Driving through Cancun's Hotel Zone these days, you'd never know that this part of Mexico had been struck by Hurricane Wilma only a couple of years ago. All branches of government, along with the private sector, have not only erased the signs of damage, but have taken advantage and have renovated both the Hotel Zone and the city of Cancun. And now with the area's building and development efforts back in full swing, it might be easy to forget about the real estate pinch affecting markets in the US. For many here, in fact, there are so many opportunities not only in Cancun, but the state of Quintana Roo, the Yucatan Peninsula and Mexico in general, that the question oftentimes isn't what to buy or how, but how much can I buy and where do I sign? Resort areas in Mexico that were originally created for development as hotel properties have paved the way for the timeshare and fractional ownership industries, and which have laid the groundwork for the promotion of these areas as full-time beachfront residential properties. Changes in property laws, proximity to international airports and the ability of foreign citizens to secure financing for purchases here has made the entire Yucatan Peninsula attractive for both national and international real estate investors. And for many investors, the short-term results have been extremely encouraging: In 2006, Dave and Raine Ayeres of Phoenix, Arizona purchased a 2500 square-meter (0.6 acre) property with a two-bedroom single family vacation-style home in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo for $250,000. It was bought in trust with Banco del Bajio, one of a growing number of national banks concentrating on land trusts in resort areas like Cancun. The sale was handled by real estate lawyers in Cancun, and the entire transaction was handled, mostly via conference calls and e-mails, in less than two months. Last month, the Ayeres received an offer of $500,000 for the property in cash. It was their third offer in that range this year. While they love the property and the area, they are seriously considering the offer, and have loved their short-term returns, to say the least. The whole process represented a learning curve for the couple, but after finding proper representation to handle the transaction, they wouldn't hesitate to do it again. In fact, they have their sights set on an adjoining piece of property to build their retirement home. The key for the Ayeres, as is the case for anyone considering the purchase of property in Mexico, is to find a reputable firm to take care of all the details from a to z. While trying to do it yourself may save you a few pesos here and there, nothing buys the peace of mind of knowing that your investment is secure and legal. The Ayeres Family purchased land and a home, but the condo boom is definitely in full swing in the entire area. Ten, twelve, and sixteen story high-rise towers, much like you'd find along Biscayne Bay in Miami, are dotting the landscape in Cancun, and many more are under construction. And they are selling out. Playa del Carmen, to the south, is seeing similar growth, and developments to the west along the Peninsula's northern coastline are being planned and designed, much of it with the backing of FONATUR, Mexico's land development arm of the federal government.