Real estate investing is always a challenge. The big question investors are asking now is whether they should invest in bargain luxury real estate. Property values have dropped 25% or more in key US retirement destinations and luxury markets like Phoenix, Tampa, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orlando, Sacramento and Riverside-San Bernardino.

For a residential real estate buyer, this market might be considered a gift, but a buyer's market in housing won't correct an area's high cost of living. There's little point in buying discounted luxury real estate if the long-term cost of living there is burdensome.

For the investor, the cost of living is irrelevant as long as he can find a buyer for the luxury real estate. Unfortunately in these market conditions, investors can't be sure that they're buying at the true market low. Realistically, property values may continue to decline or stagnate, and investors who purchase now may either have to hold these properties until they recover value, or may have to accept a loss if the property must be sold.

Instead of gambling on the US luxury real estate market, savvy investors are purchasing real estate in top real estate markets outside the United States. Mexico's real estate market is one of the few real estate markets worldwide that is providing positive returns right now.

Within the Mexican real estate market, Puerto Vallarta is one of the five best performers both in value and volume. Puerto Vallarta property is priced affordably and has appreciated at double-digit rates for the last ten years. In addition, the cost of living in Puerto Vallarta is 50% to 75% lower than it is in most US real estate markets, and the quality of life is comparable to that in the US. This combination of growth and affordability has made Mexico the number one retirement destination in the world. In terms of high-performance luxury real estate, you'll find few better options than Puerto Vallarta.