There’s a Japanese concept called Ikigai. It loosely translates as “a reason for being.” It’s the place where what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for all overlap.
For me, that’s real estate.
Not just any real estate—global, boots-on-the-ground, opportunity-driven investing. I love it. I’m good at it. People need it. And it’s made me money.
I’ve done it using the five secrets to success in real estate.
Yesterday, I gave you the first secret—find out where the people are going. And I gave you five examples of places where that secret has played an enormous part in the success of my Real Estate Trend Alert members and I. .
If you missed the first secret yesterday’s e-letter, read it on the website here.
Or if you’re a member of Real Estate Trend Alert (RETA), I gave you ALL five secrets in your March issue.
Today, let’s unpack my second secret of success in real estate…
Secret 2: Find the Right Location…
Once you’ve identified the broad destination—where the people are going—the next question is critical: Where exactly should you buy?
Because not all neighborhoods, not all buildings, and certainly not all streets are created equal.
You can be in the right town and still make the wrong move. That’s why understanding micro-location is where the art meets the science.
It’s not enough to ride the big wave. You have to be positioned on the right part of the wave to get the speed, the height, the thrill—and the return.
Take the town of Lagos, in Portugal’s southern Algarve region.
This is the most historic town in the Algarve and my favorite on this entire stretch of coast. There are semi-secret sandy coves, long stretches of golden-sand beach, a top-class marina, a lovingly restored old town, incredible restaurants and golf…
Lagos has developed differently than the rest of the Algarve. While many of the towns close to the region’s airport in Faro experienced unrestrained tourism development, Lagos has remained low-rise and low-density. The development focus has been on high-end communities that fit the historic character and culture of the town.
This has made it popular with vacationers looking for a more authentic, upmarket experience…wealthy retirees seeking a true community where they can live year-round…remote-working professionals looking for a place to stay for part or all of the year…
The opportunity in Lagos, then, is to own the kind of real estate these folks are looking for and that’s luxury condos in best-in-class communities walking distance to the marina, beach or old town. That’s what we’ve done at Real Estate Trend Alert (RETA). Some examples…
- Uplift of €277,000—In November 2020, I brought RETA members an opportunity to own two-bed luxury condos at pricing starting at €348,000 near the marina in Lagos. A local broker told a member of my team that they sold one earlier this year for €625,000. That’s €277,000 more.
- €414,500 More—In December 2019 RETA members could buy luxurious two-bed condos in the Santa Maria community in Lagos from €310,500. Today, there’s a two-bed condo in Santa Maria listing for €725,000. That’s an uplift of €414,500.
- Boost of €1.1 million—In 2021, there was a RETA deal in the luxury community of Dona Maria overlooking the marina in Lagos. One RETA member purchased a penthouse there for €1.1 million. In 2024 that listed at double that—€2.2 million.
It’s the same everywhere.
In Playa del Carmen today, for example, the city is on fire with growth. But the truly best-in-class real estate is only found in very specific locations, with very specific features.
Let’s break that down.
Recently, I brought RETA members the opportunity to own in a unique, amenity-rich community in the heart of this cosmopolitan beach city.
It was the opportunity to own stunning condos in a community called The Landmark right in the heart of Playa del Carmen, a short walk to the beach, the dining, the shows, gyms, stores.
This is a masterclass in micro-location investing.
The Landmark will have an incredible half acre rooftop amenity area called The Sky Club…a truly unique feature, even in Playa which is well known for its rooftop amenities. The Sky Club will feature landscaped luxury, with a sauna, infinity pool, gym, restaurant and Caribbean views.
Yes, Playa is booming. But a big part of the formula for our success lies in this building’s exact position—just a block from Fifth Avenue, a few minutes from the beach, and walking distance to world-class dining, nightlife, and retail. You’re in the heart of the action, yet elevated above it.
And then you look at the building itself: with the planned half-acre rooftop Sky Club, complete with an infinity pool, gym, sauna, steam room, gardens, co-working space, bar, restaurant, and panoramic Caribbean views. There’s nothing else like it in Playa. Not at this scale, not with this exclusivity, and certainly not at RETA pricing from $318,400.
Why does that matter?
Because people pay a premium for best-in-class in the best location. Travelers aren’t just renting square footage—they’re buying a lifestyle.
They’ll pay more for convenience. They’ll pay more for walkability. They’ll pay more for exclusivity, privacy, and views. The better your location and amenities, the easier it is to command premium nightly rates and lock in year-round occupancy.
When you own in the best spot in town—in a best-in-class building—you don’t have to chase renters. They come to you.
And when it’s time to sell, that same desirability drives stronger capital appreciation—outpacing the broader market. Always think ahead: What’s your exit strategy? In five years…10 years…who’s going to want to buy this from you?
In short: it’s not just about being in the right place. It’s about being in the right place within the right place.
That’s how you maximize income. That’s how you accelerate appreciation.
And that’s the second secret.
Now…
You’ve seen how knowing where people are going—and exactly where to buy once you get there—can lead to staggering returns. But without the next three secrets, it’s like setting out on a treasure hunt with only half the map.
Because here’s the truth:
Many investors stop there. They pick the right town… maybe even the right street. But they still get it wrong.
They buy the wrong type of property. They partner with the wrong people. And worst of all… they pay the wrong price.
That’s where the next three secrets come in.
And they’re game changers.
But they are only for members of Real Estate Trend Alert. Join today to get them and access to the world’s best off-market real estate deals in the most beautiful places.
Most crucially—the single most powerful secret of all—the one that protects your downside and sets you up for explosive upside from day one…
That’s the fifth secret, it’s the linchpin.
Miss it, and you could leave hundreds of thousands on the table.
Master it—and you’ll be ahead of 99% of the crowd.
Want in?
The March issue of Real Estate Trend Alert reveals it all. But it’s only available to members.
If you’re serious about growing wealth, living free, and building a boundless life through international real estate, then this is your call to action.
Don’t just learn the secrets—use them.
Join RETA today… and unlock the rest of the map.
If you’re new to Your Overseas Dream Home you might wonder who am I and how did I arrive where I am today?
I started investing in my twenties with a bit of capital, a strong gut instinct, and a passport. I bought my first property before I really knew what I was doing. I got lucky. Made some mistakes. Learned fast.
What started as a way to make a living became a way of living.
Today, I own homes in places I used to only dream about. And I travel with purpose.
Even after decades in the game, I still feel the thrill of the hunt. There are corners of the world I haven’t explored. Neighborhoods just beginning to emerge. Transformations throwing up opportunities.
I’ve come to earnestly realize that real estate investing isn’t that complicated. Not if you stay clear, disciplined, and learn to spot trends early.
The path to success is straightforward…just master the five secrets!
Wishing you good real estate investing,
P.S. Plus in the March issue find out about:
- A new off-market deal in Portugal’s most historic beach town: Think golden-sand beaches, low-rise charm, and cliffside views—plus serious upside potential.
- The $1 billion Baja boom: We were early to this region once—and now we’re getting in front of the next big wave
