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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

North of the border, the real estate market has been influenced by the limited amount of credit available, causing banks to defer or decline applications for credit. On the other side of the equation, most homes in the area do not have mortgages, and the seller owns the home free and clear. read more

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

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

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.

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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... read more

For the average new homebuyer, there is nothing more horrifying than the thought of buying a home with a septic system. This hidden, underground system seems to conjure up thoughts of backyards flooded... read more

Ever considered the base on which your house is sitting. Yes, there is a foundation between you and the surrounding soils. In general there are stone foundations bound with mortar mixture to help keep ... read more

As I write this month's article, I am sitting beside a wood stove in a cabin by a frozen lake in Ontario. So this article's topic becomes very tangible and important, especially because I want to keep ... read more

The objective of writing this column is to act independently and discuss the typical property ownership/maintenance issues and real estate concerns for existing and perspective homeowners here at Lake ... read more

For many newcomers, the water distribution systems here in Mexico are different from water supply they are used to in the rest of North America. In the case of a typical home in Canada or the USA, the... read more

It seems last month's article regarding our electrical bills touched a lot of people here in my reading audience. Thank you for you kind comments and questions. I wanted to expand a little more regardi... read more

An important factor is the condition of the house. This relates back to the general appearance of the home and those important first impressions.   With this month's edition I want to touch on some ... read more

We see them in just about every house here at Lake Chapala. Sometimes they are humming and others quietly sit in a corner, showing a little light on. But all are on guard, protecting our electronic dev... read more

Salitre is the Spanish term commonly used for masonry “efflorescence.” Salitre is the white powdery stain that forms on the surface of bricks and concrete and can cause the stucco or paint o... read more

No, this is not an article about an additive drug, a quick glib joke or that exposed skin area of the refrigerator repairman's lower back, as he crouches down in front of you. This article is about mas... read more

After studying many homes here at Lake Chapala, it is interesting to learn to how much electricity each home uses and, more interesting, how much the home owner is paying for their electricity. Electr... read more