Frequently Asked Questions - Livtopia.NET
Pre-Register - FAQ - Terms & Conditions - Code of Conduct - Discovery Weekends - Documentation
What is Livtopia.NET?- Why should I register with Livtopia.NET?
- How can I be assured of receiving my commission or referral fee?
- When do I get paid?
- I’m not a licensed realtor. Can I join Livtopia.NET?
- What Referral Fees can I expect to receive?
- Do I have to be TRC or CIPs certified, or a member of FIABCI to register?
- Can I represent Livtopia in my local market?
- Is there any benefit to referring other Realtors to Livtopia.NET?
- Can Livtopia.NET help me to attract clients and market my own agency?
- What is a Discovery Weekend?
- What restrictions are there to Referred Clients or Referring Consultants when attending a Discovery Weekend or otherwise visiting or considering Livtopia’s properties?
- What are “Hot Properties?”
- What's the difference between Discovery Weekend Properties and Hot Properties?
- What if my client attends a Discovery Weekend but ends up purchasing a property that was not featured in the Weekend?
- Can I list my properties on Livtopia.com? What are the terms?
1) What is Livtopia.NET?
Livtopia.NET is the homebase of Livtopia’s International Real Estate Consultants Network. We’re the largest international real estate website in the World. Livtopia.com offers buyers the full service they need to purchase international properties. Livtopia.NET is designed to help realtors, brokers, and individuals who want to grow their business by referring customers to Livtopia.com.
2) Why should I register with Livtopia.NET?
When you register with Livtopia.NET you get exclusive access to some of the most beautiful properties anywhere in the world and property promotions that offer significant consultant’s fee. Many of the developers and builders we represent will ONLY work with organizations like Livtopia, so we offer an opportunity that you might otherwise miss. Our full sales back-up support let's you sell these properties with the full information your clients need. You'll also get exclusive information as to where the best opportunities await you and your clients.
If you're already selling homes in one of our countries, you'll soon be able to bring them to the attention of the entire Livtopia International Network of Real Estate Consultants. Contact us below to learn how you can benefit from the network.
3) How can I be assured of receiving my commission or referral fee?
Livtopia is a US based company. Livtopia is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliario (AMPI) in Mexico and ICREA/TRC, we strictly follow all guidelines that each association stipulates, especially those regarding commissions and referral fees. Just follow the procedures as they're spelled out in the Livtopia.NET website and we guarantee you'll be more than satisfied. Click here to learn more about the Professional Organizations we belong to and the Guidelines we follow.
4) When do I get paid?
Consultants’ fees are payable and disbursed only at closing, no less than 15 business days after all consideration is paid in full to Livtopia. You can keep track of sales and the your payment date by checking the "Manage Customers" section on Livtopia.NET. We'll update your clients' status when a sale occurs and again at closing. In the event that a seller pays Livtopia in installments, your fee will also be pro-rated.
5) I’m not a licensed realtor. Can I join Livtopia.NET?
Yes. In international real estate transactions, a license is not required.
6) What Referral Fees can I expect to receive?
Livtopia’s Referral Fee Schedule is among the most competitive in the business. The full schedule will be spelled out inside the site. Pre-Registration is free. Please note that besides our normal Fee Schedule, in certain cases, Livtopia negotiates a higher commission directly with the builder or seller. In those cases, we offer even higher fees, sometimes exceeding 5%.
7) Do I have to be TRC or CIPs certified, or a member of FIABCI to register?
No! But we do encourage you to register with these organizations and to learn as much as possible about the international referral procedures and process. Part of the mission of Livtopia's Network of International Real Estate Consultants is to encourage professionalism and solid ethics for all of our Clients and Realtors. Click here to learn more about Livtopia's professional affiliations.
8) Can I represent Livtopia in my local market?
Livtopia has representatives in as many markets as there are places on the map and we will be happy to have more people in many of the places we’re missing! Contact us below if you’re interested in expanding the network in your area.
9) Is there any benefit to referring other Realtors to Livtopia.NET?
YES! You get an override on anything that your own Network sells. This is explained in detail inside the site in the fee schedule section of Livtopia.NET.
10) Can Livtopia.NET help me to attract clients and market my own agency?
We’re developing ways all the time. We’ll give you a Realtors page on Livtopia.com, intended to show off your International Realty Expertise and to help you to show Livtopia's International Inventory. It will even entitle you to a tracking fee, should your visitors purchase. Of course, we hope you'll link to it from your own Real Estate Site or Blog and we’ll offer a similar link back to you. We offer the full backing of Livtopia's Brand and Image to your own business, and we'll be happy to discuss how membership in Livtopia's Network can benefit your own practice. For more information, send us an email.
11) What is a Discovery Weekend?
In 2007, Livtopia began a program offering Free Weekend stays in some of our most popular locations. We offer buyers a concise, relaxing and educational atmosphere where the local buying procedure is explained in detail and expert advice and professional referrals are available. And every Discovery Weekend includes free meals, drinks and lodging plus extra days at special hotel rates. Customers pay their own air-fare and similar travel expenses and a credit card is necessary for Hotel check-in and room security.
Because of the success of the program and because many of our Realtors are just as interested in learning the ins-and-outs of buying and selling in these markets we’ve opened the same weekends up to Realtors with special incentives to those who bring a buying client along. Click here to learn more.
12) What restrictions are there to Referred Clients or Referring Consultants when attending a Discovery Weekend or otherwise visiting or considering Livtopia’s properties?
All referred clients must sign a Customer Non-Circumvention agreement that applies to properties represented by Livtopia, whether they are featured in an event or not. The document is explained in detail inside the site.
A simple code of conduct to protect both Livtopia and our clients, explained fully inside, must also be agreed to and followed by Independent Consultants. Independents Consultants attending Discovery Weekends are expected to attend all the same events and tours as referred clientss and they must read and agree to the non-disclosure sections of the Terms and Conditions for Registering as a Independent Consultant.
13) What are “Hot Properties?”
Hot Properties are those that offer a special incentives. Livtopia passes the same incentive along to our Independent Consultants in the form of higher fees. They’re always the most attractive in the inventory.
14) What's the difference between Discovery Weekend Properties and Hot Properties?
Discovery Weekend Properties are 4 or 5 properties selected to fit US/Canadian standards and that we feel offer the best opportunity for you and your referrals. Discovery Properties are those that are featured during the weekend. Private tours, sales presentations and Q&A sessions highlight the properties and the benefits of the area. Qualified leads who participate in our Discovery Weekends are able to experience these properties first-hand and are among our best customers. The fee schedule will be explained inside the site and it’s always attractive though these are some of our most reliable sales events. In certain cases, Discovery Properties also happen to be included in our “Hot Properties” section. In these cases, your fee will be higher.
15) What if my client attends a Discovery Weekend but ends up purchasing a property that was not featured in the Weekend?
Clients who attend a Discovery Weekend are always free to buy from other inventory, and they can arrange a visit before or after the Discovery Weekend. In such an event, your commission will depend on the individual property selected for purchase by your referred customer. Purchases made from the general inventory pay the 25% buyer side referral fee. Other Fees can be higher and will be explained in detail in the Fees Schedule page.
16) Can I list my properties on Livtopia.com? What are the terms?
Realtors working in the countries where Livtopia has established operations can upload properties will be able to upload properties into the Livtopia inventory. At present, only FSBOs may upload property listings directly onto the Livtopia.com website. Realtors working in these countries will be able to upload re-sale properties only (not developments). And Livtopia and the realtor shall equally divide the sales commission for each PROPERTY (50%-50%). Properties must be subject to a 5% commission minimum.
Realtors with pre-construction or new properties in a development should contact us here for full details and opportunities.