"Timing is everything when it comes to purchasing real estate and now is an excellent time to choose real estate in Belize." Platinum International Real Estate and Investments looks forward to welcoming you to Belize and showing you the real estate opportunities available to you. The team behind Platinum International Real Estate and Investments has over 20 years of experience in international real estate and the network and connections to give you an insider's view and bring you the region's best lifestyle and real estate opportunities.

The International Community Foundation is pleased to announce its “Retiring Responsibly in Mexico” research series with our first report “U.S. Retirements Trends in Mexico’s Coastal Communities:  Lifestyle Trends and Demographics.”  You can access the report here:  http://www.icfdn.org/publications/retireeresearch/. 
Forthcoming research studies will address trends in health care, volunteerism, philanthropy and civic engagement, real estate as well as the environment.  For more information on the International Community Foundation, visit our website at http://www.icfdn.org.

By: Jim Scherrer

By: Jim Scherrer
Fifty years ago, before John Huston brought Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, and Deborah Kerr to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to film “The Night of The Iguana”, Vallarta was merely a sleepy little Mexican fishing village nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madres along the shores of Banderas Bay on the Pacific Ocean. Although the population at that time was only a few thousand friendly natives, the magnificent climate and incredible scenery was so inviting that Richard Burton and Liz Taylor fell in love with the village (and each other!) and bought a couple of “getaway” homes on the hillside overlooking the city. 

By Lisa Leuthesser,
Stephen Harris, a reporter from the Overseas Property Professionals magazine contacted us recently for our opinion on the election of President Martinelli and its impact on Panama's economy in general and the real estate market in particular. Below are some of his questions and our answers:

Q. How do you think the election of President Martinelli will effect Panama’s standing in the business world? Are investors likely to see the country differently?

Lower Cost of Living, Mexico, Retire in Mexico, Retirement Destinations, Rosarito, Baja California, Lower Cost of Living draws American Retirees to Mexico

By: Jim Scherrer
Do you remember your first few vacations to the beach as a child with your parents when you had your little shovel and bucket and could let your imagination run wild as you built sand castles with moats around them?

Obviously, we were not the first to mold sand. Sand sculpting as an art form has been around for thousands of years; it is conjectured that the ancient Egyptians made sand models of the pyramids.

Reverse mortgages have become an increasingly important financial tool for people 62 and older who want to remain in their home and fund their retirement. And, with 78 million Baby Boomers approaching retirement, interest is expected to grow.

The mystery of being able to 1031 Exchange USA property for foreign property and thus avoid paying capital gains tax on profits realized is not quite as old as alchemy but I am amazed how many times I am asked if this can be done.

The Boomers Abroad team is very excited and want to share with all of our visitors, readers, friends and members that we made our first press release toady, April 15, 2009.