About Us

Tom & Diane Barroll, the co-owners of RE/MAX First Choice Realty and First Choice Property Management have been full time residents of San Carlos Sonora Mexico since 2000, after relocating from Calgary, Alberta Canada. They are members of the Arizona-Sonora Commission. Tom and Diane are both licensed Real Estate Agents in Sonora, Mexico and have earned the designation, Realtor.

Tom and Diane are actively involved in community service projects in San Carlos including service as:
-Treasurer, Rescate de San Carlos
-Past Treasurer, Country Club Residents Association
-Board member, Solimar Condominium Residents Association & Marinaterra Residents Association.
-Involved in the Ladies International Fishing Tournament, San Carlos Yacht Club and Rescate de San Carlos Fishing Tournament, International Billfish Tournament, and the Labor Day Invitational Fishing Tournament

Diane Barroll

Tom Barroll
 

Tom spent close to 20 years in the offshore oil industry working internationally. He speaks Spanish well and, with his renovation and construction experience, has developed good relationships with the local trades and construction personnel. Along with looking after the maintenance and renovation aspects of the business, he is also a member of AMPI and has completed the Sonora required Real Estate course.

The Re/Max First Choice Team

What other Canadians have to say

Would love to have been at the seminar but did not want to cancel supper at the Cotton Club watching the sun set.

To us going to San Carlos is liking going home. We first visited in March 2007 and fell in love. We bought a lot and had a home built for less than we could have bought a condo for in Edmonton in 2008/9. We are 200 yards from the beach. What more could we ask for? People ask why did you not buy in Arizona. It is very simple, we love the ocean. We are not boaters but enjoy walking on the beach and watching the ocean. Arizona cannot offer that at any price.

San Carlos has a beauty of it's own, with the ocean, the mountains and desert but most importantly with it's people. We have been embraced by so many with open arms. No matter where you go people are friendly and welcoming. You are continually making new friends and finding new things to do. We cannot wait until we retire and can be in part of San Carlos for more than a few weeks.

We were concerned that our teenagers would find it too quite after being used to resort holidays and we were amazed how they love it there and prefer San Carlos over an all-inclusive. We have several family members who want to quit their jobs and move. It is a place where we have never felt in any danger no matter where we have ventured in Guaymas or Hermosillo.

Admittedly the journey to San Carlos is currently not direct but it is sure worth the journey when that night you are Soggy Pesos or Charlie's Rock watching the sun set. It is only an extra day's drive from Arizona and it is an easy drive. We have driven several times across the border and have never had a problem. Everyone was very helpful.

Come to San Carlos and enjoy the charm that awaits you.

Doreen and Ephraim Lennon

My wife and I live in Edmonton. We are fiftyish, both professionals, no kids. We have travelled a lot over the years and experienced many countries and cultures.

By chance about 4 years ago we happened to visit San Carlos. It was a brief visit, but we were intrigued. Spectacular desert and mountain scenery contrasted with the brilliant blue of the Sea of Cortes. A pleasant absence of high rises and chain hotels. The town was Mexican with a substantial dose of American and Canadian gringos. The Mexicans were friendly enough to excuse our utter lack of Spanish and the Gringos were helpful and welcoming, rather than insular. Our travels have always taken us to the water and boating is a passion. San Carlos had not one, but two excellent, well-protected marinas.

On our return to Edmonton we decided maybe we had wandered enough over the years and that San Carlos might be that place we had been looking for. It might also permit us our dream of a waterfront home – there is still value in Mexico, and not only in the restaurants and cantinas.

Over the course of the following 2 years we did our due diligence on the web and visited San Carlos each year for a month at a time, renting a house on the beach at Playa Algodones, just outside San Carlos. The beach is nothing short of sensational with the sunrise on the left, sunset on the right, and a sunny day in between. On each of those occasions we drove from Edmonton, taking our time (and dogs with us). The drive is lengthy, but manageable. The five hours from the Mexico / U.S. border to San Carlos is mainly four lane and was a pleasant surprise.

In early 2010 we found and purchased that waterfront home. The home, the surroundings, and the people we have met combine to be everything we could wish for – except, maybe, more time to enjoy it.

David Cunningham & Melanie Watson