Mexican TS: safer to buy or rent...

[shmuggee Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shmuggee]

With everything that's been going on, is it better to own or rent in Mexico?

[buff Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close buff]

Depends on your travel dates. Off season you can get some terrific timeshare rental deals and right now because of the economy there are many great resale opportunities.

I just rented a condo for xmas week for hundred a night included is passes to use the facilities of a 5 star resort on the strip in PV.

If you can get a good deal on a resale with reasonable closing costs I would purchase. Be patient do research on the property regarding its future endeavors and do it.

Right now maintenance fees are middle 400s to early 500s for a one bedroom and mid 500's to 700s for two bedrooms but there are some resorts in mexicco that have low fees.

Consider location, beach conditions when making a decision..

This is just my oppinion being the first responder. Im sure you will get many other oppinions.

Go to Craigslist and see the price of rentals I find many folks think they will make big money renting their weeks there and tug and other places but lower their prices as the check in date comes close

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

I think Scott nailed it when he said it depended on your travel dates. There are some times in prime season when it is better for the nerves to own if you are committed to go at the time every year. I have known lots of owners of Mexico timeshares and the majority of them have undergone life changes that made ownership no longer viable. Now with increasing airfare costs and reduced flights to go along with security restrictions-going to Mexico is more expensive and more of a hassle. My ownership ended in 2007 when these and other factors including that it would be cheaper to trade in than own guided a decision to sell. I may not get a beachfront ground floor unit any more- but I can go any week available or stay home now.

[shmuggee Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shmuggee]

Seems like there is less of a recourse available for TS owners in Mexico, than in other places, when a sticky situation arises. Yes?

[buff Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close buff]

The sticky situations arise from buying from the developer and those dreaded timeshare presentations.

Buy resale but do your homework on the current status of the property and their future endeavors. Track down some current owners to get a handle on things