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The Peoples Guide to Mexico: Real Estate in Ajijic and Lake Chapala, Mexico People's Guide Homepage • Copper Canyon • Live & Retire • Carl's Notebooks • Letters • Favorite Books • Visit our Sponsors • Table of Contents • The Best of Mexico: Favorite Places Live & Retire in Mexico Lake Chapala area Buying Property in the Lake Chapala Area by Tony Harries & Teresa A. Kendrick In the last decade or so, it is estimated that more than 10,000 foreigners have purchased property on the Northshore of Lake Chapala. Long prized as a weekend retreat by wealthy Guadalajarans, the villages from Lake Chapala to Jocotepec now boast an expatriate community said to be the largest in the world. Ajijic has become the prime location for foreigners because of its infrastructure of services, such as internet access, and the existence of the Lake Chapala Society, an English-speaking resource center for newcomers and residents. The Real Estate Climate on the Northshore At present, the Northshore has 20 real estate agencies. Their level of competency and expertise vary. In Mexico, the real estate industry is not regulated by the government. It is self-regulated. Two associations are responsible for training agents and policing the ethics of the agencies: AMPI (Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios) is the national organization (with a lakeside chapter) and Gil (Grupo Inmobiliario del Lago) is the local organization. Many offices belong to one or the other, and some belong to both. They provide multiple-listing services that allow agents to show properties listed by other agencies, an advantage for both buyer and seller. The most professional agencies also provide their own in-house training for new agents. Several agencies have websites that will allow you to get a feel for the company, the houses that are available and the prices of property and land. The websites allow you to interact with the agency via email, and, if the site is good, will offer background information and answers to frequently asked questions. It can also provide you with the name of an agent. Choosing an Agent Good agents tend to work for well-run organizations. When walking into the office for the first time, take a look around. Does it look professionally managed? Are key personnel bilingual? Are listings photographed, detailed and organized so you can spend time reviewing available properties and evaluating how much your money will buy? Talk with several agents to find one you feel is knowledgeable, experienced, available, compatible, and upfront. Professional, reliable agents provide service before, during, and after a sale. If a problem or error arise, your agent should work hard to correct it. After your initial meeting, ask around about the reputations of various agencies and agents, but be aware that while gathering information, it is very likely you will also gather misinformation. One person can easily contradict another; this is human nature and common in a small communities. Being a Good Client/Firing an Agent Agent- and agency-hopping is an ethical no-no, but after viewing several properties reevaluate your agent. If you feel that the agent is not listening to you, tell him or her; they will appreciate you restating your requirements. Often clients are confused about what they want, or unrealistic about what their money can buy. Be clear about what you want. Buying a house is an emotional process, so be prepared to experience some unusual feelings and reactions and understand that an agent has the dual job of steering you through the process of buying property in another country and your own learning curve. If you are unable to work with your agent, graciously fire that agent and find another. You might use a simple, “Thank you for your time and efforts. We feel we wish to expand our search and thought we might consult with another agency. If we feel you can be of further service, we will get back to you.” Remember, the agent you are releasing is a member of the community in which you will live and diplomacy will save some feelings down the line. How to be a good Client If your first visit to the area is an exploratory excursion, tell your agent. He or she will guide you as you gather preliminary information. If you are not in a position to buy at the time, limit the time you spend with the agent as he or she has other clients to serve. If you have funds available to buy property, the agent will intensify the search for a suitable property and guide you through the process. Be clear about how much you can spend and when you plan to resettle. Remember agents often work for months without reimbursement for their out of pocket expenses. The Nitty Gritty At this time, prices for houses on the Northshore run anywhere from $22,000 US to 1.35 million US. The average home with the amenities sought by North American buyers are in the $100,000 US range. Location, as everywhere, is one of the most determining factors for setting the price. The further out from services you go, the lower prices will be. View, construction type, size and amenities determine the rest. Clients can choose from gated communities which offer security (a plus for residents who spend 6 months in Mexico and 6 months elsewhere), large country estates, and village living. Village homes are connected to one another by common exterior, and, occasionally, interior walls and allow residents to live within walking distance of most services and activities. Do not let any agent sell you ejido land. No matter what future promises anyone may make, you will not get a legal title. This is land set aside by the government for the indigenous people of Mexico and cannot be sold to foreigners. Also, there are a few places on the Northshore known for their instability due to soft soil or geothermal faults, and some places have water supply problems. Informed, wise agents will steer you away from these trouble spots. The Buying Process Purchasing a home or lot on the Northshore is primarily a cash transaction, but occasionally short-term owner financing is available. When you make an offer to the seller you must present a check for 10% of the value of the house. A photocopy is made of this “earnest money” and the check itself is placed in the agency safe. Once negotiations are completed under the supervision of the respective buying and selling real estate agents, and both parties have signed a purchase agreement, the check is deposited into the escrow account of the selling agency. The check is later applied to the balance of the purchase price at the notary public’s office. (Note: The actual sale price of a property is not a matter of public record in Mexico, nor is it registered with the government. It is unethical for an agent to tell you the sale price of a property. He or she can tell you what the property was listed for, but not what was paid.) The Closing Closings take place in the office of a Notario Publico, or notary public. These are lawyers of very high standing who, after 5 years of legal practice, apply to the government for notario status and must undergo strict scrutiny to be awarded the title. With it comes many responsibilities and important legal functions. One of these is to preside over and ensure the legality of property transfer. The notary authenticates the seller’s right to sell the property, scrutinizes the history of the property for any irregularities, and makes sure the deed is clear and free of liens through appropriate government offices. Since the buyer pays for the closing costs and notary’s fees, it is his or her privilege to select the notary. The notary can advise the buyer which type of deed meets his needs: direct deed or bank trust deed. The notary will file with the Mexican government the application for the transfer of the deed from seller to buyer. His official signature on all documents finalizes the purchase and makes it a legal transaction under Mexican law. From purchasing to closing the norm is 30 to 60 days, but motivated parties can complete the process within 15 days. Differences in Home Construction There is no slab-frame construction in this part of Mexico. A home here is usually of concrete, glass, stone, brick, iron and rebar construction. Wood is expensive and used little except for design affect. Each wall is load-bearing and has its own foundation. Many houses have exterior walls and decorative metal work to ensure privacy and security. There are "aljibes" (cisterns) for water storage and in some of the newer homes, water purification and pressure systems are built-in. You will also find tanks for storing propane used for cooking and heating water as there is no infrastructure to supply natural gas. You will notice a lack of central heating and air conditioning, as it’s not essential. A fireplace on a cool evening or morning is charming and does the trick. There are no building codes so a good agent will provide you with information about levels of construction quality and what might be buried within the walls. Developers The north shore of Lake Chapala has recently seen a rise in new, speculative construction meant to appeal to buyers from the North. Much of this work is being done by young, Mexican architects from monied Guadalajara families with varying degrees of experience and dependability. There are also projects being developed by American, Canadian and European companies. Remodeling Many buyers purchase a home with the intent of upgrading and remodeling the existing structure. Craftsmen, laborers, architects and artisans abound in the area. If you are in the market for such services, perhaps your agent can help direct you to a general contractor who has a good reputation. Be sure to get a signed, witnessed contract stipulating prices and the quality of work and materials to be used. If language is a problem, get a translator to help you. Several translators are listed in the Lake Chapala Society directory, a members-only book that can be loaned to you by your agent. If, during the remodeling, you feel you have been financially abused, the government has an agency with an office in Chapala called PROFECO which helps consumers receive satisfaction. The pace of work is probably not what you are used to, but in Mexico, patience is required as distribution of materials, cultural standards, and community -- and family-based events interrupt building schedules. Real Estate Agencies/Developers/Internet Websites In Ajijic: Abode Realty: Adj Corporation Ajijic Developments: http://www.ajijicdevs.com Ajijic Real Estate, http://www.ajijic.com ; email: ajijic@infosel.net.mx Ambience Fine Home Builders: http://www.ambiance.com.mx America Mexico Builders Camille’s Realty/Coldwell Banker Chapala Realty: http://www.chapala.com Continental Realty Chula Vista Norte Eager & Asociados: http://www.mexconnect.com/MEX/ea/ea.html Laguna Real Estate: http://www.mexconnect.com/amex/lgna/ Marnher Group RE/Max Ajijic: http://www.desconresorts.com In Chapala: Coldwell Banker/Chapala Realty (Chapala Office), http://www.chapala.com Sierra Vista: In Chula Vista: Century 21 Vistas: http://www.lagunanet.net.mx/c21vistas In Jocotepec: Semprex Realty In Riberas del Pilar: Sunset Realty: http://www.sunsetrealty.com.mx In San Antonio Tlayacapán: Re/Max Fenix About the authors: Tony Harries is a real estate agent who has been working in the Lake Chapala area since June 1997. He is an award-winning school teacher from Texas who retired after 31 years of service. Proficient in Spanish, he has developed a deep appreciation of Mexico following several decades of travel in Mexico before his retirement. He has helped clients from all over the world buy property in the area and this year became a top producing agent for one of the area’s leading agencies. His email is tonyharr@prodigy.net.mx Teresa Kendrick is the author of the recently published book “Mexico’s lake Chapala and Ajijic: The Insiders Guide to the Northshore for International Travelers” Highly detailed and up-to-date, the 208 page book boasts 143 color photographs, a well-organized table of contents and index, and information about nearly everything available on the Northshore of Lake Chapala for travelers and newcomers. The book is available with a full-color map of the Northshore for $26 US plus shipping and handling. The book will be available to purchase locally by calling 76-6-3163 or by ordering from her website: http://www.chapalaguide.com Teresa's email is ajijic@chapalaguide.com . Top of Page Homepage Table of Contents Site Map Write to us, Carl & Lorena http://www.peoplesguide.com ©1972-2001 by Carl Franz & Lorena Havens Copper Canyon • Live & Retire • Table of Contents • Book Reviews • Letters

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Commercial Real Estate Brokers Commercial Real Estate Listings & News Home Search Advertise News Customer Service CityfeetSpaces -- Thursday, December 29, 2005 Commercial Broker Directory For information about posting a Featured Ad, please email us or call us toll free at 1-866-527-0540. Cityfeet.com offers the most extensive free to search commercial broker directory in local markets across the United States. Find a broker in your area today. Free to search. No registration required. Detailed information including broker bio, photos and more... Contact brokers via phone or send an email inquiry. LOCATION -- Select a Region -- Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Outside the U.S. SPECIALTY Lease Sale Office Medical Office Retail Industrial Lofts/Showrooms Flex/R&D Other Terms of Service Cityfeet.com is the leading website for finding commercial real estate brokers throughout the United States. Cityfeet.com can help you find the broker that is right for you. Search our free comprehensive database of for sale, for lease and tenant rep brokers by location as well as specialty. Please click here to promote your Brokerage Services. ©2004 Cityfeet.com - All Rights Reserved Home | Search | Advertise | Customer Service | About Us | Privacy Statement | Site Map Find Commercial Real Estate Listings - Cityfeet.com Company Overview : Cityfeet is the leading online commercial real estate network, connecting commercial real estate property owners and brokers to tenants, brokers and investors. Cityfeet offers commercial real estate products and services catering to the national and local needs of the commercial real estate industry . Cityfeet specializes in all commercial real estate property categories including office space, executive suites, commercial land, industrial property, retail space and businesses for sale. Cityfeet is the #1 source of free commercial real estate information for commercial real estate professionals and powers the commercial real estate area of many of the countries most popular websites including Yahoo! Realestate.com and The New York Times. ( See all partners ) Commercial Real Estate for Lease | Commercial Real Estate for Sale | Executive Suites | Businesses for Sale | Commercial Real Estate Broker Directory | Cityfeet Local

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Financial Services: Mortgage Loan Options - Financial Services Loans Mortgages Mortgage Loan Options Checking & Check Cards Savings & Money Market Certificates & IRAs Health Savings Accounts Youth Program Gift Cards Credit Cards Preferred Member Recognition Search Ent Mortgage Loan Options Our wide variety of mortgage programs means we've got a loan to fit your needs. Whichever option you choose, you can count on fast loan approval, flexible terms, and experience you can trust. Purchase or Refinance...anywhere in Colorado! Fixed Rate Loans – Competitive fixed-rate loans with 10-, 15-, 20-, and 30-year terms. Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) – Low initial payments provide considerable interest savings. VA and FHA Loans – Government-backed loans. Jumbo Loans – Financing for the home of your dreams. First-Time Home Buyers Program – Low down payment, low fees. Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) Financing – Mortgage opportunities for low- to moderate-income residents. 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Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Loans ARMs feature an interest rate that is fixed for a period of time (typically 1-7 years) and then adjusts annually. An ARM can offer advantages such as low initial payments providing considerable interest savings. To learn more about ARMs, and if it is the right loan for you, visit our Mortgage Resource Center. VA & FHA Mortgages Veteran's Administration (VA) and Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Loans feature more relaxed credit guidelines, little or now down payment, low origination fees, low interest rates, and government backing. Find out more about VA loans. Or, call us at 719-550-6499 or 800-525-9623, extension 6499. For more information or to apply for an FHA loan, please call us. Jumbo Mortgages Planning to purchase your dream home? Don't cash in valuable investments to do it! A Jumbo Mortgage from Ent can give you an attractive rate with convenient term options. Find out more. First-Time Home Buyers Ent makes your first home easier to buy with a low down payment, low origination fee, great interest rate, and choice of loan terms. You can also use this program if you haven't owned a home in at least three years. Some restrictions apply, and we’d be happy to explain them to you. To learn more, call us at 719-550-6499 or 800-525-9623, extension 6499. Please note we are not yet accepting applications for this loan online. Or, attend our First-Time Home Buyers workshop . Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) Loans CHFA is a public enterprise that works to provide affordable home financing (and other needs) for qualifying low- to moderate-income residents of Colorado. Ent is a participating CHFA lender. To find out about CHFA financing through Ent, call us at 719-550-6499 or 800-525-9623, extension 6499. We do not currently process applications for this loan online. First-time homebuyers who qualify for a CHFA loan must complete an approved Home Buyers Workshop prior to closing the loan. The free five-hour workshops are taught by real estate and mortgage lending professionals who are certified volunteer instructors. Colorado Springs workshops are held in the Ent Galley Seminar Room , 4545 Galley Road. Get details on CHFA workshops in Colorado Springs (44 Kb PDF file).Or, visit the CHFA website . If you're a homeowner, at least 62 years of age, have adequate equity, and you occupy your own home, a reverse mortgage can give you flexible access to the equity you have built up in your home. You retain ownership of your home as long as you live in it. You can tailor the way you want to receive funds to fit your needs - lump sum, monthly check, line of credit, or any combination of these options. You can use the money however you wish. Plus...there are no restrictive income qualifications. 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Construction Loans Need a loan that will help frame your vision of a brand-new home? Ent can help. Traditional Construction Loans Construction-to-Permanent Loans Single-Close Construction Loans We offer financing on homes built in Colorado. You get generous loan maximums,various terms (payment periods) to fit your construction and move-in timelines, interest rates as low asprime on some loans, and an easy pre-qualification process. Equally important, you getexpert advice on loan options from your credit union's mortgage loan officers. Be sure to ask about our single-close loan. It can save you time and money! You apply for financing once, secure your construction and permanent financing in just one closing, pay one closing fee, and lock in your interest rate to avoid future economic fluctuations. Call (719) 550-6499 or 800-525-9623, extension 6499 to explore your Lot/Construction Mortgage options with an Ent mortgage loan officer. Standard credit qualifications apply. All loans are subject to final credit approval. Please consult your tax advisor, as interest paid on these loans usually is tax-deductible. Please Note: In order to read PDF documents, you will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader. This program is available free from Adobe by clicking here http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html . Third party website links will launch you to a website that is not controlled or owned by Ent. Ent does not contribute to the content displayed on these websites and does not legally endorse services or represent you or the third party in transactions conducted via these linked websites. Please be aware that information security and privacy policies may differ from those practiced by Ent. Privacy Pledge | Important Account Information | Contact Us This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. 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Real estate listings - vacation, investment & retirement homes The Leading Real Estate Marketplace for Vacation Properties & Second Homes Research cities, find local experts, search real estate listings for vacation, retirement, investment, and more! Search By: <Location> INTERNATIONAL Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming <Interest> Beach Golf Hunting Fishing International Island Lakes and Rivers Mountain Ranch Urban Living Wine Country <Property Type> Second Homes Fractionals Timeshares Vacation Rentals Home Exchange Find Me a Top-Rated Agent Home Research Towns | Find an Agent | Real Estate Search | Tools & Articles | For Agents | Sign In -- Find a Town, Property, or Specialist Now! -- Join EscapeHomes today! FEATURED PARTNERS: Private Residence Clubs – fractional ownership at its finest -- A POSTCARD FROM -- A POSTCARD FROM MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, CA Since buying our second home near Mammoth Mountain, both my husband and I have become expert skiers! The ... Learn more FEATURED PROPERTY -- FEATURED PROPERTY #1 Ski Resort Fractional Learn more FIND REAL ESTATE ON MLS Instantly view homes for sale on the same MLS that real estate professionals use. All for free  with no obligation! -- ONLINE FORUMS Whether you are a second homebuyer, real estate investor, retiree or REALTOR® you'll find valuable information here. IN THE NEWS See what CNN, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The New York Times are saying about us. -- NEW HOMES Find top resort communities throughout the country. Golfing, skiing, mountain sports, lakefront living, retirement, and more! Advertise your properties, resort development, or real estate professional services on EscapeHomes.com Partners Newsletters Press About Us Contact Us Privacy Statement Terms EscapeHomes is the leading real estate listings source for vacation homes, investment homes and retirement homes, matching vacation home buyers with local real estate agents. Search free real estate listings in all major markets for second homes. Access real estate tools and articles to make informed purchase decisions on vacaton homes, investment homes and retirement homes. Site Map | Real Estate Articles | Alabama Real Estate | Arizona Real Estate | California Real Estate | Colorado Real Estate | Delaware Real Estate | Florida Real Estate | Hawaii Real Estate | Idaho Real Estate | Maine Real Estate | Massachusetts Real Estate | Nevada Real Estate | New Jersey Real Estate | New Mexico Real Estate | New York Real Estate | North Carolina Real Estate | Oregon Real Estate | Pennsylvania Real Estate | South Carolina Real Estate | Texas Real Estate | Utah Real Estate | Vermont Real Estate | Virginia Real Estate | Washington Real Estate | Wyoming Real Estate | Beachfront Vacation Property | Golf Real Estate | Hunting Fishing Real Estate | International Real Estate Listings | Island Property For Sale | Lake Homes For Vacation | Mountain Homes | Ranch Property | Urban Real Estate | Wine Country Property | Second Homes for Sale | MLS Home Search | Homes For Rent | Fractional Real Estate | Real Estate Search Engine | Recreational Real Estate | New Homes | Resort Communities | Luxury Homes | Online Forums