View from Real Contramar Condominiums in Ixtapa

View from Real Contramar Condominiums in Ixtapa. Photo by Page Cameron.

The Mexican Association of Mexican Real Estate Professionals (AMPI) has a new President:

Adan Larracilla of Puebla, Puebla, has been sworn in, replacing outgoing President Hector Obregon of Leon, Guanajuato Also at the ceremony, Sergio Gomez became AMPI’s new Vice President and ten members representing a broad cross section of the Republic, joined the National Advisory Board. Jose Oscar Vega from the Secretary of the federal Government, representing President Felipe Calderon, presided at the ceremony.

Outgoing President Obregon reported on AMPI’s activities last year, its fifty-fifth year of operation. Several new Sections have been established with AMPI now having Sections in sixty-four cities. A major accomplishment was the establishment of AMPI’s new Training and Statistics Institute. He also reported he had breakfast earlier in the day with fifteen ANPI Past Presidents. The new President Larracilla outlined his goals and aspirations for 2011.

Jose Oscar Vegas had three messages for AMPI. First, he reported that the current Government is in full support of AMPI and its contribution to the housing industry. There are too many “coyotes” and too much fraud in the real estate industry. Second he spoke about the need to “regularize” the real estate industry. Here he referred to the need for licensing and mentioned the handful of states that have a law governing real estate. The third theme was trato directo, which basically is the For Sale by Owner market. He said, “This is a risky proposition.”

Also speaking at the TOMA was Adrian Arriaga, CIPS, CCIM.  Adrian, a past Ambassador from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) to AMPI and a member of the Texas Real Estate Commission,  is the currently  Chair of NAR’s Global Business Alliances Group. He brought greetings from NAR President. Ron Phipps. NOTE: AMPI and NAR signed a joint venture agreement in 2006. Under the agreement, AMPI members can legally use the word REALTOR®

The event was held at the Hacienda de Los Morales, in Mexico, D.F.

A cocktail-reception followed the inauguration. It was attended by over 300 people including political and real estate industry dignitaries.

Immediately before the TOMA the Mexican Section of The International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) gathered for a short meeting. During our FIABCI meeting Adolfo Kunz made a review of all his years in FIABCI. He fondly remembered the World Congresses held in Mexico in the 60’s and 80’s, and his wonderful experiences meeting dignitaries from all over the world in Europe, South America, Canada, and the United States, and different business opportunities he encountered through his FIABCI Membership. Adolfo, an attorney, is a Past President of FIABCI Mexico and was a Deputy in Mexico’s Congress.

John Glaab, CIPS is a founding member of AMPI Los Cabos. A Certified International Property Specialist he is active in the National Association of Realtors® Global Business Alliances Group.  John was recently appointed as a member of Amp’s International Relations Committee.