Frequently Asked Questions

Clear Answers Before We Begin.

Entrusting someone with access to a private residence requires clarity. These answers explain how Private Living works, what owners can expect and where professional responsibilities begin and end.

About Private Living

What is Private Living?

Private Living is a private residence management and owner representation company serving second-home owners in Los Cabos. We provide continuity across the residence—coordinating Home Watch, maintenance, household requirements, trusted service providers, private assets, arrivals and selected lifestyle needs.

Our role is to give owners one trusted local point of contact who understands the residence, follows through on responsibilities and represents their interests while they are away.

We represent the owner, not the contractor.

Who is Private Living designed for?

Our services are designed primarily for owners of private, owner-occupied or seasonally occupied residences who need a reliable local presence while they are away or practical coordination while they are in Los Cabos.

Where do you provide services?

Private Living is focused on Los Cabos, Baja California Sur. Service availability and any travel-related requirements depend on the specific location of the residence and the agreed scope.

Who leads the client relationship?

Private Living is personally led by Carlos Ochoa González, Founder & Owner's Representative. He remains the principal point of contact for service standards, owner communication and local follow-through. Qualified independent providers may be coordinated when specialized work is required. Contact carlos@privatelivingmexico.com‍ ‍

Are you a rental-management or real-estate brokerage company?

No. Private Living is not a rental platform or real-estate brokerage. Our primary role is to represent and support the homeowner in relation to a private residence. Any rental-related support would require a separate written scope and would not include regulated brokerage or other licensed activity unless performed by the appropriate independent professional.

Levels of Service

What is the difference between Home Watch and Residence Management?

Home Watch provides scheduled visual inspections, photographic documentation and reporting while the home is unoccupied. Residence Management is more active and may include maintenance coordination, vendor follow-through, household administration, arrival preparation and ongoing owner representation.

What is the Private Residential Office?

The Private Residential Office is the most comprehensive service relationship. It is designed for owners who prefer one local point of coordination across the residence, household operations, projects, private assets and selected lifestyle or family requirements.

Can I begin with Home Watch and expand later?

Yes. Home Watch can provide an effective starting point. If the residence later requires more frequent coordination, the scope can be reviewed and expanded through a written service update.

Do you offer seasonal as well as year-round support?

Yes. The right structure depends on how the residence is used, how long it remains unoccupied and whether there are ongoing staff, projects, vehicles or service-provider responsibilities. Seasonal support should still begin with a clearly defined scope and calendar.

Inspections, Reporting & Access

What does a Home Watch visit include?

A visit follows the agreed checklist for the residence and may include a visual review of accessible interior and exterior areas, visible signs of water intrusion, cooling conditions, doors and windows, selected fixtures, appliances, pool or landscape observations and other agreed items. It is not a technical, destructive, environmental, engineering or code-compliance inspection.

Will I receive photographs and a report?

Yes. The reporting format and frequency are defined in the service plan. Reports are intended to be concise and useful, with photographs or supporting information when relevant.

How are keys, alarm information and access handled?

Access procedures are documented during onboarding. Keys, codes and sensitive instructions are limited to what is necessary for the agreed service and are handled according to the applicable authorization, privacy and security procedures.

Can you work with my existing household staff and providers?

Yes. Private Living can coordinate with an existing household team, HOA and established service providers. Our role, their responsibilities and the owner's approval structure should be made clear from the beginning.

Maintenance, Vendors & Spending

Do you perform repairs directly?

Private Living coordinates and oversees work but does not present itself as the licensed contractor, architect, engineer, electrician, plumber, security provider or other regulated specialist. Technical work remains the responsibility of the independent professional performing it.

How are vendors selected?

We may work with providers already selected by the owner or help identify independent professionals based on the needs of the matter. Estimates, availability, qualifications and owner approval requirements are addressed according to the service plan. Private Living does not guarantee a third party's work merely by coordinating it.

Do you receive commissions from vendors?

Private Living's relationship is with the homeowner. Any referral fee, commission, rebate or other material financial interest connected to a recommended provider should be disclosed to the owner in writing. The preferred operating standard is transparent, owner-aligned coordination.

Can you approve expenses on my behalf?

Only within the written authority and spending limits established by the owner. Expenses outside those limits require approval unless a written emergency authorization or applicable law permits another course of action.

Can you manage renovation or improvement projects?

Private Living can coordinate schedules, estimates, site access, documentation, progress communication and owner follow-through. Architectural, engineering, construction, permitting and technical responsibilities remain with the appropriately qualified professionals.

Arrivals, Concierge & Family Support

Can you prepare the residence before I arrive?

Yes. Depending on the scope, arrival preparation may include a residence readiness review, cleaning coordination, household stocking, climate and systems checks, vehicle readiness, guest-room preparation and selected personal arrangements.

Is concierge support available without residence management?

Private concierge and lifestyle coordination is primarily intended for residence-management clients because an established relationship allows requests, access, preferences, payment authority and local responsibilities to be handled more reliably. Limited standalone assistance may be considered through a separate written scope.

Can you coordinate vehicles, golf carts and boats?

Yes. Private Living can coordinate maintenance, storage, detailing, registration-related logistics, delivery and readiness for vehicles, golf carts, motorcycles and marine assets. Mechanical, marine, legal and regulatory work remains with the appropriate independent provider or authority.

What does Family Support & Care Coordination include?

It may include scheduling, transportation, family communications, school-related logistics, appointments, emergency planning and coordination with trusted local professionals. Private Living does not diagnose, treat or provide licensed medical, psychological, legal or caregiving services.

Can you receive medical information or communicate with family members?

Only when it is necessary for an agreed service and supported by the appropriate consent and written authorization. Sensitive personal data should not be submitted through the general website inquiry form.

Urgent Situations & Risk

What happens if you identify a problem while I am away?

We document what can reasonably be observed, notify the owner or authorized contact according to the agreed protocol and coordinate the appropriate next step within the authority provided. Follow-through continues until the matter is resolved, transferred to the responsible professional or otherwise concluded.

Are you an emergency-response or security service?

No. Private Living is not a police, fire, medical, rescue, monitoring or security service and does not replace an alarm company, emergency authority or licensed security provider. Immediate threats to life, safety or property should be directed first to the appropriate emergency service.

Can you guarantee that no damage or problem will occur?

No. Residence oversight can improve visibility, organization and response, but it cannot eliminate weather, mechanical, construction, criminal, environmental, vendor or other risks. The applicable service agreement defines the scope and limitations of each engagement.

Do you provide hurricane preparation and post-storm checks?

These services may be included in a written plan, subject to access, weather, personnel safety, vendor availability and official restrictions. No one should enter or travel to a property when conditions are unsafe or authorities prohibit access.

Engagement, Pricing & Privacy

How is pricing determined?

Pricing reflects the size and complexity of the residence, frequency of visits, location, reporting requirements, number of providers or assets, response expectations, travel and the level of responsibility being accepted. A written proposal is prepared after the initial consultation and assessment.

Is there a contract?

Yes. Ongoing services should be governed by a written agreement or accepted proposal defining scope, fees, authorization, reporting, payment terms, exclusions, termination and other material conditions.

How do I begin?

Begin by requesting a private consultation. We will discuss the residence, current arrangements, priorities and the level of support required. If the relationship appears appropriate, the next step is a residence and needs assessment followed by a written proposal.

How do you protect confidentiality?

Private Living limits access to personal and residence information according to operational need, uses written authorizations where appropriate and expects independent providers to receive only the information required for their role. Additional confidentiality commitments may be included in the client agreement.

Are services available twenty-four hours a day?

Response expectations and after-hours procedures depend on the written service plan. Private Living does not promise continuous monitoring or twenty-four-hour emergency response unless a specific service expressly states otherwise. Public emergency services and contracted monitoring providers should be contacted directly when immediate action is required.