The Legal Process

How your money is protected
at every step.

This is a plain-language summary of the legal framework, contracts, and protections that apply when you reserve and purchase a lot at MAREA San Felipe. For buyers from the United States and Canada who want to understand exactly what they're signing — and why.

Section 1

Who you transact with

Two distinct legal parties are involved in your purchase. Understanding the difference is the foundation of how this works.

The Seller · Property Owner

José Ignacio Villegas Medina

Mexican national, individual person. Registered owner of the property at Lote 57, Zona Turística Norte, San Felipe, Baja California (RPPC Folio 198634, Mexicali). Signs the Hold Fee Agreement (L1) and the Promise of Sale with Arras (L2) directly.

The Advisor · Soft-Landing Consultancy

Peninsula Services & Real Estate LLC

Florida limited liability company. Acts as commercial mandatary and soft-landing consultancy to coordinate the project. Not a real estate broker in Mexico, the United States, or Canada. Subcontracts licensed brokers in each jurisdiction when required. Signs the Service Agreement (L3) with you under Florida law.

Important: the legal sale of the lot is always between you and the property owner directly. Peninsula's role is to coordinate the process, provide soft-landing services, and ensure documentary compliance — never to be the seller.
Section 2

What you sign

Three legal instruments, each with a specific purpose. All signed electronically through Zoho Sign with full legal validity under Mexican Commerce Code (Articles 89-114) and NOM-151-SCFI-2016.

L1

Hold Fee Agreement

Reserves your lot for 30 days. $199 USD (promotional) + ~$6 processing fee. Signed between you and the property owner. Mexican law.

L2

Promise of Sale with Arras

The actual purchase commitment under Mexican Federal Civil Code. Defines price, payment plan, delivery terms, rescission. You and the property owner. Mexican law.

L3

Service Agreement

Peninsula's soft-landing services to you as a foreign buyer (KYC, document validation, advisor coordination). You and Peninsula. Florida law.

Section 3

What protects your money

Mexican law provides direct protections that operate without the need for a third-party escrow custodian.

1. Arras confirmatorias — the legal "escrow"

Your down payment is legally classified as arras confirmatorias (confirmatory earnest money) under Articles 2310-2311 of the Mexican Federal Civil Code. This creates a symmetrical-but-asymmetric protection between the parties.

The 100% / 150% rule:
• If you, the buyer, withdraw without justified cause: you forfeit 100% of what you paid as earnest money.
• If the seller fails to perform without justified cause: the seller must return 150% — the original amount plus an additional 50% as penalty — as agreed in the contract.

The default Federal Civil Code rule is 200% return; the parties modulate this to 150%, which keeps strong consumer protection while balancing operational risk.

2. Electronic-only payments

All payments must be made electronically in USD: wire transfer, ACH, Stripe, or PayPal. No cash under any circumstances. Complies with Mexican anti-money-laundering law (LFPIORPI), U.S. Bank Secrecy Act / PATRIOT Act / FinCEN, and Canadian PCMLTFA / FINTRAC.

3. Bank trust (fideicomiso) for foreign buyers

San Felipe is in Mexico's restricted zone (within 50 km of the coast). Foreign buyers acquire through a fideicomiso — a Mexican bank trust authorized under permit from the Foreign Affairs Ministry (SRE). The bank holds legal title as fiduciary; you are the sole beneficiary with full rights to use, lease, sell, mortgage, and designate inheritors. Term: 50 years, renewable indefinitely.

Section 4

Mexican authorities involved

Independent government bodies that oversee, validate, or register parts of your transaction.

  • Notario Público — independent legal officer who validates the L2 registration and any fideicomiso constitution.
  • PROFECO — Federal Consumer Protection Agency. Registers and oversees the adhesion contract format.
  • SRE — Foreign Affairs Ministry. Issues the permit authorizing the bank trust (fideicomiso).
  • RPPC Mexicali — Public Property Registry, where the property title is registered (Folio 198634).
  • Mexican fiduciary bank (Banorte, BBVA, HSBC or Santander — your choice) — holds title on your behalf.
Section 5

Your right to exit

Multiple legal paths to withdraw, depending on when you decide and which instrument you signed.

5-business-day reflection period (Article 56 LFPC). Under Mexican consumer law, you have 5 business days after signing to withdraw your consent without cause and without penalty, and recover 100% of all amounts paid. This is a non-waivable consumer right. Any contractual clause that tries to limit it is null and void.

Hold Fee (L1) — within 5 business days

$199 fully refunded. The only non-recoverable item is the ~$6 payment processing fee paid to Stripe or PayPal, which is a third-party cost independent of the contract.

Hold Fee (L1) — after day 5

Non-refundable. However, Peninsula offers a paid assignment service: at your request, Peninsula seeks a substitute buyer for your reserved lot in exchange for a transparent service fee disclosed before you accept.

L2 signed — voluntary withdrawal after day 5

Standard arras rules apply: you forfeit 100% of what you paid as earnest money. This is the reciprocal side of the 150% protection that operates against the seller.

Seller default, force majeure, or material breach

Full path to recover all amounts paid, plus 150% under arras if the cause is attributable to the seller.

Assignment of your contractual position to a third party

Mexican civil law allows you to bring your own substitute buyer at any time, subject to the seller's reasonable approval. An administrative fee applies. This is a separate option from Peninsula's paid assignment service.

Section 6

Conflict resolution

A clear, three-step process.

  1. Direct negotiation (30 days). Written notice between the parties.
  2. Mandatory mediation in Mérida, Yucatán (30 days). Before a recognized commercial mediation center. The mediation venue is exclusively Mérida for all contracts governed by Mexican law. The Service Agreement (L3) under Florida law uses Miami-Dade County, Florida.
  3. Judicial action. Competent courts of San Felipe or Mexicali, Baja California. This jurisdiction is set by Mexican law for real estate disputes and cannot be moved by agreement.
Section 7

Frequently asked questions

Click each question to expand.

What happens if MAREA fails to deliver the lot as agreed in the contract?

Under Mexican civil law, your down payment is legally classified as arras confirmatorias (confirmatory earnest money). This is the legal mechanism that protects you — equivalent in function to a U.S. escrow, but operating directly between the parties without a third-party custodian.

The arras protection is symmetrical but asymmetric in penalty:
• If you, the buyer, withdraw without justified cause: you forfeit 100% of what you paid as earnest money.
• If the seller fails to perform without justified cause: the seller must return 150% — the original amount plus an additional 50% as penalty — under the framework of Articles 2310-2311 of the Mexican Federal Civil Code.

This 100% / 150% structure is enforceable in Mexican civil courts and does not require a third-party custodian.

Do I have a reflection period after signing? Can I change my mind?

Yes. Mexican law gives you a non-waivable right to reconsider after signing.

Under Article 56 of Mexico's Federal Consumer Protection Law (LFPC), you have 5 business days from the signature date to revoke your consent — without justified cause, without penalty, and without questions asked. During this window, you recover 100% of all amounts paid, including the Hold Fee.

How to exercise it: notify in writing — by email to [email protected] — within 5 business days from signature. Refund processed within 30 business days from the signing of the electronic refund agreement (Zoho Sign or equivalent), through the same payment channel or bank wire as agreed.

What the refund covers: 100% of amounts paid to MAREA or to the seller, sent in full from our side. However, bank transfer costs are not covered — wire fees, intermediary bank commissions, currency conversion fees, recipient bank fees, and any international transfer taxes applicable to you are not the responsibility of Peninsula, the seller, or any project stakeholder. These costs are deducted by the intermediary or receiving bank according to its rates. The original payment processing fees charged by Stripe, PayPal or your bank at the moment of payment (typically 2.9% + $0.30) are paid directly to the third-party processor and are not recoverable.

How much is the Hold Fee, and is it refundable?

The Hold Fee is $199 USD (promotional launch pricing), plus a payment processing fee of approximately $6 USD charged at checkout by the payment platform. It reserves your lot for 30 days and is fully credited toward your down payment if you proceed to L2.

Full 100% refund of the $199 Hold Fee if you cancel within 5 business days. No questions, no deductions.

The ~$6 USD processing fee is paid directly to the third-party payment processor (Stripe or PayPal). This fee is not recoverable by MAREA at refund — it remains with the processor regardless of whether you proceed or cancel.

After day 5, the Hold Fee is non-refundable. However:

  • 100% credited to your down payment if you proceed to L2 (recommended).
  • 100% refund of the Hold Fee if Peninsula or the property owner cancels.
  • Assignment service: Peninsula can offer a paid service to find a substitute buyer for your reserved lot. A service fee applies, disclosed transparently before you accept.
How does the Owner Privilege Golf benefit work?

You don't need to wait years to enjoy what you're investing in. After four on-time payments — your down payment plus three consecutive monthly installments — you unlock three complimentary rounds of golf at Las Caras de México, courtesy of MAREA.

Three corporate memberships are shared between the MAREA development team, the property owner, and our build partner — specifically to deliver this privilege.

How to redeem: request tee times through your MAREA advisor at any point during the active life of your contract. No physical card — your advisor coordinates booking directly with the course.

Conditions: Subject to course availability. Non-transferable. One round per booking. Privilege automatically forfeited upon contract default or rescission.

What if I decide not to proceed after signing?

Your exit options depend on when you decide and which instrument you signed:

Within 5 business days of signing (any instrument): Full 100% refund. The Article 56 LFPC reflection period covers the L2 by Mexican law, and Peninsula voluntarily extends the same 5-day refund to the L1 Hold Fee.

After day 5, Hold Fee (L1): $199 non-refundable. You may continue to L2 or request Peninsula's paid assignment service.

After day 5, L2 signed (voluntary withdrawal): Standard arras — you forfeit 100% of earnest money. Reciprocal side of the 150% recovery if the seller defaults.

Seller default or material breach: Full recovery + 150% under arras if seller-caused.

Assignment to a third party (your own buyer): Mexican civil law allows it at any time, subject to seller's reasonable approval. Administrative fee applies. Separate from Peninsula's brokered assignment service.

How does the bank trust (fideicomiso) protect me as a foreign buyer?

San Felipe is in Mexico's restricted zone (within 50 km of coast). Foreign buyers acquire through a fideicomiso — a bank trust authorized under SRE permit.

The Mexican bank holds legal title as fiduciary. You are the sole beneficiary, with full rights to occupy, lease, sell, mortgage, designate inheritors, and renovate.

Term: 50 years, renewable indefinitely. Rights pass to heirs automatically — no probate in Mexico.

Setup: USD $1,000–$3,000 plus SRE permit ~USD $230 + MXN $21,650. Annual fee: USD $450–$555.

How long does a refund take, and who pays bank transfer costs?

When a refund is due to you (5-day Art. 56 LFPC reflection window, Hold Fee assignment service, seller default, or force majeure), this is the process:

  • Timeframe: up to 30 business days from the signing of the electronic refund agreement (Zoho Sign or equivalent).
  • Electronic signature required: we sign together an agreement identifying the amount, the reason, and your bank details for the wire.
  • Full amount sent: we send the entire agreed amount, with no retention on our side.
  • Bank transfer costs NOT covered: wire fees, intermediary bank commissions, currency conversion fees, recipient bank fees, and international transfer taxes are not the responsibility of Peninsula, the seller, or any project stakeholder. These are deducted by the banks involved according to their rates.
  • Confirmation: we provide you a bank receipt and reference number once the wire is dispatched. Our obligation is fulfilled at the moment of dispatch, not at the moment of receipt by your bank.
What payment methods are accepted?

Electronic payments only, in U.S. dollars. No cash, no cryptocurrency.

Accepted: wire transfer, ACH, Stripe, PayPal Business.

Every payment creates an audit trail under your name, protecting you under:

  • Mexico — LFPIORPI (Anti-Money Laundering Law)
  • United States — Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, FinCEN reporting
  • Canada — PCMLTFA, FINTRAC reporting
Questions about your specific case?

Talk to a MAREA advisor.

Every situation is different. If you have questions about how the legal framework applies to your purchase, we are happy to walk through it with you.

[email protected]
El Proceso Legal

Cómo se protege su dinero
en cada paso.

Resumen en lenguaje claro del marco legal, contratos y protecciones que aplican al reservar y adquirir un lote en MAREA San Felipe. Para compradores de Estados Unidos y Canadá que quieren entender exactamente qué están firmando.

Sección 1

Con quién contrata

Dos partes legales distintas intervienen en su compra.

El Vendedor · Propietario del Predio

José Ignacio Villegas Medina

Mexicano, persona física. Propietario registrado del predio en Lote 57, Zona Turística Norte, San Felipe, Baja California (Folio RPPC 198634, Mexicali). Firma el Hold Fee Agreement (L1) y la Promesa con Arras (L2) directamente.

El Asesor · Consultoría Soft-Landing

Peninsula Services & Real Estate LLC

Sociedad de responsabilidad limitada de Florida. Actúa como mandataria comercial y consultoría soft-landing. No es broker inmobiliario en México, Estados Unidos ni Canadá. Subcontrata brokers licenciados cuando es requerido. Firma con usted el Service Agreement (L3) bajo ley de Florida.

Importante: la venta legal del lote es siempre entre usted y el propietario directamente. El rol de Peninsula es coordinar el proceso — nunca ser el vendedor.
Sección 2

Qué firma

Tres instrumentos legales, cada uno con propósito específico. Firmados electrónicamente vía Zoho Sign con validez bajo el Código de Comercio (Arts. 89-114) y NOM-151-SCFI-2016.

L1

Hold Fee Agreement

Aparta su lote por 30 días. $199 USD (promocional) + ~$6 USD procesamiento. Usted y el propietario. Ley mexicana.

L2

Promesa con Arras

Compromiso real de compraventa bajo CCF mexicano. Precio, plan de pagos, entrega, rescisión. Usted y el propietario. Ley mexicana.

L3

Service Agreement

Servicios soft-landing de Peninsula (KYC, validación, coordinación). Usted y Peninsula. Ley de Florida.

Sección 3

Qué protege su dinero

La ley mexicana ofrece protecciones directas que operan sin tercero custodio tipo escrow.

1. Arras confirmatorias — el "escrow" legal

Su enganche se clasifica como arras confirmatorias bajo Artículos 2310-2311 del Código Civil Federal. Crea una protección simétrica pero asimétrica entre las partes.

La regla 100% / 150%:
• Si usted, el comprador, desiste sin causa justificada: pierde el 100% de lo entregado como arras.
• Si el vendedor incumple sin causa justificada: debe devolver el 150% — la cantidad original más un 50% adicional como penalización — según lo pactado en el contrato.

El régimen supletorio del Código Civil Federal prevé devolución del 200%; las partes lo modulan al 150% balanceando protección al comprador y riesgo operativo.

2. Pagos solo electrónicos

Todos los pagos electrónicos en USD: wire, ACH, Stripe o PayPal. Sin efectivo. Cumple LFPIORPI (México), BSA / PATRIOT Act / FinCEN (EE.UU.), PCMLTFA / FINTRAC (Canadá).

3. Fideicomiso bancario para extranjeros

San Felipe está en zona restringida (50 km de costa). Extranjeros adquieren vía fideicomiso bajo permiso SRE. El banco detenta el título; usted es el único beneficiario con derechos plenos. Vigencia 50 años renovable.

Sección 4

Autoridades mexicanas involucradas

Organismos gubernamentales independientes.

  • Notario Público — valida inscripción del L2 y constitución del fideicomiso.
  • PROFECO — Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor. Registra y supervisa el contrato de adhesión.
  • SRE — Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores. Emite el permiso del fideicomiso.
  • RPPC Mexicali — Registro Público de la Propiedad. Inscripción del título (Folio 198634).
  • Banco fiduciario mexicano (Banorte, BBVA, HSBC o Santander) — detenta el título a su nombre.
Sección 5

Su derecho a salir

Múltiples vías legales para desistir.

Periodo de reflexión de 5 días hábiles (Art. 56 LFPC). Bajo la ley mexicana del consumidor, tiene 5 días hábiles desde la firma para revocar su consentimiento sin causa y sin penalización, y recuperar el 100% de las cantidades entregadas. Derecho irrenunciable.

Hold Fee (L1) — dentro de 5 días hábiles

Reembolso del 100% de los $199. El único costo no recuperable es la comisión de procesamiento de ~$6 USD pagada a Stripe o PayPal, costo externo independiente del contrato.

Hold Fee (L1) — después del día 5

No reembolsable. Peninsula ofrece servicio pagado de cesión: busca un comprador sustituto para su lote a cambio de una tarifa de servicio transparente.

L2 firmado — desistimiento voluntario después del día 5

Aplican reglas estándar de arras: pierde el 100% de lo entregado. Lado recíproco del 150% que protege contra el vendedor.

Incumplimiento del vendedor, fuerza mayor o incumplimiento material

Vía completa para recuperar todo lo pagado, más el 150% bajo arras si la causa es del vendedor.

Cesión a un tercero

El derecho civil mexicano le permite traer a su propio comprador sustituto en cualquier momento, sujeto a aprobación razonable del vendedor. Aplica costo administrativo.

Sección 6

Resolución de controversias

Proceso claro de tres etapas.

  1. Negociación directa (30 días). Notificación por escrito.
  2. Mediación obligatoria en Mérida, Yucatán (30 días). Sede exclusiva Mérida para contratos bajo ley mexicana. El L3 bajo ley Florida usa Miami-Dade County.
  3. Acción judicial. Tribunales competentes de San Felipe o Mexicali, Baja California. Jurisdicción fijada por ley mexicana para disputas inmobiliarias.
Sección 7

Preguntas frecuentes

Haga clic en cada pregunta para ver la respuesta.

¿Qué sucede si MAREA no entrega el lote conforme al contrato?

Bajo el derecho civil mexicano, su enganche se clasifica como arras confirmatorias. Mecanismo legal funcionalmente equivalente al escrow anglosajón, operando directamente entre las partes sin tercero custodio.

La protección de las arras es simétrica pero asimétrica en la penalización:
• Si usted, el comprador, desiste sin causa justificada: pierde el 100% de lo entregado como arras.
• Si el vendedor incumple sin causa justificada: debe devolver el 150% — la cantidad original más un 50% adicional como penalización — bajo el marco de los Artículos 2310-2311 del Código Civil Federal.

Estructura 100% / 150% exigible ante tribunales civiles mexicanos sin tercero custodio.

¿Tengo derecho a un periodo de reflexión después de firmar? ¿Puedo arrepentirme?

Sí. La ley mexicana le otorga un derecho irrenunciable de reflexión posterior a la firma.

Bajo el Artículo 56 de la LFPC, tiene 5 días hábiles desde la firma para revocar su consentimiento — sin causa, sin penalización y sin que se le cuestione. Recupera el 100% de lo entregado, incluyendo el Hold Fee.

Cómo ejercerlo: notifique por escrito a [email protected] dentro de 5 días hábiles. Devolución procesada en 30 días hábiles desde la firma electrónica del acuerdo de devolución (Zoho Sign u equivalente), por el mismo medio de pago o transferencia bancaria según se acuerde. Los costos bancarios (wire fees, conversiones, fees del banco receptor) no son responsabilidad de Peninsula ni del vendedor.

Qué cubre: 100% de cantidades pagadas a MAREA o al vendedor. Las comisiones de procesamiento cobradas por Stripe, PayPal o su banco (2.9% + $0.30) se pagan directamente al procesador externo y no son recuperables por MAREA — costo fijo independiente del contrato, no es penalización contractual bajo la ley mexicana.

¿Cuánto cuesta el Hold Fee y es reembolsable?

El Hold Fee es de $199 USD (precio promocional), más una comisión de procesamiento de ~$6 USD cobrada en el checkout por la plataforma. Aparta su lote por 30 días, acreditable al 100% al enganche si procede al L2.

Reembolso del 100% de los $199 si cancela dentro de 5 días hábiles. Sin cuestionamientos, sin deducciones.

La comisión de ~$6 USD se paga directamente al procesador externo y no es recuperable por MAREA en reembolso.

Después del día 5, no reembolsable. Sin embargo:

  • 100% acreditable al enganche si procede al L2.
  • 100% reembolso si Peninsula o el propietario cancelan.
  • Servicio de cesión: Peninsula puede ofrecer servicio pagado para buscar comprador sustituto.
¿Cómo funciona el Privilegio del Propietario — Golf?

Usted no tiene que esperar años para disfrutar. Después de cuatro pagos en tiempo y forma — enganche más tres mensualidades consecutivas — se activan tres rondas cortesía en Las Caras de México, por cuenta de MAREA.

Tres membresías corporativas compartidas entre MAREA, el propietario y nuestro socio constructor — específicamente para entregar este privilegio.

Cómo activarlo: solicite horarios a través de su asesor MAREA en cualquier momento durante la vigencia del contrato.

Condiciones: sujeto a disponibilidad. No transferible. Una ronda por reserva. Se cancela en caso de incumplimiento o rescisión.

¿Qué pasa si decido no continuar después de firmar?

Opciones según cuándo decida y qué instrumento firmó:

Dentro de 5 días hábiles (cualquier instrumento): reembolso 100%. Art. 56 LFPC cubre el L2 por ley, y Peninsula extiende lo mismo al L1 voluntariamente.

Después del día 5, Hold Fee (L1): $199 no reembolsable. Continúe al L2 o solicite servicio pagado de cesión de Peninsula.

Después del día 5, L2 firmado: reglas estándar de arras — pierde el 100%. Lado recíproco del 150% si el vendedor incumple.

Incumplimiento del vendedor: recupera todo + 150% bajo arras.

Cesión a su propio comprador: derecho civil mexicano lo permite con aprobación razonable del vendedor + costo administrativo.

¿Cómo me protege el fideicomiso bancario?

San Felipe está en zona restringida (50 km de costa). Extranjeros adquieren vía fideicomiso bajo permiso SRE.

El banco mexicano detenta el título como fiduciario. Usted es el único beneficiario, con derechos plenos.

Vigencia 50 años renovable. Derechos pasan a herederos automáticamente — sin juicio sucesorio.

Apertura USD $1,000-$3,000 + permiso SRE ~USD $230 + MXN $21,650. Cuota anual USD $450-$555.

¿Cuánto tarda un reembolso y quién paga los costos bancarios?

Cuando proceda alguna devolución a su favor (ventana de 5 días Art. 56 LFPC, servicio de cesión del Hold Fee, incumplimiento del vendedor o fuerza mayor), el proceso es:

  • Plazo: hasta 30 días hábiles contados desde la firma electrónica del acuerdo de devolución (Zoho Sign u equivalente).
  • Firma electrónica requerida: firmamos juntos un acuerdo identificando monto, concepto y datos bancarios para la transferencia.
  • Monto total enviado: enviamos el monto total acordado, sin retención de nuestro lado.
  • Costos bancarios NO cubiertos: wire fees, comisiones de bancos intermediarios, conversiones cambiarias, fees del banco receptor e impuestos de transferencia internacional no son responsabilidad de Peninsula, del vendedor, ni de cualquier stakeholder del proyecto. Estos costos los descuentan los bancos según sus tarifas vigentes.
  • Confirmación: le proporcionamos comprobante bancario y número de referencia al momento del envío. Nuestra obligación se considera cumplida al momento del envío, no al momento de recepción por su banco.
¿Qué métodos de pago se aceptan?

Solo pagos electrónicos en USD. Sin efectivo, sin criptoactivos.

Aceptados: wire, ACH, Stripe, PayPal Business.

Cada pago crea rastro documentado a su nombre. Lo protege bajo:

  • México — LFPIORPI
  • EE.UU. — Bank Secrecy Act, PATRIOT Act, FinCEN
  • Canadá — PCMLTFA, FINTRAC
¿Preguntas sobre su caso específico?

Hable con un asesor MAREA.

Cada situación es diferente. Con gusto lo revisamos con usted.

[email protected]

Important / Importante: This is an informational summary in plain language for educational purposes / Este es un resumen informativo en lenguaje claro con fines educativos. It does not replace the actual contracts / No sustituye los contratos reales. Peninsula Services & Real Estate LLC operates as a soft-landing consultancy / opera como consultoría soft-landing.