May 10

I missed a day as it was very busy but very exciting. We were originally scheduled to close at 10 a.m., but a hitch occurred because of me. At the border when I was filling out the visa application I put Wallace Mills for my name, but on my passport it says Wallace George Mills. It was checked 3 times at the border and then by the notario. No one noticed, however when they sent photocopies to Mexican officials to get permission for a foreigner to purchase property in Mexico, they picked it up. No, No, the regulations clearly state . .. It could have meant several days getting a correct FMT (6 months tourist visa). However, the notario had me sign a power of attorney to allow him to sign documents for a correct FMT. It allowed the closing to proceed at 3 p.m.

The closing procedure itself was fascinating. Eveyone was there at the notario’s--the seller and her real estate agent, buyers (Barb & I) with our real estate agent plus the admin. assistant at Damyn’s office (she does all the details, prepares cheques, etc.). The notario certifies everyone’s passports and visas, translates the selling agreement (otherwise a translater would be necessary), and has everyone sign the agreement (for some reason, the seller had to also afix prints of her 2 index fingers). Then her agent supplied us with documents showing that the gardener had been paid the required severance payment, that they had had no maid, that the taxes (about $100) had been paid for 2008 (we partially reimbursed), that the municipal services fees (about $600) had been paid for 2008 (again we reimbursed part) and that the electricity account had been paid and changed into our names. Our agent gave the required cheques to notario, the seller plus receipts for certain expenses paid by the seller and deducted from the money. It took less than an hour and was very amicable because we were all happy. Damyn says that there are cases where negotiations have been difficult and the 2 parties end up at the closing glaring and being very hostile. One difficulty was that everyone had forgotten about a special fee/tax (almost $1100) required for the permission for foreigners to buy Mexican property. The ATM at the bank I went to has a maximum of 1500 pesos ($150) per withdrawal; thus, I had to make multiple withdrawals to get the required amount. I am going to try other bank to see if their machines allow larger withdrawals.

By the way, getting money to Mexico is a learning experience. I had expected to open an account in a Mexican bank and then have money transfered periodically. That is not eazy and is very expensive. In talking to another Bedfordite who moved down here over a year ago, she said what they did was get money from their Halifax bank at ATMs. They got a Royal Bank account that allows unlimited free withdrawals (the local bank has a fee but modest). I looked into our chequing account and found that there is a $5 charge for every withdrawal in Mexico. However, for an extra $14 per month, we got the account that allows unlimited free withdrawals in Mexico! There are some places that accept credit cards (actually most businesses which sell appliances, furniture, etc.). Thus, many larger transactions can be done on credit card and then payment from the Halifax chequing account is easy.

Anyway, we spent our first night in our new house. Barb is, if anything, more pleased with the house than before. All the rooms have high ceilings and are very spacious.

At Damyn’s suggestion we are hiring a property manager for a few months until we get all set up and get the hang of things. For example, the sellers had no propane in the tank and everything shut off. Fernando, the facilitator, contacted the propane people to fill the tank and was here when they arrived. They got the pilot light on the water tank going and made sure that the stove worked. They told us that there was no pilot light and that one had to use matches; however, when the office manager came today to discuss the contract, he not only started the pilot lights, but also showed us how to light them should they ever go off.

Yesterday when we arrived for the final inspection before closing, we discovered that the phone had been connected. The real estate company had got a telephone number, but had not got the line installed. Damyn said that it usually took about 3 weeks if you did it the regular way. However, if we gave the administrative assistant 500 pesos, it usually took only a week; we gladly forked over the 500 ($50) and in fact it was installed in 2 days! I’m not sure to whom the 500 went or for what; I didn’t ask questions. Because it was so late yesterday (Friday) when we finished the closing, the telephone office was closed. However, on Monday, Fernando will go with me to get signed up and get the modem for the internet. Thus, by Monday we will be online. We are learning new stuff all the time; it is wonderful and exciting. Tomorrow, we shall go to the Open Circle at LCS and then go to brunch; that is how we shall try to fill the void of not meeting with the Brunch Club.