How to Buy a Home in La Paz (Without Losing Your Mind)
A step-by-step guide for anyone ready to make the move —or the investment
I often get messages that go something like this:
“We’re thinking about moving to La Paz, but we don’t even know where to start...”
“What are the steps? Is it complicated?”
And I get it. Buying property in a new city —or in a new country— can feel overwhelming at first.
But I promise: it doesn’t have to be.
With the right guidance, the process is not only doable, it can actually feel exciting and clear.
Step 1: What kind of life are you looking for?
Before we ever talk about prices or listings, I always start here:
Have you been to La Paz?
Do you want to move here full-time, part-time, or are you investing to rent?
Are there areas or lifestyles that interest you?
These questions help build the foundation of your search:
location, type of home, your “must-haves” (bedrooms, views, accessibility)… and of course, your budget.
Step 2: Are you a foreigner? Let’s talk about the bank trust
If you’re not a Mexican citizen, here’s something important to know:
In coastal areas like La Paz, property purchases are done through a bank trust (fideicomiso).
And no, it’s not complicated —but it does require some patience.
The trust is created with a Mexican bank, and while the title is in the bank’s name, you are the legal owner with full rights to use, rent, remodel, sell, or inherit the property.
This process usually takes 6 to 12 weeks, mainly due to bank and notary timelines.
Step 3: What happens with your money during that time?
This is one of the most reassuring things for clients to understand:
The purchase funds are held in escrow (a neutral, third-party account).
The seller doesn’t receive any money until the trust or deed is ready to be signed.
That means your investment is safe throughout the process —even if it takes a little time to close.
Peace of mind is everything.
Step 4: Signing, closing... and one last quiet step
Once the trust or deed is ready, it’s time to sign.
At that point, the closing attorney authorizes the escrow funds to be released to the seller —and just like that, you officially own the property.
But there’s one final step most people don’t know about:
The new deed needs to be registered with the Public Registry in La Paz (Catastro office).
They’ll stamp it and update the owner records for tax and legal purposes.
Don’t worry —your closing attorney handles that part.
You’ll receive the original deed with all official stamps once that’s done.
Step 5: Tools and people that make it easier
This entire process becomes much smoother when you’re in good hands.
In my case:
I’m a certified real estate agent in Baja California Sur (licensed by SETUE)
I’m a member of AMPI La Paz and AMPI National
I work with trusted platforms like MLS Cabo, EasyBroker, and Realtor.com, which only list legally ready properties
I partner with reliable closing attorneys who keep everything ethical, clear, and client-focused
What I always tell my clients
Buying property in Mexico isn’t hard —if you do it with the right team beside you.
You don’t have to know everything.
You just need someone who explains it calmly and walks with you through the process.
That’s what I’m here for.
Ready to begin?
📩 Send me a message if you’re ready to explore homes in La Paz —or if you just have questions.
And if you’re not quite there yet, feel free to bookmark this post.
When the time is right, it’ll be waiting for you.
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