TIPS
Following are some tips to make your Loreto experience as perfect as possible. Click on each tip for more information.

Spend Time Before You Buy

Research Before You Invest

Learn Spanish

Live Like a Resident

Patience is King

Local Police are Best in State

Obey Local Laws

Everything You Need

SPEND TIME
BEFORE YOU BUY
Before deciding to move to Loreto/Baja, come down and stay for a minimum of three months.  The exposure to the culture, lifestyles, and customs of the area will help you decide if you are suited to life in Loreto.  As much as I want to help you acquire your dream home, I plan to be here for a long time, and I want to insure that you haven’t made a hasty decision.

RESEARCH BEFORE
YOU INVEST
Don’t invest in anything until you’ve done your research, and always use the services of a competent Notary.  A Notary is very important in Mexico, and serves a function vastly different than in the United States or Canada.  In Mexico, one must be a lawyer for a minimum of five years before even being considered for the appointed position of Notario Publico.  Your Notary will insure that all the paperwork and documentation is correct in any transactions.  Using a Notary will save you a great deal of money, trouble and headaches.

LEARN SPANISH
The happiest ex-patriates living in Loreto are those who have adapted to their adopted country.  There are classes available in several locations, and their price is very reasonable.  One school is run by Professor Jesus Jacques and costs $200 pesos per month (about $21.50 U.S.)  With a commitment of three hours per week, those with a good grasp of grammar will be speaking fluently within a year or two.  It might seem difficult to learn a new language, but it is well worth the effort.

LIVE LIKE A RESIDENT
Learn to live as a resident rather than a tourist.  The secret to an economical lifestyle in Loreto is to “imitate the locals.”  Locally grown produce, domestic meats, and other domestically produced products are inexpensive and of good quality.  Shop in the local markets and learn to cook some of the native dishes.  Try eating at some of the local taco stands.  Not only will you have a great meal, you’ll have the chance to get to know more of the town’s population. In all the time I’ve lived here, I’ve never had a problem with the food.

Another wonderful part of living in Loreto is the close-knit community of ex-patriates.  Besides a community phone list and a web broadcast of upcoming events and newsworthy items, there is always a function, a pot-luck dinner or a game of cards.

PATIENCE IS KING
Bureaucracy and procrastination are alive and well in Mexico.  Exercise patience in long bank lines and during power failures and keep your stress level low.  Carry a book with you and catch up on your reading when things don’t move as quickly as you might like.

BEST POLICE IN THE STATE
Pay-offs and “mordida’ were once very common, but that practice doesn’t occur as often anymore.  We are fortunate in Loreto that our local traffic police are some of the best in the state.  They are all trained in C.P.R. and often fill in for medical staff, especially in the early morning hours.  Don’t be surprised though, if someone wants a little extra to get things done faster.

OBEY LOCAL LAWS
Most ex-patriates agree that Loreto and Mexico in general is much safer than the U.S., but you need to use common sense.  Every community has their share of questionable bars and Loreto is no different. Avoid such places and don’t become inebriated in public at any time.  And it goes without saying … avoid drugs at all times.  Mexico has laws that are based on the Napoleonic system and the penalties for drug use are very harsh!!  The most common type of crime is a minor break-in, and this only occur during the calamari season when transient fisherman come from the mainland.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED
Loreto offers just about everything you will need to live well and economically, but the ‘techies’ and shopping fanatics among us might have to rethink their budgets and lifestyles a bit.  Brand-name items, imported U.S. munchies, packaged foods, and most state-of-the-art electronic equipment are wither exorbitantly expensive or not at all available. Most residents take advantage of their trips back to the states to purchase their favorite consumer goods.

FAQS
These are a few of frequently asked questions about purchasing property and living in Mexico. Click on each question for an expanded answer.

Can I Own Property in Mexico?

Is My Money Safe in Mexico?

What are the Requirements for Residency?

What about Taxation in Mexico?

How are Telephone/FAX/Mail Systems?

What Health Services are Available?

Can a Foreigner Own a Business?

How Safe is it in Mexico?

Is it Easy to Get There?

How About Driving Down the Peninsula?

What About the Cost of Living?

CAN I OWN PROPERTY IN MEXICO?
One of the first questions often asked by foreigners.  The answer is yes!  Canadians and Americans are familiar with purchasing property through the process of “Transfer in Fee Simple”.  The process of purchasing property in Mexico is similar and yet different.  The Mexican Constitution prohibits foreigners from owning property within one hundred kilometers of the border and fifty kilometers from the ocean. These areas are known as the restricted zones.  The entire Baja Peninsula is considered a restricted zone.

In 1970, a Presidential Resolution to the Mexican Constitution allowed foreign ownership of property in the restricted zones by way of a Bank Trust of Fideicomiso. Under the Fideicomiso, a foreigner is able to buy property in the restricted zones with the property held in trust by a Mexican bank.  Under the Bank Trust Agreement (Fideicomiso), the foreign owner, as a beneficiary under the Trust, is able to enjoy the same rights as a Mexican citizen owning property in Mexico; i.e., they are able to build, rent, sell, etc.

The Mexican government issues a Trust Permit to a Mexican bank.  The bank acts as purchaser, has official title of record to the property and is designated as the Fiduciario or Trustee.  As beneficiary of that Trust, the purchaser is entitled to enjoy, develop and use the property as he or she so desires.  The beneficiary may also instruct the bank to sell the rights of that Trust at market value.

Banks have a statutory responsibility to follow instruction submitted to them by the beneficiary, an obligation that is not to be taken lightly. Banks are highly regulated in Mexico and their fiduciary responsibility is pivotal to the Fideicomiso. They are the cornerstone upon which the entire process functions.

A purchaser should pay careful attention to the names that appear on Trust and Title documentation. At the time of purchase, it is best to name a substitute beneficiary in the event of divorce or death in order to facilitate future transfer of that particular trust.  Beneficiaries are easily transferable.

One big advantage of a Trust is with the Beneficiaries and Substitute Beneficiaries.  The Beneficiaries of the Trust are the original purchasers of the property.  Often this is a married couple or partners. It the couple or partners split up or one dies, it is a fairly simple procedure to eliminate one from the title without incurring title transfer taxes.  If something happens to all of the beneficiaries (like death) then the property passes to the substitute beneficiaries who are the heirs of the original purchasers. Once again, it is a simple procedure, but the added bonus is the property does not have to be probated.  No will is needed with a Trust as long as the substitute beneficiary is appointed and mentioned in the title.  Saving your heirs from probate is probably one of the best gift of time and money you can give them, especially if they have no expertise in dealing with Mexican law and bureaucracy.

Orignally the trust was set for a thirty year period.  However, the government has amended the Trust Law and all new agreements are for a fifty year period with further renewals of the Trust for additional fifty year periods.  The property owner has the obligation to pay the annual Trust fees to the bank holding the Trust on their property.  Normal fees run between $350 and $500 approximately each year depending upon the bank.

IS MY MONEY SAFE IN MEXICO?
There are no restrictions to take your money in or out of Mexico.  The unit of currency is the peso and at the present time, the value is approximately ten pesos to one US dollar.  Personal checks are not widely used in Mexico and will not be accepted in most stores.  Major credit cards are widely accepted, but travelers cheques are not.  You can exchange travelers cheques or cash for pesos at any American bank at the going exchange.  If you pay for purchases in dollars, you will usually receive change in pesos. A prospective investor in Loreto would be wise to open a bank account in the community (a US dollar account) and transfer funds from their foreign bank account when required.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENCY?
Mexican regulations require any foreigner who enters the country temporarily for up to six months to carry a valid tourist card in addition to a passport.  The tourist card can easily be obtained north of the border at any Mexican Consulate, offices of Mexican tourism, offices of Mexican airlines, car insurance companies and many travel agencies.  It can also be obtained at any immigration office at a port of entry into Mexico.

Foreigners may reside in Mexico on a permanent income basis if that are at least 55 years old and have a minimum income earned abroad of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) U.S. per month plus five hundred dollars ($500.00) per month for each dependent over 15 years of age.  This is called “Immigrante-Rentista” status.  There are two other categories of residency status – “Investor-Immigrant” status and “Non-immigrant Visitante-Rentista” status.

WHAT ABOUT TAXATION IN MEXICO?
Mexico has concluded a tax treaty with Canada and the U.s. among other countries to avoid double taxation and prevent tax evasion. Non-resident individuals pay Mexican income tax only on income sources located in Mexico.  Resident individuals are taxed on their world-wide income through a progressive income tax with an upper limit of 35%.  Capital gains tax in Mexico (called Impuesto sobre la Renta) is also charged, but is only due on the gain derived from the sale of land without any improvements. Property tax or “Predials” is the local tax on the assessed value of a property.  The concept is not unlike our own system of property taxation yet the amounts involved in Mexico are much less.

It is always recommended that you seek the advice of a competent tax accountant prior to purchasing property in Mexico.

HOW ABOUT TELEPHONE/FAX/MAIL SYSTEMS?
Telmex, the national telephone company was privatized in 1991 and now belongs to a Mexican investment group and it’s foreign partners. As a result, telephone service has dramatically improved and extended throughout Mexico. AT&T direct service is available in Mexico.  FAX and cellular services are expanding, as is the availability of internet access.  In Loreto, it is possible to obtain rapid broadband access via DSL.

The Mexican postal service is still notoriously slow, but the government continues to make efforts for its improvement. Every town in Mexico has a postal station and all foreign postal service is via airmail.

WHAT HEALTH SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
There are excellent doctors and dentists available in every major city in Baja, as well as good hospitals and specialized medical personnel.  A brand new hospital is currently under construction at the entrance to the city of  Loreto.

Expatriates can join the Mexican health care system (IMSS) for a very nominal amount per year.  This plan is very inexpensive and covers ambulance service, pharmaceuticals, office calls, and hospital expenses. Additional coverage can be obtained through the purchase of supplemental policies.

CAN A FOREIGNER OWN A BUSINESS?
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) combined with Mexico’s new Foreign Investment Law provide the necessary safeguards for a North American entrepreneur to operate a business in Mexico. These policies have created a level playing field so that the small business owner can compete with larger counterparts in one of the richest marketplaces in the world.  Foreigners can now onw businesses in Mexico as sole proprietors or as an incorporated company without having to have a Mexican partner.

Since NAFTA, there is a new category of immigration into Mexico called FMN. The FMN is available on demand and provides the easiest process for a foreigner wishing to do business in country.  The FMN is meant to be a provisional thirty day work visa (renewable) to permit individuals to explore business opportunities.  Once a business is established and working, the FMN can be converted to an FM-3.

HOW SAFE IS IT IN MEXICO?
Violent crimes, such as hold-ups, muggings, and rape are very uncommon in most of Latin America. In any instance, visitors and residences are advised to take usual precautions.  Mexico’s strong family and community oriented society effectively discourages juvenile crime and delinquency.  Drug use is strictly forbidden at all levels of society.


IS IT EASY TO GET THERE?
Alaska Airlines has roundtrip direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Loreto on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Delta has daily roundtrip fights, LAX-LORETO.

Beginning in June 2007, Continental will begin twice weekly roundtrip flights from Houston during the high season, and weekly during off-season.

HOW ABOUT DRIVING DOWN THE PENINUSLA?
Americans and Canadians from as far as the Yukon and Alaska have been vacationing and driving their vehicles (including motorhomes) down the Baja Peninsula.  Fonatur (Mexico’s tourist department) has instituted the Angeles Verdes – Green Angels – who patrol the highways with full mechanical/repair trucks to help anyone who has not already been assisted by friendly locals.  AAA in the United States carries a full range of maps and guidebooks with recommendations for lodging and meals, as well as sightseeing.

WHAT ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING?
There is no question that the first reason people retire in Mexico is the incredible climate. The second reason is the lower cost of living.  While not as inexpensive as years past, it is likely that your income will still go farther in Mexico. Although costs of living are very personal, it is not uncommon for two people to live quite comfortably on $1100 U.S. per month.  It is amazing why so many people struggle with cold and/or wet climates, pay high taxes and medical bill, when they could live so much better in Mexico.