Bienes Raíces en Playa Del Carmen y Tulum Mexico | About BuyPlaya | Riviera Maya Real Estate Advisors Since 2007

Who is BuyPlaya?

BuyPlaya is a Riviera Maya real estate company built for foreign buyers. It started with a bad purchase. Our founder, Rob Kinnon, came to Playa del Carmen from the US in 2004. In 2005 he bought a piece of land, and it was a disaster.

Nobody was on his side. He was buying from another country, in another language, under rules he didn't know yet, and he learned the hard way how badly things can go when no one is looking out for the buyer.

"I knew there had to be a better way for foreign buyers, so I built one," Rob says. That better way is BuyPlaya. We opened in 2007, and that first purchase still shapes how we work for you. When you buy with us, you get what Rob didn't have: a team on your side whose job is to protect you, not just to close a deal.

Most of our team have lived on this coast for over 20 years, and we've watched it grow. Along the way we've learned who to trust, what to check and how to get a deal closed right. Our agents work full time and live here too, so you work directly with our local team from your first conversation through closing and beyond.

Most of the people we help are Americans and Canadians, and many are buying in Mexico for the first time. Some want a winter home, some plan to retire or live here full time, and some want a rental. Plenty want a bit of all three.

Do you work for buyers or sellers?

We understand that a seller's motivation is to receive a fair market price for their property. A buyer has a lot more to think about. BuyPlaya is a buyer-centric agency, while we focus on effective marketing for sellers, our allegiance will always be protecting our buyers through the process. That goes for every one of our agents.

In practice, that means we check the title, the paperwork and the costs together with your own lawyer and the notario. If a property isn't right for you, we'll tell you plainly.

Who will I work with?

You'll work with a BuyPlaya team. Your main points of contact will be Rob Kinnon, Marieke Brown, or Dani Knod.

How do you work with buyers?

We start by remembering that we're helping you fulfill a dream: living in the Caribbean. With that in mind, we work to make buying here feel more like that dream and less like work. Here's how, in five steps.

1We find the right homes. First, we get to know your wants, needs and wishes, long before you arrive. Once we understand what you're looking for, we draw on over 350 of our own listings and our trusted partners in the local real estate community to put together a short list of properties for you to consider before you get here. With that short list in hand, we tour the properties together, and when you find the right one, we begin negotiating with the seller.

2We check the property early. If you don't have a legal team in place yet, we're happy to draw on our over 20 years in the local market to suggest several attorneys. We encourage you to meet with them and choose the one who best fits you and your situation. Before you get too attached to a place, the attorney of your choosing will then begin the due diligence process. The due diligence process will confirm the legal ownership of the subject property, the fact that there are no liens or encumbrances that would preclude you from purchasing the property, and whether there are any back debts on the property. All of this is generally concluded within 10 business days after an offer is accepted. We get a no-debt letter from the HOA and read its rules, including any limits on rentals, and on a new build we confirm the permits. Read title, liens and seller checks in Mexico and real estate scams to avoid in Mexico.

3We set up the bank trust if you need one. Not every purchase needs one, so let's talk through your particular circumstances and find the right solution for you.

4We guide you through closing. Once due diligence is complete, the attorney you've chosen works hand in hand with the Notario Público, the official who formalizes every property sale in Mexico. Together they prepare and review the deed, make sure every document is spot on, and confirm that taxes and fees are calculated correctly, so your closing is handled smoothly and efficiently. We stay involved the whole way, coordinating with everyone and keeping you informed, so you always know what comes next. See how to buy property in Mexico, step by step.

5We stay after closing. We're a boutique agency that specializes in concierge service, so we never say goodbye after a sale. Whenever you need someone, we're always here to recommend people within our circle that we trust, from lawyers, notaries and accountants to translators, engineers, architects, builders, insurance providers and property managers.

Still choosing an agent? Read how to choose a reliable real estate agent in the Riviera Maya. More answers are on our buying FAQ page.

Can an American or Canadian own property on this coast?

Yes, foreigners can own property here, often through a bank trust called a fideicomiso. Mexico's constitution doesn't let foreigners hold direct title within 50 km of the beach or 100 km of a border, and everything from Tulum to Puerto Morelos is inside that zone.

With a fideicomiso, a Mexican bank holds the title as trustee, and you are the beneficiary. You can live in the home, rent it out and keep the income, or sell your rights in the trust. You can also name substitute beneficiaries, which is how the home passes to your heirs. A fideicomiso lasts up to 50 years and can be easily extended another 50 years.

A Mexican company with foreign owners can own coastal property directly. There are several things to discuss about this type of ownership with your legal team, and we'd be happy to facilitate that conversation. Read our guide to buying real estate in the Riviera Maya as a non-citizen.

What happens at closing?

At closing, a Notario Público handles the sale and records the deed. The notario is appointed by the state government and stays neutral between you and the seller. The notario checks that the seller can sell, confirms there are no liens or unpaid taxes, and calculates and collects the taxes on the sale. As mentioned earlier, having your own attorney work with the notario is always helpful. We have worked with notaries on this coast for many years. See what to expect on closing day in Mexico.

Closing costs depend on the price and the property, so we don't quote you a number that doesn't fit your purchase. Feel free to have a quick chat with one of our agents for a rough ballpark of the closing costs in your situation.

Can I close from a distance, or do I need to be in Mexico for the closing?

You can close in person or from the comfort of home. We explain each step in plain English, so you always know where things stand. If you close remotely, your documents are signed and apostilled in the US or Canada, and we can connect you with an apostille service for whatever your situation needs.

Can I check your record?

Yes, please do. BuyPlaya has been open since 2007, and our founder has been involved in the market here since 2004. Look us up and ask around.

Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google

Read our reviews on Google and Trustpilot.

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Where do you cover?

We cover the coast from Tulum in the south to Puerto Morelos in the north. Our core towns are Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Puerto Aventuras and Tulum. We also help buyers in Puerto Morelos and in the small bays between Tulum and Akumal: Tankah, Soliman Bay, Jade Bay and South Akumal.

Our area guides tell you more about each town: Tulum, Akumal, Puerto Aventuras, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos.

On BuyPlaya.co you can browse over 350 resale listings, from condos and family homes to building lots and commercial space.

How do I reach you?

You can reach us by WhatsApp, phone or email, even if you aren't ready to look at homes yet.

Message us on WhatsApp, call +52 984 115 4611 from Mexico or (518) 250-1269 from the US and Canada, or email rob@buyplaya.com. You can also use our contact page.

Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google