Real Estate in Mexico

"Cost of living here is far less than the USA as are excellent restaurants, bars, clubs, etc," said one expat in Rosarito.

"Finding a place to live in Mexico can be done in a few different ways. The first option is to look for rentals online. Sites like Airbnb or Vrbo offer many vacation rentals in Mexico, which may be suitable for long-term stays. You could also look for rental listings on local listings sites, such as Craigslist, OLX, or Inmuebles24. Another option is to search out real estate agents in Mexico and ask them to help you find a place to live. Additionally, if you know people in Mexico, they may be able to help you find a rental and show you around the area. Word of mouth is another great way to find a place to live in a new country. Finally, if you're looking for something more permanent, you could consider buying property in Mexico. Purchasing a home or condo in Mexico requires researching both regulations and the market. It's important to speak with a real estate professional in the area who can guide you through the process," remarked one member in 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," explained one expat living in Merida, Mexico.

"Versalles, Aralias & Fluvial just to name a few. Rentals are found easy with boots on ground. You need to view in person and no deposits until you arrive. Otherwise, most likely, you will have a problem with your deposit and may never see it. In Zona Romantica (my opinion is that it’s for visitors/tourist) you will have fireworks almost every night, many tourist, road blocks for celebrations/water repairs, spring/winter breaks, flooding during the rainy season, and parties non-stop," said one person in Puerto Vallarta.

"When we started looking at the money we would have to live on after retirement, I realized that I would never be able to quit work and live comfortably. We started looking at places we could live. We wanted to be close enough to hop up to the states to see family but be able to afford to retire. Mexico was the obvious answer. After much internet research, I stumbled on Lake Chapala. My husband and I knew nothing about Mexico. His vision was from the old westerns. There is a group that provides a week long seminar that will answer all of your questions and also show you the fun side of the area. We booked a trip 3 months away. I used the time to look at real estate offerings. I had limited funds. This is a cash economy so it had to be a house I could afford. They have an MLS listings here so I could check out everything. I contacted a realtor and he helped weed out houses that had issues or less than savory neighborhoods. I wanted city water, a pressurized/filtration water system and city sewer. Many houses are on septic so I knew that I might have to make a compromise there. We had 14 houses on the final list. We bought the second one we had looked at and we paid cash. And it is on city sewer," said one expat who made the move to Lake Chapala.

"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 expat in Lake Chapala.

"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," remarked one member in Mexico.

"We live in a house on the beach. Many ex-pats live in houses and condos on or close to the beach," explained one expat living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

"We have a large home, 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, jacuzzi, sauna, washer dryer fridge stove and completely furnished. Mexican style home with 12 foot ceilings and a huge yars. It is typical of this area. It is much better than what we had in Canada and less expensive. $600 a month," said one person in Lake Chapala.

"Our "house" is the downstairs of a 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 story house. We have 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, huge living room, dining room and kitchen with gated parking and back yard. It has been converted into 2 separate dwellings. It is in one of the better (upscale) areas of Tijuana. Yes, most expats would want close access to the border and a larger living space than most Mexican homes have," said one expat who made the move to Tijuana.

"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," explained one person living in Merida, Mexico.

"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)," said one expat in Comalcalco.

"My husband found a two bedroom one bath house in Pensiones neighborhood in Merida Yucatan for about $35,000 USD. It needs another $10k in upgrades or remodeling but it is a cute home and would be great. The rents here are all over the place. But a huge home with a lot of amenities unfurnished in my neighborhood (4 bedrooms or 5 with three bathrooms and so on? Goes for $14,000 Mexican pesos a month. About $675 or $700 USD give or take," remarked one member in Mexico.

"Oh, much lower!! We pay $400. (US)/ month for our house. In San Diego, California, the rent for such a place would be about $1500./month. You can rent a 1 bedroom apt. in TJ for as little as $80. (US)/mo. but I don't think too many Americans/Canadians would be happy with the lack of space, amenities and location. There are also lovely places here for $1000./mo. but those renters/owners are considered to be "rich" and could be a target for robbery," explained one expat living in Tijuana, Mexico.

"Expenses here are FAR lower than the USA even though Real Estate here has gone up in price. Still very affordable. I live in So. Rosarito close to Puerto Nuevo. My house is on a Hillside above the ocean with spectacular Views of the Ocean and coastline. I have a 3 bedroom house, 3 baths home with huge view patio and enclosed parking for 3 cars. This for a fraction of the cost of an ocean view home in California. If you are looking to rent, Ocean view and ocean front places are low price and vary from area to area. Many American colonies here have 24/7 guards and security. Rents vary from about 400 USD to well under 2000 USD. Depending on size and area, Everything from small apartments to huge view homes are available," said one person in Rosarito.

"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," said one expat 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," remarked one member in Apizaco.

"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," explained one expat living in Ajijic, Mexico.

"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," said one expat in 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," said 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," wrote one expat who made the move to 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," said one expat in Mexico.