Buying process
Buying property abroad does not have to be complicated. At ALMA MÉXICO we guide you through the whole process, from choosing the right location, through checking the investment and negotiating, to the handover and the final paperwork.
With our knowledge of the Mexican market and our network of local specialists, we support clients at every stage of the purchase, including when most of the paperwork is done remotely.
Stage 01
We start with a conversation about your needs, preferences and budget.
Whether you are looking for a holiday apartment, a home to live in or an investment property, we help you choose the right location and present listings matched to your goals.
Our offer covers several regions of Mexico, from the Riviera Maya to the Pacific coast.
Stage 02
Once you have picked the most interesting options, we arrange presentations of the properties.
You can come to Mexico and see them in person or choose a remote video presentation. If you are buying from abroad, we help you get extra material on the property, its surroundings and its current condition.
We also help you organise a visit, so you can get to know the location at your own pace.
Stage 03
When you find the right property, we help you prepare a purchase offer and handle the talks with the seller or developer.
We look at the terms of the deal, the room for negotiation and the payment schedule.
Our aim is to secure the best possible terms, not only on price but also on the safety and flexibility of the transaction.
Stage 04
Once you have chosen a property, the next step is to reserve it. This usually means a payment of up to about USD 5,000, depending on the project and the developer.
The reservation holds the property for a while and gives you time to read the documents calmly, carry out the legal checks and review the terms of purchase.
For offers with a full-refund guarantee, the reservation fee is 100% refundable, and the reservation itself does not commit you to completing the purchase.
Stage 05
This is one of the most important stages of buying property in Mexico.
Together with independent lawyers and other specialists, we help organise a review of the property documents, its legal status and the terms of the planned transaction.
For new developments we pay particular attention to the project documents, the required permits, the developer’s track record and its obligations.
The goal is to spot risks as early as possible, before you make the final decision.
Stage 06
Once the terms are agreed and the necessary checks are complete, the purchase contract is signed.
We help coordinate contact with the developer, the seller and the law firm, so that every important clause is clear to you.
In many cases the documents can be signed remotely, without travelling to Mexico.
Stage 07
How you pay depends on the type of property and the terms of the contract.
For a property under construction, payments can be spread over several stages according to an agreed schedule.
For a finished property, payment is usually made in fewer instalments, on terms agreed by the parties.
We help clients keep track of deadlines and coordinate communication between everyone involved.
Stage 08
When the property is ready, it is handed over.
We help arrange a check that the unit matches the agreed standard, a review of the finish and fittings, and a record of any defects.
If you cannot be there in person, we help arrange a handover by an authorised representative.
Stage 09
The purchase is completed before a Mexican notary, who carries out the steps required to formally transfer ownership. We coordinate the whole process with a specialised law firm that oversees the transaction.
On top of the price, buyers should allow for additional transaction costs.
5–8%of the property value, indicative
Depending on the Mexican state, the value of the property and the type of transaction, total purchase costs can come to roughly 5–8% of the property value, and in some cases more.
Foreigners buying residential property in the restricted zone, within 50 km of the coast and 100 km of Mexico's borders, usually buy through a bank trust (fideicomiso).
The exact fees depend on the bank and the terms of the transaction. A fideicomiso lets a foreign buyer use the property, rent it out, sell it and leave it to their heirs.
The scope and cost of additional legal support, detailed investment analysis or buyer representation are agreed individually.
We charge buyers no commission!
Using ALMA MÉXICO as your agent comes with no additional fees for the buyer.
Our commission is already included in the property price and paid by the seller or developer.
This means you pay nothing extra for finding the property, arranging presentations, negotiating or coordinating the purchase.
Yes. Foreigners buy property in Mexico legally and without residency. In the restricted zone, within 50 km of the coast and 100 km of the borders, residential property is usually bought through a bank trust (fideicomiso).
It is an agreement in which a Mexican bank holds the title as trustee while you make the decisions. You can rent the property out, sell it and leave it to your heirs. The property is not part of the bank’s assets.
No. The bank follows your instructions, and you do not need its consent to rent, sell or alter the property. If the bank ceased to operate, the fideicomiso would move to another bank.
Not always. We can show you properties in a remote video presentation, in many cases you can sign the documents remotely, and an authorised representative can take the handover. For the notary deed you can come in person or grant a power of attorney.
No. The site shows a selection, and we work with local agencies and developers in several regions of Mexico. After a call we will prepare proposals that fit your budget.
Your Mexico starts here
Whether you are planning your first apartment abroad, an investment to rent out or an exceptional residence, ALMA MÉXICO will help you find the right property and guide you through every stage of the purchase.
