Renting a Home in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

Ajijic is located on the northern shores of Lake Chapala. The place is stunning as far as the scenic beauty is concerned. It is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and it has a moderate climate throughout the year. As per 2010 census, the population of Ajijic was around 10,500. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful places of tourist interest in Mexico. The average temperature of this small town is around 19 degree Centigrade. The sun is warm almost throughout the year, but because of its elevation from the sea level, it seldom gets unbearably hot or unpleasant. 

 

The average rainfall of this place is around 31.2 inches and precipitation occurs even during the rainy season, whether it is day or night. The months of December and January are the coolest when the night time temperature reaches a low of around 4 degree Centigrade. The highest temperatures through the year are more or less uniform. The highest temperature in January is around 24 degree Centigrade during the daytime while it goes up to around 32 degrees during May. Hence, there is no doubt that it has an even and predictable climate almost throughout the year, though it does rain quite a bit during monsoon season. 

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Make The Correct Decision

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The above would have given the readers decent information about the various reasons as to why Ajijic and Lake Chapala are very famous tourist destinations. However, we will focus more on the rental aspects of this small town. Because it is a famous and well known tourist destination, it attracts tourists by the thousands each year. Therefore finding the right accommodation could be a challenge for many. The place is small and therefore does not have big sized hotels and star accommodations. Most of the rented accommodations are offered by way of converted local homes. Therefore getting an accommodation in this town is not the same as that of other places. We will learn more about it over the next few lines. 

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Things To Look Out For 

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Renting a home in this part of Mexico has its own protocols and unique features. To begin with, you should decide on the budgets that you would like to spend for rental accommodation. The period of tenancy should also be taken into account. There is no denying the fact that both Ajijic and Lake Chapala have a number of places of tourist interest. Hence, it will take a long time to cover the entire place reasonably well. Most tourists have to allocate a sizeable chunk of their budgets for renting homes because of the extended period of time that they should stay her. 

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Be Aware Of The Ground Rules

 

To begin with, unfurnished Mexican rental properties may be quite common. In many cases, it is the tenant and not the property owner who has to provide everything starting from light fixtures and bulbs to toilets seats. This could push the overall rental costs and therefore you must take this into account while budgeting for a holiday to either Lake Chapala or Ajijic. As a person seeking accommodation, please find out as to who will cover the maintenance and repairs of the rented place, as long as you occupy it. Many property owners may not understand English and in such case, it would be better to hire an interpreter and get everything written and documented. 

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Up Front Deposit

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Most rented accommodation will require you to pay at least two months’ rent up front and this will cover the first month and the last month’s rent. Additionally, you may also be asked to pay a security deposit and this in most cases is equal to a month’s rent. You should check on the fixtures and fittings that exist when you take the home on rent. It would be better to create an inventory of it and have it signed both by you and the landlord so that things are not ambiguous when you have finished your visit to this place. It could stationary gas tank, curtains, blind, telephone line, ceiling fans, and air conditioners apart from others. Don’t leave even the smallest fixture and fittings to avoid confusion in the future. 

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Want To Buy Properties in Ajijic 

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Many people who have money do not mind investing in properties in these places. However, many find it prudent to take homes on rents, have a look at the entire place and be sure that it is worth investing many thousands of dollars in property buyouts. There are many expatriates who rent the right properties for a 12 month lease and then decide whether it is worth investing in it. It will also help in avoiding wrong decisions as far as the location, cost, amenities, facilities and other such attributes are concerned. 

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Comparing Buying Vs. Renting

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There is no doubt that each home has its own pros and cons. You have to evaluate the property taking into account a number of things. There could be prospective buyers who would want their home to be silent. If you have noisy neighbors it could be a problem. There are also other things such as the overall condition of the house. This could include the roof, the condition of toilets, the plumbing system and much more. You may also need some time to have a closer look at the electrical wiring systems apart from getting to know more about the neighborhood before you actually decide to invest money in it. 

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How To Look For Rentals

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The internet without any doubt continues to be the best way forward for renting out properties. There are many portals and sites that have a big list of properties in Ajijic and Lake Chapala that are available for rent. You also could get in touch with a property agent if you are new to the place. Having an interpreter is good because most of the locals are comfortable speaking Spanish. Look at as many rental properties as possible before setting for one. 

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Conclusion

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To put things in perspective, there is no doubt that there are many rental properties in Ajijic and Lake Chapala. It is all about having the right information, knowledge and then moving forward. You should stop hurrying through the process and get started with reasonable time in hand.