Moving to a new country can be a bit intimidating. It’s not at all like moving across the country. However, for those of you looking for a massive change-up in life, this is a great way to do it.
These days, Mexico is becoming quite the hot spot for people to move. The country has beautiful weather all year long, and the cost of living is significantly cheaper than it is in the States. Before you proceed, though, you need to figure out where you want to live. There are many aspects to consider, which is why we’ve put together this guide going over some tips for finding the right property for you within Mexico’s borders.
Calculate Your Housing Budget
Just like any big purchase, the first step of planning a move out of the country is determining your budget. Fortunately, properties in Mexico are cheaper than those in the U.S. on average. The main factor that will bump up the price is the property’s proximity to the coast. While that comes as no surprise, it’s certainly something you’ll need to account for if that is a necessity for you. If you’re OK with not being directly on the coastline, you can likely find something more reasonable that’s still within walking distance to the nearest beach.
Once you know how much you want to spend on a house, you need to consider what the cost of living is for the area. A cheap home does you no good if the price to eat and travel is too extravagant. Even though most places in Mexico have pretty reasonable living expenses, not all areas will, so you’ll need to financially plan for that as well. If you are thrifty, you can cut up to 70 percent of the expenses you would otherwise spend in the United States.
Another crucial thing to note is that many real estate transactions in Mexico are cash only. While that might not seem so bad on its own, it becomes much more of a problem once you find out that the down payment needs to be about 30 percent to 50 percent of the total price. Even if you possess that kind of money, having it all in cash can be quite nerve-wracking. Luckily, with the right people and careful planning, these types of transactions won’t be too big of a hassle.
Determine What Your House Needs
Of course, finding a house within your budget is one thing–finding a home that has everything you need is another. You must consider what kind of square footage you need to fit all of your stuff. It also must have enough bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone who lives there, plus the occasional guests. For many people, the actual size of the property is also a vital consideration. Regardless of what you want your home to have, you need a defined list before you start searching.
This is a good time to figure out what you want in the area as well. Is a tight-knit community of other ex-pats a must? Maybe you want to do your own thing and immerse yourself in the culture—that’s fine too. You should figure out if you need certain amenities, like grocery stores and entertainment, within walking distance. Knowing how far everything is from your home will be especially important if you decide to go without a car after moving. The location of your property will be just as important as what’s on it.
Find a Trusted Real Estate Agent
Once you have a good idea of what you want out of your new house, it’s time to find a trusted real estate agent. Even though more and more people are buying houses on their own these days, since you’ll be buying your new home in a different country, you’ll need someone who knows what they’re doing. We’ve already let you in on a few things that Mexico does differently, but that’s barely scraping the surface. There are going to be a lot of new laws and regulations that you’re not going to be ready for.
Also, you’re going to need someone who does things by the book. Too many real estate agents who work in Mexico try to game the system. That’s why you need to find a trusted company like ours.
Here at Mexpat Realtors, we have the experience and know-how to assist you when buying property in this country. We take the extra steps needed to ensure that your transaction is safe and legitimate. That way, you can rest easy knowing that the property you bought is legally yours.
To lower your risks, you should work with a highly educated, experienced real estate agent. They should be an Accredited Buyers Representative. This will help when buying a house in Puerto Vallarta. An experienced agent can facilitate a good experience navigating the quirky, non-compliant, misleading, or hidden surprises and scenarios that can be a huge risk to your financial investment. In most scenarios our services are at ZERO cost to you.
Learn More About Potential Cities Online
No matter who you end up hiring for your real estate needs, they will likely be quite knowledgeable about the area you’re interested in. Be sure to ask them as many questions as you can. Also, it’s never a bad idea to go online to learn more on your own. There is so much to know about living in a new country, so looking to outside sources is a must.
Plenty of people have fully documented their experiences of what it was like to move to a new country, especially Mexico, so you’ll be able to read about many examples. You can also go to forums about the areas you’re interested in and ask questions directly to those who live there.
Plan a Trip To Visit the Area
However, nothing ever beats finding these things out for yourself. That’s why our final tip for finding the right place to live in Mexico is to plan a trip to the area. Any home can look good in pictures or on a virtual tour but seeing it in person is the only real way to know if it’ll work for you or not. Plus, you can get a feel for the city while you’re there. Meet some of the residents around the area, check out the nearby stores, and live it up in the local nightlife.
If you really want to give it a test drive, you could find a place to rent and live there for a month or so. Many apartments offer three-month leases, so it’ll be very easy for you to get the full Mexican experience before turning it into a permanent move. There’s certainly no better way to find out if that life is right for you than experiencing it firsthand.
For matters pertaining to real estate in Puerto Vallarta, or real estate in Bahia de Banderas, property management, buying houses in Puerto Vallarta, buying condos in Puerto Vallarta or the surrounding areas Mexpat Realtors in Puerto Vallarta is a great resource call them or go to their website www.mexpatrealtors.com for more information
Source: Mexpat Realtors www.mexpatrealtors.com
