Our morning showers would definitely not be the same without them. We sure miss them when they fail or run out of gas. Our water heaters are usually the silent worker in the back of the house; sometimes they are tucked away where we cannot see them. However they are a vital part of our […]
Continue ReadingShould I be building my new home here in Mexico or should I be purchasing an existing home whether new or used? It is a common question, especially if you are not finding the property that meets your expectations of location, amenities and price. Before investigating the building option, take a moment to analyze how […]
Continue ReadingOther than a great view of the lake or mountains, there is nothing that takes a new homebuyer’s breath away like the interior of a brick dome. Traditional Mexican residential architecture is variable in style however, in the colonial range, a brick dome or cupola can be very attractive. And a maintenance problem. The use […]
Continue ReadingOver the years I have seen some good construction contracts and some terrible ones. Unfortunately, the terrible ones have resulted in someone paying the price. In any contract, there are basically three concepts to negotiate and determine in terms acceptable to all parties involved. These are Price, Quality and Time. It is natural to focus […]
Continue ReadingRoof sealing or waterproofing has been a problem since ancient times. The Ancient Egyptians, as early as 3000 B.C., experimented with waterproofing materials like beeswax, gelatin and clay. Later in 1000 B.C., other materials like Arabic gum, pitch and balsam were utilized. By the 17th century, Germans had experimented with coal tar and, later, bituminous […]
Continue ReadingThere have been times when I step into a house and immediately know there is a problem. Other than the obvious puddle of water on the floor, the smell of humidity and efflorescence on the walls – all of which has happened in the last month – there are other subtle signs of how a […]
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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? A common issue here in Mexico is […]
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Here in Mexico, there’s one term I hate to hear on a job site. No, it isn’t “oops.” It’s the term “mas o menos.” It is the Spanish term that literally translates to “more or less.” Because of my experience as an engineer, I tend to think logically and see answers more in terms of black […]
Continue ReadingThis may not sound like a Mexico real estate or home maintenance issue, but I thought my experience was worth sharing. Recently, my wife and I purchased a Mexico vacation package offered by our bank. And after various delays, we finally managed to take the kids to Puerto Vallarta for a four-night stay at one […]
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As a consultant, I have heard many repeated questions and feel it is time to put my opinion onto paper about what is happening in the real estate market here at Lake Chapala. Inventories of residential properties available on the local multiple listing service seem to be relatively stable over the last ten years in […]
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