At this point, both parties should be able to execute the purchase/sale (purchase-sale) agreement, initiate the closing process, and transfer title to the property into escrow. By then, the bank's trust office should have received trust permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and your lawyer will be able to begin drawings for the closing deed. Your attorney, a notary, and a bank escrow officer will review the final draft of the deed.
GUIDE TO BUYING PROPERTIES IN MEXICO
BUYING IN MEXICO
Buy or Sell Properties in the Mexican Caribbean?
As in many countries, understanding real estate in Mexico can be a challenge. If you want to buy or sell a home in the Mexican Caribbean, the best thing you can do is look for a local real estate company with an excellent reputation in this area.
Recently, Mexico began licensing real estate offices and agents in certain states, and Quintana Roo is one of them. It's still nowhere near the firm laws enforced in the US, but it's a good start and national real estate associations like AMPI are requiring their members to become certified and licensed. Every day you will see more and more professional, well-trained and honest agents taking up this noble career.
More and more Americans and Canadians are heading south of the border in search of sun, beaches, rich Mexican culture and enjoying the excellent, friendly service of Mexicans. Many of them decided to buy a little piece of paradise down here to enjoy a vacation home, retire or invest.
Buying a house in Mexico is an easy procedure when you have a professional broker by your side.
The purchasing process for foreigners looking to purchase real estate in Mexico is simple and straightforward. If you have done your due diligence, and are represented by experienced real estate professionals and a well-recommended notary, you will have no problems.
Mexico passed the Foreign Investment Law in 1973, allowing foreigners to buy real estate anywhere in the country, the only restrictions are coastal and coastal land (within 100 km of international borders or within 50 km of the coast ).
In 1993, the law was changed to allow purchasing within restricted areas through a trust, a trust arrangement established with a mexican bank.
A trust allows a foreign buyer to hold property with all the rights and privileges of a citizen.
With a single trust, you can own multiple Mexican properties, own them in perpetuity, and give them to your heirs. Additionally, you can easily transfer the trust to another foreign buyer, if you wish to sell.
A trust is valid for 50 years and is renewable thereafter (by you or your heirs).
It can be maintained by one or more people or by an entity (an LLC, for example).
Initial setup costs range from US $ 500 to US $ 1,000, and maintenance fees amount to US $ 500 to US $ 700 per year.
Foreigners can also own land in restricted areas through a Mexican corporation, and these can be foreign-owned 100%. You should only consider a corporation if you are purchasing real estate strictly for investments or business. If you plan to subdivide and develop land, a Mexican corporation makes sense. Corporations come with more restrictions and reporting requirements than trusts.
They are required to submit monthly reports on income and expenses, completed by a certified accountant, to the Mexican Treasury Department. And assets held in a corporation are considered business, so they are subject to additional taxes (VAT, for example). The initial costs to establish a corporation will vary depending on the lawyer you use, but the minimum required is $ 50,000 Mexican pesos (approximately US $ 2,800 in today's exchange). You will also incur costs for the certified accountant to maintain it (US $ 600 to US $ 800 per year).
Regardless of the use of your property, your attorney should be involved in reviewing your legal status, including searching for titles, reviewing and preparing contracts, and creating your trust or corporation. Many title companies are now available in Mexico.
The purchasing process should unfold like this…
Offer and Acceptance
Commitment Agreement
Under Mexican law, both parties are bound by the terms of the promissory agreement: if all terms and conditions are met to execute the purchase contract, neither party can withdraw from the sale.
Once the promissory agreement has been signed, the seller contacts their bank (the one they used to set up their escrow) to initiate the escrow application. His lawyer then orders a trust permit from the Foreign Office.
During this time, your attorney should also verify the legal status of the property, including reviewing the title, confirming that the seller has the right to transfer title, and reviewing the terms and conditions of the purchase contract. You will also need to request documentation from the seller, such as a certificate of no liens, a certificate of no tax liability, and a property appraisal.
The documentation required from the buyer is minimal: all you need is a copy of your passport and driver's license, a recent utility bill showing your name and address, and company paperwork (if applicable). These are presented to a notary and filed in the public registry.
If everything is in order, the notary and your attorney will work with the bank to draft and finalize the trust documents.
Purchase-Sale Contract
At this point, both parties should be able to execute the purchase/sale (purchase-sale) agreement, initiate the closing process, and transfer title to the property into escrow.
By then, the bank's trust office should have received trust permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and your lawyer will be able to begin drawings for the closing deed. Your attorney, a notary, and a bank escrow officer will review the final draft of the deed.
Writing Process
Once everything has been verified as correct and all closing documents are ready, you will be notified of the closing date and final closing costs. At closing, final deeds will be notarized, final payments will be settled, and title to the property will officially transfer to the bank escrow.
The notary then issues a notarized copy of the closing deed. This is your first proof of ownership and can be used to put utilities in your own name.
Approximately three months after its closing date, the Public Registry issues the final deed that contains an electronic publication, a copy of all certificates and payment of fees.
Retire in Mexico
Mexico has become the favorite destination to retire or live while working as a digital nomad, since its cost of living is not as high as in other countries.
Retirees in Mexico live active, healthy lifestyles supported by Mexico's pleasant climates, first-class services and affordable costs of living.
People who have retired in Mexico comment on how they enjoy and savor their lifestyle and active and pleasant activities. Retirees in Mexico and the country frequently top popular lists of “the best places in the world to retire.”
As a country, Mexico has a huge number of offers for retirees. You have a variety of climates, ranging from year-round spring weather to hot and humid oceanfront locations and the dry heat of the desert.
The pace of life in Mexico is ideal for retirement; You can relax and continue leading an active retirement. While stress levels depend on each individual, Mexico's relaxed atmosphere, pleasant climate, friendly people, and welcoming culture provide an ideal environment for living under stress.
The food is wonderful. Fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and fish are available in local markets, and you will get great value for your money. There is a huge variety of tropical fruits, which are sweeter and juicier than those sent to colder climates.
Fresh, locally produced foods are also less expensive in Mexico, although prices and quality vary throughout the year, depending on the season. The variety of vegetables is also immense, including local types such as nopales (cactus) and chayotes. Mexico is also the home of the avocado and is the world's largest producer of the fruit.
Retiree Lifestyle in Mexico
For those who know Mexico, retirement here can be part of a dream come true. Retirees in Mexico enjoy great weather, great food, rich culture, and warm, friendly people.
Some retirees move to local Mexican communities and integrate there; This can make the entire experience of living in Mexico much more valuable and satisfying.
For those with hobbies, the hobby or interest can almost always be pursued in Mexico. Communications over the Internet can keep you up to date with the latest news, information and sports results if you want to stay up to date with what's happening at home. If you like to participate in sports, Mexico offers the climate, groups and services for you to actively participate.
Many people continue their passion for hobbies such as art, photography and writing, using Mexico as their landscape and inspiration. Some find that their work can be sold inside or outside of Mexico, supplementing their income.
Other people engage in social work: helping disadvantaged communities build new infrastructure, engaging in charity work, sharing their extensive knowledge and life experience with others, and making a significant and positive contribution to the communities where they live. in a wide variety of forms.
There is no better time to learn Spanish. Surrounded by the language, enveloped in a country passionate about its history and culture, there is no better place to learn than in Mexico.