Living in Luxury l Puerto Rico

The Luxury Relocation Concierge Experience : Behind the Scenes of a Seamless Puerto Rico Luxury Relocation.

At 7:15am on a Tuesday morning, my phone buzzed with a message from my client, a biotech entrepreneur from NYC: “Just landed at Isla Grande in San Juan. The car service was here, thank you for arranging, heading to Dorado Beach now.” 

“Great news, I will pick up keys at the Welcome Center Concierge and meet you in an hour for the walkthrough. Just a reminder, tomorrow you and the family have a school meeting at Tasis Dorado at 9am.” I responded. 

The message above represents the culmination of a 90 day luxury relocation process that transformed this family’s life while they remained focused on their business and family priorities. Over two decades, I’ve refined a comprehensive concierge approach that eliminates stress, uncertainty and countless details that typically make luxury relocations overwhelming. 

Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of this complete experience. 

I look at the title of this article I have chosen, and as those of us in the business know, we make it as seamless as it can be. There will be difficulties and nuances that behind the scenes we aim to resolve as quickly as possible. What is not mentioned here are the coordinations required for membership, banking, advanced tech/internet set up, insurances for both the golf carts and property, the utility coordinations, prior walkthrough service to work out a punchlist, and more. For anyone who has tried to set up insurance on an oceanfront villa or for a golf cart can know, it takes time, experience and connections. It’s the above and beyond that make you a standout in your field. It’s the you didn’t need to do this but your clients are certainly going to be grateful that you did it. The difference in Puerto Rico is that the relocation experience is all encompassing, it’s about relocating the kids to new schools, setting up a new healthcare team, shipping coordinations for cars and furnishings, licensing, voter registration and the seemingly simple questions that all of a sudden aren’t so simple.

Day One: The Foundation Consultation

Setting up a comprehensive move takes several months and up to a year in advance planning. Most often it begins with a visit to the island, and a tour of the main neighborhoods. It’s hours of phone and then in person consultation that lead to the shaping of every subsequent decision. This is not a typical real estate call–it is a comprehensive lifestyle and priority assessment that forms the foundation of our entire relocation strategy. It goes beyond square footage and price range, it's an understanding of how you live, what you value, and what success looks like for you and your family in Puerto Rico. It covers topics like: Professional requirements, Family dynamics, Lifestyle priorities, and Investment objectives. More often this involves Act 60 Strategic planning, connecting clients with experienced Act 60 tax attorneys and related consultants . This early introduction ensures that property selection aligns with residency requirements and tax optimization strategies. It is essential to figure out your tax compliance prior to purchasing. Integrating the tax strategy with lifestyle and property decisions from day one maximizes both financial benefits and quality of life.

Following Weeks and Months 

Our approach focuses on strategic market analysis, curated property selection, based on lifestyle and the children's academic needs. 

The community analysis includes:

Educational Proximity: Commute times to preferred schools. Each family’s needs are dependent on the primary language of the schools, any special needs a student might need, and more.

Lifestyle Amenities: Access to beaches, clubs, fitness centers, dining, golf, and cultural activities.  

Investment Potential: Rental income possibilities and Appreciation projections. 

Community: Resident demographics and social integration opportunities

Private Virtual Property Tours 

We aim to get started as soon as the client is ready. This will involve virtual tours of selected properties for rent or for sale. This allows clients to narrow down the selection and to fly in for the final tours when ready. I always suggest an in person tour before signing any agreements or making any kind of long-term commitment. 

Detailed Property Analysis and Due Diligence. 

For each property generating serious interest, we provide comprehensive analysis including: financial projections, legal documentation, and introduction to a team of real estate and tax attorneys, closing procedure guidance, title companies, insurance providers and “gestors” or facilitators to seamlessly transfer your life with no worries. 

Arrival and Immediate Needs

This family’s first week in Puerto Rico was carefully orchestrated to minimize stress and maximize positive first impressions. Our team provides welcoming services, home orientation, and an essential services tour. 

Three-Month Follow Up: Measuring Success and Continued Support

I stay involved with my clients following up with any needs they encounter along the way. The goal is to conduct a satisfaction assessment to measure success and identify any additional support needs. 

Takeaways:Successful Relocation 

Luxury relocations involve hundreds of decisions, dozens of service providers and countless details. We provide a single point of contact to avoid something getting lost in translation, local expertise in understanding and navigating Puerto Rican systems, regulations, and cultural nuances, problem solving to immediately respond to unexpected challenges using established relationships and proven solutions. Twenty years of Puerto Rican luxury real estate experience provides access to off-market properties, preferred service providers, and community connections. My relationships with most clients are years long after establishing a home for them. I value and look forward to becoming part of their team on the island. This approach creates lasting advisor relationships that provide ongoing value in: continued market intelligence, network expansion, and problem solving for any of their needs. 

I once had a client who’s daughter was a talented musician and I provided guidance setting up meetings at the Conservatory of Music. Another whose son was a champion swimmer, and we introduced them to the top Olympic coaches in Puerto Rico, training at the San Juan Natatorium. Every detail is managed, every decision is informed, and every outcome is optimized through expertise, relationships and dedication to client success.

For families considering Puerto Rico relocation, the question isn't whether you can manage the process independently– it's whether you can afford not to invest in professional support that ensures optimal outcomes and preserves your time for what matters most: your family, your business and your new life in paradise. It’s a partnership in creating your ideal life, backed by decades of expertise, established relationships, and unwavering commitment to your success.

Nicole Franceschini Real Estate

Nicole Franceschini is a Luxury Estate Broker with more than 20 years of experience in real estate and relocations in Puerto Rico.