What are the construction standards in Puerto Vallarta?
Armando Contreras - Galvan Real Estate and Services
I do not know much about construction but my father is an engineer and one thing that I remember about the houses that he built on the coast of Puerto Vallarta is that they are all up to seismic standards and could withstand hurricanes.
For you to be able to build in Puerto Vallarta or in Riviera Nayarit (an area just northwest of Puerto Vallarta), you have to obtain a building permit from the government. You have to tell them what kind of house you are...
I do not know much about construction but my father is an engineer and one thing that I remember about the houses that he built on the coast of Puerto Vallarta is that they are all up to seismic standards and could withstand hurricanes.
For you to be able to build in Puerto Vallarta or in Riviera Nayarit (an area just northwest of Puerto Vallarta), you have to obtain a building permit from the government. You have to tell them what kind of house you are going to build and in which location. If your building plans are not to their requirements, then they will not give you a permit.
As you are building your house, the government comes to check. If they see that you are not building as they required, they might close down your construction. The building standards have been this way ever since tourists started coming into Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.
All of the houses here built to good standards so that they are made to stand forever. The only difference that you will see in the houses here are on the designs because that depends on the taste of the owner. The Mexican-style houses are still built to high construction standards.
(Holiday villa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, pictured.)
Retiring overseas may definitely sometimes be a difficult decision but once you have found the right place, its totally worth it.
Many small countries but with developing economies like Panama can offer you a combination of things, such as: good and affordable health care, safety, good economy with a lot of investment opportunities, friendly people, good weather and beautiful places to go.
Retiring overseas may definitely sometimes be a difficult decision but once you have found the right place, its totally worth it.
Many small countries but with developing economies like Panama can offer you a combination of things, such as: good and affordable health care, safety, good economy with a lot of investment opportunities, friendly people, good weather and beautiful places to go.
What are typical Panamanian desserts and dessert recipes?
Chris Frochaux - Chris Frochaux - SERVMOR REALTY
My favorite typical Panamanian dessert is DULCE DE PIÑA (pineapple pie). You are not likely to find the recipe over the Internet, as it varies according to family traditions, but here's some insider information. Depending on your location, it might be difficult to get your hands on the ingredients, since nothing is processed and everything is fresh (get used to it!). Please note that in Panama it's easy to find a fresh pineapple, just the right golden color, and also a real...
My favorite typical Panamanian dessert is DULCE DE PIÑA (pineapple pie). You are not likely to find the recipe over the Internet, as it varies according to family traditions, but here's some insider information. Depending on your location, it might be difficult to get your hands on the ingredients, since nothing is processed and everything is fresh (get used to it!). Please note that in Panama it's easy to find a fresh pineapple, just the right golden color, and also a real coconut (punch a hole, drink the coconut water, put it in a plastic bag and smash it on a concrete floor).
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup of flour (whole wheat, if possible)
1/2 cup of brown sugar
2 sticks of real butter (1/2 Lbs) (no margarine!)
1 medium size fresh pineapple, diced
1/4 cup of raisins
1/2 cup of real coconut, grated
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 pinch of salt
Mix the flour, sugar, salt and butter with a wooden spoon until crumbly dough.
Place the diced pineapple, the grated coconut and the raisins on a buttered baking tray.
Cover completely with the dough and sprinkle the cinnamon on top, with a little butter.
Bake at 350 F between 20 to 30 minutes, according to taste.
Carlos Roman Gutierrez Solis - Casa Granada Properties
The economy of Nicaragua grows by 4% every year. The middle class is definitely moving forward. You will now see many new businesses here in Nicaragua. Things do not happen very fast here, but it is definitely much better than how it was twenty years ago. In the 80’s, there were many issues that hindered the economy, such as the weather and the high price of oil and electricity.
When I was a kid, you barely saw businesses here in Nicaragua,...
The economy of Nicaragua grows by 4% every year. The middle class is definitely moving forward. You will now see many new businesses here in Nicaragua. Things do not happen very fast here, but it is definitely much better than how it was twenty years ago. In the 80’s, there were many issues that hindered the economy, such as the weather and the high price of oil and electricity.
When I was a kid, you barely saw businesses here in Nicaragua, but today, businesses are everywhere. Everyone is trying to bring in new concepts. You will see new restaurants, new hotels, and new roads everywhere. Building increased by 35% in the last two years. The government is putting more attention to the roads and the infrastructure and that is an indication that things are getter better.
If you go to Managua, you will see a lot of new developments and new homes. That tells me that people are buying these properties and that there is obviously a demand for these developments. I also see many Nicaraguan retirees who are looking for new houses. Nicaraguans are now more confident that the economy is moving forward. I took a trip to Managua with my partner to see the development there and I was very impressed by how things were moving. We saw people from Guatemala and people from China who are building and selling houses. The government has plans of building a canal and a marina and hearing the news that a new canal will be built already has a lot of people searching and buying land in the surrounding areas.
Nicaragua has a good business environment. Otherwise, I probably would not be here, discussing this topic. The best indicator that proves that Nicaragua now has more quality houses and that life is better is the fact that the people who left the country in the 80’s are now finding ways to move back and find a place to live here. Many Nicaraguans who are now in other countries are sending money back here. Everyone is trying to bring in some money. I am not an economist but I am a businessman. I talk to architects, engineers and developers every day and they see what’s going on in Nicaragua. As a businessman, I could see what happens on the ground, and I have to have a feel for things to make investments. Not only can I see other people make investments because there’s new businesses opening up all the time, but I personally feel confident to make an investment because I have confidence in the future of Nicaragua.
What’s the best way to choose a real estate agent in Portugal?
Ana Ferraz
The best way to get a real estate agent in Portugal is by searching for them online. We have Remax here in Portugal, which is an American real estate company franchise that is huge.
Once you find a real estate agent online, get their contact information so you could find their agencies. Cascais Real Estate Agencies is one of the best.
The real estate system in Portugal is the same as in England in that the real estate agents do not have exclusive listings. It is...
The best way to get a real estate agent in Portugal is by searching for them online. We have Remax here in Portugal, which is an American real estate company franchise that is huge.
Once you find a real estate agent online, get their contact information so you could find their agencies. Cascais Real Estate Agencies is one of the best.
The real estate system in Portugal is the same as in England in that the real estate agents do not have exclusive listings. It is possible that if you go to one real estate agent, they wouldn’t show you all possible houses for sale in an area. They will only show you the ones that they have listings for. That is why it is best to go to a number of real estate agents.
Clothing tends to be pretty expensive in Belize because they don’t have a big textile industry. Belize lost their manufacturing to some of the poor surrounding countries that have a larger population like Guatemala or Honduras. Manufacturing in Belize was gutted about ten years ago. All the clothing that they have now in Belize is generally handmade, be it tapestry or a dyed sarong.
If you are buying store-bought clothes, you will have to buy imported clothes. They print...
Clothing tends to be pretty expensive in Belize because they don’t have a big textile industry. Belize lost their manufacturing to some of the poor surrounding countries that have a larger population like Guatemala or Honduras. Manufacturing in Belize was gutted about ten years ago. All the clothing that they have now in Belize is generally handmade, be it tapestry or a dyed sarong.
If you are buying store-bought clothes, you will have to buy imported clothes. They print t-shirts locally, but when they buy the actual t-shirts without the printing, I would expect that they import them from China. Food and clothing in Belize is not cheap.
If you like rum, you are going to be able to enjoy alcohol at a reduced price because rum drinks are relatively inexpensive. Sugarcane is one of Belize’s crops (sugarcane plant, pictured. If you like vodka or red wine, you pay so much more than what you would pay back in the States because these items are imported and the duty tax is high.
Most people think that the most important Spanish phrase you could learn is “Dónde está el baño?” (Where’s the bathroom?), “Cuánto cuesta este?” (How much is this?) or even, “Camarero, dos margaritas más, por favor (Bartender, two more margaritas, please). While all these are very good to know in appropriate circumstances, my view is that the most important phrase to learn while driving south from San Felipe through Baja on Highway 5 (pretty much the only road you...
I have lived in Panama for nearly seven years with my wife Any. We have a beautiful home on the Caribbean side (known as the Gold Coast), near the town of Portobello, Colon.
I spent three years researching Panama before my first visit and I brought six people to Panama on my first visit. I thought the people who came here with me were interested in moving to Panama, but they were much more interested in golfing than discovering the country.
Continuing with the history of the beautiful Caribbean ocean coast of Panama, one of the oldest tourist sites is the San Lorenzo Fort, near Portabelo and Fort Sherman, built by King Felipe II, from Spain in 1598, situated at the entrance of the large Chagres River, in the province of Colon, Republic of Panama.
San Lorenzo Fort was declared a Patrimony for the Humanity by UNESCO in 1980 for several reasons, including it being historically...
I do not know much about construction but my father is an engineer and one thing that I remember about the houses that he built on the coast of Puerto Vallarta is that they are all up to seismic standards and could withstand hurricanes. 
The best way to get a real estate agent in Portugal is by searching for them online. We have Remax here in Portugal, which is an American real estate company franchise that is huge.
Most people think that the most important Spanish phrase you could learn is “Dónde está el baño?” (Where’s the bathroom?), “Cuánto cuesta este?” (How much is this?) or even, “Camarero, dos margaritas más, por favor (Bartender, two more margaritas, please). While all these are very good to know in appropriate circumstances, my view is that the most important phrase to learn while driving south from San Felipe through Baja on Highway 5 (pretty much the only road you....jpeg)
Caribbean ocean coast of Panama, one of the oldest tourist sites is the San Lorenzo Fort, near Portabelo and Fort Sherman, built by King Felipe II, from Spain in 1598, situated at the entrance of the large Chagres River, in the province of Colon, Republic of Panama.