How to Buy a Home in La Paz, Mexico as an American or Canadian (Step-by-Step)
Yes, Americans and Canadians can legally buy property in La Paz, Mexico. The process is safe when done correctly, and it takes about 30–60 days from offer to closing if you work with a licensed brokerage, proper escrow, and a notary.
How to Buy a Home in La Paz, Mexico as an American or Canadian (Step-by-Step)
When I first came to Baja, the thing that almost stopped me from buying wasn’t the ocean, the heat, or the language. It was the uncertainty. I didn’t know if I was allowed to own property here, how the Mexico real estate process worked, or whether I was about to make an expensive mistake. That hesitation is normal, and it’s exactly why this guide exists.
Let’s start with the big question.
Can Americans buy property in Mexico?
Yes. So can Canadians. Foreigners have been legally buying real estate in Mexico for decades, including in La Paz and all of Baja California Sur. Because La Paz is within 50 km of the coastline, foreign buyers use a bank trust called a fideicomiso. It’s not a loophole or a workaround. It’s a formal, government-backed structure that gives you full ownership rights, including the ability to sell, rent, remodel, and pass the property to your heirs.
You own the home. A Mexican bank simply holds the title in trust on your behalf, similar to how a retirement account holds assets for you. The trust is renewable every 50 years and costs roughly what you’d expect to pay for a couple of dinners out per year.
Now let’s walk through the actual Mexico real estate process.
Step one: Choose the right property and make an offer
Once you find a home you love, your agent writes a formal offer to purchase. In La Paz, this includes the price, deposit amount, closing timeline, and any conditions. This is not a handshake deal. It’s a written, legally binding agreement drafted in Spanish and usually accompanied by an English version for clarity.
This is where having a professional brokerage matters. In Mexico, not all agents are licensed, and not all listings are properly vetted. A good brokerage confirms that the seller actually owns the property, that the title is clean, and that the home is eligible to be sold before you ever send a peso.
Every Dream Baja Realty agent is licensed in Mexico and is a member of AMPI (Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals). AMPI is the closest equivalent Mexico has to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the U.S. or CREA in Canada — setting ethical standards, licensing requirements, and professional training for real estate agents and brokerages across Mexico.
Step two: Open escrow and send your earnest money
After the offer is accepted, you send your deposit into a neutral escrow account. This is typically handled by a professional escrow company or law firm, not the seller and not the agent. The funds are held safely while the due diligence is completed.
At this point, the clock starts ticking, and everything becomes very structured. This is where the Mexico real estate process is far more formal than most people expect.
Step three: Title search and legal due diligence
A licensed notary, which in Mexico is a government-appointed legal authority, conducts a full title search. They verify that the property is free of liens, debts, lawsuits, and ownership disputes. If anything is wrong, it is discovered here, before closing.
This is one of the reasons buying property in La Paz Mexico is far safer than people assume. The notary is not on the seller’s side or the buyer’s side. They are legally obligated to protect the integrity of the transaction.
Step four: Set up your fideicomiso
If you are buying inside the restricted zone, which includes La Paz, the notary arranges your fideicomiso with a Mexican bank. You do not need to visit the bank. Everything is handled as part of the closing process.
This is what gives Americans and Canadians full legal rights to own coastal property in Mexico.
Step five: Closing and registration
Once the paperwork is ready, you sign your closing documents. This can be done in person in La Paz or remotely through a power of attorney if you are abroad. After funds are released, the notary records the property in your name and registers the fideicomiso.
At that moment, you are officially a property owner in La Paz.
What most people get wrong
The biggest mistake I see is not Mexico itself. It’s trying to save money by skipping professional guidance. People use unlicensed agents, send deposits directly to sellers, or buy properties without proper title verification. That’s where the horror stories come from.
When the process is followed correctly, buying real estate in La Paz Mexico is clear, safe, and surprisingly straightforward.
Why people are choosing La Paz
La Paz is not Cabo. It’s not Cancun. It’s a real Mexican city with a strong local community, a growing expat population, modern hospitals, excellent restaurants, and some of the most beautiful beaches in North America. Prices are still accessible compared to other coastal markets, which is why so many Americans and Canadians are choosing to buy here now instead of later.
If you are serious about buying property in La Paz Mexico, the best thing you can do is get educated before you commit.
Download the Free Mexico Relocation Kit
This includes step-by-step buying guides, neighborhood breakdowns, legal explanations, and real cost breakdowns so you know exactly what to expect.
If you want to talk through your situation, timeline, and budget with someone who actually lives and works in La Paz, this is where we start. It’s not a sales call. It’s an education session designed to help you make a smart decision.
If you’re going to buy in Mexico, do it the right way.
Looking for your dream home in Mexico? At Dream Baja Realty, we help Americans, Canadians and Mexicans buy, invest in, and relocate to La Paz and Baja California Sur with confidence. Our team combines local expertise, licensed representation, and a proven Mexico real estate process to make buying property in Mexico clear and secure.
Explore homes for sale in La Paz and across Baja California Sur using our advanced property search, or download our free buyer and relocation guides from our Resources page. You can also book a free strategy call to discuss neighborhoods, pricing, and the best way to buy property in La Paz Mexico.
For deeper insight into the Mexico real estate market, check out Ian’s books, The Ultimate Guide to Relocating to Mexico and The Ultimate Guide to Buying Your Dream Home in Mexico, or browse our Featured Luxury Properties to see what’s available right now. For weekly updates on La Paz real estate, new listings, and life in Baja, visit our YouTube channel and social platforms.
