Baja’s real estate market spans everything from month-to-month beach rentals to full home purchases — and the rules differ meaningfully from the US, especially near the coast.

Renting

Most rentals are arranged directly with owners or local agents rather than through a national platform — expect to pay first month + a deposit (often 1 month), sometimes in cash. Longer-term leases (6–12 months) get meaningfully better rates than short-term/ vacation pricing. Get any lease in writing, in a language you both understand, even for informal arrangements.

The restricted zone (zona restringida)

Under Mexican law, foreigners cannot directly own land within 50km of the coast or 100km of an international border — which covers nearly all of Baja California. Instead, foreign buyers use a fideicomiso, a bank trust where a Mexican bank holds legal title and you hold all beneficial rights (use, rent, sell, will to heirs), renewable in 50-year terms. Alternatively, buying through a Mexican corporation is common for investment/commercial property. Both are well-established, routine structures — not a workaround, just how foreign coastal ownership legally works here.

Buying: the basics

• A notario público (a specialized, government-licensed attorney role — not the same as a US notary) is legally required to close a property sale and verifies title, liens, and taxes.
• Get an independent title search and, ideally, your own attorney review before signing — don’t rely solely on the seller’s paperwork or agent.
• Closing costs typically run roughly 5–8% of the purchase price (acquisition tax, notario fees, trust setup if applicable, registration).
• Property tax (predial) in Mexico is notably low compared to the US — often a small fraction of a comparable US property’s tax bill.

Finding an agent

Look for agents affiliated with AMPI (Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios), Mexico’s national real estate association — membership signals some baseline accountability, though it isn’t a formal license requirement everywhere.