Beware and be careful!

Ah yes Baja California or “Under” California as it’s known, is a gorgeous strip of land stretching 700 miles from Tijuana, Mexico to Cabo San Lucas with golden beaches, five star resorts, golf courses, world-class fishing and of course affordable beach front real estate. It’s easy to get sucked into the vapors of owning land on this pristine peninsula so please do your homework.

Many investors who have not done their due diligence will be paying the price much like many of us who have purchased real estate the past four years in the United States. The recent downturn in the national U.S. real estate market accompanied by a real estate boom in Baja California leads me to believe that we are jumping in with both feet again before testing the international waters.

U.S. lenders entered the Mexican market a few years ago resulting in a burst of real estate investment coupled with an influx of buyers who used their home equity in their primary residences to secure property in Mexico. What a great time to invest, right? Not exactly. Many factors like vanishing home equity, dropping home prices and the disappearance of the U.S. sub-prime market have led to many key U.S. banks and lenders to exit the Baja real estate market.

Also, keep in mind that Baja is one of Mexico’s “Prohibited Zones” meaning foreign investors are not allowed from owning property titles in these areas.

However, there are still ways to purchase property legally there. Below is a link to more detailed information that explains foreign ownership, specifically with regard to Baja, California.

Foreign Ownership in Baja, California

Good luck!

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Homes.com has added another new partner to their expanding listing exposure network.

Hotpads.com, a valuable, free property listing resource of 2 million homes for sale most recently recognized for strides in heat mapping & foreclosure trend analysis, is the latest site to receive a property listing feed from Homes.com.

Through this partnership, Homes.com clients can choose to export their hand-entered listings directly to Hotpads. This addition to the partner network was recently announced by both Homes.com & Hotpads.com to their respective clients and is an exciting new option for Homes.com agents and brokers.

Hotpads.com joins Zillow, Vast, Google Base, Oodle.com, HarmonHomes.com, Trulia, Propbot.com, Yahoo Real Estate and Bargain Network as the latest choice for property distribution for Homes.com customers.

Stay tuned for even more export partners coming on board!

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Where will you be this week?

Thousands of real estate agents & brokers will be heading to Washington, DC May 14-16, to join in the 2008 National Association of Realtors Mid-Year Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

As the National Association of Realtors celebrates its 100th birthday celebration during this year’s expo, the agenda promises to be the best yet.

Homes.com is exhibiting as part of the Dominion Pavilion, Booth #320, along with eNeighborhoods, Advanced Access and #1Expert.

All agents & brokers are welcome to stop by and register for your chance to win a FREE iPod, and various show specials.

Hope to see you there!

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Going green, becoming eco-friendly and conservation are the hot topic these days. Whether you want to save the planet, save a few bucks or just get with the times, we're here to help!
Green Living 101 is a profile piece on Green Living with the help of Jessica and Jason Pelletier. They started their business, Lowimpactliving.com in 2006, and they have some great tips on how to live fully without a trouble non-green conscience.

Here is a slightly contrary view on buying eco-friendly housing and the cost it entails.

And finally, from the website, Thegoodhuman.com, comes ten things that can make a home eco-friendly.

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