Mexico has become a great place to invest, great offers and good business can be done. ROI is higher in Cancun and Riviera Maya for investor. We suggest you to be assisted always by a realtor, choose one to be the one to watch for your interests, he will save you a lot of calls and time but choose someone with experience, follow your instincts. Some people hire firm lawyers, but if you have any doubt, go to the notary and ask him directly or ask him to recommend him a good lawyer.
Remember you can ask always for a certified translation of any agreement, contract or whatever you want to sign, normally they charge you by page (30 usd. per certified page) but it will take 24 to 36 hrs depending on the translator (ask for a certified one).
One of the first things you should request when purchasing property in Mexico is a copy of the lien certificate (certificado de libertad de gravamen) on the property. It should indicate the owner of record, surface area and classification of property type, the legal description, and whether there are any liens or encumbrances filed on record against the property. The buyer can also request a certificate of no tax liability (certificado de no aduedo) from the local taxing authority.
Legal Steps To Purchase Real Estate In Mexico:
1. Offer and acceptance and/or promissory agreement In accordance with Mexican Law:
A letter of intent fulfills the requirements for it to be considered to be a valid contract, with the condition that there has been mutual consent on the part of both the seller to transfer a specific property and the buyer to acquire it.
2. Title Search and Conditions of the Property
This will ensure that none of the information of the Public Registry of Property and Commerce regarding the property is overlooked.
3. Requirements for closing and formal execution of a standard real estate Transaction in Mexico:
· Certificate of No-Encumbrances: This certificate will enable the Notary to assess that the property does not have any lien or encumbrance, or any claim pending over it, and thus can be transferred with a clean title. It is obtained directly at the Offices of the Public Registry of Property and Commerce and basically it must contain at least the following information: I) the number of years of documented history made on the property; II) the surface area of the property in accordance with the records; III) the metes and bounds of the property; IV) the name of the owner; V)classification of the property (urban or rural); VI) a legal description of the property (such as if it is owned in a trust or by several owners); VII) the name and signature of the registar and VIII) the official seal of the Public Registry of Property and Commerce.
· Certificate of No-Tax Liability: This certificate will enable the Notary Public to assess that the property tax has been paid prior to the transfer of the property.
· Property Appraisal and Site Survey: In accordance with the Real Estate Law ("Ley de Catastro"), it is mandatory to carry out a site survey on the property and do an official appraisal. The appraisal must be done estimating the commercial value of the property, considering its surroundings, a market survey and zoning regulations.
4. Notary Public and Public Registry of Property and Commerce:
The function of the Notary Public is to act as an extension of a Judge or the Government. His duty is to ensure that a real estate transaction is formally executed in compliance with all legal requirements. Upon the execution of the transaction, the deed of title must be recorded at the Public Registry of Property and Commerce of the domicile in which the real estate, subject matter of the transaction, is located.
A Mexican "notario" is an attorney who, after passing rigorous examinations, is commissioned by the government as a public notary. A notario holds high office for life, unless he or she is removed for cause. The notario fulfills a public function delegated by the government. Although licensed as an attorney, the notario is not in a position to provide either of the parties with legal advice. The notario's responsibilities include collecting and reviewing the sales contract, property tax and water payment receipts; ordering a bank appraisal: freezing the property's file at the local public registry (no documents may be recorded in a property's file during three consecutive thirty-day periods); reviewing the property's file to verify the legal ownership and search for liens, encumbrances or anything that could affect the title (as the majority of public registries are not automated, this procedure can take from 60 to 90 days); requesting the public registry to issue a "Certificado de Libertad de Gravamenes" (Certificate of Freedom from Liens and Encumbrances); and performing the closing at this office where the notario handles the transfer of the deed, tax withholding on the underlying real estate transaction, and the recording of the documents at the public registry.
The Most Common Choices For Purchasing Real Estate In Mexico:
1. General Purchase Sale Agreement:
A purchase sale agreement occurs when one of the contracting parties obligates itself to transfer the ownership of property and the other agrees to pay a certain price in consideration of the property rights. The contract is perfected and binding between the parties as soon as the property and its price are agreed upon, even when the property has not yet materially been delivered and the price paid. All such contracts must meet specific requirements in accordance with Mexican law in order to exist and be valid.
There are two types of elements to the contract:
· A. Essential Elements: The essential elements of any purchase sale agreement: consent which is granted by the seller's agreement to transfer the real estate to the buyer, and in turn, the buyer's consent to pay a certain price; and object which is the purpose of the title transfer of the real estate on the one hand, and the payment of a certain price as consideration of the transfer.
· B. Validity Elements: The validity elements are: legal capacity that refers to the legal rights of the parties to enter into the contract; and legal form, which are the formalities with which a transfer complies in order to be perfected. For example, real estate transactions must be in writing, and in order for such to be binding before third parties, they must be recorded at the Public Registry of Property and Commerce. Basically, the fundamental obligations of the seller in a purchase sale agreement, are: a) to deliver the property being sold to the buyer; b) to guarantee the quality of the property; and c) to guarantee the title (with cure in case of eviction).
On the other hand, the buyer's principal obligation is to comply with the payment of the price in the terms place, and form agreed in the agreement.
2. Installment Sales Agreements withholding transfer of title:
In this kind of agreement, the seller reserves title of the property until full payment of the sale price is made, but the buyer may use and enjoy the real estate until full payment is made. Usually, this kind of agreement includes installment payments. There are some advantages in using this kind of agreement: First, the agreement can be recorded at the Public Registry of Property and Commerce as being enforceable and binding before third parties. Second, the seller is not able to sell the property while the purchaser is in compliance with the sales agreement, usually meaning that he is current in his payment obligations to the seller. Finally, the obligations of the parties are subject to what in Mexican Law is commonly known as "Condicion Suspensiva" (suspensive condition), which conditions the agreement to full payment of the price to the seller.
3. Irrevocable Real Estate Trust Agreement:
This is better known as a "fideicomiso" and is the most common instrument for the acquisition of real estate property within the restricted zone, usually for residential purposes (note: RESIDENTIAL). The seller, "trustor", will transfer property to a Mexican bank institution, the "trustee", by means of an irrevocable trust agreement. The trustee will hold the property on behalf of a designated beneficiary (usually the buyer). The bank is obligated to administer the real estate only for the benefit of the beneficiary, who holds the right of use and enjoyment of the real estate, as an owner. The bank holds title to the property but the beneficiary is entitled to use it and even sell the property held in trust to any eligible buyer, providing that he instructs the bank to do so. Always remember to nale a beneficiary, normally your wife or some close relative.
If you are buying from another from a Trust “Fideicomiso” you can receive the same fideicomiso and save some money for keeping the same bank, and just to transfer it on yours name.
SOCIEDAD ANONIMA
If you are buying and intend to do business, building to sell or to rent, you can ask a notary to form a “SOCIEDAD ANONIMA “, that is a Business association, formed with any foreign investor or investors, the process is simple but you will need more assistance, here some things to remember:
Choose a name, Choose and description of activities, Have an address, Have FM3 visa, fill a form from the notary, order the notary to send to the Government office of foreign affairs, receive the authorization for name and activities, form the society with the Notary and register to the Tax office. Hire an account office to keep all records of expenses on the new company name.
FM3 VISA
If you are planning to come to Mexico to get your FM3, save money and time, go to MEXICO consulate office nearest you and make all process there. |