San Miguel Buyer Review

Thanks to Lisa Marie, we have realized our “South of the Border” dreams. Lots of people TALK about moving to a new and exotic location, but few turn that dream into reality. Lisa Marie was referred to us by someone we admire and trust (a bank VP in Houston), and WOW did that ONE conversation change our life for the better. When I called her for the first time I said, “I hear that I am going to fall in love with you in the first five minutes.” That was worth a good laugh, but then it actually happened! Full disclosure: I have been a real estate broker in Texas for nearly 3 decades. None of that prepared me for buying a home in a foreign country, other than knowing that “you get what you pay for”. Lisa Marie “held our hands” through the whole process. She showed us lots of options. She asked if being closer to the center was worth giving up space and a yard, or if we preferred to be farther out to get more for our money. She personally took us to (what felt like) a dozen places, and explained the pros and cons of each home. By the end of the process, we really felt like informed buyers. For the record, we chose closer in and less space. We gave up having a garden and a garage for the ability to WALK to the main plaza in about 8-10 minutes. We have never regretted our choice for a moment! The next part was the getting us to the closing table. Again, she held our hands. Although my Spanish is pretty good, I am NOT fluent and get lost when things get too technical. Happily Lisa Marie is AMAZINGLY bilingual and as an added benefit she understands the nuances of the culture. She also seems to have a contact for EVERYTHING: Who is a trustworthy plumber? Who has the best street tacos? Who is a trustworthy dry cleaner? Where should I buy my appliances? So this purchase never felt like we were “just in a transaction”. This felt like I came to a town where my best friend from high school moved to years ago, and she knew EVERYTHING and EVERYONE in that small town. I am not sure how to put a price tag on the NUMERIC VALUE of what we gained when Lisa Marie became our “San Miguel Real Estate Agent For LIFE”, but in the words of one of my Godchildren “at least elevendy million”.