Whether you’re a real estate agent in Puerto Vallarta, or anywhere else in the world, referrals are an essential part of the job. Yet, many agents are unfamiliar with the referral process. On this episode, Jesse and Chelsea break down the real estate referral process, building up a robust referral network, and Chelsea’s insight as the Referral Director for Coldwell Banker La Costa.

• The importance of referrals in the real estate industry [1:20]
• How to broaden your referral network [6:23]
• Chelsea’s perspective as a Referral Director and the logistics of her job [9:48]
• The most important part of the referral process [14:04]
• Chelsea’s tips for a better referral process [15:44]
• Final thoughts [18:43]

What happens when a client wants to move outside of a real estate agent’s service area? Let the referral process begin! Referrals are a great way for agents to connect clients with other real estate agents who can help them find the perfect home while still making a commission for the referral. The process is simple: The referring agent gets as much information from the client as possible, including their contact info, the type of property they’re looking for, the price range, and amenities through a referral form. From there, the referring agent needs to research which agent and agencies they’d like to work with. Some real estate offices have their own Referral Director or Coordinator, like Chelsea at Coldwell Banker La Costa. Others will require a more direct relationship with the receiving agent. Once all the pertinent information is shared and the client is accepted, the deal is finalized by each office’s real estate broker. If the brokers find the terms and commission acceptable, the hand-off is complete. 

Anyone who has ever bought or sold a property knows that closing can be a stressful time. Obviously, good real estate agents do everything they can to make that process go smoothly for their clients. At the end of the day, however, things happen, and paying the referring agent their fee could be the last thing on everyone else’s mind. That’s why the referral form is such an important document. It’s a legally binding agreement that details exactly what the referring agent should be paid and who is involved. Referring agents can’t have a “set it and forget it” attitude when it comes to referrals. Once the hand-off is complete, agents should regularly follow up because they don’t get paid unless the referral client buys a property. This could take months or even years. That’s why having a Referral Director or Coordinator is a great asset in any real estate office. They stay on top of referrals so agents focus on other important responsibilities.

The most obvious benefit to using referrals as a real estate agent is that you never have to turn a client away. You may not be giving them the keys to their new home, but you’re providing a valuable service by connecting them with the people who can. Not to mention a slice of the commission for your efforts. Another great benefit of referrals is the networking opportunities they can provide. Not only do successful referrals lead to repeat business from friends and family of clients, but it’s also a great way to network with other real estate agents around the world. Passing off a good referral means the next time the receiving agent needs to move someone to your area you will likely be their first call. Building up a robust referral network is an excellent strategy for growing your real estate business. Listen to this episode for more on real estate referrals!

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For current and prospective parents, a huge part of deciding whether or not to move out of the country is how that decision will affect their ability to raise children. On this episode, Jesse and Chelsea will tell you everything you need to know about raising kids in Puerto Vallarta including details on medical care, education, entertainment, and citizenship.

• Jesse and Chelsea share their birthing experience in Mexico [0:51]
• Education in Puerto Vallarta [8:18]
• What activities can you do with your kids in PV? [15:04]
• Additional benefits of growing up in PV [20:02]
• What about medical insurance abroad? [22:04]
• The citizenship and passport process [25:27]

When considering raising a family in a different country, one of the chief concerns is medical care. Specifically, making sure that the labor and delivery process is safe and affordable. From Jesse and Chelsea’s personal experience, the birthing process in Mexico is both! The cost for Jesse to give birth at one of the major hospitals in Puerto Vallarta was roughly $1000. Chelsea’s first delivery was at a nicer clinic in a small beach town 45 minutes from PV and cost $600, while her second delivery was much more complicated yet cost only $1500. Bringing the baby home from the hospital isn’t the only affordable thing. Pediatric care in PV will run you roughly $40 for a check-up. It's incredible how accessible everything is!

Every parent wants their child to have the best possible education. As a result, moving to a country where you have not personally experienced the education system can be scary. Like anywhere else, Puerto Vallarta has public and private schools. Admittedly, there is a bit of a gap in quality between the two, but private schools in PV are much more affordable than those in the States. Private schools tend to have more resources and course offerings, but both provide students with a quality education. When it comes to cost, Jesse pays between $100 to $150 per month to send her daughter to a Montessori-style daycare five days a week. Chelsea’s kids are older and she pays about $250 per month, per child to send them to a K-12th grade private school. In either case, private education costs are a fraction of what they are in North America. 

Another parental priority is making sure kids have fun activities to engage in. Luckily, Puerto Vallarta has no shortage of things to do. For the budget-conscious, nature is always free of charge. PV is filled with beaches, rivers, mountains, and trails that are sure to stoke the imagination of both the young and young at heart. However, premium activities don’t come with a premium price tag like they do in other countries. The monthly cost of things like karate and ballet come to roughly $50. There are tons of after-school programs, gymnastics, horseback riding, tennis, swimming lessons, and even a massive indoor play. Parents who raise their kids in PV can give them a variety of different experiences without breaking the bank. Listen to this episode for more on raising kids abroad!

• Visit the website for Coldwell Banker La Costa!

• Email Jesse
• Email Chelsea

Pre-construction homes are a hot item in Puerto Vallarta, but what makes them so great? Jesse and Chelsea sit down with Senior Real Estate Professional Nancy Valiente of Coldwell Banker La Costa to discuss the ins and outs of the pre-construction market. Listen as Nancy dives into everything you need to know about costs, logistics, and advantages to help you decide if pre-construction is the right investment for you. 

• Getting to know Nancy Valiente [0:50] 
• Defining pre-construction and its advantages [4:48]
• What about pre-construction discounts? [8:33]
• Why is there such a large demand for pre-construction in PV? [11:08]
• The pre-construction purchase process [13:26]
• Are there risks to buying a pre-construction home? [17:11]
• How long do pre-construction homes take to build? [19:34]
• Title logistics and closing costs on pre-construction homes [21:49]
• Looking at Maria’s pre-construction property roster [24:56]
• Nancy’s words of wisdom for future pre-construction buyers [33:15]

There are two real estate markets when purchasing a home in Puerto Vallarta. The first is your typical resell market. These homes have already been built and usually have a previous owner. Then there is pre-construction! Pre-construction homes (if the name didn’t already give it away) are homes that have yet to be built. Prospective buyers can evaluate floor plans and construction completion dates to find the perfect home for them before a single brick is laid. There’s something truly special about seeing your home built from the ground up. So why not build that home in paradise?

Financing is often a big part of home buying and where you get that loan matters. When purchasing a pre-construction home with Coldwell Banker La Costa, you can go through either a bank or the developer directly. Pre-construction plans are not only affordable, they have payment plans and zero-interest options as well. A big benefit to pre-construction is that because they are brand new builds, the value of the homes are often much higher than those on the resell market. Pre-construction homes are more than a place to live. They are a real estate investment. Especially in a place as beautiful as Puerto Vallarta.

A major aspect of investing in a pre-construction home is the amenities that go along with it. Future owners are looking for properties that have all the bells and whistles. While eventually selling is one way to turn a profit on a pre-construction home, using it as a long or short-term rental property is a great way to make extra income too. Potential tenants and guests also value the location of a property. If beachfront property is out of your price range, never fear! A conveniently located rental with great amenities is a sure-fire way to keep your home and bank account full. Listen to this episode for more information on investing in a pre-construction home with Coldwell Banker La Costa!

• Visit the website for Coldwell Banker La Costa!

• Website

• lead_coordinator@coldwellbanker.com.mx 
• jesse_carlucci@coldwellbanker.com.mx