Last Updated on February 15, 2025
In Bolivia, there are thousands of real estate brokers, but over 95% of them lack the necessary documentation to operate and conduct commercial activities legally within the country. Only a handful, perhaps fewer than 100, are reputable and formal companies you can rely on. Of these, only a select few will be equipped to handle you as a foreign client.
The best real estate brokers in Bolivia on a nationwide level are: 1) Century 21 and 2) ReMax. By city, for La Paz, they are: a) Remax Professional and b) Firma Propiedades. For Santa Cruz: a) Century 21 Business & Residences and b) UNO Corporacion. For Cochabamba: a) Remax Libertad and 2) Century 21 Valle.
In this in-depth review of the best real estate brokers in Bolivia, you’ll discover which ones are the best both nationally and at the city level, and the reasons behind their rankings. We’ll also explain why other local real estate brokers are often not worthwhile and, in some cases, even fraudulent. Additionally, you’ll gain a general perspective on the real estate brokerage industry operating in Bolivia.
The Current State of Real Estate Brokers in Bolivia
Bolivia currently has a largely unregulated real estate brokerage sector. There are over 2,500 different real estate agents and brokers, *but more than 95% of these operators are unlicensed* and not authorized to work or conduct commercial activities. Nevertheless, they continue to operate daily.
Of all these agents and firms, only around 100 are fully legal, possessing all the required documentation to operate in compliance with Bolivian laws. *And even among these legal firms, almost all are unprepared to handle foreign clients*.
Currently, we’re only aware of two companies adequately equipped to serve foreign clients in Bolivia:
- Century 21
- Remax
As you likely know, these two companies have a global presence in over 100 countries, including Bolivia. Together, they have over 100 different franchises in Bolivia’s main cities and a combined inventory of more than 3,500 real estate properties available for sale or rent at any given time.
All other realtors typically serve only local clients within the specific cities where they operate. They generally won’t communicate with you in English and often lack understanding of how to sell properties to clients from other countries.
The only two companies we recommend to you as a foreign client are ReMax and Century 21, unless you have extensive knowledge of Bolivian culture and speak Spanish fluently. We’ll explain the reasons for this recommendation later in this guide.
The Best Real Estate Brokers in Bolivia
This review is based on a very thorough analysis we previously conducted for our Bolivian real estate website (see it here: CasasenBolivia).
Now, we’ll present the best real estate brokers in Bolivia, both at the national and city levels. All real estate brokers in the country operate at a city-wide level, meaning they only serve clients within a specific city, *except for ReMax and Century 21*.
Nationwide, the Best Real Estate Agencies Are:
Currently, only two international real estate brokerage companies have established themselves in Bolivia:
These franchises began operating in Bolivia around 2015 and have since become the largest real estate brokerage companies in the country, *rapidly surpassing pre-existing local firms*.
You’re likely aware that these two companies are highly reputable, and this holds true in Bolivia as well. They maintain the same standards as in other countries, so you can be confident that you’ll receive at least decent service from them.
The Best Real Estate Agencies by City:
Unfortunately, almost all local real estate brokers have been overshadowed by Century 21 and ReMax. Local brokers are typically ill-equipped to handle foreign clients. However, one or two local companies may be worth considering for buying, selling, or renting a property.
At the city level, these are the best real estate brokers currently operating in Bolivia (2023):
- La Paz:
- Santa Cruz:
- Cochabamba:
We cannot recommend working with other local real estate brokers, except for Firma Propiedades and UNO Corporacion. Most other firms rarely have experience with clients from other countries, their staff typically only speaks Spanish, and they simply lack international standards for client service.
The Best Nationwide Real Estate Brokers in Bolivia
As previously mentioned, only two nationwide real estate brokers are currently operating in Bolivia: Century 21 and ReMax.
1) Century 21
Of the two international brokers, we believe Century 21 currently offers the highest quality real estate brokerage services within the country, as they consistently receive ratings above 4/5 in reviews. The downside of this company is that it primarily operates in Santa Cruz city, with a much smaller presence in other regions.
Century 21 in Bolivia currently manages around 1,000 properties at any given time, with the vast majority located in Santa Cruz. The firm and its franchises typically charge a 4% commission for their services on the sale of a house (*this will be charged to the property owner*).
Century 21 has a presence in the following Bolivian cities:
- Santa Cruz (36 offices or franchises, more than 700 properties for sale or rent, with Century 21 Business & Residences being the largest franchise).
- La Paz (only 4 offices available; the broker has a small presence in this city).
- Cochabamba (6 offices or franchises, with Century 21 Valle being the largest).
- Sucre (2 offices available).
- Tarija (1 office available)
- Trinidad (1 office available).
We’ve observed that this real estate brokerage firm and its franchises generally have slightly better real estate agents than ReMax, and they tend to offer slightly better services overall.
However, you should be aware that *this company primarily focuses on selling high-quality homes located in Bolivia’s most premium and expensive neighborhoods* link. They generally don’t handle modest and inexpensive houses. The only way to purchase these types of properties in Bolivia is often by dealing directly with the owner, a generally risky process for foreigners.
2) Remax
Currently, Remax is the largest real estate broker in Bolivia, managing and offering approximately 2,500 properties for sale and rent within the country at any given time. The firm is also very well-established, with numerous franchises in Bolivia’s main cities: Santa Cruz, La Paz, and Cochabamba, as well as other smaller cities.
This real estate broker generally *offers slightly lower-quality brokerage services than Century 21*, *with general ratings around 4/5*. This might be due to the large number of agents working within their franchises, leading to a wider range in quality due to newer and less experienced agents. We estimate that the company has over 500 real estate agents across all its franchises within the country.
Remax has a presence in the following cities:
- Santa Cruz (24 offices or franchises; the largest presence is in this city).
- La Paz (11 offices available, with Remax Professional being the largest).
- Cochabamba (9 offices or franchises, with Remax Libertad being the largest).
- Oruro (1 office available).
- Sucre (2 offices available).
- Tarija (2 offices available)
- Trinidad (1 office available).
This company typically charges commissions of around 3.5%, slightly less than Century 21 (this commission is charged to the property owner). With Remax, you’ll have access to a wider range of houses in terms of quality and price, as they often offer more affordable homes in neighborhoods beyond just the most premium ones.
The Best Real Estate Brokers for Each City
Now, let’s examine the most prominent real estate brokers at the city level. As you would expect, most are either Century 21 or ReMax franchises, but two local real estate brokers are *worth mentioning*.
La Paz
a) Remax Professional
Remax Professional is the largest Remax franchise in La Paz City. It has over 35 in-house real estate agents and more than 220 properties available for sale or rent. The franchise charges a 3.5% commission for property sales and 100% of one month’s rent for rentals.
This franchise has a significant presence in La Paz City, and we’re almost certain that it regularly deals with clients from other countries. If you engage this franchise, always try to work with the most experienced agents and those with the most properties available for sale and rent.
There are many other ReMax franchises in La Paz, and they generally offer the same quality of service as ReMax Professional, *but this is the default franchise to choose in the city*.
b) Firma Propiedades
Firma Propiedades is the largest local real estate broker in La Paz, currently managing around 1,350 properties for sale or rent (significantly more than ReMax Professional, *but they are not as experienced as Remax in assisting clients from other countries*). This company has approximately 55 in-house real estate agents.
This real estate broker also offers a much wider range of properties and houses in numerous different neighborhoods and zones of La Paz city. The company generally receives good ratings for its services, with scores of around 3.5/5 to 4/5. The commissions it charges are approximately 3.5% for the sale of a property and 100% of one month’s rent for rentals.
If you desire more options when trying to buy or rent a house in Bolivia, but with considerably less risk than dealing directly with the owner, this is the company to choose. Keep in mind that they might have difficulty communicating with you in your native language and because you’re a foreigner.
Santa Cruz
a) Century 21 Business & Residences
Century 21 Business & Residences is the largest Remax franchise in Santa Cruz, which is, by the way, the largest city in Bolivia, with approximately 1,500,000 inhabitants. It currently has 75 in-house real estate agents and over 600 properties for sale and rent. This is a relatively large franchise compared to the real estate market of the country and the city.
Century 21 has a substantial presence in Santa Cruz, and of the 36 franchises that this company has there, Century 21 Business & Residences is the largest. This franchise, like all the others, charges a 4% commission for the sale of a property. Remember to always seek out the most experienced real estate agents within the franchise.
b) UNO Corporacion
UNO Corporacion is a local real estate broker that typically provides outstanding service to clients, but it’s not as frequently used as ReMax or Century 21 for working with clients from other countries. You’ll also find a broader range of property types with this company, as it tends to cover more neighborhoods, although these are still primarily premium and expensive areas.
This company receives very high ratings for customer service, around 4.5/5 in general. It has approximately 40 in-house real estate agents and another 20 individuals working in support roles such as accounting, security, management, etc. It also lists around 450 properties for sale and rent. This firm is a merger of five pre-existing companies and has a strong presence in the Santa Cruz city market.
Cochabamba
a) Remax Libertad
Remax Libertad is one of the largest franchises currently operating in the country. Despite Cochabamba being a medium-sized city, this franchise alone has over 270 properties for sale and rent, as well as approximately 35 in-house real estate agents, charging a 3.5% commission for the sale of a house and 100% of one month’s rent for rentals.
Remax Libertad is a rapidly growing ReMax franchise. In about five years, it has achieved this significant volume of operations and assembled a large team of agents. It’s undoubtedly a reputable firm to engage for real estate brokerage services, for both locals and foreigners.
b) Century 21 Valle
Century 21 Valle is also a large franchise of this international real estate broker. It has around 35 in-house real estate agents and over 200 properties for sale and rent. The commissions it charges are 4% for the sale of a property and 100% of one month’s rent for rentals.
It’s also a reliable company to work with in the city, as it adheres to the same standards as Century 21 in the rest of the country. *In Cochabamba, we cannot recommend any local real estate brokers*. All of the ones we’ve encountered have either failed or lack best practices, often delivering subpar services.
In Cochabamba, we cannot recommend any local real estate brokers. All of those we’ve encountered have either failed or lack best practices, often providing subpar services. With Century 21 and ReMax, you’ll be well-served in this city.
Important Details and Precautions Regarding Real Estate Brokers in Bolivia
Other Real Estate Brokers Not Mentioned Here
Beyond Firma Propiedades and UNO Corporacion, there are numerous other local real estate brokers in Bolivia, as well as independent real estate agents. Most of them are informal and illegal, lacking authorization to conduct commercial activities. Many are not genuine firms but rather just a brand with an individual and a phone number behind it.
The main characteristics of these fake or informal companies are:
- They typically manage fewer than 100 properties for sale and rent.
- Over 95% of them are unauthorized to operate commercially. They simply set up an office, obtain a phone number, and begin serving clients without proper permits from the local government and the commercial entity link in Bolivia.
- They rarely have experience dealing with clients from other countries and typically don’t speak English.
- They tend to overprice properties (and significantly more so for foreigners) and generally provide mediocre services.
As we mentioned earlier, over 95% of the real estate brokers and agents in Bolivia are informal and lack the proper documentation to operate legally. *Bolivians don’t give this much importance, and they often get scammed and misled by these individuals*.
When real estate legal conflicts and lawsuits arise in Bolivia, such as disputes between owners and tenants or agents, they are often very difficult to resolve, as well as very expensive and time-consuming. They can last for years, even a decade.
Dealing with the Bolivian justice system is a nightmare, as we can attest. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to work only with the most reputable real estate brokers and avoid these risks as much as possible.
Independent Real Estate Agents Are Usually Unreliable
In addition to the thousands of small, informal, or even illegal real estate brokerage firms operating in Bolivia, there are also thousands of independent real estate agents. None of these agents possess a license to operate as a real estate agent, as Bolivia lacks a licensing process. Therefore, you never truly know if an agent is competent or not.
You can be certain that over 95% of these independent real estate agents will offer only mediocre services. Some will even attempt to mislead and scam you, and they often overprice their services and properties. The only ones we could potentially recommend, to some extent, are the real estate agents who are part of both ReMax and Century 21.
However, regarding independent Bolivian real estate agents, *believe us, simply don’t trust them*. A small percentage might be capable of providing good brokerage services, but the majority will not. These agents charge commissions of 2% to 4% (incidentally, almost the same as ReMax and Century 21), but they generally offer significantly lower-quality services.
Multilevel Real Estate Brokers Are Not Recommended
Bolivia also has some multilevel real estate brokers currently operating, but all of these are local. If you’re unfamiliar, multilevel marketing means that these firms not only reward their agents for selling properties *but also for recruiting other agents into the network below them*.
However, we can tell you that *no multilevel firm is worthwhile in Bolivia*, either for buying or renting properties or for becoming a real estate agent for the company.
Airbnb is Widely Available in Bolivia
If you want to rent a property in the country for a short period, even for months, you also have the option of using Airbnb. This well-known company also operates in Bolivia with thousands of properties, *and it’s significantly less risky and easier to rent a property through this company* in the country.
Airbnb functions in Bolivia the same way it does in other countries; you’ll need to follow the same process to rent a property here through this company. *You should explore many different properties and homes before deciding what’s best for you here*, rather than rushing into a purchase. That’s why we recommend that you initially rent a property in Bolivia.
We have an in-depth guide covering all the steps, requirements, and precautions for renting a property in Bolivia, both through traditional real estate brokers and Airbnb, with every detail you need to know, available here: How to rent a property in Bolivia? A complete walkthrough.
You Should Initially Rent Instead of Buying a Property in Bolivia
As we just mentioned, we advise you to initially rent in Bolivia rather than buying a property, *unless you have extensive knowledge of the local market*. Buying real estate in Bolivia is a very difficult and risky process. You should ideally buy from either ReMax or Century 21, but even with them, you must take all necessary precautions.
To purchase property in Bolivia, *you’ll also need to be more than just a tourist*. Individuals with visas other than tourist visas can additionally obtain a foreigner’s ID card. This ID document will allow you to open bank accounts, own real estate, manage businesses, etc., in the country.
In fact, buying a property in Bolivia is a challenging process, even for Bolivians. You’ll need to be well-informed, have a foreigner ID card (analogous to a Bolivian ID document), and a proper visa for this purpose, along with numerous other requirements, steps, and precautions.
We have a comprehensive guide on how to buy a property in Bolivia, covering all the requirements, steps, and precautions you need to take as a foreign buyer and owner, including all other necessary details, available here: How to buy a property in Bolivia? Everything you need to know.
Conclusions:
In this comprehensive review of the best real estate brokers in Bolivia, which is based on the review we conducted on our Bolivian website (CasasenBolivia), you’ve seen that nearly all firms operating here are informal, unprofessional, and, in some cases, illegal, with the exception of a handful of well-established, legal companies. Nationwide, only Century 21 and ReMax are sufficiently reliable companies to engage.
At the city level, companies and franchises like Remax Professional and Firma Propiedades for La Paz, Remax Libertad and Century 21 Valle for Cochabamba, and Century 21 Business & Residences and UNO Corporacion for Santa Cruz are the only companies we recommend working with to buy, sell, or rent a house in Bolivia.
You now also understand that over 95% of the approximately 2,500 real estate brokers in Bolivia are unreliable and often provide mediocre services, and this situation is even worse for foreigners. You’ve also realized that buying a house in Bolivia is a quite challenging process, and it’s advisable to rent a house first, which is significantly easier, and that Airbnb is available in the country.
In general, you should only engage the firms listed in this review, *unless you have extensive knowledge of the local market*, as even for local residents, some of the other real estate brokers can be misleading and fraudulent, often leading to legal disputes that can be a nightmare to resolve.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you’d like to know how much it costs to buy a house in Bolivia, with all the details for different types of properties, in different regions of Bolivia, and in both rural and urban areas, please visit our dedicated guide here: How much does a house cost in Bolivia? All the numbers and details.
CasasenBolivia.com, information on living, working, investing, and traveling in Bolivia.
