By: Jim Scherrer

Puerto Vallarta Real Estate has become well established as one of the favorite choices for North Americans planning on retiring, or just looking for a second home, away from all the snow. More than 50,000 Americans and Canadians have already chosen to invest in a top-of-the-line Mexico Condo or Mexico Home in Puerto Vallarta, and once visitors see what Puerto Vallarta has to offer, many of them decide to buy a home here and join this community in an already thriving beachfront city.

The first thing is to ask the developer’s representative to accompany you on a “walkthrough” inspection of your new home in Puerto Vallarta.  During this inspection you want to make a written “punch list” of any damaged or missing items and note any repairs that are necessary.  You may want to start by reviewing all doors and windows. They should be well-fitted, easy to open, close and lock. The floor tile should be evenly laid with no high spots, cracks or scratches.  In the bathrooms make sure there are no chips in the bathtub, toilets, sinks and flooring. See that the cabinets are not loose, lights and fans work, and the caulking is applied correctly. Check for leaks. Open and close all the kitchen cabinets and make sure there are enough electrical outlets and they are working.  Counter tops, sinks, and appliances should not have any damage during the installation. Test all the appliances for proper functioning including the hood fan and light as well as the kitchen lights and switches. Check the paint job throughout and note any scratches, splotches or drops.  Then you want to review the cooling systems (air conditioning and ceiling fans).  Make sure they are all in proper working order and get the remote control units if these are included.  Next, locate your electrical breaker box and confirm there are enough circuits available and they are labeled.  Then check the hot water heater for proper function.  Turn on the hot water and check the temperature and the pressure.  Ask if there are main shut off valves for gas and water and note these locations.

By: Jim Scherrer

Typically as part of the closing process, the utilities will be changed over to your name.  If not, ask the previous owner to sign a letter authorizing this action and then register the change with the corresponding utility.  Your electric bill will come every second month, and your telephone and cable TV arrive monthly.