Thomas L. Lloyd, campeche Broker By Thomas L. Lloyd
2012-08-28

When you begin your Puerto Vallarta real estate search, you will probably begin your search from back home, over the internet.  This means that one of the first steps you will take is to find an online Mexico MLS listing service for the Puerto Vallarta area.  The following are some important tips to keep in mind when you look for this service.

Mexico has no universal MLS listing service

Unlike the U.S. or Canada, there is no universal MLS listing service for Mexico.  This leaves it up to you to evaluate the quality of the listing service you choose for Puerto Vallarta.  Be sure to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Does it include many listings?
  • Does it include a variety of properties?  Puerto Vallarta includes condos, homes and lots, some on the beachfront, some on the hillside, some in Nuevo Vallarta, etc.
  • Have the properties been screened for suitability for expat buyers?
  • Does it offer a good picture gallery for each listing, along with a reasonable description?

Asking these questions as you browse the listings will help you evaluate its usefulness.

Puerto Vallarta has an extensive MLS service

The good news about Puerto Vallarta is that there is cooperation between the area’s main sales brokers creating an extensive and fairly thorough listing service.  Some buyer’s agents have access to this extensive MLS service, and include all of the listings on their website.  Others don’t.  While it is not always easy to tell if they do, the qualifications listed above will be a good indication.

The broker you choose will play a key role

In any case, it is important to realize that your MLS service is only a starting point.  Once you find a good listing service, take some time, browse through it, get a feel for prices and find a few potentially good properties.  Don’t fall in love with any properties yet!

Find an experienced agent with professional qualifications (certificates, membership in AMPI, Mexico’s professional real estate association, etc.)  Share the properties you found, along with any questions or additional features you are really looking for.  Your agent will be out there in the market, acting as your “eyes and ears,” identifying homes that may not be on even the area’s best MLS listings.  What’s more, even a good online listing may not fully reflect a properties strengths (or weaknesses.)  Your agent will be seeing them in person and will be able to comment based on your criteria.

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Region: Campeche Real Estate. Thomas Lloyd graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in Management/Financial Option Investments. He has been living, investing, and working professionally in Mexico for over 15 years. A Mexican Certified Realtor he is the current president of TOPmexicorealestate, you can contact him at (512) 879-6546.

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