Why “Facebook-famous” doesn’t always mean qualified—and what really matters when choosing a real estate agent in Mexico.

Are they buying or selling? Is this for residential or commercial? Are they looking for ocean views, walkability, rental income, or privacy in the jungle? Do they need someone who speaks English or Spanish fluently, or who understands the AMPI-certified process in Mexico?

Most of the answers come from well-meaning locals, other agents, or possibly even paid recommenders. And while some of the names mentioned are great agents, others are simply “facebook popular,” and not necessarily well-qualified for your particular situation.

So how do you cut through the noise and find the right real estate professional for your specific needs in Puerto Vallarta? Let’s break it down.

Puerto Vallarta’s Realtor are as Is Diverse as the Market

Puerto Vallarta isn’t just one real estate market, it’s many. Each neighborhood has its own rhythm, pricing, zoning, clientele, and quirks. An agent who’s a top producer in Marina Vallarta may have never set foot in Bucerias. A condo specialist might know little about raw land deals in Sayulita or commercial property sales in Nuevo Vallarta.

Key Considerations:

Location-specific expertise: Know the areas your agent actively works in.

Property type: Not all agents are trained in commercial, business, land, pre-construction, or multi-unit sales.

Legal literacy: Can they explain Fideicomisos, capital gains, closing costs, and AMPI regulations? Many are not well-trained for Mexican law and often use legal terms (in their offer contract for example) from their own country, where they may also be a realtor. These terms, which are usually in English and do not translate into a legal tender or language, especially in a simple Google Translate on your offer contract, just do not work in a Mexican legal contract.

Without full understanding of the Mexican legal framework and language, your realtor from Alberta … who’s licensed in Alberta and even AMPI certified here … may lose you deals because they are not well-versed on how the Mexican market (and sellers) truly operate. This kind of situation crops up a lot, I’ve noticed, especially when working with Canadian and US-licensed realtors trying to also do business down here.

What to Look for in a Qualified Realtor in Puerto Vallarta

Before choosing an agent based on social media praise, or their licensing in your home country, ask for and verify, the following:

• Are they AMPI-certified or affiliated with the Mexican equivalent of NAR or CREA?

• Do they seem knowledgeable about the Mexican market without having to “do more research” or “check with their broker” for details to your questions?

• Do they know their numbers or are they hesitating when asked about prices? (this is a KEY indicator of how your realtor works … do they understand the market, or not?)

• Do they have recent experience in the specific type of property you’re buying or selling? (for example: Have they worked with a pre-construction single family home builder before?)

• Can they show a portfolio of past sales or client testimonials relevant to your transaction?

• Do they provide bilingual service and understand international buyers/sellers?

• Are they local experts or simply promoting listings for exposure?

Red Flags and Facebook Fictions

• Beware of PV Realtors who appear in every or many of comment threads where the question is some iteration of the above example. And especially if the recommendation offers no areas of specialty, no clear qualifications (besides “He’s Canadian too!”), and only a rehearsed “thank you so-so” by the agent themselves. To me, this is just real estate and social media theatre, at its best.

• Ditto for the (usually fake) “supporters” who comment with “So-so-First name (linked and tagged profile), s/he’s the best.” or So-so-First name (linked and tagged profile), is the guy to talk to.” No hay ninguna explicación de por qué deberías simplemente regalarle 400 000 USD de tus ahorros a esta persona, pero bueno.

• Instead, go to the AMPI website and search for Puerto Vallarta Realtor who speaks your language, and is based in the area you think you may want to live, or makes a claim for sales in that area. Or, snoop these recommended people on LinkedIn and their company website (not just Facebook!) and have a look at their Website or listings currently in the market. Do your “digital” homework on the person! You can learn a lot by asking Google or chatGPT about someone.

• Be cautious of those who rely solely on social proof (me gusta, menciones, popularidad), pero no pueden respaldarla con resultados ni con otras referencias que estén dispuestos a proporcionar. Si bien los agentes de AMPI se rigen por un estándar ético más alto, no se les exige que se sometan a una verificación de antecedentes en su país de origen ni en México. No conozco ninguna inmobiliaria en Puerto Vallarta (excepto Shoreline Realty Group) que lo haga. ¡CUIDADO! Está a punto de gastar 250 000 USD o mucho más, en efectivo. Jamás permitirías que alguien en EE. UU. o Canadá manejara tanto dinero sin la licencia y la formación adecuadas. ¡Ni siquiera sin una simple verificación de antecedentes penales! ¿Por qué arriesgarse en un país extranjero?

• Question agents who’s very first question is: what is your budget? → While this is definitely very important for agents to understand, if this is the first question on your first “date” with a PV realtor, before even understanding why you’re buying, when you want to make the move, or what type of place you’re looking for, it’s probably because their priority is not you, but how much commission they stand to make on your purchase.

While not a terrible thing (everyone has bills to pay, yes?), this is definitely a yellow flag and sets the tone for the agent’s true agenda or priority. We always train (and retrain) our agents that we are advisors, not sales people. Because advisors listen and help. Salespeople Sell.

• Never believe everything you read on social media alone. Do your own homework!

Where to Actually Find a Great Agent (Beyond Facebook)

• Ask in AMPI chapters (Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit) or visit https://ampi.org

• Check FlexMLS Puerto Vallarta / Nayarit for active agents with verifiable listings (not just an agency-connected website for listings).

• Interview more than one agent and ask them specific questions about local zoning, investment ROI, and resale risks. Compare answers.

• Get referrals from attorneys, architects, or escrow firms, who often see the full lifecycle of a transaction.

Not all real estate agents are created equally. And in Puerto Vallarta, finding the right one could be the difference between a dream investment and a costly mistake. Don’t settle for the loudest name on Facebook. Ask smart questions, verify credentials, and choose an agent who understands you, your goals, your location, and your property type.

Want to talk to an agent who’s certified, experienced, and truly local? Visit ShorelineRealtyPV.com and let’s have a real conversation. No algorithms or popularity contests needed.

By, Susan A. McKenna, JD
Principle Broker, Shoreline Realty Group PV