| - |
|
|
 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. What is the developer’s goal for Haciendas Palo Verde?
- We aim to create a peaceful and secure living space where residents can enjoy the natural beauty of Baja.
- 2. Are the lots serviced with water?
- Yes, water pipes run adjacent to every lot in Haciendas Palo Verde. They are pressured up and ready to be tapped.
- 3. How much does water cost?
- There is an initial hookup fee of 4,000 pesos (approx. $370 USD). Water will cost 22 pesos (approx. $2 USD) per cubic meter, and a 100 peso (approx. $9.30 USD) monthly maintenance and administration fee will apply. Pre-payment billing will avoid residents the hassle of monthly bills while they’re away. Monthly emails will keep residents informed about their account status.
- 4. What about electrical power?
- Underground electrical power will run next to each lot. We anticipate the installation to all currently available lots in summer of ‘08. Electricity is billed by CFE, the power utility department, every two months. After an initial hookup fee of about $2,000 pesos (approx. $185 USD), electricity is billed by the kWh (kilowatt hour), plus 10% tax. Nearby residents pay about 0.55 pesos (approx. $0.05 USD) per kWh. Bills are received at your residence and paid with cash using a simple automated system at the CFE office in La Paz.
- 5. What type of road accesses Haciendas Palo Verde?
- A graded and compacted gravel/dirt road runs about a ½ kilometer from the highway to the entrance of Haciendas Palo Verde.
- 6. How does the environmental preservation plan work?
- Preserving native vegetation will maintain Hacienda’s natural beauty and minimize harmful impact on the environment. Our approved environmental protection plan, as authorized by Mexico’s environmental protection agency SEMARNAT, requires lot owners to leave at least 50% of natural cacti and vegetation unaltered. How will this be done, you ask? Easy: just make sure that your living area doesn’t exceed half of the lot’s total surface area. And one last detail; cacti and vegetation marked with orange metal tags have been assigned for preservation and should be conserved. If you find one that gets in your way, simply transplant it to somewhere else in your lot.
- 7. Can the cardón be successfully moved?
- Yes. Amazingly enough, these hardy cacti can withstand hurricanes, droughts, and still live for hundreds of years in a harsh desert setting. Small and mid-sized cardón can easily surviving careful transplanting. Most agree that large cardón are best left as bold landscaping, although it is OK to remove one if you absolutely must.
- 8. What are the property taxes for a typical home in Haciendas Palo Verde?
- As of 2007, yearly property taxes are not much more than a few hundred US dollars for an average household---paid in pesos, of course.
- 9. What’s being done to protect the view?
- Quite a bit; hillside lots are serviced with underground electrical power, so there won’t be any unsightly power poles within the neighborhood. Also, a maximum height has been set for each lot in the Architectural Standards Document, and thick roof-top palapas are disallowed. These provisions will help ensure that neighbors won’t obstruct your view with over-sized homes.
- 10. I've heard that Haciendas Palo Verde has a Homeowner’s Association? How does it work?
- Yes, you join the Homeowner’s Association when you purchase an Haciendas lot. Starting in 2008 the Homeowner’s Association will bring members together to assist with maintaining and improving the neighborhood. Annual dues of $5,000 pesos (about $463 USD) will go toward the general upkeep of the neighborhood. Responsibility to begin paying dues will start when you join the HOA, upon title transfer of your Haciendas lot. The Homeowner’s Association has the power to adjust the annual dues amount, through democratic means, so as to benefit everyone.
- 11. What about the Architectural Standards and Review process?
- A simple architectural review and approval process has been established that sets a minimum standard for home design. Architectural creativity is encouraged, allowing you to choose from Spanish Colonial, Mexican Rustic, Tuscan, and Mediterranean styles.
- 12. Can I own land in Mexico?
- Yes. If you are not a Mexican citizen and would like to own land in Baja, you’ll need to arrange it through a fideicomiso.
- 13. What is a fideicomiso? How much does it cost? How long does the process take?
- A fideicomiso is a bank trust that enables foreign possession of land within 50 km (about 31 miles) of the Mexican coastline. The land’s legal title is put in the name of a certified Mexican bank and is administered on the foreigner’s behalf, allowing the foreigner to enjoy the same rights as a Mexican citizen. The fideicomiso can be renewed every 50 years for an indefinite number of times. The initial fees related to a fideicomiso typically cost about $6,000 USD, and the process may take 4 to 8 weeks from start to finish. An approximate maintenance fee of $350 USD is charged annually, and it can be paid at the office of the fideicomiso administration company here in La Paz.
- 14. What medical services are available in La Paz?
- There are great private and public hospitals in La Paz. Foreigners typically use Hospital Especialidades Médicas, a private hospital in the Fidepaz neighborhood (tel. (612)124-0400). The general hospital is Hospital Juan María de Salvatierra (tel. (612)122-1497), on the street Nicolás Bravo in central La Paz. Prices for medical service, dental work, and pharmaceuticals are quite affordable.
- 15. How far is the beach?
- The nearest beach is about 2 kilometers from Haciendas Palo Verde.
- 16. What does it cost to have a contractor build a house? How long does it take?
- Local contractors charge between $100 USD per square foot and $150 USD per square foot, depending upon your finish preferences. Building a home typically takes 6 to 12 months.
- 17. How do I stay in contact with my friends and family from Haciendas?
- A broadband internet receiver can be installed in your home for approximately $600 USD by a third party, and will costs about $45 USD per month for the connection. You can then set up a voice-over-internet phone (Vonage), or use a service like Skype, to place international calls inexpensively. Prepaid cellular phones are typically used for local calls, but service plans are available.
- 18. Will I need an FM3?
- You’ll need an FM3 to open a bank account in Mexico, but not to own property or build a home.
- 19. Is title insurance available for Haciendas Palo Verde lots?
- Yes. Both Stewart Title and First American offer title insurance in the La Paz area.
- 20. What restaurants are nearby?
-
- Three authentic Italian-style restaurants.
- Several fish taco joints; a favorite being Mr. Fish Taco.
- For breakfast, lunch, and dinner try Gorilla’s Jr., especially if you’re looking for American style food.
- For coffee, pastries, and internet; Café Exquisito is popular.
|
|
|
- |