Frequently Asked Questions For Sellers

We are a licensed agency with offices in Playa del Carmen and Tulum, and we have sold property in the region since 2008. In addition, we market every listing to buyers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. As a result, your property reaches serious buyers, not only local ones. We also stay with you until the deed is signed at the notary.

First, we study recent sales and active listings of similar properties in your area. Then we compare size, view, building age, amenities and HOA fees. Finally, we give you a written market analysis with a recommended price range. A well priced property sells faster and usually for more.

The process usually follows five steps:

1. Valuation and pricing: we analyze the market and agree on an asking price with you.
2. Tax planning: we review your purchase documents so you know what to expect at closing.
3. Marketing: we photograph your property and publish it on our site, portals and social media, and we share it with our buyer and agent network.
4. Showings and negotiation: we organize visits, qualify buyers and negotiate offers for you.
5. Contract and closing: we prepare the agreement, coordinate the notary and guide you until the sale closes.

In most cases you will need:

• Your title deed (escritura) or, if you own through a bank trust, the trust certificate.
• A valid official ID or passport.
• Proof that property tax (predial) and water bills are paid up to date.
• For condos, a no-debt letter from the HOA.
• Your Mexican tax ID (RFC) and CURP, if you have them.
• Proof of marital status, since a spouse may need to sign.

If you bought in pre-construction, we will also ask for your purchase contract. We review everything before listing, so there are no surprises at the notary.

The main tax is the capital gains tax (ISR), which the notary calculates and withholds at closing. The amount depends on your gain, on your tax residency and on the documents you have. Valid invoices (facturas) for improvements and for the costs of your original purchase can reduce it, and Mexican tax residents may qualify for an exemption on their primary residence if they meet the legal requirements. Because every case is different, we recommend reviewing your numbers with a Mexican accountant before you list, and we can introduce you to one.

In the Riviera Maya the buyer normally pays the purchase closing costs, such as the acquisition tax, notary fees and bank trust fees. As the seller, you usually cover the capital gains tax, our commission, and any pending property tax, HOA fees or utilities up to the closing date.

Yes. Most foreign owners in the Riviera Maya hold their property through a bank trust, and selling it is a routine process. The notary coordinates with your bank to transfer the trust rights to the buyer or to cancel the trust, and the bank charges its own fees for that step. We help you request the bank documents early so they do not delay the closing.

Usually yes, through an assignment of rights (cesión de derechos). Most developers must approve the assignment and many charge a fee for it, so we start by reviewing your purchase contract to confirm the conditions before we market the unit.

Yes. The notary requires an official appraisal (avalúo) to calculate taxes and register the deed. It is ordered during the closing and, in most cases, the buyer pays for it. It is different from our market analysis, which is the tool we use to set your asking price.

Yes. The outstanding balance is paid at closing from the sale proceeds, and the lender issues a release so the buyer receives a clear title. We coordinate the payoff with the notary and your bank.

Every listing gets original photos and drone images, a full listing on our website in English, Spanish and French, exposure on international portals that reach buyers in North America, Europe and Latin America, our social media and newsletter, and our network of licensed brokers. You can see the details on our marketing page.

When an offer arrives, we review the price, the terms and the buyer’s proof of funds with you, and we negotiate on your behalf. Once you agree, a promissory agreement (contrato de promesa de compraventa) sets the price, the deposit, the closing date and the conditions. The buyer’s deposit is usually held in escrow until closing, which protects both sides.

At closing, the funds are released through the notary or the escrow account, after taxes and any pending debts are paid. You can receive them in a Mexican or foreign bank account, in pesos or dollars, depending on what was agreed in the contract.

Not always. Small fixes, fresh paint and good photos usually make the biggest difference. Before you spend money, we visit the property and tell you which improvements buyers will actually value.

Both work. In the Riviera Maya many buyers want a property that is ready to use, so selling furnished can help. If you include furniture, we attach a signed inventory to the contract so everyone knows exactly what stays.

It depends on the price, the location and the type of property. Well priced condos in Playa del Carmen, Tulum or Cancún often sell in a few months, while luxury homes and land can take longer. Meanwhile, we report activity to you every month, so you always know where the sale stands.

Our commission depends on the type and value of the property and the services you need. We explain it clearly in the first meeting, in writing, so there are no surprises later.

Yes. Playa Realtors (The River Plate S.A. de C.V.) is a licensed agency registered with SEDETUS Quintana Roo, and our brokerage agreement is registered with PROFECO, Mexico’s consumer protection agency. You can check our license on our verification page.

Yes. Many of our sellers live in the United States or Canada. We handle the showings, the negotiation and the paperwork for you, and the notary can work with a power of attorney when you cannot travel. Meanwhile, we keep you updated by phone, email or WhatsApp.

Call or text us at +1 954-799-4141, write on WhatsApp at +52 984 186 5453, email [email protected] or use our contact page. We will schedule a call and a visit, and then we will prepare your market analysis.