Pre-construction can be an attractive way to buy in Banderas Bay: you often get flexible payment schedules and a brand-new unit. It also asks you to trust a promise about something that does not exist yet, so the paperwork matters more than the render.
Here is a practical checklist to run through before you sign anything.
This article is general information for planning purposes and is not legal, tax, medical or financial advice. Rules and conditions change, so confirm details with the official sources and licensed professionals named below before you act.
Look at the developer, not just the project
Ask for the developer’s previous completed projects and visit them. Talk to owners and to the administrators. Check whether finished buildings were delivered on the dates originally promised, and how construction defects were handled.
Confirm permits and land title
Ask to see the construction license, land use authorization and the title to the land, and have an independent attorney review them. Be especially careful with land that may have an ejido origin; read our ejido land guide for buyers first.
Read the purchase contract line by line
Pay attention to the delivery date and what happens if it slips, how your deposits are held, what counts as a default by either side, the specification of finishes, and whether prices are fixed or adjustable. Have the contract reviewed by a lawyer who works for you, and choose your notary carefully; see how to choose a notario.
Understand payments and financing
Most pre-construction payment plans are paid in stages. Financing for foreign buyers is limited and varies by lender, so confirm what is possible before committing. Our financing guide for foreign buyers explains the options, and the offer-to-keys timeline shows how the closing steps fit together.
Ask about the building you will actually live in
Request the projected condo fees, the reserve fund policy and the draft building rules. Read condo fees in Puerto Vallarta and HOA due diligence so you know what to ask. When the unit is delivered, schedule a professional inspection before you accept it.
Related reading
- Financing for foreign buyers
- What your Puerto Vallarta property is worth
- Condo vs. house in Puerto Vallarta
- First-time foreign buyer mistakes
- Puerto Vallarta market update, September 2026
Where to find more information
Corporate and permit questions: a Mexican attorney and the relevant municipal and state authorities. Land and title records: the Registro Público de la Propiedad. Consumer protection: PROFECO. Market context: AMPI Vallarta y Compostela.
Questions about buying or living in Puerto Vallarta? Book a call with me, message me on WhatsApp, or keep reading on the Legacy Vallarta Realty blog.
Legacy Vallarta Realty shares local market perspective for information only. Nothing here is a guarantee of future prices, rental income or timelines.
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