Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mx ... Ghost Town

[jerry]

Lagrimas
I have a guy that wants to do a model of a small prefab house based on this one in Todo Santos ( http://boutique-homes.com/index.php/casa-moderna-todos-santos-mexico ) down my way...where would you buy Plywood Steel framing materials etc.....We will build it in the back shop area at Santo Tomas and reassemble on site.This guy thinks the coastal highway will be real draw . First positive feedback I've gotten in months!

I would be very careful about taking a part of a sucessful business across the border, ask Intesys Technologies in Mesa what happened when they tried to cut costs and moved part of their business to Mexico they didn't last to long. I had a lumber and steel business in Mexicali in 89 and 90 and wound up paying bribes galore to cross my semi loads of lumber and plywood. I mentioned in another thread that I paid 14,000,000 pesos one time it was to cross 2900 sheets of plywood (that was when I quit). I also mentioned a bribe of 50,000 pesos to expedite a business license the guy wouldn't give me. But back then the peso was 3000 to 1 14,000,000 =4200.00 dollars about 1.50 a sheet 50,000 pesos was a little over 16.00 in 1990 I still work in Mexico but I dont want anything to do with cross border business and the politics involved. Just my experience and it was actually different and a lot of fun being the plywood king of baja california for a while.

 

[lagrimas85]

sorry

 

[lagrimas85]

Jerry, I was doing this before NAFTA and lumber plywood and steel because of protectionism were tough to cross without all the right permits. I will check with a customs broker and see what it takes to cross a load now legally. It could be crossed with a bribe but because of inspectors at Almejas outside of Penasco or San Emeterio outside of Sonoyta it would be a problem. We used to cross lumber in Sonoyta also legally but the Mexican Forest Service put an end to that because they didn't have anybody there to inspect the lumber for insects and whatever else they look for so now lumber has to be crossed in San Luis or Mexicali. Jerry, sorry Villalobos or Los Pinos 638-38-32236 in RP are easy to work with on the plywood and Estruturas Y Perfiles would be good on the steel. 638-38-34595 they are really good to work with and not expensive. If you need any help let me know. Rigo the owner of Los Pinos is also my neighbor in Maricopa.

 

[lagrimas85]

Jerry, a big business back before money became easy to get was shell homes especially in vacation areas. When I built my house in San Felipe (1989) we just did a little as the money came in. I built the shell and then finished the inside. If you priced out just the shell it would shock you how cheap that part of the house really is and offering that option could really be a good business. The mexicans figuered that out also, when you buy with financing an infonavit house there is no interior finish at all and the house is cheap. Americans have been fleeced into financing things like carpet, kitchen cabinets, appliances, paint,vanities,sinks, appliances, hot water heaters, ac units, doors, landscaping for 30 years (their mortgage) when most of the crap wears out in ten years and has to be replaced but your still paying for it. The mexicans finish there new homes as the money comes in. SMART__ I wish I could thank myself for this post.

 

[jerry]

Thanks man....I see plenty of houses in Santo Tomas that have 5 Br....5 baths.. and no more than two people using them once a month...the finish-it-yourself idea is a good idea...hell near Pie Town in new mexico my brother (75 and still building stuff) bought a 2200sq ft. cabin shell with metal seamless roofing and 20" logs for 50k.If a property isn't a deal or in a niche,it's destined to stay on the market..

Jerry, a big business back before money became easy to get was shell homes especially in vacation areas. When I built my house in San Felipe (1989) we just did a little as the money came in. I built the shell and then finished the inside. If you priced out just the shell it would shock you how cheap that part of the house really is and offering that option could really be a good business. The mexicans figuered that out also, when you buy with financing an infonavit house there is no interior finish at all and the house is cheap. Americans have been fleeced into financing things like carpet, kitchen cabinets, appliances, paint,vanities,sinks, appliances, hot water heaters, ac units, doors, landscaping for 30 years (their mortgage) when most of the crap wears out in ten years and has to be replaced but your still paying for it. The mexicans finish there new homes as the money comes in. SMART__ I wish I could thank myself for this post.

 

[Roberto]

I also llike the plan to design a house so that you can build one livable room, then add on as money comes in. Trick is to have a plan for the final house so you don't end up with rail car arcitecture. Install stub outs for plumbing, foundation to accept easy later add on.

 

[jerry]

Just arrived in Santo Tomas....no one is here...a first

 

[HILL BOY]

Are you saying they have restarted the Road and they are working on it North of the Circle K also do you know if the palapa bar is still open on the new road

 

[lagrimas85]

Hill Boy,El Solito is the name of the palapa bar at kilometer 20 on the new highway, they are open. The road I mentioned is probably not really the new highway just a faster way for people traveling on the new highway to get to Sandy Beach. It starts at the new highway turnoff and I think its going to pop out at the glorieta near the circle k.

 

[HILL BOY]

You were right just got back from ride and sure enough they are working on rd. Now once it comes out near Circle K where is it going I hope not down Browns snake rd

 

[Smilin' Jack]

If the government officials would get off their fat retarded asses, they would realize that making it easier to set up businesses in Mexico would put people to work, improve the economy and image of Mexico, and generate tax revenue. However, they only seem to want to selfishly increase their own wealth by corruption and mordita, and keep the common citizens oppressed in poverty.

 

[El Gato]

Does anyone know when the Bodega Aurrera is scheduled to be completed? A few weeks ago we noticed ground breaking and then a few days ago noticed what looked like the start of walls going up. Know they can do the big boxes pretty fast. Has anyone ever shopped at a Bodega Aurrera? Will be interesting to see what they stock.

Also, any updates on the Mall? In August we were told the movie theater was almost ready to open (before the mall was completed). At that time there were a lot of workmen there.

 

[mexicoruss]

Aurrera should be open on time April 2011 The architect-builder is type A and will make sure it is done. The mall on the Marina is going strong and is turning out beautiful. They said i t would be open in September but failed to say which year......Maybe 2011? All in all its all good for us!