When you hire a Mexico agent to work with in your Mexico real estate search and purchasing process, you are hiring a professional to represent you and carry out certain duties for you. You should have clear expectations of what they can and should do for you, and what they won’t.
The following are items which you should expect from your agent:
- Professionalism – Your agent should be qualified to work as a real estate agent. This is not required in most of Mexico, but training, certificates and even degrees are available. There is also a professional association (AMPI.) Expecting these is certainly not too much to ask.
- Honesty – You can and should expect your agent to be forthcoming with you about the knowledge they have of properties, opinions and their own experience and credentials. It is better to work with an agent who honestly tells you, “I’m not sure about that, but I can find out,†than one who knowingly provides misleading information.
- Knowledge of the Market – Your agent should know the area, what kind of Mexico homes for sale are available, typical prices, etc. and advise you on these items.
- Commitment to Your Needs – Since you are hiring an agent to represent your needs, they should use their knowledge to focus on your needs and preferences during the search process and represent your best interest during the negotiation process.
- Thorough Property Search – Your buyer’s agent should search all suitable properties and present you with the best of these options. They should not be limited by a commitment to selling a certain property or in a certain complex, etc. If the properties they show you are not the right ones for you, they should continue to search for your ideal property free of conflicting obligations.
- Good Communication – Since many of the preliminary steps in searching will be long-distance, Mexico agents should be efficient and effective in communicating quickly and getting you the information you need. Quick replies by e-mail or by phone can be expected – even if they don’t have the information yet, simply to let you know what stage the process is at. If there are any changes relevant to your search or purchasing process, you should find out quickly.
- Commitment to Service – In addition to good communication, the right agent will help arrange viewings, etc. in a way that will make things a little easier for you coming from a distance. For example, if you head down on a little vacation or just to view properties, those dedicated to service will pick you up at your hotel to take you on your property tours.
- Knowledge of the Purchasing Process – Your agent, or the broker of the office, should have a thorough knowledge of the purchasing and closing process, and guide you through this, safely, minimizing unnecessary risks.
- Suggestions for the Services of other Professionals – Your agent’s job is to know the area, help you find a good, suitable property and to guide you through the purchasing process. Certain tasks, however, should be and even must be carried out by other qualified professionals. What you can expect of your agent is that they advise you when you need the services of others, and suggest experienced professionals.
The following are items which you shouldn’t expect of your agent:
- Know Everything – As mentioned above, it’s actually better that they acknowledge it when they don’t know. What you can expect is that they will do their best to find out, or point you to someone who does.
- To Advise You on Your Budget – Again, a bank can advise on the possibility of financing, etc., but it will be your job to determine what is realistically within your budget, and advise your agent. You can expect them to find you the most suitable properties within this budget. It can also be helpful to you that they make suggestions if there is a property which is slightly above the budget you told them and has exceptional value, or if there is an excellent deal for less. Your agent should also advise you on probable closing costs so you can plan for this.
- To Do the Work of Other Professionals – If an agent or broker has experience and qualifications to guide buyers through a certain part of the process that is normally not within their tasks (i.e. your agent is also a certified lawyer,) this can be helpful to you; however, if they don’t, it’s better for you that they recommend someone who does.
While it is not good to expect too much, it is also not good to expect too little. If you don’t feel your agent is meeting your expectations, talk with them; remember your gut feeling is an important factor in being sure that you are working with the right people.
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. In the summer of 2009, he received the first federally applied Mexico Real Estate Degree and Mexico Professional Real Estate License S.E.P. #5978657. He is the current president of TOPmexicorealestate, you can contact him at (512) 879-6546
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