Clear & concise

Guides

How buying property in Mexico works, step by step, plus 196 articles on costs, tax, rentals and life in the Riviera Maya.

The buying process in 4 steps

Buying in Mexico is different from the US and Canada. Read these in order before you make an offer.

1Step 1IntroductionEach country has their own rules for buying Real Estate and when you first buy in Mexico it can seem confusing! If you…Read step 1 →
2Step 2Fideicomiso or CorporationA Fideicomiso gives a foreign buyer all the property rights and privileges of a citizen, with the additional advantage…Read step 2 →
3Step 3Buying ProcessWhen making your initial offer, this should be done using a written Offer to Purchase contract, ensuring no confusion…Read step 3 →
4Step 4Closing and Title TransferAt this point, both parties should be able to execute the purchase/sales agreement (compra-venta), start the closing…Read step 4 →

Articles

Legal & Ownership

Fideicomisos, title, notaries and owning property as a foreigner.

Legal & Ownership

Understanding the Public Registry of Property

Every legally recognized property transaction in Mexico eventually runs through the same government office: the Registro Público de la Propiedad, or Public Registry of Property. It's the closest thing Mexico has to a centralized record of who owns what, and understanding how it works helps explain why so much of the due diligence process in a Riviera Maya purchase centers on this single institution. What the Public Registry Does The Public Registry is a state-level government office (each...

Aug 27 · 3 min read

Legal & Ownership

Escrow in Mexico: How Buyer Deposits Are Actually Protected

Handing over a deposit on a property you're buying from thousands of miles away is understandably nerve-wracking, and the mechanics of how that money is protected in Mexico differ meaningfully from what US and Canadian buyers are used to. Understanding how escrow actually works here — and who legally can and can't hold your funds — is essential before you wire a single dollar. Why Escrow Matters More in Mexico Than You'd Think Here's a detail that surprises a lot of foreign buyers: Mexican...

Aug 27 · 3 min read

Legal & Ownership

What Is PROFECO and How Does It Protect Buyers?

If you've spent any time researching consumer protection in Mexico, you've likely come across PROFECO — the Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor, Mexico's federal consumer protection agency. It plays a genuinely useful role in certain real estate disputes, particularly with developers, but it's important to understand exactly where its authority starts and stops before you count on it to resolve a problem. PROFECO's Role and Legal Authority PROFECO derives its power from the Federal Consumer...

Aug 27 · 3 min read

Legal & Ownership

Can You Buy Property in Mexico Through a Corporation Instead of a Fideicomiso?

Most foreign buyers in the Riviera Maya default to a fideicomiso, the bank trust structure that's become the standard route to owning coastal property. But it's not the only legal path. For certain buyers — particularly those planning to operate a rental business or acquire several properties — purchasing through a Mexican corporation is worth understanding, even if it's not the right fit for most residential buyers. The Legal Basis: Fideicomiso vs. Mexican Corporation Under Article 27 of the...

Aug 27 · 3 min read

Legal & Ownership

The Notario Publico, and Why You Also Need Your Own Lawyer

If you're buying property in the Riviera Maya, you'll hear the word "notario" constantly, and it's tempting to assume it means the same thing as a notary public back home. It doesn't. In Mexico, the notario público is a powerful legal official who sits at the center of every property transfer, and understanding exactly what that role does — and doesn't — cover is the first step toward protecting yourself. Here's the thing: the notario is essential, but they are not your personal advocate, and...

Aug 27 · 4 min read

Legal & Ownership

4. Affordable Holiday Homes in Mexico: The Role of a Notary.

You don't need a seven-figure budget to own a holiday home in the Riviera Maya. Properties start at accessible price points, with opportunities across Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cancun, and beyond. But affordable doesn't mean low-risk—and that's where the public notary becomes your most important ally. The Affordable Market Reality Across Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras, and Akumal, entry-level properties attract first-time buyers and budget-conscious...

Aug 14 · 3 min read

Legal & Ownership

11. How to Verify a Property Title Is Clean: A Due Diligence Checklist

A property can look flawless in person and still carry legal problems invisible to the naked eye — an unresolved lien, a disputed inheritance claim, or a land-use permit that was never actually issued. Verifying that a title is genuinely clean before you sign anything is the single most protective step in a Mexican real estate purchase, and it follows a fairly consistent process regardless of whether you're buying a condo, house, or lot. Start With the Public Registry Every legally registered...

Aug 5 · 3 min read

Legal & Ownership

10. Ejido Land: Why You Should Never Buy It Without Full Regularization

Of all the warnings a real estate attorney will give a foreign buyer in the Riviera Maya, none is more urgent than this one: never buy ejido land unless its regularization to full private ownership is complete and verifiable. It's the single most common way foreign buyers end up with a "property" that has no real legal standing at all, and it's precisely because the prices look so attractive that buyers keep getting pulled in. What Ejido Land Actually Is Ejido land is communal agrarian land,...

Aug 5 · 4 min read

Legal & Ownership

9. What Happens to Your Fideicomiso When You Die? Inheritance and Beneficiaries

Buying property through a fideicomiso, the bank trust structure required for foreign ownership of residential real estate in Mexico's coastal restricted zone, solves the immediate question of how you can legally hold a beachfront condo or villa. But a question that deserves just as much attention upfront is what happens to that property when you're no longer around to manage it. The good news is that Mexican law provides a straightforward path — as long as you set it up correctly from the...

Aug 5 · 4 min read

Legal & Ownership

8. Buying Remotely: Using a Power of Attorney to Purchase Without Traveling to Mexico

Not every buyer can fly down for a signing appointment, and the good news is you don't have to. A properly executed power of attorney, known in Mexico as a poder notarial, allows someone you trust to sign contracts, appear before the notario, and complete your purchase on your behalf. It's a well-established tool, but the paperwork has to be handled correctly, or it can stall your closing at the worst possible moment. What a Poder Notarial Covers A power of attorney in this context grants...

Aug 5 · 3 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

6. How to Avoid Real Estate Fraud When Buying in Tulum or Playa del Carmen

Real estate fraud has become a genuine concern along Mexico's Caribbean coast, and it's not just anecdotal. Legal associations in Quintana Roo have reported that a striking share of the foreign buyers who eventually seek their help had already fallen victim to some form of fraud, most commonly in fast-growing markets like Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and Playa del Carmen. That doesn't mean you should be scared off — it means you should know exactly what to watch for and which steps meaningfully...

Aug 5 · 4 min read