Of course, we’re all familiar with the concept of One Stop Shopping. But we aren’t used to buying a home in this manner. In New York City where I lived for fifty years and even spent time working in real estate, consulting several agents for one purchase was the norm. I’m here to tell you that if you’re searching for the perfect abode in Merida, get ready to scale back to one very good company. You no longer need to comparison shop as Merida SoldReal Estate Professionals Real Estate Professionals is run by two consummate principals. Robert Rhett and Linda O’Donnell honed their skills in Chicago where they spent decades in the industry, closed thousands of deals and garnered several honors and awards of merit and recognition from their peers. They know their business and the Merida market and have established a presence in this Mexican capital as one of the top agencies who promote gracious living. Take a look at their listings and you’ll see what I mean. Beautiful properties, good locations, amenities that promote comfort and ease along with prices that reflect the current housing standards, fill page after page of their website with glorious options. Naturally, this is what one hopes for when in search of the perfect place, but I have a soft spot for them because of who they are in addition to their canny business acumen. Rob and Linda know how to listen and observe. As they spend time with a client showcasing various listings, their true focus is on that individual’s reactions and comments. They take those to heart to determine exactly what that person may unknowingly desire. Their prudent ability to read between the lines allows them to present appealing and unexpected properties to their clients. This was the case for me and my husband. We were suddenly presented with an entirely new style of house that was a huge departure from our original vision and a fantastic opportunity to explore a new way of living. Additionally, Rob and Linda smoothed the way when the road became bumpy, handled every little hiccup that arose and always projected a calm, positive and knowledgeable approach at every meeting. It was so comforting to have such a reliable team in our corner all the while knowing that whatever we required, whether it was solving a problem, meeting a deadline, wiring money, etc., etc. all we had to do was ask. Their swift, assured response to every request transformed the potential nightmare of buying a house in a foreign country into an exotic adventure.

-HDR Campbell

We felt comfortable with Linda and Rob from the get-go. The communication was terrific. Linda kept in touch regarding our visit from the states and our schedule. They listened to our wants and needs and set up several showings for us. When we arrived, they showed us around some areas in and out of Centro. While in the homes, they gave us the time we needed, we never felt rushed. They talked to us openly regarding their experience moving here which was comforting for us to see how happy they are.

The very last home we saw was the home at the very top of our list. Once we saw it in person, we knew for sure it was the home for us. We all went to a Hostel near the home for a refreshment and to talk about our home search. While sitting there I was feeling great excitement over the home we just saw and extreme fear that if we made an offer, we would be selling everything we owned, including our home in the states, and moving to a country where I knew nothing, not even the language. My husband and I were trying to decide what we should do and I looked over at Linda, who with the sweetest smile said, "It will be okay". It was right then that I decided. I looked back at my husband and said, "pull the trigger" and we made an offer.

I can not thank Linda and Rob enough for their support, their stories of life in Merida, and their help once we got here.

They are wonderful people who don't just end the relationship once the home is closed. We didn't just buy a home...we made new friends.

-V.M & A.M.

We officially closed on our first home in Merida and couldn't be happier. We highly recommend our agents, Rob Rhett and Linda O'Donnell. Rob's contact number is: (999) 381-6321. They knew exactly what we were looking for and guided us through the entire process calmly and with ease. Since we will not be able to live here ourselves for a few months, they even found us the perfect short-term tenants!

-G.F.

We found Linda and Rob when they responded to an inquiry we had made about a property. In other words, not a referral. We had never visited Merida but wanted to buy a property there. In every interaction from that first one, they proved themselves trustworthy, honest, resourceful and attentive to our needs. They also took the time to answer all of our questions which were many. Over time we decided that we would work exclusively with them. 

When we arrived Merida to look at homes, they took us on a tour of different areas and helped us to understand the city. When we were ready to look at properties they took us to tour ten homes that were pre selected based on the criteria we gave them. Later when we decided to make an offer, they were there to help us, and we secured one of the houses we saw at a favorable price. 

From first call to closing and beyond, Linda and Rob are there for you. They don’t hand you off and they don’t take on more than they can handle. They have an enormous bank of experience between them and they know the market they are working in. I have bought a dozen homes in my lifetime and known many overwhelmed agents who are spread thin. With making a purchase like this in a foreign country, we wanted an attentive and competent agent. That is what we found in Linda and Rob, and they are also just nice people to boot. I recommend them unconditionally.

-T.M.C. and C.Z.

Hello Linda and Rob

We wanted to thank you for selling our home. The thing that struck us was your professionalism in all of your dealing with us and with the potential buyers. We appreciated the sincere feeling and understanding you projected towards us and our home. You selected the right people who were truly interested in dwellings like ours and were always punctual with showings which here can be rare. Your understanding of the market here turned into an asset for us and again appreciated. We would highly recommend you both to anyone looking for people who know what to do and what they are doing in the real estate market in this area.

Thank you so much

D. & L.B. 

We couldn't have done any of this without you two. You made our dream of moving here become a reality and we could not be more grateful to you for it.

Everything seems possible when working with the two of you and then, suddenly, it is! Even a global pandemic doesn't slow you down and we admire and take inspiration from how awesome you both are!

Thank you for all of your support and guidance throughout the past few years, it's been amazing to work with you and be your friends 🙂

-D.F. 

Rob and Linda are simply the best. They really listen to your wishes and work to find the perfect home for you. As a first-time home buyer in a foreign country, it is especially important to have people you can trust. Rob and Linda are trustworthy professionals working with others of the same caliber. They are two of my favorite Merida "finds".

-J.G.

Rob and Linda are simply the best. They really listen to your wishes and work to find the perfect home for you. As a first-time home buyer in a foreign country, it is especially important to have people you can trust. Rob and Linda are trustworthy professionals working with others of the same caliber. They are two of my favorite Merida "finds".

-J.G.

Rob and Linda,

I am so thankful to have you as my agents. I appreciate the time you spent helping me find a house that checked all the boxes on my list. It is gratifying to meet two people so dedicated to doing a good job. Your efforts are sincerely appreciated. I will be referring you to all of my friends because of your excellent service.

L. A.

Dear Linda,

I can't thank you enough for all your help finding me the perfect home. All the times you took us out to look at house after house and never giving up always telling me that the perfect place was out there.

You where right! I know it took a while but it was so worth it.

I could have never done this with any other agent.

Thank you for all your help.

C. A.

We would wholeheartedly recommend Rob and Linda for finding your home in Merida. We are a family of five and they really went to great lengths to help us find the best house and neighborhood for us. They are professional, courteous and communicative throughout the entire process. And patient, as we looked at many properties before finding our perfect home! Thank you Rob and Linda!

S. and A.

Linda and Rob where absolutely marvelous. They are great people! Our circumstances changed and we needed to leave Mexico and move back to the States. Not only did they show the house, they also checked on it regularly to make sure it was OK. We were very pleased with their service!!! They sold our house in record time (about a month), after being on the market for ONE YEAR, with another Realtor. No wonder their Real estate office was #1 in Chicago!

Happy Day’s,

S. and R.

Rob and Linda are punctual, professional, incredibly on top of their game and exceeded our expectations on finding a property. They are good at listening to your needs and coming up with exactly what you are looking for. I highly recommend them and am now proud to call them my friends.

-Xx, kc

Linda and Rob are stellar professionals in every sense of the word. I contacted Linda from the US about a property I was interested in. I told her I was coming to Mérida and she and Rob went to work searching for more properties. She was very personable, quick to respond and listened to my needs. 

I had specific criteria esthetically, but uncertain about the exact sort of space I wanted—whether it be a multi use building that would serve as an art gallery, a rental for Airbnb plus a private space for myself or just a house. I wanted, one story, not too big and in Centro so that everything was walkable. Rob and Linda found my house! Although there were many great choices, I knew as soon as we walked in, I was home. 

Linda made the closing very easy as I had to go back to the US and she was there to handle the details and did the walkthrough over FaceTime. She has also been extremely generous in helping me get utilities and bank accounts set up. She is a wealth of knowledge about who to contact for almost all your needs ranging from pool cleaners, gardeners to dentists!

Look no further for a realtor. These are great people to know in Mérida and you couldn’t ask for a more dedicated team to be on your side.

C. K. 

Dear Linda and Rob,

Selling a home is always a stressful experience. This is especially the case when the owner is not experienced with, how to price, timing the listing, proper staging, and negotiations associated with selling a home. In our case, the process was further complicated by not living in the same state during the selling period.

You were pivotal in developing a pricing strategy first by providing a detailed market analysis of home sales in our area and then helping us to determine when to place the home on the market.

You were extremely helpful by giving us “de-cluttering” suggestions. We especially appreciate you personally addressing the “punch list” before the final walk through.

Thank you for always responding quickly to our questions and concerns by email and phone. We felt very confident you quickly released and updated information regarding the sale of our home to all involved in the process.

As we received offers for the home, you were instrumental in helping us negotiate the best deal.

It was truly a satisfying experience to have you guide us through the various steps and decisions we needed to make to sell our home.

Sincerely yours,

C.P.

We recently relocated with the real estate assistance from Linda. Having my partner as a native to the area, and with Linda on our side, she made the transition flawless!

Although my partner had an idea of where we wanted to live, it was Linda who facilitated over 25 showings in a week’s time! Tiring as it might have been, she made it all possible in such a short period of time. She is one of the most genuine people we have known. She took the time to get to know us on a personal and professional level. As most people know, moving can be very stressful, with Linda O’ Donnell as your agent, whether you are looking for your first rental, or your first permanent residence, Linda will give you personalized service from day one!

When it comes time to buy, we will be fortunate to have the peace of mind, knowing our finding a realtor homework will be already done. We will be using Linda as our go-to for future real estate needs!

In closing, look no further, let Linda O’Donnell and her team take your worries away, and open the door to a great future for you and your family today!

Sincerely,

C. B.

You are the best realtor we have ever had and certainly by far, the best Merida has!!!!!

I will always refer you!

-G.S.

We first visited Merida in 2022 and felt that it was just the perfect place and climate for us to think about a warm second home. We consulted with Amy at Moving to Merida. Amy referred Linda and Rob to us so that we could look at properties in Merida. At the time, we were not speaking Spanish (although we intend to learn as soon as we are there this winter)

I am in the business of property investment. Having working with numerous real estate professionals in various states and countries over the past 40 years, I must say that Linda and Rob are at the absolute top of the list for best realtors I have ever worked with.

Their professionalism and attentiveness is unsurpassed. They lined up about 5 homes to visit based on our very specific parameters. Their recommendations were very accurate, along with their profound knowledge of the various areas of Merida and the different types of housing. We chose a home during that visit , in Garcia Gineres—a wonderful quiet area, walking distance to the Centro.

During the purchase process, Linda and Rob were with us every step of the way— beginning with the purchase contract, knowledge and explanation of the various laws, introducing us personally to the English speaking attorney (who is great), visiting the house again with us several times, recommending sources for acquiring furnishings, advising and managing updates to the water systems and other systems as well. In addition, we were introduced to a nearby property manager that we are so glad to be working with. Linda and Rob continue to be available after the closing of the sale.

The time Linda and Rob spent with us was extremely generous and uncommon to find in a realtor.

Their long term experience as realtors in the US provides insight into the similar needs and expectations that often exist in their Expat English speaking clients.

We look forward to working with them again on other potential property acquisitions in Merida and the Yucatan, and continuing to enjoying our time together as friends.

We would be glad to talk with any potential clients.

-Nancy & Larry 

Maryland

Hi Linda and Rob.

We also want to thank you for selling our house... We realize all the effort that goes into orchestrating a sale and we appreciate it.

You two are a perfect, professional team... with just the right amount of humor thrown in for good measure.

We will definitely recommend you to others with no hesitation...your honesty and integrity are evident.

Sincerely

-D & B

We can’t say enough good things about Linda O’Donnell and Rob Rhett’s service to us in the selling of our oceanfront property. Their professionalism is flawless, but the extra issues that they managed for us in this protracted process was outstanding.

Arranging gardeners to keep the property in good order. Dealing with ongoing maintenance after the papers were signed and before the closing date. These things are what protected our investment and saw closure to the sale.

Do yourselves a favor…..deal with Linda and Rob and know that you have access to the complete service that will be needed.

-M.B. and S.C.

We have had the opportunity to work with Linda and Rob of Merida SoldReal Estate Professionals for several transactions---This spring, we were looking to purchase a home in a historic neighborhood. Linda and Rob identified the perfect property for us. Their advice regarding pricing, and restoration is always accurate. Their responsiveness and knowledge of local market conditions is of the highest order. We can't imagine any other real estate professionals that would be as helpful o and available to their clients; substantially above and beyond what is called for.

We strongly recommend the services of Merida SoldReal Estate Professionals

-N.W. & L.W. 

Armando and Victoria are true professionals. They will make you feel like you are their only client. They have a great attention to detail and are thorough, honest, punctual and reliable. A pleasure to work with them.

-M.P.

Meeting Victoria and Armando is like a breath of fresh air! Not only are they wonderful people, they are happy to share their knowledge and experience of living in both Mérida and Izamal with their clients. Their background in construction and design was extremely helpful and they worked hard to make sure that we made the best decision for us.

-P.G. and K.M.

I had the pleasure of working with Linda O’Donnell and Rob Rhett when my Mérida home went on the market. They were responsive, professional, well informed agents. They were with me every step of the way, always keeping my best interests in the forefront of decision making. Plus, it didn’t hurt that they are great people who are fun to be around. Happily, they brought me a full price offer less than a week after they took the listing. It was an excellent experience and I am happy to recommend them to others.

-J.O.

Linda and Rob are fantastic. They know Centro and surrounding areas like the back of their hand. Having moved to Merida from the U.S. themselves, they have an unique understanding of the process. Living in Merida currently, they know the ins and the outs. Because they sold real estate for years in the U.S., they are professional and understand what buyers want. They are communicative and diligent.

Rob and Linda showed us everything that was similar to what we asked for and then they showed us homes we didn't even know we wanted. It so happens we bought one of those homes and now we can tell you that Linda and Rob don't walk away when you go in contract. They have helped us through every step of the process and continue to offer advice and guidance as we begin our Colonial rehab project.

On top of being great real estate agents, they also happen to be great people and we are looking forward to having them be part of our community when we are in Merida full time.

-J. P.