Why work with TEAM HAVERKATE

Specialize in international buyer clientele providing personal attention and high standard service. Being an American-trained Real Estate Broker and having a Bachelor’s Business Degree from Europe, Ralph offers international clients an edge with his local market knowledge, negotiation skills, and understanding of a world traveler’s unique wants and needs. His German, Dutch, French, and English grasp enables him to communicate with people from all walks of life, ensuring that nothing gets lost in translation during your real estate transaction.

Bettina’s diverse business background in administration, organization, marketing, and accounting helps her communicate with clients worldwide and guide them detailed-oriented through the entire process.

Living all over the world, such as Europe, Canada, the USA, and now Uruguay, Ralph and Bettina are familiar with the different lifestyles of international clients.

Team Haverkate has done many transactions involving significant architectural properties, coastal vacation homes, penthouses and apartments, historic buildings, income-generating farms, and land. They understand the procedure, are skilled negotiators, and know the contractual requirements here in Uruguay to protect you throughout your entire process. Team Haverkate at Engel & Voelkers is an International Real Estate Company registered in Uruguay so that they can offer you the benefit of their first-hand knowledge and experience in the local real estate market.

Buyer specialists who don’t practice “Dual Agency” and only work for you and not for the sellers

Team Haverkate are licensed and experienced real estate professionals for 20 years, speaking English, German, Swiss-German, French, and Dutch who represent the Buyer’s side and never sellers to avoid conflict of interest. They strive to provide their clients with the best service possible, putting much effort into finding the right property based on individual criteria. It is impossible for “one” agent to get the best deal for a buyer and, at the same time, for the seller. As international buyer specialists, Team Haverkate can represent and assist you in any real estate transactions in Uruguay. 

Many real estate firms in Uruguay and other countries are practicing “Dual Agency”! Dual Agency means your agent has an existing direct relationship with the seller of the properties he offers for sale.

Dual Agency is, in many countries, not forbidden by law but can create a dilemma for a professional agent and maybe a severe disadvantage for the client as well. Primarily a problem when it comes to the negotiation part of price, inventory, and repairs. Hire a real estate professional who represents only you and is looking out for your best interests. How can this be done when sitting on both sides of the table?

As a California-trained Real Estate Broker, Ralph Haverkate is very aware and sensitive to this worldwide industry flaw, which easily can create a conflict of interest. “We believe we can work the most effective and best for our buyer and his interests if we don’t have a direct relationship with the seller of a property. Many educated buyers are not aware of this situation. We suggest you always ask your potential agent before you start working with him how he or his firm handles this problem”.

Personalized Service in English, German, Swiss-German, French, and Dutch

Team Haverkate prides itself on providing clients with the personal attention and level of service they require to make an important decision such as purchasing a property abroad. They value open communication and a good loyal relationship very much for the best results. Their ability to communicate in English, German, Swiss-German, French, and Dutch, enables them to communicate with people from all walks of life, ensuring that nothing gets lost in translation during a real estate transaction. All contract work will be professionally translated into your language, guaranteeing that you fully understand what you are signing and avoid misunderstandings. They are unaware of any other company providing this invaluable service.

TEAM HAVERKATE does more than just the property transaction. They help with anything a foreigner needs to get settled

Post sale care: A relationship with Team Haverkate doesn’t end at purchase. They help clients with major tasks like finding reputable architects and contractors as well as particular but essential tasks like opening bank accounts, registration with public services, relocation, household shipments, and even school enrollment. They also offer property and employee management and bill payment services and recommend good restaurants, shops, and other services.

Guru’Guay and the New York Times recommend TEAM HAVERKATE. 

Karen Higgs, owner and founder of Guru’Guay, is the premier influencer in Uruguay, who serves 550’000 Expats worldwide. She only recommends people and companies she has personally vetted and interviewed. Team Haverkate is currently the only real estate company recommended by her: https://www.guruguay.com/team-haverkate/

The New York Times has featured us several times in their Real Estate House Hunting section. See recent articles in our Media Section.

Offering iGUIDE 3D Virtual Tour showings and Digital Floor Plans on any property

Just before the pandemic hit, Team Haverkate imported a special high-tech iGUIDE camera and laser equipment that would allow them to show potential buyers around the property in a virtual tour. You can walk a property over and over, being able to look into every corner from the comfort of your home. With this tool, you can buy site-unseen as it is almost as good as being there in person. 

You don’t have to run around with different agents having all access to the same inventory

Team Haverkate sees many buyers coming to Uruguay to shop for properties running around with different real estate agents showing them their own listings. Especially the properties they would like to sell because they have an existing relationship with the owner, while the buyer does not realize that this agent is not only working for him. A buyer should much rather work with one representative and an actual buyer’s agent, who has, at the same moment, access to the entire local market.

Team Haverkate has resolved this by not taking on listings directly. We work mainly with one of the largest inventories of a worldwide firm like Engel & Voelkers. They offer the same commission conditions and prices to the buyer, but always another agent represents the other side. Of course, Team Haverkate knows the entire inventory but can avoid direct contact with the homeowners when it comes to a transaction. All the displayed properties you find on the website, http://www.realestate-in-uruguay.com are represented by other listing agents, where Team Haverkate has direct access but no direct relationship with the sellers. If they don’t find what the buyer is looking for, they look outside with other reputable brokers. That way, they ensure to cover the entire market and find the best properties for their buyer. Since there is no Nationwide Database in Uruguay (like the MLS in the USA), many foreign buyers don’t realize that many brokers offer the same properties. The client could end up seeing the same property with different agents, which creates confusion among everybody. 

Buyers would be much better off in this market to work with one chosen “Buyers Agent”. A good buyer’s agent shows you the entire market depending on your needs and criteria.

You give your criteria only once to your trusted real estate agent and can establish a loyal mutual relationship. After all, real estate is a personal relationship business.