Buying Mazatlan Real Estate

After been in Mazatlan at least one time and had a wonderful time, it comes to peoples mind the romantic idea of buying a property to live or retired in Mazatlan. But, can you really own a property in Mexico?

YES, and it is very easy to do so, the process is very similar as the process in United States and Canada, only that property in Mazatlan is a lot less expensive than it is in USA, Canada or Europe. With the success that Mazatlan Real Estate has accomplish, now banks in the USA are giving loans to people to buy property in Mexico.

There is a restricted area for foreign to own a property title, and that is 100 kilometers (62.13 miles) from any border and 50 kilometers (31.06 miles) form the coast, that is explain in article 27 in the Mexican Constitution made in 1917; this was done to prevent a foreign invasion.
With the years and the opening of the commercial trades between Countries, they figured out how to benefit people that wanted to invest in beach destinations, and added a legal privilege, that is called FIDEICOMISO.
Fideicomiso is a TRUST, and it mainly protects the foreign buyer rights.

How it works?
When buying a property you get a Mexican bank to have your Fideicomiso (Trust) with and to hold the Title, and in that Trust you will be shown as beneficiary; as beneficiary you have the right of use and to do what ever you want with your property as the owner that you are. It can be as many beneficiaries as you want them to be, you can sale your property, rent it or give it away; in case of death you can name a beneficiary that will heritage all your privileges, Fideicomiso can be renewal indefinitely.

During the buying process you will be dealing with different people, and it is recommended that you hired a bilingual attorney that will be advising you, work and see for your best and review documents during the whole process; do some research before to choose the Real Estate company so you can feel comfortable working with as well as the Bank; probably the most relevant in the process is the Notary Public.
In Mexico Notary Public must be a Lawyer over 35 years old with at least 3 years of experience in notary public office and successfully approved a difficult exam to become a Notary Public, then he or she is certified and authorize directly by the State Governor to practice as a Notary Public.
It is a position of a lot of responsibility, since the deed is made by him. He is also in charge of verified that taxes are paid by the previous owner and to have all documents in order and have followed all the steps and regulations in the process, and he is legally responsible for that. The closing and contracts must be done in the presence of the Notary Public. Usually the fee to pay to a Notary Public is 1.5 % of the transaction value.
Foreign have to register any property purchase at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and you recognize Mexican laws and decline any foreign government intervention. The foreign then is considered as Mexican national with the corresponding rights, In the case of properties in the restricted areas, the bank will be the one in charge doing the process. You don’t have to live full time or be a resident in Mexico in order to invest in Mexican property.

A big percentage of US and Canadian citizens have taken advantage of the great Mazatlan Real Estate opportunities, and low property taxes. There are so many good stories of people making the romantic dream of living in Mazatlan come true, and enjoy every day life in Paradise.

Mazatlan Real Estate is attracting fisherman looking for Value

Mazatlan, also called “The Pearl of the Pacific” is famous for its year round excellent fishing and it has been like that since the 60’s when Hollywood stars like John Wayne, Errol Flynn and Rock Hudson started coming frequently to enjoy Mazatlan’s world class fishing, weather and laid-back atmosphere.

With the construction of the largest marina in Latin America, Mazatlan has given a new name to the fishing travel and real estate industry. Marina Mazatlan now has first class accommodations and services for those looking for the ultimate fishing experience and the best of all is that now the entertainment is for the hole family since there are many other activities to be enjoyed such as excursions to explore the real and unique Mexican towns in the surroundings, vibrant night life, historic center tours, pampering spas and walking around the Malecon (boardwalk). This last one is the local’s favorites who enjoy a simple life spending some time in the largest boardwalk in Mexico.

Marina Mazatlan is getting a lot of recognition now that the Marina Mazatlan Golf Course and the Convention Center are open. There are many developments offering first class service and amenities to the now discerning buyer.
Driving around you’ll notice beautifull Marina Condos, new bars and restaurants a prestigious University and the Marina Mazatlan Beach Club that just opened doors recently. We are all looking forward for the shooping mall that will start construction this year (2010).

When fishing in Mazatlan, you have to take in consideration the time of the year, if you want to go deep sea fishing for Marlin, Dorado, Sailfish or Tuna. Maybe you prefer bottom fishing and catch a Red Snapper or a Grouper. The “Capitan” plays an important role since they know were to go, what bait to use and when to throw the line.

Similar to fishing in the Ocean is fishing for real estate. You have to consider the best time of the year depending on what you want to get. The developer you choose has to have experience, be well known and financially strong; the location is always a crucial part since you are looking for the best value you can afford.
Many “fisherman” have now come to realize Mazatlan Real Estate offers great prices with unforgettable lifetime experiences, meeting their expectations by far specially for those looking to enjoy the real Mexico, rich culture and great weather.

Prestigious developers, the government and the society in general are being active in the present development of Mazatlan.
They are working very hard to make sure Mazatlan remains a city offering great services, solid infrastructure and a stable economy.
Special emphasis is done to preserve all sectors of the population satisfying their needs and demands. Mazatlan is aware that at the end of the day is a city built by people for the people to enjoy.

Fishing in Mazatlan is an unforgettable experience. Fishing for Mazatlan Real Estate, when done it right, is the best experience ever.

Ulama Game In Sinaloa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rReFhUtZzYc

One of the most important and valuable traditions in Mexico is doubtless the “ULAMA” ballgame. Now days, is only played in very few places in the country, but Sinaloa is one of them. According to the Historians this game is a heritage form the Aztecs and its name in Aztec is Ullamaliztli. Arqueological items that were found in the Olmeca zone, tell us that this game exists since 1400 years before Christianity. But lately other probes have been found and show Ulama fields form 1,200 years before Christ. Its practice was related with spirituality and a warrior status.
Ulama game, was considered as the fight between two forces where only one of them will prevail, Day and Night, Courage and Cowardice, Life and Death.
The Spanish colonizers and Catholic priests, considered this pagan game as brutal, savage, even diabolic; so in 1585 it was forbidden to play it again.
The game fields were known as “Tachtlis” but now they are called “Taste”. There are different type of game disciplines, with the forearm, with a mallet and the most spectacular with the hip; this last one is more popular because it was consider tougher but also more esthetic. The size of the “Taste” in Sinaloa is of 65 meters (213.25 feet) long and 4 meters (13.12 feet) wide and the ball weights 4 Kilograms (8.81 pounds) and has a diameter of 8 inches, the process of fabrication has keep a touch of mystery.
The main purpose of the game, is to keep the ball inside the field with out touching it with hands, only with the hip; and send it to the other side of the field to score. The hips are protected by dressing, leather and a belt known as “Chimalo”.

The south of Sinaloa is part of the border of what it was Mesoamérica and Aridoamérica, archeological items have been discovered in this area, that make us think that the groups that lived during the prehispanic era were nomads. The Ulama game that is played in the area now days it is the one played with the hip.
El Quelite, La Palma, Puerto de Canoas, El Chilillo, Siqueiros, El Vainillo, y Villa Unión, have their own team, and during holidays have competitions between them, this towns are just a few minutes from Mazatlan.

The Game in other areas of Mexico
The field was called by the Aztecs, Teotihuacanos and Toltecas Tlachtli, by the Mayans, Taladazi Pokyab or Pok-ta-pok in Zapoteca language; this game constitutes one of the most important elements of the religious and social structure in the prehispanic culture.
The very first descriptions from the game we have are from Bernal Dias del Castillo and the Franciscano priest Bernardino de Sahagún in chronicles of the conquest.

The size of the field was different, depending of the area where it was played; its rage was between 30 and 60 meters long and 9 to 14 meters wide, except for the one founded in Chichen Itza in Yucatán, that it happen to be the largest in MesoAmerica with 168 meters long and 70 meters wide. The field settings were between two walls and could be vertical or horizontal depending of the game or importance of the field.
Sinaloa is one of the very few States where Ulama is played, and proudly has shared it with the rest of the world.
Locals and Tourist can enjoy this game and be part of experience to travel in time to the past, only to witness the strength of the Aztecs, to see thru the game a culture that no longer exists but its foundation was solid enough to make a new civilization and kept important aspects of the pass.

No wonder why Mazatlan has become the favorite tourist destination for foreign and Mexicans, not only that, but also the favorite as Mazatlan Real Estate as the one with the best value. In Mazatlan Real Estate you find the best Marina Condos project and residences.

Discover Mazatlan Real Estate Best Value Between Condos Vs. Houses

It is always the big question, when you are searching for your best second home option; should it be a house or a Condo?
Here there are some of the facts you have to consider before making your decision, especially if you are or will be retired.
One of the benefits is the sense of high class way of life, with out paying a lot of money for it. Just think of having a beautiful garden and landscape with out removing stuck leaves from drain pipes, or plumbing, these and other maintenance issues, are easily solve by the maintenance foreman rendered by condo administrator; You just call and wait. Having a Pool, Gym, Spa, Restaurant, Security and not pay it all yourself. Also when traveling, you are sure that everything in your Condo will be fine, you do not have to worry about it; just close your door and that is it. And let’s face it, a lot of people can’t really have all these in their own homes. Another important fact, it is the fun life in community; like sharing similar preferences and hobbies, taking a class of line dance or Salsa, cooking lessons, Spanish lessons, Golfing, Fishing, Yoga, or simply have an afternoon cocktail while playing bridge.
That is the meaning of Real Value, when you get more than what you paid for; cheaper is not always the best, we are talking about Great Value.
That is why a lot of people from United States and Canada are moving in to Mazatlan, they have discovered the real value about a great quality way of daily living for a third of what they will be paying in their home towns.
Not only that but the excellent services in the City, History, Art, and most of all local friendly people and very well establish foreign communities.
A very important aspect that you have to consider is where you want to live, as an example:
Location is what will increase the value of your property.
Local services and Infrastructure, to be sure you will have the quality you are expecting.
Local Amenities, you want to have a great time every day.
Do some research, to make sure the Condominium Resort you chose is well developed and the Developer Company is very solid.
I have seen a great value in Marina Condos against condos on the beach, in price and maintenance. In Marina Mazatlan, the best Marina Condos are Marina Costa Bonita Villas Resort, for been the only one having the best of both; the nicest Marina and been just across the street from the beach. Also the amenities and facilities are beautiful, luxury and affordable. Marina Costa Bonita owners have a special VIP health package with Sharp Hospital; for these and more they not only meet your expectations but pleasantly exceed them.

According to our 20 years experience in real estate a very high percentage of the people that buys a house as a retirement home, end up to sale off in no latter than 2 years, and buy a Condo instead; Do you wonder why? The answer is simple, they didn’t consider all this facts, and found out about the disadvantages when living in it, and not before.
Of course, there are different needs and preferences, and for some others will work out better living in a house and that is why you have to do your homework, and is call Research.

Mazatlan Light House, A Silent Witness Of New Mazatlan Real Estate

It is consider the highest natural working light house in the world, and besides its use for directing the maritime traffic it’s the center of an entire habitat, with a big variety of flora and fauna. If you like breathtaking views, fun walks and sports; to climb the light house it is a must, especially if you are a photography lover.
Its high it is of 157 meters and 601 long, with 321 meters wide, its light reaches up to 48 nautical miles; that makes it safer for marines and sailors. By the ocean side of the light house, there is a big cave that has a story that date from the sixteenth century, and it is about a pirate entering there to hide his bounty, but unfortunate, the tide went up so much and it last for days, that he wasn’t able to go out again and died in there, leaving his treasure inside the cave; many people have wonder about it, but no one have been fearless enough to dare in.
It used to be an Island, and was named Creston Island, but a useful and wide breakwater was built to connect land with the Island and now is no longer an Island; the house building where the big light is, was built during 1879, and for the first time the light house started working; at the beginning it was an oil lamp and mirrors, but it was confused with a star by the sailors, so, in 1905 this lamp was substituted by a revolving light.
This invaluable piece of History is one of the many reasons that make Mazatlan unique, and increase the value of Mazatlan real estate. For the economists that have experience in finance and real estate, these are the type of cities they recommend to invest in, because they know about real value of an investment that will always give you back more than what you paid for, either to enjoy it or just as a profitable business.
Mazatlan is full of history and remarkable places that have kept secrets along hundreds of years from its natives and culture, and they are now opening to be discovered by the world. That is why over the years more and more people have moved in to Mazatlan, looking for the best place to retire that will combine the best of everything, History, Art, Culture, Entertainment, great food, sports, People, Etc., knowing that all this combined will bring automatically Mazatlan real estate best value.
With the fast growing real estate developments I could now call the light house a silent witness of a new Era of a local and foreign community making Mazatlan a better place to live.

The New Highway That Takes To The Attractive Mazatlan Real Estate.

1.2 billion-dollar will cost to build the new highway that connects Durango with Mazatlan. Now driving 312 kilometers takes 5 hours with the new highway it will only take about 3 hrs. The reason for this difference is that the rugged mountains of the western Sierra Madre separate Durango from Mazatlan. This is a truly amazing feat of engineering, even though the highway is already well advanced, the major “missing piece” remaining to be finish is the Puente Baluarte Bicentenario.
This will be the biggest cable-stayed bridge ever built in Latin America. It is 1.124 km. long and 4 lanes wide. Its central span extends 520 meters. At its highest point, it is a gravity-defying 390 meters (1280 feet) above the River Baluarte from which it takes its name. The bridge largest supporting pillar is 153 meters high, with a base measuring 18 meters by 30 meters.
Construction by Mexican firm TRADECO, has required 103,000 tons of cement and almost 17,000 tons of steel.
This bridge joins the states of Durango and Sinaloa and removes the need for drivers to negotiate a very dangerous stretch of highway known as the Devil’s Backbone.
A lot of people will be benefit with this impressive project, small towns along the corridor, but most of all with this new highway Mazatlan is a very attractive option for people living in Durango, Coahuila, Monterrey and U.S citizens living at that side of the country, making an easy and safe access by driving. The new highway is a plus for Mazatlan real estate, it added to the already great value the easy access and the possibility of been in your second home just in a few hours.
Mazatlan is for many reasons the place to be, either for a short vacation, for a longer stay, or as the dream retirement home; affordability, great activities; the freshest sea food, fresh vegetables and fruits that most of you will buy in United Estates and Canada frozen.
There are many projects, in the new Mazatlan area, Marina Mazatlan,
But the best value is Marina Costa Bonita that is more than just a Marina Condos project, it is a luxurious resort community, that offers a unique life style.
Mazatlan – Durango highway is due by Mexican government, it is planed to be totally finished in 2012.
The first road Mazatlan – Durango the government made, was started during the 40’s and was finish in 1960; even the actual road is in fairly
good conditions, the demand of the commercial trades and a modern life style has brought us to the necessity of having as well, modern routes.

Mazatlan Real Estate Great Value And The Fascinating Colonial Towns In Sierra Madre

“ THE SPINE OF THE DEVIL”

A fascinating site located 106 miles away from Mazatlan in the border with Durango State. This will be an enjoyable drive on highway 40 towards Durango, with incredible landscape views of mountain and pine trees that enrich the journey. Travelers from all over the world visit this region of Mexico due to its amazing beauty.
I recommend you to start very early in the morning and make the first stop in the community of Santa Rita, here you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then continue the adventure towards the Spine of the Devil. Get ready to witness a fantastic panoramic view of deep canyons (8000 thousand feet deep), surrounded by deep vegetation simulating a green carpet, covering hills and mountain sides.
Once you are there, go on to the next state of Durango, and proceed to visit Mexiquillo, here you will admire the mysterious valley of the stones, which resembles a prehispanic city of huge stones and rocks placed one above the other; like giant totems, preserved among the centuries. After this, visit the marvelous Mexiquillo waterfall ( 60 feet deep); this cascade crosses one of the old railroad tunnels built in 1960, not in use any more.

Malpica - Concordia - Copala.

During your visit to Mazatlan, you should not miss this trip which is considered the best colonial sightseeing of the area.
You can make as a first stop the rustic brick factory, located at the banks of Presidio River. Continuing with the visit to Malpica, a small community where two friendly families started two home businesses: A rustic oven bakery and a handmade floor tile shop.
The following described towns were founded in 1565 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Ibarra, who was the pioneer of the mining industry in the state of Sinaloa and both were strategically settled near the silver and gold mining sites.
Concordia is a very industrious town, its residents make their daily living working in furniture factories and potteries. Beautiful colonial architecture can be admired here, the most emblematic buildings are: The Saint Sebastian’s temple made of pink stone, the French style city hall and the main plaza with a huge rocking chair up front.
Copala happens to be the highlight of this trip, this enchanting village was built off road, just a little down the Sierra Madre hills; its magnificent scenery, invites you to stroll on cobblestone streets looking at small houses with red roofs and wide adobe walls, covered with different kind of flowers. The main attractions here are: A little museum, an ex –silver mine, the Saint Joseph’s temple and the picturesque main plaza. Do not forget to try the famous banana cream pie, it is a must.
Be ready to hike the famous rock of La Petaca where from you will have a spectacular view of the Sierra Madre Mountains, valleys and canyons. The village of La Petaca that is at the foot hill of this impressive rock has been visited for people from all over the world due to the energy is felt once on top of it.

There are very few places that will combine the best of everything, History, Culture, Tradition, Food, People, Night life, Ecological resources, and affordability, and that is Mazatlan. With an spectacular projects Mazatlan Real Estate is now the best option for people loking for the best place to retire.