Best Real Estate Agency in Yucatan 2008
If you are living here in Yucatan, chances are one of the first things you did was to buy or rent a home.
While some of us were savvy enough or spoke Spanish well enough to trato directo (deal direct) with the sellers or landlords, many of us spent our initial days here with a helpful real estate agent. So we're pretty sure that almost every reader of Yucatan Living has something to contribute to this poll.
In order for a real estate agency to qualify for this poll, it must list and sell properties in and around the state of Yucatan. And it must also have at least one bilingual employee who can deal competently with English-speaking extranjeros.
Please consider a few other things when voting for the best real estate agency. Naturally, the best agency should hire and employ knowledgeable agents. They should know the territory, the process of buying and selling a house here in the Yucatan and how to get things done in this environment. They should treat customers well, with both patience and respect. They should have integrity (loosely defined as doing what they say they are going to do). They should be pleasant to work with, and after the deal is done, you should feel comfortable recommending them to family and friends.
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Some things we feel are not in the real estate agent's control, especially here in the Yucatan. We believe you can’t judge a real estate agent on how long it takes to buy or sell a house, for instance. Or on whether or not the seller or buyer had integrity. Or on how happy or unhappy you are with the house once you move in. Sometimes, forces of nature (or forces of Mexico) create havoc for the best of professionals.
We open this poll with five real estate agencies that work regularly with extranjeros, but this is certainly not an exhaustive list. New agencies appear on the scene all the time, and we are not the best judges... that's why the Poll is here for our readers to make their favorites known. So please vote (one person - one vote, please) and may the best agency win!
The Nominees Are...
Here in alphabetical order are the initial 2008 nominees for Yucatan Living's Readers Choice Award for Best Real Estate Agency in Yucatan:
Buena Vida Realtors – Run by Rupert Millautz, Buena Vida Realtors is a small agency that prides itself on providing good service.
Casa Blanca Real Estate – Probably the oldest agency that works with English-speaking extranjeros, the agency is run by Jorge Caceres with offices on the corner of Calle 55 and Calle 66.
Mexico International – Founded by Mitch Keenan, the first extranjero to set up a real estate agency in Merida. His team of agents is based out of their offices in the Fiesta Americana building next to the Sanborn’s restaurant.
Real Estate Yucatan – The husband and wife team of Gabriela Isaac and Alec Stephens, and Gabriela's brother Isaac Salim, run this agency. Gabriela and Isaac are Yucatecos and Alec hails from Mexico City, but spent many years working and living in the USA.
Tierra Yucatan – This agency is represented by Jennifer Lytle, her socio, David Palomo and a team of agents. Jen has traveled and lived in Mexico for over 30 years after moving here from San Antonio, Texas. Jennifer’s team works out of their renovated colonial office on Calle 66 in Merida’s centro historico.
Nominate Your Favorite
If you know the name of an agency that deserves to be nominated for the 2008 award, please leave a comment with the name of the company, the agent and the website address. We'll add them to the Poll. Nominations will be accepted until September 1st, giving everyone plenty of time to add their favorite agency. Voting will continue under the very end of 2008, and not a minute sooner!
Reader's Nominations:
Mayan Living - Jim Mann has run this very successful real estate firm for as long as we've been in Merida.
Mayan Realty - A local real estate firm owned by Jorge Mazún.
Bookmark Yucatan Living and come back often to see how your favorite agency is doing. Then, come back again in early 2009 to read about the winners of the 2008 Yucatan Living Readers Choice Awards for Best Real Estate Agency in Yucatan.
Comments
Sandra & Francisco 16 years ago
We met Mr. Jim Man (Mayan living) on september 13rd, 2008; he's helping us to find the correct home in Merida for my family and I; we are very confident with their help and we hope to close the process very soon. We think that Mayanliving is the best option to buy a propertie. Thanks Jim for your help.
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dominique Duneton 16 years ago
You can do no better than working with Jim Mann of Mayan Living.
Jim Mann is a very honest man and the best real estate agent in Merida, Yucatan.
Dominique
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Curt Redmond 16 years ago
I recently purchased a home on the beach in Chuburna and was introduced to the area by Doug and Theresa Willey of Mayan Living Realty.
Doug and Theresa are absolutely wonderful. They not only showed me the opportunities in real estate, but made me feel as welcome as family would have. Doug and Theresa have since introduced me to many of the locals and expats there. I have absolutely fell in love with everything about the Yucatan, and it has been a pleasant feeling knowing I have a place like Chelem to one day call home. The people, the culture, the beaches and warm weather are just a few of the many things the area has to offer.
Doug and Theresa still call me to let me know my house is OK and tell me about all the events and happenings going on in the area. Mayan Living was very professional and they made the process of the closing very comfortable. It is truly a pleasure to call Doug and Theresa Willey friends of mine, and I would not hesitate in telling anyone who is interested or planning on purchasing real estate in the Yucatan to contact Doug and Theresa Willey of Mayan Living Realty.
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Cherley 16 years ago
During the process of purchasing my house last year I was told repeatedly (almost fanatically) by my realtor (curiously not listed in this poll) not to mention to anyone which house I was buying or how much I was planning to pay for it. The reason he gave to me for keeping silent was vague and that apprently the deal could "fall through" somehow if the neighbours found out I was buying the house. Now that I have owned the house for over a year and have gotten to know my neighbours I find that the real reason the realtor didn't want me talking to people was that I might have found out that the seller was really asking for 25% less than the realtor told me he was asking for the house. In the end, the realtor kept the difference between what I paid and what he gave the seller and also had the nerve to charge me his 6% commission. Needless to say this realtor will not get my repeat business (or from anyone I know) and it is unfortunate that I am not able to mention this realtor by name to warn others of his dishonesty. I will however say that that working with Jim Mann and his staff has been a much different, positive experience for me. Thank goodness there are some good people out there.
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Jennifer and Bogie 16 years ago
We have just purchased a beach home from Mayan Living and would recommend them as the best Realtor in the Merida area. I had contacted a few real estate offices via email from various websites and had no replies. I then went into a discussion forum and asked for referrals. I was given Doug Willey's name of Mayan Living and emailed him. He responded immediately with a phone call and asked for more specifics.
At the time I was interested in Progreso and was coming down in two weeks. He already had another couple scheduled that weekend but nevertheless made arrangements for us and even booked us a hotel room (which coincidently was not that easy we came in July - peak season) He gave me his website and gave me details about houses he had available in the beach area. He also gave me information on other small more affordable beach towns in the area. Upon our arrival he and his lovely wife Teresa met us at the airport and Teresa helped us in obtaining our car. We drove to Chelem with her and she showed us the area and gave us tons of useful information. The following morning Teresa had scheduled an appointment with another real estate agent to show us properties in Progereso which the other agent had, since she knew I was primarily interested in Progreso at that time. After touring with the other real estate agent and viewing those homes, she took us back to the Chelem-Chuburna area to look at more houses. At this point my husband was getting disappointed at what we were seeing in our price range (which was on the low end for beach property). She then took us to a house with a beautiful beach view, large in size and it had private parking- all things I said I had to have. We walked in and my husband knew immediately that this was to be our home. Doug had mentioned this home on the phone and i looked at the pictures on the web but was unsure of it. But in real life it looked much better- not much of a fixer upper at all. Just needed a little paint and some American comforts and it will be ready to go. Doug also had a sucessful day with the people he was showing so upon arrival back at their house, he immediately made arrangements to meet with Jim Mann and his attorneys and to open the office on a Sunday (we were leaving early Monday morning). We met Jim Mann that Sunday morning and I was very impressed with him. He was very knowledgeable, gave us tons of useful information and explained every step of the process with us. He stayed in contact with us throughout the close process and did EVERYTHING he said he would (oh and we even closed within 5 weeks). Even after the sale Doug and Teresa have been helping us with getting the house set up, work done etc. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS AGENCY.
I do have to say that when we first arrived at the airport and met Doug, he was not at all what I expected. He looks like a true Parrot-head and looked way too laid back to be serious about anything. But if you spend just a little time with him you will see that this team knows their business and are really hard working and looking out for their customers. With this being said, I say Mayan Living has my vote for best real estate agency.
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maria luisa and bill 16 years ago
CASIYUCATECO,
IS YOUR COMMENT ABOUT AN UNDERCOVER AGENT IN EVERY OTHER CAR MEANT TO MAKE US FEEL SAFE? IT DOESN'T! IS THIS A FLIP EXAGGERATION, OR BASED ON FACT? PLEASE RESPOND, AS WE OWN SEVERAL PROPERTIES IN MERIDA, AND ARE GENUINELY ALARMED AT THESE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS! (AND NO, WE ARE NOT DRUG DEALERS!)
CasiYucateco,
Is your comment about an undercover agent in every other car meant to make us feel safe? It doesn't! Is this a flip exaggeration, or based on fact? Please respond, as we own several properties in Merida and are genuinely alarmed at these recent developments. (And no, we are not drug dealers!)
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CasiYucateco 16 years ago
I've found when spending money in Mexico, the most relevant exchange rate is the Dollar to the Peso exchange rate. In the case of Mexican Pesos, the dollar has strengthened about 4% from it's low about a month ago (note: I did not have the assistance of a Scottish banker in reviewing these numbers):
6-Aug-08 9.8919
2-Sep-08 10.3068
That is a far cry from the 11 to 1 exchange rate just last year. (Still 6% short, to be more specific.)
So, while the dollar may have gained 10+% against the British pound sterling, it is still not "up there" regarding the Mexican Peso. And my expenses are paid in Pesos.
Cheerio, old chap and all that rot....
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remthealamo 16 years ago
Casi Yucateco:
Here is a comment from a currency trader friend of mine from Scotland who i pinged this morning to give us a quick statement with regards to the dollar rebound:
"Just over a month ago, your British Pound would have bought you $2. Now it’s $1.78. Interesting that the $ is strengthening against other currencies not just commodities."
This would support my thesis on the nascent dollar rebound. Even Warren Buffett, who i really don't care for as an investing style (since most of us dont have billions to trade/invest..lol) has said the greenback is done going down. A stronger dollar, in my mind, will allow expat-style properties to maintain values and increase over time. If you compare the Yucatan with other areas of Mexico, there is still value on a relative basis. A stronger dollar will embolden gringos to send dollars into foreign real estate in Mexico, especially the incredibly desirable colonials.
As noted in the editorial piece Mexico is already our #3 trade partner (Canada 1, China 2). The era of cheap products from China may be slowing. China is seeing higher production costs as well as their society grows and they see higher labor wages and workers seek insurance etc., and even thought the Baltic Index is getting crushed (its a measure of day shipping rates) it is still cheaper to buy from our NAFTA partners Mexico and Canada when you factor in high shipping and oil rates. I would really like to see a continued move away from China and see more trade with our Latin American trade partners like Ecuador and Peru (i believe both have free trade agreements, not 100% sure). Are we possibly seeing a decoupling of sorts where the Americas outperform due in part to free trade agreements? no clue, but interesting stuff and certainly positive for Mexico. World markets loving the beating that oil is taking today by the way. That is always great for consumers, i.e., home buyers.
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remthealamo 16 years ago
casiyucateco,
ty for ur response...
1. dollar up strongly again today in the face of $4 down in oil and the continuing drop of the euro...this i feel is a new trend developing..the dollar is done going down and that will work its way to a stronger dollar vs. peso...remember, i see a stronger dollar as a plus to mexican r.e. values. The dollar is not weak against the peso. It is fairly valued historically. Just because it is a touch below 10 at the moment does not make it cheap. The USD has held up well in mexico, and additionally, the Mexican Peso has been both a stable and strong currency in recent years especially in light of the country's prior policy of devaluation. You really are making no point here, but unless you have actual data determining the number of european buyers we have no clue who is buying more. My real estate friends say Americans are still top buyers, but that market has slowed dramatically due to seasonality and U.S. credit crisis. To be honest, I have no clue if any of this is true. I trade stocks. That is my forte. Im a buyer of Mexican real estate in Yucatan because I feel it is still cheap on a relative basis. The violence does dampen my expectation, but the trader in me wants to 'buy the blood in the streets'. To say that the violence does not hurt quality of life whether it be psychological or otherwise is a lie.
2. when the mexican army cannot control the cartels, its highly unlikely that Yucatan's crack force will be able to. you act as if there are special ops riding around in taxis in a clandestine fashion. This claim you make is completely unsubstantiated. We first have to see how violent acts are handled and if they continue what will be the response. This is still to be determined.
3. violence across the country is indeed creeping into the land of innocents. The increasingly sloppy and highly violent acts are now costing innocents their lives. Would the country be marching in protest if this were not the case? Just the fact that the violence is now right on the heels of the 'white city' is a blow to confidence in general. Innocents are not being killed in Yucatan, but if you are an American living in a large property in a small town or pueblo are you going to feel secure? I think not. It is the confidence or perception that will be worse than actual violence. Im an American that passes for mexican, italian or other latin american, but as time passes and people realize im the only american in a small town I think my paranoia will grow for obvious reasons. If you are reading between the lines here, I am not buying in the city of Merida but on the outskirts and further. Im also looking at properties outside of GDL. Im trying to be honest on both sides here. Even as I deplore the violence and the undesired effects I will still buy property. Finally, Americans, even those who become naturalized citizens cannot own guns in Mexico. That is a disappointment as well.
4. I agree that mosts U.S. cities will be more violent than Merida. We are not talking about violence specific to Merida or normal urban life. We are talking about drug related violence due to government making a stand, collapse of columbian cartels and internecine battle among narcotraficantes due to void in power and tighter border controls post 9-11. aside: idiotic banks like bank of america allow illegals to have accounts which allows laundering of drug money. can our banks be so stupid? yes, it seems. See also U.S. credit crisis... lol
I appreciate your comments even as they may be off the mark. I must stress that I am unequivocally pro-mexican and that I feel Mexico will ultimately triumph. The blueprint is Colombia, so we have the model to go by to some degree. $500 million in funding is coming on the heels of the Merida Initiative as Mexico caved to human rights demands by the U.S. Also, I am a huge fan of this site, and I appreciate the extent to which this discourse has been allowed. Personally, I have worked in mayan villages post hurricane and I want to continue this when I am part of Yucatan society. I am proud of both the U.S. and Mexico. I live 5minutes from the WTC. I will never allow terrorism in any form to stop my indefatigable pursuit to enjoy what God has given us.
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Lizbeth 16 years ago
Jim Mann hit the home run by finding just the right buyer for our house. I think Jim has a talent for matching the right buyers with the right sellers. As a buyer he’ll show you exactly what you want while respecting your budget, and as a seller he’ll proficiently handle all of the complex details like a pro.
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CasiYucateco 16 years ago
1) The dollar is still quite weak compared to the peso. Any "strength in the dollar" talk has to be taken with a grain of salt. The Euro is still strong and there are many European buyers.
2) Yucatan has more police than about any place you could imagine - and more types of police as well. Taxi drivers are fond of saying that every other car has undercover agents in it. Yucatecans never fail to budget for strong security. They love them some tranquilo.
3) "Normal people's heads" are not being chopped off. Drug rivals' are. Regular everyday people don't have much to worry about, regardless of external accounts. There's an easy way to avoid any "violence" - just avoid working for drug traffickers.
4) Violence is such a relative term. Take a city of 1 million people in the USA (I've got one in mind) and the murder rate will be 5 to 10 times that of Merida. The aggravated assault and robbery (mugging) rate will be 10 to 20 times that of Merida. The differences are so enormous that it is laughable.
Anyway, Mexico International and Mitch Keenan are still the best Merida real estate company around. More years in service, more satisfied customers, smoother well-organized closings, consistent results over a long period of time. Can't ask for more than that.
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