Owning property abroad

Dismal December days often fill my head with thoughts of selling off all I own in Canada and heading off to an island to waste away the rest of my days on beachfront property with all-I-can-drink coconut and pineapple refreshments.

A common dream, right?

But, how does one acquire property abroad? What are the legalities? Costs? Implications for the future?

While the steps may be different in every country, here's a small primer highlighting 10 things you didn't know about owning property in Mexico, a favourite sunny getaway spot, until now...