Avalúo Comercial vs. Catastral (Commercial vs. Cadastral Appraisal)ah-vah-LOO-oh koh-mehr-see-AHL verse kah-tahs-TRAHL
Avalúo comercial vs. catastral compares two types of property appraisals in Mexico: the commercial appraisal estimates market value for buying, selling and mortgages, while the cadastral appraisal is the municipality's official tax valuation, typically 30 to 50 percent lower than market value as of November 2026.
By Daniel Ortega · Last reviewed 7 November 2026
How it works
<p>A commercial appraisal (avalúo comercial) is performed by a licensed private perito valuador and reflects what the property would likely sell for on the open market, while a cadastral appraisal (avalúo catastral) is a government valuation tied to the municipal cadastral registry used primarily for annual property tax (predial) and typically runs well below market value. Commercial appraisals are valid for six months from the date of the appraiser's signature. In Quintana Roo municipalities, ISAI rates range from 3 percent (Benito Juárez/Cancún, Cozumel) to 4 percent (Solidaridad/Playa del Carmen, Tulum). Cadastral value is issued only by a government entity and serves tax purposes; banks, notaries and courts require a commercial appraisal from a certified valuador and will not accept cadastral value as a market-value reference. Residential appraisals in Mexico cost MXN 3,000 to 8,000 for properties under MXN 5 million as of November 2026.</p>