Information you should share with your Real Estate Advisor -

The more information you can share with your real estate advisor, the better the filters and results of the process will be. Each conversation is valuable for you to get to know your real estate advisor well and for the professional to refine the search taking into account everything available in the market and the ideal conditions for you.

This article explores the information required by your real estate advisor before starting the buying process, selling, and even renting, along with our Nativu Cartago advisor Ciany Devoto.

“The more accurate and clearer the information clients pass on to us, the more efficient the real estate advisors will do the job, in terms of accuracy and time.”

Mauricio Castillo, Nativu Este Advisor

Information that your advisor should know

It is necessary to know what a real estate advisor is. A real estate agent is a professional trained to do real estate business in Costa Rica. Many agents work for companies such as NATIVU that offer marketing support, promotion, professional training, and accompaniment. Some agents work with residential buyers, while others work only with commercial real estate or farms.

To facilitate the process is advisable to provide your advisor with the essential information to do the best job possible to make the experience as functional as possible for all parties involved.

This information falls into the following categories: preferences and characteristics of your search, amounts and buying capacity, time and determining factors, and process preferences.

Preferences and search features

You should tell your advisor the type of property you want and the area or areas in which you are interested in. Besides, it is necessary to consider other characteristics according to the priority each one of this has for you.

For example, you should consider the number of bedrooms, private areas, social areas, land, and use permits, pets, access, styles, and design, among others.

Cost and affordability

The real estate advisor needs to understand the client’s financial status before buying or renting. This way, the options can be filtered by their immediate affordability and the financial capacity per owner, according to the requirements of the financial institutions.

Your agent does not need to know the details of your finances but should know your budget. For example, if you are looking for a $250,000 home and can afford a loan between $150,000 and $180,000 at current interest rates. This information lets the agent know the price range.

Withholding important information from your advisor is not recommended. A professional advisor will know how to guide you through the buying process and prevent private information from falling into the wrong hands. If you don’t trust the agent with this information enough or think you’ve hired someone who would sell their soul to close a deal, you may have chosen the wrong person.

Time and determining factors

Sometimes we have a very punctual need of time for the move, whether it is due to a job opportunity, family situation or any others. As a result, talking to the advisor about the time expectation will help to set a realistic vision.

If you have other important factors such as investors or family members you want to involve, it is best to keep this in mind from the beginning to share all the necessary information. Remember that real estate advisors are there to serve and adjust to the client’s needs and processes.

The search for a house, lot, apartment, farm, or any other property has many aspects to consider, from the initial selection to the negotiation and closing. If you already know some of your preferences from the start, let the consultant know or ask the necessary questions to find the best property for you.

Process Preferences

Explain to your agent how much time you want to spend on this process daily, weekly, or monthly. If there are preferred days for visits, discussions, or how you would like to conduct the entire process. A professional will keep documentation of the site appointments, discussed options and will also be able to summarize the work according to the client’s preferences.

Concerning the necessary loans to be obtained, in case you do not have pre-approval, your consultant can assist you with the bank or financial institution according to your needs and budget.

What can you do to work more efficiently with your real estate advisor?

Commission: Real estate consultants work on commission, which means they are motivated to do a good job and to ensure they find the perfect property for you. If there is no purchase, they don’t make any money. So the most important thing is to respect the time and effort they put into getting you options and properties.
Effective communication: Your consultant will provide you information that may be urgent. So it is recommended that you respond quickly to voicemails, emails, and text messages to expedite the process. Good communication is essential.
Keep appointments and arrive on time: Your agent may require a lot of effort to schedule a visit, especially if there is a lot of interest in the property. Respect this effort by always being on time for showings and other scheduled meetings.

Trust your agent: Established professionals have connections that can make your life easier. They can recommend contractors or financial services based on their past experiences with other clients. Of course, you are always welcome to work with your preferred professionals, but if you don’t have these connections, consider your agent’s advice. You’ll also want to listen to recommendations on how to make offers, negotiate with the seller and other aspects of buying a home.
Ask questions! Your agent has been through this before and can explain each stage of the process. You can use their knowledge and ask questions about the paperwork and what is getting signed. If you have more advanced questions, your agent can help you find a real estate lawyer for further assistance.

“Investing in real estate is the best and safest way to become financially independent.”

Mario Barrantes, Nativu Escazú Advisor

In conclusion, many factors can improve your experience when looking for a property. The buying and selling process can be complicated, especially if it is your first time, so do not hesitate to do it in the company of our professional advisors.

In NATIVU, each advisor is a resident of the properties they represent. Therefore, if you have doubts about the specific market or want to know the portfolio of properties throughout the country, you can learn about it here.

View properties portfolio