Hal

No idea. I am not a lawyer, just sharing my recent experience when we sold a lot this year. We were prepared to pay Capital Gains and at the closing the Notario asked if we wanted to use our exemption. We did not but were offered that option. This was in coastal Mexico, but I would assume such a rule would extend to all of the country.

My understanding is a shed is not sufficient. It requires at least a bathroom. It is a somewhat grey area of the law subject to interpretation. A notario can give you better information (since they are the ones who collect Capital gains for the Mex Government) than a lawyer can. I know from past experience that even with a lot you are allowed to use your cap gains exemption (which is once every 5 years) here in Mexico. You will need at least your temporal visa status for that exemption.

Was just by and they are laying floor tiles. At this stage things could move along quite quickly.

I think there is little danger of small independent restaurants going away lake side. Favorite restaurants we love like Yves, La Terraza, Brunos, and Go have a big local following and support. The upscale restaurants will be utilized by the Tapitios and some of the Gringos on special occasions. But the community is changing. I think there is room for all

We recently bought a lot from a Mexican owner for a fraction of what other lots were selling for. There is a convenience factor in dealing with a real estate agency but that comes with a cost since the owner wants to walk away with a certain amount of cash and now there is a commission to factor in. I understand a lot of sellers also do not necessarily want family members to know they have sold a property as well and prefer a private transaction. It does require having a good notario to make sure all papers are in order and to orchestrate a system of escrow and a level of Spanish, but for us it was well worth the extra work. Deals like that require asking neighbors and friends and almost always come about by word of mouth but we found ours just walking a neighborhood we liked. NOT recommended for newbies to the area. Real estate agents are necessary when you do not know the community.

If I am coming off as a know it all or condescending I apologize. That is not my intention and as a newbie on the board I certainly do not want to ruffle any feathers of the senior members. Sorry

Not sure I understand the question. Always been Hal. I am a newbie on the board. Am I reminding you of another member? or as a computer guy are you thinking of Space Odyssey and their computer 🙂

They are using Traitte to deliver. LOVE that service! Great on your phone. It shows all the places they deliver in your area. You select Garlic Brothers and get to see their whole menu, make your selection with a running total on the side. You can even choose to pay with credit card (if you choose that option they bring out the credit card scanner with your delivery) So easy. Fast and super professional https://www.traitte.mx

Can't wait to try it. I have heard so many great reviews!

I have heard a lot of people say (for one reason or another) they will never go back to a particular restaurant ever. You are going to run out of dining options very soon. Shit happens and my rule is everyone one gets 3 chances. 3 Strikes and you are OUT .... for a month or so LOL Welcome to life in Mexico

Ajijic is getting more sophisticated. Look forward to seeing the finished product. Just like the new Argentinian restaurant on Colon is a wake up call for Tango; this one might be a problem to nearby Alex's Pasta Bar. Hopefully there is enough business for the old timers as well as the newbies. Restaurant scene lakeside is evolving

Xena Did I just step in a pile of pet poop? I know people lakeside LOVE their dogs and most are well behaved. But seriously even if you view them as your fur babies, I do not want to go to a nice restaurant with a baby at the next table (2 legged OR 4 legged).

The housing market is based on supply and demand. Last year there was a big increase in demand and prices soared. Houses that had been on the market for a few years sold overnight and bidding wars became common. This last year in response there has been a lot of new building and I think a lot of people will be surprised when their houses will not sell for what they might have a year ago. Like all real estate it is about location. In villages like Ajijic and San Juan Cosala there is not a huge number of houses in the village and you pay a premium for them because of that. The increased real estate market also has meant increased traffic and that has resulted in a shift of desirability away from the growing west end to Riberas and Chapala where you do not have to wait thru the bottleneck of traffic in Ajijic. Gringa gals advice to rent is a good one because part of living lakeside is the discovery that what you think you want to own might shift as the daily reality of life here sinks in. The problem is now to find a rental. The rental market has shrunk as people have sold their rental properties because of the increased property value and a chance to make a good profit. Many homes were being offered for rent in the past just because that particular house had NOT sold. That has now changed. A home is a very personal thing. Some people think they want to live in the village but the noise and inconvenience during fiestas can change that. Some people think they want a gated community but the reality of lack of privacy and being isolated from the Mexican experience might shift that too. Some people think they want a small house with no yard to maintain but discover that this is a community where almost everyone entertains and a large garden is a pleasant oasis that is much easier to maintain than it is up north because of inexpensive gardeners. Come and visit, rent, make friends and figure out over time what it is you really want to own. If you can not do that then buy something with an eye to rent-ability or resale. Mexico is not for everyone and if lakeside living is not what you thought it would be, you need to have an exit strategy. The demographic is also changing lakeside. Tapitios (People from Guadalajara) have traditionally had second homes on the lake, the latest trend is to have their principle home here and more and more are wanting to escape the city and commute from the lake. That is driving up prices and desirability in Chapala and San Juan Cosala and Jocotopec (as they are easier to get into the city than Ajijic). This last year after a decade of renting we decided it was smart to own and while we had very strong ideas about what we wanted, found that the boat had sailed for us in Ajijic and prices were inflated and not condusive to resale in the future. It was a similar situation in San Juan Cosala where prices are now almost as high as Ajijic. We eventually bought in Chapala but even with us living here and knowing the area it took us about 3 months of looking at a LOT of properties to find the one we love. My advice is make a list of what you want in your house, prioritize that list. Get yourself a GOOD real estate agent who will understand what you are looking for. One who can take you around and show you neighborhoods. One who as they show you properties understands what you are looking for and can be your eyes and ears while you are up north. My personal recommendation is Michaela Sirbu of Lake Chapala Real Estate https://choosechapala.com/agent/michaela-sirbu/ Hope this has helped

I want to keep this positive. Had a horrific experience with a dentist in Ajijic that resulted in a major infection and 8 weeks of pain, antibiotics. I V s, hospitalization and surgery to drain 3 infected abscesses . It was not major dental work that was done; it was a routine replacement of two old fillings. Please do your homework, get recommendations and be proactive in asking questions when what your dentist is doing does not seem right to you. Most dentist in the US now require you to be on an antibiotic 24 hours before even a cleaning. Not a bad idea I think. After over $40,000 pesos of medical attention we then had to have the original work redone because she covered an infection inside a tooth with a filing, resulting in the need for a root canal. Please be careful. I highly recommend Dr Jose Moreles at Dental Bright. Professional, dedicated, conscientious. One of the few dentists who talk to you before working on you, asks important questions, takes x-rays and digital imagery before work. Pain free. Actually knows how to give an injection. Two injections with him vs 9 at the previous dentist (do some "water down" the Novocaine? I don't know). He brings in a specialist from Guadalajara to do root canals who was AMAZING.

Wonderful expat community in Cuyutlan (the beach that time forgot) love how quiet it is yet close to Manzanillo and Colima. Closest beach to Ajijic 3 hours door to door . Black sand beaches like Hawaii