Acquiring Real Estate in Mexico Through a Bank Trust (Contrato de Fideicomiso)
at the Restricted Zone

We would like to provide a general overview on acquiring real estate in Mexico by addressing a broad range of issues foreigners have encountered.  Focussing more narrowly on acquiring/ buying property in Mexico through a Contrato de Fideicomiso/ Bank Trust.

To foreigners faced with acquiring (purchasing) property in the restricted zone in Mexico, the Contrato de Fideicomiso is a total mystery.

Foreigners may not understand:

a. When are they required to buy through the Contrato de Fideicomiso

b. The implications and rights of having to use a Fideicomiso

c. Which rights they have acquired over the real estate

d. Ultimately, foreigners want to know if the arrangement is secure

American Notary Public vs. Mexico Notario Publico

When you are told the Mexican Notario Publico will charge $3,000 dollars to make you the beneficiary of a trust on a Mexican beachfront condo, you certainly know things are different in Mexico. This article will clarify the misconception that commonly occurs when individuals familiar with the American Office of Notary Public encounter a Mexican Notario Publico.

In this document, we will compare the States with the Federal District of Mexico (Mexico City) to illustrate our points; although there may be differences in other American  states, these two jurisdictions are generally reflective of their countries’ systems.