Pacific Sotheby's International Realty and World Housing Working Together to Build Homes in Tijuana, Mexico

SAN DIEGO, Calif., July 11, 2017 (Newswire.com) - Pacific Sotheby's International Realty is excited to announce they have completed construction on the first home in Tijuana, Mexico as part of the company's Agents of Change initiative. The initiative, which was announced earlier this year, is a partnership between Pacific Sotheby's International Realty, World Housing and New Story Charity, a 501c3 non-profit organization, to fund the building of homes in the Salvatierra community in West Tijuana, Mexico. 

Through the Agents of Change initiative, Pacific Sotheby's International Realty's agents committed to donating a portion of the commission from each closing with the goal of raising the funds needed to provide housing for 30 families living in one of the poorest communities in Tijuana.

"The real estate industry is built on the belief that homeownership is the foundation that gives people the chance for a better life — it's always been part of the American Dream. We are very fortunate to have the opportunities that we do in our society and it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone, no matter where they are from, has access to the very basic need of shelter and security."

Steve Games, CEO, Pacific Sotheby's Realty

With the completion of this first home, the dream of homeownership is now a reality for the Real family, Marybel (47), Armando (46), Karen (18) and Adrian (11). Marybel is a polio survivor, and she and her husband were also in a serious car accident four years ago that set the family back with additional health complications and medical debt. The family applied to receive a home to help them improve their well-being and provide for a better life for their family.

Both World Housing and New Story Charity operate with completely separate overhead so there are no administrative costs, allowing 100 percent of the money raised to go directly to construction and materials costs. They are dedicated to working with local partners to train workers and buy locally sourced construction materials, to help stimulate local economies and teach skills in the process.

In order to qualify for a home, families apply and are selected by a vetting committee. Families chosen are required to volunteer for at least 6 months prior to receiving a home, assisting the local partner with their housing projects, youth development and community programs. The family is not required to pay rent for the home. This "pay it forward" method provides for community engagement far beyond the benefits of homeownership.

To date, Pacific Sotheby's International Realty agents have raised over $50,000 in donations and are scheduled to build a new home every other weekend throughout the year. The homes, which are each approximately 320 sq ft, cost under $6,000 each to build. They are made of wood with a concrete foundation. Each home features a bathroom (septic), three windows, two doors and a loft space. 

Pacific Sotheby's International Realty believes that homeownership is the foundation that gives people the chance for a better life and that each of us has a responsibility to do what we can and give what we are able, to ensure that everyone, no matter where they are from, has access to the very basic need of shelter and security.

To learn more about Pacific Sotheby's International Realty's Agents of Change program and see how you can get involved visit http://worldhousing.org/agentsofchange.

Pacific Sotheby's International Realty is San Diego's largest, locally owned residential real estate company. Comprised of over 600 agents in 22 offices located throughout San Diego County, the firm's brokers and clients benefit from an association with the Sotheby's auction house and worldwide Sotheby's International Realty marketing programs. The Sotheby's International Realty network currently has more than 20,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in approximately 880 offices in 69 countries and territories worldwide. Pacific Sotheby's International Realty listings are marketed on pacificsothebysrealty.com and the sothebysrealty.com global website.

Source: Pacific Sotheby's Realty, World Housing

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