Real Estate in Mexico

"Use spanish in your seaches. Casa y depas en PV, departamentos para rentar, etc. It is still better if you rent an airbnb and walk around the area that you are interested in just looking for places that are available. The ones that are real cheap tend not to be listed on the web. NEVER send money as a deposit. Don't hand over any money until you are actually inside of the apartment with the owner or an agent that you are 100% sure is authorized to be acting for the owner," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Merida.

"My favorite area is 5 Diciembre with a more local atmosphere and more Mexican nationals full time occupants, than some of the others," explained one person living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

"After studyinng the market here for 2 1/2 years and debating renting or buying, we learned a lot about neighborhoods. And we learned the best way to figure out where you want to be is to come down and go airbnb for a while in different neighborhoods to figure out what you want. For those of us on a budget, Norte and Santiago are much too expensive and the father you go from Centro prices fall dramatically. We just bought a house and it was only after looking at very many and being ready to pounce on one that was significantly reduced in price and in excellent condition. Those go very quickly. Even renting, remember if you don't like the neighborhood, you're stuck for a year usually," said one expat in Merida.

"We had a company help us find housing. Only to find out that every place she took us was either her's or a friend. We moved 1 year later. We now live in an Apartment that is about 2500 sq foot. Great view, close to the shopping mal l, etc," remarked one member in Mexico City.

"I don't believe there is a "typical" home or apartment in Manzanillo. Choices are varied. Houses in the hills offer spectacular views, cool breezes and a variety of architectural plans. The tradeoff with the nice views is the multiple floors (steps). Flat areas close to or on the beaches offer one-level living, but you give up views and sometimes there's flooding in the rainy seasons, depending on location. Condominiums on or near beaches are varied, from "tired" to well maintained. HOA fees are not reasonable (i.e. Vida del Mar for a 2 bedroom averages $400+ per month). Living in a home on the beaches although beautiful, one should consider privacy and security - all beaches are open to the public. Areas around the resorts and hotels are noisy during holidays and weekends (loud music until wee hours of the morning). The variety of choices makes Manzanillo unique - there's something for everyone, just need to explore for a right fit," explained one person living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

"What is the average price in the country you’re from? In the US it varies greatly! Mexico is a big country and prices will vary depending on where you are, the size of the house and property, and amenities (pool, gated, security, golf course, etc), as well as being higher in the beach and heavy tourist areas. Due a google search on cities you’re interested in and check out COL (including housing costs) on numbeo.com," said one expat in Mexico.

"We live in a house on the beach. Many ex-pats live in houses and condos on or close to the beach," remarked one member in Manzanillo.

"I live in a 300 year old historical neighborhood that is very exclusive. There are many expats from Germany, France and other countries in the city that mostly live in very modern, new houses. My home is rare to obtain even by the locals," explained one expat living in Puebla, Mexico.

"We live in a single family dwelling that shares side walls with my neighbors. It is 2 story with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Houses are made with brick or cider block with a skin coat of concrete. Many houses have beautiful, lush gardens with indoor/outdoor living. We chose not to have one. Many people have maids and gardeners but it was not in our budget. Square footage of houses include covered porches so be aware of that. We looked at one house that a porch was 1/3 of the square footage which left very little living space," said one person in Lake Chapala.

"Much lower. We pay our property taxes and water yearly. Our taxes are $699 MX and water is $1000 MX per year. Electricity is expensive in Mexico but still less than the US and is paid every other month. We have our propane tank filled on the off month and runs about $1600 MX for 2 months. Phone and internet is $600 MX per month and that is with unlimited long distanse. We have satelite which comes out of Canada. They have grocery stores that carry US products but it is imported and therefore expensive. Produce, eggs, meat, chicken and fish is amazing and reasonable. You can pay as much as you want or as little as you have for a house and find something to fit your needs," said one person in Lake Chapala.

"I purchased a pre construction condo right on the beach built by the best developer on the Baja. It has tons of amenities and beautiful ocean views. I paid $350,000 before I upgraded it. I wanted to be close to my Son and 6 month old grandson and could not afford or want to afford anything in the San Diego area. Where else on the West coast could I have done this? The Condo just South of downtown Rosarito is 1 hour away from my son's house coming back into Mexico and maybe an hour and 45 minutes going there on a good day. Much better than my 5-6 hour drive from Las Vegas. I already have equity in the condo since prices have climbed. I love Mexico, the people and the food! If you are contemplating this go rent there for a while and check it out but come with an open mind. It is Mexico not the US so don't expect much to be the same but be open to new adventures. You only live once," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Rosarito.

"We lust bought a small (1400sqft) house in Rosarito for $325,000. Not much inventory so if are ready to buy you can't be real picky. The 2 places we really wanted to see sold the day before we got there. New house built in 2019, nice furniture & long range ocean view," explained one person living in Mexico.

"We are paying $12,000 pesos/month, which is about $625 USD which is less than we paid in a mobile home community in Florida. Our TV/Internet/Home phone is approx. $70/mo. We have not gotten the electric or water bills yet, but we have been told that electric is about the same as the US and water is cheap. Trash pickup is about $3/mo," said one expat in Merida.

"The costs are a little less to about the same as the U.S. (to rent). The locals have realized they can get more for their properties because they are dealing with petroleum companies who are willing to pay. And, I think there was a housing shortage for a while. The house is nice though. We pay about usd $1800.00 for about 3000 sq.ft. You can rent cheaper places but you will generally end up with problems (leaking roof, older appliances)," remarked one member in Comalcalco.

"We purchased a home... Buying is easy but selling is a challenge so they say... Ours went well and we have moved over 20 times in our marriage so buying and selling homes is not new to us... One serious recommendation is to get an attorney to look over the papers and assist in closing. Realtors here run from great to not so and having a knowledgeable third set of eyes makes the process painless," said one expat in Ajijic.

"Buying a home in Mexico can be a great opportunity to acquire a property in a country where you will undoubtedly find a vibrant culture and beautiful scenery. However, as with any purchase, it is essential to consider a variety of factors before committing to a home. Renting a home in Mexico is also a good option because you can try out an area before making a large investment. Additionally, you may be able to benefit from cost savings associated with renting a home, as the maintenance costs and property taxes are the responsibility of the homeowner. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference, budget, and lifestyle," remarked one member in Mexico.

"We bought an empty lot and built a house on it. Had to get construction permits, since I was a resident at the time it had to be in my wifes name as she is a citizen," explained one expat living in Apizaco, Mexico.

"We bought a condo that we lived in for 9 years, then sold it and built our house. I is a very easy process, as long as you have a good realtor," said one person in Manzanillo.

"1. Be sure to research the local laws and regulations that are in place in the area of the property or development you plan to buy. 2. Make sure to hire a qualified lawyer that specializes in property law in Mexico. 3. Understand the concept of fideicomiso (Trust Agreement) which is a legal restriction that foreign nationals must agree to with a Mexican bank to become a buyer of property. 4. Spend time talking to local expatriates who are familiar with the area and its laws. 5. Determine all closing costs including Mexico's Capital Gains taxes, property taxes and transfer taxes that must be paid by the seller. 6. Consider getting a home warranty that covers the home and its systems for a certain period of time. 7. Be prepared to pay for a land surveyor to come and survey the property, so that it is properly registered at the Mexican courthouse. 8. Familiarize yourself with the title restrictions in the area to make sure you fully understand the property you’re buying," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Mexico.

"Yes, foreigners are allowed to own property in Mexico. The Mexican Constitution guarantees the right of foreigners to own property in Mexico, as long as certain restrictions are followed. Foreigners are not allowed to own property within a restricted zone, which is within 100 kilometers of the border and 50 kilometers of the coastline. However, foreigners can own property in this zone through a bank trust, known as a fideicomiso. This trust is administered by a Mexican bank and allows the foreign owner to have full use and control of the property," explained one expat in Mexico.

"Generally, rental properties in Mexico come with basic appliances such as a refrigerator, stove, and washing machine. Some properties may also include air conditioners, microwave ovens, and/or coffee makers. Depending on the property, some additional features such as a dishwasher may also be provided," said one in Mexico.

"Expats can search for homes in Mexico by using online real estate websites, such as Inmuebles24, Lamudi, and Vivanuncios, which offer a wide selection of properties for sale and rent. Additionally, expats can contact local real estate agents who specialize in helping foreigners find homes in Mexico. Expats can also search for homes in Mexico by attending open houses and visiting neighborhoods to get a better feel for the area. Finally, expats can join online expat forums and ask for advice from other expats who have already gone through the process of finding a home in Mexico," wrote one expat who made the move to Mexico.