Finding the Right Mexico Property

Before purchasing any property, you should rehearse living in the location on different occasions. Even though you have visited Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Costa Maya real estate during the spring or summer, the Cancun weather and lifestyle may be different during off seasons.

Types of Mexico Property

Four types of land are defined by the Constitution of Mexico

Private property
Ejido land or social land owned communally
Original land of the Mexican state, including forests, parks, and the like.
Property of the Mexican nation, including water, minerals, oil and the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (a strip of land along the coastlines twenty meters in from the average high-tide line)

Only the first two types of property comprise the real estate that can be owned and transferred by individuals.

Mexican Property Search

Mexico MLS

A multiple listing service, cooperative ventures among local real estate brokers, can be found in developed locations, such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Vallarta. Brokers who participate may voluntarily pledge to a set of business conduct guidelines. The property listings of participating brokers are pooled together much like that of a collection of property advertisements. However, the MLS in Mexico differs such that it may not be presented in a standardized manner nor is it a guarantee of compensation or cooperation. Keys are usually kept at the listing broker’s office.

Magazines and Newspapers

Destinations frequented by foreigners have English-language newspapers designed for expatriate communities and can be found in print and online. They have a real estate section containing ads of real estate professionals and property listings.

Mexican Real Estate on the Internet

Developers and brokers usually maintain their own websites containing property listings. To search, type in the name of the location followed by the words “real estate”, e.g. Type “Playa del Carmen real estate” into your search engine.

The International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA) offers information on properties for rent and sale in twenty-five countries on their website: Worldproperties.com. Generally, real estate professionals who are members of their home country’s national real estate association are automatically members of the ICREA and are entitled to access. Additionally, it maintains the Transnational Referral System and Certification (TRC) which is a medium for realtors to make and receive referrals and also assures compensation.

Make Personal Real Estate Connections

This is the best tactic. Make personal trips to Mexico and establish contacts. Although there is no state or federal licensing of realtors, Mexico has a real estate association know as Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliari (AMPI). Participating realtors agree to abide by a professional code of conduct. The National Association of Realtors recognizes this association and will allow for reciprocity.

Aligning Your Needs and Wants

In locating the perfect property, a property should satisfy your needs and wants. Try to create the most detailed picture of you perfect purchase if you can. Important factors to consider are:

How do you intend to use the property?

Retirement home
Seasonal second home
Vacation home
Investment rental
Recreational
Resort living

What attracted you to purchase property particularly in Mexico?
What are your goals and motives?
Security

Would you prefer location with higher security such as gated communities, walled-in homes, self-contained resort developments, or a condominium?
Will you frequently leave the property unattended?

Cost of living vs. Standard of Living

Generally, the cost of living such as the prices of food, gasoline, utilities, medical care, professional services, and restaurant meals will be much less than in your home country.
However, sometimes a lower cost of living can have certain trade-offs such as lack of services and infrastructure.

Services

What kind of services do you expect to have at your convenience? Do you need access to stores for general shopping, groceries, house wares, clothing, and hardware? Do you need access to mail, banks, telecommunications, spas, or salons?

Community

Are you looking for an escape or are you more comfortable in an expatriate community setting?

Access and Transportation

What kind of access to transportation do you have?

Would you prefer a drive-in location close the border?
Do you need convenient access to an airport?

Lifestyle

Make sure the home fits your future lifestyle, savings, and income level

Health Care

Although Medicare will not reimburse the cost of medical expenses incurred in Mexico, high quality dental and medical care is available in large cities at very affordable rates.
Pharmacies often offer the same medication for a lower price and without a prescription
You can purchase supplemental health care coverage and medical evacuation insurance
You may choose to have routine exams in Mexico, and head home for serious conditions

What kind of weather do you prefer?

One of its main attractions of Mexico is its climate as it has a wide variety of climates ranging from tropical, coastal, mountainous, arid, and desert.

Infrastructure

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