Rental home in Mexico.
Rental home in Mexico.
Oftentimes it makes sense for newcomers to an area to rent a home prior to making a purchase. This provides an opportunity to explore, to learn the neighborhoods, and then begin to understand the personality of the city or town before making the leap to a purchase and a more permanent commitment.
Everyday more and more foreigners, people from the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, have found Mexico to be an ideal location for healthy retirement. Others have come to Mexico as a result of job transfers. Others still, taking advantage of electronic and wireless communications, seek out delightful areas in which to live and work from their in-home offices and studios.
There are many areas in Mexico that offer opportunities for rentals and for retirement or vacation living: Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Zihuatanejo and La Paz, Todos Santos, Los Cabos and the East Cape on the Baja Peninsula all offer wonderful options on the seashore, as do Merida and the Riviera Maya on the Yucatan Peninsula. Ajijic, Chapala and San Miguel de Allende are well established retire ment areas with many rentals available. Morelia, capital of the state of Michoacan, with its international airport and many cultural festivals is fast gaining importance as a retirement Mecca.
In some areas, many homes or apartments may not be available for rent. Fewer still may be fully furnished and ready for the international visitor. It is not always the landlord’s custom to maintain the property either. Any rental may require fixing up, a refrigerator, a stove, basic furniture and lots of paint. Nonetheless this can also be a fun experience for the couple who wants to learn about the area! Rental terms can be from a few days to indefinite, depending upon the owners.
Questions to Ask when looking for that special rental house or condominium:
1. What is the length of time the property is available for rental? (Some owners wish to rent only part of the year)
2. What utilities are included in the rent? (electricity, water, internet, cable?)
3. What type of air-conditioning system/heating system does the property have?
4. Is telephone service available? Is cable service available?
5. Is the water service reliable?
It is always a good idea to have a rental contract, in English, if you do not understand Spanish, which outlines the term of the agreement, the security deposit and conditions of its return, amount to be paid, extras, if any, and so forth. This contract should be prepared by a rental management company.
It makes sense to contact a rental agency to assist in the search and to assist you with the details. The professional agency will know the landlord, the time available for the rental, will be able to provide a history of repairs, and potential issues with the property. It will also be able to help you locate the RIGHT house to meet your requirements.
