Real Estate In Paradise Coldwell Banker La Costa

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.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...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]
Understanding referrals in real estateWhat 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. 
Don’t drop the ballAnyone 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.
Reaping the benefits of referralsThe 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!
 Resources & People MentionedVisit the a href="https://www.cblacosta.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

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.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...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]
Quality medical careWhen 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!
Top-notch educationEvery 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. 
Fun for the whole familyAnother 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!
Resources & People MentionedVisit the website for Coldwell Banker La Costa!
Connect With Chelsea and JesseEmail JesseEmail 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. 
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...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]
The wonderful world of pre-constructionThere 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?
Make an investmentFinancing 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.
Turn a profitA 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!
Resources & People MentionedVisit the website for Coldwell Banker La Costa!
Connect with Nancy Valiente Website
Connect With Chelsea and Jesselead_coordinator@coldwellbanker.com.mx jesse_carlucci@coldwellbanker.com.mx 

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Learn everything you need to know about buying property in Mexico as Jesse and Chelsea sit down with real estate professional Damian Bassett of Coldwell Banker La Costa. On this episode, Damian dives into the logistics of buying various kinds of Mexican property to give you the confidence you need to make the move.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Getting to know Damian Bassett, his background, and his journey through the world of real estate [0:52]What is a Fideicomiso and why you need it to buy property in Mexico [7:06]How to get the property buying process started [9:41]Explaining escrow, due diligence, and closing on a property in Mexico [11:34]The differences between buying pre-construction, post-construction, and other property types in Mexico [17:05]Using a mortgage in Mexico and Damian’s final thoughts on the buying process [21:02]
Starting your Mexican real estate adventureThe secret is out: Puerto Vallarta is an awesome place to live! People from all over the world are buying property in PV, and you can too. One of the first steps to buying property in Mexico is knowing the area you wish to purchase property in. The easiest way to do that is to explore! Making multiple trips and checking out new areas will give you the best feel for what Puerto Vallarta and the rest of Mexico have to offer. Although, be prepared to fall in love on your first visit! The next step would be to dettermine the type of property you want to purchase. How many bedrooms and bathrooms? Is this an investment property? Will the property be used as an Airbnb? What amenities do you desire? Questions like these will help you and your real estate agent find the perfect property in paradise.
Understanding legal Mexican property ownershipThe path to Mexican property ownership is fairly straightforward from a legal standpoint. If a foreigner is buying property in the restricted zones of Mexico (50 miles within the border or from the coast of Mexico), they need to make that purchase via a Mexican bank trust known as a Fideicomiso. The trust allows you to invest in any Mexican property and own it as the primary beneficiary. A Fideicomiso gives you all the rights of real estate ownership in Mexico while a Mexican bank holds the legal title to it as your trustee. You may also list secondary beneficiaries so that the Fideicomiso acts as a will in the event of your passing. Fideicomisos are structured as 50-year leases that can be continuously renewed, but don’t let the term “lease” scare you. These trusts give you full ownership over the property just like you bought it in the U.S. or Canada.
Getting serious about buyingAfter a buyer’s offer is accepted on a property, they have three days to wire 10% of the purchase price to a third-party escrow account. For those unfamiliar, third-party escrow means a company will hold the buyer’s money in trust until the transaction can be completed. They act as a neutral third party between the buyer and seller to ensure the deal's integrity. Think of the 10% going into escrow as a down payment on the property you wish to purchase. It is typically the buyer’s responsibility to cover the cost of escrow ranging from $700 to $900, but it’s money well spent to make sure the funds going towards the property purchase are protected. Listen to this episode for more information on buying property in Mexico!
Resources & People MentionedVisit the website for Coldwell Banker La Costa!
Connect with Damien BassettDamian Bassett (Coldwell Banker La Costa) 
Connect...

Whether you’re retiring to paradise or just moving there, you may want to get a job in Mexico for primary or extra income. On this episode, Jesse and Chelsea are joined by Coldwell Banker La Costa Sales Manager Dean Robbins to discuss the ins and outs of legally working in Mexico. They’ll also dive into what it takes to work at Coldwell Banker La Costa and Dean’s training process for new agents.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Getting to know Dean Robbins [1:29]Dean’s favorite aspect of working at Coldwell Banker La Costa [8:47]Making employment possible in Puerto Vallarta [10:37]Do you have what it takes to work for Coldwell Banker La Costa [14:30]The Coldwell Banker La Costa training experience [19:23] 
And the rest is historyA big part of loving your work is having a great boss. That’s why Jesse and Chelsea are so grateful to work with Dean Robbins. Dean is the Sales Manager for Coldwell Banker La Costa, but he didn’t always work there. He used to run real estate companies in the United States and only planned to move to Cabo San Lucas for a year, however, Mother Nature had other plans. A hurricane forced them to move to Puerto Vallarta. While searching for a new veterinarian in Marina Plaza, Dean and his wife had a chance encounter with the wife of Brock Squire, owner of Coldwell Banker La Costa. The rest is history! Together, Brock and Dean have taken the company from 15 to 92 agents in 7 years while simultaneously cultivating off the chart growth in sales. 
Lending a helping handAs a motivational author and podcaster, people often ask Dean what their purpose is. Dean believes the meaning of life is helping people, which is exactly what he loves about working at Coldwell Banker La Costa. Dean is available seven days a week so that anyone who has a question can always get the answer they need. However, it’s not just about clients. He loves helping the people he gets to work with as well! Whether it’s launching them into a successful real estate career or helping them find the right fit elsewhere, Dean is always ready to support people on their journey.
Let’s get to workOver the last decade, the process to legally work in Puerto Vallarta has changed considerably. You used to be able to show up in any resort community and get a sponsor letter that earned you a resident card and work permit in two to three weeks. Nowadays, it’s not so simple. First, you need to return to your country of origin and make an appointment with the Mexican Consulate. There, you will fill out paperwork that requires you to prove you have the adequate financial resources to move in-country. Typically, that number works out to $25,000 in the bank or an income of $2000 per month independent of a Mexican-based job. Within 30 days the Mexican Consulate will notify you that you have been approved and you'll have a 30-day deadline to make it back to the immigration office in Mexico to file for a resident card. Once you have your resident card you can get a sponsor letter from your potential employer and apply for a work permit. Listen to this episode for more information on working in Puerto Vallarta!
Resources & People MentionedVisit the website for Coldwell Banker La Costa!
Connect with Dean RobbinsDean’s websiteFollow Dean on LinkedIn Dean’s books Listen to...

Thinking about moving to Mexico? Look no further than Puerto Vallarta! On this episode, Jesse and Chelsea dive into everything you need to know about Puerto Vallarta before making a decision to move there. They’ll discuss lifestyle, cost of living, safety, and of course…real estate!
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...How safe is Puerto Vallarta? [0:46]Dining in Puerto Vallarta for every budget [3:38]Transportation logistics and expenses of living in Puerto Vallarta [7:33]What is the cost to rent and buy property in Puerto Vallarta? [11:01]The lifestyle and beaches of Puerto Vallarta [20:51]What convenience and luxury shopping options does Puerto Vallarta have to offer? [26:41]What are the local and ex-pat communities in Puerto Vallarta like? [30:45]
Safety is a top priorityWhen thinking about moving to a foreign country you are unfamiliar with, one of the first questions asked is often about safety. Is it safe for me to live there? Is it safe to raise a family? Thankfully, when it comes to Puerto Vallarta, the answer is a resounding YES! Because PV is such a tourist destination, there is a greater emphasis placed on security in the area. The city actually has a lower crime rate than major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Visitors and residents alike can feel safe walking the streets at any hour knowing that they and their belongings are safe.
Dining is affordableFood is an essential part of life. That’s why it needs to be both good AND affordable. Fortunately, food is both of those things in Puerto Vallarta! Inhabitants of the city can enjoy typical North American grocery options like Walmart and Costco, while also frequenting locally run stores. On almost every street corner can be found small stores called abarrotes reminiscent of New York City’s bodegas. Any choice is middle-class budget-friendly, costing 2000 to 6000 pesos per month or roughly $100 to $300 USD. Eating out and enjoying the local flavor is also a delicious and financially prudent option. Puerto Vallarta is filled with delicious taco stands and full-service restaurants to satisfy your every craving. An average eating-out budget would cost about 4000 pesos per month, which is roughly $200 USD. Whether it’s local fare or a treat you miss from home, it’s easy to find and afford in PV!
Transportation is easyA potential logistical nightmare when moving to a foreign country is figuring out transportation. Not so with Puerto Vallarta! It’s incredibly easy to get around if you don’t have or want your own vehicle. Bus fare is about 10 pesos ($0.48 USD) and they can take you anywhere you want to go in PV. Uber and taxi cabs are also safe and efficient transportation options to get around this tropical paradise. However, if you want to save a few bucks and help the environment, PV is very much a “walking city”. You don’t need motorized transportation to navigate it. For more information on renting and buying property in Puerto Vallarta, listen to this episode or visit the links below!
Resources & People MentionedVisit the website for Coldwell Banker La Costa!
Connect With Chelsea and Jesselead_coordinator@coldwellbanker.com.mxjesse_carlucci@coldwellbanker.com.mx