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lwpa
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 11-20-2010
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Living near Rosarito Beach
My wife and I are in the process of buying a condo just south of Rosarito Beach. We read the book on living in Baja by Peter Fowler, third edition
but still have some questions.
Do we need the FM3 Visa as we will only be staying a maximun of 4 months a year?
I read that you can't bring new items into Mexico, especially electronics such as plasma tvs., computers, etc. Is this correct.
Are the prices at the Costco in TJ about the same as the USA? What is the % sales tax?
Do we need to buy title insurance on our condo? It is 12 yrs. old but in an upscale, well established development?
Are there any other items we should know about ahead of time?
Many thanks for any information you can provide us.
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lwpa
My wife and I are in the process of buying a condo just south of Rosarito Beach. We read the book on living in Baja by Peter Fowler, third edition
but still have some questions.
Do we need the FM3 Visa as we will only be staying a maximun of 4 months a year?
I read that you can't bring new items into Mexico, especially electronics such as plasma tvs., computers, etc. Is this correct.
Are the prices at the Costco in TJ about the same as the USA? What is the % sales tax?
Do we need to buy title insurance on our condo? It is 12 yrs. old but in an upscale, well established development?
Are there any other items we should know about ahead of time?
Many thanks for any information you can provide us. |
I will tell you this: BEFORE you buy from any "up scaled" ...much less.... in any community.....you best be talking to every person that resides
there. Ask if there "has been" or "if there is" legal issues of their land/homes. Is the complex updated with their taxes and such? What are the
building restrictions (if any) to that lot in front of yours? DO YOU HOMEWORK. RESEARCH THE DEAL. Dont believe the Realtor...not even for a minute.
Realtors have absolute no legal authority.
I tell you...there are some "solid" communities out there ......and failed. We have/own leases and we have ownerships in various parts of our area.
It's a real issue trying to get clear titles. Lawsuits should you ever try to...in Baja....ha! If you have years to play...you might win. Lawsuits is
no a option for land disputes...so do your homework.
I hope that you are retaining your home in the states. Lease it out for a few years before jumping into some land deal in a land famous for bad
transactions........
You will hear plenty about all of this in the following days or two.
When leasing or buying real estate in Mexico (or doing any sort of business), the FM3 visa is needed. It can be applied for in conjunction with the
real estate transaction so there is no need to obtain that first, but obtaining it is a must. Not obtaining the FM3 visa negates any rights one may
have in the event of any dispute requiring court interdiction in turn placing the purchased property in jeopardy and the person into an “illegal
alien” status. The FM was recently overhauled. The others here will give info on that...
Regardless......I wish you all the happiness in Baja. I reccomend that you read the Bajanomad Board weekly to keep apprised on current events/laws
/friendships. Bajanomad could very become the perfect survival tool for living/traveling in Baja with all the folks here with vast knowledge. I'm
just a dummy compare to these folks......
[Edited on 2-27-2011 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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BigOly
Senior Nomad
Posts: 524
Registered: 10-1-2010
Location: Los Barriles, Bandon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Easy Birder
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What mcfez said!
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skipowell
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 11-9-2009
Location: San Diego
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I can help with a few of your questions!
No the Costco prices in TJ are not the same as US. Electronics, paper good and US brand products are much higher in Mexico. But regional food and
alcohol is lower than US. There is a 10% tax on all items but that is included when you look at the prices posted at Costco in Mexico.
Bringing electronics across is a bit tricky. We were told the TV's had to be at least 6 months old and less than $400 to avoid paying taxes. We did
bring one that cost more but took it out of its box and packing material,(We had a receipt for a smaller TV just in case we got stopped, luckly got
the green light that day!) We would only bring one electronic item each time we crossed the border.
I think the advice of talking to as many residents in your complex as possible is good advice. We have bought and sold several homes in Mexico over
the years and have had no real issues but we always asked lots of questions and spent time talking to people in the area.
I believe you should have an FMM 3 if you are purchasing property as that is one of the requirements (according to our attorney) to own land in
Mexico. We dont live down here, just use it as a weekend /second home but still have our FMM3
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lwpa
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 11-20-2010
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Thank you both for the valuable info. I certainly agree that we need to do our research regarding the development. I beleive we have done that. We
talked to several long term American owners. Also the development, Club Marena is very well established and maintained. If any nomads have any info
to the contrary, I would very much appreciate hearing it.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Club Marena
Same owners as the Baja Country Club in Ensenada:
http://bajacountryclub.com/
A real class act!!!!
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skipowell
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 11-9-2009
Location: San Diego
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Great place, Club Marena, my husband loves the surf break out there and they do a nice job maintaining the tennis courts and pool.
If we ever decided to go with condo living we would certainly consider that place.
Are you buying into the towers or one of the older casitas? We really like the casitas with the attached garages.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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The Costco in Mexico is majority owned by Comercial Mexicano, a large Mexican supermarket operator. So, although I'd guess that the Costco folks have
significant say in things, there are probably bottom line issues where "COMEX" wins.
That said, WalMart in Mexico is controled by the folks up in Arkansas. So, you might consider doing some shopping there.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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I see that they re-did their website! It does appear that the units at the BCC are significantly more affordable that those at Club Marena. However, I
would wonder if resales are similar?
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krafty
Super Nomad
Posts: 1052
Registered: 8-23-2010
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We think the Walmart in Rosarito is horrible, with exception to the bakery-the stuff is of poor quality and overpriced. Same goes for Home Depot
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Yes, get title insurance, but read the exclusions page. It's only as good as the researcher, and won't guarantee protection in every event.
Also, if you're planning to rent out your condo, there are compliance issues to understand. Someone who knows can be more specific.
"...other items we should know about ahead of time?" Your realtor should be informing you of everything - why aren't they?
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I see that they re-did their website! It does appear that the units at the BCC are significantly more affordable that those at Club Marena. However, I
would wonder if resales are similar? |
The new web site features BCC residents!!!!
In the six years we have had our place there, I know of only one resale, and that was to downsize to a smaller unit at the BCC.
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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and Realtor disclaimers coming?
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by krafty
We think the Walmart in Rosarito is horrible, with exception to the bakery-the stuff is of poor quality and overpriced. Same goes for Home Depot
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That's a pretty good evaluation if it's the result of comparison between here and the states. They hardly resemble each other, especially when looking
for something you really need.
That said, it's better than nothing. I remember a lot of nothing down here.
The WalMarts won't have the Equate or Ol' Roy lines of goods and those are consumer money savers....big time.
Does US Costco have a house label? If so, you won't find that here either.
They both have good Pharmacies and clean restrooms. Count your blessings.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Costco = "Kirkland" house label. Es verdad?
Barry
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Barry A.
Costco = "Kirkland" house label. Es verdad?
Barry |
Sounds familiar. It's been a while since I've seen it.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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Yes, Kirkland is Costco's house brand in the US. Many, if not all of those products have Seattle listed as the origin.
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
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Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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The Mega Comercial Mexicana in Rosarito
Is our go-to place. We have been disappointed by the Walmart in Rosarito and that is also the experience of others who we have talked to.
This winter, we bougt a space heater from CM. It failed after about a month. The CM swapped it out, with a little bit of arguing about why we didn't
bring it back in a box.
I haven't done an extensive amount of comparison shopping, but the produce, meats and other fresh products in the experience of ourselves and others
of our acquaintance show that price and quality is better or at the least, equivalent to Walmart.
But, you need to spend some time perusing strange names an brands and finding what you want with items like the electronics, appliances and other
things like clothing
Another note: If you need information, the service desk at CM at the front of the store will find an English speaking employee to help you, and also,
the cajeros (cashiers) will ask if you found what you wanted and if the answer is no, they will send someone to bring the item to the register.
Everyone is courteous and eager to help you find what you want
[Edited on 2-28-2011 by Gypsy Jan]
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
Yes, Kirkland is Costco's house brand in the US. Many, if not all of those products have Seattle listed as the origin. |
Ever notice the Kirkland bottled water that's offered in a number of the hotels along the way down? Also have seen paper porducts, too.
Since there is no Costco between Ensenada and Cabo, it's obvious that some enterprising person/ people must buy in bulk and sell it along the way.
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krafty
Super Nomad
Posts: 1052
Registered: 8-23-2010
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I agree about Commercial-much better than Walmart. I usually get most meats/dairy from the states pretty much because it is what we are used to, and
only produce I cannot find down here. You will see Kirkland agua all over Baja-the price is right! And yes, Dennis, MUCH better than nothing!
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