Buying property in Mexico as a foreigner

Check the property and the seller

Ask for the deed or trust documents, registry information, and evidence of the seller’s authority. Compare the registered boundaries and lot area with the survey and cadastral records. Check for liens, unpaid charges, access, land tenure and land use restrictions.

Confirm the ownership structure

Mexico’s restricted zone extends 50 km inland from the coast and 100 km from international borders. Foreign buyers cannot hold direct title to land in that zone. A Mexican bank can hold title as trustee under a fideicomiso, with the buyer holding beneficiary rights under the trust agreement. The bank applies for the foreign affairs ministry permit when establishing the trust.

Official SRE guidance (Spanish)

Review the deposit and closing costs

Before signing, check when any deposit is refundable, which documents and approvals are required, and when funds are released. Ask for a written estimate of taxes, notary and registry fees, and any bank setup or annual fees.

Plan the closing and future transfer

Coordinate the deed and registration with the Mexican notary. If the property is already held in trust, ask the bank how the transfer of beneficiary rights will be handled. Review successor beneficiary designations and request copies of the signed and registered documents.