Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

waterflyer

Sep 21, 2006, 10:36 AM

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Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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Hi Folks - My boyfriend and I went down to Ajijic over labor day to search out lodgings for our upcoming October move, encouraged by the good folks of this site. We had appointments with several realtors, one of which was a waste of time, and another which had a plethora of listings, from which we found 2 that met our needs and liking. We went back to the realtor after our 2nd viewing of our 1st choice to ask a few additional questions, and to sign the lease.

There was a man and a woman in her office, speaking loudly. Mike & I figured it was another prospective tenant, and ignored it. The woman came out to use her cell phone several times, looked me over, and said nothing. When we finally went in, we were told by the realtor that the woman was the owner of the property we were interested in, and she wanted an additional $200.00 for her place. She said that in this way, we would not have to pay for the electricity, which would cost that much per month anyway because of the pool pump. I tried to recall threads I'd read from this forum, to determine whether I thought this was accurate or not. I couldn't, and we were left in doubt.

Anyway, oper dinner that night, Mike and I decided we preferred what was originally our 2nd choice. We no longer had the pool/electricity dillemma, although the 2nd one does have a pool. Or so we thought...

When we came back to the states, I emailed the realtor to let her know. She has since emailed me back, saying fine, but the owner of the 2nd house now wants $50.00 per month more than the listed price!!

Is this normal?? We really are stuck, because we are not able to return in person to look again until we come down with our 3 dogs! It's not so much the $50.00, really, I suppose, but it seems a very bad way to begin a business relationship on her part. Am I missing something culturally? Do they expect me to bargain? I hope it was not a mistake, but I told Mike to tell her that for that much more, the owner should pay the pool man.

And that seems strange, too: should we have to pay the pool man? It seems if an owner has a pool, to maintain property values he or she would want to be certain it was maintained the way thay want it. I mean, suppose they got a tenant who didn't give a hoot and never hired anyone?

Has anyone else run into this bait and switch before?

Thanks much - Waterflyer

arbon

Sep 21, 2006, 11:34 AM

Post #2 of 20 (1769 views)

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Re: [waterflyer] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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"Has anyone else run into this bait and switch before? "

Yes, but they usually wait for you to ....how can I put it politly....reach a point of no immediate return.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bubba

Sep 21, 2006, 4:00 PM

Post #3 of 20 (1729 views)

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Re: [waterflyer] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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We have a relatively large swimming pool that is separately metered. Running the pump five days a week for several hours a day keeps the pool immaculately clean and clear and costs us under $10USD a month.

It is a mistake to rent from dishonest people such as these. You will regret it later. You need to arrange rentals with written Spanish language contracts fully executed and witnessed. I have heard a number of horror stories especially concerning Mexican landlords and landladies. A favorite ploy is to get you down here and committed and then put the screws to you with higher rents or other concessions. Arbon is right. You are lucky they didn´t wait until the last minute.. The is no limit to the greed and cheapness of many Mexican landlords in our area.

Come down with your pets, put them in a kennel as we did for a week or more and look for a decent rental. When you find something you like, get that full contract written in Spanish and make sure its execution is witnessed by third parties.

Brian

Sep 21, 2006, 4:57 PM

Post #4 of 20 (1716 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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In Reply To

Bubba sez:

The is no limit to the greed and cheapness of many Mexican landlords in our area.

Maybe this post belongs in the Ethics are different in Mexico (?) thread

saludos
Brian

Bubba

Sep 21, 2006, 5:20 PM

Post #5 of 20 (1712 views)

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Re: [Brian] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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Brian:

I fully expect to be attacked for that comment. Just for the record, my experience with this subject is limited to West Ajijic, we have a wonderful Mexican landlady in Chiapas.

(This post was edited by Bubba on Sep 21, 2006, 6:02 PM)

Irish

Sep 21, 2006, 9:14 PM

Post #6 of 20 (1672 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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Bubba ..

I have saved that comment and expect to bring it up again in about a year .. probably not in your interest.

Bubba

Sep 22, 2006, 7:10 AM

Post #7 of 20 (1632 views)

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Re: [Brian] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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Yes you are right it is a cultural gap, there is no deal here until it is written in Spanish witnessed and originally signed. Things can change up to that point. ( and sometimes beyond that point....)

In Chiapas our realtor told us that right now he is going crazy. Everytime a person (read American) offers to pay full price for a house , many times the seller gets sellers remorse turns down the offer and raises the price.

Brigitte

(This post was edited by Bubba on Sep 22, 2006, 10:34 AM)

arbon

Sep 22, 2006, 7:45 AM

Post #8 of 20 (1618 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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I am thinking in all seriousness, that a person renting to Americans in Ajijic, could do well if they say "make an offer" they would in all probability get more than they would ask.

Then add the utilities to the offer.

If the offer is to low, it can be declined. Right?

(At least in Mexico they have different words for getting "married" and getting "Churched" in a Spanish rental contract.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

esperanza

Sep 22, 2006, 8:24 AM

Post #9 of 20 (1609 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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In Reply To

In Chiapas our realtor told us that right now he is going crazy. Everytime a person (read American) offers to pay full price for a house , many times the seller gets sellers remorse turns down the offer and raises the price.
Brigitte

This happens constantly in Guadalajara as well, and not just to foreign buyers.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Gringal

Sep 22, 2006, 9:04 AM

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Re: [esperanza] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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I am trying to figure out why NorteAmericanos, who are used to lowballing in real estate where they came from, are making full price offers for houses in Mexico? Are the realtors sprinkling magic dust on them when they enter the office?

esperanza

Sep 22, 2006, 9:16 AM

Post #11 of 20 (1594 views)

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Re: [Gringal] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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Many people leave their brains at the border.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Brian

Sep 22, 2006, 9:27 AM

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Re: [Gringal] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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I think that it is function of the cost of things where they come from. Folks who move from Calif to Texas do the same thing. They perceive things as being cheap compared to their former location and don't have a problem paying full-price. The same phenomenon occurs when paying for personal services in Mexico. People who move down from the US are notorious for overpaying maids, gardeners, taxi drivers to the chagrin of locals both Mexican and ex-patriate. Just my opinion..

Brian

Gringal

Sep 22, 2006, 9:50 AM

Post #13 of 20 (1582 views)

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Re: [Brian] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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I think Esperanza got that one right.

arbon

Sep 22, 2006, 10:34 AM

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Re: [esperanza] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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The same thing happens in Canada, but some think it has some thing to do with Americans thinking of "not wanting to appear cheap" to Canadians.

But there are groups of "Equity Barons" operating every where, purposely causing inflation in the real estate market.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(This post was edited by arbon on Sep 22, 2006, 10:42 AM)

wendy devlin

Sep 22, 2006, 10:58 AM

Post #15 of 20 (1559 views)

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Re: [Brian] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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Maybe a lot of them are reading,

'Cashing in on a Second Home in Mexico: How to Buy, Rent And Profit from Real Estate South of the Border (Paperback)'

Or as some analysts are stating "Mexico is the baby boom generation's Florida or Arizona."

And then, there's those who like to 'flip' properties, cashing in on the above phenomena.

Something akin to a latter-day 'gold-rush'.

jerezano

Sep 22, 2006, 5:59 PM

Post #16 of 20 (1506 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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Hello Brian et al.

And just for the record this is not confined to Ajijic. I have experienced the same thing here in Jerez Zacatecas.
A friend rented a house, paid the first months rent, was getting ready to move in about 15 days after rent had been paid but did not yet have the key, and lo and behold, the landlord refused to deliver the key and also he refused to give her a refund.

Same woman rented a different house, different landlord, picked up the key, but did not move in right away--no hurry--and when she started the move and needed the landlord to remove some construction material and other items from the house, he refused to do so. No refund there either.

After 18 years here and experiencing similar problems myself, watching my friends both gringo and Mexican, I can only conclude that this is a normal way for Mexicans to think and act. Unfortunately, in the tourist areas it seems to be catching and gringo landlords now act that same way much too often.

Bubba is right again. Is he ever wrong when it comes to financial matters?

Adiós. jerezano.

waterflyer

Sep 23, 2006, 7:41 AM

Post #17 of 20 (1459 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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Hello all,

It's great to read your comments and feel your support as we begin the journey up the Mexican Adventure Learning Curve. We are currently waiting to hear back from the agency. As mentioned, our last offer was to accept the $50.00 increase if the owner is willing to pay the poolman. No word thus far. I was a bit worried about our offer being perceived as "difficult," and losing the deal. But after reading everyone's input, I don't feel that way any longer. We still hope all goes through, but after Bubba (bless you) suggesting we put our pups in a kennel for a week or so until we find the right place, I feel we won't be stuck. And that's key to making a deal! Be ready to walk away!!

And additionally, it sounds like even if the owner pays the poolman, it would be less than $50/month, perhaps more like $10.00/mo, so they would still be making a profit with the increase. And my newly acquired understanding about the cost of a pool pump, run 5 days a week for several hours a day, is not very much either. Far less than the originally proposed $200/month! Whew! This site is fabulous. Thanks everyone for your public and private replies!!

The saga continues...

So, is there one kennel, or more, and which is the best, i.e., cleanest, large runs, loving, etc?

Bubba

Sep 23, 2006, 9:04 AM

Post #18 of 20 (1440 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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To summarize:

When renting, you should not pay advance rentals and deposits without an original contract written in Spanish, executed and properly witnessed. The contract must spell out the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant and any issue not covered by the contract (debris cleanup, pets, appliance repair, etc.) will not be actionable under the law. If you send someone money without the contract, they can keep it and refuse you the key or they can raise the agreed rent unilaterally. You are screwed.

All contractual relationships must be properly formalized in writing. Forget the American´s sacred handshake. Forget "You have my word on it."

E-mails are not admissable as evidence so no matter what is said via e-mail is irrelevant. Faxes can be admitted as evidence but good luck.

Evidence that you sent the landlord money such as a bank deposit receipt or other proof you remitted cash means nothing in the absence of that witten contract in Spanish.

By far the best thing to do is to go to the town you favor, rent a hotel room and look for rentals. Doing this from afar is a practice fraught with dangers for you. If you have pets, leave them at home in the interim or put them in a kennel for a week or more as you look around.

These are cultural issues which are the basis for law. It doesn´t mean you are dealing with dishonorable people. It is perfectly normal for a Mexican landlord to think you mad if you think he or she should clean up construction debris or fix that stove or air conditioner unless that is spelled out contractually ahead of time.. As my French wife tells me, in France the landlord is responsible for the roof and walls and nothing else and, even then, maybe the landlord just won´t fix that leaky roof or collapsing wall. France and Mexico have a lot in common in that regard.

Everything is literal here. Our neighbor had some x-rays done in Guadalajara and, since she wanted the x-rays sent to her home in Ajijic via FedEx for her doctor in Riberas who needed them right away, she asked the desk clerk at the clinic, "Can you use FedEx?". The clerk responded, "No problem.". The correct question was, "Will you please use FedEx for this shipment?" Need I say more? She got them a week later via Juan Bob´s Delivery Service.

(This post was edited by Bubba on Sep 23, 2006, 9:19 AM)

waterflyer

Sep 28, 2006, 6:56 AM

Post #19 of 20 (1288 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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In Reply To

To summarize:

When renting, you should not pay advance rentals and deposits without an original contract written in Spanish, executed and properly witnessed.

Do you mean get it notarized? Would you recommend getting it read over by an attorney first? My Spanish is good, but not trustworthy enough for legal/contractual stuff. Thanks again.

Bubba

Sep 28, 2006, 7:28 AM

Post #20 of 20 (1282 views)

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Re: [waterflyer] Ajijic Realtor Increasing Rental Price at Last Minute

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It needn´t be notarized, just signed and witnessed by a third party. You can proceed with a faxed contract but need the original to prevail in court.