Great Book About Buying Property in Mexico

In preparing materials for our weekly "Ask A Realtor Workshop", I was turned onto a book by Rob and Joanne at Alma Libre Bookstore here in Puerto Morelos. 

Cashing In on A Second Home in Mexico, written by Tom Kelly, is an excellent resource for those seeking good information about investing in Mexican Real Estate. 

It does a great job of simply explaining the purchasing process, the costs and time involved, and good tips for foreign investors to be aware of when in a Mexican real estate transaction.

In addition, it highlights some up-and-coming investment areas in Mexico and discusses U.S./Canadian tax break possibilities for  investors.

They have plenty of copies at Alma Libre -- I encourage you to pick one up if you are considering purchasing.  

Have questions about purchasing or just interested in how real estate ownership works?  Join us every Tuesday at 5 p.m. for our "Ask a Realtor Workshop"!

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Important Change: Fishing Tournament/Pot Luck Dinner Now on Feb. 6th

Found out that a small event called the Super Bowl [some may have heard of it ;) ] is on the 7th.  So, we will be holding the fishing tournament and potluck dinner on Saturday, February 6th.  Please contact the office asap to reserve your spot and allow us time to charter you a boat.

See you there!

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MRP Events

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Puerto Morelos Music Festival Series is Back!

The 5th Annual Puerto Morelos Music Festival is Back Again for 2010!  This festival is organized by the Casa de la Cultura of Puerto Morelos and features local and visiting musicians for evenings of music.  Each event is held in the Puerto Morelos Town Square from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This year, the dates are:

• January 22
• February 5 and 19
• March 5 and 19

I have added these dates to the community events calendar (below) for your reference.

If you are interested in participating, please contact via email: casaculturapuertomorelos@prodigy.net.mx or via phone: (998) 155.7215, (998) 845.4376

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Mayakoba PGA Golf Classic Returns: February 18 - 21st, 2010

Tickets are now on sale for the annual PGA event held just down the road at the El Camaleón Golf Course in the Maykoba complex.

See their website for more details.

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Mexico to Send Supplies, Rescue Teams, and Doctors to Haiti

As reported in today's Wall Street Journal:


MEXICO CITY (Dow Jones)--Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Wednesday the country is sending rescue workers, doctors, food and other assistance to Haiti, which has been devastated by a massive earthquake.


In a statement made at the presidential residence, Calderon said three planes will leave Wednesday for the Caribbean nation, carrying from 15 to 20 tons of food.
 
A Mexican Navy hospital ship will also head for Haiti with medical personnel and more than 50 tons of food, and another hospital ship will leave for Haiti at the weekend, he said.

Tens of thousands of people are feared dead in Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, after a 7.0 magnitude quake struck near the capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday.

The disaster has prompted a massive international aid effort to the country.

Calderon called on Mexicans to contribute provisions for Haiti, including bottled water, medicine and food, at collection points set up in the country.

Mexico suffered thousands of deaths in a 1985 earthquake that caused widespread destruction in the capital Mexico City.

"The Haitian tragedy surpasses any that we have suffered," Calderon said.

-By Anthony Harrup, Dow Jones Newswires; (5255) 5980 5176, anthony.harrup@dowjones.com

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Mexico court to review the constitutionality of the new IETU business tax.

For those of you doing business in Mexico, you'll be interested to know that over 32,000 amparos (or protests) have been filed against the IETU business tax that was instituted in 2008.  The hearing will be January 22nd.

Read the whole article at www.TheNews.com.mx, an English Newspaper in Mexico.

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Real Estate Update!

Just a quick update for those following the Puerto Morelos Real Estate Market --

Two Condos at Las Tortugas have recently SOLD!

There is still 1 condo left at $299,000!

In addition, several other properties have recently slashed their prices!

See real estate listings at: www.MayanRivieraProperties.com

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Recycling 2010 Schedule

Here is the Recycling Schedule for 2010.  Remember that there are always recycle bins in the lot of the National Park's Museum / DIF office on Av. Javier Rojo Gomez.  These bins will take the glass, plastic, and cardboard.  In addition to the normal recycle items, electronics, printer cartridges, etc are accepted at these monthly collections.

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The Real Reason the Mayan Calendar Ends in 2012

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Puerto Morelian Spotlight: Little Mexican Cooking School

I had the yummy pleasure of sitting in on a cooking class at the The Little Mexican Cooking School here in Puerto Morelos.  Wow!  Fun, Yummy, and Well Worth Attending!

Chef Claudia was a wonderful instructor.  We learned how to make super Epazote Emapanadas, Homemade Tortillas, Turkey Mole, Beans flavored with Avacado Leaves, and some yummy fruity mousse desert!

The menus change regularly, so you can attend several classes and not repeat the same dishes.  Also left with a great cookbook, an apron, and a full tummy!  They have a great little gift shop as well with salsas, spices, and other goodies that make for great gifts that you can find here in town.

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January 6th: The Day of the Kings

Don't put that Nativity Scene away just yet!  Tomorrow, January 6th, is the Day of the Kings (or may know it by the name, The Epiphany), and is widely celebrated throughout Latin America.  The Christmas Traditions of Mexico continue through today by celebrating the day when the 3 Wise Men arrived at the manger with their precious gifts.

Families will add the wise men to their Nativity Scene and host a dinner party, typically serving tamales, hot chocolate, and a Rosca de Reyes for dessert.  The Rosca de Reyes is a round or oval shaped bread topped and filled with candied fruit.  This bread contains a hidden plastic baby Jesus doll.  When the bread is served, the lucky guest with the baby Jesus in their piece then hosts the next party on February 2, Calendaria , and also buys the baby Jesus new clothes for next year's Nativity.

At nightfall, a little bit of magic begins...The children of Mexico will have written out a small wish list (think Santa list) for the Kings several days prior to the 6th.  Many send their letter up to the Kings via helium balloon.  They may also leave out a bit of hay, water, and food for the Kings and their camels to fill up on before continuing on their journey.  Then, they go to bed and leave out their shoes for the Kings to fill with goodies! 

So, seek out any bakery today and get your Rosca.  Invite over friends and neighbors to enjoy hot chocolate and dessert!  Yum!!!  Provecho!!!!

[Thank you to MexGrocer.com for the photos!  They sell Rosca de Reyes and other yummy Mexican culinary items that ship to your door.]

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Puerto Morelian Spotlight: The Green Zone

There is a new company in town, The Green Zone.  Operated by fellow Puerto Morelian Mike Mayo, The Green Zone, offers ozone treatment services for businesses, cars, boats, and homes.  Ozone treatments safely kill the bacterias, mold, bugs, and whatever causes that 'funky' smell that things tend to get here in the humidity.

A great idea for those of you returning to homes that have been closed up for the summer season!

Have you tried an ozone treatment from the Green Zone?  Leave your feedback here as a comment here!

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