When we make the wise choice to venture outside of our comfort zone to buy real estate in a foreign country, we may not at first realize we have opened the door to new learning experiences. We will have many opportunities to expand the way we social and interact with people, and as well as increase our opportunity to solve problems.
There are some great ocean front condominium buildings in downtown Vallarta and north through the hotel zone, past the Peninsula and into Plaza Neptune. Many of these buildings have commercial neighbors who own restaurants, clubs, and retail stores. In this mixed-use environment, there are times when noise or parking becomes a challenge.
One wise condominium owner used his ingenuity to solve a problem his beach front building had with a nearby restaurant which offered live music in the evenings. As we all know during low season and current economic times, restaurants and retail stores, service businesses such as massage and beauty salons are adding perks or incentives to attract customers. Many restaurants add entertainment in addition to special pricing of meals and drinks.
This wise owner was suffering like the others in his building, from the loud evening music of the neighbor restaurant. Various attempts to talk to the restaurant owners achieved only temporary success of the lowering the music and singer’s voice. So the tension increased between the condominium building owners and guests with the restaurant. The normal solution was for the building representative to pursue legal channels about city regulations on noise. The building owners might go to the expense of sending notices, while increasingly getting into an adversarial position against the neighbor. Once the situation had escalated, it would be harder to find a simple and calm solution.
This wise owner saw what was happening and decided to try another way. He wrote a polite letter to the public, which he was planning to put up so people walking by his building and those going into the restaurant would see it. “ Bad Neighbors” was the title of the letter. “Good neighbors are considerate of each other. Our restaurant neighbor has become a bad neighbor by continuing to blast loud music in the evenings so we cannot enjoy our terraces or even our homes. We ask you to not eat here, but if you do, please tell the restaurant to Turn It Down.”
The owner finished his letter and then went over to the restaurant. He knew the owner and was a frequent customer up until the time of the problem. The wise man was pleasant and said hello to the owner and told him he would not be coming back because the noise at the restaurant was inconsiderate of the neighbors, and he was a neighbor. He showed the letter to the owner. For the first time, the restaurant owner understood the depth of the problem he was creating and the potential loss of customers who could return to his restaurant again and again. The music was turned down and still continues to be. The wise owner goes back to the restaurant when he is in town. The owner thanked the good customer, and the restaurant continues to be a good neighbor.
This article is based upon legal opinions, current practices and my personal experiences. I recommend that each potential buyer or seller of real estate conduct his own due diligence and review.
A Wise Condominium Owner in Mexico
Harriet Cochran Murray, Director of Cochran Real Estate, is a seasoned Real Estate professional both here in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and in the United States. Harriet has served in many capacities as a board member for the local Real Estate Association AMPI (AMPI is the national association of real estate professionals). She is also a member of FIABCI and NAR in the United States. Harriet’s expertise and experience in the Real Estate and especially in the Mexican market makes her Viewpoint blog articles both informational and intriguing. Harriet is an Agent who specializes in getting the best deal on the right property for her clients. Visit her website at www.casasandvillas.com and Check out her Real Estate Listings.
