Let's help you 'Relocate to Mexico'
A common mistake new immigrants (expats) make is paying too much for their housing. If you're overspending on a home by $400 per month, that can be very costly over the course of a year ($4,800) ... You can often find your dream house on 'the other side of town' for significantly less and with more space; but you wouldn't know that as a newbie arriving to a foreign country.
Real estate agents in Mexico get paid by commission. They're not interested in showing you lower priced homes because they think foreigners have more money; and so they tend to show higher priced homes for the larger commission.
We don't collect commissions. I don't care if you want an expensive or cheap home; my fee is the same. I find exactly what you want based on your needs, and ensure you're not overpaying.
The other common mistake is choosing the wrong neighborhood or area... For example, in some neighborhoods you'll pay less (or more) for utilities like electricity. And electricity can get costly during the summer months when you're running the a/c a lot. If you're on a fixed income or a strict budget, saving these coins matter.
Also, if you choose the right location, your transportation costs drop drastically because you're not having to hop an Uber for every little trip to the grocery store, restaurant or fruit stands. You can walk around the corner and get what you need and not pay a dime on transportation costs.
My Uber bill with a family of 5 averages $289 per month; and that's with each us going anywhere we want without thinking about it. If we lived in a poorly chosen area, that bill would easily be $600/monthly. Being in the right area matters.
While most areas are safe in and around Merida, some areas are more prone to flooding, poor Internet connectivity, blackouts (where the electricity gets shut down more often), bugs, mosquitos, scorpions, and spiders. Knowing where and where not to be can save you a lot of headache and frustration.
If you'd like to hire us for your relocation needs, I have a package below. If you wish to get on the phone and discuss your needs prior to purchasing our 'relocation package', we do offer a telephone consultations.
Relocation Assistance
*This package is designed to help you find a rental at the best price. We'll start looking for properties prior to your arrival and will set appointments to view them once you arrive. We can typically find your rental within 3-7 days.
How We Work
We'll send you a bunch listings of homes/apartments based on your requirements, budget and criteria. You select up to 9 of the listings you like to see and we'll schedule a time to go out with you to view those properties.
So far, our clients have been able to find their dream home from the 9 they were able to see (most usually choose their home by the 3rd or 4th viewing).
If you don't find what you need, you can sign-up for another block of 9 at a 50% discount off our price (no one has had to do that yet - we've been fortunate to get it right based on your list of 'must-haves').
What We Do
We schedule home viewings around your arrival time to Merida. Because homes get rented quickly, we start searching and sending you rentals to consider 1-3 days prior to your arrival. Sending you properties a week before is usually unproductive because they're gone by the time you arrive.
As part of our service, we'll pick you up and take you to the viewings. You won't need to take Uber and risk getting lost or dropped off in the wrong place (it happens more often than not). I'll pick you up and take you back to your place.
In-between looking at rentals, we'll assist you with getting your cell phone services turned on. We'll also make sure all of your apps like WhatsApp, Uber/DiDi/InDriver are working.
We'll also ensure Rappi (food delivery app) is functioning (sometimes Rappi won't function on US credit/debit cards–we have workarounds to make sure it works so you're not stuck in your AirBnB/hotel without food from the grocery store or local restaurants).
Once you get moved-in and have an address, we'll assist with helping you get a bank account, so you can have a local Mexican bank account (if you wish to pay for services like electricity or water online versus walking to the convenience store or the electric company and standing in line, some of the service providers require you have a national bank account (from Mexico). Your U.S. debit/credit card may not work. We'll help you get this setup so it's more convenient for you.
After you move-in, we'll take you around your new neighborhood to find all of the essentials like grocery stores, laundry services, water refill stations, local markets to buy fruits, veggies and meats, etc.
On move-in day (or the following day), we'll take you out for one-day of shopping to get all of your essentials (up to 6-hours). Most people use this day to look at furniture (if they moved into an unfurnished house), and others use this day to buy essentials for making their new home comfortable (think groceries, cooking/eating utensils, bathroom and bedding, new mattresses and pillows, 5-gallon water jugs (you can't drink the water from the tap), etc.
We'll make the necessary calls on your behalf to get your services turned on (think Internet and/or trash services). One of my bi-lingual teams members will get you situated.
There's a lot you don't consider when you move-in to a new place. While our prices are much higher than others, it's because we do much more. Others simply show you rentals and that's it. We're helping you get fully-situated into your new home and will connect you with additional resources to help your transition be a smooth one.
I also try and connect you with 1 or 2 other 'immigrants' I think you might mesh well with ... It helps make the transition easier when you have someone to connect with upon arrival.
The 'Fine Print'
I have a recommended attorney who will review your rental contract and make necessary changes and/or recommendations before you sign. They'll let you know if the contract is not a good one and if you should walk away. The attorney charges $1,500 pesos (at today's exchange rate, that is about $85 USD), and you're responsible for this fee should you decide to hire them.
If you don't find what you're looking for in the first block of 9, you're welcome to buy another block of 9 properties to view. I'll knock 50% off the package price for the 2nd block. To date, no one has had to purchase a 2nd block. I include this limit because some people are extremely picky and over-the-top lol... This limit is set to keep this from being an endless cycle of looking and looking; there has to be a cut-off point. We are extremely careful and take our time to only find and show you properties that meet specific requirements given by YOU.
This service is not for helping you find doctors, nor taking you out to tourist destinations (like museums, Cenotes or other tourist hotspots. This service is solely to help you get moved into a place. If you require additional assistance and need help find doctors or other special services, we can quote you separately.
Previously, you had to rent a car, but that is no longer the case. I now have a car and the only requirement is that you pay $200 pesos for each day we're out to cover gas. $200 pesos is about $12 bucks at today's exchange rate. This is to cover the gas to pick you up and take you around, and to take you back to your rental/AirBnB (this price is predicated upon you being in Merida).
If we're out all day and need to eat lunch/dinner, you'll cover my meals. If we need the services of a driver, you'll cover the driver's meal(s) as well (it's a common practice here).
Due to increased demand, on occasion I personally may not be available to attend viewings with you. On those occasions, one of my colleagues will take you out on my behalf. They know my process and can assist as well.
Payments made are used to secure the dates prior to your arrival so we can plan and schedule appointments for you to see rentals. Because these dates are blocked out to accommodate you, there are no refunds. We will start searching and pulling listing to view within 1-3 days of your arrival date.
Your Cost
Our fee is a flat-rate: $2,495 USD (get a $150 discount when paid with Zelle or CashApp)
Sign-up below to lock-in this rate and to secure your block of time based on your arrival dates. We don't start looking, nor schedule appointments until payment has been made.
*This is our busy season and the price of rentals increase this time of year as 'snowbirds' make their way here. Inventory is getting scarce. I only take on 2-3 clients per month. If interested, book now to secure your spot.
CashApp: $CartessRoss
Zelle: cartess@cartessross.com
*Please note: My goal is to find what you want above all else. I don't earn commissions from landlords or agents; my sole purpose is in looking out for your interests. If something is too high, I'll tell you. If you can find a better deal, I'll let you know. I want to help you assimilate into local culture quickly and as smoothly as possible. I'll give you the real so you can be successful in making the transition and staying here. It's hard for most to adjust and you will have some challenges and doubts during your first few months here. I'm here to help make this move easier for you and/or your family. My rates aren't the cheapest, but the benefits you get from hiring me are priceless. You're not just a transaction to me; I'm looking out for your needs.
Hi, I'm Cartess Ross
So here’s the deal … I try to be transparent in all I do, in hopes that my experiences can help someone else!
I’m nearing 50-years old and I’ve done a poor job managing my money. No savings. No 401k. No investments. I 'fudged' this up royally!
I started Move Abroad and Thrive because I realize I must get my finances together over the next 10-15 years … I don’t want to be hunched over the computer trying to keep up with Google algorithms, lol …