7 documents to verify before Buying property in Mexico EPISODE 11

Receiving a folder with an escritura, a predial receipt, and a condominium letter does not mean a property has been properly reviewed. For foreign buyers considering real estate in Puerto Vallarta or anywhere along the Riviera Nayarit, understanding what each document actually establishes, and what it doesn't, is one of the most important steps in any transaction. In Episode 11 of The Foreign Buyer's Guide to Mexico, Attorney and Real Estate Broker Nancy Valiente walks through seven categories of documents buyers should examine before purchasing resale or pre-construction property in Mexico. The coverage goes well beyond "ask for the title." An old escritura may not reflect the property's current legal status. Liens, mortgages, and recorded restrictions may exist that a surface review won't catch. Predial and service records need to be compared against other property information, not simply accepted at face value. For condominium purchases, the analysis extends to the condominium regime itself: bylaws, HOA financials, meeting minutes, budgets, and any extraordinary assessments. Rental restrictions that affect how a buyer can use the unit may be buried in documents that never make it into the initial folder. Pre-construction transactions carry additional layers. Because the buyer is often purchasing a contractual right to a unit that hasn't been individually titled yet, the review may need to address the land, the developer's corporate structure, signing authority, permits, plans, payment schedules, and the purchase agreement in full, including every exhibit it references. Episode 11 also draws a clear distinction between requesting documents, reviewing them, and actually verifying them. Those are three different things, and conflating them is where buyers run into trouble. If you missed Episode 10, Nancy compared cash purchases, developer payment plans, and financing options. Episode 12 covers how to evaluate a developer before committing to a pre-construction purchase in Mexico. This video is for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or investment advice, the documents and verification steps required depend on the specific property, jurisdiction, ownership structure, and transaction. Reach out to Nancy directly if you're considering buying property in Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Nayarit and want guidance tailored to your situation.