Americans living in Mexico (transfer, buyers, theater, new construction)

[NYSD1995]

The expats mostly are in Ajijic... Chapala itself is like TJ-by the sea. The lake is muddy and shallow and the shoreline is filthy in a lot of places. We were not particularly impressed with Chapala but Ajijic is nice and the village is clean and well-kept.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by #1GOOSE

You can go to www.chapala.com and see them!!! Chapala is wonderful!!!

Thank you, nice site...

[happilyeverafter]

I thought there was a law in Mexico where non-Mexicans can't own real property. I know there are Americans living down there. I have visited Mazatlan a few times and found an interesting website regarding the topic. The idea is intriguing to me. I can't afford to buy a house in New England, I hate the frigid winters, but I have young kids and the idea of leaving the country is intimidating. It seems as if there's not much regulation in Mexico and you can't exactly trust the police. I'm sure different areas are different, right?

[dusesean1986]

Originally Posted by happilyeverafter

It seems as if there's not much regulation in Mexico and you can't exactly trust the police. I'm sure different areas are different, right?

That's absolutely correct about different areas being different. The safer areas would be where tourism and foreign born residents or citizens are located. Of course, there are areas where Mexican born folks live, where you would be fine. Mexico has alot of safe areas, the problem is Americans have a false conception of Mexico, when you take day trips to the poor border cities and see shanty neighborhoods. Many Americans including myself had a false image of Mexico being a third world country when I visited Tijuana, ten miles south of San Diego. You have to be careful when dealing with certain police or people who believe they can rip you off. This is determined only through one's personal character and integrity, and the word of the wise is to just be careful while in Mexico.

[Wisteria]

Hi HappilyEverAfter,
I heard the same thing. A man I worked with, his mother-in-law bought a house in Mexico, and, apparently, (I don't know the whole story), they took the "land" away and she was left with a house that she had to get out of, even though she had bought the house! I guess it ended up being a huge fiasco, and he and his wife had to bring her back up to California, where she ended up in a mobile home park.
I never researched the topic, but just hearing it directly from someone affected, it kind of put me off.
Anyone know about this particular thing -- owning a house, but not the land?
Thanks.

[Roma]

I heard that you lease the land for 100 years. Then I read somewhere that it changed to 50 years. I do not know, but it sounds risky to say the least. In a country with so much turmoil (sp?) I would not take that chance. I know alot of stuff is going on in Venezula regarding owning homes also. Something to the fact that they can "take it" at anytime and I think they already took second homes that people already owned. But Americans buy all the time in Mexico, you always hear about the multi million dollar home on the water in Mexico that some star owns. So I must be wrong or heard wrong. Hopefully someone on hear knows for sure and will clear it up.

[Sampaguita]

My boss is a few months away from retirement & just purchased a house in San Miguel de Allende.

There's some information at this link:

http://www.mexicorealty.com/advisory.htm (broken link)

[dullnboring]

Article 27 of the Mexican Constitution states:

"Legal capacity to acquire ownership of lands and waters of the Nation shall be governed by the following provisions:

Only Mexicans by birth or naturalization and Mexican companies have the right to acquire ownership of lands, waters, and their appurtenances, or to obtain concessions for the exploitation of mines or of waters. The State may grant the same right to foreigners, provided they agree before the Ministry of Foreign Relations to consider themselves as nationals in respect to such property, and bind themselves not to invoke the protection of their governments in matters relating thereto; under penalty, in case of noncompliance with this agreement, of forfeiture of the property acquired to the Nation. Under no circumstances may foreigners acquire direct ownership of lands or waters within a zone of one hundred kilometers along the frontiers and of fifty kilometers along the shores of the country. "

Now if I'm interpreting this correctly, it states that no foreigners can directly own property within 50 km of the coast. That seems a bit off considering the majority of Americans who retire in Mexico do so by the coast. I'm thinking there's several ways to explain this. Perhaps the Americans moving down there don't officially own the properties they buy? Maybe they're in a developer's name or there is some sort of loophole? Or, perhaps the Americans DO own their own property, and the Mexican law is just ignored or officials look the other way due to the amount of money that foreigners are bringing in.

[recycled]

Originally Posted by dullnboring

Article 27 of the Mexican Constitution states:

"Legal capacity to acquire ownership of lands and waters of the Nation shall be governed by the following provisions:

Only Mexicans by birth or naturalization and Mexican companies have the right to acquire ownership of lands, waters, and their appurtenances, or to obtain concessions for the exploitation of mines or of waters. The State may grant the same right to foreigners, provided they agree before the Ministry of Foreign Relations to consider themselves as nationals in respect to such property, and bind themselves not to invoke the protection of their governments in matters relating thereto; under penalty, in case of noncompliance with this agreement, of forfeiture of the property acquired to the Nation. Under no circumstances may foreigners acquire direct ownership of lands or waters within a zone of one hundred kilometers along the frontiers and of fifty kilometers along the shores of the country. "

Now if I'm interpreting this correctly, it states that no foreigners can directly own property within 50 km of the coast. That seems a bit off considering the majority of Americans who retire in Mexico do so by the coast. I'm thinking there's several ways to explain this. Perhaps the Americans moving down there don't officially own the properties they buy? Maybe they're in a developer's name or there is some sort of loophole? Or, perhaps the Americans DO own their own property, and the Mexican law is just ignored or officials look the other way due to the amount of money that foreigners are bringing in.

Non citizens of Mexico cannot own land outright with their own name on the title within 50 km of the coastline. Non citizens of Mexico have to obtain a long term lease on the land through a Mexican financial institution that holds actual title to the land. The word in Spanish is "Fideocomicio". The important thing is to deal with a legitimate, reputable financial institution and not a front company that scams people. There is an annual fee to pay for the arrangement, and often a fee to pay to an attorney in Mexico to review the documents. A guy that I know at work (originally from Mexico) had a bad experience in Rosarito Beach, BC. He bought a piece of property to build on, but that same piece of property had been sold to someone else already. He went through a year of hassle to get his money back. Buyer beware, be very aware of all the details.

[lynnc]

I lived in R.B for over 3 yrs and visited it for 7 yrs. and loved it. Would still be there if not for a divorce and to go back to work. I lived just south of town, on the beach in a house that was an inheritance. The drive across the border everyday to go to work is not worth it, about 2 hrs. The people are great but you have to be savvy. I really miss it and hope to some day soon move back. Retirement!!! I enjoyed reading everyone's input on Mexico.