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Los Flamboyanes Bacalar - FAQ

Q. Why are there only lots available on one side of the property?
A. The lots on the other half will be sold at the future retail value after the infrastructure is completed: roads, sidewalks, landscaping, etc.

Q .The property is within 50 km of the coast; how will the lots be owned? Leased? Clear title?
A. Owners will hold this property in a trust the same as all purchases by foreigners in Mexico.

Q. What are property taxes like there?
A. This is one of the many benefits of living in Mexico; many US and Canadian residents can pay up to $12,000.00 USD per year in property taxes! Here in Mexico they are nominal running between $30.00-$50.00 USD on a raw piece of property in Bacalar; unbelievable!! When the Los Flamboyanes project is completed, and houses are built I bet you will still be under 500 usd a year in taxes.

Q. So how does the pricing scale work? $12,000.00 USD down is that correct?
A. The majority of the lots will be priced close to $40,000.00 USD, and larger lots will be more according to the square meters and location. All clients will make their $12,000.00 USD deposit to reserve their lot choice.

Q. Is there financing available?
A. A payment period may be considered for those clients buying more than one lot, but these discounts are for our cash buyers

Q. Once the project is completed to the point where individual lot owners can start to build are they required to build within a certain time frame?
A. No because many people will want to hold their lot to build a retirement home in the future. They will have to pay basic maintenance fees even if they don't build as they will be enjoying the increased value of their property with the proper care and upkeep of the community.

Q. How large of a home can individuals build?
A. There will be set backs on all sides as well as the front of each lot. Other than that there are not any stipulations or restrictions.

Q. What will the HOA, or Homeowners Associations, fees be?
A. HOA fees will be based upon real numbers determined when the project is up and running with gardeners, security etc. At this time it is difficult to gauge what the exact HOA fees will be. However, it will be an open book policy so that all parties can see exact operation costs, and they will be divided by each individual owner according to lot size.

Q. Will it be a condominium regiment with fees for maintenance?
A. It will be a Fraccionamiento, not a condominium regiment. Basically this means that the association takes care of common areas, but each person has their own private yard. Each lot will have established set backs from the lot perimeter so no one builds right up against their neighbor.

Q. Is it a gated community?
A. Yes, there will be a wall around the project as well as the water front park. An underpass into the park is also being designed to allow children to cross into the park safely without going onto the public road.

Q. Are there by-laws available yet?
A. No, there is a basic outline of some points, but they have yet to be completed.

Q. When does the money need to be sent to reserve a lot?
A. Lot layouts and reservation forms are ready now simply request an instruction letter and reservation agreement . When the deposit is sent with the reservation agreement, and clients ID, they will get to choose their lot. If for any reason the client chooses not to move forward with the purchase agreement the deposit will be refunded.

Q. Is this property right on the ocean, or an inland waterway?
A. Bacalar lagoon was connected through to Chetumal Bay many years ago when the pirates used to come in and use the lagoon for shelter. Now the waterway is grown over and swampy so it is only used by small boats and jet boats that don't need much depth. This makes it very calm and sheltered from storms. It is also fed cool clear fresh water by the underground rivers coming up into the lagoon, but there are still some ocean fish in the lagoon. Bacalar is a one-of-a-kind place!

Q. What is a waterfront park?
A. Twenty-eight hundred square meters of land was purchased along with the property for Los Flamboyanes that runs down the hill from where the houses will be to the water. There will be a dock and a small restaurant to sit and relax and enjoy the lagoon!

Q. Is this similar to a beach area?
A. Yes, but it is not sandy. The area will be cleared and groomed to ensure easy access to the lagoon, and it is a great swimming area!

Q. Will there be house designs to choose from or do we pick our own?
A. There are several architects who will work with those clients who want to build, or they can create their own design.

Q, Where is Bacalar in relation to Playa Del Carmen?
A. It is about 2.5 to three hours drive south of Playa del Carmen depending on who’s driving! The highway is new and now has four lanes on 80% of it. The remaining 20% will be completed soon.

Q. It appears there is a road that runs parallel to the lagoon’s shoreline. Is this a dirt road that goes into the center of town?
A. It is just being cut in now. It comes out onto the highway just before town.

Q. Is this front road located on private property?
A. No, It is a city planned road running between front and back lots

Q. Are vehicles allowed on this road?
A. Yes, it is a public road, but has yet to be completed.

Q. It appears that the price of the lot includes all utilities, roadways, septic, tennis courts and park etc... Is this correct?
A. Yes, that is correct.

Q. Will everyone have to pay maintenance fees even if they haven't built yet?
A. Yes, even those who choose not to build right away will have to pay their fees as they will be enjoying the increased value of the property because of the upkeep. Fees will be assessed based on how many square meters each lot is.

Q. How far of a drive is Los Flamboyanes from the downtown area of Bacalar?
A. Los Flamboyanes is on the out skirts of Bacalar virtually less than 4km from the north end of town.

Q. How far of a drive is it from Mahahual to Los Flamboyanes?
A. It is about 45 minutes to an hour drive.

Q. How much will it cost to build a house?
A. Architects are being lined up to assist in building individual houses. Of course, the price will depend on the home, but the average construction cost in Playa del Carmen is $80.00 USD to $100.00 USD per square foot.

Q. Where is the closest airport?
A. The closest airport to Bacalar is in Chetumal, and it is about 30 minutes south from Los Flamboyanes. Air Canada, American Airlines, and Mexicana all have flights that connect and fly into Chetumal. In addition, there is currently an international airport located in Cancun, 4 hours north, and the Mexican government is going to develop an additional airport in Tulum; 1 ½ hours to the north of Bacalar. There are also extensive bus lines that leave from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Chetumal, as well as the interiors of Mexico that can get you to your final destination of Bacalar.

Q. How do I reserve a lot?
A. Please contact us through this web site and we will set you up.

Q. Can solar powered houses be built?
A. Yes, of course, and there will be plans and options available through individual architects.

Q. Are there any bugs?
A. As for bugs I’ve been in Florida and Colorado where you will lose weight just by being out side with them. They get bigger you get smaller…….. In Bacalar there are more mosquitoes if it’s a rainy time, that’s usually in the spring.

Q. Will we have water access for swimming?
A. We have a lot on the lagoon that will always be a water front park for everyone to enjoy. We will biuld a dock to swim from. Right now there isn’t any sand there. When we groom the park and develop it we may be able to add some sand but it is not natural there.

Q. How Can I come and view the property?
A. If you are coming to see the project you can fly into Cancun and we will give you an overview in our office in Playa, then plan a day to go to Bacalar.

Q. Could I stay in a hotel close by?
A. Yes there are small hotels in Bacalar.

Q. How much would the construction of a house cost?
A. You could build a modest 1800 sq foot bungalow for 100k. It will depend on what kind of finishing’s you want in your home. You should budget between 60 and 100 dollars a square foot.

Q. How long will it take to build?
A. It will be three to five years to build the project and deliver the lots with complete infrastructure in, parks, septic, underground services etc. At that point people will be building. Most houses here in playa are built in 6 to 10 months.

Q. What is the best way to get to this place by air?
A. You can fly into Cancun or if you didn’t want to drive down (4 hours) you would fly into Chetumal it’s less than half an hour from the project.

Q. Do you have any property on the beach.
A. This project has a large water front park for everyone to use and enjoy. That way people can buy a 40k dollar lot and still enjoy the water front park without having to pay the big bucks for the water front. If you have a budget to buy water front we can find you some options.

Q. You expected home construction to cost $80 to $100 per square foot.
A. When I told you 80to 100 /sq ft it is what most people spend but I have just had some friends do their home for 55 dollars a sq ft. with tile floors and counter tops. So it will only depend on how fancy or modest you want to be.

Q. Has the down turn in the US reduced those prices or are they holding steady?
A. High priced homes have dropped a bit 15% in some cases but that’s not everyone. Some people are very flexable and willing to sell at great value, buyers are doing well. I think it’s a good healthy adjustment and we needed it so we don’t end up with a market crash.

Q. At these prices I would be expecting tile floors/tile counter tops. Correct?
Yes

Q. Are there other expenses with regard to the home. For example, lot clearing/electric or septic connection. Or, is all that "stuff" included?
A. Lot clearing would be done by the builder. I don’t know how they price that but it’s not a huge thing. Services will be at the curb side you have to buy an electric meter when you hook up to electricity, that’s less than 100 dollars.

Q. Do the builders you are familuar with have home designs that we could take a look at? We expect to build a one story, two bedroom/two bath home with 1000 to 1200 square feet.
A. A modest home like that would be perfect very low cost to build and maintain. Good for you I’m going to make mine solar powered so I don’t even have electric bills. We don’t have designs yet but you can look at design books and bring a picture and the builders here will create it.

Q. How much should we put aside for closing costs (legal/title insurance/fideicomiso/anything else)?
A. Legal and trust will be about 6000 dollars to be paid when we deliver the lots. Stewart title estimates about 600 dollars for insurance.

Q. Have you made any progress on monthly fees for the homeowner?
A. No . We are working on an idea of putting a shade cover over the tennis courts which would be solar panels. The idea is to come up with a way to power all common areas, septic plant, pumps ect. With solar power this way we can cut all maintenance costs in the long run by putting more thought and resources in, in the front end.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.