Expat living in Mexico: Xalapa vs. Ajijic
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...
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Heating options for chilly nights in Mexico
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?
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Mi Pullman: remodeling a Mexican Art Nouveau townhouse II
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.
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Mi Pullman: remodeling a Mexican Art Nouveau townhouse I
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.
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Grading and drainage in Lake Chapala real estate
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.
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Waterproofing the roof in your Mexican home
In Mexico -- or anywhere -- the three key words for roof sealing are: preparation, preparation and preparation.
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Home construction or improvement contracts in Mexico
Recently, I have had to help clients who are far along in their project, way past the original schedule and way, way over budget.
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The cupola: Spain's gift to Mexico's colonial architecture
A brick dome or cupola can be very attractive... and also, a maintenance problem.
read moreTo build or buy a house in Mexico
The houses here are distinctly different to those where you come from and, on top of that, the person(s) constructing your house are speaking another language.
read moreBuying Real Estate in Mexico and the Mexican Notary Public
In Mexico, the notary public (notario público) is a public official appointed by the State Governor. He has the capacity to attest and certify documents and business and legal transactions that require authenticity. He also provides for strict security of original records and documents.
read moreWater pressure systems versus the rooftop tinaco tank in the Mexican home
Traditionally, the water pressure in your Mexican home would be supplied by a tank of water up on the roof of your home that is called a tinaco in Spanish. Water draining from the tank flows under the ...
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Real estate: Can I buy and own property in Mexico?
Can I buy and own property in Mexico? Yes
read moreViva La Baja! Relocation and Real Estate Guide to the Baja California Peninsula by Molly McHugh
Molly McHugh's recently published Viva La Baja! Relocation and Real Estate Guide to the Baja California Peninsula provides concise, easy to use information for anyone interested in north or south Baja. It is obvious that McHugh's objective is to provide an excellent product that will be useful for people of all ages and from all walks of life.
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Timeshares in Mexico
This may not sound like a real estate or home maintenance issue, but I thought my experience was worth sharing. Recently, my wife and I purchased a vacation package offered by our bank. And after vario...
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"Fixer-Upper" Home In Mexico
"Inventory of housing" were words I didn't understand very well - until a friend from the U.S. asked me to find him an inexpensive old "fixer-upper" in this colonial city. He's an environmentalist so I...
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Mexico Real Estate: buying renting and owning property in Mexico
Buying Real Estate: Homes for Sale, Houses, Apartments & Condos
The Impact of Currency Exchange Rates on Your Mexican Property: What to look out for and how to protect yourself- By ...
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Windows and Doors in Mexican Homes and Offices
It is rare to see windows made of wood and, still rarer, is to observe high-tech windows.
Windows and doors are elements in our home that we use frequently. Yet we never give them a second thoug...
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Seller's Overture: Advice for Selling Property in Mexico
Why do some properties take so long to sell?
After offering advice to buyers purchasing real estate in Mexico, it seems only fair to discuss the issues for a seller in a foreign country.
You have dec...
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Moving to Mexico? It's different. Do your homework.
I have determined a list of the best recommendations for any buyer purchasing in a foreign country.
What has struck me a few times this past year have been some of the minor last minute conflicts that...
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Drinking Water Filter Systems For Home And Travel
"Protect Your Health at All Costs!"
If you want to "Live Your Mexican Dream", you've got to be healthy.
Drinking w...
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Toilet Paper and Mexican Plumbing
In village businesses, it is common to see a sign in the bathroom asking you not to throw tissue paper down the toilet.
The debate among friends in high school was whether the toilet paper shou...
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Communicating with Contractors
Let's look at the construction business here at Lake Chapala. This is like many businesses in that just about anyone can hang out a sign and call himself or herself a contractor. I believe the freedom ...
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Aljibes - underground water cisterns
Last month’s article stirred up some questions from some homeowners that I thought we could address in this month’s issue.
Aljibes (underground water cisterns) are a critical link it each homeowne...
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The Sky Is Falling
Once the rainwater drains off the roof, where is the water going?
After two strong rainfalls in Guadalajara, I was up on my father-in-law's roof last weekend to help a contractor from Chapala clean an...
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Is a flat roof really flat?
It is there above us, protecting us from the sun, the wind and the rain however; generally we are not worried about our roofs until we see water leaking through it. Typically, roofs he...
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