Realty Executives : Mexican Association of Realtors

Escape to the Beach for Labor Day

Realty Executives Puerto Penasco// Rocky Point — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 21:03:00 GMT

Looking for something fun for Labor Day Weekend? Rocky Point has some great condo specials for the whole family. Be sure to beat the heat and have some great times in Rocky Point. After a fun day of sun and sand, be sure and check out some great music at Changos and The Lighthouse. Saturday night at Las Palomas will feature stand up comedy from Gene Pompa. Hope to see you there!

MEXICO IS WATCHING PUERTO PENASCO REAL ESTATE

Isabel Saborith — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:46:00 GMT

March report from our AMPI President

In Mexico City I recently had the opportunity to meet with AMPI presidents from around the country. There were approximately 500 representatives in attendance at this convention and swearing in ceremony for association presidents. It was apparent that all of Mexico's real estate professionals are paying attention to Sonora and specifically Puerto Penascos' successes. Each state soon will be working to follow suit with the licensing process Sonora has mandated for all agents. Everyone I listened to commented that the efforts we are pioneering are inspiring officials throughout Mexico, because with licensing, we will be able to enforce accountability. We are gaining huge momentum not only in the respect from Mexico's federal government but throughout the international real estate world because of our commitment to higher standards and accountability. AMPI national is very interested in learning from what we are doing.

We have established a Sonora Committee of AMPI presidents that has begun to research the possibilities of creating a pool of AMPI certified instructors that can help us with continual education in order maintain the highest of standards. We agreed to create a committee within AMPI where agents representing coastal cities, can discuss issues relative to their specific needs, such as Federal Zone issues and Fiedecomisos.

In Hermosillo, AMPI presidents from Sonora recently met and shared some great ideas. We will continue working together because the licensing process affects all of us. We discussed how we can together make it as beneficial as possible. It was agreed upon that the enforcement part of the process needed to be addressed as soon as possible and that AMPI should assist the state with mandates of compliance as well as the obligation only work with those complying with the law. Leaders from Hermosillo, San Carlos, Guaymas, and Puerto Penasco all then met with the Secretary of Economy of Sonora and had an inspiring dialogue. We were invited to share our concerns with Lic. Rodolfo Elias Calles, Sonora's representative in charge of the Real Estate licensing process. I enjoyed this meeting because he listened, he cared and he respects our experience and welcomes our assistance in the betterment of our profession which helps us protect our buyers and sellers. We all left the meeting certain that we were on the right path, and that together we really can make a difference.

Licensing is a giant step towards maintainable ethical standards. The diplomado course is the educational arm of the process. This state sponsored course is intended to provide actual and current technical and administrative skills to participants allowing them to improve their performance in real estate activities. It analyzes the legislation of both the federal and state judicial dispositions regarding Real Estate property, as well as covers issues pertaining to taxation, city development, appraisals, trusts, sales strategies, and ethics in the real estate field. The instructors are all national leaders in their respective professions, and came from all over Mexico. This class has forced 40 agents at a time to sit in a classroom for 109 hours and grow together. It has created such a unity among the agents that a movement started to align two real estate associations in Rocky Point. As of today we have had many meetings with the leaders of both groups. Our efforts have changed from better ways of working together to actually starting the process of becoming one organization. I believe this synergy was advanced by the friendships started within the diplomado classes.

The two real estate associations that exist in Rocky Point are both based on the values of high ethical standards and accountability. However, if two associations have similar agendas yet do not communicate properly, they are not working as effectively as they can. AMPI is Mexico's National Association of Realtors and PPREA (Puerto Peñasco Real Estate Association) is an association of local professionals. We each have our own "Multiple Listing Services", like systems, and we both understand the need for one source of information to better serve our clients. Both have done well in their quests. However, it is understood by all, that the need for one association is best for members and the real estate community as a whole. Together we can make a difference.

It is our position that any person who receives income based on commissions from sales of real property should be held liable for their actions under the law as it is applied to licensing and the standards that we represent. A realtor is one who has been approved by the National Association of Realtors. (Now International Association of Realtors) AMPI members are allowed to call themselves Realtors, which is a protected brand, not thrown around loosely. Our members will only work with other professionals in compliance with the laws of Sonora. The value to a buyer and seller is in the accountability factor.

Kent White

Realty Executives

A.M.P.I. President

What is AMPI and Why is it Important to Mexico and its Investors

Isabel Saborith — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:53:00 GMT

AMPI, the most widely accepted real estate organization in all of Mexico has made phenomenal progress here in Puerto Peñasco. This internationally respected association of real estate professionals officially became a reality last March and has already become one of the largest associations of any kind ever in Rocky Point with over 100 members. Our local chapter has representation from all of the major real estate companies that operate in and around Puerto Peñasco.

AMPI, having the full endorsement and cooperation of the federal government has the ability to regulate and oversee the ethics of its members. Only credible licensed realtors with continual AMPI approved educational courses can maintain membership of this organization. It is this proactive entity that will take the real estate industry into the future.

The timing could not be better for the positive development of a town that is expected to be one of the hottest resort communities in this hemisphere. Economists from Mexico City have projected our growth explosion to continue for years to come. These expectations are based partially on the fact that we have experienced such astounding progress on drive in traffic alone. The international audience is just starting to look our way with the official announcement of the approval of the Puerto Peñasco Airport, the Coastal highway to be completed in the very near future, connecting us to California, and the Nautical ladder which will encourage more oceanic tourism like small cruise ships.

Rocky Point has seen a housing boom rarely seen before anywhere in the world. Ten years ago there were no condo projects with more than 100 units. In 2000 there was only one project of any large scale. This changed in 2001. Now Sandy beach alone has over 1,600 condos sold, and over 30 condo towers are in some stage of vertical development.

Several towers were sold out in a matter of hours. One tower sold its 109 units in 3 hours and another, 114 in 4 hours. Condos seem to be the most sought after investment properties going in today’s market, partially due to the low maintenance and ease of rental income. Many condo owners boast amazing financial returns in the short term “Rental pool” market.

A new concept gaining popularity by a huge market segment is interval ownership. This is not time share. Interval Ownership, also known as fractional ownership or equity share is a practical concept, which offers the opportunity to own a fully furnished home at a fraction of the cost of purchasing an entire second home. Each purchaser as a shareholder owns an exclusive interest in a home and is entitled to occupy the unit each year for the time interval purchased. There are several large scale developments exclusively marketing this concept.

With newly available mortgage money at reasonable rates more and more people are able to take advantage of the current growth explosion we are experiencing. Others are turning self directed IRAs into real estate investments. Some people have chosen to split ownership on properties with friends, family members or other investment groups. If one truly wants an investment that they can enjoy, Puerto Peñasco is becoming a simple alternative to the less than predictable stock market.

It is very important to work with a reputable real estate professional, as bad investment council can haunt individuals throughout their investment period. The information is out there, and good sound advice is available. The unprecedented investment potential can be achieved, but it is so important to seek the advise of a real estate professional that has the training and the ethical standards that AMPI ensures. Rocky Point is a great place for anyone interested in owning a second home or a secure investment that allows staying at, and enjoying their own portfolio.”

Kent White

Realty Executives, Sonora

kentoblanco@gmail.com

President Elect AMPI