Frequently Asked Questions For Buyers

The Mexican Caribbean combines beaches, a warm climate all year, international airports in Cancún and Tulum, and a wide range of homes and condos. For buyers from the United States and Canada, it is also close to home. Many of our clients buy a second home first and move here later.

First, decide how much you want to invest. Most purchases in Mexico are paid in cash, so it helps to know your budget early, or to get pre-qualified if you plan to finance. Then add closing costs, which are usually 7 to 10% of the purchase price. With a clear number, you can make a strong offer when you find the right place.

Yes. Foreigners can own homes, condos and land in Quintana Roo, including near the beach. Close to the coast, ownership is set up through a specific legal structure at the notary, and it gives you the same rights to use, sell, rent or leave the property to your heirs. We explain the options that fit your case in person, together with the notary.

Yes, and it should be a licensed one. Mexico has no MLS, so no single website shows every property for sale. A licensed agent knows the market, can reach listings that are not online, and guides you through the offer, the paperwork and the closing. In Quintana Roo, real estate agents must be registered with the state; you can check any agent on the SEDETUS roster.

Not directly. A realtor licensed in the US or Canada is not licensed in Quintana Roo, and Mexican transactions follow Mexican law. Your home agent can refer you to a licensed local agent and stay in the loop.

Start with how you will use it: full time, part of the year or for the family. Then compare areas. Our neighborhood guide helps you see the differences. You can start with Cancún, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Finally, visit your shortlist at different times of day, so you know what living there really feels like.

Think about how often you will come. A place that is easy to reach gets used more. Check what is around the building by day and by night, and look at the real monthly costs: HOA fees, maintenance, insurance and property tax. If family will visit, a second bedroom makes a big difference.

Buy only property with a clean, registered title. Avoid ejido land, which is communal land that cannot be sold to you in the normal way. The notary checks the title before closing, and we review the documents with you so there are no surprises.

Yes. Read How Americans buy in the Riviera Maya, How Canadians buy in the Riviera Maya or How Mexicans living abroad buy.

Usually 30 to 60 days from the accepted offer to the closing, when you pay in cash. Financing, a pre-sale or a complex title can add time. We give you a realistic timeline before you sign anything.

We prepare a written offer with the price, the deposit, the conditions and the closing date. The seller can accept, reject or counter. We negotiate for you until both sides agree.

Yes. We look at recent sales and similar listings to suggest a fair, competitive offer. A cash offer with a clear closing date is usually the strongest position.

Contingencies are conditions that must be met for the sale to go ahead, such as a satisfactory inspection, clear title or loan approval. We explain which ones make sense for your purchase.

Plan on closing costs of 7 to 10% of the purchase price. They include the acquisition tax, notary fees, appraisal and registration. We give you a written estimate for each property before you make an offer.

In Mexico, the notary is an experienced attorney appointed by the state. The notary checks the title, prepares the deed, collects the taxes and registers the property in your name. We recommend notaries who speak English, so everything is explained clearly.

We give you the contract in English so you understand every term, but the Spanish version is the official one. We make sure both versions say the same thing before you sign.

Yes. We work with trusted attorneys who review contracts and documents for our clients. We set up a meeting early, so you understand each step.

Yes. Title insurance is available for Mexican properties, as are property, liability and hurricane policies. We can introduce you to providers.

You sign the deed at the notary office, pay the balance and the closing costs, and the notary registers the property. Then you get your keys. If you cannot travel, the notary can work with a power of attorney.

Mostly, yes. Mortgages are less common than in the United States or Canada, so most buyers pay in cash by bank transfer. Some pre-sales offer payment plans with the developer during construction.

Yes. Foreign buyers can finance through lenders that work with US and Canadian clients, and Mexicans living abroad have their own options. You can be pre-qualified online, usually in about one business day.

Pre-qualified means a lender estimates what you could borrow from the information you give. Pre-approved means the lender has checked your credit, income and tax returns. A pre-approval makes your offer much stronger.

Usually your passport or ID, recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements and asset statements. The lender will tell you exactly what applies to you.

It depends on the lender and the property, but down payments for foreign buyers usually range from 20% to 50% of the purchase price.

Around 45 days from application to closing is typical. Some lenders are faster and some slower, so we confirm the timeline with your lender before writing the offer.

It can be harder, but some programs work with less than perfect credit. Talk to us and we will connect you with a lender who can review your case.

Property tax, called predial, is low in Quintana Roo compared with the United States and Canada. It is paid once a year to the municipality, and we tell you the amount for each property before you buy.

We can introduce you to companies that offer complete furniture packages for new homes and condos, so your place is ready when you arrive without managing deliveries from thousands of miles away.

We can introduce you to trusted local companies that take care of homes for owners who live abroad, from maintenance to regular checks.

Keep your home insured, including hurricane coverage, and keep up with maintenance and HOA payments. Keep your deed and receipts in a safe place, and pay predial every year.

Expropriation in Mexico is only possible for a public purpose, through a legal process and with fair compensation, much like eminent domain in the United States. Problems almost always involve ejido land, which is why we only work with properties that have a clean, registered title.