My husband Todd and I are also building in Villas de Oasis. Thanks to Brighton and his great videos we came to visit La Paz in July 2023. Realtor Gordon Wilson met with us and took us on an extensive tour of homes in La Paz and El Centenario. This subdivision checked all of our boxes as well and we made an offer. Looking forward to meeting our new neighbors. Hasta luego!
Here’s a tip, Bodega Aurrera is one of the chains that has some of the best home appliances prices in México. Bodega Aurrera is part of Walmart, but for some reason the prices are better in Bodega Aurrera than in Walmart. 😉
I have watched this specific video over 10 times this couple is hard working no bs approach and very practical. I wish them the best in Mexico!!! Very inspirational/motivational!!
Great video. My wife and I have purchased in the same neighborhood (phase 2 ). Construction is just starting on our home and we couldn’t be more excited. I guess we will be neighbours!
I stumbled upon the Comptroller of La Paz while trying to find a Jeep roof rack. His statement to me rings true: "In Mexico, we build things. We do not buy things." At the time, I had no idea who he was, but he introduced me to a fabricator who built a roof rack to my specifications, AND he hauled me back and forth from Centinario! As "payment" I bought him his favorite treat from the local cafe and introduced him to Cuban Cafe (too strong for him, but he liked it diluted!) I love the people of Baja Sur!
Thanks for making these super informative videos! This couple really resonated with me and my bf. We bought pre-construction in San Jose last January. Still waiting on the finish which is coming along. We are still figuring out the timeline but so excited for the move.
My wife is from Tabasco. We are moving to Colmalcalco Tabasco Mexico (2 kids included). We built an apartment in that small city 4 years ago... it's all paid off now. Can't wait to start a new life!😊
Very informative and entertaining video, thank you for sharing your journey to creating a home in La Paz. You are truly blessed to split time in two of the most beautiful places on this planet!
Brighten is putting out some really good content. These buyers got very lucky, buying a pre build in mexico is super dangerous for expats, there is almost no recourse if the builder walks away, better to buy something finished. Excellent vlog, gracias!
I agree about pre-construction being risky. Especially how these guys bought direct from the developer. It's best to hire an agent or get a lawyer to represent you. But most agents don't want to show these less expensive properties because the developers don't offer a commission. However, as the buyer, you can work out a deal with your agent to pay their fee. And this development seems to be represented by a legit real estate agency now, so I'd be more comfortable because that company is putting their reputation on the line if something goes south.
@AlmostRetiredinMexico may be on "legit real estate co, and worried about reputation," but why take the chance? So many foreigners like these guys will want to sell in a year or two, let them fix all the problems and buy it finished for 20% less?
@@davebacon6194 Finished for 20% less? Where are you seeing prices go down after construction is complete? Tom and Toni's neighbor's house is currently under contract for $185,000. New houses in this subdivision are listing for $155,000. Most people buy pre-construction because the price is much lower than when the house is complete.
Wow La Paz real estate is appreciating? Who's moving there, not as many expats because of the strong peso and high visa requirements right? Based on the typical scenario of the expat buying when they first get to mexico, realizing it's not their thing, and selling at a loss, wiser to rent for a year or two, no?
It was a risk and we knew it. We made a few payments before visiting in May 2023, but the bulk of the money was sent after we visited. This is also why we didn't use our savings and pick up extra work so if we did lose money it wouldn't be as big of a hit. We also talked to one of the first buyers in the development which made us feel better about the risk.
It is amazing how reasonable home construction can be in comparison to the states! We toured a home in Puebla it was two bedrooms/ 2 bathrooms with upstairs and rooftop patio for outdoor kitchen as well... I was quite impressed when the Realtor told us it was only $50,000. USD... The front yard was very small but had enclosed parking for two cars.... The backyard faced a huge spinach field and front yard faces an Empty field. My family there told me the price was low because most locals do NOT like being near an empty lot or area... For me that would be a bonus!! I am sure that home will be closer to double next time I get back there... so yeah. it's interesting for sure!
We live currently in Bucerias Nayarit but on our journeys around central Mexico, Puebla and Queretaro stand out as two cities that I would consider spending more time in besides of course Mexico city!
Cute dogs, nice couple! They really wanted to make a home in MX work and gave up a lot to do it, bravo! Too bad Tom can't get a job in La Paz, then they could move permanently! Very trusting to build a house remotely, so glad that everything worked out for them. Another good interview!
Thanks Cindy. I’m guessing Chefs don’t make a lot of money in La Paz. And they really seem to enjoy going north to Alaska in the summers (which are hot in La Paz.)
When he talked about baking I’m glad I’m not the only one that has problems. I bake a lot and constantly checking the temperature of my ovens . I do have all electric appliances as I did not want to deal with the propane tanks. I guess it’s the fluctuation of electricity. Congratulations and welcome to La Paz.
Everybody finds their own path to their Mexican home, congratulations on finding yours! Our friend and neighbor Graham splits his time between Whitehorse Yukon Territory and our beach town near La Paz. He wrote a great story about his building experience which we can vouch for having ourselves hired some of the same characters whose names have been changed to protect the guilty parties. It's an amusing story in hindsight involving plenty of tequila and Pacifico cervezas. A must read for Baja hands like yourselves! My Mexican Home on Amazon by Graham Wilson
This was really cool. We are hoping to meet folks like them when we move to La Paz in a year. Meanwhile will be seeing our son's in Portland for a few days end ... May early June. Maybe can schedule a coffee with you guys there. We will be in SW.
Enjoy Portland. June is a bit early - it may still be winter! We live in SE PDX. Maybe we can do a group gathering of people looking to move to Mexico.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico the winter has been awful but June will be nice. I will be there a short time, leaving June 4. Previous weekend would be nice for a short meetup. Will be in SW near community college.
I don't believe you need to be a resident to buy any property in Mexico. Foreign ownership is allowed. I'm not sure how that works when you sell your property (and owe capital gains tax) which would require having a tax ID number... Also, getting your electricity hooked up could be complicated - you need a tax ID for that too. I'm sure there is a way to work it out - that's how Mexico rolls.
Wonderful video, Brighton. I loved listening to their story and seeing their delightful house! Something like that would be perfect for me and my dogs! Question... Do you have any videos where folks have talked about getting their fideicomiso? I checked here in Tampico and was met with a lot of blank looks - there don't seem to be any foreigners buying property here.😂
Wow - Fides are so common here in La Paz everyone knows what they are - and most people can even pronounce it! I have an interview with a real estate agent about Fideicomisos and foreign ownership: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F1xkDNwHewA.html But for the most part, it's all handled by your real estate agent and closing attorney. Then you just pay once a year.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico thanks very much. I'll take a look! Yeah, apparently, because there are so few expats buying property here in Tampico, the real estate agents I have met with, had to do some research to figure out how to do it. One agent at Century 21 here took me to BBVA, and the young lady we met with said (after consulting with someone else in the office) with a straight face that I would need to have $1,000,000 MN in an account with BBVA in order to get one 😂. Oh well, back to the drawing board. Thanks again for your help. Great channel. I love it! And la Paz looks wonderful!
@@mikecrowley7486 right. I see it all the time. But then you run into someone who will really go out of their way to help you - my agent at Century 21 was one of those people! Finally I decided to just wait and revisit the idea of buying a house a year or 2.
Alaska is beautiful. We visited Homer a few years ago in July, it starts to get dark and then the sun pops up again. I'm not so sure even though our friends in Alaska are wonderful if Pam would survive the darkness or cold of winter there. Having said that it may be why the La Paz area seems so appealing. The only thing is we must visit in the hot weather to see at what temp we Nova Scotians melt at. So sooner or later (I hope sooner) we will be there , meet Flash and make the final decisions. i.e. Do we live full time or part time. Another good one Mr B.. Thanks. P n D
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico This not a complaint directed at you Mr B. Just the Tube brain trust. Obvious example of what happens when a company grows too big for it's own good.
I think it's great you do videos such as this. Have you considered interviewing people who have struggled living in Mexico? I suggest this as we have seen so many people come and go over the years. For many, living in Mexico is awesome but it's definitely not for everyone.
I've been wanting to do videos of people for whom Mexico didn't work out. But those people are harder to find! They are gone. But it's definitely on my radar!
Come on south! I saw the website and the new price. They definitely got a good deal. Timing is everything. But prices don't look like they are going down any time soon.
Buying a place early in a new development is usually a better deal, but also a higher risk. We bought the 4th lot in the 1st phase. If we did it again, I would work with a realtor sooner. We were lucky we found this place and it worked out.
I guess it depends on the location. For me, TelMex works well 99% of the time. Megacable was fast, but less stable (good for streaming not for Zoom.) Starlink is great and works everywhere. There are other options in different cities.
We are offgrid out in a rural area with no access to Telmex or other wired carriers so we use Starlink. If you order it in Mexico it costs about half of what it does in the USA, it's 1100 pesos per month which is currently about $66. The equipment purchase is significantly less than in the USA also. We have proximity to a tower so our cellphones work well at our residence with 4G data but a mile away on the other side of town they don't work at all due to lack of connectivity.
I haven't heard much about that but I could see how it would be a problem. Nationals have more rights than foreigners when it comes to property issues. We have a caretaker who lives on our property when we are gone. These guys live in a more close knit community that would notice someone moving in.
Chanel is the agent working with the developer: chanel@bajaliferealty.com and here's the developer's website: www.hogareslapazbcs.com/villas-del-centenario
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I did not realize it was that far away. That would be further than traveling to San Francisco and a long way to get back to the U S if you had a medical emergency.
I use to date a chef and people don't realize how physically and mentally taxing. Long, long hours, working holidays. I see him opening his own restaurant in Mexico or catering in the future. It's awesome that her university let's her work out of country. Its still scary because the photos could of been fake. Spartan FX is good for large money exchanges.
So true on the photos! I didn't think of that. They could be showing someone else's house. I'd never want to work anywhere near the restaurant industry!
I went to La Paz in 2006 and hated every minute of it although I love Mexico in general. It's probably changed in the past 18 years but it felt pretty far from where I would want to be. $100K seems like a lot for a small house there.
I have stories about people "hating" Hawaii... it's all about what you feel at the time really! If your heart and soul are READY for Mexico and open to it, you will love it, but if you are having a bad day, week, or month ANYWHERE, even Paradise, it will not go well... Best wishes on finding your Paradise ! :)
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico ah, thanks, I wondered about vajillas. Love your videos. Planning to get residency and head back to LaPaz by 2025. November more AIRBNB though. Prices really have gone a bit crazy.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico FOUND another apto in the north of Brasil 2br 50m2 was r$100,000, now r$85,000 ($15,500 usd) , one hell of a deal ! Prices are dropping in the north and rising in the south ! Cheaper than MX and Asian countries !
I am wondering - did Tom and Toni become owners of the property before they started making payments on the construction? Or was the closing by the time they had paid up?
No, we started making payments and owned when we closed. We did have a contract and hired a Notario to review it before we signed and put down the deposit.
