San Felipe now has a professional Real Estate agent's asssociation, a new branch of AMPI. Established in 1956, AMPI is the Asociation Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios, A.C. and is the largest association of real estate professionals in Mexico, with around 70 branches.
On April 15th, 2011, a swearing-in ceremony was held for the founder member agents in San Felipe.
It was attended by the national president of AMPI, Ing. Adan Larracilla Marquez, and other representatives of the national headquarters of AMPI.
AMPI is the Mexican equivilent of the National Association of Realtors in the US.
At the Meeting
There were also representatives from CEPIBC, the Consejo Estatal de Profesionales Inmobiliarios de Baja California A.C., the real estate broker organization of Baja California.
Roberto Ledon Perezchica, the Delegado Municipal for San Felipe and other local government officals also attended. Pat Butler of El Dorado Ranch was present for a short time, although his companies are not currently involved with AMPI.
AMPI
With AMPI membership, property in San Felipe will get national (and international) visibility, with marketing support from the national organization.
But more importantly, to become a member each agent must agree to a code of ethics and good practice.
This is an important step in making real estate sales in San Felipe (and Baja California in general) more professional, and to protect the consumer.
Laws have been passed, and regulations are being drawn up, that will eventually require all agents to be registered with CEPIBC, including the passing of exams.
Membership of a professional body (AMPI is the only one currently) will also likely be required.
Real Estate Transactions
There are plans in progress for real estate transactions to be registered in San Felipe, rather than in Mexicali, although it may take a while.
There is a lot of interest all all levels of local government in making it happen.
Ceremony
After a hour or so of speeches, a swearing in ceremony was held for the founder members of AMPI San Felipe.
The agents raised their right hands and agreed to uphold the rules and regulations of AMPI.
The ceremony, and the entire meeting, was in both Spanish and English.
Lunch
Then it was time for lunch. An excellent buffet, and plentiful drinks, were enjoyed by the national representatives of AMPI, the new AMPI members, and the invited guests,
Afterwards, a cake was cut to celebrate the founding of AMPI San Felipe.
Founding Members of AMPI San Felipe
The following are the founding members of AMPI San Felipe, who have agreed to all the rules and reulations of AMPI: I've linked to the website of each company, where known.
- Amor Property : Uria Amor, Associate; Gary Gold, Associate
- Baja Highlands : Jesus Manuel Carillo, Associate
- Baja Sun Real Estate : Darryl McDonogh, Associate; Michelle Walters, Associate
- Baja 24/7 : Patty Bell, Associate
- Desert Hawk Properties: Leticia Hawkins, Associate; Robert Hawkins, Associate
- El Faro Developments: Juan Carlos Maciel, Associate
- San Felipe Realty: Jim Moore, Associate
- Independent: Bennie Curutchet, Associate
AMPI San Felipe Board of Directors
- President: Juan Carlos Maciel of El Faro Developments
- Vice President: Uria Amor of Amor Property
- Treasurer: Patty Bell of Baja 24/7
- Secretary: Tonantzin Rodriguez of Enjoy Baja
Board Members:
- Darryl McDonogh of Baja Sun Real Estate
- Leticia Hawkins of Desert Hawk Properties
- Giovanni Abatti of Abatti & Guiterrez Associates
- Jose Aguilar of Desert Realty
- Jesus Manuel Carillo of Baja Highlands
(all photos by Rob Hoare. There are no captions, because I can't remember who's who.)
