Hybrid Investment: The New Financial Model for Real Estate Development in Baja California Sur
Real estate development in Baja California Sur (BCS) is entering a new phase characterised by financial sophistication. The traditional funding model, which relied almost entirely on foreign capital or bank credit, is being replaced by a more complex and resilient structure: hybrid investment.
This is a strategic combination of local capital, foreign direct investment, and institutional or collective financing.
This new approach is a response to the changing economic cycle. It reflects the maturation of the region’s real estate market, which has learned to diversify its capital sources while maintaining its appeal to international investors. Financial Transformation of the Real Estate Sector According to INEGI data, the construction and real estate services sector accounts for around 15% of Baja California Sur’s GDP and has recorded an average annual growth rate of 7.2% between 2019 and 2024, significantly higher than the national average.
Over the last decade, Los Cabos, La Paz, and Loreto have established themselves as leading destinations for investment in tourism real estate. However, the sustained increase in the Bank of Mexico’s reference rates, which rose from 4% in 2021 to 11% in 2023, made credit more expensive for developers and limited the availability of traditional bank financing.
Added to this is the restrictive monetary policy of the US Federal Reserve, which has reduced the availability of dollars and increased the cost of foreign capital. In response, developers began creating hybrid financial models that minimise exposure to a single type of investor while offering greater operational flexibility.
Composition of the Hybrid Model
A hybrid investment combines equity and debt at different levels within a single project. Its typical structure involves:
• Local equity: entrepreneurs and landowners in BCS provide land or capital, reducing the project’s initial costs.
• Foreign direct investment (FDI): This mainly comes from the United States and Canada. It provides liquidity and strengthens international marketing.
• Institutional or collective financing: private funds, Fibras, CKDs, Cerpis, and crowdfunding platforms regulated by the CNBV channel resources from a variety of investors into projects backed by real estate.
Financial Structures and Capital Sophistication
Current projects are structured in stages and no longer depend on a single source
of financing:
1. Feasibility stage: local funding or in-kind co-investment (e.g. land, permits, studies).
2. Development stage: inflow of foreign or institutional capital under equity or mezzanine debt schemes.
3. Maturation stage: refinancing through trusts or structured instruments that enable initial investors to partially exit.
This strategy reduces financial burdens and improves risk-return profiles. Residential tourism projects typically offer an internal rate of return (IRR) of between 12% and 16% per annum in dollars.
According to data from industry consultants such as Softec and CBRE Mexico, mixed-use and hotel projects account for 18% to 20%.
Capital Flows and Macroeconomic Environment
Solid investment flows and a favourable external market support the real estate
boom in BCS:
• According to AMPI, over 70% of high-end property purchases are made by
buyers from the US and Canada.
• The average capital gain in coastal areas has remained between 8% and 12%
per annum over the last five years.
• The value of private construction in the state grew by 13% per annum in 2023,
according to INEGI’s Gross Fixed Investment Indicator.
The stable Mexican macroeconomic environment has boosted confidence among
foreign investors in peso-denominated projects.
Economic Outlook and Projection
In this context, tangible assets—particularly real estate—remain among the most attractive alternatives for private investment, thanks to their ability to preserve value amid inflation and generate dollarized cash flows.
Baja California Sur is strengthening its position as a key location within the national investment portfolio. Its hybrid model gives it the flexibility to continue growing, even in scenarios involving monetary restrictions or international volatility, by leveraging both local and foreign specialist capital.
In the new global environment, hybrid investment is a mechanism for economic resilience.
In today’s dynamic global landscape, hybrid investment stands out as a powerful mechanism for fostering economic resilience. Imagine a future where real estate development in Baja California Sur isn’t just about construction but about creating thriving, sustainable communities. Hybrid investment paves the way for this evolution, enabling projects that are not only more efficient and technically sound but also environmentally responsible.
By distributing risk and sharing value among stakeholders, hybrid investment establishes a long-term vision that benefits everyone involved. This approach is not just a trend; it’s rapidly becoming the new standard for regional real estate financing. It marries economic foresight with financial innovation, all while staying deeply rooted in the local environment and culture.
Investing in hybrid models means participating in a transformative movement that prioritizes sustainability, community, and shared success. Now is the time to embrace hybrid investment to unlock the full potential of Baja California Sur and ensure a prosperous future for all. Join us in leading this change together, we can create a resilient and thriving economy.