Q: NAR Global recently announced a “Spotlight on Mexico” project, identifying Mexico as a market that offers the most business opportunities to agents from both Mexico and the U.S. Why Mexico, and what opportunities are available for agents to build their business?
A: Mexico has long been one of the top three investors in the U.S. real estate market, and remains atop the list of attractive destinations for Americans retiring abroad. As a country, and market, that offers substantial business to REALTORS®, Mexico has been chosen as the 2013 “country spotlight,” a year-long sustained effort to address cross-border business opportunities.
Mexicans accounted for more than $6.5 billion of all international sales in the U.S. last year. Not surprisingly, Texas, California and Arizona are big destinations due to proximity and familiarity. Agents selling to Mexican investors in Arizona and Texas report that upscale homes in gated communities are especially desirable because they have the same level of security buyers are accustomed to having in their Mexican homes.
Is retiring in Mexico still an option? Is safety an issue?
Mexico has been a destination of choice among retirees for many years. In fact, an estimated 1 million Americans live there.