For Buyers
How Buying Works
“Can foreigners really own a home in Mexico — and is it safe?” It’s the first question almost everyone asks. The short answer is yes, and people have been doing it at Loma del Mar for decades. Here’s how it works, in plain English.
Why ownership works a little differently here
Loma del Mar sits within Mexico’s “Restricted Zone” — the band of land near the coast and the border where, by law, foreigners own property through a bank trust or a Mexican company rather than holding the raw land directly. This isn’t a loophole; it’s the standard, legal way millions of foreigners own homes across coastal Mexico.
The land that became Loma del Mar is owned by a Mexican corporation, Inmobiliaria Loma del Mar (ILM), which was licensed by the State to operate the community as a recreational park. Residents own their homes and belong to the San Carlos Trailer Club (SCTC), the non-profit that runs the park. That structure is what makes secure, affordable ownership here possible.
Two ways to own at Loma del Mar
1. Original Area — Membership
In the original part of the community you purchase a membership. With it you own the improvements on the lot — the home itself, the buildings, and the furnishings — and you have the exclusive use of the land for a set period that can be renewed and extended in increments, much like a long-term lease.
Buyers sometimes ask, “Am I getting a title, or will I have to buy in again down the road?” It’s a fair question, and the honest answer is that the exact term, renewal, and fees depend on the specific property — our sales team will walk you through the details for any home you’re considering, in writing, before you commit.
2. Estates Section — Fideicomiso
The newer Estates Section operates as a Mexican condominium, where the land can be purchased and held outright through a fideicomiso — a bank trust set up with a Mexican bank.
A fideicomiso is simply the bank holding legal title on your behalf while you keep all the rights of ownership: you can live in it, improve it, pass it to your heirs, and sell it. It runs in renewable terms and is the long-established, government-backed way foreigners own property in the Restricted Zone.
Both options give you full access to the park, the amenities, and the community.
What your membership includes
Every owner automatically belongs to the SCTC, which is run by an elected Board of Directors made up of residents. The SCTC hires the park’s staff and provides security and maintenance for the whole community, and it bills members for their share of maintenance and utilities.
In practice that means your monthly and annual costs cover real things you can see: a staffed, secure, well-kept community with a pool, clubhouse, and common areas — not an anonymous HOA.
What it costs
Plan for a few categories of cost:
- The purchase price of the home or lot, shown openly on each listing.
- Annual / monthly SCTC dues for maintenance, security, and the amenities.
- Utilities — water, power, propane, and trash, billed through the SCTC.
- A one-time transfer fee at purchase, which varies with the size of the property (some homes sit on one lot, others on a lot and a half or two).
Because the dues and transfer fee depend on the specific property, we’ll give you the exact figures for any home you’re interested in — no surprises.
The steps, start to finish
Browse and reach out
Look through the available homes and lots, and send us a note about anything that catches your eye. There’s no pressure — most people start with questions.
See it for yourself
Can’t visit in person yet? We’ll arrange a video call or walkthrough so you can see the home and the community from wherever you are.
Talk it through
We’ll go over how that specific property is held (membership or fideicomiso), the dues, the transfer fee, and the community rules, and answer every question before you decide.
Paperwork and transfer
When you’re ready, we handle the transfer and paperwork with you, including any bank-trust or membership documents.
Welcome to the community
You join the SCTC, get your keys, and become part of Loma del Mar.
A few things to know before you buy
We’d rather you know these up front than be surprised later:
- Loma del Mar is not a rental community. Homes here are for owners and their guests — renting out a property (weekly, monthly, or yearly) isn’t permitted.
- It’s a quiet, community-oriented place, popular with retirees and snowbirds who value security, friendship, and a slower pace.
- Pets are welcome, with dogs leashed in the common areas.
- Improvements are encouraged but reviewed— changes like adding solar, shade, or landscaping follow the community’s bylaws, and the office is happy to help you plan them.
Still have questions?
That’s exactly what we’re here for. Reach out and we’ll walk you through everything — or read the answers to the questions we hear most.
This page is a plain-English overview, not legal advice. The exact terms, fees, and documents for any property are confirmed in writing by the sales team before purchase.