On this fifth edition of our Get to Know Your Agent blog series, Ingrid takes the spotlight and lets us into her personal life. Ingrid is everything you want in a real estate agent: knowledgeable, resourceful, and customer-service oriented. In the office, however, her availability, sense of humor, and creativity have made her one of our favorite agents to work with.
To know more about Ingrid Ortiz, check out her interview below:
1. What Was Your Dream Job as a Child?
My dream job as a child was to be a professional tennis player. My father was a big fan of tennis and encouraged all the family to play. He facilitated tennis trainers and made us members of a tennis club in Lima, where I was born.
2. Why Did You Decide to Become a Real Estate Agent?
As an MBA, I worked for twenty years in different organizations and decided I wanted to find a business that would provide me with flexible working hours and independence. During my university years, I used to sell all kinds of items from cosmetics to clothing, jewelry, and was very successful with that. A friend who knew me well suggested I should try being a realtor since he knew I liked people relations, enjoyed customer service, and was fluent in English.
3. What Do You Love Most About Being a Real Estate Agent?
Meeting new people, getting involved with the buying process, and helping them find their new dream home. It is also rewarding that after closing a deal, the same client recommends my services to family and friends, which means they were satisfied with my services.
4. What is the Biggest Challenge?
The biggest challenge in the Costa Rica estate market is not having a formal database that helps buyers and sellers understand the correct market price for a property. However, we are currently preparing a BPO (Broker Professional Opinion) with the support of our office team and our long-time network of other realtors in the area. Our mission is to educate parties before a property is listed, and sometimes it is not easy for them to understand that the price is set by the current market conditions, not by other facts like family attachment, price when it was bought, or cost when it was built.
Additionally, in my personal life, my biggest challenges are waking up early and exercising!
5. What is the Most Rewarding Aspect of Your Work?
When, after having visited several properties, I share with them the happiness and illusion of having a new home that fits the family’s needs!
6. What Do You Do in Your Free Time?
I watch DIY tutorials like home improvements, food recipes, manual crafts, and National Geographic educational episodes about other countries. Post Covid, my husband and I will go back to motorcycle rides and meetings with friends.
7. If You Did Not Live in Costa Rica, Where Would You Want to Be?
I would live in a cottage in La Rioja, Spain, enjoying a great view of the vineyards.
8. What is Your Most Ambitious Goal in Life?
Being able to travel every year to a different destination, getting to know new people, cities, cultures, and food.
....Discover more about our Agents every Wednesday.
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