Mexico real estate: Beach bargains in Baja Patti Morrow

I looked at him with what could only be described as pure skepticism. "Affordable, direct ocean view Mexico real estate and just steps from the beach?" I said. "Show me." As realtor and expat Max Katz... read more

beaches real-estate Rosarito Beach, Baja California

Will mold be a problem in Mexican real estate? J. Brad Grieve

When you rent or purchase Mexico real estate, you'll find that construction techniques as well as climate are probably very different from what you are accustomed to. Will you struggle with mold in your Mexican home? read more

health real-estate

Your vacation home in Mexico can make money for you Mexconnect Staff

A winter condo in Palm Beach, a vacation house at Lake Taho or a summer cottage in the country… How about a beautiful villa on the beach in sunny Mexico? Who doesn't like to get away for extend... read more

finance-personal hotels real-estate

Mexico real estate: Who is at fault? J. Brad Grieve

As it is anywhere else, real estate is a major investment. What about shifting foundations due to the earth's movements? Who is at fault? This is not a discussion of legal liability but rather a discussion of geology.

In Mexico, the term "fault" has been used to describe a special soil condition that has caused damage to some homes here at Lake Chapala. The damage was generally caused by an uneven settlement of the foundations. read more

real-estate Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Living well at the Hacienda Beach Club & Residences Darian Day and Michael Fitzpatrick

Swimming pool at Hacienda Beach Club &amp; Residences in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
© Darian Day and Michael Fitzpatrick, 2011

The Hacienda Beach Club and Residences is balanced gracefully on the edge of the Sea of Cortez, on the shore of Medano Beach — arguably the premiere swimming beach in all of Los Cabos. Fringed with the white lace of the surf, its waters, transition smoothly to the aquamarines of tropical greens and blues, then recede into the depths of the deeper blues just beyond the boats anchored offshore. Most special, the Hacienda lays claim to what are probably the most stunning vistas of Land's End, Cabo's iconic rugged outcroppings that mark the end of the long Baja peninsula. read more

real-estate travelogue Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur

Is Mexico safe? What can I do? J. Brad Grieve

Readers often ask, "Is Mexico safe? Can I do anything about it?" Security anywhere can be a very sensitive issue, and security in Mexico is no exception. Sometimes we need to rethink how to keep our homes safe. There is much that we can do. read more

real-estate

Capital gains tax on Mexico real estate: Impuesto sobre la renta J. Brad Grieve

In Mexico, the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is the Impuesto Sobre la Renta (ISR), which is paid by the seller of the property. It translates to a tax upon rent, profit, yield or income and in other financial circles it is called an income tax. In recent years, Mexico's federal government had modified the regulations governing the Impuesto Sobre la Renta. read more

real-estate

Pancho Villa, plumbing and Mexico real estate J. Brad Grieve

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting with some of my wife's family in northern Mexico. The old house where we stayed is approaching 100 years in age. I won't say the plumbing was poor, but the real estate was obviously dated and there were some noted problems and historical issues with the plumbing. read more

how-to real-estate

Where the Sky is Born: Living in the Land of the Maya Reviewed by Allan Cogan

This is the story about Jeanine Lee Kitchel and her husband, Paul, who made their first trip to the Yucatan Peninsula in 1985 and fell in love instantly with the place. They had visited various parts of Mexico before that and were quite taken with the country. But the Yucatan beaches were of a different order. read more

book-reviews perspectives real-estate retiring Quintana Roo Yucatán Maya Riviera

Buying our Mexico dream property on Cozumel David Hammer

As I walked through the hotel lobby, the weight of the three hundred $100 bills sewn to the waist band of my Jockey shorts pulled my underpants down over my small rear. The money was hanging at my knees. As inconspicuous as a penguin waddling through the hotel lobby at high noon, I could easily have been mistaken for an amateur drug smuggler. When I approached the front desk, the clerk asked, "Qué le parece un caja de seguridad?" I knew my cover was blown when he offered me a Safe-deposit Box. It had been a long trip read more

perspectives real-estate Cozumel, Quintana Roo Maya Riviera

Mexico Real Estate: buying renting and owning property or homes in Mexico Index Page

Mexico makes it easy for foreigners to own property. Inland, they can hold a direct title to their Mexico real estate. In the prohibited zones — including prized beach areas — expats can own real e... read more

index-page real-estate

How do summer rains affect Mexico real estate in Lake Chapala? J. Brad Grieve

As the rains begin, there is that smell of wet earth, as the layers of dust and grunge slowly melt off the roofs and sidewalks and wash into the streets. The showers quickly became a very intense rain. It comes down in torrents that overflow through the village and make certain streets look like the arroyos that, in some cases, they once were. How does this affect your Mexico real estate? read more

real-estate Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Investing to sell your Mexico real estate J. Brad Grieve

What are the best things to do when renovating a home to sell in order to maximize the return on the effort and money invested in renovations with the best sale price?

Some of the best investments are the simplest and overall the least expensive to do. read more

how-to real-estate

Traps in your Mexico house J. Brad Grieve

This home in Las Animas, an attractive residential area in the southeast area of Xalapa, is a charming example of contemporary-colonial architecture.
© Donald J. MacKay, 2009

When we think of the word trap, we usually think of the small apparatus used to catch mice or something sinister to capture and / or injure a soldier during war. But the traps I want to address in this article are the drain traps in the plumbing of your Mexico house. A trap is an element in drains. read more

real-estate

Mi Pullman: remodeling a Mexican Art Nouveau townhouse III Ros Chenery

This is the third installment in a story about my love affair with an old house in Mexico. One day I found myself standing in front of a beautiful three story, art nouveau town house. It was shabby, obviously neglected, and unlived in, but it had certain magic about it, which captured both my imagination and my heart. I knew, in that moment and with great certainly, that one day I would buy it. read more

architecture real-estate Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Propane gas is the norm for hot water, cooking and heating in your Mexico home J. Brad Grieve

Gas is an important element in homes here in Mexico — propane gas. We use it to cook our food, heat our water, occasionally to heat our homes and dry our clothes. Now remember that this is not natur... read more

lifestyles real-estate

Annual home maintenance in Mexico J. Brad Grieve

Spring is the time for home maintenance before the summer rains. What annual issues have you been putting off that you should be reviewing, repairing or replacing? From water purification systems to leaky roofs to cisterns and water tanks, it's often the little things that can cause problems. I think it is safe to say that everybody has a screw loose… somewhere in the house. read more

how-to real-estate

Expat living in Mexico: Xalapa vs. Ajijic Donald J. MacKay

Reports written some years ago about Jalapa, (or Xalapa as the locals prefer to spell it) Veracruz in MexConnect caught my eye. These tout the pleasant climate, cultural attractions, the presence of un... read more

lifestyles real-estate Xalapa, Veracruz Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Heating options for chilly nights in Mexico J. Brad Grieve

What can we say? It is now November and it has already been cold; cold like late December when the chill in the air sends us under the covers at night. Without the heating systems we knew north of the border, how can we keep the house warmer? read more

how-to real-estate

Mi Pullman: remodeling a Mexican Art Nouveau townhouse II Ros Chenery

This is a story about my love affair with an old house in Mexico. One day I found myself standing in front of a beautiful three storey, art nouveau town house. It was shabby, obviously neglected, and unlived in, but it had certain magic about it, which captured both my imagination and my heart. I knew, in that moment and with great certainly, that one day I would buy it. read more

architecture real-estate Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Mi Pullman: remodeling a Mexican Art Nouveau townhouse I Ros Chenery

This is a story about my love affair with an old house in Mexico. One day I found myself standing in front of a beautiful three storey, art nouveau town house. It was shabby, obviously neglected, and unlived in, but it had certain magic about it, which captured both my imagination and my heart. I knew, in that moment and with great certainly, that one day I would buy it. read more

architecture real-estate Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Grading and drainage in Lake Chapala real estate J. Brad Grieve

The rules are different for Lake Chapala real estate – the elevation of the house and how the surrounding gardens and street are graded can affect the quality of your home. read more

how-to real-estate Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Waterproofing the roof in your Mexican home J. Brad Grieve

In Mexico -- or anywhere -- the three key words for roof sealing are: preparation, preparation and preparation. read more

how-to real-estate

Home construction or improvement contracts in Mexico J. Brad Grieve

Recently, I have had to help clients who are far along in their project, way past the original schedule and way, way over budget. read more

how-to real-estate

The cupola: Spain's gift to Mexico's colonial architecture J. Brad Grieve

A brick dome or cupola can be very attractive... and also, a maintenance problem.

Where the Sky is Born: Living in the Land of the Maya Reviewed by Allan Cogan

Six books by Karen Witynski and Joe Carr Reviewed by Allan Cogan

Restoring a Mexican hacienda Karen Witynski and Joe P. Carr