Why Buy? Purchasing Property in the Land of Sun

Mexico is a wonderful tourist destination, but it’s also an excellent option for a second home or a real estate investment. Great weather, beautiful landscape, affordable living; this country is regularly in the top ten for worldwide retirement locations.

Whether you’re looking for a colonial, classic feel or a beach house vibe, your dream home can be found in Mexico, and usually for a remarkably affordable price. Do you need an investment property along the coast that rents quickly and is accessed easily to potential renters? You can look on either coast and find lucrative and beautiful properties. There are a number of international airports in tourist locations, such as Cancun on the Caribbean side and Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific side.

Would you like to retire in a quiet colonial town with a lively expat community? Look to San Miguel de Allende, located about three hours north of Mexico City. It’s a town famous for its artistic community with a population under 200,000.

There are several myths surrounding property ownership in Mexico, and it’s critical that potential buyers do their own homework to become familiar with the process. For example, a common misconception is that foreigners cannot buy property in Mexico. This isn’t true, although if foreigners buy property in a restricted zone (about fifty kilometers from the shoreline and about one hundred kilometers from international borders) they must hold their property in a bank trust.

It’s important to find a buyer’s agent, one that has a lot of experience in representing the interests of a foreigner buying property in Mexico. Make sure it’s someone you can trust, and don’t hesitate to ask around to people you know who have taken the plunge. Once you have someone on your side who can help you find that home of your dreams, you’ll be ready to step forward into a brand new life.