WRITTEN by JOHN MORRIS
Can anyone recommend a good realtor on Roatan?
In the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the Grail Knight says to Indiana, “You must choose… but choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you.”
The Holy Grail is said to be the cup that Jesus Christ drank from and, according to legend, it provides eternal youth and everlasting happiness to those who drink from it.
But in modern days, the Holy Grail can be defined as the object of an extended or difficult quest.
Well, sometimes moving and investing in a foreign country can seem like such a quest, but it really is not difficult.
To be clear, a prospective buyer of property on the island of Roatan does not pay real estate commissions. So, there’s a good reason to use a licensed real estate agent who will work with you and help you find what you desire, answer questions and allay your concerns.
Payday for us only comes from a closed sale and commissions are collected from the seller.
Sounds easy enough, but not so fast.
Like Indiana, you must choose… but the most important thing is for you to choose wisely.
Not a week goes by without curious potential buyers posting on several Facebook pages…
“Can anyone recommend a good realtor on the island?”
In response, posters receive a barrage of recommendations which can be confusing and overwhelming; but doing your homework can save you time, frustration, and money.
So let’s have a look at your homework assignment.
Roatan currently has 20 MLS accredited and licensed brokerages with 119 licensed realtors.
This is a good place to start, as these brokerages and realtors must follow the code of ethics written and provided by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the USA. They are charged with protecting you and ensure that all available properties are legit and sellable under Honduran law.
Most brokerages have websites and many realtors offer their own individual web pages for your research. Many of these contain bios, photos of realtors and their listings, and often include reviews and testimonials.
But remember, just because it is on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true!
Ask your realtor to refer you to a past client – many are happy to help.
And finally, do your research the old fashion way – make a phone call.
With unlimited options for voice and video calls over the internet, having a one-on-one conversation has never been easier, no matter where you are.
It’s the first step on your journey to discover Roatan, so take your time and remember what Indiana said… “choose wisely.”
