of Visitors From All Over The World
AN INTERVIEW WITH PHYLLIS LEFEVRE / RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST / CBRP
Few things better illustrate the growth and development of our vibrant community than the diversity of its new residents. Once a hidden getaway for Arizonans, Rocky Point now boasts homeowners from every part of the United States and Canada, as well as Europeans and Mexicans from virtually all of its 33 states.
Statistics and surveys can and do quantify this remarkable -- and rapid -- transformation of our community from a sleepy seaside port to world tourist destination, but the "hands-on" experiences of leaders within our real estate community better illustrate the human side to this growth, and point to its strength and sustainability.
JoinUs is pleased to present this interview with Phyllis LeFevre, a widely experienced Coldwell Banker Rocky Point real estate specialist, to help us understand the reasons her clients are drawn to our beautiful port, and who's personal journey to our community might well mirror your own.
JoinUs: We understand that you've lived in quite a few places. Could you tell us about that?
Phyllis: Certainly. My father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, so moving around was part of what our family did. My first international travel was when I was two months old -- Dad got posted to Japan for two years! After that it was three years in Germany, which is really where my earliest memories come from, and then on to Fort Benning, Georgia. After that Dad retired to Miami, where I spent most of my childhood and young adulthood. But Dad's retirement didn't stop us from traveling, either as a family or -- later -- by myself. We went to China, France, Ireland, England, Alaska -- quite a few places.
JoinUs: You enjoy travel?
Phyllis: I love travel! I think that part of that comes directly from my childhood, but another part is indirect: even after Dad's retirement we'd get visits from his military friends, and military guys tend to be well-traveled, including internationally. You've got to remember that this is in the late 60's and early 70's when a lot of Americans didn't travel much outside the United States. These guys would come to the house with these simply wild stories about adventures they'd had in other countries. It was very broadening.
JoinUs: How did you first become aware of Rocky Point?
Phyllis: That's a bit of a story. My husband Norman -- who is Coldwell Banker Rocky Point's General Sales Manager -- has been a VERY long-time friend of Jeff Reeco, who is CBRP's Director Of Project Development. They met way back in the 70's, in Miami, and did a lot of wild things together, racing cars, racing motorcycles, those sorts of things. Jeff got interested in Rocky Point in the 90's -- that was really still part of the "pioneer" days when Rocky Point was just beginning to explode. He kept telling Norman and I how fantastic Rocky Point was, and all the reasons he'd decided to move there full-time. We were living in Salt Lake City then, and Norman and his best friend Kevin started taking weekend motorcycle trips from Salt Lake to Rocky Point just to get Padillo Burritos! They would leave on Friday morning and arrive late in the afternoon for their first burrito. They'd have their second burrito Saturday night and head back north first thing Sunday morning. I know this sounds crazy, but it's true! And they'd come back with all these stories. Obviously I got interested.
JoinUs: When did you first visit Rocky Point?
Phyllis: I first visited in 1996 -- by motor home, thank you! Norman and I drove down with our Schnausers Misty and Pepper for our anniversary, and we stayed right on the beach at Playa Bonita. It was just beautiful: the Sea of Cortéz, the food, the sunsets, running the dogs on the beach. Just beautiful -- really a perfect vacation -- and it really opened my eyes to the idea that we could live this dream, not just visit it.
JoinUs: Do you find that your clients are generally well traveled?
Phyllis: Yes, very much so. As a Coldwell Banker Rocky Point agent, it has been my privilege to meet a very wide array of Americans, Canadians, Europeans, and -- of course -- Mexicans from other parts of Mexico, and to help them find homes in our community. One of the more enjoyable aspects of this process is finding out just how these families came to be in Rocky Point, and how they view our community through the lens of their travels and life experiences. The diversity of our clientele -- and the diversity of their experience -- seems to grow every day. The one thing that our clients have in common is their appreciation of the unique character of our community and their determination to be part of its future. These people have seen the world and choose Rocky Point to live and invest, which I think says a lot.
JoinUs: What do you think draws people to Rocky Point?
Phyllis: I find that most of our clients appreciate the same things that Norman and I do. The town, and particularly the Old Port, is truly quaint in the best sense of the word: tranquil and unspoiled. The beaches are fantastic, world-class, walking any of our beaches or tide-pools at sunset is a dream come true. The restaurant scene is vibrant and growing daily. The diversity of home ownership opportunities here really couldn't be greater: we've got lovely and serviceable homes for as little as $80,000, and if you need a multi-million dollar seaside villa we've got those too!
JoinUs: Do you see people coming from further afield to visit Rocky Point?
Phyllis: Absolutely, and that's one of the most noticeable and rapid developments in this market. Obviously, the Coastal Highway has a lot to do with it, particularly for Californians. Last year Norman and I saw this phenomenon first-hand when we went to Los Angeles to catch a cruise ship bound for Ensenada. We met people from all around California and the Pacific Northwest and it was remarkable how many of them were not only aware of Rocky Point, but were planning to visit. We've since had the pleasure of hosting many of these new friends here, and the knowledge of our community that they brought to our very first meetings was striking. Our older cruise-mates, in particular, seemed to also be aware of the substantial economic benefits of retirement in Mexico, and showered us with questions about the cost of living, which we happily answered from our own very pleasant experience of the economic benefits of life in Mexico. Health care was, of course, a topic, and our friends were really excited to hear about Rock Point's new hospital and the second one in the works by Amerimed!
None of this is really surprising. When we were in California Norman and I did a little real estate tour. Now, as experienced real estate professionals, we were not surprised to see that there was not a home or condo available on the water for less than $1M -- or off the water less than $800,000 -- but it sure brought home to us why Californians were so excited about even easier access to Rocky Point, with it's ocean-view condominiums starting at less than $200,000! And our West Coast friends also have a great awareness of the upside investment potential of presently modestly-priced Rocky Point properties, which is understandable: they'd lived through a recent explosion of valuation and understood just how quickly markets can change from "bargain" to "very-difficult-to-afford"!
JoinUs: Is the International Airport going to play a major role in the near future?
Phyllis: I am certain that the International Airport is going to play a major role in expanding Rocky Point's geographical "reach", but I also think that the just-announced Aero Litoral service to our existing airport may well be just as big a story. First of all, that service is coming NOW, in just a matter of weeks. They'll be flying to Los Angeles International Airport and Las Vegas three times a week, and to Hermosillo daily! Second, Aero Litoral is Aeromexico Express, and has code-shares with both Mexicana and Delta airlines. The bottom line is that in just a few weeks Rocky Point will be connected to any point on the planet through three major international airports! THAT'S news, and we have our new Developer's Association to thank for this!
JoinUs: Speaking of associations, you've been rather active in PPAREA (Puerto Peñasco Association of Real Estate Agents). Tell us about that.
Phyllis: Well, actually our entire brokerage is active in PPAREA. Our owner, Jonni Francis, is a big believer in the transformative power of professional organizations. She was a driving force behind the formation of PPAREA, and it's first President. But this really isn't about my involvement -- or even Jonni's -- it is about the logical evolution of the real estate community in Rocky Point, and the commitment that we all have to assuring our clients that they will be served in the most ethical and professional manner. We all owe a great debt of gratitude to Jonni, Charlie Salem of Oceano, and Paul Waterman of Tri-Vista, for their leadership of PPAREA, and for helping make Rocky Point what it is today: the fastest growing destination in Mexico.
JoinUs: You sound like you enjoy being part of community-building.
Phyllis: I certainly do. Back in the 'States community service was always a part of what Norman and I considered to be a normal, well-rounded, life. We've even received a few awards for our efforts. But the awards aren't the thing: seeing positive transformation is the thing. I think that this view is shared by many of Rocky Point's new homeowners. It's exciting to be part of the birth of a new city, and that is just what's happening here, the birth of a city. Be a part of it!
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