Future expat needs info

[georgew]

I am going to mazamitla Jal. at the end of Oct. for one week. I'm looking for a very small, simple home to purchase that I can retire to in the future. Is there anyone out there that lives in the area who will contact me, so that I might gather first hand information ? Also, I understand that I will need to apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a permit to purchase, can I do that from the U.S., or must be done in mexico? Thanks for any help!
georgew

[bear]

George,
At the risk of sounding tiresome, may I suggest that it might be wise to rent in the area of Jalisco that you like, instead of buying right away. Many of us
who have retired in Mexico find that our first stop does not work out for some reason, and wish to try another place in Mexico. This is most easy
when you rent your place at first. Maybe even a long term lease. Owning
property in Mexico is tricky business at times. It should be done with care
and after having spent some time in the area. But, perhaps you are going to live near family. Bear

[sparks]

You might want to start reading up on owning/buying in Mexico. I put this page of links together.
Mexico Real Estate
Here's another ...
Mexico Real Estate eGuide

I've never heard of the 'Ministry of Foreign Affairs' but for sure it's not going to require contact with any National Agency. You can own on a tourist visa if you are away from the coast or border. I agree with Bear about renting ... not only do you need time to look around for a house, but also get to knoiw the area and Mexico in general.

This place is owned by a friend of a friend (I haven't met him) that speaks English. You might start there when you visit or even send an email.
Hotel-Hostal El Ciervo Rojo - Mazamitla, Jalisco Mexico

[georgew]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your response.
I do agree that renting is logical, but do to my circumstances that may be difficult. My time for retirement will probably be at least 10 to 15 years from now. I feel that because prices are rising so rapidly in Mexico, I should buy sooner than later. My budget is quite small, but I think that I have the cash to buy now, and just hold on to it, or rent it, until I am free. Any more thoughts? Does my plan have any logic, or am I not thinking it through enough? Still hope to hear from someone in Mazamitla.
George

[sparks]

Why Mazamitla if you don't know anybody there. I drove thru about 3 months ago going from Colima to Patzcuaro. It's a small, old town in the mountains ... but other than that, what's the attraction?

Buying in a hurry sounds like a mistake to me. How do you know if you'll like it, what about neighbors, what real estate is really going for, the climate ... etc.

Maybe prices on the beach are going up in Mexico but in small little mountain towns with almost no gringo population ... I don't think so.

Try the Thorntree (Lonely Planet) Mexico message board for more input.

Check out www.lamanzanilla.biz for real estate in southern jalisco!

[joseph]

Rent first. Rent first. Rent first.

Those are my first three recommendations to anyone moving to a different country for retirement. Rent for at least a year before you consider buying. If you still like where you have retired, then start looking and asking folks in the area. Realtors are seldom interested in handling a low commission property. And, it is still much the custom to sell property by word of mouth.

Ask the butcher, the bread maker, the maid, your barber. You will likely find some interesting properties for sale that don't even have a for sale sign on them.

Not long ago, I was walking around one of the older colonias here in GDL. I was admiring the architecture of the old mid-1800's homes. I passed a man working on his car. Suddenly, he comes from under the hood and asks if I am looking for a place to buy. If so, his is for sale and I can look at it right now.

Well, I explained I was just looking at the wonderful designs of the houses. 'Oh, come in. Look at my house. Maybe you will want to buy it. Maybe you can tell a friend about it and they will buy it.'

That's how things happen here.

[bear]

Joseph,
We are renters also, always have been, always will be.........our current
3 bedroom home rental was found via a friend of a friend referal, having never
been placed on the market. Landlords only rented to us after we met and
we liked the house and they liked us. Truly, that IS how things happen here.
Bear

[brink]

Let me join the veteran expats' advice on this issue.

1. Don't becomming overly committed too soon to one particular place in Mexico. Maybe this little town in Jalisco is nice, but Mexico is a big and varied country: climate, shopping, transportation, etc. Rent for awhile, travel the country, and figure our where you want to put down roots.

2. For most people, renting is so much better than buying: cheaper, more flexibility. Definitely rent first before you even think of buying. I think the only people who tell you to buy are real estate agents.

[georgew]

I,m pretty much convinced, rent first. As I said before though, retirement isn,t for another 10 to 15 years, so I actually can,t rent long term. As you other former blue- collar workers know, the private sector is stingy with vacation time. I,ll just have to be content with a couple of weeks a year to see Mexico...
Thanks to all! I,ll be reading you!