There’s beauty in every season, but a gorgeous azure sky against a blanket of fresh snow in coastal Maine is incredible! For me, snow seems to bring a quiet calm to the air. Often the only sound when walking along the rocky beach are the seagulls and the low rumble of the occasional lobster boat. Come up to Maine and see for yourself…
Private Trade Winds, Inc. adds award winning Costa Rica villa to portfolio. Winner of “Best Residential Property of the Year” and “Best Architecture of the Year” this private 10-bedroom, 6-story private villa vacation rental in Costa Rica is a welcome addition to Private Trade Winds’ growing portfolio. Due to a recent cancellation, this luxury villa has become available for one week over Christmas. The use of a luxury SUV and $500 villa credit sweetens the deal.
Endless view from the luxurious villa
In response to client requests, Private Trade Winds has added a spectacular and unique private villa to their portfolio of properties in Costa Rica. Prior to the acquisition of this exceptional villa, PTW represented residential homes and condos in two main resort locations in Northern and Central Costa Rica. The new addition adds another location further to the South, and large enough for weddings, retreats and private events. All the Regions of Costa Rica offer untouched natural beauty worth exploring!
The grandeur of this 10-bedroom estate in Manuel Antonio can only be rivaled by its majestic beauty and gracious hospitality. Built with heart and determination by Architect David Konwiser, the home is a perfect balance between pride and humility. The shiplike design pays homage to its peaceful resting place near the Pacific Ocean, and its very name promises spectacular views of the Sea. Angled and cantilevered, the villa is more of a boutique hotel with a decidedly modern feel, yet somehow manages to speak and cater to the individual, as well as the masses.
With sleeping accommodations for 24, and beyond ample dining and social sections, the villa is perfect for entertaining. The sights and sounds come alive on the mezzanine level with expansive views and large operable sliding glass doors bringing the ocean and jungle into this impressive double-height space. The Mezzanine looks down into both the Reception Lounge as well as the Living Room and features the DJ platform and a bridge over the main staircase. A personalized iPad2 is the most recent addition to every bedroom, and provides wireless internet, Skype, and the ability to play music off of the villa server. Ceiling-mounted speakers with a WiFi/Audio transmitter in each room allow iPhone users to play their own music wirelessly in their rooms. The 55″ LED High Definition TV has been added to the home theater, as well as top quality furniture. The pool is heated to the perfect temperature, as is the solar-heated jacuzzi.
For those who enjoy cooking and revel in instruction from indigenous chefs, the Show and Industrial kitchens are sure to please. Centrally located and serving to the Events Terrace and Bar, the Show Kitchen can be a focal point for congregation as well as for cooking shows or on-site cooking classes. The adjoining industrial kitchen provides overflow space and equipment for large events as well as a tropical, ocean-view “classroom” for more serious on-site cooking instruction.
There is much to do and see in the surrounding area from zip-lining and exploring the Tropical Rain Forest to lounging on the white sandy beach just a 5 minute walk from the villa. For those who like to hit the links, a speed boat will deliver you and 11 of your closest friends to the Los Suenos Resort where white-faced monkeys watch from the trees and secretly critique game play.
Due to a recent cancellation this one of a kind villa is now available over Christmas (12/19-26/2011), with exclusive inclusions such as the use of a luxury SUV and a $500 villa credit, compliments of Private Trade Winds. Please contact janderson@privatetradewinds.com for more information.
Based in Newport Beach, California, Private Trade Winds, Inc. is the nation’s leading villa travel specialist and the creator of the 5-star villa vacation, with over 400 branded luxury villas worldwide. To learn more email aminnehan@privatetradewinds.com or call 866.PTW.4LUX Ext. 809.
Well, it’s been a while since I’ve blogged on Ocean Home from Belize. This blog is directed to all the Americans that are more than just a little afraid of what’s happening to the financial security that they felt was their patriotic right.
Having been born in the heartland of America in the early 50s, raised in a God loving small farm family, and spending 50 years of my life living in different parts of a wonderful country, I can speak only for myself.
Having watched the employment and financial security of my own personal life dwindle through the years in America, it is refreshing to come to a country where individuality and self-preservation is not only revered but rewarded. Refreshing to know that I can take on a business of my choosing in a country where entrepreneurship is rewarded by fair taxes and less Government reigns. Where the local people relish in working a job to receive what is considered fair pay for work done, and are loyal to their employer because he is loyal to them. These are the days of my childhood, my remembrance of being happy working a job, being happy to bring home a paycheck that at least covered my expenses, and lastly; the happiness of knowing that I can save money for retirement THAT I CAN KEEP! THIS IS BELIZE!
As a young boy I got interested in amateur radio. I used to love receiving QSL (contact confirmation) cards from stations I had talked to all over the world, especially the ones with palm tree lined beach scenes from the Caribbean. My desire to travel started then but unfortunately my financial situation and desire to start an early family kept me away from those dreams and I started full time work right after Graduation from college in 1971. Through the years I worked for many large organizations from John Deere Tractor to American Airlines to Charles Schwab & Co. Each move saw a lessening concern by upper management for the lesser employee, me!
I long desired to be self sufficient like my father was in the 50s. To be responsible for my own family in a direct way. Being a semi-pro musician on the side I also didn’t want to go back to the 4:00 am to 8:00 pm days of the family farm. Starting a small part-time business was easy early on, but as I grew older and learned the “responsibilities” that Government controls put on free enterprise I realized how un-empowered I really was.
When I broke free of the instilled feelings of having to remain in my birth country I started to realize that there just might be a better life and opportunities elsewhere. Belize offers and encourages not only Americans and Canadians but all races the opportunity to invest and become self-sufficient. Being an English speaking, self-governed democratic society based on the same Civil laws that founded America, Belize offers the best alternative to those that want to break free.
Belize has been home for my wife and I for the past 5 years and now will be the home of our 38 year old son and his new British girlfriend. He has spent the last 6 years in and out of Iraq and is looking forward to a quieter lifestyle and assisting us in our business ventures and hopefully starting some of his own. Belize has the weather, the relaxation OR adventure that you desire, the friendliest people in Central America/Western Caribbean, safety, and security that you can actually call HOME!
Retirement in Belize is very easy. If you are at least 45 years old, not a known criminal, and have a retirement pension or can deposit the equivalent of $2000 per month in a Belize bank, you can retire in Belize. You don’t have to live here full time if you still want to make trips back to your “previous” home, but you can if you so desire. Once granted QRP (Qualified Retirement Program) status you can bring in a vehicle (car, boat, airplane) and a container full of your personal goods under the program, Duty Free.
You own your own property FREE TITLE. Unlike other countries where title has to be held by a company or you can’t hold title AT ALL, you can hold title personally, through a Belize company, or through a foreign IBC and property taxes are EXTREMELY low.
You can own your own company. As a QRP you aren’t supposed to work in Belize. But as a QRP you can own a company and hire locals to work for you, as a matter of fact that is encouraged. As a Resident of Belize, which can take just a little more than a year, you can work for anyone. You can also work under a Belize Work Permit which is renewed yearly.
One of the projects we are considering is setting up a self-sustained development. Totally off the grid. Each owner will have not only a plot of land for a house, but a plot of land for a garden to be almost totally self sufficient. It has been said that owning a farm today is like owning a gold mine 50 years ago. To be able to be self-sufficient will be the wealth of the future!
All in all, we are very happy in Belize and encourage anyone to contact us at our email address or call our Houston number, direct to Belize, 713-893-8023. We will be more than happy to talk about Belize and why you should think about calling this English speaking, Caribbean / Central American country HOME!
Bye for now, Living the Dream in Paradise!
Aldea Zama Village Center
When people think of luxury, oceanfront real estate, they typically think of homes and condos. Is it possible to offer luxury lots? Aldea Zama in Tulum demonstrates that it is possible.
Aldea Zama is a land development in the town of Tulum on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast, about 2 hours away from Cancun and one hour south of Playa del Carmen, two of Mexico’s most successful oceanfront real estate markets. Currently Aldea Zama stands out as an exemplary luxury Mexico real estate option in land purchases.
There are two main factors which make Aldea Zama “luxury.” One is the infrastructure provided to support the lots, and the other is the design of the development on the whole.
The lots in Aldea Zama are accessed by wide, well designed access roads. Beneath these roads is full urban infrastructure, including state-of-the-art communications wiring. When buyers have their dream home built in Aldea Zama, it will be a fully modern home with all the best infrastructure support.
In addition to the infrastructure, the design of the community is geared toward modern convenience. The development design includes a modern village center, which will offer trendy, international stores.
This modern lifestyle, however, will be elegantly contrasted to the backdrop of rich natural elements. The construction of the town center will use rustic materials like stones and large pieces of wood to create contemporary buildings. Building guidelines will also ensure that condos and homes built in the community will develop and bring out this aspect. The village center and the community as a whole will include many trees, adding to the contemporary-rustic atmosphere.
The location is also key to the luxury concept of the area. Although Aldea Zama is not directly on the beachfront, it is located a walk away. The area between Aldea Zama and the beachfront is designated for the large-scale resort complex, MayaZama. MayaZama’s main walkway, leading from Aldea Zama to the beach, will be a trendy tree-lined promenade with boutiques, restaurants and international stores. It will end at a look-out point overlooking the white beaches and turquoise water of the Caribbean. Alternatively, residents of Aldea Zama will be able to take water taxis along the resort’s Mayan canals.
Aldea Zama is also located directly next to Tulum’s downtown area.
Aldea Zama’s lots are truly luxury. Explore the option of this modern & natural lifestyle in Tulum.
TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely
Although the town of Seabrook, NH has seen a drop in overall property value, decreasing from $3.21 billion in 2010 to $3.194 billion in 2011, condo and waterfront owners are seeing a significant rise in values.
When it comes to shore homes, buyers are offering to pay an obscene amount to get that ideal location. There is something special about having a waterfront location, especially in New England when summers are as gorgeous as they get, and in Seabrook buyers look to dip deep into their banking accounts. According to Town Assessor Angela Silva, three oceanfront homes that were purchased over the past two years, which ranged from $1.075 to $1.8 million, pushed up the values by 7 percent.
However, with this increase in value means an increase in taxes as well and not all who occupy a waterfront property are content with the value change.
Read the whole story here
The Cardok Garage is a unique concept for anyone looking to store their car safely and out of sight, minus the bulky garage. Starting to be seen around affluent London locations, the Cardok garage stores individuals cars underground. Raised and lowered by a hydraulic lift, these garages can be ordered in two different options, but both are worth a pretty penny. The single model is $61,181 and for those who want an over and under double, the cost is $72,816. Currently there are eight active models in London, with another 10 ordered and four under construction. It is only a matter of time until this trend goes global.
*Source: We Interrupt
