In this week’s Your Overseas Dream Home Digest…
- Coming Soon…Your Free Panama Real Estate Buyer’s Guide
- The Secret to Snapping up a Bargain Luxury Home in Ireland
- Ski Homes in Under-the-Radar Europe From $113,000
- Your Questions Answered on Planning a Personal Scouting Trip to Portugal
Soon I’ll be on the road again, hunting for real estate opportunities…
I have a packed six weeks of scouting trips coming up that will take me from my home here in Cabo to other destinations in Baja California and then down to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Then I’ll move back across the Atlantic to spend late spring and summer at my homes in Portugal and Ireland.
More on all that in a moment…
First, the answer to the question: “Ronan, if you could spend a weekend anywhere, where would you go?”
I share that question because it’s something my wife, Sayuri, asked me not so long ago.
You see, recently I celebrated a milestone birthday. The big five-oh. Sayuri had asked me where I’d like to go to celebrate, and since we were recently coming from Cancun (one of Mexico’s busiest airports with connections globally), we could have gone virtually anywhere.
With the world to pick from, I chose the small town of Todos Santos…
Todos Santos is a hidden gem on the Baja Peninsula. It’s known for its long Pacific beaches, laidback vibe, vibrant art galleries, beautiful colonial architecture, and desert landscapes.
In the early 20th century, Todos Santos was primarily a farming town. Sugarcane and mangoes were grown here and it wasn’t until the late 20th century that tourists, mostly from the U.S., started to come here. This little town became a haven for artists, surfers, and folks seeking a healthier lifestyle.
Today, Todos Santos has transformed into a boho chic destination. You’ll find high-end restaurants, luxury boutique hotels, and upscale stores.
For my 50th birthday, we stayed in Villa Santa Cruz, which is right on the beach, just outside the town center. I first stayed here pre-COVID and back then this was a small boutique hotel with a few cabins and rooms. Today, like a lot of things around Todos Santos, and indeed around the wider southern Baja Peninsula, Villa Santa Cruz has gone up-market.
It has a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant, a farm that provides the food for the restaurant (a true farm-to-table experience), saltwater pools, stables, personalized massages, mezcal tasting…they’ll even build a bonfire on the beach for you. This is a place to come to for pure relaxation.
And while Villa Santa Cruz is luxurious, and has a nightly rate to match, we paid far less here than we would have paid if we had had a similar experience in Los Cabos at one of the big chain hotels. I’m going to say Villa Santa Cruz was about a third of the price, and was fabulous value for such an incredibly luxurious stay.
It certainly feels like the little town of Todos Santos is growing up. This is somewhere to put on your bucket list if you haven’t already been.
Now, to my upcoming scouting…
This week, I’ll be heading out with some developer contacts to look at land around Baja California, looking at sites for potential opportunities I could bring to my Real Estate Trend Alert group.
Then I’ll be flying to Tamarindo, the surf town on Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast. From there, I have contacts to meet along this section of coastline, often referred to as the Gold Coast.
Over the years, the Gold Coast has not only become an expat haven but it’s also one of the most popular vacation spots in Costa Rica thanks to its hundreds of white-sand, golden-sand and volcanic black-sand beaches, year-round warm waters, and an abundance of activities like surfing, fishing, and outdoor eco-adventures. I think I might be closing in on something special here…
I have lots to check out in the weeks ahead and will be sharing what I uncover as I go.
Then before long, I’ll be relocating back across the Atlantic to my home in Ireland and Portugal for the spring and summer. And I’ll have much more Europe scouting coming from me and my team. Stay tuned for more on all of that.
First, I have something exciting coming this week to share with you…
Coming This Week…Your Free Panama Buyer’s Guide
Panama has been on my international real estate beat for two decades now. Before that, all I knew about Panama was that it had a big canal.
Then in 2004 I visited Panama City…and found a city, and country, on the cusp of a major boom.
Panama has long been a vital artery of global trade, with the Panama Canal being one of the most important pieces of infrastructure on the planet. As a result, today Panama City is one of the richest cities on the continent.
Walk its streets and you’ll see all the hallmarks of a true global city—trendy cafés…craft beer bars…fine-dining restaurants…designer clothing boutiques…expansive shopping malls…
The country’s main airport, Tocumen International Airport, has the nickname of “Hub of the Americas.” It maintains direct connections to 93 destinations across 37 countries. In 2024, the airport achieved a record milestone by handling a total of 19.2 million passengers, marking a big 8% increase over the previous year.
Although Panama traditionally lagged behind neighbors like Costa Rica in tourism, instead focusing on other areas, like expanding the canal or attracting big multinationals with tax incentives, tourism has become a big new focus.
Panama has rolled out a host of tourism-related initiatives and investments, like the new $200 million cruise ship port near the Panama Canal entrance.
Already these efforts are bearing fruit. According to the latest figures available, during the first half of 2024, Panama welcomed approximately 1.44 million international visitors, marking a very significant 8.7% increase over the same period in 2023.
All this is to say that Panama is now in the middle of that boom I saw coming back in 2004. It’s a modern, affluent place…and now, more than ever, is the time to look at Panama if you’re thinking of investing in real estate overseas.
With that in mind, my team have been working on a brand-new Panama real estate buyers guide. In it, you’ll find:
- Everything you need to know about foreigner ownership in Panama…
- The best locations to look for real estate,
- Info on closing costs, visas, healthcare, taxes…and much more.
Stay tuned…as a Your Overseas Dream Home reader, I’ll be giving you access to this report completely for free in the coming week.
The Secret to Snapping up a Bargain Luxury Home in Ireland
My homeland of Ireland has a lot to recommend it—vibrant green fields…long, golden-sand beaches that nestle beneath towering craggy cliffs…quaint villages that sit on glistening seafronts, and on the shores of tranquil lakes…
But the real estate market there is hugely dysfunctional right now. Like in many countries around the world today, scarcity is an issue.
There’s a chronic shortage of homes in Ireland and that has driven prices sky-high in the last few years…and there’s no sign of that stopping.
In a recent report by the real estate website MyHome.ie, they found that almost 15% of homes in Ireland are being sold for 20% over the asking price. This is due to buyers facing intense competition in an already tight market.
The report also predicts that prices here will rise at least another 4% in 2025 (other sources say it could be as high as 8% or even 10%).
All of this makes finding an “affordable” home in Ireland challenging.
But there is one quirk in the Irish market that can see you snap up a home located on the grounds of Ireland’s most prestigious 5-star hotel resorts for excellent pricing. I’m talking a two-bed, fully furnished townhouse, in a prime location, with access to the resort’s amenities…all for an incredible €265,000.
I tell you all about this strange quirk here.
As we’re talking all things Irish, tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day and I’ll be sending you a special note about owning other affordable properties that are available on the Emerald Isle right now.
Look out for that in your inbox tomorrow.
Ski Homes in Under-the-Radar Europe From $113,000
Staying in Europe…
If you’ve ever dreamt of owning a ski property, but have been deterred by the jaw-dropping price tags of properties in ski resorts in the U.S., Europe’s lesser-known ski resorts offer the perfect solution.
While destinations like Aspen or Vail require deep pockets, hidden gems in Romania, Italy, Spain, and France make owning a home in among snow-capped mountains more affordable than you think.
The European ski season is still in full swing right now…it can run until May in some of the higher-altitude locations. And so this week my team set out to find affordable homes in some of Europe’s overlooked ski regions.
Take Poiana Brașov in Romania, where a cozy one-bedroom apartment can be yours for just $113,000—only minutes from the slopes.
Or how about a charming duplex in Spain’s Sierra Nevada, for under $190,000, offering breathtaking mountain views and access to the country’s longest ski season?
And while these ski resorts may not household names when it comes to skiing in Europe, they still offer the same world-renowned slopes, modern amenities, and stunning scenery…just without the crowds and high prices.
Whether you’re after a tranquil alpine village or a prestigious Swiss resort, Europe’s best-kept ski secrets have something for every taste and budget.
Find all the listings we uncovered in the full article here.
Your Questions Answered
Have a comment for me or my team? A question about owning overseas? A destination you’d like us to scout? Share it here. I’d love to hear from you.
Elaine G. asks: Hi Ronan, I am looking to retire at 70 (two years from now) and want to move to Portugal, leaving the U.S. I want to rent before buying. Can you suggest something for me?
Should I plan a vacation somewhere north to see if this is something that will fit my needs in the future? How far in advance should I be planning for this permanent move?
Thank you, I enjoy all of your posts and information!
Ronan says: Hi Elaine, and thank you for your feedback. Your question about how to plan and conduct your own personal scouting trip is an important one.
First, before setting an itinerary for your trip, I’d advise sitting down and profiling yourself.
Portugal is a diverse country with a huge variety of towns, cities, coastlines, environments, and climates to choose from. Setting your priorities will help you narrow your choices.
Do you want to live in a big city or a picturesque small town? Do you want to be near the beach or in the countryside? Do you want a hot, dry climate or a milder, more temperature one? Do you want to be in the heart of the tourist action or away from the madding crowds? Are there any activities that are central to your lifestyle, say golf or surfing or hiking?
The answers to all these questions will help you dramatically narrow your search.
You say you’re interested in northern Portugal. My team and I have thoroughly scouted this region over the last year and have dug deep on under-the-radar coastal towns and cities like Viana do Castelo, Esposende, and Caminha. These towns have many of the benefits of southern Portugal—the stunning beaches…the rich history and culture…the incredible food…but prices there can be a fraction of what you’ll find in the south.
You need to be aware, though, that the climate in the north is far more temperate.
If you’d like to learn more about northern Portugal, my team put together a detailed report and video series for RETA members on living and buying there. It explains the exact process I used to buy in this region when I purchased a historic mansion there late last year. RETA members can access that here now. (Not a RETA member? Learn how you can join here.)
To your other questions, renting before buying a property or taking a vacation in the region you’re interested in is certainly not a bad idea. Especially if you’re buying to live in it for significant periods of time. It’ll give you a feel for what everyday life will be like and allow you to understand the quirks of a new country and culture.
As for how far in advance you should be planning the move, this is a matter of personal preference, but I would suggest that the earlier you begin, the better.
Best of luck, Elaine. Let us know how you get on!
Wishing you good real estate investing,
P.S. If you have a question about buying real estate overseas or have suggestions for destinations my team and I should put on our scouting list for 2025, drop me a line here.
