically fit all of these criteria.

Though it fluctuates regularly, as of December 2018, the exchange rate when traveling from the United States to Mexico is 1 United States Doller to about 20 Mexican pesos. So, needless to say, the dollar can go quite a long way when traveling to and vacationing in Mexico. If you talk to people who have regularly vacationed in Mexico, they will typically report that it’s possible to spend the equivalent of only $30 each day for all of your food and daily activities!

While you can use U.S. currency in some of the more touristy areas, you will most likely be charged more for doing so. You’re going to be better of exchanging dollars for pesos if you want to be able to fully take advantage of the favorable exchange rate. All of the major cities in Mexico have places where you’ll be able to exchange U.S. dollars for pesos.

With reasonable rental home pricing and access to in-home catering, Santo Tomás is an affordable vacation destination in Mexico! Whether for a romantic weekend getaway or a trip for the whole family, we’ve got everything you’re looking for. With private beaches and the Sea of Cortez right outside your door, you don’t even have to leave the community to enjoy fun activities.  

What are you waiting for? Visit our Rental Homes page to pick out the perfect dwelling for your trip and book your dream vacation today without breaking the bank!

 

sam's-club

Sam’s Club on the way to Santo Tomás

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Sometimes it can be a little hectic getting on the road for your vacation and you don’t have time to grab everything you need. Other times, you realize after you’ve already driven an hour or two out of town, that you forgot some important items! Well, thankfully, if that happens when you’re on your way to Santo Tomás, you’re in luck.

When you’re nearing Puerto Peñasco, if you continue about 3 miles along Highway 8 into Puerto Peñasco, instead of taking the turn onto Highway 3 toward Santo Tomás, Sam’s Club will be on your left.

A membership card is required to shop at any Sam’s Club, and your US membership will work just fine at the Puerto Peñasco Sam’s Club. There are also English-speaking employees, so if you don’t speak Spanish, you will still be able to communicate. It’s a great place to stop and stock up on bulk items for your vacation (especially as each rental home in Santo Tomás has a full kitchen equipped with cooking utensils, allowing you to enjoy all of your home-cooked favorites while you’re on vacation). And, if you don’t have a Sam’s Club membership, or may just need a small item or two, there is a Bodega Aurrera (WalMart) next to the Sam’s Club.

So, you no longer need to fret about forgetting something for your trip or having bulk items take up space during your entire drive. Just make a quick stop in Puerto Peñasco, and you’ll be back on the road and in Santo Tomás in no time!

Puerto Peñasco Sam’s Club address

Blvd. Benito Juárez García S/N, Lagos y Ríos, 83553

Puerto Peñasco, Son., Mexico

 

Puerto Peñasco Bodega Aurrera (WalMart)

Boulevard Benito Juárez García s/n, Lagos y Ríos, 83550

Puerto Peñasco, Son., Mexico

Sonora-Mexico tourism

Reasons to Invest in Mexico Beach Property Series: Booming Tourism

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Sonora, Mexico is Seeing Significant Growth in Tourism This Year

Tourism in Sonora, Mexico is growing and thriving. Puerto Peñasco, often referred to as Rocky Point, has especially seen significant increases in the number of visiting tourists this year. According to an article by Mexico News Daily, Spring Break tourism increased by 6% this year. Tourism isn’t just increasing during traditionally high volume times of the year, though. Approximately 2.3 million people visited Puerto Peñasco throughout 2017. Luis Altamarino, Director of International Relations and Tourism for Puerto Peñasco, reported the following in a recent article by Cronkite News: “Compared with the mid-2000s, there are no longer “slow” seasons in Puerto Peñasco.” The growth is undeniable, but where is it coming from?

What is the Catalyst Behind This Booming Tourism?

It’s hard to isolate the tourism growth in Sonora, Mexico to one contributing factor. More than likely, it’s a multi-faceted convergence of simultaneous developments. There have been advancements in two particular areas that could be playing a role.   

It isn’t surprising that most tourists visiting Sonora, Mexico are from Arizona, and it seems that the increase in tourists to that area is due, in part, to the increased safety and convenience in traveling. Arizona and Mexico have worked closely together on the Safety Corridor project, which has made checkpoints at the border a smoother process, as well as has increased the safety of travel while in Sonora, which includes better lighting and more highly trained emergency personnel. It would only make sense for people to feel more comfortable visiting Mexico with the increased safety measures and shorter wait times at border checkpoints.

Another element that could be connected to the growing tourism in Sonora is the concerted efforts between Arizona and Sonora to increase the connection between the two states, particularly in cross-border commerce. Arizona’s Governor, Doug Ducey, shared his thoughts with Arizona Commerce Authority about the developing relationship as these two regions strive to become one: “The Arizona-Sonora region presents a competitive platform for growth, a robust supply chain, modern transportation infrastructure, top-ranked higher education institutions, and a talented workforce.” The increased trust between the two states as well as growing business opportunities will naturally lead to more visitors in the Sonora region.       

While these are only a couple of potential reasons for the ever-increasing number of tourists in Sonora, the fact of the matter is, this growth is occurring and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. And for those interested in capitalizing on the possibilities that come with such growth, there’s been no better time than now to get involved, especially in the real estate arena. That’s why here at Santo Tomás, we are ready to help you take advantage of this tremendous growth opportunity. Whether you want to build a rental house or permanent residence, we will walk you through the process of building your beachfront home on the Sea of Cortez.

Ready to build your dream? Contact us today to get started!  

Fastest Growing Real Estate Market

Reasons to Invest in Mexico Beach Property Series: Fastest Growing Real Estate Market in the Americas

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The Fastest Growing Real Estate Market in the Americas is South of the US Border

When you see beachfront properties in movies, they’re always empty, secluded and serene. The beach is a great place to unplug and unwind as long as you can get there before the other tourists and solitude seekers wake up. Along both the East and West Coasts, it seems like every stretch of beach is either overrun, uninhabitable, or privately owned, and only the latter would offer any real relaxation. However, owning beachfront property, complete with an attached private ribbon of sand feels out of reach for most. But, is it?

If you’re looking for the beachfront real estate market in the Americas, you’re going to need to shift your gaze to Sonora, Mexico. Did you know that Sonora has the fastest growing real estate market around? With their recent increases in US business partnerships, outsourcing production to US and Canadian companies, and the fact that they have the lowest business tax rate and a hard-working population, Sonora’s economy has been soaring in recent years! They boast the lowest unemployment rate in the world as well as some of the most beautiful beachfront views— views that are, at this moment, for sale.

The type of idyllic, picturesque beaches you love to see on TV and online tend to be on the other side of the world. However, you don’t necessarily have to travel that far to find them. Here in Santo Tomás, we have a private community under development with 2 miles of private beach on the amazingly beautiful Sea of Cortez. Santo Tomás is nestled between the sea and some of the most amazing dunes in the Americas. In fact, Santo Tomás used to be called Las Dunas, and is located directly in what is known as Mexico’s “Safety Corridor”.

What Makes this Building Opportunity so Exciting?

This beautiful segment of the Sea of Cortez used to be a sleepy fishing village, so it’s well off the beaten path. There are no stores, shops, tourist sites or industrial building within about 30 miles of development. When you build here, you can:

  • Go deep sea fishing
  • Swim with the dolphins
  • Scuba Dive
  • Snorkel
  • Paddleboard
  • Ride ATV’s in the dunes
  • Go sandboarding
  • Go exploring the ancient petroglyphs

We even have the perfect “Dark Sky” for stargazing, with no city lights to impede your view.

This real estate opportunity is perfect. It’s even closer to the Phoenix valley than the beach in California, as it is only a 5-hour drive from Phoenix, or a 40-mile drive from the Sea of Cortez Airport, near Puerto Penasco.

Contact us today to begin the process of building your dream home on the beach!

 

Lowest Unemployment Rate

Reasons to Invest in Mexico Beach Property Series: Lowest Unemployment Rate Worldwide

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It’s true. Mexico’s economy is on the rise and on an international level, it has the potential to become a major contributor on the world stage.

Last year, Fox Business News reported that Mexico’s unemployment rate of  3.5% is the lowest unemployment rate worldwide, and the most recent numbers verify that they are holding steady at 3.5%. With a workforce of 54 million people, Mexico has proven itself to be an industrious, ethical, and entrepreneurial nation, ready and willing to work with their North American neighbors.

With international deals coming from The United States, Spain, The Netherlands, and Canada, it’s clear that Mexico’s economy is going to continue to grow, benefiting their citizens and their business partners on our side of the U.S.-Mexico border.

What does Mexico’s unemployment rate mean for you?

The reason Mexico’s unemployment rate matters to U.S. citizens is because Mexico is proving itself to be a close, reasonably priced, and dependable outsourcing and manufacturing partner for American industries. If your business  depends on outsourced manufacturing and production in overseas’ facilities (like India or China) you have to:

  • Pay overseas shipping costs
  • Suffer the delays of ocean traffic
  • Wait for it to clear U.S. Customs

When using Mexico as an alternative to outsourcing needs, these fees and timelines are drastically reduced.

The business growth in Mexico isn’t limited to brick and mortar establishments. The real estate opportunities in Mexico are expanding as well, and here at Santo Tomás, we offer safe and beautiful beachfront properties available to you now. We are far enough from the world for you to be able to relax and close enough for you to drive to your Mexican counterparts. Visit our home sites or building process pages to discover if investing in Mexico beach property might be right for you.

 

Economic Growth in Sonora Mexico

Reasons to Invest in Mexico Beach Property Series: Economic Growth in Sonora

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Investors are becoming increasingly interested in the opportunities that await them due to the economic growth in Sonora, Mexico. In an article last year, The Balance stated, “Mexico is quickly becoming an emerging market heavy-weight.” This is showing to be especially true of the state of Sonora, and as the ties between Arizona and Sonora continue to grow, so will Sonora’s economy. In fact, an article by Marketplace shared the thoughts of Claudia Pavlovich, the governor of Sonora: “Our two states together as a mega-region are a more attractive place for creating new business.”

In the same article by Marketplace, the plan for creating that mega-region was unfolded:

“Officials in Arizona have big dreams about turning the region into a manufacturing hub. Their sales pitch to do that? Lots of cheap land, nearby international ports and a budding partnership with supply chains in Sonora, Mexico. But in today’s economic and political climate, turning this dream into a reality is taking some creative solutions.”

That article was written just over a year ago, and it’s safe to say that the dream described is already materializing as cross-border real estate investment is increasing, tourism numbers are at all-time highs, and a new airport is opening at the Sea of Cortez in October.

Arizona Commerce Authority has affirmed the incredible economic growth in Sonora as well as its ongoing potential. They released an article earlier this year in conjunction with the Arizona-Sonora Business Expo. The article, entitled Inaugural Business Expo is Latest Step in Growing Arizona-Sonora Partnership, stated, The Arizona-Sonora region features core strengths in high-growth industries, including aerospace, mining, construction, manufacturing, medical devices, renewable energy, and tourism. The region offers an incredible strategic advantage for companies when it comes to trade, investment, and economic development.” Such reports are both exciting and enticing to the investment community.

It is not only investors who are enthralled with the strengthened cross-border relationships and business growth, though. In the aforementioned article by Arizona Commerce Authority, Governor Doug Ducey was quoted: “‘Arizona’s relationship with Mexico – our number one trading partner – can serve as a model for other states to follow. The Arizona-Sonora region presents a competitive platform for growth, a robust supply chain, modern transportation infrastructure, top-ranked higher education institutions, and a talented workforce.’” While both Arizona and Sonora are currently reaping the benefits of this economic growth, there is great potential for that to be expanded to other areas as well.

Are you an investor wanting to be a part of this tremendous growth in Sonora? Santo Tomás can help you! We have incredible real estate investment opportunities in Sonora, about 40 miles south of Rocky Point.

Invest in Mexico Beach Property

Top 5 Reasons to Invest in Mexico Beach Property

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Is Now the Time for You to Invest in Mexico Beach Property?

Are you looking for a private beach to invest in where you can get away from it all without cutting yourself off from… “it all”?

There are few places left in the developed world where you actually can have it all:

  •     Custom beachfront homes
  •     2 Miles of private beach
  •     Sand Dunes out your front door
  •     The Sea out your back door
  •     A “Dark Sky” at night with nothing but the stars as far as your eyes can see
  •     High-Speed Internet
  •     Dolphins waiting for you in the Sea
  •     Amazing Fishing
  •     Clear water for snorkeling
  •     Potable water
  •     24/7 Security Guards
  •     Satellite TV
  •     International Airport 40 miles away

Santo Tomás, 40 miles south of Puerto Peñasco is one of those places. This one-time sleepy fishing village is situated on the Sea of Cortez and is described by locals as “what Rocky Point used to be like”. Our private community is a perfect place to build your second home, whether you are looking for an escape from your big city living or are looking for investment and business opportunities in an untapped market, you can’t beat Santo Tomás.

The 5 best reasons to invest in Mexico Beach Property are:

  1. Sonoran Economic Growth
  2. Lowest Business Tax in the World
  3. Lowest Unemployment Worldwide
  4. Fastest Growing Real Estate Market in the Americas
  5. Booming Tourism

Do these two lists seem to contradict each other? Sonora is a big State in Mexico and it is growing. The Sonoran People are proving themselves as hard-working, peaceful and entrepreneurial with the announcement of the upcoming “Sky Bridge” shipping project, out of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and increased Amazon Prime interest, Sonora is only going to become a bigger player in the international business landscape.

Santo Tomás is the perfect distance from the actual industrial and urban centers of the Sonoran economy to maintain its “Desert Paradise” status. From here, you will be completely isolated in the middle of your sand dune and sea escape, but if an important email pulls you back to the world of business, you’re only a short drive away from the cities where your potential associates and employees will be waiting for you.

If the time is right for you to expand your horizons and claim a piece of paradise for your family, you can accomplish both, here in Santo Tomás.

Call us at 480-861-0355 to learn more.