The month of November not only brings the change of weather from humid and hot days to fresh mornings and less humidity in Puerto Vallarta, but the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Pancho’s Villas Real Estate, which was founded in 1997, by broker Aldo Garcés. Now, with more than two decades of work, growth, team member additions, overcoming a global pandemic, hundreds of happy clients and properties sold, and of course, great memories, the agency is commemorating 25 years as one of the most experienced and long-lived real estate businesses in Bahia de Banderas.
For this occasion, we interviewed Broker and founder Aldo Garcés to know more about the company and its history.
When did you start Pancho’s Villas?
I started Pancho’s Villas and Development in 1997 in conjunction with a development I did called Vista Romántica in Amapas. Later I built the Andale Villas condominiums in El Cerro.
Where does the name Pancho’s Villas come from?
The name was created with my wife at the time, Julie Bunker, and Maria O’Connor in a meeting we had early on when we were developing the idea for the company. We knew that there were many names in English and we liked the idea of doing it in Spanish, and since we were developing the Villas at that time and the day of the Mexican Revolution was approaching, we thought it was great to do the combination of Pancho Villa (from Francisco Villa, the Mexican Revolution’s icon) and the word Villas, thus Pancho’s Villas was born.
Where was the office located when you first started?
Here in Lazaro Cárdenas #295 has always been the office, since its inception. Of course, over the years we have been renewing and modernizing it. We always liked the idea of a Mexican look and feel, and I think we have that in mind in the details that we have renewed year after year.
When or why did you decide to dedicate yourself to the real estate business?
When I came to Mexico I first started working in the Timeshare business, as it was a type of job that was easy to take as a foreigner and it was something that was very common here. I did not like it too much so soon after, I took my first job as a real estate agent with ReMax in Marina Vallarta, thanks to Juan José Martínez (who is the director of AMPI Compostela right now) who invited me. I liked it very much.
What is it that you like the most about real estate?
What I like the most about real estate is the personal and professional relations we create with people. I made a lot of friends throughout the years and learned about construction, development and more because of the relations I create with professionals and people that have had many years of experience in the real estate business. That human connection with people is something I cherish.
You work with people from around the world, what country were your furthest buyers from?
We’ve had clients from China, Saudi Arabia, and Middle East. Those are the furthest places.
What were the biggest difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic, from 2020 to 2021?
It was very difficult for us because we, like many businesses, had to close our office for a period of time. Changing our way of working, now from home, doing video calls and phone calls more than ever, but at the same time, it was very slow, in regards to business. Very few people wanted to go out, we have the quarantine. Also, I got sick. It was a very uncertain period of time because we did not know what was going to happen or what to expect.
How has the real estate market in Puerto Vallarta changed in 25 years?
It has grown very much. Especially at this moment. There were some years like 1998 when there was quite a real estate depression and it’s been going up and down. Right now it is a seller’s market.
How would you explain the current market in Bahia de Banderas to a person who knows about real estate?
Right now the market is pretty high. It depends on the area a person would like to buy, I always recommend buyers get to know the areas first to have an idea of what to expect. As of this moment, it is difficult to find properties like houses available in areas like Zona Romántica or Olas Altas and 5 de Diciembre. In the area of Downtown Puerto Vallarta you won’t find houses on the market but mostly apartments or condos. You’d have to look into other areas like Fluvial or Versalles, which are areas that have had great development in recent years and are close to everything.
What do you think has been the greatest achievement of Pancho’s Villas?
Personally, I consider that I have grown spiritually as well as professionally in the real estate business, which seems to me something formidable and makes me feel happy, stable, and no longer a foreigner, but a local who is part of the Puerto Vallarta community.
How do you achieve a 25-year career in real estate?
We have achieved it with perseverance, discipline, and a lot of positivity and energy day by day. Step by step the goals you set in mind are achieved.
What are Pancho’s Villas’ goals for the future?
Our goals are primarily for the next generation to continue running Pancho’s Villas. My son Alexander Garcés is now in charge of the agency and together with the people on my team like Lisa Malpica, we want them to continue developing and growing in the real estate environment, as it is a passion that we have. Also, we wish to continue serving our clients with that spirit and quality that we have always served. May they continue to trust us as they have during these 25 years.
Pancho’s Villas will help you find your dream house, condo, or lot in the Bahia de Banderas area. Contact us and find out the great options we have for you.
