You've been searching for months. You've compared prices, fallen in love with a neighborhood, and finally found the property that feels right.
Before you hand over your deposit, there's something worth doing first.
Verify that the development has its permits in order.
It's common sense and good practice. After 8 years of living and working in the Riviera Maya, I can tell you: this market is incredible, and like any fast-growing market, arriving well-informed makes all the difference.
What is the "Constancia de Congruencia Urbanística Estatal"?
It's the permit issued by SEDETUS, Quintana Roo's Secretary of Territorial Development, that every real estate development must have before selling units.
Having this document is an important indicator that the development operates within the legal framework. The thing is, most buyers never ask for it, and many sellers don't bring it up on their own.
Requesting this permit is your right as a buyer. And a serious developer will always be willing to show it to you.
How do I check if a development has any alerts?
SEDETUS publishes a list of developments operating without the required permits. It's free and publicly available.
At Reference Real Estate, we built a direct search tool on our website so you can check easily, without navigating government portals:
👉 referencerealestate.mx/en/verifica
Type the development name and within seconds you'll know if it appears on the irregular list.
One important clarification: a clean result in this search means the development is not on the alerts list. For complete certainty, the recommended step is to request the permit directly from the developer.
The step I always recommend: ask for the permit directly
Before signing any contract, ask the developer for their current Constancia de Congruencia Urbanística Estatal.
A serious developer has it ready and will share it gladly. That willingness alone already tells you a lot about who you're dealing with.
What about the real estate agent?
In Quintana Roo, real estate agents must be registered with SEDETUS. It's an official requirement that many people, including some agents, are not aware of.
We also built an agent search tool on our site. Type your agent's name and verify they have an active license.
A licensed agent is a sign of commitment to professional practice and to the legal framework of the region.
To close...
Buying in the Riviera Maya is a wonderful decision. I say that after 8 years of living here and watching this region grow and mature.
Like any important decision, it deserves time, good information, and the right questions. Take the time you need. Sign when you have everything clear. And if anything is uncertain, ask. That's what I'm here for.
If you'd like personalized guidance on any property or development, I'd love to help.
Nat Vázquez Real Estate Advisor · Reference Real Estate 📍 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo 📱 +52 (984) 195-0103