A region with plenty to offer now – and getting better. That’s how Allen and Renee Tuleck feel about the burgeoning Trujillo Beach in Honduras.
With a new free trade agreement between Canada and the Central American country, and a cruise ship terminal set to open on the beach in December, the Edmonton couple invested in the promising snowbird escape.
The Tulecks bought a lot and plan to build a 1,700-square-foot home at a new master-planned resort called Njoi Trujillo Beach Residences.
“It just made too much sense to us not to invest,” says Allen, who works in the construction department for Macs’ convenient stores.
He says the cruise ship should bring about 10,000 people to the area each day, which will prove an economic boost for the region and add value to resorts like Njoi Trujillo.
This resort is about a three-minute walk to 8,000 feet of white sandy beaches and boasts views of the ocean and the area’s stunning mountainscape.
The Tulecks’ lot has both. “The view is spectacular,” says Allen. “You get the sunset and the sunrise from the same location.”
Those who buy at the resort have a five-year building commitment in the gated community that offers 24hour security. Homes are offered in models that range from 1,200 to 2,200 square feet.
The Tulecks plan to use their second home to escape Edmonton’s frosty winter months. Allen says he and Renee hope to trying water sports on the ocean and taking part in hiking trips through area jungles.
“We want to see what’s out there,” he says.
The area’s “natural beauty” is a major draw for many of the Canadians who have flocked to the region, says Gino Santarossa, a managing partner of Njoi Trujillo. “It’s just stunning.”
The region features a pristine bay surrounded by environmentally protected national parks and natural hot springsthat are within 20 minutes of the resort.
There are more than 30,000 people living in Trujio, with about 3,000 Canadians, says Santarossa.
The resort has 32 0.12 hectare lots in its first phase priced from $55,000 and $75,000 US depending on the location.
Although this phase is nearly sold out, an additional 27 lots in its second phase are expected to open soon.
The resort’s third phase will feature 320 condos. During construction of this phase, a large slate of amenities will also be developed, including a swimming pool, spa, gym and tennis court.
When Santarossa and the other partners at Njoi Trujillo opened the resort, they expected buyers to be almost exclusively retirees, he says.
“But we have been quite surprised with the amount of younger couples,” says Santa-rossa.
They even include couples in their twenties, especially from places like Edmonton and Fort McMurray.
However, most of the buyers are age 40 and older, he says. “The majority of people would be typical snowbirds going down in the winter months,” says Santarossa. “They purchase the property for themselves, but also purchase it as an investment for additional rental income.”
The resort will offer a rental program for its residents, managing the properties while its North American owners are home.
It includes the Tulecks, who say they’ll rent their second home while they are home in Edmonton.
PROJECT: Njoi Trujillo Beach Residence is a gated master-planned community with single-family home lots and plans for a condo development.
DEVELOPERS: The property is being developed by a four-person team including Paul Todos, Lucia Todos, Gino Santa-rossa and Cristina Santarossa, all of Ontario.
AREA: Trujillo Beach in Honduras.
PRICES: Lot prices are $55,000 to $75,000 US depending on location.
INFORMATION: Visit the website at njoitrujillo.com, or phone 1-888960-6564.
Allen and Renee Tuleck.
BACKGROUND: The couple is originally from Mannville, Alta., and now live in Edmonton. Allen works for the construction department of Macs’ convenience stores, while Renee works for the federal government. Inspired by the economic promise of Trujillo beach in Honduras, the couple bought a lot and plan to build a second home at Njoi Trujillo Beach Residences, a gated community with views of the ocean and mountains.
The view is spectacular. You get the sunset and the sunrise from the same location.
This article is property of Calgary Herald.