Costs and closing

A typical closing runs 30 to 60 days and completes before a notario público — a state-appointed lawyer with real legal authority, not a US-style signature witness. The sale is not complete until the escritura is registered.

What gets recorded

The law requires that all transactions be recorded at the actual sales price, or at an appraised value determined by the Office of the Catastro. The Catastro establishes the valor catastral, used as the basis of property taxation. In Yucatán that value is frequently much less than the actual sales price, which is where a number of problems begin for a financed purchase.

Taxes

Buyers pay a 2% transfer tax in Yucatán, based on the purchase price or the valor catastral. Sellers who are not able to avoid capital gains tax (ISR — Impuesto Sobre la Renta) face a 30% rate on their gain.

A foreign buyer will also need an RFC, a Mexican tax ID.

Earnest money

We maintain a legitimate earnest money account in the United States.

Last reviewed 9 August 2026. Rates and practice change — confirm with your notario.