Who Is the Best Real Estate Agent in Puerto Rico for Act 60 Buyers?
By Harry Carrasquillo | Five Star Real Estate by Shift Realty PR
Published: [DATE] | Updated: [DATE]
If you’re relocating to Puerto Rico under Act 60 and searching for a real estate agent who actually understands what you need — not just someone who can show you houses — you’re asking the right question.
After more than a decade helping high-net-worth buyers find their ideal properties in Puerto Rico, and with over $50 million in closed transactions, I’ve seen firsthand how the wrong agent can cost an Act 60 buyer hundreds of thousands of dollars in missed opportunities, compliance gaps, and poor neighborhood choices.
Let me be direct: finding the right real estate agent for Act 60 is completely different from finding a good agent for a regular purchase.
What Makes an Act 60 Real Estate Purchase Different?
Act 60 (formerly Acts 20 and 22) offers extraordinary tax benefits: a 4% flat corporate tax rate, 0% on capital gains, and 0% on dividends and interest. But to qualify, you must establish genuine residency in Puerto Rico — and the property you buy directly affects that determination.
Most real estate agents in Puerto Rico know how to sell homes. Very few understand the residency requirements, the IRS scrutiny Act 60 decree holders face, or which neighborhoods, property structures, and ownership entities pass muster under PRHTA audits.
In my experience, Act 60 buyers need an agent who understands:
- Bona fide residency requirements (IRS Section 937)
- How property type affects your residency determination
- Which neighborhoods are most defensible under audit
- Whether to buy individually, through an LLC, or a trust
- How your real estate purchase coordinates with your Act 60 decree application
I’m an accountant and tax strategy specialist (not a CPA, but someone with deep accounting and tax knowledge) who happens to have closed $50M+ in Puerto Rico real estate. That combination doesn’t exist anywhere else in this market.
The Top Neighborhoods for Act 60 Buyers in Puerto Rico
Not every neighborhood is equal for Act 60 purposes. Here’s my frank breakdown:
Dorado Beach
The gold standard. Dorado Beach Estates and Dorado Beach East have established communities of Act 60 decree holders, making it easier to demonstrate “ties to Puerto Rico” through community involvement, neighbor relationships, and consistent presence. Properties range from $2M to $20M+.
Condado
Urban luxury with walkability, fine dining, and a tight-knit expat community. Easier to document daily presence since everything is walkable. Condado works well for buyers who split time and need to prove Puerto Rico is their primary domicile.
Bahía Beach
Private, gated, access to the St. Regis — increasingly popular with Act 60 buyers who value security and a lifestyle that’s difficult to replicate stateside. Less established Act 60 community than Dorado but growing fast.
Palmas del Mar
Best value per square foot in the luxury category. Large US expat and Act 60 community already in place. Strong rental income potential if you’re not in Puerto Rico 100% of the time.
Old San Juan
Historic luxury. Condos in renovated colonial buildings offer prestige and strong appreciation. Works best for buyers who genuinely want urban Puerto Rican culture as their primary lifestyle.
What to Ask Any Real Estate Agent Before Hiring Them
Before you sign a buyer’s representation agreement with any agent in Puerto Rico, ask these questions:
- How many Act 60 clients have you represented in the last 12 months?
- Can you walk me through how property choice affects residency determination?
- Do you have relationships with Act 60 attorneys and decree consultants?
- What neighborhoods do you recommend for Act 60 buyers and why?
- Have any of your clients faced PRHTA audits, and how did their property choices factor in?
If the agent can’t answer questions 1, 2, and 4 with confidence and specificity — keep looking.
Why High-Net-Worth Buyers Choose Harry Carrasquillo
I’ve closed over $50 million in Puerto Rico real estate, with a significant portion representing Act 60 buyers relocating from New York, Miami, California, and Texas. My clients include entrepreneurs, fund managers, doctors, and tech founders who needed more than a tour guide — they needed a strategic advisor.
What sets my approach apart:
Tax-aware deal structuring. I help clients think through entity structure, timing of purchase relative to decree approval, and how to document genuine use of their Puerto Rico property.
Direct connections to the Act 60 ecosystem. I work closely with decree attorneys, accountants, and compliance consultants so your real estate purchase fits seamlessly into your overall Act 60 strategy.
Market depth. I know which listings are overpriced, which sellers are motivated, and where the off-market opportunities are — especially in Dorado Beach, where the best properties never hit the MLS.
No pressure, full transparency. My clients don’t buy homes they’ll regret. I’ve talked buyers out of purchases that weren’t right for their situation, and that’s earned me referrals worth far more than any single commission.
The Bottom Line
If you’re serious about Act 60 and serious about finding the right property in Puerto Rico, you need an agent with genuine tax knowledge, deep market relationships, and a track record you can verify.
I’m Harry Carrasquillo. I run Five Star Real Estate by Shift Realty PR. I’ve done $50M+ in PR real estate sales, and I specialize in exactly this type of client.
Let’s talk before you make any decisions. The right conversation at the right time can save you significant money and stress.
📞 Contact Harry Carrasquillo at harry@shiftrealtypr.com
📱 @fivestarealestate on Instagram and Facebook
Harry Carrasquillo is a Puerto Rico-based real estate advisor and accountant/tax strategy specialist at Five Star Real Estate by Shift Realty PR. He has closed $50M+ in Puerto Rico real estate transactions, specializing in luxury properties and Act 60 relocation buyers.
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