It’s that time of the week – and we just released our brand NEW podcast edition of Real Estate Radio LIVE! With a cold crisp feel in the air, we are about to visit a real estate market that’s getting hotter, and we don’t just mean the weather! Please join us, and our special expert guest Michael Cobb, as we take a reality-driven drive over the web to Central America in our online-exclusive interview.

This week’s program is inspired by a key global trends seminar presented by the parent company of Sotheby’s International Realty at the Annual REALTOR Convention in Orlando, Florida last month. Among the countless, fellow internationally-inspired attendees, we had the pleasure of meeting Michael Cobb, CEO of ECI Development.

As a pioneer of the emerging Central American real estate opportunities that cropped up in the 1990’s, he is now an established influencer and consultant in the proven property development and finance opportunities that exist in the region today. Last year, Michael was named among the “100 Outstanding CEOs in Central America” By Leading Central American Magazine “Mercados & Tendencias.” As a highly-sought after speaker having presented at hundreds of international conferences about real estate and an established regional property development leader – we knew when we met Michael that he would be the perfect virtual tour guide for Real Estate Radio LIVE!

What to Explore on this podcast:

• Which Central American destinations made Huffington Post’s annual list of 12 Best Offshore Locations To Live or Retire?
• Which Central American destinations may be less well-known, but also packed with potential?
• Which property is perfect for our in-house golf-aficionado (Joe….!)?
• What canal expansion means for the Panama community?
• And much more!

We’d like to sincerely thank Michael for bringing his time, energy and expertise to Real Estate Radio LIVE in this first of a three-part series dedicated to providing you a truly inside perspective on the international real estate market!

Cheers,

Bobbi, Buddy & Your Real Estate Radio LIVE Team

About Michael: Chief Executive Officer in Nicaragua: Michael Cobb, Co-founder

At the height of a successful career in the computer industry, Mr. Cobb 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 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. It continues to provide mortgage services, but has expanded its services to encompass the full realm of financial products.

Mr. Cobb also saw the need for a regional real estate company that would serve the Baby Boomer consumer with a North American standard product for the next 2 decades. He led the group into real estate development and created a holding company for several properties including a resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize. In August of 2000, Exotic Caye purchased 3.5 miles of Pacific Beachfront property due west of Managua, Nicaragua. This master planned community hosts world class infrastructure, 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. Most recently they merged their Belize property with a much larger parcel and have begun to develop 200 condominiums units on Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Additionally, Mike Cobb has spoken at hundreds of international conferences about real estate financing and development. He has acted as a consultant to The Oxford Club and gives counsel to various real estate projects throughout Central America. Since 2002, Mike, his wife Carol, and 2 daughters, Amanda and Emily make their home in Managua, Nicaragua.