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How To Finance Your New Home In Mexico
Maybe it was the weather and the beaches. Maybe it was the food and the culture. Maybe it was the relaxed pace and friendly people. Maybe it was a combination of all these factors that during your time spent in Mexico made you stop and think:
I could live here.
Its an experience many people have every year in Mexico, when they come for a visit and are so taken with the experience they want to make a commitment to not just visiting the country, but to actually settle down and live in Mexico, for extended months-long stays or even permanently to run a business in Mexico or retire.
Congratulations Youre A Mexico Homeowner
It is often said the purchase of a home will be the biggest financial decision most people will make in their life, and so buying a second home in Mexico will probably be the second. Yet in many ways, it could prove to be more satisfying.
Its an exciting commitment to a decision to take that step and really make that lifestyle change youve been talking about for years. Without the pressure to simply put a roof over your head, you can relax and enjoy the process of finding just the right place, with all the amenities you want. You can then imagine the possibilities of decorating your dream home. Its a chance to settle in and really become a part of your Mexican community.
And perhaps the most satisfying aspect of all is the thought you are no longer just a tourist in Mexico. Youre a Mexico homeowner. Let us know how we can help you find just the right home!
Brent May
Brent May is the GM and Founder of Own Mexico. He is highly motivated and strives for excellence in order to provide the best service possible for foreigners buying property in Mexico. He understands some of the frustrations people may have while searching for a property in paradise and has learned from his own experiences buying and living in Mexico. Brent and his wife are grateful for the opportunities they have and to be able to live in a place most people vacation in. Brent’s extensive knowledge and experience in the buying process will leave you at ease while buying property in Mexico.
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Understand How To Finance A Loan
There are several ways you can finance a loan. Here are a few:
- Cash-out refinance: This is a great mortgage refinancing option in which an old mortgage is replaced with a new one for an amount larger than the remainder of the existing loan.Compared to the typical rent-and-term refinance option, cash-out often has a higher interest rate. When aiming for low interest, try to refinance when lending rates are low.
- Home Equity Lines of Credit : This option borrows against the available equity in your home. Your house would be used as collateral for the line of credit. This option is only available for those who have equity in the current residence, meaning that the homes value exceeds the amount owed.
- Getting a new loan: If building on your previous mortgage or extending a line of credit isnt suitable for you, consider exploring the option of getting a new loan. A new loan would be completely independent of your primary home, so it could also save you peace of mind if youre concerned about tying an investment property to your current home. Make a down payment of at least 20%
This is the unwritten rule for lenders. A 20% down payment helps lessen the risk on the lenders side, but its also a great benefit for the borrower. Vacation rental financing is already more costly than a primary home mortgage, so the more money you put down, the better chance you have at a lower interest rate.
Interested In Equity Release To Buy A Second Home
Releasing equity to buy a second home could be a good solution if you are planning to buy in or close to retirement. Modern lifetime mortgages can offer great flexibility. You can now choose to keep your interest bill down by making regular interest payments if you want to, or you can access funds in stages rather than taking it all up front as a lump sum. You can also choose products that allow you to protect an inheritance for your beneficiaries.
If you are interested in releasing equity, we have partnered with Responsible Equity Release, a market-leading broker. They can offer you a free no-obligation chat with their Information Team and, if youre ready, book you an appointment with an equity release adviser. An adviser can help you to understand whether equity release is the right choice for you, as well as explain how it will impact the value of your estate and could affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits.
Responsible will only deal with lenders who are members of the Equity Release Council, meaning you will be protected by a no-negative-equity guarantee which will ensure you never owe more than the value of your home.
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Use the equity release calculator now to find out how much tax-free cash you could unlock.
Read more:
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Is Owning A Vacation Rental A Good Investment
When investors follow the appropriate steps to buying a vacation rental property, they are more than likely to reap the many benefits this investment offers. The biggest payoff vacation rentals have is increased cash flow. Vacation rental platforms are a great way to generate income from a short-term lease, and if your property is in high demand, you will see even greater profits.
The tax benefits associated with vacation rentals are also available to take advantage of. Your vacation home is considered a business if it is rented out for at least 2 weeks per year or more for tax purposes. This means that the rentals income will be taxed, but you can also write off many of your rental propertys expenses. You can deduct many items from your taxes, including utility costs, property management fees, occupancy taxes, mortgage interest, and more.
Not only can you generate income by leasing out your rental property, but also you have the benefit of vacationing there yourself. If you ever decide to take a getaway, your vacation rental can be made available for your own personal use. You can even hold on to your vacation home to use as a future retirement home.
The Bottom Line: Plan Your Retreat Now
Buying a cottage is a significant investment, but it can also be a valuable one. If you see a cottage in your future, start planning today to get your down payment together.
Whether you call it a cottage or cabin, having a place where you, your friends and family members can relax and unwind is the dream for many homeowners. Set your dream in motion and start the home buying process online today.
Get approved to buy a home.
And see how much down payment assistance you may need.
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Why Choose Aim For Buying A Vacation Home In Colorado
The process of finding an ideal mortgage option is complicated and requires a deal of effort and time. We represent a wide variety of A+ rated lenders with the finest rates, provide real time monthly mortgage payments for your review, and help you comprehend complicated prerequisites for buying a vacation home. At AIM, we are the only mortgage lender in Colorado that is a member of Tom Martinos Referral List, Haystack of Colorado, and a BBB Gold Star Recipient since 2004. So, if youre looking for a unique combination of mortgage experience and skills, then reach out to our service in Colorado.
Buying A Home With Cash
Historically, cash purchases have been the way to go when buying property in Mexico. If you are fortunate enough to already have the money you need in the bank, this is straight forward enough.
But even if this is not the case, there are a couple different ways to go about home financing in Mexico and getting the money you need to buy the property you want outright. If you have made the commitment to permanently move to Mexico, the obvious solution is to sell your home in Canada or the US and use the money from the sale to purchase your Mexican property.
While its not necessarily the case a quality home in Mexico will come cheap, given the exchange on the dollar and the fact that in many cases particularly if you are retiring the desire in moving to Mexico will include downsizing from your long time family home, generally selling your previous home will provide you with enough cash to buy in Mexico. Particularly if the home you are selling is mortgage-free.
On the other hand, if your desire is to live in Mexico for an extended period of time but not full time and you still need a place to live north of the border, you could approach your bank for a home-equity loan and use that money to purchase your Mexico property. Its an added benefit if you are able to arrange to rent out your first home while you are away in Mexico, and use the rental income to help repay the loan.
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Is A Vacation Home Considered Investment Property
A vacation home can be considered an investment property if you are not living in it on a semi-regular basis. As long as you are purchasing it for personal vacation use it should be considered a vacation or investment property, not a rental. Rental properties are homes that you purchase with the intention to rent and generate income from. The projected revenue to be generated is taken into account during the loan approval process. For this reason, rental property loans can be easier to qualify for than vacation home loans. Whether you purchase a vacation home and rental home they can both be great investments.
Work With A Local Realtor
Buying real estate in a new area or even one youve vacationed in for many years requires expert guidance, so be sure to work with an experienced local real estate professional. They will know not only what properties are available, but why you might prefer one to another, and any local regulations or restrictions.
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What Kind Of Loan Do You Get For A Vacation Home
If you want to get a vacation home loan to help you finance your second home, there are various avenues that you should be aware of for getting this done. Here are three main ways that people have successfully obtained a vacation home construction loan:Cash-out refinance
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Down Payment For A Second Home
You can buy a first home with just 3% down in many cases. But it takes at least 10% down to buy a vacation home and thats if the rest of your application is very strong .
If you have a lower credit score or higher debttoincome ratio, your mortgage lender may require at least 20% down for a second home. A down payment of 25% or higher can make it easier to qualify for a conventional loan.
If you dont have a lot of cash on hand, you may be able to borrow your down payment.
The National Association of REALTORS® says about a fifth of buyers tap into equity from their primary residence to make the down payment on the second home. This is possible using a cashout refinance or a home equity line of credit.
When rates are low, a cashout refinance could have the double benefit of covering your second home down payment and lowering the interest rate on your primary home loan.
What about FHA or VA loans?
The U.S. government doesnt sponsor loans for anything but primary residences, since those loans are meant to encourage primary homeownership. However, if your seller has a governmentbacked loan against the property, you may be able to assume the sellers loan.
Your loan of choice will probably be a conventional loan, such as those underwritten by standards set out by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
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Its Best To Use A Us Lender With A Canadian Affiliation
While Canadians can get mortgages in the U.S. from many lenders – whether they are affiliated with a Canadian financial institution or not – your first choice will almost always be to seek out a Canadian financial institution with operations in the U.S.
There are significant advantages to working with a Canadian affiliated lender, including:
Tax Implications Of Buying A Vacation Home
The 2017 tax reform radically changed real estate taxes. In theory, mortgage interest and property taxes remain generally deductible for both primary residences and second homes but in practice, many people take the standard deduction instead of itemizing mortgage interest and property taxes. Without such deductions, the economics of ownership have changed.
To offset costs, vacation property owners may want to consider short-term overnight rentals through platforms such as Airbnb, FlipKey or HomeToGo, as well as in-season rentals through a local real estate broker.
According to the IRS: If you rent a dwelling unit to others that you also use as a residence, limitations may apply to the rental expenses you can deduct. Youre considered to use a dwelling unit as a residence if you use it for personal purposes during the tax year for more than the greater of: 1. 14 days, or 2. 10% of the total days you rent it to others at a fair rental price.
Translation: There are circumstances where rental money is not taxed in fact, it need not be reported. Speak with a tax professional for details.
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How To Finance Your Vacation Rental
In our Best Places to Invest series, weve focused on using real-time AirDNA data to prospect your next Short-term Rental investment property. We will now shift our focus to an equally critical aspect: how to finance your vacation rental investment property.
In this article, well provide an overview of todays landscape, simplify the steps required to buy a second home, and provide expert recommendations to ensure you have all the tools needed to be successful.
Find A Local Real Estate Agent
Your real estate agent is the most important person in this process. Theyll work to find you the perfect home, negotiate on your behalf and be there to guide you through the rest of the buying journey.
Be sure to look for an agent local to the area where youll be purchasing. Theyll know the intricacies of the real estate market better than a regional agent, which means they can offer advice on finances and neighborhoods to explore.
When you search for an agent, be sure to look for a buyers agent only. Working with a dual agent, or an agent who represents both you and the seller, can cause conflicts of interest.
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Finance Your Vacation Rental: How To Get Started
First and foremost, you need to have a clearly defined investment thesis and a clear understanding of your own investment objectives. Theres no right or wrong answer here, it all depends on what you are trying to achieve by investing in short-term rentals. For example, some investors are primarily looking to purchase STRs for personal use in areas that they enjoy visiting. They’re less concerned about making a significant profit — for them the goal proximity, flexibility, and the prospect of using rental income to offset a mortgage.
On the flip side, other investors’ main objective is maximizing their annual cash flow and cash-on-cash returns. For them, the location of the property is less important so long as the revenue potential is high. Understanding these factors is a critical first step to figuring out where to start looking for investment opportunities. If you need help getting started, or if you already have opportunities in mind but still have questions on how best to proceed with mortgages and loans for Short Term Rentals, Host Financial is a great resource that specializes in financing and capital advisory services for the STR industry.