Welcome to the September 2006 Mi CASA del MAR Newsletter.

• Good Samaritans not so rare in San Felipe
• La Hacienda Development
• News
• Progress to fuel the fire in obtaining upscale real estate
  
• Las Casitas
• Team Member Recognition
• Ask Alicia

Good Samaritans not so rare in San Felipe

How long has it been since you have heard the term “Good-Samaritan”?  It used to be a common phrase.  In this day and age, most kids you ask probably won’t be able to tell you what a Good Samaritan is.  It seems like it has become so uncommon for people to hear of others going out of there way for someone.   If someone is seen doing a good deed, usually there is the overall perception that they have ulterior motives.  When you find yourself opening a door for a stranger, or helping to lift that heavy item for someone into a shopping cart, you are usually met with “that look”.  It is the look that says ok, what do you want?  Are the days when people did nice things for others gone?  Not in San Felipe.

When you hear about people in San Felipe coming together for each other, and lending a hand (simply to lend a hand), it makes you wonder…is it San Felipe that has rubbed off on the people, or the people that have rubbed off on San Felipe.  For those of you who have visited this growing resort town, you know know exactly what is meant.  There is a person in San Felipe that can be seen quite often helping out there fellow man, or woman.  Some know him by his blue & white Ford Bronco that can be seen pulling a broken down motorist out of a tough spot.  Some may know him as the Director of the Construction Department for Mi CASA del MAR.  While others know him by his cheery smile and silver hair.  I know him as all of these and by the name of Edward LaBarre. 

My experience with this unbelievable individual has been inspiring to say the least.  I had heard about this man and the stories of how he helps people out for some time.  The first time I saw him “in action” was toward the beginning of May of this year.  Along the main road that goes from the Airport into town, I came across a large car on the side of the road with a frustrated looking motorist beside.   She had swerved to miss another car pulling out by the Marina and gotten stuck in the sand.  So, up pulls Ed in his Ford Bronco.  He steps out and says to her “Hi Kelly, I’ll have you out of here and on your way in no time.”  After a few minutes of digging, he attached his tow rope that he keeps on-board for occasions like this.  He put his chariot of good-will in 4 wheel drive, and out she went.  He looked like this was just another day, and a chance to do something nice.

Around the end of June of this year, I decided to polish up my BMW motorcycle and take her around San Felipe.  Around noon I ended up hitting a patch of sand in the road, and over my bike went.  I got up, brushed myself off and took a look at the situation.  No broken bones or anything serious, except to the bike.  Oil was leaking out of a thumb sized hole in the side of my bike.  I was pondering the next step, wondering if there was a place that could repair my bike and have it done by the time I was supposed to head out of town the next day.  I was starting to think that I would have to postpone my trip when up pulls the silver haired savior himself.  I am sure he could see how frustrated I was.  Without hesitation he steps out and assesses the bike.  He helped me get it to the curb, then looks over my wounded 2 wheel transport.  “Looks like you have a cracked oil case.  I think we should take it off and clean it up” he says with a big smile on his face.  He pulls out a huge toolbox from the back of his Bronco, and went to work on my bike with the skills of a trained surgeon.  Over the course of the next 8 hours while he was telling me stories about himself he was able to seal the hole, get the bike going again as good as before, and teach me a valuable lesson about selflessness.  Never once did he complain.  Just smiled with an expression that said how happy he was to help another person.  When he was finished I shook his hand and told him how thankful I was for what he did.  He just smiled and said “Its no problem, that’s what people do.” 

I believe he was right. This is what people do...especially in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

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La Hacienda Development

We are happy to announce that we have started 2 new homes at La Hacienda, a Monterey and a Sonora.  What is special about these homes is that we have modified the 2 plans to allow more natural light into the homes. This new modification of the Monterey should make it more attractive to people who want a midsize home with an abundance of open area surrounding it. We will also be starting yet another modified Sonora home design, and another modified Baja design.  Visit our website to see all of the model homes.

We have 4 exciting new home designs that were drawn by the foremost home architect in Baja California, Abraham Sanchez.  He is notorious for creating the most artistic and aesthetically pleasing designs.  The beach development is also progressing. We are now waiting for government approval of Abrahams design for the Malecon area of La Hacienda.  This will include pools, a cafe, bathrooms and beautiful landscaping throughout.  Mi CASA del MAR's Master Plan is truly becoming a reality.

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News

Grey Eagle Airlines will make their first commercial flight to San Felipe on September 1st.  With assurances from the airline that there will be no more delays, San Felipe prepares itself for the first of many Commercial Scheduled Charter flights.

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Progress to fuel the fire in obtaining upscale real estate

South Beach, San Felipe's La Hacienda is continually raising the brow of real estate investors. 

Future changes to this beautiful development are certain to add to the desirability of home ownership here. We are pleased to continue making progress and bringing life to La Hacienda's Baja Community.  This is a new neighborhood featuring 100 new homes, all based on exciting new designs.  We are also excited to near the finalization of our F4.   This will deliver final title to our buyers and help us to move forward with the next steps in building spectacular homes in the Beach Front Community.
 
We are planning to open a very unique restaurant at Las Casitas at La Hacienda.  This will be an exciting step in the expansion of this luxury resort.  This is only a sample of things to come as we add more pools, bungalows and amenities.  All of these additions and changes are made with our customers in mind.  Thus making this upscale development an even more obvious choice for home buyers and resort-goers.  Come visit us in San Felipe's South Beach, Baja California, Mexico.

Contact us today to schedule a personal tour.

You can call us toll free at 877-270-2272 ext.1, or feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Las Casitas

You’ve learned elsewhere in this issue that we have plans to expand Las Casitas. I’m excited about this project because it will give La Hacienda first rate guest quarters, but there’s a lot more to Mi CASA del MAR’s property management programs than renting Casitas.

We now have 6 Condominiums in our inventory at the Villas de La Hacienda, with more being added each month. These one and two bedroom Condos are perfect for the growing families or traveling friends who might need a bit more room. They’re also perfect for the extended stay because they have kitchens which allow you to “dine in” once in a while. San Felipe has some fantastic restaurants, but even the food critic has to eat at home once in a while. Unlike the Casitas, these Condominiums are privately owned, and we rent them, clean them, and if needed, maintain them while their owners are “home”, wherever that may be. Then we send them a check for the balance of the rental income generated each month. How cool is that?

Do you own a home in San Felipe? Are you considering building one? Consider Mi CASA del Mar’s Property Management programs.  Just as we do for our Condo owners, we will advertise, rent, and properly maintain your home when you are not here. Of course you can use it anytime you wish. Here’s a typical scenario:

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Team Member Recognition

Hortensia Negrete
 
As with every other aspect of Mi CASA del MAR, quality and attention to detail are essential.  The overall impression a person gets when they live or stay here is vital to maintaining the status and reputation we have achieved.  For this reason, the individual in charge of keeping the homes ship-shape had to be carefully chosen.  Hortensia fits this role perfectly and runs a very tight ship! 

She oversees the MCDM housekeeping department, making the schedules and setting the high standards of quality.  Hortensia's team is in charge of maintaining our facilities in all of our properties including the Las Casitas resort, rental properties including beautiful homes and condos, and the company's model homes and offices.  Hortensia is serious about getting the job done, yet she maintains a smile and a pleasant team of professionals.  

Way to go Hortensia.  You have helped to make Mi CASA del MAR the place people want to come back to.

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Ask Alicia

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