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Buying in the Restricted Zone of Mexico

Mexican law has special exceptions for property purchased within 31 miles of the coast and 62 miles of the border. This is known as the Restricted Zone. In this area, property that is purchased by foreigners, must be purchased through a Fideicomiso or by creating a Mexican Corporation.

Please see below for more details.

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After 1970, the Mexican government passed laws to permit foreigners, as private individuals, to buy property in the Restricted Zone through a bank trust or fideicomiso.

The trust, initially established for a 50-year term and renewable for an additional 50, gives you, the beneficiary, full rights of ownership. You will have complete and full rights to the property; you can use, change, rent, or sell the property. In the event of death, the property passes to the beneficiary you have already designated—no probate is necessary. The fideicomiso cannot be used for property larger than 2,000 square meters.

The current cost of establishing a trust is about $3,500–5,000 USD, and the annual fee charged after the second year is currently about $600–1,000 USD. This covers the government fideicomiso permit fee, bank setup fee, and one year's fee. Charges may vary from bank to bank, and the annual maintenance fee depends on the value of the property.

If you intend to use the property for business, it is easy to form a Mexican Corporation. The property may be purchased by the corporation and 100% owned. Costs of forming a corporation vary from $2,800 to $5,500 USD.

As an added benefit, you can own property larger than 2,000 meters with a Mexican Corporation. The Mexican government currently requires monthly tax filings, so plan to pay a Mexican accountant about $50 to $100 USD a month. Accountants may charge this monthly or annually.

For more information, we can refer you to a knowledgeable attorney that specializes in this type of foreign ownership.

Historically, properties in Mexico have been paid for in cash. Because of this, financing is not as common as it is in the United States or Canada. Additionally, some sellers may be hesitant to accept an offer involving bank financing, as the process can take longer, the outcome may be uncertain, or due to tax-related reasons.

However, in recent years, some financing options have become available. These loans typically have strict approval criteria, requiring a good credit score, and often come with high-interest rates. The down payment is generally around 35%, but other options may be available.

If you’re interested in learning more, please contact me at:
[email protected]

There are a limited number of inspections available, performed by various professionals. However, these inspections are generally surface-level. Most foundations sit on solid limestone, and since there are no earthquakes in this area, any foundation issues are typically visible and apparent.

Roofs are usually made of solid concrete, and any leaks would be easily noticeable. Many older properties may require renovations, including rewiring electrical systems and re-plumbing to meet modern standards. Additionally, some properties advertised as "Fully Remodeled" or "Move-in Ready" may not be completely up to those standards.

In Mexico, properties are sold "as-is," meaning sellers generally do not make repairs.

We always strive to represent all properties as accurately as possible, but we rely on the information provided by sellers. Therefore, we cannot be held responsible for any discrepancies.

Once a price is agreed upon by both the Buyer and Seller, and a purchase contract is signed by all parties, the Buyer has five business days or seven calendar days to wire the property deposit along with other initial upfront fees.

The property deposit is typically 10% of the sale price, though in some special circumstances, it may be higher. These funds are held in a separate depository account designated for this purpose. This deposit serves as a guarantee to bind the contract. Once the escrow payment is received, an extensive title search is conducted to confirm that there are no existing liens or title issues.

The closing process typically takes 60 to 90 days. A few days before closing, you will receive an itemized expense list detailing the full closing costs, which must be paid before the final signing.

If you are unable to be in Mexico for the closing, a limited Power of Attorney can be used, allowing the Closing Attorney to sign on your behalf for this specific transaction. Since it is a Limited Power of Attorney, its validity is restricted to this particular transaction.

In Mexico, closing costs are paid by the Buyer. These include:

  • The cost of forming a trust (fideicomiso) or corporation
  • Transfer Tax, which varies by municipality
  • Attorney and notary fees

We are happy to provide a Good Faith Estimate once you have selected a property.

  • Establishing a trust (fideicomiso) typically takes 45–60 days, as a permit must be obtained. This is part of the closing process and is handled by the closing attorney.
  • If the property is already in an existing transferable bank trust, (fideicomiso) the process may be faster, depending on the bank administering it. Some trusts are transferable, and others are not.
  • Forming a corporation generally takes under 30 days, however before choosing to use a corporation to hold the property, it is recommended that you consult with one of our trusted attorneys. The laws regarding corporations are different than with a fideicomiso, and may not be appropriate for everyone.

People from all walks of life have discovered the historic charm of Mérida and the natural beauty of the Yucatán Gulf Coast. We would be honored to help you explore the many reasons why you’ll fall in love with Mexico.

1. Find an experienced, knowledgeable real estate company.
2. Get your finances in order.
3. Set a budget and stick to it.
4. Understand the local housing market and culture.
5. Choose a home based on things that cannot be changed.
6. Don't sweat the cosmetics, these things can be changed.
7. Know when to compromise on home features & desired neighborhoods.
8. Know when to take advice.
9. Do Give a Fair Offer, don’t "Low Ball", this strategy will not work in your favor.
10. Understand that you can't "Time" the Real Estate Market.

Home Buying Process

A home search can be an overwhelming and daunting task. That's why we make it a priority to help you understand each step so your journey is as easy and painless as possible. By the end of your search, with our support and guidance, you will live happily ever after in your new dream home.

Buyer Consultation:

In Person, Phone or Zoom

During our buyer consultation, we'll explore market trends, your needs and desires, your plans and timelines, offers and purchasing and much more. We are here to answer all your questions and get you started on the right path.

Payment

Financing options are limited as this is predominately cash market for both Mexicans and foreigners alike.

A few companies offer financing for Americans and Canadians, with stringent criteria, mandatory good credit, and typically a minimum deposit of 30% or more.

There is generally a minium purchase amount as well. For more information, please contact me.

If you are Mexican living in Mexico with established history, you may have more financing options available.

Closing costs vary depending on the property and location; and what is required to finalize that transaction, closing costs are specific to the property.

Upon finding a property, we can request a Good Faith Estimate from a trusted Closing Attorney.

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Property search

You'll receive notifications about listings that match your preferences. If something catches your eye, just let us know, and we’ll schedule a viewing right away to keep things moving forward.

Make an offer

When you’re ready, we’ll present your offer to the seller. While we hope for an immediate acceptance, the seller might counter or reject the offer, but don't worry—we’ll navigate this together!

Signing the Contract

After your offer is accepted, you will sign a formal agreement to proceed with the transaction. This agreement ensures transparency and security for both parties involved.

The document will outline key details such as terms, conditions, deposit amount, remaining balance, and expected closing timeline.

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Closing

It’s time to celebrate—closing day is almost here!

We’ll be with you through the final steps, the closing costs, the final payment, the final inspection, to handing over the keys to your new home, ensuring a smooth and exciting finish to your home-buying journey.

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"Working with Nicholas Sanders was an excellent experience from start to finish. Our first meeting took place over a video call, and right away he made the whole buying process in Mérida clear and stress-free. Nicholas was always available whenever we needed advice or updates, and he was extremel
"This was our first international real estate purchase, and we wanted/needed a reliable, knowledgeable, and patient agent that we could trust. Nicholas has proven to be “all that” and more! He made our accelerated process his priority. His honesty and sincere passion for his profession solidified our
"I loved working with Nicholas Sanders and Yucatan Beach and City Property. I felt confident and in safe hands throughout the process. He was communicative and ensured that I was informed. He was professional and reassuring when I was unsure. I would 100% trust him again to hold my hand through any r
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"Nicholas Sanders was recommended to me by friends, and they were absolutely right about him. I had a fairly good idea of what I wanted but was wide open as to how to create it. That didn’t phase Nicholas one bit, even as we looked hither and yon around town, and he (along with Alejandro) ended up he
"Couldn't imagine going through all the paperwork without Jeff Stacy and Elizabeth Rodriguez's help and guidance... will recommend them to my friends."
"I was quite nervous at the thought of putting my home up for sale. I had one agent from a different company come to give me a potential listing price, which she did before even walking through the house! As I was not comfortable with that agent's indifferent attitude, I decided to contact Elizabeth
"My family and I went from the idea of investing in Merida real estate to owning a beautiful colonial home in a few short months. Elizabeth Rodriguez made the process as easy as it can be. We were provided with all the information upfront, got all of our questions answered and had property showings
"Nicholas Sanders, thanks so much for guiding us to the finish line on our first home in Merida. It was a daunting process for someone still living in the US and unfamiliar with the real estate process in Mexico. You and your colleagues were excellent at explaining the process and what we could expec

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