About Mexico

Officially United Mexican States, republic (1995 est. pop. 93,986,000), 753,665 sq mi (1,952,500 sq km), S North America. It borders on the United States in the north, on the Gulf of Mexico (including its arm, the Bay of Campeche) and the Caribbean Sea in the east, on Belize and Guatemala in the southeast, and on the Pacific Ocean in the south and west. Mexico is divided into 31 states and the Federal District, which includes most of the country's capital and largest city, Mexico City.

Land

Most of Mexico is highland or mountainous and less than 15% of the land is arable; about 25% of the country is forested. Most of the Yucatán peninsula and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the southeast is lowland, and there are low-lying strips of land along the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of California

 In the south the deserts yield to the broad, shallow lakes of a region, comprising the Valley of Mexico, known as the Anáhuac and famous for its rich cultural heritage. South of the Anáhuac, which includes Mexico City, is a chain of extinct volcanoes, including Citlaltépetl , or Orizaba (18,700 ft/5,700 m, the highest point in Mexico), Popocatépetl , and Iztaccihuatl . To the south are jumbled masses of mountains and the Sierra Madre del Sur.

People

The great majority of the population are of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent and speak Spanish, the official language, as their first language. Various Mayan dialects are also spoken. Since 1920 the population of Mexico has had a very high rate of growth, almost entirely the result of natural increase; from 1940 to 1990 the population grew from 19.6 million to 81.1 million.

*Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003.

Why Is This A Good Time To Buy Real Estate In Mexico

With the current uncertainty in the U.S. stock and real Estate market, property values going down and the cost of living going up from every direction, where can you turn to for some market stability and economic relief? Look south of the border, invest your money in the many real estate opportunities on Baja, Mexico.  Where there is more than great weather, no hurricanes, a peaceful atmosphere, it’s close to the border plus many different things to see and do.

Reasons to invest in Baja Real estate :

1) Mexican real estate is not affected by the current housing crisis afflicting the U.S., it’s a totally different market with a different economy, separate laws as well as separate governments. This means that your property value will not go down because U.S. properties are, and decisions made by U.S. government officials do not affect the conditions of your Fideicomiso or Trust Agreement .

2) The Price Range of similar homes in the California coast is between 4 to 5 times as much and can be in overcrowded communities, plus you also have to consider the maintenance and property taxes that come along with them. Mexico property taxes are significantly lower than those in the U.S., most of the communities in Baja if not all of them have their home owners association with fees that cover ground maintenance, as for the home maintenance cost, the are also lower than what you would expect in the U.S.

3) Developments along the Rosarito - Ensenada road are far enough away from the cities to give you a peaceful hideaway and relaxing days, yet close enough that you can be there with a short drive, whether for shopping, dining, entertainment or sports.   

4) With the current global economic situation, the purchasing power of many currencies has gone down, this is also true for the U.S. dollar, and even though home prices and interests on mortgages have gone down, the cost of living has gone up all around, from gasoline, to food, to health care, stretching a dollar keeps getting harder to do. Why would living in Baja make it any easier? Mexico is not immune to the global financial problems and the cost of living has gone up as well , but so to has the purchasing power of a dollar. As of 2009 the dollar has fluctuated between 13.50 and 14.00 pesos, finding the best exchange rate and paying in pesos helps your dollar go further.

5) As the stock market keeps fluctuating with no stability on the horizon and big losses for investors, people have been taking their money out only to place it in banks that have latter needed to be rescued. So close to keeping your money in your mattress, one tangible investment is real estate, with a reputable realtor buying a home in Baja can be one of the safest investments you can make, be it for relocation in these tough times, a vacation get away, a retirements home or just to keep your money where you can actually see it and sell it at a later date.

There are several options when it comes to real estate investments in Baja, such as condos, houses or a piece of undeveloped land, you realtor can advise on the best option for you.

In these tough times, a good investment that will give you piece of mind is a tangible asset in a stable market, Baja real estate is an opportunity to keep your money out of the uncertainty of the banks and stock market and place it where you can see it, and see the ocean while you’re at it.   

Mexico has won the #1 rank for retirement destinations for 2007-2008 given by International Living; the reasons for the #1 rank were: first rate health care, affordable beach front property, low cost of goods and services, and availability of cell phone, cable, and high speed internet. Mexico is growing as a residence destination for Americans, estimates place the number of Americans currently living in Mexico to approximately 1 million, not just retirees but people of all ages.

Many people have already made the choice of purchasing a home in Baja, and not because of the stock or real estate market but because of what Baja has to offer,  a warm climate that is comparable to the warmth of its people, a culture rich in history and tradition, year round events to keep you busy.

Written by Alejandra Esquivel 

Mexico - Still the World’s Best Retirement Haven

1. Mexico
2. Ecuador
3. Panama
4. Uruguay
5. Italy

What do I need to sign legal documents in Mexico?

Buyers need an FMT (tourist visa).

USA Passport or Original Birth Certificate is all you need for FMT and Buyers may sign legal documents with FMT or FM3 in front of the Notary.

Sellers must have a valid FM3 to sign legal documents when selling your property. An FMT WILL NOT WORK for a SELLER. A “seasoned electric bill) and a current electric bill along with the seller’s FMT3  will be the documentation you need as a Seller to qualify for a zero capital gains tax designation with the Notary.

How do I get and why do I need an FMT & FM3

A foreign person needs this document in order to sign legal documents before the Notary who requires a copy for his file as part of the Bank Trust Deed and he requires that he see the original & compare the original to the copy. You will need this AT Closing!!

FMT: When you enter Mexican Border, get in the far right lane and go under the canopy and park. You will see a small office that says “Migracion” (Spanish for migration). You will fill out a simple form, go to the bank teller next door to Migración , pay $20.00 to the Bank , go back to Migración and they will stamp the FMT and your passport . You’re finished with the FMT now. They are open 24/7 & it takes about 5 minutes (unless you get caught behind a passenger bus!).

Ask for a 180 day tourist visa. You will need this document to apply for your FM3 which is renewed annually which is your legal status in Mexico. To apply for your FM3 you will need the following:

• Clear Copy of your Passport (color if possible)
• Clear Copy of your Driver’s License
• Copy of US or Mexican Bank statement (to show you are capable to support yourself)
• Copy of Utility Bill from USA
• Original of FMT

You may apply for this at your local Mexican Consulate. If you obtain the FM3 at the Consulate, then you MUST STOP at Tijuana or Otay Mesa Border Crossing and have your new FM3 stamped by the Immigration Office in Mexico. It is NOT VALID if it is not stamped.
Upon renewal in 12 months, if you used the Consulate, then you need to complete the same process in Rosarito or Ensenada Immigration office and take all the above documents to open your “local file”. It is easier to open your file locally the FIRST TIME, but it is your choice.

Who needs a residency FM3?

• Foreigners that reside in Mexico for more then six months   
• Foreigners that own Mexico property throughout a Mexican Bank Trust
• Foreigners that want to be protected in case of legal issues, while in Mexico
• Foreigners that want to have a Mexican driver license
• Foreigners that want to have a  U.S. Vehicle in Mexico
• Foreigners that want to change from FM3 to FM2 status
• Foreigners that want to have a Mexican Bank account
• Foreigners that want to bring their household in to Mexico duty free
• Foreigners that want to sell or Lease their property in Mexico