On a recent trip to Mexico, the sound of the ocean crashed with the sounds of building. Everywhere! Beautiful, modern condos in Puerto Vallarta had caught my eye on Airbnb.
So I wondered: Is it really safe to buy a condo pre-construction in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico? How do you know the quality and that you’re actually going to be able to take ownership of the condo once the development is complete?
The answer is work with a local, well-reviewed, knowledgeable real estate agent. I had the fortune of connecting with two very experienced Keller Williams Bahia agents in Puerto Vallarta, David Moreno and Tonya Dorsey.
Just a few tips they shared.
- Buy from a reputable condo builder with a track record for quality. There is one builder that dominates new construction in Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta and nearby areas. They have built many thousands of units and are known to follow best building practices with excellent materials.
- Learn about the condo rental rules if you are planning to use your new condo as an investment property. There are tons of Puerto Vallarta, Bucerias and Sayulita area vacation rentals. The rules of each development are what’s important.
- Hear what developments are coming soon. One Keller Williams agent told me that an entire townhouse development in Nuevo Vallarta sold out in 45 minutes. She helped buyers snag some of those properties as she was in the know about the exact time they went on sale. She worked with the buyer to make sure their financing was all approved so they could immediately apply and submit their deposit.
If working with an LGBTIQA+ friendly real estate agent in Mexico is a priority, you’ll love David! He seriously impressed me with his knowledge of the local real estate market and condo developments.
Is a real estate agent really needed to buy new construction in Puerto Vallarta?
It might be tempting to walk into a new condo development sales office to hear what it’s all about and put down a deposit.
Where I was staying, a new condo building was under construction. Every day the sales office had its signs out with potential buyers meeting in the office. Turns out the projects had a long history of permitting and other issues. This is just one nugget the real estate agent I spoke with shared.
