TalkBaja.com » Baja Real Estate Advice / Discussion » Before you even think about buying property

In 2005 we took a trip to Rosarito when we retired and fell in love with some areas so we decided to look around and see what we could find as far as a lot to build.We came home and went back and we met this real estate guy that offered to help us find the perfect ocean view lot across from Puerto Nuevo.I would like to talk to Rumana, does anyone have his information how to get a hold of him ? We have not build yet and probably never will.

Originally Posted by susanna

In 2005 we took a trip to Rosarito when we retired and fell in love with some areas so we decided to look around and see what we could find as far as a lot to build.We came home and went back and we met this real estate guy that offered to help us find the perfect ocean view lot across from Puerto Nuevo.I would like to talk to Rumana, does anyone have his information how to get a hold of him ? We have not build yet and probably never will.

Hi Susanna and welcome to TalkBaja.

I expect Raphael will chime in soon. There are plenty of safe investment opportunities in that area for people who ask the right questions. Given the current buyer's market, it's probably much cheaper to buy a resale or spec house than building. It's not the same market as 2005 and your patience could be rewarded. You might even consider a lease/option on a house you like. That is becoming more common down here for testing the waters.

I agree - if you make the decision to buy - look for something already built. Even if it isn't your dream home with all the money you will save you will have lots of cash left over to remodel/add onto the home.

The only reason we built down here was there was nothing available in the area we chose to live. I recently did a comparison of what we have spent to properties in the Rosarito-Ensenada coastal corridor on the market right now. In spite of the fact that I have saved by doing some of the work myself and acting as my own general contractor, we could have bought a very nice home up there without all the work of the last four years for the same amount.

But years ago we made a decision to get involved with a project down here that eventually would require that we live here full time and here we are. Life is about making choices that don't always make economic sense and we honestly don't regret it one bit.

Before you even consider buying however I strongly recommend you spend some serious time down here renting in the area(s) you are considering. Only then will you have a real chance to see if life down here is truly a good fit for you and allow you a better perspective on where that might be.

Good luck!

Now that the new INM regulations are kicking in you might want to wait 6 months and see what happens to real estate.
Might be an adjustment in housing prices amongst expats.

What this about? Pricing in Mexico rarely follows logic, reason or the laws of supply and demand. Right now there are a ton of rental houses that ex-pats just couldn't sell. After sitting empty for four years- they gave up. So now we have a glut of rental houses and that market is price sensitive. All it's done is attract a lower tier of ex-pats (tied to deportees) that will further drive up crime and drive down rents. Not really a good cycle we are in here. One Rosarito Realtor recently told me there was a niche group of on-line poker players moving to Rosarito Beach. I don't think the new anti-money-laundering banking rules are favorable to those type transactions.

Originally Posted by soulpatch

Now that the new INM regulations are kicking in...

I've been so busy lately I am totally out of the loop - what changes are coming?

Thank you everyone that responded to my question, so far i have not seen Rumana although i need to wait until i hear from him.Very good information and totally agree that renting before making the decision not knowing what area is the best.

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

I've been so busy lately I am totally out of the loop - what changes are coming?

Anyone "involved" in the production of Abalone in Baja wil be throughly examined -- the individual, not the "crop"