Looking for some friendly advice
Hello everyone,hope all is well. So 10 years after getting married in Ixtapa my wife, 7 year old son and myself have decided to buy a beachfront house in the area and spend most of the year there. We have 5 houses lined up to see, from Troncones to Barra de Potosi,all of which have been on the market for 1+years.My question is why so long? Mexican beachfront has been a hot comodity for years, so besides being expensive (cheap compared to Toronto)what is wrong with this picture? We are also considering building our own house and was wondering if anyone here might know a approximate price per square foot to build or would it be to much of a nightmare with all the red tape and dishonest builders? Lastly schools, public, private? Any advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.... Thanks Chris
Looking for some friendly advice
by frostbite 
, Hamilton MT, Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 12:01 (3085 days ago) @ Bcbuddy
Send me your e-mail address - by clicking on the white envelope next to my name - and I'll tell you our story off the board.
Looking for some friendly advice
by midalake , Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 13:11 (3085 days ago) @ Bcbuddy
Hello everyone,hope all is well. So 10 years after getting married in Ixtapa my wife, 7 year old son and myself have decided to buy a beachfront house in the area and spend most of the year there. We have 5 houses lined up to see, from Troncones to Barra de Potosi,all of which have been on the market for 1+years.My question is why so long? Mexican beachfront has been a hot comodity for years, so besides being expensive (cheap compared to Toronto)what is wrong with this picture? We are also considering building our own house and was wondering if anyone here might know a approximate price per square foot to build or would it be to much of a nightmare with all the red tape and dishonest builders? Lastly schools, public, private? Any advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.... Thanks Chris
Well almost anywhere is cheaper than Toronto. I think since the CAD is so low compared to the US dollar there has been Canadians not willing to jump in. A few years back when it was at par, there was a buying spree like I have never seen.
I own here in Ixtapa. All I have to say is from what I know coming here 29 years, I personally would never buy a free standing house. Good luck on your search.
D
Looking for some friendly advice
Can I ask why you would never buy a free standing house?
Looking for some friendly advice
by Mexalberta , Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 13:47 (3085 days ago) @ Bcbuddy
We would never buy a freestanding house. As many Mexicans have told us, for the most part you are borrowing it from Mother Nature and someday she will take it back. We have an opinion that if you are paying fees and taxes in a condo they are an official collection and payment. In the present crime riddled climate you also may pay an unofficial fee or tax or move.
Not saying that is the case but if businesses are paying the fee fee why not homeowners.
Looking for some friendly advice
by ZihuaRob 
, Zihuatanejo, México, Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 14:18 (3085 days ago) @ Mexalberta
We would never buy a freestanding house. As many Mexicans have told us, for the most part you are borrowing it from Mother Nature and someday she will take it back. We have an opinion that if you are paying fees and taxes in a condo they are an official collection and payment. In the present crime riddled climate you also may pay an unofficial fee or tax or move.
Not saying that is the case but if businesses are paying the fee fee why not homeowners.
As a resident we would much prefer to see folks buy existing homes than to build new structures. We live in the heart of downtown Zihuatanejo yet we don't feel we live in a crime-riddled climate, and our current home is one of the oldest if not THE oldest cement structure in the region. We pay no extortionists and our taxes are very reasonable. While our old home requires constant maintenance we feel the money is much better spent than paying a condo association fee. We have our own long-time workers who do most of our work and maintenance. There are many very nice single family homes and townhouses on the local market, and it's currently a buyers' market.
Looking for some friendly advice
Hmmm, so that was the million dollar question I was afraid to ask, if my house is a business I can expect to pay a "fee"?, btw my wife is Mexican if that makes a difference.
Looking for some friendly advice
Then of course buy it in her name and avoid the trust fees annually. When you aren’t here who looks after the property, there is something to be said for gated communities or condos. I owned two pieces of property on Playa Blanca, previously. It was difficult keeping the wire on the fence, and even the concrete fence posts. Things that aren’t permanent disappear if somone can sell it, it will be gone.
Looking for some friendly advice
by midalake , Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 16:22 (3085 days ago) @ Bcbuddy
Can I ask why you would never buy a free standing house?
Too many stories over too many years covering multiple different topics. Not worth hashing out here. Buyer beware....be careful. Also you stated looking into the fringes to live......not downtown.
D
Looking for some friendly advice
by moonbird1 , Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 15:43 (3085 days ago) @ Bcbuddy
Send me your e-mail address - click on the white envelope next to our name. We have been living here for 10 years
Looking for some friendly advice
by Rsimms , Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 22:02 (3085 days ago) @ Bcbuddy
I just finished building a house Zihuatanejo this past month. I enjoyed the process of selecting the lot and playing a part in the final design. I would be happy to share any information off-line if you are interested.
