Key Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Advisor Before Hiring

Key Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Advisor Before Hiring

Choosing a real estate advisor is one of the most important decisions in any buying process. A good advisor can save you time, money and headaches. A bad one can cost you tens of thousands of dollars or drag you into an endless legal process. Your first conversation with a potential advisor is the time to ask the right questions.

This list is designed specifically for the Riviera Maya market, with its particular legal, tax and market considerations. Take the time you need to get clear answers before signing anything.

1. Are you registered with SEDETUR Quintana Roo? Can you show me your registration number?

Why ask: SEDETUR registration has been mandatory since 2023 to work as a real estate intermediary in the state. Without it, the advisor is operating outside the legal framework.

Expected answer: Yes, my registration number is [X]; you can verify it on the SEDETUR Quintana Roo portal.

2. Are you an active member of AMPI?

Why ask: AMPI (Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals) membership involves ongoing training, a verifiable code of ethics and belonging to a network of professionals with defined standards.

Expected answer: Yes, my membership is current and you can verify it in the ampi.org.mx directory.

3. How many years have you been working in this specific market?

Why ask: Local market knowledge can’t be transferred. An advisor with 10 years in Playa del Carmen knows the neighborhoods, projects, builders and prices in a way a newcomer can’t match.

Expected answer: A concrete answer with years of experience and the names of projects or areas they specialize in.

4. Can you show me your real estate brokerage agreement before we start?

Why ask: Without a brokerage agreement, the advisor has no formal obligations to you. A professional always works under contract.

Expected answer: Yes, here is our standard agreement. I’ll send it to you now so you can review it.

5. What are your fees and how are they calculated?

Why ask: Standard fees in the Riviera Maya are 4% to 6% of the sale price, generally paid by the seller.

Expected answer: Full transparency about the percentage, who pays it and when it is paid.

6. Do you have any business relationship with the developer or seller of this property?

Why ask: An advisor who receives a commission from the seller AND charges the buyer a fee has a conflict of interest that must be disclosed. The AMPI Code of Ethics requires this disclosure.

Expected answer: Complete honesty about existing commissions and agreements.

7. How do you carry out due diligence on the properties you offer?

Why ask: Due diligence is the process of legally verifying the property. A professional advisor should be able to explain exactly what is checked.

Expected answer: Mention of title verification, the Public Property Registry, tax status, construction permits and the status of the fideicomiso, if applicable.

8. Can you explain how the bank trust (fideicomiso) for foreigners works?

Why ask: If you’re a foreigner, the fideicomiso (bank trust) is the mandatory legal mechanism for buying in a coastal zone. An advisor who can’t explain it clearly lacks the necessary technical training.

Expected answer: A clear explanation of the trustee bank, the renewable 50-year term, the beneficiary’s rights and the annual maintenance cost.

9. Which notaries do you work with, and can you recommend an independent one?

Why ask: In Mexico, the notary is the key player in formalizing the transaction. A professional advisor should accept that the buyer may choose an independent notary.

Expected answer: Willingness to work with the buyer’s notary if the buyer prefers.

10. What happens if the developer doesn’t deliver on the agreed date?

Why ask: Pre-construction delays are common in the Riviera Maya. An experienced advisor knows which penalty clauses to include in the contract.

Expected answer: Mention of penalty clauses, an escrow-type guarantee trust and knowledge of the developer’s track record.

11. What services do you offer after closing?

Why ask: The best advisors and agencies offer post-sale support: permit management, introductions to trusted vendors, property management. This sets long-term players apart from purely transactional ones.

Expected answer: A concrete description of post-sale services. In the case of L'Agence MX, this includes full property management, vacation rental management and interior design.

12. Can you give me references from past clients who bought similar properties?

Why ask: Verifiable references are the strongest evidence of a real track record. An advisor with genuine experience will have no problem putting you in touch with past clients.

Expected answer: Willingness to provide references, while respecting the privacy of clients who have not given explicit permission.

At L'Agence MX , we’re happy to answer all of these questions and more. Our advisors are available at bonjour@lagencemx.com, on WhatsApp at +52 56 3370 9470 or at lagencemx.com. Your first consultation is free and comes with no obligation.

You may also be interested in: How to Choose the Best Real Estate Advisor in Mexico: A Guide for Foreigners and Bacalar: Real Estate Investment on the Lagoon of Seven Colors.