All too often, Americans head down to Mexico determined to buy a big colonial home to remodel and live a life of luxury of which they could only have dreamed in the States.  Unfortunately, that dream can become a nightmare from which it is next to impossible to awaken.  That having been said, it is not outside the realm of possibility to still live the dream of owning one of the stately old colonial homes in any part of Mexico.  The key to survival, in this arena, is that lovely Mexican refrain "you've just got to know somebody." If you are planning on moving to Mexico, by all means, join an expat forum from the area you are considering.  The gringos there will be more than happy to give you the inside scoop on what to look for and reputable local remodelers.  Ask for a good attorney and a good architect.  You also want the names and numbers of good electricians, plumbers, and remodeling contractors.  Do not overlook the power of a good, old fashioned Google search to find articles by, for, and about gringos who have already purchased and remodeled colonial homes.  One of the best online resources for this type of information is Yucatan Living. If you are an American, chances are that you have never lived in a completely concrete home, nor in one whose walls are made of stone.  In addition, if you are an American, you have probably not lived in a house with a concrete roof, nor in one in which your water is gravity fed from a tank on the roof.  Wall composition, roof sealing, paint choices, and what to do about the plumbing are all issues about which you likely know very little.  In Mexico, this places you in the category better known as "sitting duck" for any real estate agent who does not have your best interest in mind.  However, are those reasons to let your dreams float off into the stratosphere?  Certainly not. As with buying a home anywhere, all one has to do is their homework.  Talk to everybody you can.  Join the local forums and listen to the advice you get from local gringos.  Read everything you can find on the net.  Bookmark all of the local real estate sites and check them regularly.  Check the real estate classifieds in the local newspaper to see if they are different from the gringo prices you find online. ...and visit often to make certain this is what you really want to do.  Armed with that knowledge, you move from "sitting duck" to "sitting in the catbird seat" in record time and are well on your way to living your dream life in Mexico. Resource and Photo: Yucatan Living