Home ownership is extraordinarily high in Catemaco considering the economic plight of most of its
inhabitants. According to the 2005 census there are 6,352 houses registered with an average of
a little more than 4 occupants. That statistic is probably wrong. Occupancy is either higher or the
government also counted dog houses.

The shores of the Laguna are graced with numerous mansions and vacation retreats, while the
city´s housing ranges from hovels to very attractive modern homes.
Some Houses of Catemaco - as of 2007
Problems faced by home owners in Catemaco are not unique to the area. They are typical of most other Mexican provincial
communities.

The traditional homes built with lumber have mostly been replaced by concrete boxes built with 4 inch wide blocks. Roof tiles have
corrugated metal roofing.

There are almost no mortgages in Catemaco. Almost all homes are owner financed.  Low income property owners usually begin
with a foundation one year, add a floor the next year and a second story when money is available. As a consequence there are
hundreds of unfinished houses littering every neighborhood.

Construction is usually done by a "maestro", who with a few helpers will build a home from scratch, including hand mixing most of
architectural marvels like lack of stair cases, absence of ventilation and 2 foot hallways. The greatest expenditure is usually on tall
property walls and wrought iron security bars on doors and windows.
The practice of packing as many rooms as possible onto small lots, make me believe that many owners pine for their old wooden
shacks.

Zoning is a shambles in Catemaco. If an owner does not control the city blocks surrounding his property, one morning he could
awaken to a neighboring pig farm,  a 120 decibel jukebox in a cantina, or a truck repair shop.
Regulations in existence are not enforced unless a communal effort is made. A single home owner has no chance.

Catemaco is burdened by dozens of unoccupied vacation homes and unimproved lots hidden behind shoddy fences. Many are ill
maintained. The reason is the ridiculously low property taxes, averaging less than 200 pesos, which stifles development by not
pressuring owners to sell.

But although population growth in Catemaco is minimal, there is a booming subdivision industry, where unscrupulous developers
with political connections chop cattle ranches into so called 10x20 lots (2,200sf) without public facilities such as water, sewage
or electricity, and often lacking titles.
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Catemaco
Veracruz, Mexico
Housing
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