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Buying Lake Chapala Real Estate - What you can Expect

You’re in for a pleasant surprise when you see the various types of architecture. Most houses in Mexico aren’t cookie-cutter designs. In Mexico the architects thrive on originality. So much so, in fact, that at Christmas one of the local charities arranges a Home Tour of select homes in different areas and it is always extremely well attended. People just love looking at homes that are so interesting and unique. Many of the developers now cater to the foreign community putting in all the facilities and services we are used to. You'll find wonderful planned communities with all the comforts of home - the best of all worlds...

What does Lake Chapala Real Estate cost?

When people hear that we enjoy a much lower cost of living in Lake Chapala, Mexico, they automatically think that Lake Chapala real estate must also be cheap. I suppose if you are moving from San Diego, North Vancouver, San Francisco or London, England, indeed it may be inexpensive by comparison. Conversely, if you are moving from Winnipeg, Canada or North Dakota or other rural areas in the U.S., your comparison might give you the opposite impression but I think most will agree that you will get more for your money than you will back home.

Mostly, you will find lake chapala real estate listed for sale in U.S. Dollars in spite of the fact that we live in a peso economy for day to day living. Even many Mexican Nationals sell their houses in U.S. Dollars. 

There is a wide range of prices of Lake Chapala real estate and like most places, you get what you pay for. For a newer home in a good location you can expect to pay from $170,000 up to $300,000 U.S. Of course you can pay a little less or more depending on age, condition, and location but this will give you a ballpark.

Houses in Mexico – A Pleasant Surprise
 

What about the Quality of Construction?

Many of the better developers have started to cater to the growing foreign community in the Lake Chapala area putting in all the modern conveniences and construction specifications we are used to. Things that we take for granted in Canada or the U.S.... like grounded wiring, underground electrical, pressurized and purified water systems (so you can have a dishwasher and drink water right from the tap).

And amazing interiors – you’ll see fabulous features you’d only expect to find in designer Better Homes and Gardens. Mexican architecture is so unique. Exposed red brick boveda ceilings and cupolas, handcrafted mouldings and expertly laid tiles in a variety of different patterns done by skilled craftsmen who take pride in their work. Typically it takes about eight to ten months to build a home.
 

Houses & Weather – How do they come together?

One of the things I can promise you is you are going to love outdoor living. In Lake Chapala you can eat most of your meals on the terrace. Our temperate climate (average 74 ^o F), sunshine almost every day of the year and virtually no humidity keeps us wanting to be outside in the fresh air. Almost all the restaurants offer outdoor dining and in fact some only have ‘under the stars’ dining.

Because we spend so much time outdoors, our gardens are extremely important to us. Household plants back home are full-grown trees here. Just about everyone has a gardener. And, why not - for $30 pesos an hour? We have had the same gardener now going on eight years. He is incredible. He takes such pride in his work and is constantly bringing new plants and cuttings from other homes he cares for. Your garden quickly grows into your own private park! There is something very therapeutic about living in the sunshine, surrounded by so much color. Here in Lake Chapala, you can have the home of your dreams and live in paradise.

Recently, one of our tennis partners was telling us that he had friends visiting Lake Chapala for the first time. They were also living in Mexico but in San Miguel del Allende, which is at a much higher elevation than Lake Chapala. They were amazed at all the birds, the flowering trees and so much color and mostly they were thrilled at how warm it was here. They said they weren’t yet able to sit outside as it was still too cold in San Miguel, and too soon for the birds.

When we hear this, we are even more grateful for the privilege of living in this Land of Eternal Spring here on the lakeside. Indeed, we are blessed.

Happy Lake Chapala Real Estate Hunting…

Featured Developments in Lake Chapala