An Off-Grid Shipping Container Home on a Third of an Acre in Mexico

• vee
  March 24, 2022, 8:56 pm

  Truly like this option if I were willing to move to Mexico. Lots of lovely features here!!

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• Larry McCool
  March 25, 2022, 10:39 pm

  From what I understand, US citizens are not allowed to own land in Mexico. And ideas on this?

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  • James D.
    March 26, 2022, 3:38 am

    While originally the Foreign Investment Law would stop expats buying properties that were within 64 miles of an international border or 32 miles from the shore. However, this was amended in 1993. Thus the idea that foreigners have restrictions when buying property in Mexico is effectively a myth.

    That said, in order for Americans, or any other international buyers, to purchase land in these prime areas a fideicomiso (bank trust) is needed. This in turn gives foreigners indirect ownership of restricted land through a trustee. While the trustee is the legal owner of the land, the beneficiary of the trust maintains all rights to sell, lease or pass on the land.

    Advantage being an expats owning land in Mexico through a fideicomiso may pass their property to heirs without needing a formal Mexican will. However, the system rests entirely on the credibility and trustworthiness of Mexican institutions which does put off some foreign buyers wary of taking on risks overseas.

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• Gerald F Dycus
  March 26, 2022, 6:42 am

  Not a chance in hell I’d live in Mexico or any Central American country except Costa Rica because of gangs, security, corruption problems. There are so many better places like Costa Rica, islands everywhere, places in the US.
  US is filled with depopulated places that are dirt cheap. Some will even pay you and give you a home to fix up.
  You can do this or better, a container home is energy wasteful, design limited, in Florida for the same price, even less. You can find a lot for $25k outside of towns and we have miles and miles of plotted lots for sale especially for someone that can live offgrid. Though that isn’t much different anymore with solar, automatic systems.
  I’d be happy to have such a budget to build such in Florida for someone. Could do it under $100k even.
  DIY is easy too, just study the areas between cities or inland for low cost land of your choice and build, buy a TH of choice and don’t buy a Tesla battery, get lead golf cart batteries until greedy Tesla wants to drop it’s price 65%.
  If you don’t use power, water services you don’t have to pay impact fees. Water comes from the sky and ground here everywhere.

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  • James D.
    March 26, 2022, 8:00 pm

    Well, in remote and rural areas of Florida, it is generally legal to live off-grid. However, it doesn’t mean you can just do it as there’s laws that may prevent you from going 100% off grid, like the requirement to connect to a municipal sewage system if one is available and even if it’s not you may still be required to have a septic system regardless of whether you need to use it.

    Many parts of Florida also use the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). Depending on how local authorities interpret the code, some off-grid systems may be illegal, like using rainwater as your sole water source or only having an outdoor shower at your home. Though, rain catchment is otherwise legal and even encouraged.

    While water is plentiful in Florida, water rights laws can still be very complicated. So don’t be surprised if you come across legal issues regarding your rights to water on your property. Examples like Florida State has other unique interpretations of riparian law, such as recognizing that water access adds value to the property, and thus the water cannot be taken without compensation and owners also have the right to an “unobstructed view” of the waters, which could complicate your interaction with neighbors.

    Except for some domestic wells, you will need a permit to use water in Florida. There are two main types of permits: Individual permits and General water use permits. Unless you own the body of water, you will need a permit to use water on your property. Though, some situations are exempt from a permit, but it is generally required for any situation where you pump or divert surface water. Depending on the project, you may also need to get a dam permit through the District’s Dam Safety Program. Some dams, including agricultural dams, are covered under Chapter 40A-44 of the Florida Administrative Code.

    For Off-grid electricity systems, including solar and wind power, they are legal in Florida. So there are no laws preventing you from disconnecting from the power company and creating your own “micro grid.” Though, in almost all cases, you will need to get a permit for your system. Also, getting a permit for larger systems involves submitting schematic diagrams, electrical calculations, specifications, and other documents.

    Additional possible hurdles is many jurisdictions will only issue the permit to a licensed electrical contractor (EC or ER license). Solar water heaters require a plumbing permit instead of an electrical permit. Solar and wind system must be installed by a licensed professional, and you may be required to have an inspection before you can legally use your off-grid system.

    So you can definitely be off-grid, but there may some hurdles to get over, some fees like permits, and limits on how you do it that can vary across the state and will depend where the property is located and how it interacts with other neighboring properties.

    As for Tesla, no, that’s just what the battery costs. Cost will go down when it cost less to make the battery… Really, it’s like saying the cost of a super duty truck is greedy when comparing it to a little smart car, there’s a lot different for why there’s a difference in cost!

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• Victoria Banaszak
  March 29, 2022, 1:29 am

  Oh man, That is a dream of a home. I would love this. I love the bright colors they used to stage the home. So pretty. Between the pool and the hammock, I don’t think I need much else. Maybe a banana , papaya smoothie. I bet you can really star watch up on that roof top too.

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