Thomas Lloyd,  Broker By Thomas Lloyd
2010-09-27

So, you're looking for Mexico real estate for your retirement; you know exactly what you want, you've done the property search online, visited the area, and you're ready to go. What about the agent?

Even if you have found the property that you think looks ideal, there are some things you need to know when buying real estate in Mexico. Like anywhere else, there might be a similar property for a better price, or a much better property for only a little more; an experienced Mexico agent will know their area well, and will be able to make suggestions.

Unlike back home, however, there are also different laws about pre-construction (if you are considering a condo) and land ownership issues. Processes and legalities are also slightly different, and you will need to know how to go about these, in order to complete the transaction safely, and protect the money you are investing. They will also be familiar with developers' reputations, and the processes developers follow.

This is where an experienced and qualified agent comes in; if there are any signs of uncertainty or details that aren't quite right, this agent's experience will allow a flag to go up, advising you how to deal with the situation.

An experienced agent will also be able to advise you in which communities most Americans and Canadians who retire in Mexico are living, and even put you in contact with them so you can get a better feel for what real day to day life is like. They will also be familiar with future development plans and development of new services, so if you are planning a few years ahead, you could choose an up-and-coming area.

How do you find this agent, then? First of all, you can either find a list of agents for the area where you are searching, or you can find a nation-wide network to point you to an agent for that area. When you have identified an agent, ask about qualifications (certificates, courses, experience, etc.), ask for references, and check the agent's reputation around the community. If something doesn't seem quite right, maybe try another agent.

How much will this cost you? Time. There is no cost to the buyer to have a buyer's agent – the commission comes from the seller – but you will have to invest some time into this.

Is it worth the time? Yes. Considering the items mentioned above, if you run into problems with legality or irresponsibility on the part of a developer or seller, it may cost you much more time (and even money in extreme cases) to get the problem resolved.

This means that the first step to retire in Mexico, finding the property, will be completed smoothly, and you will be ready to enjoy your warm-weather retirement in the place most suitable for your needs.

TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; Mexico's Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

Mexico Real Estate NETWORK; "Mexico's Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely!"

 

Region:  Playa del Carmen real estate.

Thomas Lloyd graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in Management/Financial Option Investments. He has been living, investing, and working professionally in Mexico for over 15 years. A Mexican Certified Realtor he is the current president of TOPmexicorealestate, you can contact him at (512) 879-6546.

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