Expat Advisor MX

Legal Insights for Expats

Practical guidance on real estate, fideicomiso, immigration and more — from 20+ years of experience in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.

Two formal legal folders with corporate seals beside a personal property document on a lawyer's desk

Buying Property in Mexico Through Your LLC or Corporation: What Your Accountant Won't Tell You

Your accountant told you to buy through your LLC or corporation. It sounds logical—deduct trips, depreciate the property, keep money working inside the company. But FAPI rules in Canada, Revenue Ruling 2013-14 in the United States, and dividend withholding in Mexico can turn that "tax strategy" into a mistake worth thousands of dollars. Here's when it actually makes sense and when it doesn't.

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Oceanfront condominium tower under construction in Puerto Vallarta

Buying Pre-Construction in Vallarta: What the Contract Won't Protect (And What Actually Will)

The pre-construction contract is non-negotiable, the developer won't change a comma, and NOM-247 protects you only on paper. Here's where the real protection actually lives — and the six things worth verifying before you sign.

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Signing a property deed at a notary office in Mexico

The Deed Reading at Closing in Mexico: Why You Won't Remember It (And What Actually Matters)

By law, your notario must read your entire escritura to you before you sign. Here's why you won't retain most of it — and why that's completely normal — and what you should actually do before closing day.

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