3 of the Best International Property Markets

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.

A few places jump off the page of my annual survey of 28 property markets around the world, just published in Global Property Advisor.

These markets have been home runs for capital gains investors while also earning decent income.

Let’s take a look at these markets, analyzing their performance over the past three years. (The costs per square meter are based on a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with an ocean view.)

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

• Cost per square meter: $5,720
• Three-year price change: Increased 66.2%
• Property trades in: USD (or MXN)

Puerto Vallarta is a “branded” city that conjures images of sun, fun, surf, beaches, fine dining, and natural beauty.

Branded cities hold a big advantage for property investors since their public image alone goes a long way toward making the case for visiting, buying, or investing.

When it comes time for renting or resale, your life is easier if you’re in a branded city. What’s more, the operating cost for a property in Puerto Vallarta is inexpensive, thanks to the current strength of the U.S. dollar.

It’s no longer at its peak, but it’s still strong by historic standards. Your taxes, restoration costs, furniture, and upkeep will all benefit from a strong dollar.

At more than $5,000 per meter for ocean-view properties, PV is not cheap.

But the quality construction, broad views, active rental market, and high occupancy rates have kept investors in this market for the long haul.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

• Cost per square meter: $11,366
• Three-year price change: Increased 77.1%
• Property trades in: USD

Providenciales is quintessential Caribbean; it has powdery white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters, luxury accommodations, and fine dining. Residents enjoy the sun, the sand, and the excellent diving and snorkeling on its 80 miles of barrier reef.

Compared to the high energy and crowds of Puerto Vallarta, Providenciales conveys a quiet and refined feel. Providenciales is the most developed island in Turks and Caicos, yet it has a population of just 25,000.

The beachfront properties on Providenciales are some of the most beautiful in the world … and with price tags of a million dollars and up, it has long been a second home market geared toward the wealthy.

A few years ago, Lief Simon was speaking with a Global Property Advisor member who insisted that this was also a good investment market … a market on the move.

Wanting to nail down the numbers, Lief asked me to keep an eye on it. As it turns out, our member was right. Prices on Providenciales have gone up by a healthy 77% over the past three years.

At more than $11,000 per meter, this is one of the world’s most expensive markets … but it’s a high performer nonetheless.

Mazatlan, Mexico

• Cost per square meter: $3,179
• Three-year price change: Increased 77.3%
• Property trades in: MXN (or USD)

Most people come for the long, sandy beaches, lined by one of the longest boardwalks and bike lanes in the hemisphere.

And while inventories are low, there’s still a fair number of on-the-sand beachfront properties and water-view homes available.

But the newly refurbished historic center — which also has a beach — is actually more popular with full-time expats than sectors that have longer, nicer beaches.

Here, people are drawn to the city’s best restaurants, attractive plazas, theater, live music, and historic architecture. (I have a home here myself.)

As a further testament to its value and lifestyle, Mazatlan ranked No. 3 in the world in this year’s Overseas Retirement Index, published earlier this month.

Mazatlan’s Boom

Mazatlan is a long-time beach resort located on Mexico’s Pacific coast. And while it’s certainly not undiscovered, it has been seriously overlooked by investors and second homebuyers.

But it looks like those days are over. As with most outliers, people eventually notice. In fact, dozens of our readers have purchased and moved here over the past few years.

Indeed, we made three specific project recommendations to Global Property Advisor members. Here’s how they turned out:

• Casa Victoria’s units have increased by about 118% since July 2020 (34% per year).
• Villa Vicario has increased 59% since February 2022 (32% per year).
• Las Gavias Grand is up around 100% since December 2017 (17% per year).

Mazatlan’s boom coincides with the completion of a new highway connecting it to Mexico’s interior cities, such as Durango, Torreon, and Monterrey.

Even McAllen, Texas, is just over 12 hours away nowadays, according to Google Maps. This highway has brought vacationers, investors, and buyers from all over Mexico.