Ronan McMahon

Ronan McMahon

A finance graduate, Ronan McMahon worked in the e-business consultancy and dot-com industries before joining International Living as Real Estate Marketing Director in January 2004. Ronan has been an active real estate investor since his early twenties and joining International Living gave him the opportunity to marry his personal and professional interests. Last year Ronan took up the position of Executive Director with Pathfinder. Pathfinder is International Living's preferred Real Estate advertising partner. Pathfinder scouts the globe to find the most unique and value-oriented real estate opportunities. Ronan writes International Living's Real Estate Trend Alert and regularly contributes to International Living's print and online publications. Ronan has travelled to 15 countries in the past 12 months alone following real estate trends with the potential for profit. Instinct, experience and an unrivalled black book of contacts give Ronan McMahon access to the inside track to unique profit opportunities.

    Ronan McMahon's Articles

    • Why I Won’t Buy in Panama City

      Dear Reader,I’ve lived in Panama City for the last three and a half years. And I started studying the real estate market here four and a half years ago. I love living in Panama City, but I still haven’t bought a property here.And you shouldn’t either-until you read this.Sure, you’ll see those headlines about Panama’s strong economy (forecast growth this year: 5%). And you’ll hear the talk about all those multinational companies relocating their regional headquarters here (Caterpillar, Proctor & Gamble), and the properties their workers will need. Next it’s the mega-projects…the new Metro, port expansions, and the granddaddy of…

    • Turn Every Dollar You Invest Into $1.20 Instantly!

      In today’s investment markets, a sure thing is hard to come by. In 10 years of investing in and scouting non-U.S. real estate markets, I’ve discovered something that comes close just once. And the phone call I had with a contact in Paris convinced me that this strategy remains the closest you’ll get to a sure thing in the international real estate investing game.Whenever a developer talks about guaranteed rental returns, I hear alarm bells. From Dubai to the Dominican Republic, real estate developers “guarantee” rental returns pushing double digits for periods up to four years. In the industry, it’s…

    • Three Top International Profit Plays for 2009

      In this time of stock market meltdowns and economic crisis, the question readers ask daily is, “Where can I put what I have left?”Here are three profit plays that have my attention. They’re all outside of stocks and outside of the States. And they come with incredible upside potential.Make Money Pick # 1: Fortaleza, BrazilBrazil’s domestic economy continues to grow. Foreign investment is up and gaining momentum. Direct-flight access from the U.S. is increasing. Brazil–and Fortaleza in particular–is getting serious about marketing to foreign tourists. Fortaleza is already one of the biggest domestic tourist destinations in Brazil. The World Cup…

    • Profiting from the 2014 World Cup in Fortaleza Part 2

      Last October, I told you about the $5.25 billion investment the Fortaleza area will receive in the run up to the 2014 Soccer World Cup. Fortaleza is going to see a major upgrade in roads (there will be a new ring road), rail (a new metro system), bridges, port, and airport infrastructure. This will make certain areas more accessible and desirable.If we buy pre-construction today in areas set to benefit from The Path of Progress, by the time we take delivery of our units in three years time, this new infrastructure will have been delivered or will be within months…

    • Profiting from the 2014 World Cup in Fortaleza Part 1

      On May 31st this year, I sat in a crowded restaurant on Fortaleza’s boardwalk. Everyone was silent. No one even dared fumble with their cutlery. The tension was unbearable…that was until the restaurant erupted. Champagne corks started flying, tables were for dancing. Far away in Nassau (on the Bahamas) Fortaleza was named as a host city for the 2014 Soccer World Cup. We were glued to the live feed.This was good news. We knew it would mean dramatic infrastructure upgrades, investment in tourism, media attention, a feel-good factor and marketing of Fortaleza. The tournament itself will see a tourism boom…

    • Own a Vineyard in Argentina for $5,000 an Acre

      Few places in the world are suitable for quality wine production. The climate and soil need to be right, and vine cultivation and wine production expertise need to be available locally. You also need production and marketing infrastructure. No surprise, then, that to own an acre of vineyard in California’s Napa Valley could set you back $180,000. In the Loire Valley in France, you could pay $200,000.What might surprise you is that owning your own vineyard is within your reach….plus, this vineyard could earn you a healthy income.If you have ever dreamed of owning your own vineyard, you need to…

    • Land Banking Opportunities in Uruguay

      Uruguay rarely makes the headlines. There are no natural disasters. The crime rate is low. It’s safe, stable, and cultured. The infrastructure, from modern airports to roads, is first class. Uruguay goes quietly and successfully about its business. In 2008, it made headlines with GDP growth of 8.9%. The country isn’t burdened with debt either. Montevideo’s largest shopping mall plans a $100 million expansion, adding to the 200 stores already open.For many years, the department of Rocha, in the eastern part of Uruguay has been a favorite with rich Argentines. East from Punta del Este, it stretches to the border…

    • Investing in Ecuador’s Pacific Coast

      Ecuador has 1,400 miles of coastline. The most under-developed section of coast lies between Atacames and San Vicente. Semi-dry forest covers the hills. Pristine beaches extend along the coast. This has been the least accessible stretch of Ecuador’s coast.This is set to change. Access to this stretch of coast should improve dramatically. This area is set to become the closest beach area to Quito and its new international airport. Construction on a new highway from Quito to Pedernales is well advanced. It is due for completion in January 2010.Work is also progressing on schedule on the bridge from Bah a…

    • International Investing – Riveria Maya Mexico

      Greetings from Tulum on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. The coastline here is a series of crescent-shaped white sand beaches, lapped gently by the turquoise Caribbean. The jungle interior reveals Mayan ruins and exotic wildlife, and the world’s second-longest coral reef which has attracted divers, snorkelers, and eco-tourists for years hugs the coastline. Today, the sky is blue. The sand is white. The weather is just perfect.Mexico – International Investing Scouting ReportThe Riviera Maya, which runs from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, is close enough (100km) to Cancun’s international airport but far removed from the jaded over-development that has marred Cancun. The proximity…

    • If You Don’t Want to Pay Gringo Prices

      If there’s one thing I’ve learned from real estate scouting over the years, it’s this: don’t trust asking prices for property. Don’t take them as a true indicator of how much the property is really worth and don’t rely on the seller to provide accurate information to justify his asking price.We tend to blame inflated pricing on the fact that we’re “gringos”-foreigners that locals assume are rich enough to pay more for a property than a local buyer.  But that’s not the whole story.Finding a fair price is much easier in countries like the UK and the US. You go…

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