Should You Rent or Buy a Home in a Foreign Country?

Tom and I had a discussion the other day about renting or buying. While we both agree it’s a good idea to rent for the first year or two when you arrive in a foreign country, we differ in opinion for the long term. While he prefers the benefits of buying a house, I like the short-term commitment in renting. Neither one of us is wrong, but together, we did have to compromise. So, should you rent or buy in Mexico? Let’s explore the pros and cons of both. 

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Before You Arrive in Your New Destination

Arriving in a new country (we’ll use Mexico as an example), is both exhilarating and scary. The unfamiliarity is an adventure, but the goal is to get settled somewhere and become one with the community.

Renting an Airbnb for the first week or two is the best idea. This will give you time to meet with a realtor and give them your “wish” list. Your realtor should be familiar with the different neighborhoods and listen to your wants and needs. If they show you a place 20 minutes from a grocery store and you don’t have a car, that’s not ideal. Showing you a condo in a busy downtown area when you have 4 big dogs that need to walk twice a day is also not the best living arrangement. Remember, the realtor should work for you, not the seller.

Talk to a realtor or two, have them suggest neighborhoods that might fit your criteria, and use Google Maps, Google Earth, and keywords to get an idea of what the streets look like, shopping conveniences, and whatever else you might need in your daily life (gym, Home Depot, cafes, etc).

 

If you are traveling to Mexico City or Tulum, check out Casai smart homes with 24/7 concierge service. Their blog Conocer by Casai, has curated city guides from local chefs and artists, descriptions of the must-see bars and restaurants, and updates of new features, like their recently launched Casai bike rental program. 

What We Agree On: 

Renting for the First Year or Two

Tom and I agree that renting for the first year or two is a good idea. Sometimes what looks great on paper may not live up to your expectations in real life. Your neighbor might have an outside dog that barks 24/7. Or maybe a neighbor has late night parties every day of the week. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to check out the habits of your neighbors before you move in.

You may also find that you are too far from daily conveniences or in a bad area for traffic noise. Maybe you meet a bunch of friends that live on the other side of town and you hate dealing with the traffic to join them for lunch. There’s a lot to learn in your first year in a new country and city. Sometimes you rent in the perfect location, and sometimes you don’t.

Year Two 

You may love your neighbors and location and stay where you are. Or you may want to move closer to places you frequent so you decide to rent somewhere else. Remember, you are still learning, and there’s only so much “newness” you can absorb at one time. 

The Benefits of Buying Property

OK, you’ve chosen your new city, and you like your neighborhood. Now what?
Buying a house or a condo is a great option if you plan to retire in Mexico. Real estate is one of the best ways to invest your money. Land prices and the cost of living keep going up, so it makes sense to buy something and let it appreciate for you. If you can buy a house with cash and not have a mortgage, even better. You never know if a pandemic might hit the world again and affect your income streams. 

Having a home gives a person a sense of belonging, and your neighbors will be more open to you knowing you plan to stay.

Your Own Home

Another benefit of buying your own home (or building your own home) is that you can decorate it and renovate it as you choose. Choosing your tile, faucets, and paint color makes it your own. 

Buying Property as a Foreigner

You will need to know the laws of foreigners buying property. In Mexico, you cannot own the title of a property within 50 km of the coast or 100 km of the border. The title of your house will be set up in a trust called a fideicomiso with a bank or another approved Mexican institution. You still retain the right to sell it or will it to your family. If you buy in the interior, you will own your property title outright.

But what if staying in one place is not your goal? Is buying a house every few years a good investment?

Well, that depends on the market. Or maybe you can use the place as a rental to generate income later on.

 

 

Where We Disagree:

The Benefits of Renting

Here is where Tom and I have a difference of opinion. This may have something to do with our upbringing. Tom was raised in one town and two different neighborhoods during his formative years. I was raised in the military and moved every 3-4 years to a different state or country. When I met Tom, I hadn’t spent more than 4 years in one place.

• He sees a house as an investment, I see it as a money pit.
• He thinks renting is just throwing money away. I see it as a temporary home before moving on to the next adventure.

I like the fact that if something breaks, it’s someone else’s responsibility (and money). Hopefully, you have a good landlord if this happens to you.

Neither one of us is wrong. Both options have their benefits. It just depends on your lifestyle.

Read our post: Things You Should Know About Buying Property in Mexico

Our Current Circumstances

I will say that owning a home without a mortgage was a blessing during COVID 2020. The pandemic affected not only our new business ventures but our income streams. We built our home and paid cash which made it easier to live off a smaller income during the uncertainty of the pandemic.

I still think owning a house is a money pit when things break, but it’s ours. If times get really rough, we know we can sell it, move into a smaller place, and have extra money to live comfortably.

And Tom is not opposed to moving somewhere else in the future. Our neighborhood is new, and though many amenities will be built in the next few years, so will a couple hundred houses. We may find that it’s too “crowded” for us. We still have a dream to live in Spain, but for now, it’s still just a dream.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the real estate history of an area, cost of living expenses and your choice of staying long-term are all factors to consider. If you do decide to buy, be aware of the laws pertaining to foreigners. Whether you decide to rent or buy is up to you.

What is your preferred choice?