[headline h=”1″]Contracting my Services[/headline]
Those who really want a piece of Mexico, be it for vacations, investment or retirement, and are more or less ready to do something about it, may want to consider contracting my services for I do things differently. I make a point of looking after my buyers in a number of ways: professionally, legally and financially.
While I’ll save you thousands of dollars off the cost of buying property, in the end know I can be trusted to look after your best interests in an outstanding professional fashion that only an exclusive buyer representation agreement can ensure and not just for the money saved. My costs may be low but my commitment to providing great service is way up there. I aim to please!
The exclusive buyer representation agreement I use is very straight forward, written in plain English without legal mumble jumble. To contract my services simply print it, fill in the blanks and then fax it to me signed and initialed. I’ll then do the same by sending it back to you signed and getting to work looking for your piece of paradise.
Of course, by the time you’re ready to do that we’ll have gotten to know each other well enough beforehand. We’ll need to discuss the particulars of your requirements to ensure we’re both on the same page vis-à-vis your desires, needs and budget. At what point you’re ready to buy and agree to use me as your exclusive rep will vary on a host of factors, least of all your being comfortable with me. I’m available by phone or via a videoconference or we can meet in person on your next vacation. Whatever works for you.
As with other professionals, I request a retainer fee that’s later credited towards my full fee which is settled at closing along with everything else. I’ll be compensated a commission from the seller of whichever property you end up buying, typically a commission greater than the $5,000 flat fee I charge for my representation. In most situations the seller not only pays your fee through their offered commission but, best of all, the difference between the full commission offered and my fee charged is applied towards closing costs and/or other related purchasing expenses, bringing your costs further down.
There is no minimum or maximum time frame for choosing when to end the agreement between us, just like there is no magic formula for determining the right time to buy. It’ll most likely end when you just happen to find the right property and have successfully purchased it. Some clients make up their minds in only days or weeks while others have taken a year or two of repeated visits before discovering just what and where their home in paradise is. Most clients make a purchase within a year that includes a couple of trips down for the purpose of looking at property.
If you feel the stars are lining up correctly that you could buy tomorrow, perhaps a termination date of six months or even a year is best to give you the freedom to come down once or twice. To the end of the current year may feel right; perhaps end of next year makes more sense. Or 90 days. Whatever you feel comfortable while being realistic to yourself and your plans. And we can always extend your time if it’s taking you longer than originally figured.
The most important information in our agreement is the description of what you want. Attempt to be as specific as you can best describe. Determine what areas you like or really don’t like if you can. Do you prefer a house with garden or a condo for its ease? How important is a pool or a view? Flat ground for easy walking or on a hillside for the vista? Do you prefer older Mexican style or something more modern and contemporary? How much space and within what budget range?
The questions are endless but as you do your research and find examples of properties that interest you, you’ll soon enough hone into the answers that matter most. With that information I’ll commence searching on your behalf. I’ll not only look through the MLS listings and local company sites but also scan for sale by owner listings, FSBOs, both online and with feet on the ground in the neighborhoods of interest.
Rest assured that while the agreement between us officially ends at closing, the relationship doesn’t. Should issues come up concerning the purchase itself or matters like transferring phone lines or getting new services following the closing, I’ll still be there to call upon to help however I may.
Next: Flat-Fee FAQ
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[headline h=”3″]Introducing the flat-fee business model to Puerto Vallarta Real Estate[/headline]
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1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Commission-based system
3. Fiduciary Responsibility & Due Diligence
4. Flat-Fee Details
5. Buyer’s Agency Agreement
6. Flat-Fee FAQ
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