Make sure to ask the right questions when buying real estate in Rosarito. “Home is where the heart is” dictates conventional wisdom. But in reality, it takes a lot to make a heart feel at home: Friends, a sense of belonging, of spending time in a meaningful way.

Granted, a home by the ocean for less than $300,000 is a good way to start. But, buying a home in Rosarito is so much more than acquiring a beautiful property with phenomenal ocean views.

Since the majority of American retirees and vacation homeowners opt for gated communities and condos, it is important to ask the right questions in order to make sure you will be able to thrive and enjoy your new environment:

• What is the monthly HOA fee, and what does it cover?
• Are pets allowed in the community?
• Is there a limit to the number of pets?
• Are there any rules about children/grandchildren?
• Are you allowed to rent out your house? (This is a nice way to generate income during those times of the year you are not using your place)
• Does the community have a system to help you handle rental activity?
• How is a title held in the community and the home? In other words: Is it lease-land, or full ownership? (This is an all-important question when buying real estate in Baja).

Practice some tricks of the trade: You wish to sell your home in Baja, and you´ve settled for an asking price. But, have you given any thought on how the house will look to strangers? The right look is as important as the right price when trying to sell a property.

That´s the reason professional staging services exist in the States. But we don’t have them here in Rosarito. So if you want to get top dollar for your house, you´ll have to go D.I.Y. Staging helps buyers visualize a property as their future home and increases the chances of them wanting to walk through a property they had seen online.

Studies have shown that a house decorated to a buyer’s taste has a positive impact on its perceived value, while when the decoration displeases its taste, the perceived value of the house drops.

Since it´s impossible to guess the prospective client´s tastes, follow the golden rule: keep it simple.

Picture yourself as the buyer: You walk into this beautiful home with a nice ocean view and… your eye meets a knickknack… then a diploma… then photos scattered around.

Being open-minded, but aware of your needs and wants, is key to finding the right property at the right price in Baja

Many of us have a Champagne taste on a beer budget, which makes Rosarito Beach the place to buy when looking for Real estate in Mexico. But buying real estate in a foreign country can be tricky.

It may be straightforward at first: Figuring out your budget, searching online. As you go through several websites, you may find a property that catches your eye. So you take the trip down to Rosarito… And it turns out that “gorgeous house by the ocean” is on a remote dirt road, the rooms much smaller than what they seemed in pictures, the ocean only visible if you squint really hard.

You come to find out the property has been sitting there for two years without maintenance, and the price is not the same as advertised.

Needless to say, it is fundamental to get your information from a reputable agent and website.
“How much house…?”
Usually, our clients have a fairly good idea of their spending budget for real estate. What they are not sure of, is how far their dollar will take them in Mexico.

Though the answer usually comes as a pleasant surprise, it is important to be aware of all the costs involved.

Moving to Mexico and looking for your dream house can be one of the most exciting times in your life. However, the task lies in finding the perfect home, and sometimes, the best way to do it is by building it to your own specifications.

If you have recently been driving around in the Rosarito-Ensenada area, you may have noticed a great deal of construction activity, especially for private residences. This shows that many people are choosing to build homes.

The good news is that oceanfront and ocean-view lots are still available on the Rosarito Coast. Some are located within well-established communities, which is ideal in terms of safety, service availability, and infrastructure.

Building costs start at $55 a square foot, which will get you a great home with granite counters, dual pane windows, and of course, a floor plan customized to your wants and needs. Some cool features I´ve seen in custom-built homes in Rosarito include wine cellars, oversized walk-in closets, and extra light switches around the house. Now would be the time to add an elevator for your later years. Even if you leave the open shaft, you can add the elevator when you need it.

Am I paying too much for my Baja Real Estate? Is it the right choice? The decision might be daunting, especially if you are paying cash. But it shouldn´t be.

When buying real estate in Baja, most foreigners choose to pay cash. And while it is nice not to have a mortgage, writing a check can be a bit nerve-wracking. Am I overpaying? Am I buying in the right location? Should I buy a smaller property –just in case I change my mind?

Well, I´m here to tell you that after living and working in Baja for over 20 years, I have never heard anyone say: “The worst thing I did was move to Mexico”. What we hear more often is: “I should have moved sooner”.

It is perfectly natural, though, to feel some hesitancy. So this is my advice on how to solve this conundrum: