Marc Talon asked:


Stretch your retirement income. Cost of living is quite low compared to most places in North America and a retiree can lead a very cost efficient lifestyle. The cost of hydro has risen considerably, but food, entertainment, property taxes and maintenance are very reasonable. The combination of low land and building costs make Mexico an affordable choice for retirement.

You’ll enjoy the fresh food choices. There is an immense variety of fish, meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables available at the local markets for reasonable prices.

Don’t worry about healthcare. Various types of insurance healthcare plans are widely available and there is a good selection of doctors, hospitals and medical specialists.

Enjoy the relaxed pace. Retirement is all about removing the stress from your life and taking time to relax. Mexico’s environment is far from fast paced, as a retiree you can be active, but still enjoy a low stress lifestyle.

Pick your climate. Decide what sort of climate you are most comfortable living in, depending on the area the weather ranges from year round spring-like weather to warm sea front locations and dry desert heat.

Mexico is big on sports. Most activities are available here, and whether you choose scuba diving or golfing, there is something for everyone.

Choose from a wide variety of locations. Whether you want city living, a secluded property surrounded by nature, or something in between, there are plenty of areas to choose from.

Select from a myriad of real estate opportunities. There are properties available to suit every need including, apartments, resorts, condos and beachfront homes.

If you intend on renting your property, some of the resorts have property managers who can assist with this process.

Commonly used items are widely available. In order to accommodate the many foreign retirees, most foods purchased in Canada, the United States and Europe are available at many Mexican supermarkets. You can keep up to date with the news back home. Cable and satellite are widely used, allowing you to continue viewing all the major US networks and global channels.

Major U.S. magazines and papers are available in most towns, but some of the European newspapers are only available at the major airports.

Jason Keiller asked:


In the last decade, more and more American expatriates have come to retirement and second home communities to enjoy the beautiful Mexican beach resorts. The U.S. State Department reported in October 2004 that 385,000 live in Mexico year. That number is almost certainly higher today.

The reasons are clear. Mexico’s proximity and hospitality attract US citizens like no other country does. Familiar culture and shared border make Mexico an attractive destination for Americans. Also, Mexicans are very warm and friendly people which certainly help in making Mexico one of the Top Tourist destinations all over the world.

Mexican beach resorts have another big factor in favour: weather. Winters are warm and summer heat is tempered by the waters of the Pacific, the Sea of Cortez, or the Caribbean.

Other factors that lure Americans and Europeans alike to the beaches of Mexico is low prices of Mexico Beachfront real estate. Even though in recent time property prices in Mexico have increased, the costs of homes are still low when compared to similar homes in US and Europe with same facilities. Icing on the cake is low property taxes averaging about $300 a year on property of $300,000 and low monthly costs.

Mexico now boasts of almost all world class facilities, amenities and means of entertainment. Satellites, cable television, Internet are available for ex-pats to make them feel closer to home and keep them abreast with the latest in their home countries. Almost all major American food brands are available in well stocked supermarkets. Don’t be surprised if you run in to Wal-Mart in Mexico.

To cope up with the huge demand, more and more huge ambitious projects are developed. The main beneficiaries of this surge in development have been southern Baja, from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz; Puerto Vallarta, from San Blas to Manzanillo; Sonora, on the northern arm of the Sea of Cortez, from San Felipe to Puerto Penasco; and the Cancun to Tulum area.

All these reasons make, Buying Mexico Property for retirement a no-brainer. All you have to do is find an excellent Mexico real Estate agent, who will make you stay in this beautiful country a dream come true.

Author: Jason Keiller

Hector Moreno asked:


Akumal Mexico is a quiet, Mexican Caribbean beachside village located between Playa de Carmen Real Estate and Tulum Real Estate.  Akumal has a rich history and a local mix of residents mainly from Mexico, United States, and from Canada. The people choose to buy property here in Akumal mainly because of its amazing beaches.  These Properties of Mexico Real Estate are probably some of the finest in the entire country.  When people first arrive in Akumal, they will notice a statue of the Mayan warrior, Gonzalo Guerrero and his family.

The Founder of Akumal was Gonzalo Guerrero (also known as Gonzalo Marinero, Gonzalo de Aroca and Gonzalo de Aroza), a sailor from Palos, Spain who had shipwrecked along the Yucatan Peninsula and was enslaved by the local Mayans.  Luckily, the Mayan chief of his captors had a daughter so intrigued by this strange prisoner she chose to marry Guerrero rather than sacrifice him to the gods.  The daughter of the Mayan chief became Guerrero’s wife and the mother of today’s modern Mayan.  Their children were the first mingling of Spanish and Mayan blood.

With no roads leading to this primitive area, it was virtually undisturbed by man. This worldly traveler was so taken with the beautiful bay that he purchased it from a coconut plantation owner and founded a city consisting of a small resort catering to scuba divers.

Don Pablo Bush was also a pioneer in underwater exploration. He united with other distinguished divers and formed CEDAM (Club of Exploration and Water Sports of Mexico).  In 1972, Akumal was established as the world headquarters for CEDAM International and CEDAM of Mexico.

Although CEDAM’s headquarters has relocated to the United States, the diving exploration organization left behind an innovative underwater museum that is in Akumal bay today. The museum consists of cannons and anchors that once adorned doomed ships of the past.

Akumal…an Example of Ecological Sustainability

Today Akumal is the home of CEAKUMAL  an organization concerned in the preservation of regional ecosystems and culture.  Directed by Paul Sanchez Navarro, the CEAKUMAL contributes in the harmonic development of the area and promotes the conservation of the ecology sustainability  by promoting among developers the usage of wetland systems  to prevent waste water to contaminate the underground water systems that make the Yucatan Peninsula the Mecca for cave diving and a unique place in the world.

The Urban Development Plan for the city of Akumal was approved last year.  Akumal developers and investors are aware and conscious of the great responsibility that rests with those attempting to preserve and protect the natural resources on and around these properties.  Promoting eco – friendly developments should be a major concern and respecting densities and zoning allotments a common practice.

Tom Budniak asked:

Many people wouldn’t dream of traveling or moving to Mexico without the family pet. After all, it’s a member of the family too! You can bring your pet or pets with you, but you must do some planning before hand.

If you want to bring your pet to Mexico, you’ll need two pieces of paper. The first is a vaccination certificate to ensure your pet has been vaccinated against rabies, hepatitis, pip and leptospirosis. The second is an office health certificate that must be issued by a veterinarian no more than 72 hours before entering Mexico. Your professional Mexico Real Estate Agent can give you more information.

You can bring two large pets (dog or cat) with you. It is possible to bring more, but you must obtain permission from the Mexican consulate. You’ll need to contact the one nearest you. There is no quarantine period for pets entering Mexico. Make sure to check with the airlines if you’re flying into Mexico. Often airlines have restrictions on size, weight, type of carrier, etc. Be sure to contact your airline and plan ahead.

Owning a pet in Mexico is much the same as owning a pet in any other country. Most dog owners in Mexico have their domestic help care for their dog. You’ll seldom see an owner out walking their dog. Make sure your dog’s caregiver is aware of your dog’s exercise and feeding schedules. Also make sure your dog is comfortable with its caregiver.

Stray dogs and cats are common in Mexico and they carry many diseases. To protect your dog or cat make sure they have the right vaccinations and they are administered correctly. It’s also important to treat your pets for parasites. Veterinarians abound in Mexico and they do make house calls. Again, ask your local professional Mexico Realtor for recommendations or referrals.

When your pet leaves Mexico, the same documents are required as when they entered. You’ll need a certificate of vaccination and a certificate of health from a veterinarian. You will also need to get an export license in order for your dog or cat to leave the country. Your pet will undergo a visual inspection and there is no cost for this license.

While the process may seem drawn out, it is in place to protect all pets – in and out of Mexico. For those who would never consider moving without their pet, it just requires a bit of pre-planning and some local information from your Mexico real estate agent.

Author: Tom Budniak

Jason Keiller asked:

There are numerous reasons why you should seriously consider buying Mexico Real Estate, but it will ultimately boil down to both personal choice and circumstances. Everybody knows that investing in Mexico real estate is an intelligent decision.

One thing is for sure, however, before buying, you need to delve deep in to your reasons for looking at Mexico real estate. Are you planning to live in Mexico for a long time? A long term rental may not be a wise decision. This will mean that you will be paying for a long time and at the end of the stay you do not have any asset to speak of. You may consider buying the property in this case.

Since Mexico is a very well known tourist destination, it serves as a perfect vacation home. A condo hotel in Mexico or a villa can serve as an overseas investment property that will provide a handsome rental income while also providing you with a vacation home whenever you want. Nowadays, condo hotels in Mexico are equipped with all modern amenities to speak of. They mostly have pools, Jacuzzis, gym, spa etc. Since, they are managed by a property management company; you don’t have to worry about maintenance of the property and rentals.

Mexico is also an ideal location, if your company looking for a new location, second headquarters, warehouse or manufacturing facility.

Whatever your reasons for looking at buying Property in Mexico real estate, it is important to realize that it can the best investment decision you ever made. Property values in Mexico have been consistently appreciating every year, just like they do almost anywhere else in world. But, property values of Mexico real estate do not typically appreciate as phenomenally and quickly as they do in the North American countries like United States and Canada or Europe . This makes property buying in Mexico a value for buyers. In addition, as with any property, the true appeal and value of property in Mexico comes down to one thing only – location!

This brings us to another important thing to think about when you are looking at Mexico real estate is the state of development in the immediate vicinity as well as the surrounding governmental infrastructure of the whole entire area. Some areas are much more developed than others, while some are hardly developed at all. While property values will be cheaper in these areas on account of lack of development and infrastructure, be careful when you are looking at these sorts of locations in the purchase of Mexico real estate. Though rapid development is taking place all over Mexico , any development in that area may take time to catch up.

To summarize: Before purchasing Mexico real estate, you first need to conduct extensive research, choose your location and property with due diligence, and ensure that you then hire the right professionals and that the law is strictly followed. Scores of foreign investors have successfully purchased land and property in Mexico and with the right approach and plenty of research, there is no reason why you should not become one of them if you should decide to buy some Mexico real estate.

Author: Jason Keiller

Jason Keiller asked:


While there are some people who come to Mexico for a week and end up living here for the next twenty years, most people adopt a more prudent course and do some homework first. While there may be a few expatriates scattered in a dozen villages throughout Mexico, most Americans and Canadians settle in one of five locations San Miguel de Allende, Mazatlan, Oaxaca, Guadalajara, or Lake Chapala. Retiring in Mexico is now becoming popular with Europeans also.

Mexico has many lovely retirement havens. The reason so many Americans and Canadians choose Mexico as their best place to retire is because they can drive to Mexico in a car. A bigger reason is that Mexico real estate is a bargain compared to the USA and Canada. But there are also a large number of Europeans in Mexico. Mexico is a country that is steeped in rich history, culture, and lifestyle, offering perhaps one of the more pronounced cultures than many of the other nations throughout Latin America. Mexico offers wonderful cuisine, stunning architecture, in most places, a very temperate climate. Mexico is also a modern country, with good quality highways and roads, an infrastructure that allows foreigners to connect via telephone and internet to the rest of the world, solid economic cities and always improving infrastructure.

Meixco is considered on of the best places to retire for a variety of reasons. Such as the quality and variety of food. With fresh fruit and vegetables always in season and with so much flavour, and able to be purchased at a reasonable price. With so much opportunity to purchase fresh local produce in the markets, and food that is not often processed. With the vibrant arts, crafts and the like, Mexico offers much to do in the way of hobbies and the chance to develop new interests. Also popular is the vast array of outdoor activities from fishing, hiking, camping, diving, snorkeling, horse riding, and lazing on the beach. There are also innumerable opportunities for volunteer work, such as teaching English and computer skills, manage the local library, assisting children who were born with handicaps, and running housing facilities for the elderly.

For people who love to socialize, there’s probably no better place in the world to make friends than in Mexico. Mexico is full of vibrant and colourful culture and atmosphere, from its rich history to its wonderful restaurants, cafes and bars, to its peaceful beaches and lush jungle vegetation. The people in Mexico are usually warm and welcoming, part of their nature and culture.

The traditional Mexican way of life is very relaxing. More focused on enjoying the present, than is stressing and worrying about the future, deadlines to reach etc. Rather than worrying, go to the plaza, sit on a bench, and watch village life pass before your eyes, the way a retired lifestyle should be. You will see a family out for a stroll, a little boy riding on his father’s shoulders while Mom buys her daughter a balloon, you’ll notice the teenage girls going one direction in the plaza while the boys pass the other way, all of them casting furtive glances at the ones they like, and you’ll see old friends who will sit down with you for a chat because they’re in the plaza doing the same thing you’re doing – enjoying life! This all brings back memories of how life used to be, all in the surroundings of the beautiful varied scenery of Mexico.

Mexico is closer to paradise than most places on earth. Here in this land of majestic mountains and rolling countryside, stunning beaches and vast scenery, you will experience the gentleness of the people willing to welcome you into their hearts. You will have more time to explore other interests and develop your talents because you have more freedom, better health, less stress, and someone else to take care of mundane chores. And with all the variety that Mexico has to offer within its boarders, who needs to go anywhere else. The low cost of living allows you to splurge on luxuries that would be prohibitive anywhere else and to take advantage of world-class resorts that are not far away.

Author: Jason Keiller

Jason Keiller asked:

There has been much talk about the mexico real estate market and what it will bring in 2008. When talking about this real estate market, it seems that the US property market is closely associated. On the surface, this may look like a fairly gloomy outlook for Mexico ‘s real estate market, but research deeper than this basic generalisation and you will quickly find a clear and promising outlook for the Mexican real estate market in 2008.

In the past 5 years the property market throughout Mexico has continued to appreciate steadily, with a mixture of homes and condo’s, both new and resale properties. Traditionally the Mexican property market was strongly driven by those American’s who were looking for a second or vacation home in the warm temperate climate of Mexico due to its value for money and low cost of living. In more recent decades Mexico has experienced an increasingly high number of retirees heading south of the US boarder for the same reasons.

With the American market being such a dominant force on the Mexican real estate market, why then is it not necessary for America’s current downturn and recessionary effects to impact Mexico’s market to any great concern?

The Mexico property markets popular with foreign investors such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta , Acapulco , and the Baja California Peninsular, continue to see strengthening growth in the large number of new development condos being built constantly, and with a large supply of such properties, they are continuing to meet with high demands. Many American buyers traditionally bought based on re-mortgaging their US homes to purchase a second home in Mexico . But the Mexican market, strongly pushed by the new property development investor market in these major areas, has greatly benefited from mortgage financing with major American and Mexican banks based in Mexico . Since the introduction of mortgage financing over the past approximately 5 years for foreign investors buying real estate in Mexico , the increase of foreign investment helped to strengthen the annual capital growth of the market each year. During this period the lending process and criteria for foreign investors has been well refined, only speeding up the process and frequency of foreign purchases of Mexican property.

The International Monetary Fund released a report in December 2007 identifying some clear differences between the American and Mexican markets, therefore offering signs of stability which can surpass the current US property problems. The number of private mortgages in Mexico was preceded by a lengthy period of stagnation. The residential mortgage backed securities, popular in the US property market, are not common within Mexico so have a much less effect than if they were significantly higher in number. Finally, the International Monetary Fund also identified that securities such as Collateralized Debt Obligations, are almost non-existent among the Mexican financial sector.

The first home buyer market in America is what seems to be hit hard, but there are certainly some strong areas where capital growth of property in America is still on the increase. It is the buying market who are looking for the second vacation home that is not really experiencing too much of the current recessionary effects in America.

One very interesting consideration when speaking about the Mexican real estate market is the increase in Canadian buyers throughout many areas of Mexico . Canada has experienced a very strong dollar in recent times and their strong overall economy and increased property markets, especially in the main areas of Toronto and Vancouver, have led to a large number of Canadian home owners able to spend money on a second or vacation home in warmer climates, and Mexico, with its great value for money, is attracting many buyers.

Mexico ‘s economic status remains strong, with commercial banks offering lower mortgage rates than in previous years and remaining stable and profitable, and the government has focussed strongly on reducing the public debt ratio and Mexico ‘s external debt, and keeping inflation low.

So in summary the Mexican real estate market seems set to be a promising and steady market for investors throughout 2008. Outward influences from the US have not shown any real negative impact so far on Mexico ‘s property market and, as stated are not likely to have too much negative effect in the future. The other foreign investors from such markets as Canada , and even more popularly the UK and Europe are likely to pick up where any reduction in American investment may dwindle. Mexico has successfully established itself as a solid investment market, due to its popularity as a retirement destination and its ever increasing tourists visiting each year. Combine this with the governments focus on maintaining Mexico ‘s impressive economic growth and stability and it seems that Mexico should certainly remain a definite consideration when thinking of purchasing your own piece of Mexican real estate.

Author: Jason Keiller

Thomas Lloyd asked:


This spring I have been seeing news stories and large amount of articles of the dangers and risks of coming to Mexico to visit or to vacation.  The majority of the stories have spoken of the entire country of Mexico in general, and unfortunately did not speak of regions or neighborhoods where the incidences were occurring whether it was some neighborhood of Mexico City, or some region of the state of Baja California.

I also noted the misfortuneate timing of these news events being in the spring time which is basically effecting Mexico’s tourist high season and which is also effecting my area of work, the Mexico real estate industry.  Lately though, I have starting to notice some articles that are becoming aware of the spilling over effects and have started to correct or attempt to report the data with a little more investigation and detail.  My question, “Is this too little too late?”

One of the quotes which I found interesting,

” Despite the travel alert, “we are not advising people not to go to Mexico,” says Heide Bronke Fulton, a State Department spokeswoman. She adds that the main areas of concern are cities and towns near the U.S. border. Travel alerts, which can caution against everything from cyclone season to terrorism threats, are far less severe than the State Department’s “warnings,” in place for countries like Iraq and Sudan, which essentially advise against traveling to a country altogether. ”

After speaking with several visitors down here in Mexico this past week I realized the importance of passing this information and these types of articles and updates through channels such as Mexico real estate blogs and other mediums on the Internet.  The visitors from up north advised that the news being heard on the television and many news sources is quite harsh.  “Very bad and negative.  People and my family have come to me and asked me to cancel my trips down to Mexico.  I had to pull out a map and show them where I was going and where the problem areas were occurring”.  Even the Mexico tourism department has become very alarmed at the generalization of the reports up north and their effect on their economy.  They have published a map on the internet to help visitors understand the locations.

Unfortunately, the messages of pinpointing locations and distances may have missed the high season period.  The Mexico tourist department is rushing trying to correct this mishap.  It is April, a good portion of the high season has already been incorrectly effected.  The year for tourism in Mexico was starting strong, but now several hotels and businesses are now concerned in the cancellations that have occurred.  Lets hope that this other message continues to be transmitted effectively to help recover some of the drop in reservations and travel plans for the rest of the year.

Marc Talon asked:


Do your research. Spend time in some of the different areas of Mexico to discover which areas you feel most comfortable. Most people who retire here have had many prior visits on annual vacations and have experienced Mexico first hand.

Pick your climate. Decide what sort of climate you are most comfortable living in, depending on the area the weather ranges from year round spring-like weather to warm sea front locations and dry desert heat.

Will you be a permanent or part time resident? Depending on your personal choice, you may decide to live here permanently or only a few months out of the year, and renting the rest of the time. Some also rent their permanent homes to offset the costs of their temporary Mexican residence.

Purchasing real estate in Mexico. There are a myriad of real estate opportunities available, but be certain you are dealing with reputable agents on both sides. You may also find it easier to finance your purchase at a bank back home. There are properties available to suit every need including, apartments, resorts, condos and beachfront homes.

Choose the location that suits you. Whether you want city living or a secluded property surrounded by nature, there are plenty to choose from.

Learn the language. It’s much easier to assimilate into your environment if you can speak the native language; as a result, many of our visitors enroll in classes to learn Spanish.

Consider turning your hobby into a business. Many of our retirees turn their hobbies into small businesses once they set up residence. Others get involved in social work in their local communities.

Make sure your income qualifies. You will need to research the various government requirements for foreign retirees and ensure that you qualify. You must have a proven fixed income of at least 400 times the daily minimum salary per month, and 200 times the daily amount for each dependent. If you own, your Mexican home, opposed to renting, these figures are reduced.

Health care considerations to remember. Most U.S. or Canadian health care plans do not cover your medical requirements in Mexico. Make certain you arrange for medical insurance to cover you during your stay in Mexico. There are numerous medical facilities and hospitals, but they are private and require payment in full.

Paying taxes in both countries. If you plan to work in Mexico or collect any sort of income such as rental income, sale of artwork, handicrafts, etc., you will require an FM3 Retirement Permit. This will allow you to work or run a business, but you will have to pay Mexican tax on any income earned.

Tem Pearson asked:


Traditionally, investing in property in Mexico has been largely overlooked due to the troublesome political history of the country and the perceived economic risks involved.

However, more recently, Mexico has really started to grow and has become much more stable, economically, politically and even socially.

Tourists are now keen to travel to Mexico to make the most of the beautiful coastline and the warm climate. In particular, North American tourists have begun to flock to Mexico, although the appeal is now becoming more widespread with tourists from further afield also realising what this country has to offer.

In order to cater for the tourist market, there has been a huge influx of apartments and new build properties in the popular resorts of Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Ixtapa.

Although new builds are by far the most popular option for those looking at investing in property in Mexico, there are also plenty of older properties available at very reasonable prices.

In these popular regions, property prices have risen consistently over the last few years, at an average annual rate of over 10 percent. Some analysts fear that the market in these regions has now seen the sharp increase and that those considering investing in property in Mexico should look to the less developed areas.

One of these potential options is Manzanillo, on the Pacific Coast, in central Mexico. Until recently this area had been overlooked, as it was consider to be inaccessible and to have weather extremes.

However, the reality is far from this and Mexicans going on holiday have been travelling to this region for decades! The area does not attract the weather extremes that were originally feared and has miles of beautiful undeveloped coastline to explore. The figures suggest that this area is undergoing a huge boom, with property prices rising more than 15 percent a year.

Despite the recent surge in prices, they are still considerably lower than the more popular areas of Mexico, with a detached house a few minutes from the beach available for purchase for under 100,000 US dollars!

One investor has stated: ‘The temperature is perfect and the beaches are spectacular. Even though you are able to find beaches and beautiful places all over the world, it is the people that really make Manzanillo a marvellous and special place one would not want to leave’.

Tourism is vital for anyone investing in property in Mexico. Over 55 percent of Mexico’s revenue comes from tourism and it is likely that this will be the main audience for any property investors. With this in mind, it is ideal to invest in areas that are experiencing substantial tourist growth such as Campeche, where a huge holiday resort is planned to attract tourists to the area.

The tourist market in Mexico is going from strength to strength, with 22 million visitors making their way to Mexico last year; and this is set to continue for the foreseeable future.

It is this factor that makes investing in property in Mexico a wonderful option for someone wanting to make the most of a booming market and a country very much on the up, in every way.