BajaNomad

Buying Land in Mexico

Arthur - 5-1-2005 at 07:12 AM

Okay, it sounds like Peyton's book, Buying Land in Mexico (2nd edition) is essential if you're doing that kind of thing. Anyone have an idea where I could find a copy? Not on Amazon; not on the Nomad book list, which connects to Amazon anyway.

comitan - 5-1-2005 at 08:02 AM

In Google type in "buying land in Mexico" you will not need the book or it will give you enough info to start.

Arthur

Skeet/Loreto - 5-1-2005 at 08:10 AM

The book will give you some good and bad information.
If you would like to find out the best way, go to La Paz, Loreto, Mulege, or where ever you want to buy and discuss it with the people in the Area. Get names of Agents, Attorneys, etc. check out their reputation and then decide if and when you will buy.

You cannot get the proper information by reading a book.

Skeet/Loreto

Bruce R Leech - 5-1-2005 at 08:23 AM

Be careful. half the info you will git will be good and half will be bad. this happens when ever you ask advice down here .Probably the best place to start is with the notary that will be closing your deal.

yankeeirishman - 5-1-2005 at 08:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Arthur
Okay, it sounds like Peyton's book, Buying Land in Mexico (2nd edition) is essential if you're doing that kind of thing. Anyone have an idea where I could find a copy? Not on Amazon; not on the Nomad book list, which connects to Amazon anyway.


All of my fellow Nomads advice is good (above)...I would add this:
Yes, research the reference books with all that time allows, ask many questions on this forum (and other sites) to get ??more questions you haven?t thought of??, go to Mexico, and talk to the foreigner land owners (that be us), so that you can gather up their experiences. Convince yourself that any foreigner land deal can be lost, and you can afford this mishap. Then after all this, hire a Mexican lawyer that comes from a good recommended source (friends, family, Nomads). That?s how I did it. Good luck to your adventures.

Bob and Susan - 5-1-2005 at 09:37 AM

Lawyer...lawyer...lawyer!!!!

:spingrin::spingrin:

tim40 - 5-1-2005 at 10:28 AM

Finding a quality lawyer, that is fluent in both Spanish and English, has the time available, and comes with a positive reputation by many is more than just a little challenge. We have been looking for just that person in La Paz and even contacted a couple suggested on this board (willing to pay the going rate by the way...not looking for free advice from them). The challenge is that they seem to not understand the many of the our (U.S. buyers concerns).

As a concrete example: we have two purchase negotiations on-going in Sur (one a house and one beach front acrerage) un related to each other. We want and will pay the fees for an escrow company. This concept is soo foreign to even the attornies, they will not assist with making it happen. As backup, we have even explored the attorney holding the deposit funds until all is clear...again, you guessed it they do not want to do this.

I am sure there are some attorneys in Sur that meet our desires, but we have yet to find one. When they become more popular, watch out..the explosion thus far in baja will look like nothing.

Tim

Skeet/Loreto - 5-1-2005 at 12:09 PM

My experience is just the opposite than Yours.
I started dealing with a La Paz Lic. over 15 years ago starting with the forming of a corporation. I bought and sold Proerty on several Occasions, he handled all, perfectlly. Fair Fees,Trustworthy,.
Anyone has to find the one they trust and go from there.

Actuallly yu do not have to have an Attorney, you can deal directly with the Mexican Property owner,and the local Officials.

Skeet/Loreto

Arthur - 5-1-2005 at 01:42 PM

Skeet:

Your licenciado is in La Paz, and sounds great -- but busy, of course. Is all of the stuff handled by mail, so it doesn't matter where in Baja the guy is, or from what you hear would it be better to get someone up in Baja del Norte for transactions up there?

Arthur

Skeet/Loreto - 5-1-2005 at 04:00 PM

I was advised by a Very Important Person from Mexico City th following:
When you do any legal business in Mexico?Baja always do that legal business in the Capitol city. In Baja that is TJ and La Paz.
It is very simple when you think about it,; That is where the final True Power residesin case of a Dispute.

I do not think that you will be able to handle it all by Mail because of the Law which states that when signing legal documents in Mexico you must have a Legal Tourist Permit, Fm Status and be in the country at the time of the signing.
Sometimes arrangments can be made to have the Signing of Documents done at the consuals office say in San Diego.

I am sure that there are some on this board who will be able to Qoute the law better than I.

Good Luck and try to do two things
Learn Spanish
Slow Down in the time element of your American Expectations.
Skeet/Loreto

bajalou - 5-1-2005 at 05:25 PM

Sorry Skeet, the capitol of Baja Calif. is Mexicali, not TJ. And as there are no Notarios in San Felipe, one must be selected in Mexicali (as the nearest city with one). But I agree with your "Seat of Government" idea.

:biggrin:

comitan - 5-1-2005 at 07:06 PM

Arthur---- Are you scared off yet, it seems as though many people on this board are trying. Buying property in mexico is a matter of coming to and agreement with the current property owner and going to the Notario who I consider the same as a title company, they maintain the records. Having lived in La Paz for 11 years and knowing many people who have bought in this area that is the way its done here, I know of only one person that had trouble, he and the owner went to the notario, the notario told the supposed owner that he cannot sell the property again. Again this has been my experience in the La Paz area. Mexicali area and Notarios might be different but I doubt it. All of the above pertains to fidocomisos.

comitan - 5-1-2005 at 07:11 PM

In addition to what I just said above if you were a Mexican the process would be the same except you would get an escritura (Title)

comitan - 5-1-2005 at 07:47 PM

Those of you that are considering buying land in the Baja, there is what is called an investment clause that would be part of your Fidocomiso, which would take effect if you were purchasing more than 2000 sq.mts. If you exceeded this amount of sq.mts. you would have 2 years to bring the appraised value up to a certain amount. Info for this at:http://www.beachareaproperty.com/mexicolegalinfo.asp

tim40 - 5-1-2005 at 08:26 PM

SKeet: what Lawyer and/or Notario in La Paz have you had success with?

Comitan: the 2 notarios that we have spoke to, have been unwilling to hold deposit funds simular to an escrow account. It this is what you mean like a escrow, I would be interested in some specifics. Thank you, Tim

wornout - 5-1-2005 at 08:30 PM

Want to buy land, buy a piece in Arizona. If you still want to come down here, lease/rent a place. If you don't like it, move and lease/rent somewhere else. No lawyers (who may be related to the family or outfit selling the land) worries, no Notario worries, no outrageous commissions, buying and selling. No Mexcan Will required. Plus you can pass the land on to you heirs who just may want to live in it rather than sell it because they can't/won't move here.

Arthur - 5-1-2005 at 10:13 PM

I'm not scared off, but I'd be a fool not to take all of my fellow Nomads' cautionary statements into account. I can see where for San Felipe it would be a good idea to get a licenciado in Mexicali, so that's where I'll try first. Any advice about good lawyers there? As far as learning Spanish, I'm well on my way, and as for slowing down, I'll do my best. I ain't a slowed-down guy, but I understand that that's the preferable mode, so I can handle it -- I hope.

wornout - 5-2-2005 at 07:35 AM

Well then, if you are still wanting to go through with it, I think you will make it. We did, but, would have done a few things different 7 years ago when we built, on leased land, here in San Felipe. There are a couple of lawyers in town that speak englisn and are not associated with anyone selling land here in San Felipe. We will more than likely be here until they pry my dune buggy from my fingers, or put the desert off-limits to off road vehicles. Good luck.... :bounce:

Notoria

Skeet/Loreto - 5-2-2005 at 08:06 AM

Arthur:
Miguel Angel Izquierdo
Tele 612 123 1844
La Paz.

There is something to be said about A 10 years lease from a Mexican owner. All improvements go with the Property at the end of the lease{You can take them with you}.

I was in and around oreto for 35 Years before selling out and returning to the States. I would do it different on return :
A 5 Acre Lot in Ventana with a nice 35 Ft Trailer and build a Papla in next to it. Lease the property for 20 years.

Buy a Panga, arrange for Storage in Agua Verde, go south to a very isolated Beach that has some Water, build a Palapa, commute back and forth to Verde or Loreto for Supplies.

Go to the Pacific south of Scorpion Bay rent/lease a spot from someone ,build a Palapa, Catch fish and Eat Lobster anytime I felt like it.

Move to La Paz, live in an Apt. buy a 36Ft Fishing boatwiht a diesel, go out to any of the many Places from Loreto South. this can be done with a smaller boat with a small Diesel for Range. The boat could be kept in Storage near the Beach in La Paz.{could eat every morning at the Bizmark 11 Taco Stand on the Malacon or at the Albatross Taco Stand on
Jalisco}

Go luck on your Adventures

skeet/Loreto

Bruce R Leech - 5-2-2005 at 09:31 AM

I agree to Skeet for most people it is way smarter to rent. just don't go crazy and spend a lot of money fixing it up.

Arthur - 5-2-2005 at 10:35 AM

Good stuff, Skeet. I can't tell if those are all independent fantasies or not, though. Some sound like they could build upon other ones.

Your licenciado sounds like the man -- if he's not too busy. Nobody's recommended anyone in San Felipe by name yet. I wouldn't want to use the realtor's recommendation if I had to settle for someone in town.

We're not quite there yet, though. Just looking around and finding out how to do things right.

I do like the image of one of us standing there holding a dune buggy over his head, shouting "From my cold, dead hands!" Where's that cartoonist that posts from time to time?

[Edited on 5-2-2005 by Arthur]

Arthur

Skeet/Loreto - 5-2-2005 at 01:30 PM

Miguel in La Paz can only help you in Baja sur. Find someone in Mexicali forSan Felipe. However I would go a visit each place you think you may like, stay awhile and see if you want to buy.

All of the things I listed that i would do ,I have done except live in La Ventana. another way to really see Baja is to start Flying.
I started in a Cessna 170B, going to every small strip I could find in Baja sur. At that time many of the people in the very small Strips had not seen and Americano in Years
I was fed Shrimp, Lobster,Birria, Munedo, Cabriato, and all sorts of good stuff.

Who knows you might just decide to Travel Baja Sur and forget about buying.

Good Luck

Skeet/Loreto

"In God I Trust".

comitan - 5-2-2005 at 03:22 PM

Tim

Did you get the U2U