REACH OVER 380,000 SUBSCRIBERS EVERY MONTH!

  LIST YOUR PROPERTY WITH US: on one of the  top Caribbean Property Sites. Get your property SEEN!

  ADVERTISE ON THE FRONT PAGE OF YOUR COUNTRY! Reach your target market - people looking for property, information and opportunities in YOUR country.

  PLACE YOUR BANNER ADD ON OUR SITE FOR HUGE TRAFFIC VOLUME! Click here to find out how we can help you sell your property, business, opportunity, ebook or idea.

NEED EXPOSURE FOR YOUR DEVELOPMENT? Advertise your project, your resort, your spa, your condos, your timeshare... whatever you are promoting - in Caribpro.

  SUBSCRIBE FREE! Click here and subscribe to Caribbean Property ezine monthly - FREE! We value your privacy (Unsubscribe anytime)

   DOWNLOAD LATEST EDITION AS A PDF : Click here to download the latest Edition of Caribbean Property Magazine in PDF format, June May 2010. Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Reader. Download the reader here.

  CONTACT US/FEEDBACK Want to contact us? Make a comment? Want more info? Different info? We want you to be satisfied, so tell us what you think...

A comprehensive list of downloadable ebooks available from Caribpro. Titles include:

Retire In Mexico: Live Better For Less. Live in Mexico and join the many other retires who have done their homework, which resulted in mexico where you can live better for less.

Escape The Corporation:  How to live the life you have always dreamed of - free from the corporate slog.

Living & Investing: In Panama Find your dream in panama by enjoying an affordable and comfortable setting.

   The Portable Professional:
Using technology, log in from anywhere and earn a living. please yourself and make money doing it.

The Mexican Caribbean - 200 Miles of Surprises
by Alan F. Graham and Heather Moreau

PART 2: Navigating Mexican Legal Waters Successfully

In PART 1, we examined Spectacular and Good Value, Business Geography, Beach Areas and Current Property examples on the Mexican Caribbean; Steps on How to Buy Property on the Mexican Caribbean that included your own Needs Assessment; the Yucatan Real Estate Game; How to Select the Right Realtor; and what to look for in a Mexican Beachfront Property on the Caribbean Sea. We also looked at some basic demographics including who’s buying where. As a consumer, you now know why, when, and where to search and the beginnings of how to go about it all.

In PART 2, we present our basic primer – the Nuts & Bolts - on how to accomplish your goal of closing on a Mexican Caribbean Beach Property successfully. Plus costs and a Hot Spot example.

The Nuts & Bolts
STEP 1 – HIRE A RECOMMENDED NOTARIO AND ATTORNEY.

The NOTARIO PUBLICO is the most pivotal person in the buying process. Unlike a “notary” in the United States who attends classes to stamp or seal documents, a Mexican Notario wields much authority and vast responsibility.

Mexican law requires any and every real estate transaction to go through a Notario. In your Mexican property buying process, the Notario stands high and above all others as the single most vital person you will hire. This applies to whether you use a realtor or buy directly from the owner. It is the Notario who remains your primary consumer protector and insurer of accurate records.

A Notario must first be a licensed attorney. Then, usually two additional years of study beyond law school. Afterwards, he or she must make official application to the government to be considered for a position as a government certified Notario. Notarios are real estate transfer specialists. (Some buyers utilize the Notario as their attorney or have the Notario and his partner attorney all under one roof, or the same company. One-stop shopping and oftentimes less expensive. Other buyers prefer to engage the services of a Notario and another attorney separately.

The Notario is actually a representative of the government and a quasi-government official. They are appointed by the government and are regulated and routinely monitored. Mexican Law requires that the Notario execute the title search. If the Notario makes an error, he can lose his certification and title as a government authorized Notario and refused the right to function.

The Notario alone both authorizes the transfer of property, and certifies the property deed as legal and binding. Their official stamp on your deed at closing translates as gospel. The Notario officially certifies that the property is clear and free of any obstacles so you can make the purchase legally. He or she can put together your corporation or organize your bank trust (below). Like any professional you contract, make certain your Notario is recommended to you.

HOW HOT THE LOTS?

WHERE: 7-Mile long (10km+) Tanquila Area, Costa Maya

WHAT: 20-Meter (65 ft) Wide Palm-Treed Beach Lots

WHY HOT: Supply diminishing due to current affordability of these lots – great value; Tanquila has makings of an international community (75 lots sold to foreigners since 2004 ); but very little construction and quiet - for now; expansion of nearby Chetumal Airport into an International Airport; one of the final stretches of raw Caribbean beachfront in Mexico, increased boomer interest as more invest and more retire.

COST THEN: 55,000 (2004)

COST NOW: 130,000 (March, 2007)

PROJECTED: 265,000 (Projected 2009)

TREND: Additional limited, lot divisions expected on the market soon.

STEP 2 – RECOGNIZE THAT THE BEACH IS A RESTRICTED ZONE.

The purchase by foreigners of beach property including lots and homes within 31 miles inland of the water (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico , Anywhere) is prohibited. This is called the RESTRICTED ZONE.

So how do you obtain your beach dream home? In order to promote beach property sales to foreigners and other foreign investment, the Mexican Government has provided two methods (with more on the drawing board); one legislated in the 1990s, the other one in the 1970s. Sounds contradictory but that legislation gave foreigners beach buying rights via two methods. The next step clarifies purchasing options and helps you make your dream of beach ownership a reality.

After all, Mexico is loaded with Americans, Europeans, Canadians, and other foreign investors, small time residents and big investors alike, who live or own property on the beach!

STEP 3 – BUY YOUR PROPERTY WITH CONFIDENCE

Fideicomiso (Bank Trust)

Most foreigners have placed confidence in purchasing their own beachfront property through the Fideicomiso or the Bank Trust. This has been done for many decades quite successfully and is the most popular method. A very safe and desirable avenue for you.

You enjoy ALL rights of ownership as if you owned the property outright. You can live there, rent it out, and make alterations and additions. You can even sell the property and transfer the trust to the new owners if you like.

Usually your Notario Attorney (who will also handle your closing) engages a bank for you and the result is the Trust. Your name and the bank’s name are on the formal papers. The bank holds the title as the legally recognized “administrator of the trust” for you for 50 years (which probably puts it past your lifetime!). Then, it is renewable for another 50 years for your heirs and each 50 year period afterwards (no limit on renewals).

You possess similar property rights as the Corporation route of ownership. But with less flexibility on what you can do with your property insofar as having a business, for example. Designed solely for residential use, the trust boasts a big advantage: your beneficiaries may be listed in the legal trust papers. Restrictions on the size of the lot purchased are in place under a fideicomiso – 2000 square meters (for example, a 150 ft x 150 ft is about 1600 sq meters). Takes a couple of months to set up and a tad pricier than buying via corporation. Cost for the fideicomiso is about $3000-$5000 to set up with an annual renewal and bank fees of $400 to $1000 or so. All pricing depends on the value of the property to be purchased. But the bank trust administration handles all of your work so you have no hassles or paperwork – ever. An added bonus – no property tax (although property taxes in Mexico are absurdly low anyway).

Corporation

Forming your own Mexican Corporation is quite simple. Fashioned after its USA counterpart, the rules and obligations of the Mexican Corporation are similar.

An FM-3 Visa is a requirement. At least two shareholders, you and someone else, comprise the Board. These shareholders can be related, of course, or not, and neither has to be Mexican. You need to have an annual corporate meeting. (Your annual meeting with your accountant serves as the annual corporate meeting.) Your corporation shows profit or loss, pays corporate taxes, and makes business decisions. And an attorney draws up the corporate papers for your new corporation which you get to name, the only real fun part.

Unlike the fideicomiso, the corporation is set up for business purposes. But, you can have a residence on the property if your corporation shows some business activity (i.e. Income and expenses impacting the Mexican economy positively; need be as little as a couple of thousand dollars per year). You can avoid most of this by choosing a temporary dormant status causing your taxes to be much lower. But some filing requirements remain and this dormant status comes under review periodically.

Basically, you own your property through your corporation and you own 100% of the corporation. Through your corporation, you make decisions on what you want to do, or not do. You can buy any size lot and any number of lots now, or in the future. No business restrictions or property buying restrictions exist. You can be entrepreneurial if you like and engage in commerce. Start a small business or a big business, open a hotel, B&B, dive shop, bar, or restaurant or anything. You can build a new house and buy other properties with no restrictions. You can sell under your corporation. In short, you enjoy all the rights and protection of a Mexican owned corporation.

Set-up with the attorney will run in the neighborhood of $2000-$3000 or so. Your accountant will charge you anywhere from $400 to $1200 annually depending on your corporation and its activity. You can set it up faster than the bank trust.

YES, FINANCING IN MEXICO IS POSSIBLE.

It has been said, and quite accurately, that Mexico is a cash culture. Real estate sales have been conducted that way for many years. Until recently, if a consumer needed financing on a newly found property, it would either have to be handled through his own bank back home, or the occasional private owner who was willing to finance.

But in recent years both U.S. and Canadian, Mexican-specific mortgage companies provide new opportunities to consumer property buyers. Again, be sure to select a recommended company.

STEP 4 – IT TAKES AN FM-3 TO FORM A CORPORATION, BUT NOT A TRUST.

Although a requirement to form a corporation, an FM-3 Visa can be obtained by those who may, or may not, wish to live in Mexico full-time but desire at least part-time residency, anyway.

The FM-3 is an annually renewable visa that can be renewed for 5-years (then you graduate to the next step, the FM-2).

With FM-3 status you enjoy more privileges than those afforded with a Tourist Card. In addition to the corporation, it allows you to ship your household goods via overland or sea carrier to any Mexican destination legally - without being taxed.

You can also bring in your automobile with few hassles (and actually never have to change the plates, although you may be stopped periodically for a review of your documents).

There are several types of FM-3s. As of today (the basic requirements that are ever-changing and vary for no apparent reason) you need:

OFFER - TO - CLO$E E$TIMATE*

Cost of Property (assuming a turnkey home or lot): $ 350,000

Closing Costs (approx 7% of “appraised” value): $ 8,000

(Chiefly based on appraised value of purchase - usually 25-50% of purchase price.)

Costs normally include notario fee, title search fees, acquisition & transfer tax, property registration fee, filing, fees for the tax certificate property appraisal, clerical expenses.

OR

Fideicomiso : $ 4000
Fideicomiso Annual Administration Fee: $ 700

STEP 5 – UNDERSTANDING THE FEDERAL ZONE & BEACH CONCESSION.

Now that you know there are safe and sound ways for you to own beach property within the 31-mile “Restricted Zone”, two other terms call for explanation.

Federal Zone
The Federal Zone requires very close examination. In Mexico , all beaches are public beaches. You can stroll down the beach legally in front of anyone’s property.

A “public” zone, the Federal Zone, has been established and runs the length of all of Mexico ’s beaches. The zone runs from the sea to an invisible “line” inland and is owned by the Federal government for the benefit of everyone. Foreigners cannot own property within this Federal Zone, nor can Mexican citizens.

The Federal Zone applies to beach front property within 20 meters, or approximately 66 feet, of the average high tide mark. Now on “most” of the Costa Maya population density is low. However, population density increases, as you go north.

So the Federal Zone may or may not have much of an impact on the foreign property buyer. And the further south you are, the less a concern it is. Mostly, it impacts where you build your home or where a home is already located, not beach traffic. Proper planning and selection is required.

Now here’s the best part. What if you do indeed wanted to do something with the Federal Zone in front of your property? Like build part of your house in the zone? Or a palapa or a pier? Plant a garden? Or open a bar or restaurant? Or construct a boat dock? Well, you can probably do that. Through a “Beach Concession”.

Beach Concession
Foreigners and Mexican nationals alike can apply to the government for use of beach property within the Federal Zone. This is accomplished through a concession that the Federal Government will grant to you. Surprisingly, it is not normally difficult to obtain and very inexpensive. In fact, in some cases fees are eliminated entirely!

If you have a property on the beach, then by all means apply for a Beach Concession – even if you have no plans to ever do anything with it. Retaining an unobstructed view should be a priority.

Beach Concessions are granted after an application is submitted, stating what you are requesting to do with the beach area in the Federal Zone. The Concession grants you temporary use of the beach land. Issued for multi-year periods and renewable under most circumstances, costs vary according to your proposed use of the beach land.

For example, if you want to build a swimming pool with a deck in the Federal Zone, then you can expect to pay several hundred dollars annually for all rights. Naturally, a commercial establishment such as a bar, restaurant, or scuba diving shop will pay more. But let’s say you want to simply plant another palm tree or two or a garden, then you may be exempt from any fees whatsoever. And, of course, the government welcomes eco-conscious endeavors like beach erosion prevention projects or turtle habitat protection.

Some beach houses for sale lie partially or even completely in the Federal Zone. And for new construction, you may want to build a house that overlaps in the zone in order to take advantage of maximum use of your lot – especially a smaller lot. But it is never advisable to try to build a new house completely in the Federal Zone. That could become a little tricky.

Applying for a Beach Concession makes good sense. Although highly unlikely that someone will apply for a beach concession in front of your home, or that it would even be approved, legally it can be done and has been done. So no matter how secluded your property may be, better to be safe than sorry.

TITLE INSURANCE AND ALL.

Although the Notario certifies property as free and clear title, the major North American Title companies can be contracted by consumers for title search insurance here in Mexico . Some buyers choose to and some do not. And North American, International, and Mexican insurance companies are numerous insofar as home insurance for your new acquisition.

Heather Moreau and Alan Graham are permanent residents of the Yucatan Peninsula.

She is from Toronto and he is a native New Orleanian. A strong public service and non-profit background, as well as private sector experience, prepared them fittingly for their research and consumer advocacy service on the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. They are not realtors, but one of their many offered Consumer Services to prospective Yucatan property buyers is to evaluate, interview, screen, and recommend realtors. Heather and Alan conduct area and property research and investigation as well as client discovery tours. They have the only “Consumer Fee-Based” Property Buyer Advocacy consultancy in Yucatan.

Visit their website at www.LandinYucatan.com and sign up to receive the COMPLIMENTARY Report #1: GREAT YUCATAN AREAS TO LIVE.

For more information:
CLICK HERE

Live in Latin America's most overlooked tropical paradise for less than you dreamed possible, live the good life and enjoy all of the amenities of home.

Confronted with the spiraling cost of living in the United States, Europe and Canada, people from all walks of life and all ages - including baby boomers and seniors - are searching for an affordable place to live or retire without sacrificing their current lifestyles. Panama, one of Latin America's best-kept secrets, just might be the country many people are seeking. Located only two and one-half hours by air from Florida, Panama has everything for potential retirees and residents - Expatriates, investors and retirees are welcome in Panama. If you choose Panama as an investment / retirement haven, or as a location for your business you will be moving to a country with a very welcoming attitude and a modern infrastructure.

The 2004-2006 1st edition of the one-of-a-kind "Living and Investing in Panama." offers invaluable assistance to anyone looking for a safe, affordable place to live outside of the United States. This useful report contains all the ins and outs and dos and don'ts and much more indispensable secret insider information about all areas of living in Panama. It guides you step by step and shows how to live on a budget; 100s of sure-fire tips, valuable contacts business resources; how to stay busy and happy; the best places to live in Panama; how to acquire residency; time proven shortcuts for learning Spanish; how take advantage of the many tax savings for foreign residents, how to make the break from the rat race and start a new exciting life; and even how and where to find quality people for companionship.

Living & Investing In Panama
CLICK HERE

Yes, you can live in Belize - It exceeds expectations exponentially - see and do it ....

CLICK HERE

By Lan Sluder - How to Live, Retire, Work or Invest in Belize - The English Speaking, Frost Free Paradise On The Caribbean Coast - For a certain kind of person there is a certain kind of place; and for certain people that place is Belize. Belize - the laid back Caribbean country of Central America! It's a favorite of those seeking a calmer lifestyle in close proximity to the wonders of nature. It's also become one of the hottest expatriate destinations in Caribbean Latin America. ...it's not for everyone, but it may be for you. If so, there's a new eBook that will take you to Belize and help you stay there.

Belize Special Report
CLICK HERE

This is not a book about living in Costa Rica; it is a 140 page comprehensive English-language guide to buying Costa Rica real estate.

Contrary to what some people may have told you, there is no Multiple Listing Service! Trying to establish the 'value' of real estate is difficult.

Half the population of Costa Rica call themselves 'brokers' because anybody can freely call themselves a real estate 'broker'. They do not need any qualifications, training or experience to try and sell you real estate.

What this means is that when you search for Costa Rica real estate, which may be one of the biggest investments of your life, more than likely, you will listen to expert advice coming from someone with zero qualifications or training in real estate, who is trying very hard to earn a sales commission selling you a property that could be overpriced.

If this sounds like a recipe for disaster to you, it can be!

CLICK HERE to find out more.

Have you ever thought about retiring in Mexico? How about retiring in one of its many lovely retirement havens?

Dru Pearson, the author of this report, tells us that there are five major areas where American and Canadian retirees tend to congregate. While there may be a few expatriates scattered in a dozen villages throughout Mexico, most Americans and Canadians settle in one of five locations: San Miguel de Allende, Mazatlan, Oaxaca, Guadalajara, or Lake Chapala. Dru Pearson visited all these areas before settling in Lake Chapala. Dru gives sound and thoughtful advice on retirement in Mexico. Everything from how to pick your location to Mexican paperwork is covered. If you've ever considered retirement in Mexico please read this report first. It has the information that would otherwise take you months of frustration to acquire.

But why Mexico, you might ask? The reason so many Americans and Canadians choose Mexico is because they can drive to Mexico in a car. A bigger reason is that Mexico is a bargain compared to the USA and Canada. But there are also a large number of Europeans in Mexico. Mexico is rich with history, steeped in culture, having perhaps a more pronounced culture than any other nation in latin America with the exception of Brazil and Argentina. Mexico has great food, great architecture and many areas with an excellent climate. Mexico is also modern, with better highways than many parts of latin America and an infrastructure that allows foreigners to connect via telephone and internet to the rest of the world. This level of infrastructure isn't available in Nicaragua, nor in Guatemala, and this is a very important determining factor for the retiree who doesn't want to be inconvenienced by inconveniences.

For more information:
CLICK HERE

Dominican Republic information about : real estate, retirement, residency, relocation, banking, investments CLICK HERE

The Dominican Republic Report - The Complete Report On The Dominican Republic.

There are many places you can go to in the Caribbean, but there is only one spot that has been called "The Best Kept Secret".

Easy and instant download of this report in pdf. CLICK HERE

Yes, you can afford to move to an English speaking island in the Caribbean!

A new ebook by Jennifer Miller will entertain as you learn step-by-step how you can move to a little known paradise in the Caribbean and live the life of your dreams in the seductive tropics.

Information not readily available to the 'ordinary tourist' is detailed, along with a real sense of how it is to live on the 'Nature Island'. Details of cost of living, finding a house and deciding where to live on the island are all discussed in depth. You will also learn the steps of how to manage (and not mismanage!) a move to the island, including important pitfalls to avoid.

This ebook contains the important information anyone considering a Dominican retirement should know, including:

• how to move your household
• what to bring in that move
• where to live on the island
• how to negotiate the visa process
• how to buy a car
• how to find a rental
  

Written with humor and love for the island, this ebook is the only material available at this time about moving to the Nature Island.

CLICK HERE