We are thrilled to introduce you to Job Mendizabal, a real estate agent with the Keller Williams Belize – Rainforest Realty Team based in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. With his exceptional customer service background and expertise in the Belize real estate market, Job has helped numerous clients find their dream properties in this beautiful country. In this interview, we’ll learn about Job’s journey to becoming a successful agent, his favorite things about Belize, the types of properties clients are seeking, and his advice for first-time buyers.
Wrobel & Co: Thank you, Job, for chatting with us today. Let’s get started!
W & C: Please tell us a little about your background and experience in real estate and how you became an agent with Keller Williams Belize.
My background experience is customer service. I like to think that I provide great customer service. Prior to working in the Real Estate industry I worked 6 years at a liquor distributor. The good thing about that is: A) you can have a tab at a liquor store (I still do even though I no longer work there); and B) you get to meet people in their best moments and not so best moments so that allows you to know how to work with all kinds of people. I became involved in Real Estate when I attended a seminar about growth that a KW agent hosted in San Pedro. I worked with her for 1.5 years part time. Then I sort of went blank during Covid and post-Covid. Until I got back and gave it a shot full time. At this point I had already familiarized and had the trust of my broker and her team and I was given the opportunity to join her team on the Island. So far so good.
W & C: What is your favorite food and drink in Belize?
Now, this is a hard one. But it has to be my mother inlaw’s relleno soup. Drink will definitely have to be the Travelers 5 Year Rum campechana (90% soda water, 10% coke & a lime wedge).
W & C: What is your favorite place in Belize?
Excluding San Pedro where I live, it definitely has to be San Ignacio.
W & C: What are some of the amazing things living in Belize has afforded you?
The ability to live in a peaceful place (socially) unlike where I was born (Guatemala City). That is just the main one. The others are too many to mention but worthy mentions are meeting amazing people and the opportunities meeting those people have given me.
W & C: Can you walk us through a client’s process when working with you to find and purchase a property in Belize?
I got 10 questions I go through with them in order to truly understand where they are at and how I can help them reach their goal of owning property in Belize and which type of property would work best for their goal. The rest is just the showing, advising, negotiating, organizing, presenting and closing.
W & C: What are some of the most popular types of properties that clients are looking for in Belize?
Most clients are looking for that beachfront dream whether it comes in the form of home, land or condo. But definitely the condo is the more sought after, at least for what I have personally come across. Raw land on or off the beach is a close second for sure.
W & C: What advice would you give someone considering buying real estate in Belize for the first time?
The Belize Real Estate market is not closely monitored or safeguarded in Belize like it is in the US. We don’t have any proper MLS. There is no licensing for agents or brokers except from the regular business registrations. Some describe it as the Wild West and I can agree to some extent. But there are agents that truly care and want to provide you the best deal and experience. Do your own research as to the best options to use. An agent that only shows you their listings or is only showing you those ‘off the market’’ deals that only he knows about is certainly one to be cautious about.
W & C: Can you elaborate on your interactions with Wrobel & Co., and more specifically, our managing partner Ryan Wrobel? Do you feel that our office has anything to offer your clients?
Ryan is truly an incredible guy. Ready and willing to help at whatever he can. Ryan and his team simplifies and makes my work and my clients’ experience easier. In addition I have the security that they are doing things right and that there are no ‘shortcuts’ taken or something is not done properly.
W & C: Can you share success stories or happy client testimonials that stand out to you?
All of them. 🙂
W & C: Finally, please share a bit about your personal interests and hobbies outside of work.
We can have hobbies outside of work? Huh. First time I am hearing about this. Joking, I am a part of Rotaract San Pedro Ambergris Caye. It’s a small group of young professionals that come together to make impactful projects in our community and socialize.
Apart from that, I am a movie lover, not a partier. I can binge watch movies all night but definitely not go to the club all night. I am always up to finishing a good bottle of rum with you though.
