Closing for buyers
We take foreign buyers through the whole purchase: contract review, due diligence, escrow coordination, bank trust (fideicomiso) setup and the final closing before the notary.
Closing Services · Los Cabos
Real estate closings in Los Cabos, handled by attorneys.
For foreign buyers, sellers and investors: contract review, due diligence, escrow, bank trust and closing before the notary, coordinated by one legal team from the first offer to the recorded deed.
Trusted guidance for foreign clients
A closing that stays protected and on schedule.
UR Legal's closing team represents foreign buyers, sellers, developers and real estate professionals through every stage of a transaction in Los Cabos: reviewing the contract, verifying title, securing funds in escrow, structuring the bank trust and executing the deed before a Mexican notary.
We do the legal work ourselves rather than passing it along, so nothing falls between the parties and your transaction reaches the closing table exactly as agreed.
Cross-border experience
We know what North American clients expect from a closing and how Mexican real estate law actually works on the ground in Los Cabos, and we bridge the two.
Direct communication in English
A partner answers you, in your language, from the first contract question to the final signature. No translation lost between the parties.
One team coordinating everyone
Legal, notarial, escrow and trust-bank steps run through one point of contact, so the pieces line up instead of waiting on each other.
Issues found early
We look for liens, permit gaps and title defects before they become closing-day surprises, and we tell you what we find in plain terms.
Services
From contract review to post-closingEverything a closing needs, under one roof.
Closing for sellers
We manage the sale side end to end: purchase agreement, tax planning for the transaction, coordination with the buyer's team and a closing that is documented and paid as agreed.
Escrow coordination
We work with established third-party escrow providers so your funds are held securely and released only when every condition of the closing has been met.
Apostille services
We arrange the apostille of U.S. and Mexican documents — powers of attorney, corporate records, personal certificates — so they are legally valid on both sides of the border.
Title search
We verify ownership records and identify liens, encumbrances and pending claims before you close: the single most important step in protecting a property investment in Mexico.
Certified translations
We coordinate professional English–Spanish and Spanish–English translations of legal, real estate, corporate and immigration documents, ready for use before Mexican authorities.
Appraisals
We arrange professional valuations of residential, commercial and investment property across Los Cabos, for buyers, sellers, investors and lenders who need a reliable market figure.
Land surveys
We coordinate boundary and topographic surveys with licensed local surveyors to confirm property lines, elevation and terrain as part of your due diligence.
The process
Six stages · one point of contactA clear path to closing.
- 01Offer accepted
Once your offer is accepted and the purchase agreement is signed, we review its terms, flag the conditions and contingencies that need attention, and make sure you understand your rights and obligations before anything else moves.
- 02Due diligence
We examine the property's title history, ownership records, permits, condominium documents and any liens or encumbrances. Finding a problem here, not at the closing table, is what keeps your investment safe.
- 03Escrow and bank trust
For property inside Mexico's restricted zone, we set up escrow and the bank trust (fideicomiso) with established providers. Your funds stay protected and are released only when every closing condition is satisfied.
- 04Closing preparation
Every document, notarial requirement, payment instruction and closing condition is reviewed and finalized. We coordinate directly with the notary, the escrow provider and all parties so closing day holds no surprises.
- 05Closing day
The deed is executed before a Mexican notary public, funds are transferred and ownership passes under Mexican law. We are present throughout to resolve any last-minute question or requirement.
- 06After closing
Our work does not end at the signature. We help with trust administration, utility transfers, tax registration and any matter that comes up as you settle into ownership.
Frequently asked questions
What foreign buyers ask us first.
Straight answers to the questions we hear most often from clients buying or selling in Los Cabos. Your situation may differ; a consultation tells you exactly where you stand.
Can foreigners buy property in Mexico?
Yes. Los Cabos is one of the most established markets in Mexico for foreign real estate investment, and foreigners can legally acquire homes, condominiums, land and investment property throughout the region.
In coastal and border areas, foreign buyers hold property through a Mexican bank trust called a fideicomiso. The trust gives you full ownership rights, including the right to sell or transfer, with the same protection under Mexican law that a Mexican owner has.
What is a bank trust (fideicomiso)?
A fideicomiso is a trust held by a Mexican bank that lets a foreign national own property inside the restricted zone, which covers every coastal and border area, Los Cabos included.
The bank holds legal title as trustee; you, as beneficiary, keep every ownership right: to sell, lease, renovate, leave to heirs or transfer the property at any time. The trust runs for an initial 50-year term and renews indefinitely. It is the standard structure for foreign ownership in Los Cabos and is fully recognized by Mexican law.
Do I need escrow to buy property in Mexico?
Mexican law does not require it, but we strongly recommend it, especially for foreign buyers. A reputable third-party escrow provider holds your funds and releases them only once due diligence and every closing condition are complete, which protects buyer and seller alike.
We coordinate with established escrow providers so that funds and closing requirements are handled properly from the first deposit to the final release.
How long does a closing take in Mexico?
Plan on roughly 45 to 60 days from a signed purchase agreement to the executed deed for a straightforward transaction. Complex deals take longer.
The timeline depends on the due diligence period, escrow setup, the trust bank's approval, permits, notarial processing and how quickly every party responds. An experienced closing team shortens it by having documents complete, parties coordinated and issues resolved early.
What does the closing process look like for a foreigner?
It starts with an offer and a purchase agreement, followed by due diligence on the title, legal status and any liens. Escrow is then established to secure the buyer's funds.
Where it applies, the fideicomiso is set up with a Mexican trustee bank, which requires the bank's approval and a government permit. The transaction then moves to the deed, executed before a Mexican notary public: funds are released from escrow and title is formally transferred.
How much does a closing cost in Mexico?
Closing costs in Mexico run higher than most U.S. and Canadian buyers expect, so it pays to budget for them early. For buyers, total costs generally fall between 5% and 7% of the purchase price: acquisition tax, notary fees, trust setup and first-year fees, appraisal, registration and legal fees.
Sellers should plan for capital gains tax, legal fees and the agent's commission, which vary with the structure of the deal. We give you a clear estimate for your transaction before you commit.
Do I need a Mexican attorney to buy in Los Cabos?
The law does not require you to hire one. Practically, it is the single most important step a foreign buyer can take. An attorney reviews the purchase agreement, spots legal risks, runs due diligence on title and legal status, and makes sure every stage complies with Mexican law. Without that review, buyers take on risks they never see.
What is the difference between a notary and an attorney in Mexico?
A Mexican notary public (notario público) is a government-appointed legal officer who formalizes the deed, calculates and withholds taxes and records the transaction with the Public Registry. The notary is neutral: they represent neither buyer nor seller.
Your attorney represents only you: reviewing contracts, running due diligence, identifying risks, negotiating terms and making sure the structure protects your interests. The notary makes the transaction official; the attorney makes sure it is done right. We work alongside notaries so you have both.
Ready to move forward?
Talk to the closing team before you sign.
Tell us about the property and where you are in the process. A partner reviews it and tells you clearly what the closing will take, what it will cost and how long it should run.