Planning to buy a vacation home in Tulum Mexico? Here’s what you need to know before you decide to own a second home in your favorite vacation spot of Tulum Mexico.
Have you ever thought about owning a vacation home in your favorite place, Tulum Mexico?
If you’re tired of paying the high hotel or vacation rental rates and want more room for your family, or you just want a place for your family to gather, maybe buying a vacation home in Tulum, Mexico is right for you.
There are many reasons to buy a vacation home in Tulum, Mexico. But like any major purchase, you should know all the facts before committing.
Now, let’s talk about the pros and cons of buying a vacation home, as well as what you should know about taxes, financing, and other issues before you start looking for properties in Tulum Mexico.
Reasons to buy a vacation home in Tulum Mexico
Before you buy a vacation home in Tulum Mexico, understand that there are benefits and drawbacks to owning a second home in an attractive location.
Let’s start with the perks. Here are some of the top reasons people choose to buy vacation homes in Tulum Mexico:
- If you spend two months each summer at the beach, you could save money by purchasing a Tulum vacation home. The annual payments on a Tulum vacation home are comparable to what you pay to rent for two months, plus you’ll be building equity instead of giving your money to someone else.
- As an added bonus, you may be able to rent out your Tulum vacation home when you’re not there. Tulum is one of the world’s hottest travel destinations, so it could be a smart investment. We’ll get into the nitty gritty of this later on.
- Since the popularity of vacation areas like Tulum Mexico grows over time, you can build wealth by holding onto your property. If you decide to rent it out, you can build even more wealth, as vacation home owners in Tulum Mexico earn a higher rate of return than most other property owners.
- As a vacation home, you may be able to get tax breaks for mortgage interest and property taxes in US.
- When you own your own vacation home in a beach city like Tulum, you can keep it stocked with things like beach chairs to save time and money on every trip.
- A home in Tulum Mexico could one day be a full-time home. Purchasing a home in Tulum when you’re relatively young could help you retire comfortably later on in life.
There are many reasons to buy a vacation home in Tulum, including giving your family a place to get away together.
Some people want a vacation home in Tulum Mexico because they like the year-round warm weather, while others want it because it’s an exciting and beautiful place to call home.
Everyone has different reasons for wanting to own a vacation home in Tulum, Mexico.
Cons to buying a vacation home in Tulum Mexico
Buying a vacation home in Tulum isn’t for everyone—and that’s OK. Here are a few things to think about before you buy.
- You will also have to pay property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, as well as general utility expenses. Property taxes are 6 times cheaper than in the US, though.
- Mexico vacation homes are difficult to finance. Mexico lenders can require higher interest rates and larger down payments than US banks charge for comparable primary homes.
- Because you’re responsible for maintenance issues, you’ll want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge needed to handle everything from routine repairs to larger problems. Or you can pay someone else to do it which in Tulum Mexico is much less expensive.
- If you don’t plan to own the property for at least five years, real estate isn’t a liquid asset, so it can be difficult to sell it quickly. For most people, this is not an issue.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about vacation homes in Tulum Mexico.
Do you get the same tax breaks with a vacation home in Tulum Mexico as you do with your main home in the United States?
If renting your vacation home in Tulum Mexico out for less than fourteen consecutive days, the home is considered a primary residence.
You may be able to deduct your mortgage insurance and property taxes in the same manner as you would for a primary home.
If you rent out your vacation home in Tulum Mexico for fifteen or more consecutive days, it is considered a second home and you would not be able to deduct your mortgage insurance and property taxes.
Take a second and think about whether you see your vacation home as a place for you to live, or just as an investment.
Do you plan on using it as only a vacation home? That’s great! If you do, you’ll be able to collect tax breaks for it as a vacation home rather than as an investment property. Keep in mind that you’ll need to satisfy certain conditions that result in a lower number.
We advise speaking with an accountant in Riviera Maya Mexico to learn all the fine details involved in this process.
Can you rent your Tulum vacation home out?
The quick answer to this question is “yes” you can rent your vacation home in Tulum. But before you do, be aware of the tax implications of doing so.
If you rent out your property, you need to stay there for at least 14 days within a year or at least 10% of the number of days you earn rental income. If so, the IRS treats it as a second home for tax purposes. If not, the IRS treats it as an investment property.
For example. If you rent out a property that you don’t permanently live in, you should report the income on your taxes. You may also deduct some expenses from it. If you earned $5,000 of rental income last year and spent $2,000 on maintaining and repairing the property, you’d have $3,000 of taxable rental income.
What if you only rent your Tulum vacation home out only every once in a while?
If you rent your vacation home out for 14 days or less each year, you don’t have to report that rental income or pay any taxes on it.
Even if you rent your home out and make thousands of dollars in those two weeks, the IRS will not come after any of that money.
Even if you rent your vacation home out for a few weeks each year, the IRS can’t touch a penny of your rental income.
Something you can consider in time…
Are you allowed to rent your Tulum vacation home out?
Before you put in an offer on your dream vacation home in Tulum, Mexico, make sure you ask whether you’re allowed to rent it out.
Some vacation homes in Tulum have restrictions on rentals. Some condominiums or homeowners associations also have restrictions on rentals.
On one condo I looked at, the unit couldn’t be rented out for less than a year. This discourages people from buying units purely for investment purposes.
In others, short-term rental is prohibited altogether. The definition of “short-term” varies depending on the condominium association.
If you plan to rent your vacation home out, or intend to be able to afford it by renting it out, make sure that you are allowed to do so.
Are you hoping to rent out your vacation home, or rely on that income if you buy a house in Tulum? Our local real estate agents will help you figure out if a particular property is rentable and what restrictions exist. They do all the research and vetting of the vacation home for you.
How much does it cost to hire a property manager for a vacation home in Tulum Mexico?
Before renting your vacation home, consider whether you want to manage the property yourself or delegate responsibility to a property manager.
Before deciding to rent your vacation home in Tulum Mexico, consider whether you can manage the property yourself. Otherwise, think about finding a property manager to help you as a part of your rental plan.
If you’re not able to take care of a vacation rental yourself, it’s always a good idea to hire a property manager. Property managers can help you schedule cleanings and deal with lockouts and other problems if necessary.
Since property managers are responsible for pretty much everything to do with your vacation rental, they tend to be paid more than a long-term rental manager.
In the Tulum vacation rental market, it’s standard to pay 25–30% of the rent to a manager.
So why are fees so high? Because managing a vacation rental is much more time-consuming than managing a long-term rental.
For example, if you buy a duplex as a rental property, your property manager has to find a tenant, have them agree to a year-long lease, and deal with the occasional maintenance issue.
But with a vacation rental, the manager needs to market the property constantly, coordinate regular cleanings and maintenance, and deal with vacationers’ problems.
Although hiring a property manager can be expensive, many vacation homeowners find that it’s well worth the expense. If your property manager can market the property more effectively than you can, the resulting increase in occupancy and average rates may help offset the fee.
How do you finance a Tulum vacation home?
Because mortgages are not available for foreign property purchases, U.S. buyers who want to own real estate in Tulum may need to rely on other methods of payment.
Developer Financing in Tulum
Most U.S. banks won’t lend for purchases abroad, but you may be able to get developer financing if you purchase a lot, home site, or pre-construction property in a development. Developer financing is sometimes interest-free, and there are no age restrictions or life insurance requirements.
Self-Directed IRA
If you have your sights set on a house overseas and plan on using it solely as a rental property or investment property, you may be able to use funds from your self-directed IRA to make the purchase.
The IRS does not list investments that are allowed in a self-directed IRA; they only state what is not allowed, including collectibles (e.g., artwork, stamps, and antiques), certain coins, and life insurance.
Cash is king in Mexico Real Estate
When buying property in Mexico, cash is king! You will likely get the best deal – or upgrades – if you pay with cash.
Generally, it’s best to pay in installments when you buy a vacation home in Tulum Mexico.
If you pay cash all upfront for something that’s not built yet, there is always a chance that the developer could run out of money or have some other problem that would either delay or prevent project completion.
In these situations, it could be tough, or at least time-consuming, to get your money back.
This is why we recommend you seek advice and guidance from our real estate agents in Tulum Mexico. They help you navigate the Tulum vacation home real estate market and make sure you know everything and get the right deal safely and securely. Click here to contact them today.
Is buying a vacation home in Tulum Mexico the right move for you?
When you’re mulling over whether or not to purchase a vacation home in Tulum, Mexico, there are many things you should consider. You’re about to enter into a long-term investment that can have both positive and negative ramifications, so don’t do it on a whim.
It’s important to seek out help and advice from real estate agents who not only knows the Tulum Real Estate market but also understand your unique situation and can help you find exactly what you are looking for.
Purchasing a vacation home in Tulum Mexico isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. Make sure you know what you’re getting into before you start looking for a vacation home of your own and seek expert advice and help in the process.
If you would like help finding your vacation home in Tulum and someone who can guide you through the whole process then chat with our real estate agents today. Click here to contact us today – no obligation.
