Essential Legal Insights for Foreign Buyers in Mexico's Real Estate Market with Luis Alfonso Navarette
Welcome to this episode of The Expat Experience, where real estate professional Robert DeForge explores the realities of buying property in Mexico. Today, he welcomes Luis Alfonso Navarette, an independent attorney specializing in real estate law in San Carlos, Mexico. Luis brings invaluable insight into the legal intricacies of property transactions, from reviewing contracts and verifying ownership to ensuring compliance with Mexican real estate laws. Together, they’ll discuss the challenges foreign buyers face, the misconceptions U.S. and Canadian clients often have, and the essential role of notaries in property transactions. Whether you're considering purchasing property in Mexico or simply curious about the process, this episode is packed with must-know information to help you confidently navigate the market.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- (:57) Luis introduces himself and talks about his real estate law practice
- (3:51) Reveals the challenges and ethical considerations in purchasing property in Mexico
- (7:03) Discussion of misconceptions clients from the US or Canada may have
- (11:33) Luis shares that buying a property has become much more involved
- (15:51) Luis shares his educational background and what drew him to San Carlos
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Luis Alfonso Navarette is an independent attorney specializing in real estate and property law in San Carlos, Mexico. He reviews contracts, verifies property records, and ensures legal compliance before finalizing transactions.
- The public registry holds the final word on property ownership and liens. While Navarette reviews legal documents and ensures transparency, the notary public—appointed by the state—has the exclusive authority to formalize property transactions in Mexico.
- Buyers from the U.S. and Canada often misunderstand the Mexican property purchasing process, especially the role of notaries and realtors. Ensuring a property has a clear title and no liens are critical, and foreign buyers typically work with attorneys, realtors, a notary public, and a trust company to navigate the process smoothly.
RESOURCES:
Transcript
Luis Alfonso Navarette: Uh, no, uh, I'm not a Notar exactly.
but they are appointed, uh, [: e do your services come into [: ette: Well, uh, mainly it's, [: that the parties, uh, sign. [: some of the things that you [: ure that there are no liens. [: fight at the end. They make [:Rob DeForge: So where are some of the challenges and, uh, ethical considerations in that process?
Luis Alfonso Navarette: [: ansparent and honest with my [:Luis Alfonso Navarette: They reviewed that all of the signatures and everything, it's okay.
Rob DeForge: Can you give us an example of a red flag, something that, that would pop up that you would have to tell the client don't go forward with this?
Luis Alfonso Navarette: [: cess, of the process, I will [: take a couple of hours. Um, [: the property. That is right. [:Luis Alfonso Navarette: to, um, to the purchase of a property.
r, you know, bad information [: om, uh, Canada or the U. S., [: . Uh, uh, realtors in the U. [: u need to take, which is not [: part of the process and they [: gether as a team at the end. [:Rob DeForge: So in total, how many people do we have involved here? We have my, my self as an agent, we have notario yourself as another set of eyes on the, on the process and who else would be involved
Luis Alfonso Navarette: [: then a third party attorney [:Rob DeForge: And the trust company that that's part of the process as well. Yes,
Luis Alfonso Navarette: of course, you're right in the case of trust.
varette: Um, the bank is the [: So they have your money. Uh, [: end, As with a bank account, [:Rob DeForge: So could you share some of your experiences that come to your mind, both good and bad, that you've encountered?
Luis Alfonso Navarette: [: tain some, uh, you know, uh, [: of exceptions that the bank [: I have seen that the banks, [:Rob DeForge: To mention, you know, a lot of times what we face is a concern from buyers outside of Mexico there.
lved. And they have concerns [: is that as this process, uh, [: g patient. And another thing [: ferent, uh, world views. So, [: ce the eighties or nineties, [:Luis Alfonso Navarette: Uh, plays both San Carlos and Rocky Point.
o share as far as your path, [: llo. I was born there in the [: , uh, with him and I went to [: issues from: Luis Alfonso Navarette: Um, [: ificial intelligence applied [: , with really qualified, um, [: er the guidance of Professor [: Luis Alfonso Navarette: From [: hese crazy ideas of going to [: , we have this really strong [: orking in Hermosillo. Uh, me [:Luis Alfonso Navarette: And it's been a great experience. Thank you for that.
: Okay, well, thank you very [: ert. Thank you for having me.[: help navigate the process of [:
