by: Mariana Cabello | March 2026
There are many reasons why you might be considering selling your home in Baja. It could be because you initially moved-in to a small condo to get the feel of living down here and now have decided to look for a bigger place or a community that you liked better; maybe you’re planning on downsizing to a cute little home with no stairs, or maybe you have a vacation property that you don’t use much and that extra cash could come in handy for something else.
Whichever the case, selling your home can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here is a breakdown of the usual steps that happen when selling a property in Baja, along with some advice to help you make this process hassle-free.
Table of Contents
1. Get your paperwork ready.
If you are thinking about selling your home, now is a good time to dive into your file cabinet and dust off some important documents, so you don’t have to do it against the clock once you have a closing date.
There are several documents that you will need to present to the Notario at the moment of closing, starting with a copy of the title to the property (or Bank Trust, if applicable), homeowner’s association documents, last paid property tax bill (Impuesto Predial), and a copy of your immigration status (Permanent or temporary resident’s card).
Gathering these documents right from the beginning will make the process much easier.
These documents will also help determine whether you are eligible for tax exemptions when you sell your property and what your total closing costs will be, both of which are important factors in deciding whether this is the right time to sell.
Capital gains tax for foreign sellers without Mexican residency is typically calculated at a flat 35% on the gross sale price [1]. However, if you hold Mexican residency and meet certain legal requirements, the rate may be significantly reduced, in some cases to approximately 8–10%, and potentially as low as 0%, depending on your specific situation and eligibility under Mexican tax law.)
If you are working with a real estate agent, they will very likely ask you which documents you have for the property to ensure you have everything required for the closing, and they can also guide you on how or where to obtain any you are missing. Some of these documents may take a while to get, so this is why we recommend looking into them first thing in the process.
And, speaking of real estate professionals, our next recommendation is:
2. Looking for a Real Estate Professional.
While it may seem a biased opinion coming from us (a professional real estate company), the truth is that working with a real estate agent to sell your property is highly recommended. There are many advantages to working with a real estate agent that we will go over in a future article, but the bottom line is that a real estate agent will be familiar with both the area and the current market, and can help you price your property competitively compared to similar listings. They will also advertise your property on their well-established website and have access to more qualified potential clients who might be looking for what you are selling. Here in Baja, your realtor should be part of several local real estate networks, expanding your property’s reach to more potential buyers. They will also handle all phone calls and arrange appointments for potential buyers to view your property.
Remember that the agent’s full-time job is to get your property sold and to look out for your best interests, so their main goal is to make your real estate experience a positive one.
When looking for a real estate agent to work with, there are some questions you can ask them that will give you a clearer picture of what to expect when selling your property: What is the estimated market value? What are the recent comps for similar properties? How has the real estate market been lately? What are my closing costs? etc. Of course, for the real estate agent to answer these questions, they will need some information about you and your property, so scheduling a call or a visit is a good idea.
3. Staging your property and taking pictures.
If you are working with a real estate professional, it is likely that they will hire a professional photographer to take pictures of your home. Make sure your home is ready on the day the photographer will come to take pictures.
Staging your home to show off its best qualities can only add to your final selling price. Although there are professional staging services, there are some things you can do quickly and inexpensively to wow potential buyers:
• Closets: Clear closets of unnecessary clutter, and organize to maximize the amount of open storage space you are showing off to potential buyers. If you are moving out or don’t live in the property full-time, try to empty the closet as much as possible.
• Bedrooms: These should communicate as being a place of relaxation and comfort. Although not necessary, color-coordinating where possible. Giving walls, bedspreads, curtains, etc., a clear color theme can go a long way!
• Bathrooms: Clear countertops of clutter such as hair dryers, hygiene products, creams, and everything but the essentials (soap dish, hand towel, etc.) to highlight the space.
• Kitchen: Clean your refrigerator, sink, and the inside of your oven. Declutter the kitchen cabinets and drawers that buyers will see. (And yes, they will likely open the cupboards and drawers to inspect the space!).
• Dining room: Setting the table, especially with color-coordinated plates and plate mats, can create a visual focal point in this room, especially if it feels empty.
• Living room: Lighting is a major source of appeal for buyers; opening the shades before showing the house will
4. Uploading your property and posting it on the market.
Once the pictures are taken, the property is ready to be posted online!
Another advantage of working with a Baja real estate agent is that they have access to platforms exclusive to real estate agencies in the area, forming a broad network that allows them to reach a wider audience.
Point2 was the most commonly used platform here in Rosarito, but they stopped servicing Mexico and other international locations by the end of December 2024. Since then, new marketing platforms have emerged to meet the need for an MLS platform that captures all available listings and makes them easy to find on any local agency website. These platforms are diverse and adaptable to the ever-changing market, allowing businesses to meet international demand, including in Latin America.
Agents might also advertise your property in a newspaper ad and on social media, or place a sign for people driving by to contact them to ask for information without disturbing you.
5. Receiving and reviewing offers, writing a counteroffer.
After your property is out on the market, you will eventually receive offers to purchase from buyers who are interested in your place. If the market is competitive, you might receive more than one at once. Expect these offers to be lower than your asking sales price, and be ready to negotiate if the buyer’s offer seems reasonable.
The real estate agent can help you review these offers to see whether the price or terms offered match your needs and expectations for selling the property. If the offer works for you, you can accept it, or you can ask your agent to write up a counteroffer where you can negotiate the price and terms of the sale.
6. Getting ready for closing.
Once both parties have agreed to the terms and purchase price, the transaction moves into the closing phase.
At this stage, the documents gathered in Step #1 will be submitted to the Closing and Escrow Company, which will work hand in hand with the Notario Público to execute the legal transfer of title. In Baja California, the average closing timeline ranges from approximately 30 to 90 days from the signing of the private purchase agreement (Contrato de Promesa de Compraventa), which outlines the agreed-upon terms of the offer.
In certain situations, the process may extend up to 120 days. This can occur when a property is held in a fideicomiso (bank trust), particularly if the fiduciary bank’s headquarters are located in Mexico City, or during official government holiday periods when public institutions temporarily suspend operations.
It is important to enter the transaction with realistic timing expectations to avoid unnecessary frustration as the process unfolds. An experienced agent should guide you through each stage and provide a more precise timeline based on the specific circumstances of your transaction.
In sum, the Baja real estate market continues to evolve, and timing, pricing, and strategy matter. If you are thinking about selling, now is the time to gather your information and evaluate your options.
Whether you are downsizing, upgrading, or simply reallocating your investment, having a clear plan will make all the difference. Reach out to schedule a consultation and receive a professional market analysis tailored specifically to your property.