Here at Top Mexico Real Estate, we have over a decade experience helping foreigners find and purchase the ideal home. Most of our clients decide to buy or invest in a vacation property, and there is a growing number that want to enjoy the benefits of retiring in Mexico.
Many of our clients start with a property wish-list, take time to visit their dream destination or start browsing the internet to see what is out there in terms of style, price and amenities. But most of them don’t take time to understand the purchasing process in Mexico, which can lead to frustration or increased costs.
One of the most important things to consider is that Real Estate in Mexico works differently than in North America, in order to avoid common mistakes. We have this list of Do’s and Don’ts and hope it can be useful in the process of finding the right realtor, property and team of professionals to buy Real Estate in Mexico.
Do check your realtor credentials
In most states in Mexico, there are no regulations or certifications for Real Estate Agents. There are realtors out there offering properties for sale without any knowledge of the process of buying Real Estate by a foreigner.
Our advice is to take the time to research your Realtor, some important questions or elements are:
- Do they have an established web page? Or are they using free sites to advertise?
- Do they have proper corporate emails? Are they using free emails services or only can provide cellphone numbers to contact them?
- Ask to visit their physical offices, Is this an established business?
- Ask questions about their credentials, experience and if they belong to The Mexican Association of Realtors (AMPI)
- Ask about their training, certificates or credentials… don’t be shy. A professional Real Estate Agent must have some documentation, and will be glad to share this information with you.
Do take time to understand the purchasing process
The more you learn about the process of buying Real Estate in Mexico, the easier it will be for you to understand what is going on. Remember things work differently, and in many cases the process is slower that it would be back at home.
There are elements that are unique to a foreigner purchasing Real Estate in Mexico, such as getting a permit from the Exterior Affairs Department, or putting a Fideicomiso (bank trust) in Place. This is on top of the regular process of researching the property background, gathering documentation, writing contracts and register you as the official owner of the property in the Property registration system.
Don’t rush! Take your time to research both the property and neighborhood
If you are buying a vacation rental, it might be idea to look for a similar place or unit in the same complex and experience how is it like to actually live there. Even if this is not possible, renting in the area might give you an idea of the community, safety, level of noise and traffic, etc.
This is even more important if you are considering retiring or living abroad, in order to experience firsthand how is it to be an expat. It also gives you a chance to see if you are ready to live in this place, if you can get all the services you need and if you can adapt to the differences between your dream location and home.
Don’t let excitement affect your judgement
Maybe you find an amazing deal on the internet, or see a unit and completely fall in love with it and are ready to make an offer. Excitement can sometimes affect your judgement, and rushing into buying a property before researching might be a costly mistake.
This is part of what we do, as professionals that live and work in the area; we can share our insight on the neighborhood, subdivision or even the local beach. We can suggest properties based on your wish list and client profile, in order to prevent our customers to end up with the wrong property.
Don’t try to save money by skipping a broker (and her commission)
Purchasing a property is a long process that goes beyond posting nice pictures on the internet and signing the contract. An experienced agency will be your guide in this process, and their knowledge and expertise are an important part of buying a property in a safely and legal manner.
On the other hand, keep in mind that the commission is paid by the seller, not the buyer. Plus, having a Real Estate Agent by your side can save you money and tears.
Here at Top Mexico Real Estate, we can help you to find and purchase the ideal property. We have been helping nationals and foreigners to become homeowners, and have agents in the most popular areas in Mexico.
If you have any questions, please contact us. We will be happy to help you!
At Top Mexico Real Estate… We Make It Happen!