All Forum Posts by: Ciro Antonio Martínez Morales

Great question, Deepika and welcome to the world of real estate investing!

When you're investing out of state (or remotely in general), you're not just choosing a market… you're choosing a team, a system, and a strategy. That’s why the first step isn’t picking the “hottest” city—it’s identifying what kind of investor you want to be.

Start by getting very clear on your goals.
Are you looking for consistent cash flow? A long-term appreciation play? A retirement property that you may eventually use yourself? Each goal leads to a different type of location, property, and local partner. That clarity will help you eliminate the noise and focus on what actually matters for your situation.

In Mexico, where I operate, many investors buy properties remotely in beach towns or high-growth zones. That might sound risky, but when your objectives are clear and you build a strong local team you trust, distance becomes a secondary factor. It’s not about being close, it’s about being prepared and structured.

Final tip: Don’t worry about starting small. Start strategically. The best investment isn’t the cheapest or the trendiest—it’s the one that aligns with your vision and your lifestyle. 

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room

Is Mexico in a real estate boom or are we just seeing another hype bubble waiting to pop?

Here’s what the numbers actually show

Foreign direct investment in Mexican real estate grew over 24% last year, tourism broke records again in 2024 in places like Riviera Maya, Los Cabos and Vallarta and the infrastructure isn’t just talk anymore, Tren Maya and the new Tulum airport are already running and moving people every day

Yes, prices have increased but demand hasn’t gone anywhere

Occupancy rates remain strong in key vacation markets and rental income if managed right can still outperform what most U.S. investors get at home. 

What’s happening is a shift from low-cost flips to luxury villas, from speculation to experience-driven investments, from buying anything to buying with clarity and purpose. The ones struggling aren’t losing because the market is bad, they’re losing because they bought in the wrong place with the wrong partners and the wrong expectations

Mexico isn’t cooling down, It’s evolving and those who adapt, win.

I’ve seen this question come up a lot lately, especially from U.S. and Canadian investors:

Is Mexico still worth it in 2025?

There’s a mix of curiosity and doubt, and I get it. The market has changed. Prices have gone up in some areas. Others are getting overbuilt. But while some are stepping back, others are doubling down. Why?

Because they understand what’s really happening here, beyond the headlines.

In this 5-part series, I’m going to break down the truth behind investing in Mexico right now. No fluff, no hype. Just data, experience and what I’ve seen on the ground.

I’ll cover:

1. 1. Is Mexico booming or bubbling

2. 2. What areas are really growing in 2025

3. 3. The gap between fear and facts

4. 4. Who should really be investing here

5. 5. A look at 5 years of real growth, and what comes next

Let’s start with the truth.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in such detail and you're absolutely right. I think there was a misunderstanding around the concert point. I didn’t mean that people are flying to Mexico just for concerts. What I meant was: local travel in Mexico is often driven by concerts, festivals, and cultural events, and it’s something we shouldn’t overlook when thinking about short-term rental demand.

In fact, some of my other posts talk specifically about that: Mexican travelers booking weekend escapes around events, staycations, or curated experiences.

And regarding what you said about the Riviera Maya I completely agree. I’ve seen the shift happening myself, the market is leaning more toward villas, high-end properties, and concept-driven experiences that help people disconnect and feel something unique. It’s less about the unit, and more about the story you’re creating around it.

I really appreciate your input it adds valuable perspective. I believe the challenge now is filtering through the noise and spotting the real opportunities. And honest insights like yours definitely help with that.

Hey John, appreciate you sharing that but it actually highlights something I see often:
secondhand fear spreads quickly, especially when it lacks context.

Mexico is vast and diverse. Saying “don’t go without armed guards” is like warning someone off New York because of something that happened in the Bronx in the ’90s — it's outdated, generalized, and detached from reality.

I live here. I walk freely every day in places like Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Mérida alongside families, travelers, and global investors who’ve chosen to make this their home or second home. I regularly meet with investors from all over the world, people who not only invest here, but genuinely enjoy being here. No bodyguards. Just awareness and perspective.

Of course, like any country, there are challenges to navigate but painting an entire nation with one brush misses everything that’s actually happening on the ground.

The real danger isn’t being here, it’s letting fear stop you from discovering what’s real.

And if curiosity ever beats caution, I’d be happy to show you what that reality looks like.

Most foreigners assume you need Mexican residency, a local job, or a FICO score in Mexico to get a loan.
That’s not true and thinking that way is stopping many from unlocking powerful opportunities.

In Mexico, foreigner-friendly financing exists but it follows a different logic than the U.S. system. Here’s how it actually works:

 1. Private lending, not banks

Traditional Mexican banks rarely lend to non-residents. But private lending firms licensed under Mexican real estate law fill that gap. They specialize in working with U.S. and Canadian buyers, often in dollars, and with underwriting processes that focus on your income and credit from your home country.

These aren’t “hard money” lenders. They’re structured, legal, and built for this specific niche.

 2. The role of the fideicomiso

As a foreigner, you don’t hold title in your name directly when buying in Mexico’s restricted zones (like Riviera Maya, Baja, Puerto Vallarta, etc.). Instead, the property is held through a fideicomiso, a bank trust where you are the sole beneficiary with full control, rights, and the ability to sell, rent, will or transfer.

Financing is tied to that trust which protects you and aligns with Mexican law.

 3. Loan terms & structure

• Mortgages are typically in USD

• Interest rates range from 8% to 12%, depending on your profile

• Terms go from 5 to 20 years

• Down payments are usually 30%–50%, depending on the property and your income

Many investors use this structure to leverage their capital without selling assets in the U.S., and let the rental income cover the monthly payments.

 4. A real case example

Let’s say you buy a $250,000 condo in Riviera Maya with 40% down.

• You finance $150,000 over 15 years

• Your monthly payment is around $1,500 USD

• The unit generates $2,500–$3,000/month as a short-term rental

• After expenses and mortgage, you’re still net positive and building equity abroad

 Final Thought:

You don’t need to be a resident.
You don’t need to open a Mexican bank account.
What you do need is clarity, documentation, and the right team guiding you.

Foreign financing in Mexico isn’t a fantasy.
It’s a powerful tool and it’s already working for hundreds of investors who decided to move smarter, not harder.

“It’s too hard.”
“You have to be a resident.”
“Financing in Mexico? No way.”

These are just a few of the things I hear constantly from U.S. and Canadian investors.
And yet… I’ve helped dozens of them finance real estate in Mexico legally, safely, and without touching their home equity.

The truth?
Financing for foreigners in Mexico exists.
You just won’t hear much about it unless you know where to look.

That’s why I’m launching this 4-part series to break it down clearly:

1. - What foreign financing in Mexico actually looks like (and how it works)

2. - What documents and income proof you really need

3. - What kind of properties qualify and which ones don’t

4. - How to protect yourself from rookie mistakes when financing abroad

I’ve seen investors go from total confusion to owning cash-flowing assets in paradise without trying to “figure it out” alone.

Let’s unpack what no one’s talking about.

Totally hear you, a lot of people assume getting financing outside the U.S. is too complex and in many countries, it can be. But in Mexico, there are actually financing solutions specifically designed for foreign investors. No residency required, simple documentation, and accessible terms.
Several of my clients felt the same way… and now they’re earning income in places they once only vacationed in.

That’s why I’ll be launching some posts diving into this exact topic how financing works in Mexico for foreigners, what you need, and how to invest remotely with ease.

Hi John, I really appreciate your comment, genuinely curious, what led you to feel that way about Mexico?

Let’s keep it real.
After 5 posts, if you're still watching Mexico instead of moving on it… that’s your decision.

But here’s what I know from the ground:

• Prices are rising faster than most investors can keep up.

• Locals are buying. Foreigners are buying. Developers are buying.

• And the “ideal moment” you’re waiting for? It doesn’t send invitations.

 What this series really means:

This wasn’t just about trends.
It was about a wake-up call to look deeper, think smarter, and act before it’s crowded.

Because Mexico is not “emerging.”
It already emerged. And it’s just getting stronger.

 The smart investors are:

• Combining STRs with medium-term rentals.

• Buying in Tier 2 cities while everyone chases beach towns.

• Creating brands, not just listings.

• Getting educated on legal frameworks, taxes, and trust structures (yes, foreigners can own real estate here—correctly).

• Building teams on the ground instead of “hoping Airbnb takes care of everything.”

 Final truth:

You don’t need to go all in.
You need to go informed.
And you need to go before it’s obvious.

If you're thinking about Mexico, now is better than perfect.
Done beats waiting.

Drop a ✅ in the comments if you finished the series and want me to continue with more content about Mexico’s real estate.

Let’s keep building. This is just the beginning.