Buying a beach home in Puerto Peñasco isn't like buying back home — and that's exactly why it pays to work with someone who does this every week. The single most common question I hear is: "Can I, as an American or Canadian, actually own property in Mexico?" The answer is yes. Foreigners buy, own, sell, rent, and pass down property here every day. You just do it through a system built specifically for you, and once you understand it, it's straightforward.
Here's what being a foreign buyer in Rocky Point actually means.
Yes. Puerto Peñasco sits in what Mexican law calls the "restricted zone" — property within about 50 kilometers of the coastline. Foreigners can't hold direct title inside that zone, but the law provides a well-established path: a fideicomiso, or bank trust. This isn't a loophole or a lease — it's the standard, legal way millions of foreigners own coastal property in Mexico.
A Mexican bank acts as trustee and holds the title, while you are the beneficiary with full rights to the property. That means you can live in it, remodel it, rent it out, sell it, or leave it to your heirs — the same rights you'd expect as an owner anywhere. The trust runs for 50 years and is renewable, and you can name beneficiaries so the property passes directly to your family without going through probate.
For buyers purchasing primarily for rental income or commercial use, a Mexican corporation is sometimes the better structure. I'll walk you through which one fits your situation.
In Mexico, a notario público is not the same as a U.S. notary. They're a government-appointed attorney who oversees the transaction, verifies title, calculates and collects taxes, and formally records the transfer. Every legitimate real estate closing in Mexico goes through a notario — it's one of the biggest protections you have as a buyer.
Closing costs in Mexico are typically higher than in the U.S. and are generally paid by the buyer. They usually run in the range of several percent of the purchase price and cover items like the acquisition tax, trust setup, notario fees, permits, and recording. I'll give you a written estimate specific to your property before you ever commit, so there are no surprises at the table.
Here's some good news: annual property tax in Mexico — called predial — is famously low compared to the U.S., often a small fraction of what you'd pay for a comparable home in Arizona. It's one of the reasons Rocky Point is such an attractive place to own a second home.
U.S.-based title insurers offer policies on Mexican property, giving American and Canadian buyers the same peace of mind they'd expect at home. Combined with the notario's title verification and a properly structured trust, your ownership is secure and clearly documented.
Many Rocky Point purchases are cash, but you have options. As a developer, I offer financing on select new homes, and there are cross-border and seller-financing paths as well.
As your buying agent, I coordinate the whole thing: aligning you with the right notario, title and escrow companies, inspectors, and — when needed — financing partners. Once your offer is accepted, I personally shepherd the transaction to closing so nothing falls through the cracks. My job is to make owning in a foreign country feel as simple as owning at home.
A note on legal and tax specifics: I can educate you on how the process works, but I'm not an attorney or tax advisor. For your specific situation, we'll confirm the fine points with your notario and, if needed, a cross-border tax professional — so you move forward with total confidence.
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Ready to start? Contact us today and let's talk through your Mexican dream.
Yes. Foreigners buy coastal property in Puerto Peñasco through a Mexican bank trust called a fideicomiso, which gives you full rights to use, rent, sell, and inherit the property.
A fideicomiso is a bank trust in which a Mexican bank holds title as trustee while you, the buyer, are the beneficiary with full ownership rights. It runs 50 years, is renewable, and lets you name heirs.
No. You do not need Mexican citizenship or residency to purchase property in Rocky Point through a fideicomiso.
Closing costs are typically paid by the buyer and generally run several percent of the purchase price, covering acquisition tax, trust setup, notario fees, and recording.
No. Annual property tax (predial) in Mexico is generally very low compared to the United States.
Yes, when done correctly. Every legitimate purchase goes through a government-appointed notario público who verifies title, and U.S.-based title insurance is available for added protection.