Introduction to the Mexican Real Estate Market and the Role of Condo Managers
Mexico’s real estate sector is booming, with continuous expansion, investment, and urban transformation. However, there’s an unresolved issue: the historical undervaluation of those who make daily operations functional for over 139,000 residential units across the country – condo managers.
Income Disparity Among Condo Managers
A recent national study on condo manager compensation has exposed a deep-rooted structure of inequality. In states like Baja California and Puebla, annual incomes surpass 38,000 pesos. Conversely, in entities such as San Luis Potosí, Chihuahua, and Campeche, the remuneration barely reaches 14,000 pesos annually. This disparity is not merely an economic problem; it signals that the strategic value of this function remains unrecognized.
Urgent Need for Professionalization
The real estate market is evolving, yet employment and payment schemes for property administration remain stuck in the past. Informality is commonplace.
Hiring based on who charges less, without evaluating technical skills, financial management, or conflict resolution capabilities, results in poorly managed communities, accumulated structural problems, chronic neighbor disputes, and deterioration in the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of families.
However, there are clear signs of progress. Professionalization is no longer an option but a necessity. More condo managers are pursuing certifications, continuous updates, and technology tools to optimize their work.
This silent transformation allows for more efficient, transparent, and scalable management. Crucially, it begins to demonstrate that efficiency does pay off.
In large condos or developments with over 500 units, incomes are significantly higher not because the work is less complex but because professional community management is increasingly recognized as a high-demand operation.
Here, technology plays a crucial role. The adoption of digital platforms, automated payments, and document control has enabled managers to expand their coverage and profitability. However, technology alone is insufficient without a clear regulatory vision to support this evolution.
Pending Regulation
In countries like Chile or Argentina, mandatory certification for those managing properties under co-ownership is openly discussed. Mexico, however, is still lagging behind. The lack of a national regulation defining responsibilities, ensuring minimum standards, and protecting both residents and managers keeps the sector disorganized.
The geographical aspect is also telling. It’s paradoxical that in dynamic real estate hubs like Mexico City or Nuevo León, average condo manager incomes are among the lowest in the country.
Inefficient administration not only affects cohabitation or maintenance; it directly impacts the property’s value. No one wants to live or invest in a place where common services fail, neighbor disputes escalate, and financial decisions are opaque or improvised.
Revaluing Condo Managers: A Strategic Imperative
Revaluing the condo manager role is not a symbolic act; it’s a smart strategy to ensure the real estate sector’s growth has a solid, functional base. This requires three concrete actions: promoting professionalization, leveraging technology, and advancing towards comprehensive regulation.
About the Author
The author is the country manager of ComunidadFeliz.mx in Mexico, recognized for leading the expansion of proptech in the Mexican market with innovative sales and customer retention strategies. His agile methodology approach has been key to optimizing user acquisition and monetization. With experience in risk management and conservation, Mondaca drives operational efficiency and sustainable growth for the company.
