It's no secret. There is a lot of real estate in Ajijic. There are a lot of homes for sale on Lake Chapala's north shore in Ajijic Mx. Some savvy owners are beginning to reduce prices as a reaction to the slower market created by the economic woes north of the border.
Many buyers are turned off by 15 to 25 year-old homes that look like they were built in the late 50's and 60's. Concepts, plans and materials didn't change until the very late 80's. Smart shoppers are noticing that many older homes are more spacious and on larger lots, but the houses look a little tired and worn. With advantageous costs, good workers and materials, giving a house a "facelift" is a breeze.
A good way to make your real estate in Ajijic more appealing is by, ELIMINATE EXCESS AGE: Changing the varying floor styles to an updated, uniform "Mexican" look with handmade clay tile (barro) or a light-colored, textured ceramic tile throughout is a quality starting place in the older homes in Ajijic Mx.
Changing the kitchen's old pastel tile with today's neutral tile and colored grout and updating the cabinet doors with paint, a simple molding and new hardware can take years off most area kitchens.
Bathrooms in many older homes in Ajijic Mx have 50's-style marble countertops and mis-matched sinks and toilets and entire walls of baby pink, yellow, green or blue ceramic tile. Try removing the tile to shower height, and replacing a few rows with a checkerboard design or border design in white, a pattern or a deeper shade of tile. Repeat this combination for a new countertop and to border an expanse of mirror to replace the old medicine cabinet.
Change old jalousie windows and expanses of 1960's-style sliding glass doors for locally-made small-paned windows and French doors for a huge difference in the ambiance of the house.
ENLIGHTEN, ILLUMINATE AND ENLIVEN: Bring in the light! Installing skylights, enlarging windows and changing large windows into French doors is relatively inexpensive and the change light makes in rooms is amazing. Don't miss adding skylights to bathrooms, but be aware that clothing in a closet with a skylight can become faded in just a couple months. Avoid large skylights on southern or western roof slopes, as the sun's rays will make the rooms too warm.
Think of updating your home's lighting. Adding solar garden lamps, sensors to turn exterior lights on at dark and off at dawn and energy efficient light bulbs will keep you safe and your property secure, without excess electric bills. Inside, check out changing the outdated fixtures for ceiling fans with lights, rows of spots and change out-of-date heavy "Mediterranean-style" fixtures for more current lamps.
A fresh coat of paint-inside and out will give you a lot of bang for your buck. In addition to adding life to the property, the fresh new paint will also create an illusion of a house that is "clean and new." Don't forget to paint inside cupboards, cabinets and closets to help create the image of space.
ENHANCE CURB-APPEAL: Curb-appeal is noticeably lacking in many of the homes at Lake Chapala., Ajijic Mx It is Mexican custom to put the decorating money "inside the walls." You can make a world of difference in a property for very little money by adding an "Alamo-style" façade or installing a couple of "typically" Mexican French doors with tiny, plant-filled wrought iron balconies. An attractive sidewalk or driveway, accent moldings on exterior windows and doors, window boxes or planters for climbing vines or small trees and a fresh coat of paint create a warm image that carries through the home in Ajijic Mx.
Making your real estate in Ajijic more appealing is just a matter of using common sense and making some simple changes to that beautiful old home of yours.
(Read more of Judy King's articles on the on-line magazine, "Living at Lake Chapala" at www.mexico-insights.com.)
