Dec. 2, 2021
by Justine Schock, Elite Real Estate Los Cabos Partner/Real Estate Advisor
There are many reasons why you should choose a licensed MLS BCS agent to assist with your real estate transaction. Just as you would likely hire a licensed professional to make repairs to your home, hiring a real estate agent can help give you peace of mind and confidence throughout the homebuying process. Here are our TOP 10 REASONS why you should buy with an Elite Real Estate Los Cabos Professional.
1. We Know the Market
The Los Cabos Market is booming, and inventory is in short supply. Whether you are looking for a property that will make a great rental, searching for specific amenities or nearby bilingual schools, or hoping to avoid potential HOA or building issues, our local agents know the pros and cons of each area and development. An expert real estate agent will guide you through the home buying process with an unbiased eye, helping you meet your buying objectives while staying within your budget.
2. Access to Homes for Sale
Believe it or not, most homes in our market do not have lockboxes for keys. Typically, the buyer’s agent must set up appointments with each listing agent when they schedule a tour. If you are searching without the help of a local agent, you may find it difficult to gain access to many properties and you might even miss out on homes that could be a perfect fit. A real estate agent's full-time job is to act as a liaison between buyers and sellers. This means that they will have easy access to all properties listed by other agents, companies, and developers.
3. We Can Be Objective
Let’s face it, buying a home can be an emotional rollercoaster and a life changing investment. For many buyers a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having an objective real estate agent on your side to assist with negotiations and offer an impartial opinion can help you keep your emotions and stress at bay and stay focused on the most important details of the transaction.
4. We Are Licensed
All of our Advisors are licensed in the State of Baja California Sur and registered with MLS BCS (the multiple listing service for Baja California Sur). Up until a few years ago, agents did not need a license to sell real estate in our State. In 2017, laws were finally passed to ensure that all agents and brokers are licensed. Prospective agents must meet certain requirements to become licensed including taking courses or training under an experienced agent, providing proof of no criminal record, and passing a certification exam. The new requirement provides more transparency, fewer bad buyer/seller experiences, and ensures that properties offered for sale have the proper documents in order. Nobody wants to fall in love with a home only to find out later that the seller doesn’t have a legal right to sell the home because the selling agent didn’t collect the proper documents!
5. Real Estate Agents Have Important Connections
In today’s market, staying on top of inventory is key. Long gone are the days of a 1-year average market time! These days, accurately priced homes are selling within weeks or even days. By using your agents’ professional networks along with MLS BCS, your agent can help evaluate all active listings that meet your search criteria, provide data on recent sales, and alert you to listings that are about to hit the market. They can also help save you time by informing you about properties that are still appearing on public sites but are no longer active.
Another benefit of working with a real estate agent is their access to valuable connections in the industry. Whether it’s help finding a local contractor to make repairs in your home, or recommending a reliable gardener, housecleaner or property manager, your local agent can help connect you with the best people for the job.
6. Contracts Can Be Difficult
If you decide to buy a home, the Offer to Purchase protects you and guarantees that you are able to back out of the deal if certain terms are not met. For example, if you have a home inspection and find a major structural issue and you don’t have the proper inspection contingency in your contract, you could lose your deposit on the home. An experienced real estate professional deals with contracts on a regular basis and is familiar with which contingencies should be used and when they can be safely removed to protect you and help avoid delays and costly mistakes. Additionally, if you are purchasing from a Spanish speaking seller, using a real estate company who can assist with a bilingual Offer to Purchase makes things a lot easier and faster for buyer and seller to review.
7. Negotiating Is Tricky
One of the trickiest, yet most important, aspects of the selling process is handling negotiations between buyers and sellers. A great agent will help get you the best possible price, negotiate needed repairs and possession dates, and act as a go-between to prevent any bad blood between buyer and seller that could potentially kill a deal. An agent can represent you in tough situations and smooth things over to keep negotiations from getting too personal. This puts you in a better position to get your dream home!
8. The Seller Pays Commissions
It doesn’t cost the buyer anything to use a licensed real estate professional. When buying real estate in Los Cabos, the seller usually pays commissions and capital gains, and the buyer pays all the other closing costs related to the sale.
9. We Can Assist Beyond the Sale
Purchasing a home in a foreign country is hard enough, but many homebuyers never think about what comes after the sale. If you are not fluent in Spanish, the process can be even more frustrating. Your agent and/or property manager can assist with setting up your electricity, internet, cable, and water bills, recommend the best restaurants for special occasions, connect you with local insurance providers, and so much more!
10. We Work with the Best Closing Companies
It’s important to have a competent Closing Attorney representing your interests when closing a transaction. The Closing Attorney will apply for your trust permit, ensure clean title, make sure all outstanding bills have been paid, order appraisals, advise on legal issues, coordinate with a local notary for deed signatures and more. Fees and service among closing companies will vary, however your agent can advise which companies are the easiest and best to work with.
If you are ready to purchase your dream home in Los Cabos, or wish to know more about buying property in Mexico, please email us at Hola@ERELosCabos.com or visit us at www.EliteRealEstateLosCabos.com.
