It's Not Over Until . . . And Mexican Real Estate

living.boondockingmexico@yahoo.com

Interesting parking garage with the three-story lift not to mention the life size crucifix on the wall.

Until you sign the deal.  And that we did.  After two months of pulling teeth, we were able to get this done.  The major hurdle was the seller.  For some reason, that was never discussed is why the owner's father was his legal guardian.  We'll never know but it put a wrench in the works.  As I have said many times, in the north things are done differently.  The real estate agent is very nice but she says yes to everything.   We asked her if she had given a checklist to the seller and of course, she said yes.  As time went on we discovered that we had to pretty much be involved in all the phone conversations.  That was another issue, long distance between all four parties; seller, buyer, agent, and notary.  We sent several documents back and forth for signing via FedX.

We were insistent about several things; 

1) Utilities had to be paid and the accounts in zeros. It is easier to do a name change than to open a new account for electric, water, and telephone.  

2) Even though it was a tract home, we wanted the plans for the construction.  In the north, it is common practice.  Here in SMA that can be hard if you are buying a home that was built pre-1800 and there are many.   When remodeling a concrete block house, load-bearing walls become a very important issue.

3) Proof from the loan company that the loan was paid and filed as such.

4)  Property taxes were current. 

We asked for these things the minute we signed the contract with the seller.  

The actual signing included a quick review of any errors.  We're accustomed to someone reading the pages out loud as someone takes notes.  The owner's father was a nice guy, 80 years old, and works as a private accountant.  Everything was done in an hour and the last hurrah was the real estate agent running in with the paid utility bills.  

So another thing to clear up is real estate agents.  There is licensing of real estate agents although it is not required by law.  There are courses and certifications for agents as well.  One such association is the Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios.  They also provide refreshers and update courses regarding changes in construction and the legal aspect of buying and selling.   

As always, it's know before you go.  We did that and fortunately, the agent did well overall.  She's a busy beaver and always has many irons in the fire.  Today she told us she sold a piece of land to the Holiday Inn franchise in Guanajuato for a new timeshare in SMA.

One interesting thing about the agent.  If you remember the La Siesta Hotel and Rv Park, she worked there for 30 years with Don Raul but at the real estate offices next door.  She said she used to marvel at the RVs as they came in especially in large groups.  She didn't tell us that until today in a conversation about other goings-on.

Getting my shoes shined I spotted this marine taking a break from vaccine watch.  He must be homesick, he was really eyeing the girls. 

We're at the house sit out in the camp area and the nights are great with the moon and the open skies.  We're not sure when we are going back to Monterrey.  We brought bedding to take care of a queen size should we run across a good deal.  We have become good friends with all of our house sits and this one in particular.  They are selling and moving back to the states.  On the property is a two-bedroom casita.  It has a beautiful oriental rug that they have given us as a housewarming gift.   Because of the language barrier, we do a lot of things on house sits like find repair people, get estimates and this weekend preparing the house for a showing Saturday morning.  We went out and bought flowers and did a cursory inspection this morning so we could have the workers focus on details.

We are looking forward to getting the house furnished and bringing things down in the travel trailer.  I'm still hell-bent on driving through Durango.  Time will tell.  So I hope I don't bore everyone with our new adventure but that's the adventure we have going.  Soon the pandemic will come to an end and we will feel comfortable about a transatlantic flight and visiting Spain and France.  

During my morning exercise, I ran into this busy fellow.  He was sewing when I came upon him.

The views from here are incredible but cost you a pretty penny not to mention the distance from town.  An Italian-styled villa.

Last but not least, a short political update.  Presidente Dingus has now decided he wants to also nationalize the Telmex telephone company.  He has created an energy reform that will close all private energy providers and their contracts will not be paid out.  Also, he is purchasing vaccines from Russia that have not yet been approved by the WHO and that too may be for the safety of all humans on the planet.  Really?   Dingus has made alliances with Cuba, Peru, Venezuela, and now he's going for Russia.  Isn't that a bit scary?  

Getting The Urge To Travel - It's Going To Get Crazy

living.boondockingmexico@yahoo.com

You can tell by the photo above that the weather is changing.   Cool nights have come again and the breezes can be seen in the curtains.  No need to turn on the air conditioning and it's very quiet at night.  We had a lot of rain but it's been dry since we got home from San Miguel de Allende.  We drove by the lake yesterday when we went out for lunch and the water level is very low.  It appears they opened up the gates to send water south.  

We decided it was time to go out for a nice meal.  The gardener has been out of service.  He fractured his arm a few weeks ago.  I got the yard in shape and then invited him over today to see how he was doing and so he could see how things should really look!  He will be back in full swing in two more weeks.  We had lunch at a local seafood restaurant where we reserved a private room.  Still not comfortable as the Covid deaths continue to rise.  They said the other day that Covid has left 140,000 orphans in the U.S. 

As for travel, well we both have the urge.  The problem is our vaccine is wearing off and there won't be any boosters here in Mexico.  We have the opportunity to fly to Kansas City for Thanksgiving.  My brothers from Hawaii and Cincinnati will both be there.  My oldest is 82 and I'd really like to see him.  Juan isn't convinced about flying just yet but we should be able to get a booster there.  Our Sinovac vaccine was originally not on the travel list for the U.S. but has recently been added.

We still have two to three more housesits to do in San Miguel that would give us the opportunity to start furnishing the house.  The gardener is going every two weeks and it's pretty much a 20-minute job at the most.  We'd like to RV and we might take the trailer with us in December stopping along the way although a detour to the coast would be nice.  So many good memories of driving the Espinazo del Diable (Devil's Backbone) and I'd love to do that again.  Flying has not gotten cheaper during Covid.  The prices have actually gone up.  It's hard to justify a five-day weekend when it will cost at least $2000 USD to go to K.C., find an Airbnb, and probably rent a car.  Still checking though.

I mention that it's going to get crazy.  By that I mean things are really opening up here at home and there are now more weekend parties in quintas although they are not nearby the house.  Kids will want to get out and party and I don't blame them.  I just feel a fourth wave coming and we, Mexico, won't be ready.  

This guy greeted me this week on my morning exercise routine.  I have a collection of stray dogs that I have shot and want to make a collage.  They are all friendly and greet me along the route and let me pet them.  I'd love to take them all home but  . . .  😎

I've averaged 14,000 steps each morning now and that would get me from the house to Cincinnati, at least according to Google Maps.  A lot of walking, I hope it does my heart good.  If not, I enjoy being out early in the morning.  I keep putting off my cardio checkup because of the pandemic but I think it is time to get it done.  Life goes on.  The good thing is we both have our health, for now, two places to go to,  and lots to look forward to.  

My little brother has recovered from his hospital stay and the bout with peritonitis.   He's back at volunteering at the radio station so that keeps him busy.