Why, How, and Where to Buy Real Estate in Sayulita Mexico

General Investing Information

Mexicoís economy is currently undergoing significant growth and improvement. In 1982, following itís inability to support its escalating foreign debt, Mexico made changes in its infrastructure in order to encourage more foreign investment. Most notable of these changes was Mexicoís stance on foreign ownership.

It is worth noting that there is no nationwide MLS service in Sayulita at this time. All in all, you should only work with the highest quality professionals in all categories of the purchasing process, including brokers/agents, mortgage, legal, financing and title. Although it is quite common these days for foreigners to purchase Sayulita Mexico real estate it never hurts to do a little background checking to ensure you are working with highly qualified professionals.
Allowances of foreign ownership of Mexican companies, formerly limited to 49 percent, were raised to 100 percent in many enterprises. This includes development companies, hotel companies, etc. This is important because most companies no longer need prior consent from the Foreign Investment Commission or Mexican investment partners.

Mexican Federal Corporate Income Tax ranges from 25 to 38 percent, and allows provisions to offset the detrimental effects of inflation on monetary assets and liabilities, inventories and depreciable assets.Mexicoís economy is great for foreign investors. It offers a solid communications infrastructure, ample energy supplies, low labor costs, and skilled trainable labor resources all in close proximity to the worldís largest market.In addition, the Mexican government has dedicated time and money to developing new tourist destinations with modern facilities and infrastructure in order to promote the tourism industry.

Ownership in Sayulita Mexico - Separating Fact from Fiction

Many rumors are constantly floating around about foreign investors being scammed out of all their money on Mexican real estate.

Owning land in Mexico is no longer sketchy like it was back in the old days. Due to established and well defined rules regarding non-Mexicans owning land, owning property in Mexico is easier and safer than ever. The rules protect foreign ownership rights, and promote foreign investment.

Over the last decade property in Mexico has become a practical investment strategy. Long gone are ìpromises and handshakes.î Investors are now protected by U.S. title insurance, bonded escrow accounts, extensive title searches, and ìFideicomisos.î

Fideicomisos are the number one way foreign investors are protected.  A Fideicomiso is a safe, almost forever renewable Mexican property trust, which was established especially to protect foreign investors.

WHO'S INVOLVED IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS IN SAYULITA MEXICO?

There can be anywhere from two to four players involved in any real estate transaction in the restricted zone:

• Real estate company(s)
• A public notary

Transactions outside of the restricted zone do not involve a bank since it is not necessary to establish a real estate trust in those areas. Otherwise the transactions are much the same.

Because of the similarities of real estate transactions in general, it is easy to assume that the basic terms and principles which are familiar in the United States also hold true in Mexico. This assumption becomes easier to make when United States real estate terminology is adopted for transactions in Mexico. Much of the paperwork is similar, if not exactly the same, as that used in the US. Although, there are many aspects of Mexican real estate transactions that are identical to procedures carried out in the United States, there are many aspects that are completely different. As a rule, a foreigner should assume nothing.

Mexican real estate transactions are not carried out in the same manner as United States real estate transactions. The buyer must retain professionals to assist in the transaction. Mexico has yet to regulate real estate transactions. Real estate agents and brokers are not legally licensed in Mexico. Consequently, a foreign buyer cannot always depend on the normal safeguards that would be applied to real estate transactions in the United States. The old saying "let the buyer beware" is very appropriate. Anyone can set up a real estate company in Mexico. There are no special requirements or brokerage licenses to obtain. A would-be real estate agent merely has to establish a Mexican corporation, obtain a work visa, and he is in business.

There are good reasons why the real estate industry in the United States is highly regulated. Until the real estate industry is regulated in Mexico, there will always be some real estate companies who prefer that buyers know as little as possible about real estate transactions. After all, a buyer cannot ask questions if he does not have any knowledge of the laws.

Currently there is nothing similar to a Real Estate Commissioner or a Department of Real Estate in Mexico. Some states are beginning to look at some kind of real estate legislation, but it might be some time before this is a reality. The American Embassy and the American consulates in Mexico are good places to start when trying to determine if a real estate company is reputable. Some of the real estate companies have established quite a reputation for themselves at some of the Consulates.

American attorneys are not licensed to practice law in Mexico and should not give advice on Mexican Law. I should clarify, here, that I am referring to individuals who are licensed to practice law in the United States, and not merely individuals who are citizens of that country. There are currently very few Americans who are licensed to practice law in Mexico. The fact that a person is licensed to practice law in the United States in no way allows him or her to practice law in Mexico: Mexican or United States law.