Are you considering a beachfront home? Research shows the majority of people who buy a vacation home look for one that’s near the water. Buyers have enjoyed home appreciation in some areas as high as 67%, so many high-end buyers see a home purchase as not just an escape, but also an investment. Right now, Baja’s southern coast is a hidden gem of luxury real estate with many people searching Google for “beachfront home East Cape.”
If you’re considering a luxury home along the sandy Mexican shores of East Cape, just minutes from Cabo, here are some tips you should know before you buy:
1. Work with an experienced luxury real estate agent
Buying a beachfront home in East Cape requires a savvy, in-the-know real estate agent with many contacts in the luxury housing market. Many luxury homes aren’t listed for sale online, instead, they’re sold through word-of-mouth. If you plan to get in on this silent action, you’ll need an experienced agent who knows the area.
If you plan to buy property inside a resort community, a real estate agent can point you in the right direction. East Cape has several resort communities, including its newest addition, Costa Palmas, with private beachfront villas aimed at premium buyers.
2. Understand how property buying works in Mexico
If you’re not from Mexico, buying property as a foreigner is a little different than in other countries. To purchase waterfront property in the country, it’s done through a bank trust called a fideicomisco. Essentially, a Mexican bank holds the title of the property, but gives the owner the right to own, occupy, remodel, sell, or gift the property. This only applies to property that’s within 30 miles of the ocean or 60 miles of a national border. If you buy property outside of these limits, a foreigner can hold the title.
3. Consider buying in resort communities
Buying a standalone waterfront property can be appealing, but there are perks to buying within a resort community, like:
Resort communities are often built on prime real estate. The Four Seasons, which has luxury homes available for purchase, is nestled on the Sea of Cortez shores with the Sierra de la Laguna mountains in the background.
Resort communities usually have an expansive list of amenities that coincide with an affluent lifestyle. Many resorts have marinas, private beach clubs, membership-only golf courses, and clubs for kids that coordinate day trips for busy parents.
Costa Palmas, for example, has a marina that can accommodate superyachts and private captain’s quarters. The resort is home to an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr that’s walkable and fit for every skill level. The villas and casitas that are for sale are situated on a two-mile stretch of swimmable beach, where the exclusive beach club has its hub.
Resort communities often have on-site restaurants that are ideal on nights when cooking seems like a chore. You can take a short walk and have dinner poolside, get dressed up and stop by a fancier restaurant overlooking the sea, or just grab a nightcap at a swanky little bar before calling it a night.
4. Look for modern homes where privacy is a priority
Beachfront homes in East Cape are in demand for a reason, they’re new, modern, and located away from the Cabo chaos. Cabo is abuzz with tourists and nightlife. It’s a vacation spot. Meanwhile, East Cape is calm and inviting. It feels like home, not a temporary destination.
Many of the waterfront homes in Cabo are along the Tourist Corridor, which as the name suggests, is crowded and busy. Trends show high-end home buyers are moving away from these types of areas and are instead favoring quieter, more secluded homes.
In East Cape, there are only a handful of developments and more dirt roads than paved ones. The area is akin to Old Baja, with small-town charm, authentic people, and developments that complement the area’s natural beauty, not detract from it.
The sparsely developed area is ideal for affluent buyers looking to maintain a certain level of privacy. The homes were built with natural barriers, limited entry points, and top-notch security. The resort staff is respectful and well-versed in the privacy of high-end owners.
5. Make a wish list
Before you start touring homes, make a list of features that you want. To start, consider the number of bedrooms and bathrooms that you’d like. Are guest quarters on your list? If so, are you looking for a suite within the home or a detached suite complete with a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and bathroom?
Consider what kind of features you want in your kitchen. Are you looking for a specific kind of cooktop, countertops, and appliances? If so, write it down.
Next, list in-home features that you’d like. Home automation, for example, might be on your list, or hardwood floors. Sand is often a problem for a beachfront home in East Cape, so an outdoor shower and a central vacuum might be a nice addition.
Outdoor features should also be considered. Do you plan to entertain? If so, an outdoor kitchen might be a priority. Do you want a pool? A hot tub? How should the area be landscaped?
Share your wish list with your real estate agent so he or she can find homes that match your needs.
6. Take video as you tour a home
Touring home after home is exhausting, but also confusing. In time, all of the homes start to blend together. You start asking yourself questions like, which home had the teak shower? Did the resort home have the best view?
When you take a home tour, consider taking video or pictures to help jog your memory. Some real estate agents have videos on file of luxury homes. Your agent may be able to email a list of video links for reference too.
Buying a second home is an exciting venture, but it’s important to research the area. You need to find the right real estate agent and know what you’re looking for before you begin your search. As you weigh your beachfront home East Cape options, be sure to tour the elegant homes along the sapphire-soaked shores of the Sea of Cortez.