Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Mexico Forum

19 years ago

Buying a House in Mexico

19 years ago
Folks, the Lake Chapala Society officially recommends that you rent for at least six months before you buy. Stories of gringoes who bought a house the first day or first week, and then regretted it for years, abound.

Most nice houses have concrete yards; wealthy homes have grass, and poor homes have dirt. Most houses are made of "material," a form of brick that is much stronger than adobe. The floors, walls, and ceilings, are made of this material, and you don't need fire insurance. You also don't get termites.

The realtor took me to a $20,000 house, built last year, that was wedged between two bars. That talked me out of that price range.

In one village, the realtor took me to an incredibly ugly house, on an ugly gravel road, that was beautiful inside. Mexicans do not sink money into making the outside look nice, although some will paint about four feet high with a pleasant color.

In Chapala, I almost bought a lovely $40,000 house. Three bedrooms, one bath, and the entire roof is a patio. The rooftop patio is typical of all but the poorest Mexican homes.

I noticed that quality goes up much faster than price. One gringo showed me his $100,000 house, and it looks like a castle.

I was advised that nobody pays the asking price, and one jubilant couple told me that they had bought a $120,000 home for $78,000.

Hernandez Realty Group offers free tours, and they are part of a multiple listing service. I am NOT recommending them, as I only went on their tour, but their website is www.hernandezrg.com

Vince

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Mexico GuideLiving in Mexico Guide

Our Living in Mexico Guide is an introduction to everything about the basics for moving to Mexico: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, and more.

Mexico Forum Mexico Forum
Join our Mexico forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Mexico.

Contribute to Mexico Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Mexico.

Best Places to Live in Mexico Best Places to Live in Mexico

If you're thinking about living in Mexico, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Mexico in 2023.

Healthcare in MexicoHealthcare in Mexico

If you're moving to Mexico or an expat living in Mexico, understanding the Mexican healthcare system is essential. We offer an overview of the public and private healthcare systems in Mexico, health insurance for expats in Mexico, hospitals and prescription drugs.

Cost of Living in MexicoCost of Living in Mexico

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Mexico.

Moving to MexicoMoving to Mexico Guide

Expats in Mexico share important tips for people preparing to move to Mexico. From banking in Mexico to finding a safe city, read these 8 tips before moving to Mexico.

Real Estate in MexicoReal Estate in Mexico

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Mexico.

Pros Cons of Living in MexicoPros & Cons of Living in Mexico

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Mexico.

Retiring in MexicoRetiring in Mexico

Advice for people retiring in Mexico.

Visa and Residency MexicoMexico Visa & Residency Guide

If you plan to move to Mexico, you'll need to understand the process involved and the order in which requirements need to satisfied. Here is an excellent primer on what you'll need to do regardless of the amount of time you plan to spend in Mexico.

10 Tips for Living in Mexico10 Tips for Living in Mexico

If you've recently arrived in Mexico, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Mexico.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Mexico Network Contribute
Help others in Mexico by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Mexico.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal