Everything you need to know about buying a home, second residence or investment property in Baja California Sur
Buying property in Mexico for the first time can feel exciting — and a little overwhelming.
Where should you buy?
Which community is right for you?
How does the purchasing process work?
Do you need to be a Mexican resident?
How much should you budget for closing costs?
Can you finance your purchase?
I've helped buyers from all over the world navigate these questions, and my goal is to make the process as simple, transparent and enjoyable as possible. Here is what you need to know before you begin.
One of the most important steps is understanding what and where you actually want to buy.
Los Cabos is not a one-street town. It is a large and rapidly growing destination with thousands of properties and communities stretching from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo and beyond.
There are currently thousands of active listings on the market, ranging from beachfront villas and luxury resorts to private communities, golf residences, condos, pre-construction developments and properties in emerging areas such as Cerritos, Pescadero and Todos Santos.
With so many options, simply sending you listings isn't enough.
That's why we start with a conversation.
Before I start searching, I want to learn about you.
Your lifestyle.
Your family.
Your priorities.
Your budget.
Your expectations.
Your plans for the property.
And, if it's an investment, your income and rental goals.
Are you looking for a vacation home?
A full-time residence?
A future retirement property?
A rental investment?
A property you can eventually pass on to your children?
These details completely change what I recommend.
Give me just 5 minutes of your time for a phone or video call, and I'll have a much better understanding of what could actually work for you.
My goal isn't to find you a listing.
My goal is to find you the right home, the right community and the right investment for your life in Baja.
Once I understand what you're looking for, we'll start narrowing down the areas and communities that match your lifestyle.
Baja California Sur offers a remarkable variety of environments and lifestyles.
You might fall in love with the energy and restaurants of Cabo San Lucas, the sophisticated resort lifestyle of Palmilla, the charm and culture of San José del Cabo, the privacy of a gated community, the golf lifestyle of Quivira, or the slower, more relaxed beach lifestyle of Cerritos, Pescadero or Todos Santos.
And that's exactly why I don't believe in simply sending you a list of properties.
You need to understand the place as much as the property.
I'll explain the neighborhoods, communities, beaches, restaurants, schools, services, accessibility, rental potential and lifestyle of each area so you can make a decision based on the bigger picture.
Once we have established your criteria, I search the market for properties that genuinely fit.
I look beyond the obvious listings and help you compare:
If you're not in Mexico, we can do the entire process remotely.
I can arrange private video tours, walk you through properties virtually and show you the details that photographs don't always reveal.
But if you can come to Baja, I highly recommend it.
There is no substitute for being here.
When you visit, I don't just show you houses.
I show you Baja.
We'll explore different neighborhoods and communities together so you can experience how they actually feel.
I'll take you to see the properties you're considering and explain everything from the location and amenities to the surrounding area and lifestyle.
Sometimes you fall in love with the house.
Sometimes you fall in love with the neighborhood first.
And sometimes you arrive thinking you want one area and leave knowing that another part of Baja is actually where you belong.
That's part of my job — helping you discover the difference.
When you find a property you love, it's time to make an offer.
I prepare a Letter of Intent (LOI) outlining the proposed purchase price and the main terms of the transaction.
The offer can include details such as:
The seller can accept, reject or counter the offer.
Once both parties agree and sign the LOI, the transaction officially moves forward.
After the LOI is accepted, we begin setting up the escrow process.
For a typical resale transaction, the buyer generally deposits approximately 10% of the purchase price into an escrow account, according to the agreed terms.
This deposit serves as a good-faith deposit toward the purchase.
The exact conditions governing the deposit — including when it is refundable — are established in the transaction documents.
This is one of the most important stages of the purchase.
Before you finalize your purchase, we conduct due diligence on the property.
This may include reviewing:
A home inspection can also be arranged to evaluate the physical condition of the property.
The buyer typically pays for the inspection.
My job during this stage is to coordinate with the appropriate professionals and keep you informed throughout the process.
Once due diligence is satisfactory, we move forward with the formal purchase documentation.
In Mexico, the Notario Público plays a central role in the real estate transaction.
The notary reviews the legal status of the property, prepares the corresponding deed and oversees the formalization and registration of the transaction.
For international buyers purchasing property within Mexico's restricted zone, the ownership structure will generally involve a Fideicomiso, or bank trust.
For a typical resale transaction, the closing process is approximately 90 days, although every transaction is different.
After the LOI is signed, we generally have time to:
Open escrow → Complete due diligence → Conduct inspection → Prepare the purchase agreement → Complete the notary process → Prepare for closing → Sign the final documents
At closing, the remaining balance of the purchase price is transferred according to the escrow instructions.
Once all parties have signed and the transaction has been completed, you become the official owner of the property.
The final recorded deed may take several additional months to be issued and registered.
My relationship with my clients doesn't end when the documents are signed.
After closing, there are still a few important things to take care of.
You may need to:
I help guide my clients through these steps and can introduce you to trusted local service providers.
If you live outside Mexico or only visit seasonally, I can also help you find a property manager who can oversee your home while you're away.
Buying property in Baja California Sur isn't just a real estate transaction.
You're choosing a lifestyle.
You're choosing where you'll spend your mornings, where you'll have dinner, where you'll spend weekends with your family, where you'll watch the sunset and, perhaps, where you'll create your next chapter.
That's why I believe finding the right property starts with understanding you.
From our first conversation to exploring communities, touring properties, negotiating your offer, navigating the purchase process and settling into your new home, I'm here to guide you every step of the way.
My goal is simple: to make buying property in Baja feel less complicated, more transparent and — most importantly — exciting.
Let's begin with a conversation.
Give me 5 minutes to tell me what you're looking for, and I'll help you understand where in Baja California Sur your dream home might be waiting.
