As non-Mexicans buying Mexico Real Estate, one of the first things you might look for (and should look for!) is an indication of a high level professionalism in the Mexico real estate agent you are considering to represent you in the process.  Back in the U.S. and Canada, and other countries, we know that a practicing real estate agent is required to hold a state issued real estate license, indicating a sufficient level of knowledge in the industry, as an official demonstration to clients that he or she is able to carry out such a transaction for you.  While there is no Mexico real estate license requirement for most states, you will be happy to know that recently a degree in real estate and a Professional Identification Number have been implemented in Mexico.  While the degree is currently not required, it shows that Mexico is moving towards a level of professionalism similar to what we are used to back home, and perhaps even higher.

If you do your homework, as a soon-to-be buyer of Mexico Real Estate, you quickly learn that in this country most states have no real estate license requirement, with the exception of Sonora and Nayarit.  If you continue to do your research, and make sure you find out something about the business culture you are about to participate in, you will also learn that other regulations to protect real estate buyers are not as well defined.  This will lead you to the conclusion that you need a well experienced, reliable, knowledgeable professional to guide you in the purchasing process. Next, you will ask for and check references, and ask for experience and evidence of professionalism (certificates, membership in  professional organizations such as AMPI, etc.).  While this process will continue to be necessary on your part as a buyer, the new degree will serve as a nation-wide indicator of professionalism and knowledge for the Mexico real estate agents and brokers who hold it, and could save you a few steps in all this research you have to do.

The Implementation of the New Mexico Real Estate Degree

The new university degree in Mexico Real Estate is a very recent step forward in the Mexico real estate industry.  Only this year, 2009, the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI), managed to have the Mexican Federal Ministry of Public Education (SEP) implement the new degree.  This degree serves two purposes; one is to give professionals with years of experience directly in the field an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge officially, and to earn a university degree to reflect their abilities; the other is to allow inexperienced university students to take a full 4 year course of studies in real estate so that they enter the field better prepared, and have solid base of theoretical knowledge on which they can begin to build experience.

The degree itself was implemented at the request of AMPI as a response to the lack of license requirements in the field.  Much of the work to set up the degree was done on a non-paid basis by AMPI.  Since the government has not been making requirements for official professionalism in the field, AMPI felt the need to respond and “professionalize itself.”

Obtaining the Degree through an Exam and Evidence of Experience

In the Mexico Real Estate industry, there are already a large number of professionals who have used experience to gain a thorough knowledge of the field, and have supplemented this with courses, diplomas and other forms of training.  They have made themselves highly experienced and knowledgeable professionals.  A part of the implementation of the new degree is to allow such professionals to earn the degree by demonstrating and re-enforcing the knowledge they have already acquired. For this purpose, an exam was created.  Experienced professionals can choose to take a preparation course, in order to review and preview the information required to complete the exam.  Even just to enter the preparation course, there a minimum experience requirement; La Salle University, for example, has a 3 year experience requirement.  The exam itself, administered as a joint effort by AMPI and CENEVAL, is a 5 hour exam, with 177 multiple choice questions, divided into 8 sections.  The first exam was administered early in 2009, in 16 different locations across Mexico.  The exams were administered simultaneously to increase test security, avoiding access to the questions before the exam at any location.  The exam was applied according to strict guidelines in all aspects to ensure professionalism and security.

For these professionals who choose to obtain the degree in this manner, the exam is only the first step. If they successfully pass the exam, they must also demonstrate direct experience in the industry.  This experience can be demonstrated, for example, through certificates, letters from their AMPI office, and documents evidencing that they have carried out real estate transactions, i.e. from notary publics, etc.  All documentation must meet strict requirements and is carefully evaluated.  Candidates who both pass the exam and demonstrate their experience successfully are granted the new degree in real estate.  As can be seen from these requirements, the guidelines and professionalism of the process guarantees that only experienced professionals can obtain the degree in this way.

University Course of Study

The degree will also be available as a regular 4-year university course of study at selected, reputable universities, both public and private.  This option is available for university students, usually entering from high school, wishing to prepare themselves professionally for a career in real estate.  While these students will not have the experience which they can only gain with time and participating in real transactions, the degree will give them a firm base of knowledge to begin their career.

The Professional Identification Number

Another element which has been implemented with this degree is a Professional Identification Number, or “cedula profesional” in Spanish.  This Professional Identification Number will be granted to each person who receives the degree, and only to those who receive the degree.  In Mexico the “cedula profesional”  is applied only for highly trained professions, such as doctors and lawyers.  The implementation of this “cedula profesional” for real estate brokers is an indication of moving towards the same level of professionalism as the fields of medicine and law.

The Future of the Degree and Requirements

There are two key differences between this new degree and real estate licenses as we know them from back home.  One is that the level of professionalism and involvement to acquire them is actually higher than real estate licenses in the U.S. or in Canada.  The process of obtaining the Mexico Real Estate degree is far more involved, and the test and documentation process is carried out on a more secure basis.

The other difference is that the degree in Mexico is not yet required.  For the moment, the new degree and Professional Identification Number are obtained on a voluntary basis.  In the future, AMPI hopes to move towards legal requirements, perhaps for the broker of each office to hold the degree, with the eventual hope that all who dedicate themselves to this industry will have the new degree.

Implications for buyers of Mexico Real Estate

While the degree is not yet a requirement, it indicates a movement towards a very high level of professionalism on an official level for the Mexico Real Estate industry.  It also serves as an current indication of this same high level of professionalism for the brokers and agents who have chosen to obtain, and demonstrated their ability to obtain the degree.  In these cases, the degree and Professional Identification Number are an official and reliable demonstration of what you as a real estate client would otherwise have to investigate in a more time consuming way; thorough knowledge and a high level of experience to protect your interests and guide you safely through your Mexico purchasing process.

TOPMexicoRealEstate supports the same values towards which AMPI is moving with the implication of the new degree; a high level of professionalism in the field, and continuous education and expansion of agents’ knowledge of the real estate industry to serve you, the clients, better.  One way in which this commitment was demonstrated was through the fact that Thomas Lloyd, founder and president of TOPMexicoRealEstate, was among the first group of Mexico Real Estate professionals to receive this degree.

Beatriz Lozano, “TOP Mexico Real Estate NETWORK; Mexico’s leading specialists for finding and purchasing Mexican properties safely !” (512) 879-6546 or the company’s web site www.TOPmexicorealestate.com

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1. Professional Mexico Real Estate Licenses
2. AMPI Mexico Real Estate Professional License and Degree
3. The First Mexico Real Estate Professional License and Degree
4. Thinking of buying real estate in Mexico How do you choose the right broker
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