| If you're considering getting away from the madness | | | | a property. There is no such thing as a real estate |
| of the 9 to 5 and buying land in Mexico for a taste of | | | | license in Mexico, meaning that anyone, regardless of |
| the good life, you're not alone. Thousands of | | | | their intent or their knowledge of real estate, can |
| Americans have made Mexico their home and are | | | | conduct real estate transactions. The first step to |
| now enjoying the relaxed pace of the "manana" | | | | buying land in Mexico is to identify a real estate |
| lifestyle. Not only is the climate ideal, the price of real | | | | agency with a solid reputation and a lot of experience |
| estate is only a fraction of comparable real estate in | | | | selling real estate to non-Mexican nationals. |
| the United States. As an added bonus, buying land in | | | | Visit the area: |
| Mexico and particularly the area of the Caribbean | | | | Though you may be tempted to purchase a property |
| Costa Maya along the Caribbean Sea is considered | | | | site-unseen, it's best to go and visit the property and |
| by investors to be one of the hottest real estate | | | | scope out the surrounding area before buying land in |
| investment opportunities in the world today. | | | | Mexico. If you're buying land in Mexico in a remote |
| Though living in Mexico seems fantastic in theory, what | | | | area, make sure that the area is zoned for housing |
| may seem challenging are the steps between | | | | and that there are solutions for water, power, and |
| dreaming about buying land in Mexico and actually | | | | phone. Ideally, you should spend at least a week or |
| holding the title in your hand. However, buying land in | | | | more in the area to get an idea of what life will be like |
| Mexico is actually fairly simple and the journey toward | | | | while you're staying in your new vacation home. |
| making it your own can be as exciting as spending the | | | | Hire an attorney: |
| first night in your new tropical beachside casa. This | | | | Once you decide on a property, there are a number |
| article will take you step by step through the process | | | | of paper work items that need to be handled. A good |
| of buying land in Mexico so that you can plan your | | | | real estate agent will work with you to complete each |
| move to the lifestyle you desire. | | | | of these steps. The most important of these steps is |
| Apply for a passport: | | | | securing the title to the home. Even if the real estate |
| As soon as you begin entertaining the idea of buying | | | | agency has its own lawyer, it doesn't hurt to have a |
| land in Mexico, apply for a passport. In the past, a | | | | second review the paperwork. If you're buying land |
| passport wasn't required for entering many parts of | | | | within 50 miles of the coast or 100 miles of a national |
| Mexico but today you'll want to make sure you have | | | | border line, you'll need to set up either a Fideicomiso or |
| one to prevent being turned back when it's time to | | | | a Mexican corporation in which to own the property. |
| take a scouting trip. Whether or not you end up buying | | | | You'll also need the lawyer to double and triple check |
| land in Mexico, you'll have a reason to take a great | | | | that the title is clear and that the area is zoned |
| vacation. | | | | properly. Even if you're an expert on Mexican law and |
| Identify your general areas of interest: | | | | buying land in Mexico, it's important to have a lawyer |
| Mexico has a wide variety of beautiful landscapes and | | | | from Mexico scrutinize the documents carefully. |
| ambiances. You'll need to decide if the right place for | | | | Obtain a Visa: |
| you is a quiet slice of Caribbean beachfront like in the | | | | If you'll be living in Mexico for 6 months or more at a |
| Costa Maya, a condo in the midst of a tourist hotspot | | | | time or will be bringing a foreign plated car, you'll need |
| like Cancun, an ancient yet modern city like Merida, or | | | | to apply for an FM3 visa. These visas are very easy |
| a place were there are no ex-pats for miles around | | | | to obtain and will grant you non-immigrant status in |
| where you can truly immerse yourself in the Mexican | | | | Mexico. Don't confuse the FM3 Visa with the FM2 |
| culture. | | | | Visa. The FM3 Visa allows you to keep a foreign |
| Choose a real estate agent: | | | | plated car in the Mexico indefinitely while the FM2 |
| In the US you might browse through property listings | | | | requires that you sell the car out of the country after 5 |
| online, find one you love, and then contact the real | | | | years. Also, with the FM3 you can come and go as |
| estate agent representing the property. However, | | | | you please unlike the FM2 where you can only leave |
| when buying land in Mexico it's important to find a | | | | Mexico for a total of 18 months during a 5 year period. |
| reputable real estate agent before you fall in love with | | | | |