Cabo…the East Cape of the Baja Peninsula…the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica…
These are the locations I scouted in March.
April will bring scouting trips to Guadalajara and Lake Chapala in western Mexico…Portugal…Ireland.
This will all have been in the space of about six weeks.
For most people, that’s an insane amount of travel in a relatively short space of time. But it’s not unusual for me. As an international real estate investor this is what I do to find the very best real estate deals around the world…
For over 21 years I’ve been lucky enough to travel with purpose. Scouting for overseas real estate opportunities gets you under the surface of a place, guided by a sense of mission and discovery that turns exploration into insight—and those insights into real opportunities.
These days, I also have a team of scouts, who are equally passionate about uncovering real estate opportunities. They’re constantly on the move too, eyes open, radar up.
And the number one reason we do all this travel, is to scout out the best deals for members of my Real Estate Trend Alert group.
We spend over a million dollars on travel and research each year. Between us, we’ve covered more ground globally looking at real estate than anyone else I know.
Boots on the ground is at the heart of everything we do.
And it’s about spotting what others miss—places where the big trends are starting to take hold. The rise of the work-from-anywhere lifestyle… the global shift toward wellness and freedom… the surge of smart money flowing into regions once overlooked. And being there ahead—before the world catches on.
To stay ahead of the world’s transformations and to keep the opportunities flowing to members of my Real Estate Trend Alert group, almost every week of the year at least one of my team members is on the road.
And this week is no different…our hunt for new opportunities never stops.
As you read this, I’ll be wrapping up my latest trip scouting destinations along Costa Rica’s country’s stunning Pacific coast…it’s a region full of opportunity. I’ve been meeting best-in-class developers with potential projects in the works around the Papagayo peninsula…the renowned surf and beach town of Tamarindo…the upmarket beach and marina town of Playa Flamingo…
Playa Flamingo is where in March 2024, I brought RETA members an off-market deal here to own incredible luxury homes a short walk to two beaches and the brand-new marina that anchors the town. This was an amazing deal.
When I visited the site on Thursday, the developer told me that two-bed homes similar to those that RETA members could buy for an off-market price of $286,800 were listing for about $80,000 more… in six months!
Hence why I’m on the hunt for more opportunities here.
Elsewhere, my team member Noah Duethman is in Progreso, the closest beach town to the city of Mérida on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula…and my senior researcher Margaret Summerfield is getting ready to put boots on the ground in Spain’s Costa del Sol, Lagos and Albufeira on Portugal’s Algarve, and the coastal Spanish city of Malaga.
As a result of this constant search for the world’s best real estate opportunities, we have a raft of incredible new deals coming down the pipeline…
More Opportunity in Europe’s “New Riviera”
The Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is one of the world’s most beautiful places… Huge rippling gulfs and sparkling straits stretch into the distance. Serpentine, fjord-like bays lie beneath towering pine-covered limestone mountains. Historic towns, lively resorts, and white-stone fishing villages sit in the narrow spaces between the mountains and long strips of fine-sand beach.
This stunning coastline has attracted the world’s super-rich. A-listers, oligarchs, and Gulf state billionaires are flocking to berth their super yachts. The stores rock high-end luxury brands like Dior, Rolex, Burberry, Balenciaga.
This is a new Riviera…an emerging Monaco. Yet it still flies under the mainstream tourism radar…especially when compared to neighboring Croatia. That will change. This is a destination with immense potential.
In July last year, I brought RETA members an incredible deal here in the best-in-class community of Royal Town Kotor. There we could lock down stunning two-bed condos from a RETA-only €348,356. I expect these will be worth €550,000 five years after delivery. That’s a gain of €201,643.
And here’s the thing…those figures are likely very conservative.
The developer has already written to share his future pricing plans. He told us he plans a 70% price increase on our exclusive RETA-pricing over the build period.
If the developer goes ahead with his price increases, it would mean that the stunning two-bed condos RETA members could own from a RETA-only €348,356 will be listed at €592,205 before members even get the keys!
Right now, I’m working on another RETA members-only deal here.
Beachfront Homes in the “Portugal of South America”
In December, my scout Ciaran Madden scouted one of the most overlooked and undervalued destinations on our global beat: Uruguay.
Tiny Uruguay may fly under the radar, but it’s the wealthiest country (per capita) in South America, according to the International Monetary Fund, and the most democratic, according to The Economist. It’s also stunningly beautiful, with a long Atlantic coastline dotted with luxury resorts and pristine golden- and cream-colored beaches.
While in Uruguay, Ciaran put boots on the ground in the Rocha—a region of unspoiled natural beauty where you’ll find stunning beaches, glistening lagoons, nature reserves, and boutique, bohemian beach towns.
The elite are turning their eyes to Rocha because it has the same pristine beaches and natural environment as you’ll find around the bustling resort town of Punta del Este (about a 90-minute drive west), but it’s more low-key. And prices there are still highly affordable…for the moment.
While in Rocha, Ciaran met with one of my long-time Uruguay contacts who showed him the site of one of his upcoming projects—beach homes set on stilts right over the sand. These homes will be on a pristine stretch of coast close to the town of La Paloma. This is a potential RETA-grade opportunity, meaning I’d expect you’d double your money invested in five years on these homes. I’m keeping close tabs on this. If it comes together, it will be truly exciting…
More Deals on Panama’s Pacific Riviera
Just 50 miles from downtown Panama City, you’ll find one of the most extraordinary beach destinations I’ve come across in two decades of scouting: Playa Caracol.
A few years ago, Playa Caracol was a remote stretch of untouched beach. No access roads. No development. Just endless sand, surf, and sky.
Today, it’s transformed into the best beachfront community in Panama.
Playa Caracol is a stunning modern resort-style community that puts you steps from the sand. There are paved roads, excellent infrastructure, a luxury hotel, a beach club, restaurants, sports bars… And everything here is oriented toward the beach, designed to make the most of this incredible environment. Even the next-level amenities like basketball courts, swimming pools and pickleball courts, are all seconds from the ocean.
True beachfront living like this is so rare globally.
But to find it within easy reach of a world-class capital like Panama City? Well, scarce doesn’t even begin to cover it…and RETA members have been getting in on incredible deals here.
In January 2023 RETA members were able to buy ocean-view condos in Las Olas starting from $254,600. Las Olas is a short stroll down the beach from our Seashore homes, the other side of the hotels—Margaritaville and Surfside—soon to be a Radisson. Now similar condos are listed with the developer for $355,580. That’s an uplift of $100,980.
RETA members also bought in Surfside residences back in March 2020 at prices starting at $214,600. Similar condos are now on sale by the developer at $330,000. An uplift of $115,400.
Now, I’m circling back and am working on a new RETA members-only deal here. RETA members will be hearing more about it soon.
Another Killer Deal in Lagos, Portugal
Lagos is my favorite town on Portugal’s southern Algarve coast. Nestled amid its old town, you’ll find baroque façades, an imposing citadel, and whitewashed churches.
This is a pretty and happening place, compact, low-rise and walkable. From spots all over town you can catch breathtaking views of the Bay of Light, fringed by miles of golden sand, with the town of Portimão on the other side.
In recent years, I’ve brought RETA members some incredible deals to own in best-in-class communities in Lagos.
To give you just one example…in November 2020, in the stunning community of Adega, RETA members could buy two-bed luxury condos at pricing starting at €348,000. A local broker told my team they sold one earlier this year for €625,000. That’s €277,000 more.
In another high-end community, Santa Maria, RETA members could buy luxurious two-bed condos here from €310,500 in December 2019. Today, there’s a two-bed condo in Santa Maria listing for €725,000. That’s an uplift of €414,500.
I thought the best opportunities had passed in Lagos. But very soon, RETA members will have a chance to get in first on stunning luxury condos in the most prestigious and sought-after area of Lagos and just minutes’ walk from its best beach.
Stayed tuned to your inbox tomorrow, I’ll be sharing more about Lagos and this new upcoming deal there.
Riding the Wave of Mexico’s Riviera Maya Success
Playa del Carmen, on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, is a phenomenon. Not only is it appealing— sugar-white beaches, turquoise waters, incredible nature, out-of-the world food—but it also offers a vibrant and affordable lifestyle and its growth and development has been a runaway success story.
This once-sleepy beach town is maturing into a sophisticated, upscale destination increasingly drawing a well-heeled clientele with money to spend…and they’re coming all year round.
Snowbirds fill the town in winter. Latin Americans arrive in summer. Europeans come year-round. Then there’s the digital nomads, honeymooners, eco-travelers, wellness seekers…
These days, Playa has no real off-season. Vacation rentals are in demand pretty much year-round. In the city’s best-in-class communities I’m hearing of incredible annual occupancy rates of 75%…80%…even 98%).
RETA members have done phenomenally well in Playa…
- Uplift of $225,609: In April 2017, I brought RETAmembers the chance to lock down two-bed condos from $193,800 in a project called Siempre Playa, in the heart of Playa del Carmen, just a block from 5th Avenue. In November 2024, retail prices for two-bed condos started from $419,409…that’s $225,609 more.
- Boost of $309,018: In 2021, RETA members had the chance to buy two-bed condos in a community called Singular Dream from $265,304. In early 2024, a two-bed condo in Singular Dream was listing for $574,322—that’s an uplift of $309,018.
Just last month, RETA members had the chance to own in a prime location in the heart of Playa del Carmen at off-market pricing and lock in expected gains of $201,600 five years after delivery and gross rental yields in excess of 13%.
But there’s more to come. Right now, I’m working on putting together another deal in this booming beach town.
Of course, there’s more…
The team and I are also working on bringing RETA members potential (and exclusive) off-market deals in…
- The uber-luxury master-planned community of Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic…
- And on sunny Spain’s Costa del Sol, a location that has seen RETA members get in on some incredible bargains over the years…
And our scouting will continue throughout the year too.
- One of my scouts is currently researching a trip to the islands Greece to search for new opportunities there…
- Later this year I’ll be returning to Asia, and in particular I want to check out Japan. They have an intriguing scheme to encourage people to buy and renovate old homes and I want to dig deep and find out more about it.
- We’ve also got trips to France…and a return to Sicily on the cards.
So, as you can see, the scouting never stops and our pipeline of deals is more exciting than ever.
Stay tuned…
Wishing you good real estate investing,
