Canadians are looking down south to Arizona real estate for their property investment in Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale. This is what you need to know:

Escaping Canadian Winters – An Article about Snowbirds Flying the Coop to Arizona Real Estate

The annual migration of Canadians to international sunspots, particularly the US Sunbelt states are increasingly appealing to those who look to enhance their quality of life. Snowbirds seek out warmer climates and spend up to six months, usually November through April, in sunny destinations to escape Canada’s inclement weather. With the strength of the Canadian dollar, coupled with the lower cost across the border, this attractive economic reality is an encouraging and motivating aspect for those who wish to trade their snowsuits for swimsuits – their raincoats for Ray-Bans. An excellent article by Tracey R., a respected writer on real estate in the US and Canada. These warmth seeking seasonal migrants endeavour to town or rent vacation real estate homes or idyllic retreats for pleasure and future retirement, usually within master planned enclaves of active adult communities or amenity laden resorts. The seasonal mass movement of population from north to south is a surging trend as the country’s population ages and baby boomers seek out a stimulating and satisfying retirement lifestyle. Arizona and California top the locale charts for the western Canadian demographics as a result of their less restrictive tax laws and lower insurance property rates. According to a recent report by the National ASssociation of Realtors, the second most popular US destination for home buying Canadians is Arizona, (the first is Florida). “In Phoenix, 752 Canadians bought homes in 2007, almost double the number of the year before,” according to Information Market, a data firm specializing in the real estate industry. “Canadians are pouring into Arizona,” says Glenn Williamson, CEO and founder of the Canada Arizona Business Council. “Some 496,000 Canadians came to Arizona last year – a very large two year jump.” Williamson credits a variety of reasons for this surge. “There are an increase in flights, an appealing climate, and a growing amount of world class amenities and international events suh as the Barrett Jackson Auto Show and the Phoenix Golf Open to name a few,” she said.

Arizona’s priciest home sale hit year was a $14 million mansion in Pardise Valley purchased by a an Ontario resident. “The stereotype that Canadians come to Arizona and buy ‘retirement’ homes has been shattered,” says Williamson, “The amount of multi million dollar homes owned by Canadians with incredible architecture and furnishings is growing at a very fast pace.” However, it doesn’t take a bulging bank account to live the good life these snowbirds are pursuing. There are so many options available for today’s winter visitors that they can design their own lifestyles to suit their financial and social preferences. The quest to heighten one’s physical, emotional and social well-being, is all part of the allure of the Canadian snowbird lifestyle in the US> Quality of life decisions are based on a number of socio economic factors, which vary from person to person depending on specific interests and needs. Climate, cost of living, culture, environment, infrastructure, leisure, safety, and economy are the most common elements potential Canadian snowbirds consider when purchasing a real estate property.

The Canadian Arizona Real Estate Connection

Cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Mesa grow considerably during the winter months as people choose to purchase a second home, a perk that Canucks can take advantage of due to Canada’s continued strong housing real estate market and escalating home equity. “Canada and Canadians have been very fortunate financially in the last few years,” says Williamson. “They now have some available cash to do things – buying a second home in an ice climate is one of them; in the last 12 months, 24 per cent of all international home sales in the US have been by Canadians, and Arizona real estate is a big recipient of that number,” he says. Arizona real estate comes by its moniker,” Valley of the Sun” honestly. There are more hours of sunshine than there are in Hawaii, even more sunshine than there is in Florida, the Sunshine State. Although Arizona real estate is thought of by many as just a desert state, it has the largest contiguous strand of ponderosa pine trees in the US and over half the state is made up of mountains and plateaus. One quarter of Arizona real estate is made up of forest land, including 11.2 million acres of the National Forest. On the cosmopolitan side, Arizona’s capital city of Phoenix combines with the surrounding cities of Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Tempe, among other cities, to form Arizona’s rich mecca of diverse experiences. Here’s a look at where the hot spots in Arizona real estate property purchases are for snowbird Canadians right now.

Mesa Real Estate

Mesa is just minutes from Scottsdale and Phoenix and is a convenient 9 km or 12 miles from Sky Harbor International Airport. Mesa real estate is fast becoming the Valley’s next urban hot spot in Arizona boasting an assortment of new tourism developments. The Mesa property city centre has long been revered as a winter haven offering premier accommodations, close proximity to Tonto National Forest, and 29 golf courses. If you prefer diamonds to fairways don’t’ miss the Cactus League Spring Training in March with over 200 Major League games in 35 days throughout the state; Mesa’s HoHokam Stadium is spring training home for the Chicago Cubs. Other community highlights include: Mesa’s own passenger traffic airport (Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, a convenient alternative to passengers flying in and out of Phoenix), a new 250 acre retail destination complex. Dana Park Village Square, Mesa’s 400,000 square foot shopping centre (a reflection of some of Mesa’s most affluent neighbourhoods) is adding more dining options to its already impressive collection of high end retailers and unique boutiques. Additionally, Canadian snowbirds are drawn to the natural attractions of Superstition Mountains, Apache Trail, Salt and Verde Rivers, Usery Pass and the area’s many lakes. Snowbirds from Canada flock to Mesa real estate to put down seasonal roots contributing to the 460,000 plus residents, the third largest city in Arizona following Phoenix and Tuscon. Empty nesters Les and Noram Garrison from Port Moody, BC, took early retirement back in 1991 and built a 2,500 square foot three bedroom home with the Arizona Golf Resort’s 14th hole at their backdoor. And it’s no surprise with urban amenities such as the new Mountain Vista Marketplace in East Mesa to open in summer 2009. The first phase of the 114 acre mixed use real estate Mesa project with SuperTarget as its anchor and additional retailers Marshalls, Old Navy, Show Pavilion and Dick’s Sporting Goods to name a few. The marketplace will be a pedestrian friendly design featuring easily accessible walkways throughout the Mesa real estate project.

Scottsdale Real Estate

“Canada has always been an important market for Scottsdale real estate, but increased air service (WestJet in particular) and the strong Canadian dollar has made Scottsdale real estate more desirable to Canadian travelers and investors alike,” says Laura McMurchie, vice president of communications for Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau increased our marketing efforts in Canada for the last fiscal year (July ’07 to June ’08) with additional print and online advertising; the Canadian marketing campaign resulted in more than 11,200 inquiries from Canada,” says McMurchie. Scottsdale real estate metropolitan area has all the quality amenities you would expect to find in a major city including shopping opporutunities second to none. Scottsdale Fashion Square in the Southwest’s largest shopping destination and distinctive address for premier shopping, dining and entertainment, with more than 225 retailers, 50 of which are exclusive to Arizona. For the authentic soul of the Southwest stop by Old Town and the Arts District on Main Street, and don’t miss the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts. Scottscale real estate is surrounded by desert and mountain preserves, and parks and is set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Sonoran Desert. Teeming with gusty colors of granite, mocha and sage, a desert by most measures is drab expansions of harsh and crusty terrain – but no so in the Sonoran. The uncultivated desert floor is surprisingly colorful with vegetation (particularly springtime) that defies desert scrub. “Scottsdale real estate is becoming more attractive to Canadians not only because of its well known attributes – warm and sunny weather, golf and spas, but the ever growing infrastructure in terms of services and activities for visitors – the culinary and cultural scene in Scottsdale real estate has dramatically expanded in the past few years – something very appealing to well traveled Canadians,” says Chris Ryall, Canadian PR rep, Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Low taxes, direct air service from many cities in Canada, excellent health facilities, low housing prices compared to Canada all make Scottsdale real estate an ideal destination to visit for holiday or invest in property.”

Phoenix Real Estate

Central Arizona’s desert is home to the Phoenix metropolitan area and its more than 3.4 million residents. Encompassing more than 5,179 square km or 2,000 square miles, Phoenix’s eclectic offerings include world-class resorts, spas, shopping and golf courses. Golf is on the leader board as one of the most popular recreation activities in Arizona state, well suited to more than 300 days of sunshine annually, equal to 300 plus courses to tee up on. You’ll savour some of the best gastronomic southwestern dishes, crafted from homegrown ingredients such as peppers, pomegranates, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. Outstanding authentic Native American and Mexian cuisine is prepared by award winning chefs. “The average age in Phoenix is only 33, so the myth that this is only a retirement city is out of the window,” says Williamson. “There is a very vibrant night life and diverse dining opportunities – it is much more international than people would guess.” In addition, the region also celebrates both the rich tradition of local Native American artistry and cultural expression, highlighting Old West history, galleries, and museums.”

Canadian Passports to Arizona
According to Passport Canada, “Starting June 1, 2009, a US law will require Canadians to present a valid passport to enter the United States by water or land; US law already requires Canadians to present a valid passport to enter the US by air.” Please note that you must have six clear months left on your passport, after your scheduled return home date, for it to be accepted for US travel at this time.

Invermere Resort at CastleRock Recreational Condos

Resort at CastleRock Invermere Condominiums

Only a short five-minute drive from downtown Invemere, Resort at CastleRock offers a total of 81 resort-style condominium homes for people “who can’t sit still.” Architecture is inspired by the forested setting and features natural timbers, stone accents, plus views of Lake Windemere just below. And here’s a bonus at the Invermere Resort at CastleRock – geothermal heating and cooling for cost savings and a smaller environmental footprint for this real estate development. Hotel amenities available to all owners at the CastleRock Resort in Invermere and includes conierge, onsite child care, underground parking with elevator access, boat storage, and a 5,000 square foot recreation centre with pool and hot tub, games room, tennis courts, and proposed racquet ball courts. Offerd on a fractional ownership basis with quarter shares starting at $85,000 for a two bedroom and $150,000 for a three bedroom penthouse suite with vaulted ceilings, these Invermere Condos at the Resort at CastleRock are fully furnished so all you have to do is pack your clothes and toothbrush. Full ownership starts at $399,900 and an optional rental pool is available a the Castle Rock Resort in Invemere. For more information and to register for this and future phases of this resort real estate development, call 1.888.678.9338 or visit www.resortatcastlerock.com. We remember moments like Lila’s first skating lesson according to their marketing … Now selling Phase 1 at the Resort at CastleRock in Invermere BC Building 1 is now 60% sold. For memorable family vacations. The Resort at CastleRock in beautiful Invermere, B.C. offers Quarter and Fulll ownership lifestyle investment opportunities elevated by 4-Star hassle-free resort living and amenities. From the huge heated outdoor pool and hot tubs, to on-site tennis and basketball courts, indoor recreation and fitness centre, childcare services and programs, and the financial benefits of an optional rental pool, the Resort at CastleRock BC Invermere has it all – and with a range of prices your family can afford! Take advantage of this limited real estate opportunity today, and enjoy memborable family holidays tomorrow at the Invemere CastleRock Resort. One bedroom sfrom $68,000 and two bedrooms from $85,000 while the three bedrooms are from $150,000. For more info about the ultimate family resort of the Rockies in Invermere BC, please contact 1.888.678.9338.

Alpine Allure with Five-Star Service at The Resort at CastleRock

Originally published in the BC Homes magazine by T. Rayson, here is a promotion to purchase a stunning family residence in Invermere, close to all things to do with nature, and a perfect family getaway. There are plenty of good reasons why the East Kootenay Rockies are attracting vacation seekers: knee-deep powder, jaw-dropping alpine scenery (courtesy of a palette of mountain peaks, particularly the Purcell’s) and infinite outdoor activity options to keep you on the recreation radar year round – all fo which are hall marks of the region. However, by the summer of 2008 there will be yet another great reason, the Resort at CastleRock in Invermere BC. This full serviced property is comprised of four separate four storey buildings featuring a total of 81 exquisitely finshed resort style condominiums, noticeably inspired by its rugged surroundings. Replet with Canadian alpine design, dominate timber and natural stone exterior elements to blend in with the natural terrain and treed landscape, the Resort at CastleRock Invermere BC lies within the southwest corner of the District of Invermere in the Columbia Valley, bordered by the Rocky Mountains to the east and Purcell Mountains to the west. Situated within the 120 hectare master planned community of CastleRock Estates, the real estate development resides above picturesque Lake Windermere, a mere five minute drive from downtown. The resort is ideally positioned with the conveinece of urban services in a natural setting and rural context. The terrain has been shaped by glacial activity ravines and gullies carved into the glacial moraine with the occasional outdrop of sedimentary bedrock. Bith indigenous canopy (mature Douglas fir forest) and ground cover (native shrubs and pinegrass) remain largely preserved. The views of the Columbia River Valley and the panorama mountain vista are framed by the natural terrain and tree cover of the site around the CastleRock Resort in Invermere in BC.

“The big attraction is the modest price,” says Eric Watson, managing director of Canmore based Ultimate Properties International Realty. Fully furnished, one bedroom quarter share begins at $65,000 in the first building at the Castle Rock Resort; $85,000 for a two bedroom quarter share; and $150,000 for a three bedroom penthouse suite. “The interest has been strong,” admist Watson, “with 65 per cent already sold to date in the first building.” All quarter shares at the Resort at CastleRock Invemere comes with the real estate presales opportunity for full ownership with an attractive price tage: $299,900 to $329,900 for a two bedroom ranging from 805 to 880 square feet. Other floor plans include one bedroom with approx 500 square feet, two bedroom penthouse with 877 sq ft and the 1206 sq foot three bedroom penthouse featuring vaulted ceilings at the Resort Invermere at CastleRock.

Luxuriate in the fine details and high-end interio features such as engineered slate and hardwood flooring, in-floor heating, hotel-quality furnishing packages, deluxe kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and geo-thermal heating and cooling, a nod to real estate developer Voisin Homes’ commitment to green practises at the Resort at Castlegar in BC’s Invermere District. Voisin Homes has become a signature of fine living, leaving their mark of excellence and dream-making capabilities in the Resort at CastleRock. All of the security services that you’d expect from a five-star hotel are available to you as an owner at the presales CastleRock Resort. With access to owner perks like the concierge team (ready to meet your every request, for instance, securing those hard to obtain tee times), on site child care services, underground parking, with elevator access, optional rental pool, and on-site boat storage space, you’ll have more quality time to call your own with these hassle-free amenities at your fingertips at the Resort at CastleRock in Invermere BC. Additionally staff will prepare your Resort suite for arrival and carry out suite rentals at the Owner’s request.

Going green in luxurious style on the Sunshine Coast at Wakefield Beach

Advertorial from the Vancouver Sun newspaper in May 2007 for the Wakefield Beach Sunshine Coast real estate development of waterfront properties.

Wakefield Beach offesr deluxe waterfront living with a deep green sensibility along the beautiful Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. Luxurious space, inspired architecture, a prized waterfront location. Wakefield Beach Sunshine Coast has everything you look for in a neighbourhood. And it also has something extra: a deep green sensibility that influences just about every aspect of the real estate development in the Sunshine Coast.

Located on the water in West Sechelt, just a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay and a 35-minute drive up Highway 101, Wakefield Beach along the Sunshine Coast of BC is a new real estate waterfront community of 46 luxurious seaside homes.

Designed to have minimal impact on the environment without sacrificing comfort or luxury, Wakefield Beach homes are high quality, low maintenance, and environmentally conscious. “There are many reasons I bought at Sunshine Coast Sechelt’s Wakefield Beach, however, the main one is the environmentally friendly aspect of the real estate development,” says Patricia Keen who is moving from Whistler to the Sunshine Coast.

“I was sold on the efforts of Wakefield Beach developer made to use only organic materials like wood, stone and wool carpets, as well as aspects such as Energy Star appliances, dual flush toilets, green roofs and geothermal heating.”

To ensure excellence in every aspect of the waterfront real estate Sechelt development, Sparling brought together a team of highly qualified experts to work on this real etate waterfront property along the Sunshine Coast. Renowned architects Bo Helliwell and Kim Smith of BlueSky Architecture designed the waterfront seaside residences at Wakefield Beach Sechelt with dramatic curved roof lines and striking vertical beams. They seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living with soaring ceilings and massive windows and doors.

Peter Busby, award-winning architect and industry leader in green design, spearheaded environmental efforts. “With geothermal power systems and green roofs, Wakefield Beach provides us with a sustainable design solution that is unprecendented on the West Coast, but demonstrates that the future is here,” Busby says. “At Wakefield Beach Sechelt, we are defining a new archetype of living on the Sunshine Coast,” adds Sparling. “We’re creating a traditional neighbourhood that has modern sensibility.”

The first phase, which includes 31 homes, is 90% sold out and will soon be completed. Fifteen second phase homes at Sunshine Coast’s Wakefield Beach in Sechelt – three of which are oceanfront – are now available for sale and are scheduled for completion in spring 2008.

For more information on this beautifully innovative seaside real estate development in the Sunshine Coast waterfront, visit the website at www.wakefieldbeach.com. The Wakefield Beach presentation centre is open daily in Sechelt.

5370 Wakefield Beach Lane,
Off the 6500 block of the Sunshine Coast Highway
1-888-741-9899 or info@wakefieldbeach.com

If you are looking at purchasing more resort recreational real estate in Greater Vancouver pre-construction market or in the Whistler property market, you can refer to these links for more information.

Wakefield Beach Sunshine Coast

Oceanfront homes on the Sunshine Coast real estate market. Learn why Coastal Living Magazine named Wakefield Beach as the 2008 community development of the year. Visit the web site at wakefieldbeach.com or call 604.741.9899. Oceanfront homes at Wakefield Beach starting from mid $600,000. For more information, please contact Wakefield Beach at 604.741.9899 or visit the show home at Wakefield Beach Sechelt, BC.

Update on Wakefield Beach Sechelt Single Family Homes

An innovative, eco-friendly Sechelt real estate development in the Sunshine Coast, Wakefield Beach is about to release the final 15 pre-construction homes as they are completed. Located on 700 feet of south facing, low bank waterfront, Wakefield Beach Sechelt family homes is a mix of detached single level, two level and three level pre-sales Sunshine Coast hoes ranging from 1450 to 2250 square feet and priced from the mid $600,000s to $1.5 million. Each home has an ocean view plus “deep green” features such as landscaping that tolerates drought yet absorbs run-off, green roofs, geothermal heating, low flow plumbing and solar powered outdoor lighting. The sunshine Coast Wakefield Beach display beach home is located at 5373 Wakefield Beach Lane in Sechelt, BC recreational property and is open 9 to 6pm daily. For more information about this waterfront home development in the Sunshine Coast BC, please call 604.741.9899 or toll free at 1.888.741.9899 or you can visit the Wakefield Beach home web site at www.wakefieldbeach.com.

Wakefield Beach Sechelt Family Homes

Waterfront homes in the heart of the recreational Sunshine Coast BC resort real estate market are a rare find. Now, the final release of the Sechelt Wakefield Beach homes are upon us, with detached single level and some two or three level single family Sunshine Coast waterfront homes for sale between $600s to $1.5 M. Right now, the pre-construction Wakefield Beach waterfront home display presentation centre is located on site at 5373 Wakefield Beach Lane in Sechelt and is open from 9 to 6. You can also visit wakefieldbeach.com for additional details regarding these final fifteen pre-construction Sechelt Wakefield Beach luxury waterfront homes in the BC resort real estate market. There are deep green features, menaing that these Sechelt waterfront homes at Wakefield Beach will have a minimal impact on the environment through building construction processes that make sure that nature is protected in the development process.

IconVallarta Inspired by Yoo by Philippe Starck

Another collaboration of some of the greatest minds in real estate development and marketing have combined this time in Puerto Vallarta at the Icon Vallarta Condominiums. Designed by Yoo by Starck, the IconVallarta resort condos represents an excellent choice for any property investor to get into the resort real estate market.

Would you like more information?

If resort or recreational property interests you or if you are planning on moving or retiring to Puerto Vallarta, the Icon Vallarta condominium project may be a great choice for you and your family. You can read all the details online at the Yoo and STarck Icon Vallarta website at: http://www.iconvallarta.com/home.html. The Puerto Vallarta Icon Condominium project will be a development consisting of a twenty six story high rise that depicts a luxury residential yet resort tower. The total number of condominium suites at the Icon Vallarta in Mexico will be three hundred and sixty six and will contain seven magnificent pool villas that look out to the open Pacific Ocean. Spectacular in design and construction, the Puerto Vallarta Icon Vallarta condominium homes is designed by the Arquitectonica Architects and the interior design will be handled by YOO by Philippe Starck. Luxury condominium living is coming to Puerto Vallarta, so hold on, save your money and purchase your dream escape condo along the beautiful shores of the ocean. The real estate project will be enclosed by a private hacienda-style wall transforming Icon Vallarta into a private oasis and there will be landscaped entrance with private drop-offs in each of the condo towers. The lobbies will be furnished with the imagination of YOO by Starck and there will be professionally landscaped lush gardens throughout. For unsurpassed luxury resort and recreational condominium living, the Puerto Vallarta IconVallarta project will be the best of its kind in Mexico.

The amenities

Icon Vallarta will host a unique and contemporary architecture as well as the best in modern interior design that is minimal yet sophisticated and elegant. In addition, this Puerto Vallarta condominium resort real estate property will have five acres of stunning oceanfront property with exclusive beach access for all residents as well as great gardens and Mexican sculptures, two story lobbies in each of the three condo towers in addition to a five hundred foot infinity edge swimming pool, private gourmet restaurant, twenty seat state of the art movie theatre and an oceanfront gym with full spa service, sauna and steam rooms. Living and investing in this sort of resort real estate recreational property at Puerto Vallarta’s Icon Vallarta condominiums should be an easy decision for you to make. The Icon Vallart’s residences are designed by Yoo by Starck and will include two and three bedroom luxurious beachfront and oceanfront residences, many of which have private elevators) in addition to floor to ceiling glass windows, nine foot ceilings, state of the art modern bathrooms, spacious outdoor terraces and balconies as well as great views of the ocean, mountains and vibrant downtown Puerto Vallarta. The resort property at Icon Vallarta will also have the most high-tech pre-wiring in every room.

More resort amenities at IconVallarta Condos

The seven exclusive two story, two bedroom villas will have exceptional ocean and pool views, private roof top decks with private pools, direct beach and pool access and private lavish landscaped gardens. The kitchens at the Icon Vallarta condominiums in the resort town of Puerto Vallarta will be gourmet and the bathrooms will be completely designed by Yoo by Starck. In addition, IconVallarta resort condos will have over one thousand feet of pristine beaches on Bahia de Banderas and sprinklers, poolside private cabanas, outdoor fire pit, full service beach bar with grilling, gourmet kitchen on the oceanfront, Temascal (an old Mayan ritual spa) in addition to the Icon Vallarta Aqua Club for all your watersports and local recreational needs during your trip. The Spa and Fitness Center at the Puerto Vallarta Icon resort condominium properties will have free weights, cardio equipment, aerobics studio, in room massages, his and her lounges, relaxation areas, Whirlpool tubs, cold plunge pools, steam room, redwood saunas and personalized fitness training. The Icon Vallarta Resort services in Puerto Vallarta will include the following: multilingual staff, twenty four hour valet parking and security service, in room dining, concierge, full service business center, shipping, currency conversion, maintenance staff, housekeeping, dry cleaining, laundry, babysitting, shoeshine and pet services to name a few. You can see images of the views, location, photo gallery, virtual tour and video online at the Icon Vallarta web site located at http://www.iconvallarta.com/home.html.

The Floor Plans at Puerto Vallarta resort community

The recreational real estate property ownership in the resort town of Puerto Vallarta is exploding. With affordable condominiums and luxury villas for sale here, many people are opting to retire in this beautiful locale. Icon Vallarta is the first of its kind when it comes to luxurious condo residences along the oceanfront in Puerto Vallarta and the floor plans are just stunning. The team behind the Puerto Vallarta Icon resort condos includes Yoo by Philippe Starck, Related Group, Arquitectonia and Grupo Chartwell. Located along Mexico’s Gold Coast, you can find more information about Puerto Vallarta online at their website in addition to the Broker’s Login as well as press releases. For contact information about the Icon Vallarta resort condominiums, please contact 1.800.900.ICON in Mexico or 1.877.295.ICON (4265) in the US. The physical address of the IconVallarta Puerto Vallarta recreational resort condos is at NH Krystal Hotel. Av. De las Garzas, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. You can also still register online.