Guide To Buying And Owning Mexico Real Estate
Guide To Buying And Owning Mexico Real Estate
If you have decided to live, invest, or retire in Mexico, there are many places in Mexico where you can find a good deal on buying Mexico real estate. From the big cities to the beach resort areas in Cabo, Baja, and the Mayan Riviera, Mexico has plenty of real estate opportunities. Many people decide to pack up their things to purchase real estate in Mexico. They may be deciding to buy a second property for vacation purposes or they may be owning Mexico real estate for their permanent residence. Either way, there are some great places to choose from in Mexico when buying property:
- Playa del Carmen Real Estate – Caribbean beachfront living from Playa to Tulum
- San Miguel de Allende – Mountains, beautiful weather, the cultural capital of Mexico
- Merida Real Estate – an old colonial city with inexpensive Mexican colonial real estate
- Cabo San Lucas – Pacific beach living at its finest
What many people do not realize when they make the decision for buying Mexico real estate is that the rules may be different than what they are used to. It is never a good idea to make a significant investment in real estate unless you understand all of the things that are involved in owning Mexico real estate and that have to be done. That is true when you are buying real estate in Mexico. Before you start to look for any property, it is worth learning what to expect and what the process is for owning real estate in Mexico when you are a foreigner.
Communal Property For Owning Mexico Real Estate
The Constitution of 1917 set rules about owning real estate in Mexico. It could only be owned by Mexican Nationals or it had to be communal property. That meant that it was impossible for a foreigner to buy property in Mexico. That constitution was amended in 1973. After that time foreigners could own property as long as it was not in a restricted zone. The restricted zones were defined as areas within 100 kilometers of an international border or within 50 kilometers of coastline at high tide. Another amendment added in 1993 allowed foreigners to purchase real estate in the restricted zones through a Fideicomiso system.
Fideicomiso System For Buying Mexico Real Estate
Under this system, foreigners could purchase a property through a bank trust. The bank is the trustee. They are the legal owner of the real estate. The foreigner is the beneficiary of the trust. They have all of the rights of ownership and can sell, lease, mortgage, or pass the trust to their heirs as they want.
The trust that is created is good for 50 years. It can be renewed at any time during that 50 year period for another 50 years. If it is not renewed after 50 years, there are another 10 years to submit the application to renew the trust.
Another way to purchase property is through a Mexican corporation. They can purchase property anywhere in Mexico, but the property is considered a commercial property and is subject to higher utility fees. Corporations cannot own single-family residences.
The Buying Process For Owning Mexico Real Estate
Searching for a property is similar to other countries. The foreigner can work through a Mexico real estate agent that list properties for sale. Once they find a property they want to buy, they can negotiate the sales price. Upon the agreement on the price, a deposit of 5 to 10% is paid to the buyer.
The foreigner needs to then obtain a permit to buy the property from the foreign secretary’s office. This will include a clause that the foreigner agrees that, foreign jurisdiction will not be sought in the property.
Once that permit has been obtained, the seller needs to provide the land deed. It is a good idea to have a lawyer review this deed for any potential problems. The deed is transferred to the buyer and the buyer pays the seller the remainder of the money. The process of registering the property can last anywhere from 48 to 108 days.
Costs For Buying Mexico Real Estate
Besides the agreed-upon price of the property, there are other costs that have to be paid. Some are typically paid by the buyer and others are paid by the seller.
The Mexico real estate buyer pays:
- Notary costs
- Acquisition tax
- Registration fees, other fees
- Title insurance
The Mexico real estate seller pays:
- Real estate agent fees
Conclusion
Make sure that when you are a foreigner buying and owning Mexico real estate, you have the help of a professional experienced in this type of transaction. It will help you get exactly what you are looking for without any additional risks.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article: Guide To Buying And Owning Mexico Real Estate. If you have any questions, please contact our office HERE.
If you’re thinking of leaving your home country and working in a country that doesn’t speak your language, I would suggest you take some language courses. My friend Olly Richards has one of the best platforms on the planet. Reach out to him at ICanTeachYouALanguage. He does several with Spanish being his #1 course.
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