Featured Home of the Month
CASA ROSALIE - $ 232,000USD
Vista Alegre # 8, San Antonio Tlay.
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Selling New Construction is a Specialty Market
Many buyers have a difficult time trying to visualize a set of plans and imagining what the home is actually going to look like. It is extremely important, as a Realtor, to have the ability to paint this picture for the buyer.
Equally as important, is the ability to suggest changes or additions to the plan when the buyer is ruling it out for one reason or another.
When the El Parque development was getting started the builder was determined to build low cost basic houses. He had three plans, and additions or deviations were strongly resisted.
Many of Marvin's buyers wanted extras and features that turned the house plan into their home. So he made a list of the various extras that his clients were asking for. Then he put the prices that his buyers indicated they were willing to pay beside each item. Eventually the builder realized that he could make more sales, have happier clients, and make more money in the process - by giving clients what they wanted. Most of the items that Marvin identified to the developer are now standard features. (For instance: a bathtub, full size stove, double sink, laundry room, more storage, built-in computer desk, and a straight staircase to the mirador.)
In addition, as the development progressed, he designed a wheelchair accessable unit with a second floor casita as an extended family unit. Marvin also designed a four bedroom, three and a half bath home with a third floor mirador.
To date, Marvin has sold 21 homes in the El Parque development.
He has recently listed a 9-home development in Riberas del Pilar.
Testimonials
Read what people are saying
about Marvin & Barbara,
their Real Estate Services,
and more...
Lake Chapala Mexico
1. Buyer, Fixer-Upper -
Our friends bought from Marvin and they highly recommended him. We found a fixer-upper on a large lakefront property. Marvin helped us get the house for the price of the land only. After extensive renovation we have a beautiful home at a great price.
Al and Sandy Bensman
2. Courtesy Tour, House under Construction & Referrals -
"When we came to Lake Chapala we had a limited budget and did not know what we wanted. Marvin took us on his 'Courtesy Orientation' and then all around the Lakeside looking at properties and eventually found us a home under construction in Riberas. We got an excellent price and he was very careful to specify everything that had to be done before closing. We are so pleased that we have recommended him to two other couples who have bought from him."
Graham and Sandy Land
3. Courtesy Tour, Rental then Buyer -
When I came to Lake Chapala I was not ready to buy, I just wanted to check out the area. Marvin sold me on the area with his tour. I liked the people, the activities, the prices, the restaurants and the weather. A few months later I came back and Barbara found me a three month rental. I soon decided to buy and Marvin found me a great house.
Cheri Ireland
4. Renter then Buyer -
We thought we were too old to buy when we came to Lake Chapala, Mexico. Barbara and Marvin found us a year long rental and we settled in. As we got to know them better we didn't feel so old and they helped us realize that buying was much wiser financially. They helped us get a dog and a great home with a lovely yard.
Bob and Doris Kerr
5. New Home, 2nd Home & Referrals -
I came to Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico to find a place to write. I wanted a home and an investment. El Parque was just getting started and the prices were excellent. Marvin helped me have a home built and a year later I moved in. A few more months more and I bought a second home and I am now referring others to Marvin and Barbara.
Otto Rand
6. Listing & Marvin Sold (Twice) -
I had a house for sale and Marvin brought the buyer. I was so impressed with how he handled the transaction that I listed the next house with him. Again he found the buyer and I was very pleased with the transaction.
Nancy Creevan
7. Listing Sold in 2 weeks -
Marvin sold our home in La Floresta because we had to go back to the States. We sold it for $115,000. This is more than an 8% per year increase over the last 6 years. AND Marvin sold it in two weeks! Less than a week before there was an offer for $10,000 less, but Marvin counseled us to hold our price, and he was right.
Daniel & Kathy Leibowitz
8. New Home, Great appreciation -
I bought a home in El Parque 18 months ago for $79,000 USD. The development was just starting, the streets were a mess and construction was everywhere, but Marvin helped us to look past that and see the future value. Now, over 105 homes have been sold, most are built, the pool and clubhouse look great. Recently Marvin sold it for me for $133,000 USD.
Karen Anderson
9. Buyer with Delayed Possession -
In June 2005 we came to look at homes in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico. We fell in love with a home for $325,000, but were not able to move until 2006. Marvin helped us negotiate a closing in March 2006, and was able to save us $23,000. We can't wait to move.
Frank & Maria Jordan
10. Buyer, Fixer-Upper & Next Home -
"We met Marvin and Barbara in San Miguel de Allende at an
International Living conference. What they had to say about the
Lake Chapala area inspired us to rediscover the area after a 14
year absence. We were interested in fixer uppers and Marvin
showed us many properties that fit our criteria. His knowledge of
the area, the different properties and his attention to detail
made the whole process not only painless but enjoyable. In fact,
we've now purchased two houses from Marvin and are looking for a
third! He was even able to recommend an excellent work crew for
the necessary renovations. Marvin is very easy to work with and
never fails to treat us with respect. We couldn't be more pleased
and highly recommend Marvin and Barbara as the real estate
professionals to use in the Lake Chapala area."
Rick &
Leigh Frederick
11. Muchas Gracias Marvin Golden & Barbara Mercik:
We decided to sell our home and called Marvin for an Opinion of Value so we could get an idea of price. We told him our wish list: We wanted to sell now but not move for about 15 months! We were building a new house and have two dogs and didn't want to move twice and have to rent for a year..
He said he was showing clients the next day in our price range. As it turned out, his clients were only looking as they weren't able to move to Mexico till a year or more. Marvin quickly put two and two together and brought them to see our home. Then we sat down and discussed our respective situations and got a feel for what each others needs were.
Then Marvin left with his clients and structured an offer that worked perfectly for both buyers and sellers. We couldn't be happier. It was a complex contract and few others could have put this particular deal together. Marvin, you are truly a professional and an experienced Realtor capable of looking after all your clients needs. You cannot help but be successful as you put your clients' needs ahead of your own.
We called you because of the incredible marketing you do for your listings - Home Books covering every detail of the property, full color Feature Sheets and all the added promotion you do. By doing this you get to know your listings inside and out and are clearly in a better position to properly promote them. I know the new buyers were thrilled with the Home Book as it allows them to show their family and friends their new home in Mexico, even though it was prepared after they actually purchased our home.
Another important part of the equation is Barbara, and we can't thank you enough for all your hard work. Barbara works behind the scenes creating all the marketing materials - Home Books, Feature Sheets, advertising etc and looks after all the paper work for the closings.
Since we had a quick closing, Barbara had to go above and beyond getting all the paper work together in time - Power of Attorney and Apostile, going back and forth with the buyers in the States and the Notario here in Mexico. There is an incredible amount of documentation required to close a transaction in Mexico and Barbara makes it seem easy and seamless. We can't thank you enough. Everything worked out perfectly.
A special thank you to Adolfo Duran, your broker, for all of his extra efforts on our behalf. We really appreciate his involvement. What a great team you have at Casa Mexico!
Very sincerely, and with our greatest appreciation,
Marie Dwyer-Bullock & Ray Bullock