Moving South to Mexico

Moving South...

04/26/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Melissa S. Monroe
San Antonio Express-News Business Writer

Francoise Becker of Santa Fe, N.M., wants to move to a community south of Cancun within the next few years. The retired registered nurse has visited Mexico more than 30 times, so she's comfortable living there. But more importantly, she's looking for a cheaper lifestyle.

"I would like to find a house, condo or something to spend the winter months," Becker said. "Ever since George Bush has been elected, I don't know if I can do another four years (here) and I don't know what's going to happen with the economy."

In the meantime, Becker has been coordinating with Teresa Moreno of Mexico Investment Tours in San Antonio to make her dream life in Mexico come true.

Over the past year, Moreno has helped Americans buy property in Mexico or relocate there. Moreno, who makes her money from the real estate commissions, also teaches clients about taxes and investments, and walks them through the process of buying property.

Real estate agents like Moreno have been busy showing American baby boomers some of Mexico's hidden treasures — such as San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic, and the Mayan Riviera.

The U.S. State Department estimates that the number of Americans in Mexico has increased to about 1 million from about 200,000 a decade ago.

Joel Smith and Sue Weiss moved to the small community of Ajijic, north of Guadalajara, several years ago to get away from the fast-paced California lifestyle. Now they serve as real estate agents helping Americans, Canadians and Europeans move to Mexico.

Smith and Weiss find life's luxuries more affordable in Mexico. Smith pays his full-time maid $65 a week, and his wife enjoys frequent facials and massages, with a one-hour massage just $20.

Smith said Ajijic is relatively unknown and is home to mostly foreigners who speak English. He said it's also a place where Mexicans have vacation and weekend homes.

"Probably in the last three to four years we have had baby boomers investing here," Smith said. "They realize they will pay a premium if they wait too long because the rate of appreciation over the last two years has been 30 to 50 percent. From our perspective, now is a good time to invest."

In recent years, a few U.S. companies have offered financing for Mexican properties, but sometimes with higher interest rates.

Although Mexico prohibits foreigners from buying real estate on its coastlines and borders, many investors have found ways around that by going through a bank trust that would hold title to the property.

Mark Ambrose, owner of Custom Pest and Lawn Service in San Antonio, has been working with Moreno to find a vacation home in Mexico. But he thinks some of the coastal properties are too expensive.

His plan is to invest in Mexican property now so it will be paid for by the time he retires in about 15 years.

Because Mexico doesn't have a regulated real estate commission like the United States does, Moreno recommends that clients get a licensed Mexican attorney to help with the process.

Moreno also is a member of Associación Mexicana de Profesionales Immobiliarios or AMPI, which has partnered with the U.S.-based National Association of Realtors to bring credibility to Mexico's real estate industry.

But while Mexico is becoming more popular with Americans, many still perceive the country as having too much crime.

Laura Hicks of San Antonio's Mexican Businessmen's Association, moved here several years ago from a middle class neighborhood in Guadalajara. While she lived there, her brother's car was stolen and several of her neighbors' houses were broken into. She said Mexicans have learned to live with kidnappings among the wealthy.

But Smith believes Mexico has less corruption than the United States has, and Americans are just numb to crime here since it's always in the media.

After living the "rat race" in California, Smith said, Ajijic provides a more "meaningful" life for him and his wife.

"Mexicans do things differently than we gringos do up north," Smith said. "You have to be looking for a sense of adventure and looking for something different in life. If somebody is content with a house on a golf course, and not involved locally, then I would discourage them to come here."

Source: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/MYSA042605_01E_MovingtoMexico_2134f1d9a_html30966.html  

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Casa Preciosa Side Bar Notes:

If your Mexico vacation plans include Ajijic-Chapala travel to the state of Jalisco near Guadalajara, consider staying at Casa Preciosa the best lodging Ajijic has to offer.

Casa Preciosa provides the comforts of home while you are on vacation in Lake Chapala, Mexico.

Also..

For the location of Lake Chapala in Mexico, click on the Ajijic Map Link.