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Author

Michael K. Cobb

At the height of a successful career in the computer industry, Michael left to pursue more pioneering opportunities in the emerging real estate markets of Central America.

In 1996, he and his business partner formed a company, Exotic Caye International, to provide loans to North Americans purchasing properties in Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica and throughout the region. As the need for capital outstripped the supply, the mortgage company was converted to an international bank under the jurisdiction of Belize. As Caye International Bank, it continues to provide mortgage services, but has expanded its services to encompass the full realm of financial products.

With a strong focus on consumer need, Michael accurately predicted the growing need for high quality, residential product for North American Baby Boomer retirees in the region. He led the group into real estate development and created a holding company called ECI Development for several properties including a resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize. The model pursued is based on the Del Webb Sun City active senior communities in the U.S. with a focus on serving these consumers in multiple countries and geographies in the region.

In August of 2000, ECI Development purchased 3.5 miles of Pacific Beachfront property due west of Managua, Nicaragua. This master planned community hosts world class infrastructure, a golf course, homes and condominium units. In February of 2006, the ECI Development group acquired 1100 acres and 3km of coastline in Costa Rica, setting the stage for expansion into this popular market. In 2008, they merged their Belize property with a much larger parcel including pool, tennis courts and fitness center and have begun to develop 200 condominiums units on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Most recently in 2012, ECI Development purchased a position in a new project in Panama adding over 700 acres and another mile of Pacific beach front to their holdings.

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Living Overseas

The Top 6 Reasons To Choose Mexico As Your New Home

Michael K. Cobb Dec 13, 2017
The Top 6 Reasons To Choose Mexico As Your New Home. Chris and Judy Barrick are folks I’ve gotten to know over the past several years, and their story is a great one for people looking…
Read More...
Living Overseas

International Real Estate – MLS Systems and Squatter’s Rights

Michael K. Cobb Dec 6, 2017
This article was published in the Escape Artist Weekly Newsletter on December 06, 2017. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, please click here. Last week’s column was…
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Investing OffshoreReal Estate

Property Title Types

Michael K. Cobb Nov 29, 2017
With all the excitement that comes along with moving to an entirely new country, culture, or even hemisphere, there also comes an entirely new set of rules and guidelines for the buying…
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Living Overseas

The Paradise Papers: Demystified

Michael K. Cobb Nov 16, 2017
Sunday before last (November 5, 2017), 13.4 million documents (emails, bank statements, loan agreements) relating to offshore investments were leaked through German newspaper…
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Investing OffshoreReal Estate

Real Estate – The Foundation of Freedom

Michael K. Cobb Nov 14, 2017
It was an honor to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Realtors last fall.   Accepting the role of Director was a decision I considered deeply before…
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Offshore Gold and Silver

4 Reasons Why Gold is a Bargain Right Now

Michael K. Cobb Nov 2, 2017
I’ve always wanted to travel to Australia, but the country-continent has thus far escaped my visit.  Not that I haven’t been invited.  Michael Checkan, a long time dear friend has…
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Investing Offshore

What Can You Buy With Bitcoin? Is it for Real? Where is it Headed?

Michael K. Cobb Oct 20, 2017
What Can You Buy With Bitcoin? Is it for Real? Where is it Headed? How’s this for interesting? At a few recent conferences where I presented, people approached and asked me if they…
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Living Overseas

Inbound and Outbound Global Real Estate – Why it Matters

Michael K. Cobb Oct 12, 2017
Serving on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Realtors permits me to work with top industry experts and collect some interesting data.  Last week I was in New York…
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Residency and Citizenship

Panama and the Special Nations Visa

Michael K. Cobb Oct 5, 2017
Panama and the Special Nations Visa Panama remains a powerhouse in the offshore world. The top reasons are: Panama is safe, with crime rates lower than most major U.S. cities.…
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Investing Offshore

How To Capitalize On Foreclosures Abroad

Michael K. Cobb Sep 28, 2017
How To Capitalize On Foreclosures Abroad I bought my first rental property at the ripe old age of 30. Unlike most people who stick close to home, or at least purchase domestically, my…
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Investing Offshore

Are you ready to live overseas? (Part 2)

Michael K. Cobb Sep 14, 2017
Last week we covered the question of “Are you ready to live overseas?” from a personality standpoint.  The quiz linked in that article is the best short quiz I’ve ever seen.  15 simple,…
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Living Overseas

Are You Ready to Live Overseas? Take the Quiz and Find Out Today

Michael K. Cobb Sep 11, 2017
Many people think that they’d love to live overseas. It’s a great dream, a life’s goal for many.    For others it’s a passionate pursuit - a quest to find a better way of life, perhaps…
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Living Overseas

The Perception Gap

Michael K. Cobb Aug 24, 2017
The Dow Jones Industrial Average just recently set an all-time high of 22,179. At the time of writing this, the index is sitting at 21,703. Are we all in? Are we riding the wave? Are we…
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Offshore TaxesSelf Directed IRA

Rothing your way to your Dream Retirement

Michael K. Cobb Jul 20, 2017
One of the questions I hear most when speaking at conferences is, “Can I use my IRA to own a property overseas?” The simple answer to that question is yes. However, the unspoken…
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Living Overseas

Accountant Needed: Expats in Paradise (Part 1)

Michael K. Cobb Jul 6, 2017
Many people wonder, “What will I do if I move south of the border?” After all, we have to do something for the 16 hours a day that we are awake.  This is a great question, and one that…
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Living Overseas

Nicaragua and President Ortega: Ten Years Later

Michael K. Cobb Jun 30, 2017
Charlton Heston isn’t Moses, but try telling my parents that. Similarly, Nicaragua’s president, Daniel Ortega, isn’t a villain - but try telling the average U.S. citizen that. The…
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Living Overseas

Nicaragua: Another World Within Our Own… Part 2

Michael K. Cobb May 31, 2017
Nicaragua: Another World Within Our Own... Part 2 This is part 2 of a story featured last week in my e-letter.   Click here if you missed Part 1! It a consolidation of an article …
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Living Overseas

Nicaragua: Another World Within Our Own

Michael K. Cobb May 24, 2017
This is a consolidation of an article detailing the Cobb family’s Nicaragua adventure along the Rio Coco and the Honduran border for 7 days in 2003. This Nicaragua, the one…
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Living Overseas

Exploring in El Salvador; Free Zone Park and Tourism Growth

Michael K. Cobb May 22, 2017
Exploring in El Salvador; Free Zone Park and Tourism Growth For the second day of the conference, the PROESA folks scheduled a full day for tours. I selected the “Ruta de los Flores,”…
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Investing Offshore

El Salvador: Great like our People

Michael K. Cobb May 3, 2017
It’s nice to be recognized as an expert in the industry. Sometimes what becomes common place knowledge over time is actually an expertise hidden just below the level of consciousness.…
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