The State of Sonora has led the way in México’s effort to raise the level of real estate practice through the licensure of real estate agents. The Asociatión Méxicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios, known as A.M.P.I., or the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals in English, a sister organization to N.A.R., partners with the State to provide the education and administrative support required for new agents to obtain their real estate licenses, and licensed agents to participate in the continuing education required to renew licenses. A.M.P.I. Chapter 51 Puerto Peñasco, currently led by President Joseph Toland, coordinates the 120-hour course, which is one of the few in México taught in both English and Spanish through the use of a simultaneous translator.

University graduates taught the classes in their areas of expertise in order to give the students detailed information that will enable them to help and protect the interests of their future real estate clients. Méxican real estate law, finance, immigration requirements, real estate contracts, and ethics were the focus of the course, and were taught through lectures with bilingual graphics, case studies, and discussion groups and presentations. This year’s course was concluded with an exam that students all passed with at least 85% correct answers, and afterward the tension was broken with a hard-earned beachside graduation party at Restaurant Puesta del Sol.

Based upon their graduation from this real estate diplomado conducted by A.M.P.I. Chapter 51 Puerto Peñasco, the State of Sonora will issue a Sonora Real Estate License to each graduate after the administrative requirements for each student have been met. The A.M.P.I. chapter manages this aspect for the graduates, as one of their benefits of membership.  As well, A.M.P.I. manages continuing education and administration for licensed agents renewing their licenses, which is required by the State of Sonora every three years.

Recognize the hard-won achievement of the graduates, and wish them well as they embark on their Puerto Peñasco real estate careers! They are Reyes Anchondo, Astrid Avila, Rene Bermudez, Elsa Cano, Chad Cloward, John Conley, Christine Conley, Raquel Conner, Myra De Roo, Debra Evans, José Luís Felix, Jason Felker, Arturo Flores, Monica Hernandez, Dianne Janfruchte, Myrna Mercado, Maria Peña, Eduardo Polina, Ana Paola Porchas (this year’s queen of the Black and White Ball), Cathy Poturalski, Bruce Regan, Pedro Rodriguez, Anne Saillant, Niles Schwartz, Maritza Trujillo, Charles Urrea, Jenna Urrea, Claudia Valdivia, Hector Venezuela, Graciela Villescas, Liseth Yeomans and Marco Zúñiga.  Contratulations to all!