Buying Property in Mexico’s Restricted Zone – Complete FAQ

Last updated: August 11, 2025

Thinking about buying a home or investment property in Mexico’s breathtaking coastal or border regions? The rules for foreigners are different here, and it’s easy to get lost in half-truths and internet myths. We’ve been in Mexican real estate since 2004 and started Mexico Life Realty (originally Elements Realty Group) in 2007 to give buyers like you a full-service, start-to-finish experience. This guide is our no-nonsense, plain-English FAQ, designed to answer what you’re really asking and make you feel confident before you buy.

1. What exactly is the “restricted zone,” and is it still a thing?

Yes — the “restricted zone” is alive and well in 2025. It’s…

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Executive Summary

The Marina Vallarta condo market as of July 2025 presents a nuanced landscape for real estate enthusiasts. Year-to-date, sold listings have surged 30.3% compared to 2024, indicating robust overall demand. However, July itself saw only 3 condos sold, marking a -25% decline year-over-year and a sharp -70% drop month-over-month from June's 10 sales. Active listings stand at 118, reflecting a 15.7% increase YoY but a modest -4.07% decrease MoM. Strikingly, no new listings entered the market in July, a complete -100% halt both MoM and YoY, which could signal seller hesitation amid current conditions.

Pricing trends show strength, with the average sale price reaching $695,473 in July, up 56.37% YoY and 30% MoM. The median sale…

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Executive Summary

The Bucerias condos market in July 2025 shows signs of a cooling trend compared to the previous year, with active listings climbing significantly while sales remain steady. Active listings reached 447, marking a 43.7% year-over-year increase, indicating growing inventory. Sold listings held flat at 6 units, showing no change from July 2024, but year-to-date sales are up 17.5%. Median sale prices dropped sharply to $338,087.50, a -41.77% decline year-over-year, suggesting affordability improvements for buyers but potential challenges for sellers.

Absorption rate surged to 50.13 months, up 65.23% from last year, pointing to a strong buyer's market with ample supply. Average days on market (DOM) decreased to 341 days, a…

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Executive Summary

The condo market in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is showing robust activity as of July 2025, with significant year-over-year improvements indicating a shift towards a stronger seller's market. Active listings have decreased by -14.3% compared to July 2024, now standing at 180 properties, while sold listings have surged 75.0% to 7 units. Year-to-date, sales have skyrocketed 212.5% to 50 condos, reflecting heightened buyer interest despite a -8.07% drop in the average sale price YTD to $618,320. The median sale price for July rose 23.98% to $455,000, though YTD it's down -22.46% to $527,277, suggesting some affordability adjustments in the mix.

Absorption rate, representing months of inventory, has dramatically improved, falling…

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Executive Summary

The Nuevo Vallarta West condo market in July 2025 shows signs of expansion and opportunity, particularly for buyers. Year-to-date, sold listings increased 9.4% to 58 units, while pending listings rose 15.3% to 68, indicating growing momentum. July saw 6 condos sold, a 100% YoY surge from 3, though flat MoM. Active listings jumped 71.3% YoY to 298, with YTD up 21.7%, reflecting abundant supply. New listings dipped -18.2% YoY to 9, and +12.5% MoM.

Pricing presents a mixed picture: average sale price in July climbed 71.01% YoY to $483,167, but YTD fell -23.43% to $513,262. Median sale price rose 35.69% YoY to $383,500, yet YTD declined -23.15%. Absorption rate at 31.10 months (+35.51% YoY) signals a strong buyer's market.…

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Executive Summary

The Romantic Zone condo market in Puerto Vallarta for July 2025 reflects a strengthening trend with reduced inventory and increased sales activity. Active listings decreased to 145, a -16.2% drop year-over-year, signaling tighter supply. New listings plummeted to 6, down -79.3% YoY, while sold listings reached 8, a -20% YoY decline but with a robust 32.8% YTD increase. Average sale prices fell to $502,804, down -21.81% YoY, and median sale prices dropped -14.73% to $438,717, making entry more affordable.

Absorption rate improved dramatically to 12.99 months, a -46.81% YoY reduction, indicating a shift toward balance though still favoring buyers. Average DOM rose to 211 days, up 74.38% YoY, suggesting some properties linger…

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Executive Summary

The Puerto Vallarta land market in July 2025 shows a mixed picture with increased inventory and modest sales growth. Active listings rose to 452, a 38.2% increase year-over-year, indicating more options for buyers. However, new listings dropped sharply by -82.2% to just 21, suggesting sellers are holding back. Sold listings increased to 6, up 50% from last July, while the average sale price climbed 13.31% to $305,346, though the median sale price fell -50.13% to $99,000, pointing to more affordable deals closing.

The absorption rate remains high at 54.24 months, nearly flat with a -0.48% change YoY, signaling a strong buyer's market with plenty of supply. Average days on market (DOM) decreased significantly by -46.15% to…

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Executive Summary

The Puerto Vallarta houses market in July 2025 shows a mix of growth and challenges compared to the previous year. Active listings increased by 8.3% to 610 properties, indicating more options for buyers. Sold listings rose by 13.0% to 26 homes, and year-to-date sales are up 23.7% at 188. Median sale prices jumped 21.91% to $414,500, reflecting stronger buyer willingness to pay in certain segments. However, the absorption rate dipped -2.48% to 25.15 months, suggesting a buyer's market with ample supply. Average days on market (DOM) climbed 35.71% to 285 days, meaning properties are taking longer to sell.

Overall, the market is expanding with higher inventory and sales volume year-to-date, but slower turnover points to…

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Executive Summary

The Puerto Vallarta condos market in July 2025 shows a mixed but evolving landscape. Active listings reached 3014, marking a 46.1% year-over-year increase, while new listings dropped sharply to 82, a -59.0% YoY decline. Sold listings totaled 72, down -6.5% YoY, but year-to-date sales are up 30.7%, indicating stronger overall activity compared to 2024. The absorption rate stands at 32.61 months, up 23.15% YoY, suggesting a buyer's market with ample inventory. Average days on market (DOM) is 245, a 5.60% YoY increase, meaning properties are taking longer to sell.

Pricing trends are positive for sellers, with the average sale price at $509,239, up 17.57% YoY, and the median sale price at $382,500, up 7.75%. Month-over-month,…

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Executive Summary

In June 2025, the condo market in Marina Vallarta showed robust activity with notable year-over-year improvements in sales volume, despite a slower overall pace indicated by a higher absorption rate. Active listings rose to 123, a 24.2% increase from June 2024, providing more options for buyers. Sold listings surged dramatically to 10 from just 3 the previous year, marking a 233.3% jump, while the median sale price climbed 28.1% to $518,731, reflecting stronger demand for available properties.

However, the market remains buyer-friendly with an absorption rate of 25 months, up 32.7% year-over-year, suggesting ample inventory and less urgency. The average DOM ticked up slightly to 163 days, a 3.8% increase, indicating…

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