Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Choosing a real estate agency in Bolivia is no small matter. In a country where more than 95% of intermediaries are informal or outright illegal, finding a serious professional can mean the difference between a profitable investment and years of legal proceedings. Yet, a few structured players, local or franchised, have managed to set service and transparency standards well above average. This article reviews these agencies, city by city, based on the most recent available data, and explains why they stand out in a market that is as risky as it is promising.
A Bolivian real estate market with very high risk… and strong potential
Real estate brokerage in Bolivia operates in a regulatory gray zone. There is no real agent license, no prior examination, no state certification. Almost anyone can declare themselves a “corredor inmobiliario.” The numbers show the scale of the phenomenon: over 2,500 agents and brokers operate in the country, while barely a hundred companies are legally compliant.
Most local real estate operators work without permits or formal structures, often with questionable practices and a tendency to overvalue properties, especially for foreigners. In case of disputes, legal proceedings are lengthy, costly, and complex to navigate, potentially spanning several years.
Yet, the market itself remains attractive. Collected data shows that in urban areas, properties tend to increase by about 1.5 times their value in five years, with a common range between 1.3 and 1.7. Gross rental yields range between 4% and 8%, with net yields often settling between 3.5% and 7%. Demographic dynamics—rapid population growth, sustained urbanization, influx to cities like Santa Cruz or El Alto—fuel solid demand, without the speculative frenzies seen elsewhere.
In the Bolivian real estate landscape, marked by promising prospects but also risks, a few players stand out for their professionalism. Beyond the international giants Century 21 and Re/Max, there are well-known local brands such as UNO Corporación and Firma Propiedades, as well as several specialized offices in Santa Cruz, offering a more secure framework.
Why choosing your agency wisely is crucial
Before diving into the details of the best agencies by city, it’s important to understand what sets a reliable broker apart from the rest of the Bolivian market. The first element is simply legality. In a country without a system equivalent to the North American MLS, without title insurance, and without centralized control of agent activity, simply working with a duly registered and audited company already provides a huge filter.
In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, only nine real estate agencies out of about 600 were deemed reliable enough for a reference selection.
A second element lies in the ability to handle foreign clients. Even among legal structures, very few master the specifics of transactions involving non-residents: language barriers, visa and residency constraints, enhanced title verification, coordination with lawyers and banks accustomed to such cases. In practice, sources converge: aside from Century 21 and Re/Max, almost no agency is truly prepared to assist foreigners, except for a few well-established local players in their city.
A healthy commission policy is based on a clear percentage of the final price (3% to 4% for a sale, equivalent to one month’s rent for a lease). Agreements based on an “over-price,” where the agent is compensated on the margin added above the seller’s desired price, should be avoided as they encourage speculation and abuse.
Major national players: Century 21 and Re/Max
Across Bolivian territory, two names concentrate most of the recommendations for buyers and renters, especially foreigners: Century 21 and Re/Max. Arriving around 2015, these international franchises quickly surpassed local agencies in volume and visibility, establishing themselves as the only networks with multi-city coverage and globalized service standards.
Combined, these two networks have over 100 franchises spread across Bolivia’s main cities, and together manage more than 3,500 properties at any given time, for sale or rent.
Century 21: service quality as a priority
Century 21 is generally described as the brand offering the best brokerage quality among the major franchises present in Bolivia. Customer reviews regularly exceed 4/5, and the brand stands out for its strong focus on high-end residential properties in the most expensive neighborhoods.
Century 21’s network is firmly established in Bolivia, with its main concentration in Santa Cruz and a presence in several other major cities.
The bulk of activity is concentrated in Santa Cruz, the economic capital, where the brand has 36 offices or franchises.
The brand is also present in La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre, Tarija, and Trinidad.
The network permanently manages about 1,000 properties, the vast majority of which are in Santa Cruz.
The brand typically charges 4% commission on sales, paid by the seller. This slightly higher commission policy compared to Re/Max partly reflects its specialization in premium properties and a perceived more consistent service level.
The following table summarizes Century 21’s presence by city and gives an order of magnitude of its activity.
| City | Number of Century 21 Offices | Dominant Portfolio Type | Typical Sale Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | 36 | High-end houses and apartments | 4% |
| La Paz | 4 | Mid-range and high-end residential | 4% |
| Cochabamba | 6 | Residential and some mixed-use | 4% |
| Sucre | 2 | Urban residential | 4% |
| Tarija | 1 | Residential | 4% |
| Trinidad | 1 | Residential | 4% |
Within this network, some offices stand out, such as Century 21 Business & Residences in Santa Cruz or Century 21 Valle in Cochabamba, which we’ll discuss later in the city section.
Re/Max: volume and breadth of offering
Re/Max occupies a different niche: that of volume and diversity. It is the largest real estate brokerage in the country by number of properties, with about 2,500 properties permanently listed for sale or rent. The brand is heavily present in major cities—Santa Cruz, La Paz, Cochabamba—but also has offices in smaller centers like Oruro, Sucre, Tarija, and Trinidad.
Re/Max’s average service quality is slightly lower than Century 21’s, with reviews around 4/5. This difference is primarily due to its very large network of over 500 agents nationwide, some of whom have limited experience. On the flip side, Re/Max offers a much wider price range, including more affordable properties (houses and apartments), while Century 21 focuses mainly on the upper market segments.
Commissions are generally around 3.5% for a sale, placing them slightly below Century 21’s, while still within the standard Bolivian range.
The following overview illustrates Re/Max’s distribution by city.
| City | Number of Re/Max Offices | Main Characteristics of Offering | Typical Sale Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | 24 | Largest national volume, all segments | ~3.5% |
| La Paz | 11 | Large network, flagship franchise Remax Professional | ~3.5% |
| Cochabamba | 9 | Major franchise Remax Libertad | ~3.5% |
| Oruro | 1 | Limited presence | ~3.5% |
| Sucre | 2 | Urban residential | ~3.5% |
| Tarija | 2 | Developing local market | ~3.5% |
| Trinidad | 1 | Smaller market | ~3.5% |
For foreigners, these two networks remain the preferred contacts, as they have international experience, more rigorous internal procedures, and often agents who speak at least a minimum of English.
Santa Cruz: Bolivia’s laboratory for modern real estate
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the country’s largest city and true economic engine, concentrates a disproportionate share of formal real estate activity. With about 600 registered agencies, the city is also the favorite playground for informal brokers… and scammers. A detailed analysis of this market resulted in a drastic filter: only nine offices were retained in a selection of the best local agencies, applying criteria of registration, experience, portfolio size, and service quality.
Among these players, several clearly stand out. First, UNO Corporación, a true local heavyweight, but also a core of structured agencies that combine traditional model, integrated legal services, digital tools, and ties to professional associations such as the Santa Cruz Real Estate Chamber (CAINCRUZ).
UNO Corporación: the strength of a local consolidation
UNO Corporación was born a few years ago from the merger of five pre-existing companies—Chachi Velasco B.R., Kasas, Gera LTDA, I Bolivia B.R., and Káiser B.R.—each with 10 to 30 years of presence in the Santa Cruz market. The partners collectively have nearly 90 years of experience in the sector, which is reflected in the company’s structure.
The agency manages about 450 properties and relies on a team of 60 people, including a network of about 45 agents selected for their experience, as well as in-house specialists such as lawyers and architects. One of the partners is himself a lawyer with over 15 years of practice in real estate and a stint as president of CAINCRUZ, while two others have served as directors of the same chamber.
UNO operates on a hybrid model: in-house specialists, field agents, and segmentation by property type (housing, commercial, projects, etc.). The agency provides weekly progress reports to its clients, practices structured real estate advisory, and relies on regularly updated land price tables. Fees are at the high end of the market: 4% commission on sales, and for rentals, the equivalent of 50% to 100% of one month’s rent.
Online ratings give it a perfect score of 5/5, although the number of referenced reviews (about twenty) remains modest.
| Indicator | UNO Corporación |
|---|---|
| Properties in portfolio | ~450 |
| Total staff | ~60 (including ~45 agents) |
| Model | Hybrid (in-house specialists + agent network) |
| Specialization | Segmentation by property type |
| Sale commission | 4% |
| Rental commission | 50% to 100% of one month’s rent |
| Social media rating | 5/5 (≈ 20 reviews) |
For a local buyer or investor seeking in-depth support in Santa Cruz, UNO Corporación currently represents one of the strongest alternatives to the major international franchises.
Templario Bienes Raíces: betting on quality and technology
Another major player identified in Santa Cruz, Templario Bienes Raíces, focuses on a very selective positioning. With about six years of experience and membership in CAINCRUZ, the agency claims an approach centered on quality over quantity: it rigorously filters the properties it agrees to market, checks documents, and favors high-value assets such as urbanizations, condominiums, the Los Tajibos hotel, or high-end properties.
Templario also stands out for its intensive use of technology: 360-degree virtual tours, advanced digital promotion, online communication. The company operates with salaried employees, including lawyers and architects, and has reached agreements with banks (notably Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz) to speed up mortgage credit applications.
For appraisals, it uses expert valuers affiliated with CAINCRUZ, which reinforces the credibility of listed prices. Commercially, it offers exclusive or non-exclusive contracts, charges 4% commission on sales, and splits rental commission equally between owner and tenant (50% each of one month’s rent). Its online reviews are excellent, with an average of 4.8/5 based on about 86 reviews.
Zonai: a classic agency well-connected to the local network
Founded about 14 years ago, Zonai embodies the “classic” agency model with a small team of salaried agents—five according to available data—who manage around 200 properties. Again, the company is a member of CAINCRUZ and emphasizes stable relationships with local service providers (construction contractors, etc.) to prepare properties for sale or rent.
Zonai does not have in-house lawyers or experts, but systematically directs its clients to professionals certified by CAINCRUZ, often at negotiated rates (e.g., 250 Bs instead of 700 Bs). The agency offers six-month exclusivity contracts and collaborates with a broad network of about 160 other agencies, including Re/Max, to maximize property visibility.
It notably participated in the marketing of the Tapiozi project and regularly appears at real estate fairs in Santa Cruz, as well as at Fexpocruz. Its sale fees are slightly lower than those of its better-known competitors, with a commission of 3%. On social media, Zonai earns an excellent rating of 4.9/5, based on about twenty reviews, and its Facebook page has roughly 30,000 “likes”.
Red Inmobiliaria: Bolivia’s first franchise network
Red Inmobiliaria holds a unique place in Santa Cruz and more broadly in Bolivia. Presented as the first Bolivian-origin real estate franchise network, it has about three years of experience in the sector, 50 active agents, and a portfolio of roughly 200 properties, mostly concentrated in Santa Cruz. Its model is hybrid, halfway between a centralized structure and a franchise network.
Red Inmobiliaria’s founders have 15 years of combined experience in the real estate business.
Inmovecon Bienes Raíces: the television showcase of real estate
In the Santa Cruz landscape, Inmovecon Bienes Raíces stands out for an original promotional tool: a dedicated real estate television show, where the agency highlights between 10 and 20 properties per episode. With about 15 years of activity, Inmovecon operates on a classic agency model, with salaried lawyers and architects.
The company tailors its services based on the property’s location, distinguishing, for example, properties inside or outside the eighth ring of the city, reflecting the marked market differences between these areas. It handles a thorough document review, free of charge, before producing a report detailing any issues. It also offers free informal pre-appraisals, has agreements with several banks to facilitate credit access, and distinguishes between notary types: bank notaries for financed purchases, the agency’s notary for cash transactions.
For promotion, Inmovecon combines television, print media, and online portals, and is involved in property preparation (cleaning, staging). Owners receive progress reports starting two weeks after launch of marketing.
National franchises in Santa Cruz
Beyond these local players, Santa Cruz is also the main operating ground for the Century 21 and Re/Max franchises. The most emblematic Century 21 office here is Century 21 Business & Residences, which groups about 75 agents and over 600 properties in portfolio, with a standard commission of 4%.
On the Re/Max side, the city hosts no fewer than 24 franchises, making it the largest Re/Max hub in Bolivia. For a foreigner, combining the expertise of a major franchise (Century 21 Business & Residences or an experienced Re/Max office) with the finer insight of a local agency like UNO Corporación is often a winning strategy: the former offers the security of standardized processes, the latter intimate knowledge of the Santa Cruz market.
La Paz: major franchises and a local champion
La Paz, the administrative capital perched at over 3,600 meters altitude, offers a very different real estate landscape. The market is less explosive than in Santa Cruz but remains dynamic, with steady demand in neighborhoods like Calacoto, San Miguel, or Sopocachi. Here again, caution is necessary: most intermediaries are informal, and very few truly know how to handle foreign clients.
In this context, two players stand out from a recent analysis as the best options: a major Re/Max franchise, Remax Professional, and a leading local broker, Firma Propiedades.
Remax Professional: the franchise reference in La Paz
Remax Professional is the largest Re/Max franchise in La Paz. It brings together more than 35 in-house agents and manages over 220 properties, covering a fairly broad spectrum of neighborhoods and price ranges. Commissions follow the network standard: about 3.5% for a sale and the equivalent of one month’s rent for rentals.
Remax Professional is the default option for an international franchise in La Paz. It is accustomed to dealing with foreign clients, making it particularly suitable for non-Spanish speakers or those unfamiliar with Bolivian legal specifics.
Firma Propiedades: the local heavyweight
Purely local firms capable of rivaling international franchises in size, Firma Propiedades is the typical example in La Paz. The agency manages about 1,350 properties, a scale significantly larger than Remax Professional in terms of volume, and employs around fifty in-house agents. Its portfolio covers a wide range of neighborhoods and segments, from more popular areas to the most sought-after residential sectors.
Firma Propiedades receives honorable customer reviews (3.5 to 4/5). Its commissions are similar to Remax: about 3.5% for sales and 100% of one month’s rent for rentals. It’s important to note that it is less accustomed to assisting foreign clients, which can complicate the process for a non-Spanish-speaking investor.
| Indicator | Remax Professional (La Paz) | Firma Propiedades (La Paz) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of in-house agents | > 35 | ≈ 55 |
| Properties in portfolio | > 220 | ≈ 1,350 |
| Sale commission | ~3.5% | ~3.5% |
| Rental commission | 1 month’s rent | 1 month’s rent |
| Experience with foreign clients | High | Limited |
| Customer reviews (approx.) | ~4/5 | 3.5 to 4/5 |
In the background, Century 21 remains present in La Paz, but with only four offices and much less coverage than Re/Max. For a foreigner seeking to rely on a franchise, Remax Professional generally stands out as the first choice, possibly supplemented by a local contact at Firma Propiedades to broaden the property spectrum.
Cochabamba: the city of franchises, with no reliable local champion
Cochabamba, a mid-sized city nestled in a valley with a reputedly mild climate, presents a very particular case: according to analyzed data, no strictly local agency was deemed recommendable. Attempts to identify solid local brokers resulted in a harsh assessment: repeated failures, poor practices, substandard services.
In practice, only two offices, both from international franchises, are advised: Remax Libertad and Century 21 Valle.
Remax Libertad: one of the largest offices in the country
Remax Libertad stands as a giant in the Cochabamba landscape. Despite the city’s modest size on a national scale, this franchise manages over 270 properties and has about 35 in-house agents. Commissions are standard for Re/Max: about 3.5% for sales and one month’s rent for rentals.
The franchise has grown rapidly over the past five years, reaching a volume of transactions that places it among the largest in the Re/Max network in Bolivia. For a buyer or investor in Cochabamba, Remax Libertad is clearly the recommended entry point.
Remax Libertad, Cochabamba
Century 21 Valle: the high-end alternative
Against Remax Libertad, Century 21 Valle represents the other structured option for Cochabamba. Here again, the agency gathers about 35 in-house agents and manages more than 200 properties. Sale commissions are 4%, and rental commission, as elsewhere, corresponds to 100% of one month’s rent.
Century 21 Valle’s positioning follows the brand’s general line: a more pronounced focus on upscale residential properties and the most desirable neighborhoods, whereas Remax Libertad covers more varied segments, from mid-range to high-end.
| Indicator | Remax Libertad (Cochabamba) | Century 21 Valle (Cochabamba) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of in-house agents | ≈ 35 | ≈ 35 |
| Properties in portfolio | > 270 | > 200 |
| Sale commission | ~3.5% | 4% |
| Rental commission | 1 month’s rent | 1 month’s rent |
| Positioning | Broad range of properties | Predominantly high-end |
In this city, where no local broker is deemed worthy of recommendation, relying on these two franchises is more than a convenience choice: it’s a safety measure.
Beyond major cities: where to find reliable contacts?
While La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba concentrate most of the available analysis, other Bolivian cities also have offices of the major franchises. In Sucre, Tarija, Trinidad, or Oruro, the only contacts considered sufficiently structured remain the Century 21 and Re/Max franchises already mentioned. No strictly local agency emerges as particularly recommended for investors, especially foreigners.
Working with a local broker in some cities is possible, but carries significantly higher risks. These risks include a lack of established procedures, incomplete documentation, unfamiliarity with handling international clients, and sometimes a complete absence of legal compliance.
In all cases, using major listing portals—Casas24.com.bo, Infocasas.com.bo, Boliviainmobiliaria.com—can help survey the market, but they do not replace a structured agency, nor especially a specialized lawyer who will verify the validity of titles and the absence of mortgages or disputes, through the Derechos Reales registries.
Commissions, costs, and service models: what to expect
Before signing a mandate or purchase promise, it’s useful to clarify how Bolivian agencies get paid. In formal structures—those recommended in the analyses—sale commissions typically range between 3% and 4% of the final price, paid by the seller. Century 21 almost always applies 4%, Re/Max hovers around 3.5%, and some local agencies like Zonai sometimes charge 3%.
For rentals, it is customary to charge an amount equivalent to one month’s rent. This cost may be fully borne by the owner, as is the case with Re/Max in several cities, or split equally between landlord and tenant, as with the Templario Bienes Raíces agency.
The following table summarizes some commission levels for the agencies mentioned.
| Agency / Network | Type of Sale Commission | Rental Commission (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Century 21 (Bolivia franchises) | 4% of sale price | 100% of one month’s rent |
| Re/Max (Bolivia franchises) | ≈ 3.5% of sale price | 100% of one month’s rent |
| UNO Corporación (Santa Cruz) | 4% of sale price | 50% to 100% of one month’s rent |
| Templario Bienes Raíces | 4% of sale price | 50% landlord / 50% tenant (1 month total) |
| Zonai (Santa Cruz) | 3% of sale price | Not specified, market practice |
| Red Inmobiliaria | 4% of sale price | Negotiable, typically one month |
| Firma Propiedades (La Paz) | ≈ 3.5% of sale price | 100% of one month’s rent |
| Remax Professional (La Paz) | 3.5% of sale price | 100% of one month’s rent |
| Remax Libertad (Cochabamba) | 3.5% of sale price | 100% of one month’s rent |
| Century 21 Valle (Cochabamba) | 4% of sale price | 100% of one month’s rent |
Add to that the other costs of a transaction in Bolivia: transfer tax around 3%, registration fees at Derechos Reales (about 0.5%), notary fees, lawyer fees, bringing total acquisition costs between 4% and 5% of the purchase price. For an investor using a serious agency, these additional costs should be weighed against the reduction in risk of later disputes.
Practical tips for working with the best agencies in Bolivia
Even when selecting the best local real estate agencies in Bolivia, several precautions remain essential. The recommended players—UNO Corporación, Templario, Zonai, Red Inmobiliaria, Inmovecon, Firma Propiedades, as well as the Century 21 and Re/Max franchises mentioned—significantly reduce risks but do not eliminate them. The Bolivian legal framework and the lack of a protection system like title insurance require particular vigilance.
Always prioritize a commission contract based on a percentage of the sale price and refuse “over-price” schemes. Provide the agency only with copies of your documents (property title, ID), never originals, to limit the risk of abuse.
For foreigners, two strong recommendations emerge from available analyses. First, start by renting before buying to familiarize yourself with neighborhoods, actual prices, and local practices. Platforms like Airbnb offer relative comfort and greater security than informal channels, especially for short stays. Second, never proceed with a purchase without the support of a specialized real estate lawyer, accustomed to navigating the Derechos Reales registries and tracking irregularities in titles, mortgages, and disputes.
More than 95% of real estate brokers in Bolivia are informal or unauthorized, underscoring the importance of professional assistance to secure a transaction.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
