Scouting trip real estate questions

Member since 10 November 2025

Kona Coffee GalMember05 January 2026 18:41:58

We have a two week scouting trip planned for next month and will be spending the first week in a hotel in Montevideo and the second week in a rental condo.

We have been to Uruguay multiple times on vacation but this time we want to focus on making a decision about whether we could really live there.

My question has to do with with real estate agents and whether it is reasonable to ask for an agent to take us to look at properties in various areas when we know we are not at the point of being a serious buyer.

At this point we aren’t even sure if we want to move to Uruguay let alone whether we’d want an apartment on the coast or a more rural place inland.

Do agents do this for free or for some sort of compensation? Do they resent you for taking up their time when we know we aren’t ready?

I’ve seen some relocation consultants that have scouting packages but they seem very expensive.

We need education, I guess, but I don’t want to be “that person”.

Thoughts?

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Expat91364 Member

Member since 20 April 2025

Expat91364Member06 January 2026 09:19:27

Realtors focus on areas so before contacting one you will need to kind of decide where you want to be. Lots of on line listings to see, even Realtor.com or zonaprop and then all the immobilarias directly. No realtor can show you what you want to see until you decide where and how you want to live. There is no Multiple Listing Service here showing agents every listed property. Then there are lots of For Sale by Owner properties and you have to find them by seeing posted signs or checking Mercado Libre..

so decide where you want to live and what you are looking for (houses, apartments, farm land, city, town coastal resort etc ) and what is your budget? Then agents and opportunities will present themselves. Many expats might be willing to have you over to show how they live and share their stories of buying property here. We have many times as it is not nearly as straight forward as in the states…..

Good luck

armin31 Contributor

Member since 19 September 2022

armin31Contributor13 January 2026 14:14:24

126

@Kona Coffee Gal

A scouting trip is a good idea. You say you have been to Uruguay. Where did you stay then? Did you like it or not?

No one likes to waste their time. Real estate agents not either. There are multiple agents here. Nobody seems to have answered ... least not publicly.

A warm contact is valuable to real estate agents and they do co-operate with other agents if they do not have what you want.

So I would suggest that you not only rent accommodation but also a car and drive. Find an area that you like. If you sit in Montevideo you preclude finding a likeable rural place. My wife and I did the same thing you are planning. We travelled 4000 kms in 10 days and saw a lot of real estate. If you do the foot work and let your fingers do the walking as well, I am sure you will find a real estate agent that is willing to show you more listings than his own.

Remember in real estate there are only three important aspects: location, location, location.

Find your location, then the agents will help you find your property.

May you have a trip full of new insights!

Armin