Geraldine & Robert Sloane's stay at the Grapvine Villas, Makrigialos Bay, Crete

We had the most wonderful time at your villa Philip. It had everything you could possibly want, very classy property.

The internal layout was well thought out, especially were the living/kitchen dining area was concerned. Very tastefully furnished. The wood stove is a great feature. The two bathrooms were an added bonus; especially were the ladies were concerned. We really took advantage of the balcony and enjoyed many a coffee with the mountains for a backdrop. The pool was superb. Made sure we spent a few hours there every day. The air conditioning kept the whole place at a comfortable temp. One thing that Geraldine and Eileen thought was needed maybe was a wall mirror.

Rosemarry and Niko were a wonderful couple. Nothing was too much trouble and they were always there to answer any queries and to offer advice.

All 4 of us had a marvellous time. Very relaxing and we did travel around, up to the mountains and as far North as Agio Nikolas. The Villa is an ideal location within the village and combines the best of both worlds, privacy and easy access.

Thank you once again Philip on behalf of all four of us for giving us the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful Grapvine Villas experience. We would hope that sometime in the future we would return there and once again enjoy everything that the Villa has to offer.

Geraldine & Robert Sloane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khZsuhGiNSs

Sponsored Cycle in Memory of Andrew Best

Marshals are required to help with the sponsered cycle in the memory of Andrew Best on Sunday 14 June. As yet times and exact route to be marshalled are not yet available but it is likely to be from mid morning to mid afternoon somewhere along Moirs t PRFC route. Ian Brown will be in charge of marshals for Ballyclare to Moira stage.(Participants are staying overnight on Sat in Ballyclare RFC).

After the cyclists arrive at the club there will be a BBQ. All funds raised via the cycle & BBQ will be donated between Marie Curie & Cancer Research.

If you are available to help please contact Willie Gribben (07739044084) asap.

Further details available www.thebestway.org.uk

Flocking to the Yucatan

A mosquito-infested swamp in Mexico is not the best setting when trying to convince a group of overheated journalists of your vision to build a luxury resort of villas and condominiums complemented by a 27-hole championship golf course and its own private nature reserve.

As the team behind the Flamingo Lakes Resort lay out plans an a prefab somewhere in the Yucatan peninsula, the people they are hoping to impress are too busy swatting flies to pay attention.

It isn't until several hours later, in an air-conditioned and insect-free room of an old colonial house that our group - fed and watered - are finally ready to listen.

David Cross, the chief executive of Flamingo Lakes, tells us how the company identified the Yucatan region of Mexico as a "prime up-and-coming destination" one-hour's drive away from the international airport in Merida, the capital and largest city of the peninsula. That this area of Mexico has in the past featured as one of the top-five real-estate investments in the world according to Fortune magazine is a bonus the developers and agents are keen to push.

To the naked eye, however, the proposed country club resort in Dzemul, which covers 2,200 acres of coastal land, has yet to take shape. Save for some distant flocks of flamingos, which look more like a mirage in the searing heat, and the aforementioned mosquitos, there is very little else to see among the scrub, and the bus ride to and from Merida feels much longer than the mooted 30 minutes.

The developers are not worried about first impressions of their blank canvas, however, and with good reason - Mexico has cleverly developed its own niche market aimed primarily at wealthy Americans and Canadians. More than 3m American citizens travel to Cancun and other Mexican beach resorts each year, including as many as 120,000 during "spring break" season, which normally begins in mid February and runs for about two months. Tourism is Mexico's third-biggest earner, and hotels along the yucatan coastline boast of accupancy rates of 90%. This is Mayan territory, so Chichen Itza, a Unesco world heritage site, is the second most-visited archeological site in Mexico, especially since El Castillo, the temple of the god Kukulcan, was last year voted one of the "new" seven wonders of the world.

Retirees are currently big business for country and, in particular, the Yucatan region. These blue-rinse buyers and renters are prime material for developments such as Flamingo Lakes, which rely heavily on their American dollars to bankroll building and ensure completion (ironic, when US borders remain firmly shut to Mexicans).

But don't let this put you off. Although Cancun has been ruined to some extent by rowdy Americans hanging out of 24-hour clubs while tacky neon strips dominate the turquoise coastline, there is an alternative. Merida, a legacy of Spains colonial reign, is quite the opposite. With a population of around 1m, and a relaxed approach to life - walking at my usual Dublin pace rouses some local men relaxing in the shade to shout "Hey lady, why are you running?" - this city feels more like a small town with its friendly locals, and is a welcome change to the noisy and crowded streets of Cancun. Even the street vendors are charming, and stop you only to practice their English - unlike Cancun or even Chichen Itza, where the marketeers sell their wares for "one Mayan dollar" (there is no such currency), which really means $20 and you've been had.

The building of Flamingo Lakes gets under way this month, and will be built in four phases, the first of which is a scheme of villas and apartments around the golf course. The right move abroad, a Dublin-based agency, has this month started to sell to Irish investors, on the promise that rental and capital appreciation is a given.

The first phase is due for completion at the end of next year, along with a marina, beach club, and golf course. The buying process is in dollars and villas are available on three different plot sizes: 600sq m, 1,000 sq m and 2,000 sq m, with six different design styles, from two to five bedrooms. Prices start from $113,000(about €80,000) for a two-bedroom, one-bathroom detached house. Properties include a small pool, garage, patios and balconies.

Conscious of the mistakes made with Cancun - relaxed planning laws led to the hotel zone in the city, which consists of over 140 hotels with more than 24,000 rooms, 380 restaurants and some of the gaudiest achitecture (think mock Taj Mahal next to a towerng Hilton) - the developers of Flamingo Lakes are playing the environmental card by retaining 840 acres as a private nature reserve.

Flamingo Lakes is a 40 to 45 minute drive from the centre of Merida, but you will get more bang for your buck than Cancun when it comes to shopping and dining out.

Transportation around the Yucatan district is well developed, with motorways linking Merida and Cancun, though the journey spans several hours, or longer if you choose our driver, who had a Mexican approach to life.

On our return journey to Cancun our coach broke down, and the conversation on the side of the road turned to the possible mechanical faults. Had the engine overheated? Did the bus blow a gasket? Was it a flat tyre? No, it was much, much more obvious. Our laid back Mexican driver had simply forgotten the petrol.

Sun, Sombreros and sand wedges

America was once considered the land of opportunity but with the housing prices over there going down faster than a shot of tequila - it is Uncle Sam's poor relation that's now suffering the big breaks for property investors.

Mexico, with its low cost living, excellent healthcare facilities and rapidly improving infrastructure has worked hard to establish itself as one of the safest 'emerging' markets. Its year-round warm climate and laid back culture has made Mexico a favourite holiday and retirement destination for US citizens. Recently however, realising they can get more house for their money in Mexico, Europeans are also looking west for that dream home in the sun.

Although Mexican property prices have risen consistently in the past few years they have not jumped anywhere near as fast as in the USA and UK. And with the recent relaxation of leglislation relating to foreign ownership of land and property the country has opened up as one of the most attractive areas for investment.

One development hoping to attract investors and lifestyle buyers from Northern Ireland is the Flamigo Lakes Resort and Country Club in the state of Yucatan just inland from the Gulf of Mexico.

Flamingo Lakes is a private and exclusive members club - a concept which has proved popular in Canada and the US - and is being marketed by property agents, The Right Move Abroad as one of the "most prestigious country club developments in Mexico."

Still at an early stage in terms of construction, the ambitious plans include 2,400 individual two to five bedroom villas set on generous plots and a further 400, two or three bed apartments built around a 27-hole golf course consisting of an 18-hole championship course, in excess of 7,000 yards and a nine-hole executive range, both courses exclusive to owners. Other on-site amenities also in the pipeline are a champion tennis ranch, an equestrian centre, spa and health facilities, jogging and cycling trails, a sports club and bar as well as malls, shops and restaurants.

An impressive beach club house overlooking miles of white sand lined with coconut palm trees is already open and is just a short drive from the private marina which is also ready for business. The Marina Media Luna was recently acquired to provide members with mooring facilities and to accommodate the resort's three sporting boats which can be hired out by 'Flamingo Lakers'.

It has taken Neil Baines, president of the Platinum Group, two years to obtain the land and necessary planning permission for such a massive project.

A spokeswoman for the Right Move Abroad sais: "The land has been acquired at a competitive price enabling Flamingo Lakes to offer properties, which are exclusively affordable and priced considerably less than competing projects. Abundant water in the form of shallow salt lakes, home to thousands of flamingos, which give the resort its name, will make for a picturesque setting as well as providing some testing and interesting holes of golf due for completion next year."

Two and three bedroom apartments (condos) consist of a ground floor, middle floor and the penthouse and range in size from 90 sq metres to 120sq metres. Villas and plots can be bought in sizes of 600 sq metres, 100 sq metres and 200 sq metres with a choice of six villas. There is also an option to buy the plot, build later and design it too.

Maintainence fees are being set at $1,500-a-year for each plot for the first two years. Flamingi Lakes membership fees are $12,000 for the first year and about $3,000 for each following year. This price will include access to all private facilities including the two golf courses, private marina, nature reserve and beach club.

David Cross chief executive of the Platinum Group, said 500 of the plots were already sold. He said they were expecting to sell the bulk (90%) to British or Irish expats. Flamingo Lakes is located close to the town of Dzemul, and is just 40 minutes from the state capital Merida - a quaint Spanish colonial city with a population of about 1.3m people. The resort is a four-hour drive from the lively city of Cancun, Mexico's main tourist destination. But no direct flights from Dublin or the UK to Merida means transfers from Cancun or Mexico are necessary. the selling prices of the villas are based on a combination of a price per metre squared on the plot and a price per metre squared on the build.

They started at $99 per sq metre in April while build per sq metre started at $980, but expect increases later.

We would like your help!

A bottle of Champagne will be given to each of the five best replies.

just send your answers to the following to homes@jamijo.co.uk

1. What do you think prospective custmoers really want when considering purchasing overseas or investing in funds?
2. What frustrations do you envisage people would have when dealing with this industry?
3. What fears would you have in investing in this industry?
4. What do you think would enhance the buying/investing experience?
5. In 12 words please describe the business that jamijo is in.

Your replies will be in confidence and will not be used to contact you unless you request us to do so.

90% Mortgages Available, Free Furniture, Rental Opportunity - Deals like this do not come along often.

The stunning Sesimbra Bay Beach and Spa resort is located in the exclusive fishing bay of Sesimbra on the Costa Azul in Southern Portugal, just 30km south of Lisbon .

This amazing development has been cleverly built on 3 levels into a hillside that directly overlooks the bay providing each apartment with unobstructed and breathtaking views. The resort is front line with absolutely spectacular views and will feature a luxury on-site Spa, Nikki Beach style bar, and numerous facilities to make guests feel comfortable.

And here is the deal we have agreed for our investors:
You buy one of these luxury apartments with just a 3% deposit and the Developer pays 7% towards your deposit, so that:

you can apply for a 90% Mortgage with Banif Bank.

For a little over £5,000 (For a studio which is expected to achieve an excellent overall ROI of 11%+) plus the added incentive of the Developer paying ALL the closing costs - saving well over £20,000 on a studio size suite.

4 Star Front Line Luxury

Prices start from €214,000 with just 3% deposit only.*

400m2 Luxury Spa - 5 star spa Developed & Managed by Unique Spa.

Nikki Beach Style Bar and Club House, Hotel managed by Kasamia Group.

Anticipated 9-11.%+ R.O.I **

Up to 56 days annual personal use.

Developer pays ALL the usual closing costs - a saving of over £20k on a 1 bed*

Owners receive 60% of the Gross Operating profit of the hotel

All apartments are FULLY FURNISHED for FREE to a high standard, this includes:
Flooring, full lavish furniture provided in all rooms, LCD TV, all furnishing including curtains and wall paintings/pictures, ornaments.
A full security alarm system, air conditioning, dishwasher, washer/dryer, refrigerator, vitro Ceramic stove top, microwave, coffee machine, iron. Set of table ware, set of kitchen ware, set of pots and pans, set of bed linen, set of towels ...
What more do you need...the apartments are ready to use straight away!

Initial Purchase Cost Comparable

Sesimbra Bay, Portugal -

One bedroom Apartment €237,500

€5000 to reserve

On exchange 3% total deposit of €7125 minus the reservation fee only €2125 required on exchange.

Therefore the overall net purchasing costs would be ONLYa total of €7125 ,

Two bedroom Apartment €294,000

€5000 to reserve
3% total deposit of €8820 minus the reservation fee only €3820 required on exchange

Therefore the overall net purchasing costs would be ONLY a total of €8820

The mortgage figures can be subject to slight variation dependent on the interest rate.

Anticipated predicted return at 60% of the Gross Operating Profit of the hotel.
Year 1 = 9.29%,

Year 2 = 10.05%,

Year 3 = 10.94%,

Year 4 = 11.91%

Deals like this with 90% financing in place don't come along every day, if at all at the moment.. Don't hesitate to get in touch about availability of apartments