1: INTRODUCTION

By TLRM on January 18th, 2023

Each country has their own rules for buying Real Estate and when you first buy in Mexico it can seem confusing! If you want to buy or sell a home in Mexico, especially in the Restricted areas like Cancun and the Riviera Maya, your best bet is to look for a serious local real estate agent who will guide you through the process.

Many Americans and Canadians are heading South of the Border seeking the Sunshine, Beaches, the rich Mexican Culture and friendly Mexican people. Some are looking for a vacation home, others for an investment and still others for Retirement.

The purchase process for foreigners looking to buy real estate in Mexico is simple and straightforward. If you’ve done your due diligence, and you are represented by experienced real estate professionals and a well-recommended notary, you’ll have no problems.

Mexico passed the Foreign Investment Law in 1973, allowing foreigners to purchase real estate anywhere in the country except in the restricted areas within 100 kms of the border and 50 kms of the coast.

The law was amended In 1993, to permit a purchase within restricted areas through a trust agreement, called a Fideicomiso, established through a Mexican Bank for an initial 50 years and renewable thereafter. It can also be held by more than one or individual or by a Legal Entity (eg. an LLC).

MANAGING DIRECTOR

ROBIN DIZER

Robin Dizer is the Managing Director of Top Listings Riviera Maya and has over a decade of experience in the Real Estate Industry in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Go deeper

More on introduction

All Legal & Ownership articles →

Legal & Ownership

Buying From a Foreign Seller vs. a Mexican Seller: Does the Process Differ?

A meaningful share of Riviera Maya resale listings are owned by other foreigners, retirees, investors, or former vacationers who bought years ago and are now selling. Buyers sometimes wonder whether purchasing from a fellow American or Canadian seller is simpler than buying from a Mexican national, or vice versa. The honest answer is that the core process is largely the same either way, but a few real differences are worth understanding. The Core Transaction Structure Doesn't Change...

Aug 28 · 4 min read

Legal & Ownership

7. What Documents Do You Need to Buy Property in Mexico as a Foreigner?

One of the more reassuring facts about buying real estate in Mexico is that you don't need residency, a special visa, or years of paperwork to do it. Foreigners can legally purchase property using nothing more exotic than a passport and the standard tourist entry document most visitors already receive at the airport. That said, several additional documents come into play as the transaction moves forward, and knowing what to gather — and when — keeps your closing on schedule. Personal...

Aug 5 · 4 min read

Legal & Ownership

Buying With a Spouse or Partner: How Co-Ownership Works in a Fideicomiso

Buying a Riviera Maya property with a spouse or partner adds a layer of planning most single buyers don't have to think about — not because it's complicated in a bad way, but because getting the beneficiary structure right from the start avoids real headaches down the road, whether that's years from now at resale or decades from now at inheritance. Naming Joint Beneficiaries A fideicomiso can name more than one primary beneficiary, and this is the standard approach for couples buying...

Aug 27 · 3 min read

Legal & Ownership

Buying a Condo vs. a House vs. Land: How the Legal Process Differs

The core legal framework for foreign property ownership in the Riviera Maya, whether that's the fideicomiso trust structure or the role of the notario, stays consistent across property types. But the specific due diligence steps and documentation you need shift considerably depending on whether you're buying a condo, a standalone house, or raw land. Knowing what's different helps you avoid treating a land purchase with the same checklist you'd use for a finished condo. Buying a Condo...

Aug 27 · 3 min read

1: INTRODUCTION

More on introduction

Buying From a Foreign Seller vs. a Mexican Seller: Does the Process Differ?

7. What Documents Do You Need to Buy Property in Mexico as a Foreigner?

Buying With a Spouse or Partner: How Co-Ownership Works in a Fideicomiso

Buying a Condo vs. a House vs. Land: How the Legal Process Differs

Contact Us Today!