Lawyers and Notarios

[StephenB]

Have been coming to Playa for about the past 15 years and have finally decided to buy something in a nice local neighborhood. Can anyone reccomend a local Notario. Also my brother insists we should get a lawyer and a notario. What advantage is there to having both? Any info would be appreciated. Great job on this site!

[Michael]

My recommendations:

Choose a lawyer yourself based upon recommendations from others that have bought places in Q Roo. This will give you an independent source of advice. I don’t have a specific recommendation, as the one I was working with became non-available at the critical time (the day we went to the notario to take ownership of the property). But the advice given earlier in the process was very useful.

If you have a lawyer, then it should be no problem to use the notario that is doing a good job in the local area (based upon advice of a trusted realtor).

You do need to have a good realtor that you can trust and has a good reputation.

You can PM me with more questions. I am curious about exactly where you plan to buy etc.

Mike.

[StephenB]

Thanks for your input Mike. I am somewhat familiar with all of the hassles of a real estate transaction. My brother is under the impression that an attorney will provide a more thorough title search of a property than would the notario. I think he's afraid that we will end up buying ejido
property. Several friends have used only notarios and have had no problems so this is an ongoing argument about whether we really need both. I love the Playa area and have found that many of the local neighborhoods (off the beach) have great character and are probably more within our price range. I was down in January and saw a number of houses for sale by owner that would suit our tastes. We are not afraid of a fix-er-upper. Problem is, every real estate person I've talked with assumes that everyone who is interested in property has a $250,000 bankroll! Consequently (just like here in the states) they are not too interested in the small fish. We will probably come back down in April
to look at a few places. If anyone comes up with the name of a notario (ok, and mabey a lawyer too) we would appreciate it. I wish I would have stolen a Playa phone directory during my last visit! Thanks again.

[Michael]

If you venture into PlayaCar phase one to look at houses, be prepared to bring about 250K cash minimum. Though you can’t really get much for under 350K. There are some nice opportunities in town for under 100K. And in Phase two for somewhere in between.

If you are in town when I am, send me a PM in advance and I’ll give you my cell phone number.

[denisea]

Below is a list of attorneys and notary publics in Playa del Carmen that I was able to find on the internet. That said, I cannot personally vouch for any of these professionals, their services or the accuracy of the info, however, at least it gives you a starting point.

Attorneys:

• Abogados Consultores
  Av. 34 Casa No. 37 entre 30 y Av. 20 Fracc. Tohoku
  Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo 77710 Mexico
  (984) 879-3282
  
  Carlos Evia Salazar y Asociados
  35 Norte 240
  Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
  (984) 873-2395

Notaries:

• Lic. Rubí L. Díaz Domínguez
  30 Av. Sur No. 141 Esq. Calle 3 Sur
  Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo 77710 Mexico
  (984) 873-1772
  
  Lic. Victor M. Santín Coral
  30 Av. Sur No. 141 Esq. Calle 3 Sur
  Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo 77710 Mexico
  (984) 873-0255
  
  Miguel Angel Ortiz Cardin
  Titular
  Notaría Pública 21
  Calle 30 Norte No. 179 , Bajos Esq. Calle 8
  Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo 77710 Mexico
  (984) 873-1503 / Fax 873-0393
  
  Victor Manuel Santin Coral
  Titular
  Notaría Pública 24
  Av. 30 Sur 141 x Calle 3 Sur y Col. Centro
  Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo 77710 Mexico
  (984) 873-0255

[Zero Gravity]

Im interested in purchasing a condo in palydel car, its on the ocean, and they want about 225.

How do I get morinfo like comparisons, etc.

Also these going up in value, how can I find that.

My realter seems very nice, but can I trust her?

Any info would help,

[jaydoil]

I bought a place in Playacar last year and used an attorney with whom I was generally pleased. You can PM me for her name. I'm a lawyer in Texas, and after having gone through the bizarre experience of a Mexican real estate closing, I don't see how you could do it with just a notary. I STRONGLY second the suggestion that the best thing you can have is a good real estate agent who knows all the players and is readily available when the inevitable mini-crises pop up.

[Michael]

I was steered away from the Notaries in Playa del Carmen and advised to go to Cancun. I think that was because of the Playa Notarios being famous for delays. I cannot remember the exact reason.

And Denise => Notice how that wide selection of Notaries shrinks, when you start to look at the names and addresses. I believe there are only two Notary offices in Playa del Carmen. And I was told not to use either.

We do think highly of the one in Cancun that we worked with. If it is of special interest to anyone I can call my wife and ask her for the details. However if you cannot get this information from you realtor can you rely on your realtor?

Mike.

[denisea]

Originally posted by "michaelholmes"

And Denise => Notice how that wide selection of Notaries shrinks, when you start to look at the names and addresses. I believe there are only two Notary offices in Playa del Carmen. And I was told not to use either.

Funny, I had noticed that the addresses were the same for some of the notaries, though for some strange reason, I hadn't noticed that I had listed one of the notaries, Victor Manuel Santin Coral, twice. :oops: During my research, however, I did notice that Cancun had many more attorneys and notaries to chose from than Playa del Carmen. When we're ready to purchase real estate in Playa del Carmen, we'll go with a personal recommendation as opposed to simply selecting someone's name out of a directory. Of course, this is no different than what we would do here at home. It's always best to go with personal recommendations whenever possible.

[Dpreefer]

It is really easy falling in love with Playa. Buying property and building is something else again. Be prepared for lots of misinformation. Be prepared for professionals who are not very good at their job. Be prepared for bureaucratic meddling and delays. Be prepared for lots of extra costs as you pay for learning how you do it in Mexico.

I bought a piece of land a year and a half ago in Playa, in the north end of town, where I think the growth is moving and where it is going to be soooo cool. I have encountered many problems, but they will work out.

Getting a good attorney is difficult. Even the good ones can give bad information. This is common, so check out what they tell you. I had a good Cancun attorney. I told her that I was going to build a small condominium on my land and she recommended buying as a fideicomiso. Wrong! Now I have to make it a corporation at a cost of money and time. And she was a pretty good lawyer.

Note that a lawyer can also be a notary. A notary has to have practiced law for 10 years, and only they can certify documents for government registration. Essentially, they are senior lawyers.

Make sure you get title insurance and use a Mexican insurance company if you can. If htere ois a problem, you want to be in a Mexican court and have Mexican protection. It is harder if your insurance company is in Miami. Also, consider a corporation, even if it is for a house, as you thereby have all of the legal standing of a Mexican national. If you are a fideicomiso, you are essentially a foreigner, and go to the end of the line if there is a legal problem or a problem with title.

When you get lawyer's names, make sure you are comfortable with their english. Either that or learn spanish better. Legal concepts do not translate well in pidgeon english.

If you want further input, e-mail me direct off of the forum.

[StephenB]

Thanks everyone for all the input. I am really thinking about buying an existing fix-er-upper to avoid the hassles of zoning, permits etc. It seems that putting a few bucks into a place that has been used for an existing residence might not require the usual mordidas (or at least not as many).
I have looked into both the fedeicomiso and the corporation and they both have thier drawbacks. The major problem with the corporation as I see it is uncle Sam and not Sr. Fox. I hear that even if you're not making any money on your foreign corp. the tax returns (US) are hellish! God! I hate paperwork as it is! But a good point is made about your standing with the Mexican courts in case of a dispute. It's interesting about the Mexican title insurance. I was unaware that it's available. Very interesting. I guess we all know the real estate industry in Mexico is totally unregulated. I think for the most part it's just like anywhere...some good...some bad. I really wish I wasn't so cheap! Oh well, we will probably end up hiring a lawyer and a notario just to be on the safe side. PM's on this subject are always welcome, and everyone is invited to my place (my shack...and it will probably be a shack) in Playa for a cold one when this is all over.
"No se gano Zamora en una hora". :P

[tm72890]

If your sill out ther please HELP with land & atty tm72890@aol.com

Originally Posted by Dpreefer

It is really easy falling in love with Playa. Buying property and building is something else again. Be prepared for lots of misinformation. Be prepared for professionals who are not very good at their job. Be prepared for bureaucratic meddling and delays. Be prepared for lots of extra costs as you pay for learning how you do it in Mexico.

I bought a piece of land a year and a half ago in Playa, in the north end of town, where I think the growth is moving and where it is going to be soooo cool. I have encountered many problems, but they will work out.

Getting a good attorney is difficult. Even the good ones can give bad information. This is common, so check out what they tell you. I had a good Cancun attorney. I told her that I was going to build a small condominium on my land and she recommended buying as a fideicomiso. Wrong! Now I have to make it a corporation at a cost of money and time. And she was a pretty good lawyer.

Note that a lawyer can also be a notary. A notary has to have practiced law for 10 years, and only they can certify documents for government registration. Essentially, they are senior lawyers.

Make sure you get title insurance and use a Mexican insurance company if you can. If htere ois a problem, you want to be in a Mexican court and have Mexican protection. It is harder if your insurance company is in Miami. Also, consider a corporation, even if it is for a house, as you thereby have all of the legal standing of a Mexican national. If you are a fideicomiso, you are essentially a foreigner, and go to the end of the line if there is a legal problem or a problem with title.

When you get lawyer's names, make sure you are comfortable with their english. Either that or learn spanish better. Legal concepts do not translate well in pidgeon english.

If you want further input, e-mail me direct off of the forum.

[PlayadelSoul]

Also, keep your eye on the upcoming political season. A change in leadership, either at the national or local level, may present a whole new set of problems.

[Murrsay185]

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

Also, keep your eye on the upcoming political season. A change in leadership, either at the national or local level, may present a whole new set of problems.

Well said !!!!!

Maybe I worry too much but a change in government policy or politicial leaders has the potential to place real property investments in Mexico at risk.

PlayadelSoul do you have any insight into potential problems?

[PlayadelSoul]

Originally Posted by Murrsay185

Well said !!!!!

Maybe I worry too much but a change in government policy or politicial leaders has the potential to place real property investments in Mexico at risk.

PlayadelSoul do you have any insight into potential problems?

Only that one of the leading candidates (can't recall his name at the moment) is talking a lot of trash when it comes to US/Mexico relations. Might be some retaliation for what is percieved to be a hostile US populus with regards to immigration.