When Buying Mexico Real Estate, Distinguish Big Fixes from Little Ones¿En qué debemos poner atención cuando compramos casa?

“I’m stroking home A of my list because it’s an ugly colour, but I’m bumping home B up, even though it needs a new pool and air conditioning system …”

Huh?

Of course this sounds silly, and of course you know that this wouldn’t end up costing more in the end.  Yet, especially when buying in another country, it’s incredible how many people will forget the basics.

When you search for your Mexico real estate, don’t put too much importance on little things, or too little on big things.

The Little Things

Like in Canada or the U.S., there are many little items on a home that are easy, quick and inexpensive fixes, including:

• paint
• flooring
• decorations and furnishings (if they are included)
• external fixtures (toilets, sinks)
• counters and cabinets
• landscaping

In Mexico, this is even more true for the following reason: 

Labor costs are very low in this country

For most of the items listed above, the most expensive part about it is the labor cost of installation.  Here, highly skilled workers will charge very reasonable daily rates, and, in many cases, the materials and fixtures also cost less.

It is also often surprising how quickly they can be fixed up completely.

Why Do People Place Importance on These?

These items can end up creeping upward on the priorities list because they often need immediate attention and/or they are very visually obvious.  Those who don’t want to tackle a renovation before moving in tend to avoid them.

However, it’s much better to take on one of these little projects than a major issue with your home …

The Big Things

We all know the big things:

• any structural issues (damaged roof or supporting walls, cracks, etc.)
• incomplete structure (i.e. a house was finished only partially)
• major projects (damaged pool, addition needed, etc.)
• major plumbing or drainage issues

 Of course, structural issues must be avoided altogether, and are distinct from the other two issues which can be fixed up or finished.

However, even the other items listed here will cost you much more time and money than a paint job or even putting in new kitchen cupboards.

Don’t Skip the Home Inspection

Since some of the issues are not readily obvious, a home inspection is a key way to catch them.

Playing Your Cards Right

When comes down to the choice of the right Mexico home for sale, home B may look perfect, but if there are major issues, you will probably do better with home A, even if the paint is ugly and cupboard hinges are broken.  Often, you can even get a better price since the problems are more obvious.

If you choose a new or very well maintained home or condo without any issues – minor or major – that’s excellent!  But, if you’re going to take on a project, you’ll generally do better to choose small fixes over major issues.

—
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!”

“Creo que en vez de escoger la casa con el color feo, escogeré la casa con color bonito aunque le falte arreglar la alberca y el aire acondicionado”. Suena tonto ¿cierto?, a veces cuándo nos encontramos buscando casa podemos tomar las más tontas decisiones. Sin embargo es importante no perder de vista nuestro criterio personal. El sentido común siempre será nuestro mejor aliado.

No demos mucha importancia a las cosas pequeñas como la pintura, los detallados, jardinería y demás y enfoquemos nuestra atención a las cosas que realmente importan, como es el funcionamiento general de la casa.

Los “pequeños detalles”:

• Pintura
• Pisos
• Decoración y amueblados (si los incluye)
• Excusados y lavabos
• Jardines y áreas verdes

Es cierto que las personas tienden a tomarle demasiada importancia a estos detalles, sin embargo recordemos que de nuestra lista de prioridades, estas deben ir hasta el fondo. Después de todo son las cosas más accesibles para reemplazar.

Los “grandes detalles”:

• Cimientos y estructura general de la propiedad
• Cuarteado de paredes, muros y techos.
• Áreas con construcciones sin acabar
• Plomería general y cableados eléctricos

 

Naturalmente estos son los “grandes detalles” en los que nos tenemos que enofocar. Sobre la mesa estos son los que pueden representar el mayor gasto, así como el mayor inconveniente. La verdadera plusvalía de nuestra propiedad se puede echar por los suelos, sino ponemos atención en estos detalles. El color de la casa, el tipo de piso, un excusado roto, etc. son cosas reparables y que en general no representan un inconveniente “mayor”. Sin embargo, tener que hacerse de los servicios de un contratista para arreglar las paredes cuarteadas o la estructura de los cimientos, pueden representar un gasto sumamente preocupante.

www.topmexicorealestate.com la empresa líder en bienes raíces en México.