I’m just back from a week in the States. I should be blogging the Top Ten Reasons I Live In Mexico. But that wouldn’t be politically correct. Although I’d probably blog something like “Terrible Weather” (even in San Diego), “Terrible Traffic” (especially in San Diego) or some such. Most of us who choose to live on this side of the border know why we do. All I can say is BOY!!! Am I glad to be home!

Anyway, what I am going to blog is about a meeting I had today with a nice couple from

the Rosarito area who install home elevators. They are considering putting in an office here in Cabo soon, and soon isn’t soon enough. Here’s the drill.

I live in an area called Pedregal. It’s the only gated community in the city, very old, some would say venerable. But, Pedregal is a mountain. Read that: all the lots are steep, steep, steep. The ‘average’ house is at least three stories, and that’s not including the steeps to enter the house. Some are five or six stories. Yes, I understand. Going high on your lot gets you the view. But it’s also true that none of us are getting any younger. Climbing those stairs with an armload of groceries gets old, especially if your knees are talking to you the whole time.

Since I live here many of my listing are also here. And behind price the number one objection I hear is ‘too many stairs’. The folks from To The Top Home Elevators (Marty and Jackie, tothetophomeelevators.net) say prices start at $20,000 US. Yes, that’s a chunk of change. But think about it: you’ve got a million dollar plus asset that isn’t selling and the elevator is a selling feature. Homes that already have elevators do tend to sell more quickly, which only makes sense. The home is accessible to more people, therefore you have a larger pool of buyers.

The National Association of Realtors in the U.S. just came out with their annual list of top home improvement options, the home improvements that get the best return on investment when the owner sells. Adding an elevator wasn’t on their list, of course, but I would suggest that here in Los Cabos and especially in hilly areas like Pedregal or Cabo Colorado that it’s possible you would add as much or more value than you’ve invested.

If you building, consider adding an elevator into the original plans. But if you’ve already got a home these folks are confident there’s a way to retro-fit an elevator into your house. Trams are also an option if space allows, but may be more expensive. The problem in the past has been that very few architects called for elevators because, quite frankly, they weren’t very easy to come by and no one locally knew much about installing them in residences. To The Top is already installing residential elevators in the area, sending their trained installers. With any luck they’ll have a full time crew here in no time.

Only one problem: I’ll have to start going to the gym if I’m not taking all those stairs! I think I’ll handle it.

Carol Billups is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives Los Cabos in Cabo San Lucas. She loves to put clients in touch with their dream home in Mexico. You can read more of her articles on www.reloscabos.com or contact her at loscabos@realtyexecutives.com. Her phone from the US or Canada is 1-760-481-7694 or in Cabo at 044-624-147-7541. You can search hundreds of listings in all of Los Cabos by visiting her website www.lovecabo.net

© 2009 Carol S. Billups