A lot of ex-pats send questions like. “Can a Non- Mexican buy a property in Mexico? What’s the process of buying Real Estate in Mexico? How much taxes do I need to pay,” and so on.. Well, let me start by saying… SI! Yes, You can own a piece of land, apt, or house in Mexico. Even if you are not Mexican. The process it’s pretty simple and the only thing you need is a FIDEICOMISO.
A “Fideicomiso” is a Mexican TRUST. The way it works is the Mexican Government issues a permit to a Mexican Bank of your choice, allowing the bank to act as a purchaser for the property. The bank acts as the “Trustee” for the Trust and you are the “Beneficiary” of the Trust. The “Beneficiary” rights are very similar to Living Wills or Estate Trusts in the U.S. The law authorizes Mexican banking institutions to act as trustees. A trustee takes instructions only from the beneficiary of the trust (the foreign purchaser meaning YOU). The beneficiary has the right to use, occupy and possess the property, including the right to build on it or otherwise improve it. The beneficiary may also sell the rights and instruct the trustee to transfer title to a qualified owner. The home or property that you buy will be put into a trust with you named as the beneficiary of the trust – you are not a lessee.