“Wise men say, only fools rush in” … or so Elvis Presley tells us. Like in every real estate purchase – in fact, like in any big decision in life – a healthy amount of caution needs to be practiced when buying Mexico real estate; however, too much hesitation can lead to loosing the deal of your life.
So where’s the balance?
Caution Needs a Purpose
Caution based only in timidity and lack of decisiveness is unhealthy. Caution needs to serve another purpose; in the case of buying real estate in Mexico, this purpose is information. If you don’t have the information you need to be sure that a property purchase is safe, especially when buying in a different country – for example, proof that the title is clean and that there are no liens – than it’s a very good idea to hold of making the final decision.
If you feel that you are being pressured into buying a property that seems “iffy” or not right for you, than you might want to reconsider who you are working with. However, more importantly, you should avoid getting to this point in the first place.
Getting that Information
Considering this, the main focus of preparing for and carrying out your real estate search should be gaining access to information you need.
The best way to do this is to invest the time at the beginning to choose the right agent. The right agent will have experience in the type of property you are looking for, and working with the type of buyer you are. For example, are you a retiree, vacationer or investor? Has your agent worked carried out property searches for non-Mexican buyers?
The broker of the agent’s office should also be qualified with certificates, degrees and membership in AMPI (Mexico’s professional real estate association.)
From the first contact you make, until the point of visiting the properties in Mexico and choosing between the 4 most suitable, they should be providing you with adequate information about buying in Mexico and the properties you are considering. If you feel any information is missing, they should be willing to find this information.
Ready for the Big Decision
If your agent is providing you with this kind of information along the way, when that super deal turns up, you should be well enough informed to decide relatively quickly. You should also feel enough confidence in your agent that they will only be showing you pre-screened, appropriate properties.
Of course, there will always be that time you need to make your decision. However, with this confidence, you will be able to make a decision in as quickly as you need to without feeling that, on one hand, you are being pressured or that, on the other hand, you will miss out on that super property when someone else nabs it before you do.
Under these circumstances, if an agent tells you, “This property is a great deal, if you don’t act quickly, someone else will,” you can feel confident that they are telling the truth and offering information to help you know how quickly to decide. Likewise, if the right agent suggests one property over another, you will do well to consider his suggestion carefully; experience counts for a lot.
Basically, it comes down to this; don’t let yourself be pressured, but more importantly, choose the right agent, be sure you are informed, and when the time comes, you can decide quickly and with confidence!
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Andy Welbourne, from London, Ontario, has been living in Playa del Carmen and working as a part of the team with Thomas Lloyd for 7 years. He has worked with many Canadians and Americans to assist in finding their dream home in the Mexican Caribbean; many of these clients have turned into great friendships. Contact Andy at (512) 879-6546.
The TOP Mexico Real Estate Network; “Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely!â€
Como en cualquier decisión difÃcil en la vida, la de comprar propiedades en México es una decisión que requiere tiempo. Los bienes raÃces en México, como en cualquier parte del mundo, representan oportunidades de inversión verdaderamente atractivas. Poseer una casa, un terreno o un departamento es algo que incrementa nuestro patrimonio y el de nuestra familia. Sin embargo, en el momento de realizar el “gasto”, de atreverse a dar ese paso, de invertir, es importante tomarse el tiempo para evaluar nuestras opciones y contar con una decisión documentada y bien evaluada. Considerar todos los ángulos de esa inversión es lo inteligente.
Sin embargo, en ese momento de duda podemos perder la oportunidad. Si dejamos pasar demasiado tiempo, aquella oportunidad que tenemos enfrente en cualquier momento se nos puede ir, nos la pueden ganar o se puede quedar ahà para siempre.
¿Cuál es el balance?
Bien, lo importe es tomar una decisión informada, sin embargo aunque es importante tomarse el tiempo necesario para que esa decisión sea la correcta, es de igual importancia entender que el tiempo es crucial. Las oportunidades son buenas siempre que no se dejen pasar.
¿Cómo obtener la mejor información?
Para tomar esa decisión lo más importante es documentarse, esto es, tener un plan de inversión. Saber si la propiedad cuenta con los tÃtulos y papeles legales, si nuestro crédito hipotecario ha sido aprobado (en caso de necesitar uno), si la propiedad cuenta con un plan maestro, si la zona donde se encuentra la propiedad cuenta con potencial de plusvalÃa, etc. Además saber si es la propiedad correcta también se adecua exactamente a nuestras necesidades reales como, espacio, número de recámaras, terminados, ubicación, precio, etc.
Una vez que estés listo para tomar la decisión recuerda hacerlo lo más pronto posible. ConfÃa en tus instintos y no dudes en pedir la asesorÃa de profesionales inmobiliarios con mucho mayor experiencia que tú. Cuidar tu inversión es la decisión inteligente.
www.topmexicorealestate.com la empresa lÃder en bienes raÃces en México.