seoulguy
5/21/2017 15:13 EST
Would like to hear from any perm resident retiree who settled in Merida or more flashy Cancun/Cozumel and is either liking it (made the right choice) or not liking it. Did you get relatively immediate access to IMMS?
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MsAlex
5/21/2017 15:32 EST
One of the most popular and informative blogs about moving to Mexico is called TWO EXPATS IN MEXICO, written by a former police lieutenant named Paul -- and you can find it at www.qroo.us.
Paul's also planning to start a newsletter on the topic of moving to Mexico.
Alex
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William RussellGet QuoteWilliam Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
William RussellWilliam Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell. Get Quote
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MsAlex
5/21/2017 15:34 EST
I forgot to mention that Paul writes this blog from Quintanaroo, so there is especially a lot of information that is Yucatan/Quintanroo specific, as well as a lot of information that is relevant regardless of where in Mexico you are.
Alex
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Cozumeldeb
5/21/2017 15:50 EST
I live in Cozumel 1/2 time (6+ mos). I would not rank CZM as flashy, Cancun and Playa yes..Our 1st trip was 1989, bought in 2001, rented some till we retired, 2010..IMO it is retirement paradise, you can be active or not as you want, diving and snorkeling is primo, some folks complain about cruise ships, but we all know Tues, Wed & Thurs are busy cruise days so don't go downtown..We live on the north side of the island in a condo...We travel in MX some as well, there are wonderful places everywhere, depends on your choices..The mountain areas are beautiful, Lake Chapla/Ajijic-love that area also Guanajuato, any areas around Guadalajara.. Ex-pats from the QRoo/Yucatan often rent for a few months in the mountains..which is easy to do and inexpensive..I always advise folks to rent/visit in several areas before buying.
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MexJuan1
5/21/2017 16:05 EST
PDC is "flashy", I suppose but, I live a 20 minute walk down the beach from the action and if I choose to stay away, it's not a problem. I walk, ride my bike and swim in a Rooftop Pool at a Boutique Hotel about 15 blocks from my apartment. No one is EVER up there and I stayed there when I first came to Playa and developed a relationship with the ppl there and they never bother me. I don't over stay my welcome either. Just go swimming, sun a little, dry off and leave. If I want to "People Watch", I walk in to 5th Avenue, get a coffee or eat at an inexpensive, sidewalk cafe and read, listen to iheart radio and watch all the pretty girls. I don't go to Clubs or bars and getting away from the "flash" is a nice walk or bike ride away. Having been here for two years now, I know when to venture in and when not to go. Most Public Beaches near me are, relatively, uncrowded for the most part so hanging out there is, usually, a nice, relaxing time... Every place is what you make of it I believe.
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Khizer
5/21/2017 16:17 EST
Hi there,
What's IMMS - & What's immediate getting the IMMS - Benifits
Thx Alex [email protected]
Please feel free to email me or send me a private message
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William RussellGet QuoteWilliam Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
William RussellWilliam Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell. Get Quote
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RVGRINGO
5/21/2017 16:34 EST
Perhaps you meant, IMSS, a national health program, in which you may be able to purchase membership; or, SP, Seguro Popular, which is open to all legal residents. In either case, you will need a residence visa, CURP, etc.
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MonicaRixPaxson
5/21/2017 21:01 EST
Applying for IMSS on a voluntary basis can be relatively simple if your paperwork is in order, you have no pre-existing conditions (that are not covered) and you speak Spanish or go with someone who does.
However, no one can tell you how long a trámite (bureaucratic procedure involving red tape) will actually be because a great deal depends on the situation locally.
You also might want to consider Seguro Popular, another flavor of public health insurance that has been expanding services in recent years and is available to those with resident's visas.
In either case, it would be a good idea to be armed with knowledge and so I have armed readers with a great deal of that in the 4th edition of The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico.
—Monica Rix Paxson, medical researcher and author http://relentlesslycreativebooks.com/?mbt_book=the-english-speakers-guide-to-medical-care-in-mexico-4th-edition
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seoulguy
5/22/2017 08:54 EST
Thanks for the reply. I live in Tucson and retired but have an online business, so no time for the activities you mention. I'm looking at QRoo for one of the few safe states and Cozumel because it's offshore and, I hope, fewer traffic/cars -- quieter. I've been all over Mexico, including the west coast, DF, GDL, and Ajijic --and I speak Spanish. So, if it's reasonably quiet, compared to Cancun, etc, that would be good.
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seoulguy
5/22/2017 08:57 EST
I did mean IMSS, but what 74 y.o. does not have pre-existing conditions. That would leave Seguro Social, and I would only consider moving to Mexico (and I know Mex very well, just not QRoo) on resident status.
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seoulguy
5/22/2017 09:06 EST
Maybe I need your book. I am very familiar with Mexico red tape. Been all over, except QRoo. Lived and worked in DF. Speak, read and write Spanish. However, I need sound current facts on IMSS/Seguro Social, waiting times, exactly what pre-existing conditions, etc. I have Medicare and Medigap. Would be coming as residente and eventually replacing Medicare with one of the offered government plans. Why do I have the feeling this is not going to work out?
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William RussellGet QuoteWilliam Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
William RussellWilliam Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell. Get Quote
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RVGRINGO
5/22/2017 11:57 EST
After living 13 years in Mexico & having several hospitalizations, with more on the horizon, we were forced to move to Tucson; just for the VA & Medicare. It can get expensive, but we did prefer the treatment we got in Mexico; specifically in Guadalajara.
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seoulguy
5/22/2017 13:38 EST
RV Gringo,
Wondering if you're in Tucson now and since you have good experience with the national health system, which, undoubtedly, several years ago, was quite, different, maybe you would consent to pvt messaging? Thanks, D
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bluewater1
5/23/2017 19:49 EST
I think "International vibe" better describes Playa than "flashy". People we do business with are from all over the world, as are our neighbors, and that makes for a very eclectic mix and a unique experience. We live outside Playa because we prefer a quieter area for living but definitely enjoy what Playa has to offer. And the beautiful and interesting places you can drive to in less than 30 minutes? That's why we chose this spot over so many others...
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katzgar
5/24/2017 08:59 EST
I spent several trips and did a lot of research towards establishing a brick and mortar in Tulum. There are several reasons why I decided against it. My triple bypass and diabetes is best treated in the US. The real estate market has few protections that we are used to up north. Expats often have a bullseye on their back. You cannot actually own real estate along the coast as an expat. Be careful of new condos as the developers skip and suppliers go after buyers for payment. I was raised in MN with a german background so find the lack of integrity in Mexican culture not good and have a north european expectation of competence which is usually not available in Mexico.
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seoulguy
5/24/2017 18:03 EST
My preference for Cozumel over Cancun and Playa goes the very issue of "quiet". I may be naïve, but my thinking is that Cozumel in its isolation may have more of the tranquility I seek after the cruise ships leave, that is. I'm sensitive to this because I have rented houses in Mexico that were OK in this regard, and, then again, I've rented in neighborhoods of the all-night-and-next-day birthday parties, or any-excuse fiestas. But the scarcity of Seguro Popular clinics/subsidized hospitals in QRoo might put a damper on all of it. And I don't drive.
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seoulguy
5/24/2017 18:09 EST
I appreciate your message, I always keep the "out of the frying pan into the fire" idea in mind when approaching Mexico, and I've been all over the country, so I'm familiar with the lapses in integrity, or worse. One of the major concerns is the rush to dismantle healthcare in the US. As of today, ACA is headed toward disintegration. My bet is that Medicare will be killed off along with SS, and the Congress will do it because one party has wanted to do it for decades. They have their chance. So, would it be better to have an unaffordable voucher system or Seguro Popular? I haven't decided yet.
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RVGRINGO
5/24/2017 18:42 EST
Seoulguy; I did not use either IMSS ot Seguro Popular. We used private doctors and the excellent private hospitals in Guadalajara, along with some specialized eye clinics, etc. We did have IMSS in our early years, but corrupt employees took the fees and issued false papers, causing us to lose our unrestricted coverage. Seguro Popular is a newer national system and we had not used it before our move north. If we were to return, it would be our only option at our ages; 79 and 69, but probably lacking the energy for another move.
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katzgar
5/24/2017 19:02 EST
Seoul guy I think you are being pessimistic and way overly premature on Healthcare Medicare and Social Security being cancelled
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bluewater1
5/24/2017 20:43 EST
>> You cannot actually own real estate along the coast as an expat. << That is incorrect - we have a deed to our home and property which is located in the restricted zone.
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katzgar
5/24/2017 21:04 EST
If that's what you think you have been duped. I suggest you do some research on the matter. there is a coastal and international border Zone in Mexico that does not allow fee simple ownership by foreigners. Normally the bank holds the deed in trust for you you cannot own real estate in coastal areas of Mexico
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MexJuan1
5/24/2017 21:10 EST
Which, at any time should they choose to do so, the Mexican Government can take from you for a variety of reasons or any reason they deem for their purposes. I don't mean to put a damper on your "dream" but, in Mexico, that can become "reality" in the blink of an eye. I'm not telling you this out of envy, jealousy or any other vengeful reason (im extremely happy where I am in PDC) but, please know, that it could happen. If an investor who might want a large, beach front property that happens to include yours or for a variety of other reasons, it could and would happen that they would just take your property. I don't wish that for you and I'm glad that your happy and have realized your dream but, don't be ignorant (I don't mean that in a personal way) or disillusional concerning what the Mexican Government has, can and will do if they, so, choose. My best...
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Cozumeldeb
5/24/2017 22:27 EST
Agreed, Trump's time is limited, daily events, news and proof of Russian involvement..We bought in 2001 retired in 2010, while true we are retired and not seeking work..but in all of our years in MX we've never seen the level of dishonesty you describe. Tulum while lovely, has a long history of questionably deals/trusts..We believe Mexico is retirement paradise.
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katzgar
5/25/2017 05:06 EST
Should anyone be interested in expating to the Tulum area they need to do their homework and understand that The Beachland is ejido land and often a parcel will have multiple Deeds to it so there is a risk of being thrown off the land by federales. The village of Tulum was established by a land grant program similar to what we had in the United States and often the grants were not proved but rather abandoned and squatted on by other people so ownership is extremely cloudy
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bluewater1
5/25/2017 06:48 EST
Katzgar you are only partially informed and therefore posting misinformation or you are intentionally Otherwise there are literally thousands of duped foreigners! Our bank holds our deed in a bank trust, or "fideicomiso", but we do own our property and our home and can make any changes or sell as we desire. There are no restrictions that affect our ownership in the "Restricted Zone", and we love living here. A corp is another option in some cases but requires more stringent tax accounting of course. A real estate lawyer is invaluable in real estate transactions wherever you are.
Regarding multiple deeds, that's another issue altogether, and the issue in Tulum is a unique one and is well-reported.
Partial or minimal information can be as bad as misinformation.
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katzgar
5/25/2017 09:16 EST
here is a link to what you actually have. The Mexican constitution forbids foreign ownership in the zone. After 50 years the contract is void and your money is flushed but retirees probably arent concerned about that. http://intltax.typepad.com/intltax_blog/2012/11/irs-rules-that-mexican-fideicomiso-is-not-a-trust.html
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seoulguy
5/25/2017 14:06 EST
RVGringo, it would be interesting to know how you were able to self-insure w/o the benefit of Medicare/Medigap (or Advantage) in Mexico unless you never used services. The one hospital I see in Cancun, Amerimed, looks private and geared to the weathy. On the other hand, suppose one were to enroll in Seguro Popular, but also use private primary docs or specialists?
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katzgar
5/25/2017 15:17 EST
try google http://allaboutcancun.com/about-cancun/hospitals/
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bluewater1
5/25/2017 15:53 EST
>> here is a link to what you actually have. The Mexican constitution forbids foreign ownership in the zone. After 50 years the contract is void and your money is flushed but retirees probably arent concerned about that. http://intltax.typepad.com/intltax_blog/2012/11/irs-rules-that-mexican-fideicomiso-is-not-a-trust.html <<
Who cares about what the IRS thinks? We own our home and property via the bank trust, it's that simple.
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bluewater1
5/25/2017 15:55 EST
katzgar there is no "contract", it's a bank trust and we have beneficiaries to transfer ownership.
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MonicaRixPaxson
5/25/2017 17:32 EST
Many favorite tourist destinations have had no hospitals at all. A few years ago Amerimed, seeing the lack, began to build a chain of hospitals in precisely those places. I think that many would agree with your assessment that they were intended for the carriage trade. But for the tourist who has a heart attack on vacation, I am sure they are very welcome. And I think they serve the communities as well. Many middle-class Mexicans may have IMSS through their employment, but would far rather pay for private care. (It's a prestige thing.)
Your idea of using a couple of approaches, perhaps Seguro Popular plus a private specialist, etc. is a workable solution. In fact I write about what I call “blended solutions” in my book.
But as I suggest in my first post, if you are going to rely on Seguro Popular, make sure there is a hospital nearby.
It sounds like you are really doing your homework and discovering the holes in the system. Although they are building new hospitals all the time, you just want to make sure you can get to one that's already functioning when you need it.
—Monica Rix Paxson, medical researcher and author The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico http://relentlesslycreativebooks.com/?mbt_book=the-english-speakers-guide-to-medical-care-in-mexico-4th-edition
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katzgar
5/25/2017 17:38 EST
It should be pointed out that no Foreigner owns real estate along the coast of Mexico this is eagley easily Googled
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katzgar
5/25/2017 17:41 EST
I'm not sure why you're fighting this I provide all the information which shows that you just don't own what you think you own it's not legal in Mexico
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giershift43
5/25/2017 18:43 EST
I reviewed the policy and Mexico does not allow foreign ownership within 50 miles of the coast. Why should they? It could prove a risk to national defense. No problem there is plenty of land inland if that's what one wants.
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MexJuan1
5/25/2017 18:49 EST
Well, you have to admit. That's got to be a hard pill to swallow. Maybe they know something or somebody that we don't? Personally, I hope things work out for the best for them! I'm sure they've worked hard, as any of us would and have, to get where they are today. They've got my confidence and support, for what it's worth.
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giershift43
5/25/2017 19:02 EST
What self insured means to me is that a person is simply putting enough money away to hopefully pays their bills. It could be a lot of money. I met people in Galveston that individuals self insure their homes, because no one else will. Or it costs so much, they bank the premium and do not touch it.
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seoulguy
5/26/2017 17:05 EST
I think I need your book. Is there an easy way to get it on Amazon?
Not just hospitals, but if no clinics serve SP beneficiaries in CUN/CZM/PDC, then living in QRoo is out of the question, and it's either Merida or (and I'd have to think long and hard about it) Cabo.
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bluewater1
5/28/2017 09:17 EST
Katzgar, methinks you need to look to different sources for your "information" on buying and owning property in the Restricted Zone.
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bluewater1
5/28/2017 09:41 EST
>> I reviewed the policy and Mexico does not allow foreign ownership within 50 miles of the coast <<
What policy did you review? This is definitely not accurate, and the Restricted Zone is within 50km from the coast or 100km from any border. I can point you to numerous references but if you just Google "fideicomiso" you'll find excellent articles from trusted sources.
In essence, the bank is the trustee and holds the title for you, and you are the first beneficiary. Although the banks acts as the trustee and holds the title, the property is not an asset of the bank. You as the property owner, or first beneficiary, have sole possession and can modify, rent, or sell at any time with no involvement from the trust.
The only other for pm of foreign ownership of property is with a corp.
I'm surprised others here with longer experience of owning haven't stepped in to correct you.
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bluewater1
5/28/2017 10:00 EST
Giershift, katzgar I would also suggest you put a little more time and effort into your research before dispensing advice on these forums. Just sayin' misinformation is worse than none at all.
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bluewater1
5/28/2017 10:07 EST
>> You as the property owner, or first beneficiary, have sole possession and can modify, rent, or sell at any time with no involvement from the trust. <<
Obviously I misspoke there and the bank is involved when you sell your property. The point is you are able to enjoy all of the benefits of ownership with the fideicomiso (or corporation for retail property).
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giershift43
5/28/2017 12:20 EST
How condescending of you. How about you get specific instead of setting yourself up as someone of superior information judging us ignorant folk. I am not uninformed nor uneducated child. But thanks for asserting your superiority.
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giershift43
5/28/2017 12:26 EST
Useful information, although I am not really thinking about buying around the coast. Lake Chapala area appeals to me. Thanks
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bluewater1
5/28/2017 17:49 EST
Not condescending at all, actually, and I am absolutely not setting myself up as superior in any way. Except that I HAVE spent a considerable amount of time - and energy - researching these topics because my family relies on me to be prepared. Three years of learning from others' experiences (thank you all here) and from our lawyer and reading and re-reading the regs and you tell me I am wrong? That's not condescending but misinformation is dangerous.
We've owned for 2 years and have learned a ton during that time. But I'm still a novice compared to folks here and on other forums who have so much more to share. But when someone who has no experience in a subject feels the urge to give advice, well it's not a good thing.
Sorry to the OP for the sidebar "discussion", I'll apologize for that...
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giershift43
5/28/2017 20:24 EST
Remember the don't assume. Part of my education in graduate school required the analysis of public policy. I was chair of Public Policy for the Ohio DD counsel one year. I don't pretend to know more than I do, but do have familiarity with researching subjects. Research doesn't start in a library, but with boots on the ground and verifiable evidence.
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bluewater1
5/29/2017 11:07 EST
Well, I have to say I am even more disappointed, based on your lack of verifiable or objective evidence and your urge to correct someone anyway when you have not performed any real measure of research, I would not want to rely on your analytical skills in any situation based on this discussion. I do analysis in real life and not in a university, and you have to very thorough in your analyses before making conclusions that affect others. Here misinformation can just create confusion for someone new who is looking for useful information. Elsewhere it can be even more destructive. But let's drop this discussion and give everyone a break...
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katzgar
5/29/2017 14:08 EST
"Katzgar, methinks you need to look to different sources for your "information" on buying and owning property in the Restricted Zone."
just saying I need different sources does prove anything. Here it is yet again. http://www.mexicolaw.com/LawInfo17.htm
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kikipt
5/30/2017 00:13 EST
I'm afraid some people are not reading this law very carefully. It only states that foreigners cannot own property on a fee simple basis, not that they cannot own property. Foreigners buy and sell and inhabit properties legally all the time in the restricted zone. Their biggest concern, as I can tell, is how much the bank is charging them each year to hold the title. It can be substantial, and has to be factored into the purchase. The law as cited is actually pretty clear, and I cannot imagine why there seems to be such hostility on the subject. The bigger issue, however, is exactly the wording of the fideicomiso, and this depends on the skill of one's notario and the requirements of the host bank. It is possible that there will be restrictions in the document itself that would prohibit people, for example, from holding fund-raisers or other events on the property, at which money might change hands. (But this is a thorny area for anyone living in Mexico on a residency visa, not just holders of fideicomisos.) Regardless, one has to make certain that the notario has done a thorough search to make certain the title is clear, or problems such as those with ejido lands in Tulum are sure to arise. I know of cases here in Merida where it has taken several years to establish clear title, as properties are passed down in families, and there can be multiple relatives with claims against them.
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bluewater1
5/30/2017 06:15 EST
Yes, you really should read the sources you cite as they contradict your "argument". And a Google search for fideicomoso turns up several useful sites, this one from Thomas at TopMexico is pretty clear on the subject of ownership in the Restricted Zone - http://www.topmexicorealestate.com/blog/2008/06/what-is-a-mexico-bank-trust-fideicomiso/
The annual fee for the bank trust can be tiny and is not really a concern.. I recently recommended our lawyer and a different bank to other owners who were paying 5 times more for no reason. You compare banks just as you do in the US. The notario works for the government and is not on your side, you need a real estate lawyer to help protect you and we have an excellent one. And yes there are cases where it can take years to clear a title, but that is not the norm, you really should have a lawyer or title search before buying ANYWHERE. There are other threads that go into this topic in detail if you want that. Just read carefully!
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giershift43
5/31/2017 09:13 EST
You need title insurance in the States as well. To Whom is this directed. I have heard people saying what to beware in Mexican real estate. The rules seem to apply much in the same way in the States including if one buys a new condo in the U.S. Title searches have to be done and title insurance purchased. These are not issue specific to Mexico.
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katzgar
5/31/2017 14:41 EST
The issue that will be specific to Mexico is the degree of corruption in Mexico it is high
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bluewater1
5/31/2017 15:16 EST
ANYWHERE includes the States...
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bluewater1
5/31/2017 15:28 EST
>> To Whom is this directed <<
giershift43, are you are referring to my post just previous to your last post? If so the first part of that (and the last sentence) was in response to katzgar who continues to cite sources that contradict his/her argument.
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MexJuan1
5/31/2017 15:39 EST
And corruption in the U.S. is at such a low point right now...
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katzgar
6/1/2017 14:43 EST
Mexico is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
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