• BUYING IS LEGAL, BUT IT REQUIRES INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION

    Foreigners can acquire property in Mexico.

    Outside the restricted zone, qualifying foreign buyers may generally hold title directly after completing the required process.

    Inside the restricted zone—within 100 kilometres of an international land border or 50 kilometres of the coast—foreigners generally hold residential-property rights through a Mexican bank trust called a fideicomiso.

    A safe purchase requires more than finding a property and agreeing on a price.

    Your professional team may include:

    • A qualified real-estate agent

    • A Mexican notario público

    • Your own independent lawyer

    • A cross-border tax adviser

    • A bank acting as trustee

    • An inspector or other property specialist

    Each person has a different role.

    Do not assume that the seller’s agent or recommended professional is responsible for protecting all of your interests.

  • COMPARE RENTING WITH BUYING IN ONE LOCATION

    Return to one of the locations you researched earlier.

    Find:

    • One long-term rental that could support your daily life

    • One property for sale in a similar area

    Do not choose the most luxurious or least expensive listing. Look for two places that represent a life you could realistically imagine.

    For the rental, note:

    • Monthly rent

    • Furnished or unfurnished

    • Utilities included or separate

    • Lease length

    • Location

    • Transportation needs

    For the property for sale, note:

    • Asking price and currency

    • Location

    • Restricted zone or outside it

    • Condominium or community fees

    • Estimated maintenance needs

    • Whether the listing mentions an escritura or fideicomiso

    • What information is missing

    Then ask:

    What would buying give me right now that renting would not?

    What would renting allow me to learn before buying?

    You are not trying to prove which option is financially superior.

    You are identifying which option fits your current level of knowledge and commitment.

  • CREATE YOUR RENT-FIRST OR BUYING POSITION

    Today, you’ll decide where property ownership belongs in your current plan.

    This is not a permanent commitment. It is your position based on what you know today.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Steps

    1. Open your Can I Really Move to Mexico? Notes folder.

    2. Create a new note.

    3. Copy and paste the prompt below.

    4. Complete the questions using one possible location.

    5. Choose the position that currently fits you best.

    6. Create three personal rules that would protect you from buying too quickly.

    COPY-AND-PASTE PROMPT

    DAY 13 — MY RENT-OR-BUY POSITION

    The location I’m considering is:

    My current stage is:

    Curious / Exploring / Preparing / Moving

    Find one possible rental:

    Monthly rent:

    What living there could help me learn:

    Find one property for sale:

    Asking price:

    One important detail missing from the listing is:

    Before buying, would I need more time to understand the location, neighbourhood or different seasons?

    Yes / No / I’m not sure

    My current position is:

    ☐ Renting is the right first step for me
    ☐ I may explore buying after living there longer
    ☐ I’m ready to begin professional buying research
    ☐ I don’t currently want to own property in Mexico
    ☐ I’m still undecided

    My choice fits my current stage because:

    One rule I would follow before considering a purchase is:

    The qualified professional or official source I would consult is:

    My next property-related step is:

    OPTIONAL DEEPER QUESTION

    If owning property were not part of the picture, would you still want to create a life in Mexico?

    Are you drawn primarily to the experience of living there—or to the security and identity that owning a home seems to represent?

  • HELPFUL RESOURCES

    Important Legal Note

    Real-estate procedures vary by state, property type and location. A fideicomiso is commonly used for residential property in the restricted zone, but it should be structured and reviewed for the specific transaction.

    Participants should obtain independent Mexican legal advice before:

    • Paying a reservation fee or deposit

    • Signing an offer or promise-to-purchase agreement

    • Assuming a fideicomiso

    • Buying pre-construction

    • Buying property with unclear title

    • Buying land described as ejidal or communal

    Important Financial Note

    The asking price is not the complete cost of ownership.

    Before purchasing, request a transaction-specific written estimate covering taxes, notario fees, registration, legal advice, trust fees, banking costs and other closing expenses.

    Participants should also seek cross-border tax advice about the Canadian and Mexican consequences of purchasing, renting or selling Mexican property.

  • Day 13 is complete when you have:

    • Compared one realistic rental with one property for sale

    • Chosen your current rent-or-buy position

    • Identified the professionals you would need

    • Written three personal rules that would prevent you from buying too quickly

    You do not need to contact an agent, tour a property or make an offer today.

    Tomorrow, we’ll explore community, belonging and the emotional reality of building a life in Mexico.

DAY 13

TO RENT OR TO BUY? THAT IS THE QUESTION

Day 13