For a long time, buying property in Mexico basically meant one thing: cash. Foreign buyers were used to wiring the full purchase price into escrow (or straight to the seller) and closing quickly. Mortgages for non-residents were rare, complicated, or simply not an option — so paying cash was the norm.
That’s starting to change.
U.S.-style financing is slowly making its way into Mexico’s real estate market, giving foreign buyers more flexibility than ever before. While cash is still king, financing options are becoming more common, especially in high-demand destinations like **La Paz, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta**. It’s still a niche segment, but it’s beginning to reshape how people buy property in Mexico.
### From Cash-Only to More Options
Until recently, most real estate deals in Mexico were all-cash transactions. The process was fast and relatively straightforward, but it shut out buyers who preferred — or needed — financing.
Mexican banks typically wouldn’t lend to foreigners without local income or credit history, and coastal properties added another layer of complexity since they require a **fideicomiso**, or bank trust. Some developers offered short-term payment plans, but traditional long-term mortgages like those in the U.S. were almost unheard of.
As a result, the market largely catered to cash-heavy retirees and investors.
### Enter U.S.-Style Financing
That landscape is now evolving. Companies like **MOXI Mortgage International**, **MEXLend**, and **HIR Casa** are offering loan products specifically designed for foreign buyers, particularly Americans who want to finance rather than pay entirely in cash.
MOXI, for example, offers loans exclusively to U.S. citizens using familiar U.S. lending standards. Applications are in English, underwriting is based on U.S. financial documents, and loans are repaid in U.S. dollars.
They offer:
* Traditional purchase mortgages
* Refinance loans
* An “Anywhere Loan,” an unsecured option of up to **$200,000 USD** for homeowners who already own property and want liquidity for renovations or other investments
### What These Loans Look Like
MOXI’s minimum mortgage amount is **$250,000 USD**, which generally puts the focus on properties priced above **$350,000 USD**. There’s a **2.99% origination fee**, plus standard closing costs in markets like La Paz and Los Cabos, which usually run around **5–6%** of the purchase price.
Loan terms can go as long as **30 years**, which is still pretty unusual in Mexico.
To expand access beyond U.S. buyers, MOXI works with **HIR Casa**, a Mexican financial institution that offers smaller loans and financing options to non-American buyers. HIR’s programs typically have shorter terms (up to about 10 years), filling an important gap for buyers who don’t qualify for dollar-based loans.
Meanwhile, **MEXLend** works as a broker, offering access to multiple lenders and both peso- and dollar-denominated loans for Mexican and international clients.
Together, these companies are slowly chipping away at Mexico’s long-standing cash-only reputation.
### How Financing Is Affecting the Market
Financing still doesn’t dominate the market, but it’s becoming part of the conversation. Buyers now have more flexibility, and that’s influencing how deals are structured — even if cash remains the fastest and simplest route.
At the same time, financing introduces new considerations around timing, paperwork, and closing logistics. Transactions involving loans tend to move more slowly than all-cash deals, and everyone involved needs to be on the same page.
### Selling a Home With a Mortgage: What to Know
One of the biggest differences comes into play when a financed property is resold.
Any home purchased with a mortgage has a **lien** on the property, and that lien must be fully released before the title can transfer to a new buyer. This can be tricky if the seller plans to use the sale proceeds to pay off the loan.
In Mexico, lien releases involve coordination between the lender, the notario, and the public property registry. The lender must issue a **carta de liberación** (release letter), and that document has to be officially recorded before the new deed can be finalized.
If wire transfers, document reviews, or registry filings take longer than expected, closings can be delayed by days or even weeks — which can be stressful, especially for sellers who need the funds to buy another property.
### Setting the Right Expectations
The key to avoiding headaches is planning ahead.
Sellers should contact their lender early to request a payoff statement and confirm how long the lien release process will take. Working with an escrow company that understands cross-border transactions can also make a big difference.
Buyers, on the other hand, should be prepared for longer timelines when purchasing a property that still has a loan attached. Clear coordination between the lender, escrow company, and notario is essential for a smooth closing.
Because financing is still relatively new in Mexico’s real estate market, working with professionals who understand cross-border lending is more important than ever. The right team can anticipate delays, explain lender requirements, and keep everything moving forward.
### A Market in Transition
Financing is still a small slice of Mexico’s real estate market, but it’s growing. Companies like MOXI, MEXLend, and HIR Casa are helping make homeownership more accessible to a wider range of buyers.
Cash deals aren’t going anywhere anytime soon — but the option to finance a purchase makes owning property in places like **La Paz and Los Cabos** possible for buyers who previously would’ve been priced out or unwilling to tie up all their capital.
As lenders, agents, and notarios gain more experience with these transactions, the process should become smoother and more predictable. For now, each financed deal still comes with a bit of a learning curve.
### The Bottom Line
U.S.-style mortgages are opening new doors for foreign buyers in Mexico, especially Americans looking for flexibility. It’s a welcome shift in a market that’s long been dominated by cash, even if it comes with extra steps and added complexity.
For buyers and sellers alike, understanding how financing works — and working with professionals who’ve done it before — can make all the difference in navigating Mexico’s changing real estate landscape with confidence.