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Ecuador Real Estate Guide

If you are planning on living in Ecuador you are going to need a place to live. While some new expats jump right in and buy a property (sometimes sight-unseen) most take a more relaxed approach and rent for a while. There are some definite joys to renting…

Ecuador Real Estate


While Ecuador might be just right for you, it is hard to pick the city, or even the part of the city, that you would be most happy in. For example, within just the canton of Cuenca there are 36 different parroquias (or parishes).

It is even harder in a large city like Quito or Guayaquil to determine just where you should rent (or buy) your new place.

How to Find Real Estate in Ecuador (6 Sources)

How will you find your new place to live? While there are classifieds, the market isn’t as well organized as we are used to in North America.

There is no central place to find all the rentals – and many of the good deals never get advertised any more than a paper in the window. Agents often have leads on a few rentals but they are limited and (almost always) more expensive.

In this section, you’ll find 6 sources of Ecuador real estate – that don’t involve individual real estate companies.

Even if you decide to use a real estate agent, it is important that you know the market.

  • What are other properties selling for?
  • What’s the price difference between downtown and just out-of-town?
  • What features are standard? Extra?
  • Is there a difference in English and Spanish real estate listings?

These sites will help.

Here are six sites that you can use to find real estate across Ecuador. They are listed because they publish both private and agency listings.

They are all searchable by city, province, type of property and price. There are more than 30,000 unique listings available across these six sites.

Are we missing one? Please share it in the comments below.

6 Sites For Real Estate in Ecuador

Fair warning: These sites are like going down the rabbit hole. It is very easy to lose hours (even days) looking at all the options and dreaming about your new place.

In preparing this post, I spent hours just looking and dreaming – and we aren’t even in the market for a place. There are some amazing places available.

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

1. Craigslist – Quito (Covers all of Ecuador)

This strong classifieds site has one version for all of Ecuador. The Quito sub-domain covers the whole country. In the top right corner, you can choose from either English or Spanish.

This is a good site for seeing the latest properties available. You can check new listings every day – and know that they are still available. Some real estate sites keep expired ads up just to have something to show.

Along with the typical classified categories (community, services, for sale, and jobs), there is a strong housing category. Housing covers the following sub-categories:

  • apts / housing
  • housing swap
  • housing wanted
  • office/commercial
  • parking/storage
  • real estate for sale
  • rooms / shared
  • sublets / temporary
  • vacation rentals

So while it does cover the whole country, and will require some sorting, it is very active. Today there were 19 new listings just under the housing category, with many of them in English (or translated into English).

craigslist-ecuador-real-estate
Craigslist Ecuador

2. PlusValia.com 

One of the stronger real estate sites in Ecuador with 22,000+ listings. The search feature is strong and easy to sort.

There are just four search fields on the homepage: location (zone, city, province or project), type of property (house, apartment, land, commercial or other), type (rent, sell, transfer or vacation) and price (with a sliding scale). As each variable is chosen, the number of matching properties automatically adjusts.

This is one of my favorites for searching and dreaming…

Website: http://www.plusvalia.com

plusvalia.com Ecuador real estate
PlusValia.com – Ecuador Real Estate

3. Vive1.com

This is second only to PlusValia in selection of real estate in Ecuador. When this post was published, the site listed almost 6,000 Ecuador real estate listings. Vive1.com covers all sectors and cities in the country.

The following is a partial list of the cities/regions represented on the site (and the number of real estate listings in brackets). The first number is properties for sale. The second number is rentals available.

  • Ambato (41) (2)
  • Atacames (20) (6)
  • Atuntáqui (9) (1)
  • Bahia Caraquez (16) (3)
  • Cotacachi (2) (0)
  • Cuenca (800) (66)
  • Guayaquil (386) (120)
  • Loja (34) (0)
  • Manta (45) (14)
  • Mindo (4) (0)
  • Playas (3) (1)
  • Quito (2687) (958)
  • Riobamba (13) (1)
  • Salinas (26) (7)
  • Santa Elena (5) (2)
  • Vilcabamba (1) 1)
  • Yunguilla Valley (7) (0)

Total Listings on Vive1.com: 5,844 (For Sale: 4,579) (For Rent: 1,265)

The categories are divided as follow:

  • Residential [Vivienda]
  • Land [Terrenos]
  • Commercial [Comercial]
  • Rural [Rurales]
  • Buildings [Edificio]
  • Industrial [Industrial]
  • Tourism [Turismo]

Vive1.com is run by GrupoCentrico and currently only represents Ecuador real estate. They also produce PatioTuerca.com (both here in Ecuador and in Panama) a used car site.

vive1 Ecuador real estate
Vive1 Ecuador Real Estate, Covering areas such as Salinas, Cuenca, Cotacachi and Quito

4. MercadoLibre.com.ec

This general classified site includes a real estate section. You can also find furniture, home furnishings, and automobiles here. Covers all of Ecuador.

This site seems to be more private sellers – which means you might find better deals. It is almost exclusively Spanish. The search feature is very good. I like this site because of the great photos provided by most vendors.

Website: http://www.mercadolibre.com.ec/

mercado-libre-ecuador-real-estate
MercadoLibre.com (Ecuador classifieds)

5. Ecuador Newspapers

Each major city has at least one daily paper. By checking the local classifieds of the area you are interested in, you can save lots of time in searching. Find homes in the area of Ecuador where you want to live.

This option is going to take a little more time. There are 30+ daily papers in Ecuador. To help, we’ve created this listing of all the daily papers. To find real estate listings, visit the specific newspaper, click on “Clasificados” and then search for either “bienes raíces” or “inmuebles”. From there, you can sort based on province, type of real estate and sale or rental.

Find Ecuador real estate in local newspapers.

6. InmoEcuador.com

InmoEcuador.com is one of 13 country-based real estate sites run by InmoMundo.com. Other countries include Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, España (Spain), Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay and Túnez (Tunisia – North Africa).

While the whole country is covered, it has fewer properties than some of the other sites. As I write this post, it has 62 listings for Ecuador. I included this in the list with the hope that it will grow over time.

Website: http://www.inmoecuador.com

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InmoEcuador.com

Another site that I have played with is El Portal. As I wrote this post, it had just 9 listings (which is kind of useless).

find ecuador real estate

The majority of listings are for sale, but there are some rentals. Covers all of Ecuador.

There you have it. Six huge resources for finding real estate in Ecuador.

Here’s how to get started:

How to Choose an Ecuador Real Estate Agent

Are you looking for real estate in Ecuador? How can you sort out all the variables and choose an agent who will represent your interests?

ecuador real estate agent

In this section, I share tips and observations from five years in Ecuador – and from running the largest English language travel and expat site in the country.

While you can always choose based on an online ad, it is better to make an informed decision based on the following suggestions:

10 Steps to Choosing a Great Agent

  1. Meet at an open house
  2. Take a recommendation of a close friend
  3. Check their references
  4. Hire a real estate lawyer
  5. Interview multiple agents
  6. Don’t hire on language alone
  7. Don’t hire on their fee alone
  8. Choose a full time agent
  9. Check their business registration
  10. Look at their current listings

8 Questions to Ask a Prospective Agent

Make sure you really interview the agent before you hire them. Here are some questions to get you started:

  1. How long have you been in the business? Real estate careers are surprisingly short among expat agents. Make sure that they have been selling real estate in Ecuador for a while before hiring them.
  2. Will you provide references? Every good agent has references. Confirm that they are unbiased.
  3. What documents will I be asked to sign? Can I see them now? Make sure of what you are getting into before you begin the process. This applies to rentals and purchase.
  4. How will you search for my home? Find out if you will be offered options from their current list or if they will go looking for properties that meet your criteria.
  5. How much do you charge? Some agents charge a flat fee ($300) while others charge a percentage of purchase price. Be careful of agents that sell on agent markup. More on this below.
  6. Will you help me find other professionals? An established agent should have contacts with bankers, lawyers, notaries, translators, repairmen and home inspectors.
  7. What area do you live in? Make sure that they know the area and city that you are planning on living in.
  8. Quiz them about specific legal issues and see if they know more than you do.

The Necessary Disclaimer

Please note: I am not an agent, nor do I have any financial relationship with the sites we are recommending. We are not promoting any specific real estate service. There is no hidden agenda in this post (or any other that we publish).

This post is not meant to harm individuals’ reputations or businesses. If you feel that our point of view is mistaken, please share your comments below. Also, if you have a bilingual real estate site (English/Spanish) or a Spanish site with some English, please share it below.

Language can be a barrier, as can legal issues – but people are people. People are dishonest in every country, but people are generally reasonable and honest. 

ecuador real estate agent

Rely on your lawyer not your real estate agent. This stands true in your home country and it’s true here.

I recently spent some time looking for a furnished rental for some friends. A Google search returned a number of the English sites along with many Spanish ones.

The local English agents that I spoke with were unhelpful and unprofessional. Obviously, I didn’t speak with every agent and I’m confident that there are good, honest agents that are also foreigners. But the premise is a bit unusual.

Why Many Expats Become Real Estate Agents

In every area with a developing expat community, there are English real estate agents. Why would these expats choose to sell real estate – when there are so many other fields they could go into?

  1. English as a skill set. Back in your home state or province, would you consider hiring an agent just because he spoke the same language as you? Absurd, isn’t it? There are so many other factors, like experience, credentials, and reputation. When new expats are looking for real estate abroad, often speaking English is the only requirement for hiring an agent. It seems like weak criteria for a six digit investment.
  2. Niche exploitation. In many expat areas, expats tend to congregate for “gringos nights” and other events. And Cuenca is no different. I haven’t attended these events (I also don’t find “speaking the same language” as a reason for friendship) but we’ve heard from many who have attended. According to them, these events are little more than an opportunity for expat-targeted businesses to pitch their services.

English Listings? Yay! Wait… What?! Only in English!?

Remember where you are looking for real estate. It is a SPANISH country. Latin America doesn’t have bilingual countries (like Canada: English & French).

While there are a few countries that speak Portuguese (Brazil) or English (Belize, Guyana) almost all of them are Spanish (Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Columbia, etc). Not Spanish with English sectors – all Spanish. Central and South America are Spanish. So when looking for real estate, expect to do so in Spanish.

When you find a real estate site with English listings, a good question to ask is:

“Who are these properties being marketed  to?”

If the company’s site is only in English (and they are in a Spanish country) the question should be: “Why?”.

Obviously, they could move more inventory if they marketed in Spanish as well. Could it be that they only market in English, because the local Spanish-speaking population would never pay their prices? If that is the case, why should an expat pay their asking prices?

I’ve heard from many sources that real estate transactions don’t only work on a percentage commission. They also work on agent markup. Let me explain:

Beware of Agent Markup

Let’s say that a homeowner has a nice house that they want to sell for $85,000. The agent promises that price, with anything above that price going to the agent. Imagine the agent adding a healthy $35,000 to the price, listing at $120,000. This gives the agent more than 29% of the sale price as a fee or commission. In Canada, the standard rate was 6% – often split between buying and selling agents. Things seem much less regulated here. In fact, I’ve seen the identical property listed on English real estate sites and Spanish ones. Well, identical except for the price…

But If You Have The Money…

For some new expats, the ease of purchase is obviously worth the higher price.

When basic condos might go for $300,000+ in your home city, the difference between $100,000 and $140,000 might seem negligible – especially when located in a brand-new luxury building.

Alternatives to Expat Real Estate Agents

Even if you choose to purchase with an English-speaking expat agent, you do well to confirm similar property values before you purchase. And you need to do that by looking at locally marketed properties.

You can check with one or both of the following:

  1. an agency that markets primarily to Ecuadorian buyers, in Spanish
  2. a classified site that market properties, primarily in Spanish

Now I know what you’re thinking: What use is a Spanish site, if I don’t speak Spanish?

There are two reasons to use Spanish classifieds and real estate listings:

  1. Many Spanish sites contain English listings: It isn’t uncommon to find postings both in English and Spanish or just in English although the majority of the listings will be just in Spanish
  2. Hire a translator: In many cases, it is cheaper to hire a translator who you pay by the hour to help you find a rental or even a property to purchase than to pay for an overpriced property. I recently spoke with a gringo who had signed contracts with Ecuadorian property owners to rent their properties. He would get them the price they wanted and he would get whatever the overage was. One two-bedroom apartment was going to rent to gringos at $900 per month. It might have been worth $300-400. If you hired a translator at $15/hr to help work out the specifics on your rental, you could hire them for more than 30 hours and still come out ahead on your first months rental!

There is a lot said about gringo inflation on some blogs. From our perspective, inflation is primarily caused by foreigners taking advantage of fellow foreigners, and specifically in regards to higher-priced real estate.

There is another issue that needs to be addressed.

Why Buy a Property in a Place You’ve Never Lived?

While there is a certain romantic flare to owning property abroad, you should ask: Why?

If you haven’t lived there, how do you know you will want to live there? Visiting for a few weeks/months doesn’t properly define a place. There isn’t a better anchor than a piece of real estate (especially an overpriced one).

Are You Buying For Ecuadorian ResidencyThe current investment rules for permanent residency are $25,000 for the principal and $500 for each dependent. In our family’s case, we had to invest $26,000.

What we recommend. Buying a property is a great idea – but why not move to your new town and rent for 6 months to 2 years? If you still love it after that time frame, start looking to buy.

After that time frame, you will speak Spanish (at least to some degree) and you’ll know the area better. You’ll know if you want to live in the center or out of town. You’ll have contacts that you can evaluate based on criteria other than the language that they speak. As a result of all of this, not only will you pay less for your property, you’ll likely make a better decision because:

  1. you can be confident that you actually want to live in that city
  2. you can choose both the area of the city and the type of housing (apartment, condo, house with land) that will make you happy

Be Careful of Scare Tactics

Likely you have found the set of English real estate sites – some of which use scare tactics to try to push you into their services. 

Renting or buying? “Neither is safe without a skillful guide”, according to some agents. “While they appear kind and friendly, the typical Ecuadorian will try to rip you off at every opportunity”, some claim. These are actual quotes from English agencies in Cuenca.

These are outright lies with the sole purpose of pushing new expats straight into often-overpriced properties.

While an experienced, full-time agent can be a solid asset to buying real estate, be careful of the high number of first-time expat-agents who are just experimenting with a new career and marketing English as their top skill.

You would do better with a translator and a local Spanish agent. Or maybe just a translator and a good lawyer.

What has been your experience with Ecuador real estate? Success or horror stories?

Disagree with my opinions? Great! Please share your comments below.


What Are the Homes Like in Ecuador?

The homes in Ecuador are beautiful and the workmanship is often superior to what we used to see in Canada.

But there are some big differences in how homes are built and finished. Some are good surprises while other differences are just plain surprises.

Here’s what you need to know about the homes in our guide to Ecuador rentals.

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What is the “normal” price of real estate in Ecuador? Great question.

It is a largely unregulated market with prices varying widely. Here are a few articles to give you an overview of how things work and just what to expect.


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Ecuador Real Estate Legal Concerns

Many expats moving to Ecuador use property purchases for the basis for their residency visas.

As with most things, there are some specifics to keep in mind.

The rules and nuances of real estate in Ecuador are likely very different from your home country.

In this video interview, Grace Velastegui, an immigration lawyer in Cuenca Ecuador, discusses some of the common issues encountered with buy real estate in Ecuador and how to avoid them.
(complete transcript below the video)

Video Transcript: Ecuador Real Estate Legal Issues

Our specialty is also helping with real estate law. We can assist you with the purchase of a property.

Although it is understood that the purchase of property in Ecuador is a very straightforward process, there are some special things that need to be covered. A good title search might be necessary, especially in certain cases for your peace of mind.

The process of purchasing property can be done in one or two stages, depending on the property that you are going to be buying.

If it is going to be a single-owned house (owned by an individual) a good title search might be a good idea. You want to make sure that there are no implications in regards to inheritance law or in regard to an ex-wife or ex-husband (for a divorced person) that might be involved in the title.

You also want to make sure that the title is free of liens or encumbrances, that there are no mortgages against the building or pending debts with the municipal taxes that have not been paid or paperwork that was not completed or not in order.

So if you buy a purchase that is under construction normally (in a condominium for example) the title of ownership is not available yet. Therefore you want to do an agreement to purchase and sell first.

This is advisable to be notarized – and not by a private one – unless you pay a very low deposit. If it is a big deposit you want to be insured by a legal instrument that needs to be notarized. In order to have a good, binding document you want to use your own attorney and not use the standard form that the developers might have.

Some people go directly to the notary and legalize the sale or the purchase and they pay the price of the property. Later on, they find out that there were some liens or that their title was not possible to be registered in their names or the change of name was not covered, or that they had hidden defects in the title that is not possible to cure.

So in order to ensure the recording of your title, once you have already completed the payment it is a good idea to have an attorney help you do an exhaustive title investigation.

If you purchase a property in Ecuador, you can use the title of ownership to apply for a residency visa as an investor in real estate. You should use a title that covers the requirements in order to apply for a residency visa. So make sure that the paperwork is done correctly for this purpose.


Reality Check: Housing in Cuenca, Ecuador

Housing in Cuenca is likely going to be different than what you’re used to. There are lots of great options – many beautiful apartments and homes. This post gives a reality check for what you should expect.

Housing in Cuenca Ecuador
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Many expats come to Ecuador looking for a new way of life and envision themselves living in their dream home perched in a lush valley alongside a mountain stream. That is certainly an attractive vision but not necessarily in touch with reality.

Many new expats have had to settle for housing that is different from what they were expecting.   It is often difficult to find that perfect mountain villa on 20 acres that everyone seems to want.

For some expats, the only affordable and practical housing option is to be found in high rise apartment buildings or in working-class neighborhoods, far from that peaceful valley that they had been dreaming about.

If you do happen to find your country dream home with acreage, it will no doubt come with a price tag that is more than what you were expecting.  Many expats are often shocked at the prices that some realtors are asking for rentals and properties for sale here.

For example: a recent visitor from the U.S. came looking for a house with land where he could settle down with his family.  A realtor took him to an area just outside of Cuenca to look an older house in need of repairs.

He was dismayed when he learned that this property was being offered for $175,000, a price which is much higher than one might expect to pay for a rundown property.

That is just one example of the disappointment that some expats suffer when faced with realities that are often different from their expectations.

There are affordable rentals and properties for sale to be found here, but it takes some investigation to locate them and one must have an open mind and be willing to accept housing options that are sometimes very different from what was initially envisioned.


How to Rent or Buy Property in Cuenca Ecuador

In this section, you’ll learn how to rent and buy property in Cuenca Ecuador. 

Property in Cuenca Ecuador


How can you find property to rent or buy in Cuenca?

Before we moved to Ecuador, one dilemma we faced had to do with housing.  How do you go about finding a house or apartment if you don’t know anyone here or speak the language?

The first thing that comes to mind is to use a realtor.  There are a number of realtors who target expats with nice websites and testimonials from “satisfied customers”.

That is one way to find housing, but there are alternatives to using a realtor that one would do well to consider.

There are some things to keep in mind when house hunting in Ecuador or any other country for that matter.  According to what we have been told and experienced ourselves, not all “professional” realtors have your best interest at heart.

And don’t think that just because a realtor is a fellow expat who speaks your language that he or she won’t take advantage of you. They may try to steer you to a certain area or price range, thus limiting your options and forcing you to pay more than you have to.

I recently received an email from a person interested in moving to Ecuador who related a story detailing the underhanded tactics of one realtor who was artificially elevating the prices he charged to unsuspecting expats in the north of Ecuador.

He was skimming thousands of dollars and inventing fees that are not legal. Fortunately, the buyer contacted a reliable Ecuadorian real estate attorney who blew the whistle on the realtor.

The idea that some locals and fellow expats have is that all retirees are rich and therefore can afford to pay more.  No one wants to be a victim of unscrupulous realtors or pay more than they have to.

The majority of retired expats are not rich. They have to watch what they spend and cannot afford to be ripped off.

Ecuador property purchase mistakes

Limited Real Estate Listings in Cuenca

Another issue I have noticed with the realtors here is that they just don’t seem to have very many listings to offer

If you are looking to rent or buy, most realtor websites seem to have only a handful of listings and many of those are offered for prices that are somewhat higher than what we have paid for rentals.
or example, we know some expats who rent very nice centrally located apartments with garages and guards for $350.00 a month, but we have seen the same type of “luxury” apartments on some realtor websites that are offered for $500-$600 a month.

What is the difference? I have been in those more expensive apartments and I can see no real difference between the more expensive apartments and the ones offered for less.

When you surf the different realty web sites you may come away with the impression that there are not that many rentals available here and that you have to pay $500.00 or more to rent a decent place. 

However, we have found that the reality is somewhat different.

When I check the local classified ads here in Cuenca and take a tour of different areas, I find that there are many rentals and for sale by owner properties available here.

It seems that most people who have properties for rent or for sale prefer to market them on their own and bypass the realtors. They simply stick a sign in the window or put a small ad in the paper.

Some realtors will have you believe that the locals will rip you off and that you have to have the “expert” care of a fellow expat realtor to avoid being taken advantage of, but our experience has been the opposite.

The majority of property owners want foreigners as renters because of our reputation as trustworthy and responsible folks who will take care of their property and not destroy it.

If you are a foreigner looking to rent, you have an automatic advantage over natives who are looking to rent the same property.  However, you have to be willing to negotiate and not pay the asking price.

If the owner won’t negotiate, just walk away.  We had one owner try to gouge us for $550 on a house that would normally rent for $300 and we just said “thanks but no thanks” and walked away after realizing that they were not going to negotiate a reasonable price.

So, how can you find housing without being taken to the cleaners? First of all, I personally would avoid the realtors who specifically target foreigners, or at least proceed with caution when dealing with them.

You can be certain that there has been some inflating of prices since they are marketing to foreigners.

I’m not trying to trash all realtors and I’m sure that there are some good guys out there, but in a market where there is little or no regulation, you have to be careful.

How To Find Rentals in Ecuador

Here is what we have done to find rentals: When we rented for the first time here, we used an Ecuadorian friend, whom we had met on our initial visit to Ecuador, to help us scout out potential rentals.

We called him a couple of weeks before our move from the U.S.  to Cuenca and he got to work looking for houses for rent in the area.

On our arrival in Cuenca, he picked us up at the airport in and immediately took us to check out rental houses that he had found.  We dealt directly with the owners and rented a brand new 4 bedroom 2 ½ bath house the very first day for $260.00 a month.

We did not use a realtor and knew that the price we were paying was fair and in line with what the locals would pay for the same house.

Our friend did not skim off money or inflate the price of the house, in fact he helped us to negotiate a lower price than what was being asked and he did an inspection of the house and pointed out a couple of things that the owners needed to do before we moved in.

Since that initial experience, we have successfully rented on our own 4 other houses and helped a number of other expats find and rent apartments and houses and we did it without using a realtor.  We have dealt directly with the owners on every rental and almost always have been able to negotiate a better price than advertised.

When someone contacts us and asks us for help finding a house or apartment, we check the classifieds and cruise through neighborhoods that look promising.  Sometimes we ask neighbors or store keepers if there are any rentals in the area.

The last house we rented was vacant, but did not have a for rent sign posted.  We asked a neighbor if the house was for rent and she said that she believed it was.  We left a note in the door with our phone number explaining that we are foreigners looking to rent and the owner called us a few days later.
We rented the house and were able to negotiate a better price using the fact that we are foreigners as a bargaining tool.  The owner dropped the price by about 15% off the original decent asking price of $300.00. Why pay more if you don’t have to?

What if you are looking to buy a house? First, I would strongly advise anyone to rent first.  That way you can make contacts and know whom to trust and you can get a better idea of where you want to live.  You can find a property to purchase using the same process we use to find rentals and negotiate directly with the owner and then hire a lawyer to do the rest.

Why pay a realtor thousands of dollars if you don’t have to? The lawyer is the one who does the real work and has the expertise to guide you through the  buying process and assure that you are not being ripped off or purchasing a property with problems.

Renting or buying a house in a foreign country can seem daunting or scary, but by using some common sense and doing your home work, and with a little help from trustworthy locals, you can work through the process without suffering the pain of paying too much or being taken advantage of, at least that has been our experience.  Happy house hunting!

This is a post by an American expat living in Cuenca since 2007. 


House Hunters International in Cuenca, Ecuador

House Hunters International has been in Ecuador many times.

Here is an overview of our experience as the subjects for one episode.


Real Estate Questions?

What’s your question about real estate in Ecuador? Please check out the posts above and ask your questions on the related posts. If your question doesn’t seem to fit anywhere, please ask it below.

102 Comments

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    Thank you
    Eddie

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    More of 700 square meters built (7750 square feet), and land is 1200 square meters (12916 square feet). Valued in 1.130.000USD we sell in opportunity in 1.000.000USD
    Whatsapp +593984061398 email [email protected]

  5. Hola! My husband and I live on a gorgeous pine filled hacienda an easy hour outside of wonderful Cuenca. We’ve built a second (smaller) home and have our larger one for sale with 1.5 hectares. After setting up a website to show it, friends of ours have asked to include their properties on the site as well. There are just a handful, but if you’re seeking a tranquil, beautiful life in the Andes mountains, you might want to check Ecuador Country Living. There’s also a Cuenca city penthouse condo with fantastic views, too!

  6. Hello everyone,
    I AM SELLING A BEAUTIFUL AND LARGE DEPARTMENT OF 166 SQUARE METERS ON THE 3RD FLOOR OF A BUILDING LOCATED IN ONE OF THE BEST AREAS OF QUITO, THREE BLOCKS FROM EL BOSQUE SHOPPING CENTER. THE APARTMENT HAS A LARGE KITCHEN, DINING ROOM AND LIVING ROOM WITH FIREPLACE. IT HAS THREE BEDROOMS (A MASTER WITH LARGE COMPLETE BATHROOM AND TWO BEDROOMS WITH A SHARED BATHROOM). THE ROOMS HAVE SPACIOUS CLOSETS. IT ALSO HAS A SOCIAL BATHROOM. AROUND THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE CITY ARE APPRECIATED.
    BESIDES THE APARTMENT HAS 2 GARAGES AND 2 WINERIES AND HAS A BEAUTIFUL BALCONY.
    SALE: 176,000 DOLLARS
    RENTAL: 960 DOLLARS
    THE PRICE IS NEGOTIABLE
    INFO AT: 0987543444

  7. Hello, I am selling a beautiful house in Pomasqui. 2 floors, living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, a master berdroom, with chimney, a patio, laundry, garage. The house is about 172 m2. The house is located in a safe and quiet neighborhood, outter Quito, 10 minutes from Mitad del Mundo. Price 80K negotiable. My e-mail is [email protected]

  8. Hi everyone, I am selling a beautiful house in Los Chillos Valley. 3 floors, living room, dining room, kitchen, studio, two bedrooms, a master berdroom, a hall with chimney, a nice attic, a garden with a torage room and BBQ area, laundry and a small house with a suite. The lot is 500 suquare meters (1640 square feet); the house is about 260 m2 (853 ft2) and the suite is 50 m2 (164 ft2). The house is located in a very traditional neighborhood, safe and quiet.

  9. Hi,
    Do you help buying properties in Costa Rica. I was searching on Google and find some but unable to decide can you please help.
    Thanks
    Monica

  10. Hi,
    We’re selling our beautiful ocean view home in Puerto Lopez, Manabí. 4 bed, 4 bath 2 kitchens, 2 balconies plus stairs to the large terrace roof for entertaining. Quiet and safe area, stunning elevated view, gorgeous sunsets, walk down to the beach in 10 minutes. Regretful sale $169k neg.

  11. Looking to sell our property in campo near Riobamba. It is 30,000 meters, a beautiful 3 bedroom home with beautiful mountain views.

  12. I have a beautiful luxury home for sale in El Ingenio, Puembo, Quito. It is in a 1200 Mtr lot with a swimming pool, and BBQ area. The house is 300 Mtr with 3 public rooms, a front patio with fire, and a rear patio. It has 3 bedrooms all with en-suite, the master has luxury shower, and also corner jacuzzi. There is maids facilities as well as laundry room. The kitchen has large centre island with gas hob, built in oven, and fridge freezer as well as dishwasher. The views from the house are spectacular all round. Price for this house is open to offers and will consider an apartment as part payment.

  13. Looking to invest in an apartment or home in Quito, Ecuador. Would like it
    be an investment property that could be easily rented out.
    Also interested in the town of Banos and country land near Latacunga.

    1. Dear Zach,
      If you are still looking to buy a property for investment option please let me know.
      I am selling a brand new 2 bedroom apartemnt right in the financial/ commercial district of Quito. (Republica del SAlvador).
      Let me know, so I can share more information and pictures of the property.
      Regards
      Antonio

  14. Hi there, I have a land property in Pichincha, canton Pedro Vicente Maldonado, about 2 hours driving from Quito,, 29.000 mt, excellent ubication, near the town, the main motorway is near the property, if you want further information please contact me on my mobile, 00447505999105 . Regards

  15. Hello, I am selling a beachfront condo, 2 bedrooms located on a resort (Ocean Club Resort) in Playas Ecuador, just one hour from Guayquil. Please message me for more information.

  16. I am renting a 3BR, 2 bath unfurnished apartment in the La Gloria section of Cuenca ($350/mo). I am going back to the states for 5 months, and have decided to move out. I would like to find someone who would buy all my appliances/furniture from me. If you know of anyone moving to Cuenca, who would love a great place to move into in May, let me know!!! I can send you photos.

  17. Hi. Moving to Puerto Lopez in january. Anybody as names and adresses of reliables insurances companies for car and home?

  18. Hello I am just here to plug my son Isaac May’s website and business in real estate in Cuenca.
    You wont find a more honest hardworking fluent and helpful guy than Isaac~ Of course he is my son, but even I am amazed and what he does He is super well connected and so far nly good news; he know how to check on the legal aspects of landownership, and has connections with many honest local people in government. I actually just bought a piece of land just outside Cuenca and am using the architect, Esteban Cardoso to build a delightful house for 40K. Hope this helps some of you find your best place in Ecuador!

  19. Bribery and corruption has not changed in the 40 years since I lived in Ecuador. Your land is at risk of being stolen by well connected people in Ecuador. Witnesses and judges are bribed and easements are granted so that you can have your land stolen.

      1. I was born in USA and grew up in Ecuador before moving back to the USA. I remember that there were many processes which simply could not be completed in the bureaucracy without a fee which was a bribe. It was absurd to stand in line for any document and expect that the line would not be delayed by the tramitantes who walked behind the desk and paid to get a stack of permits. Ecuador is a special case when it comes to bribery and corruption because it is so natural for locals. Today I believe there is news of government officials and corruption and my brother has been dealing with the corruption and theft of his land through the corrupt court system. This allows Ecuadorians to steal from the ‘rich gringos’ including any foreign resident.

  20. For anybody looking to build their home in Paradise, LivetheLife is here to help. I am based in Puerto Lopez, in the Manabi providence and I have 5 plots of land for sale. Each varies in size and price but all come with SPECTACULAR VIEW of the ocean. Only a 10 minute walk from the beach; you are close enough to enjoy all the town has to offer but far enough away to always have a relaxing environment. Houses build to accommodate your exact needs with Grade A construction standards. Financing Available for all. This is truly a great opportunity for anybody looking to either start a life, retire, or invest in this beautiful country. Contact us for more information!

    1. hel give me an idea on the size of the lots and the cost , P S i am french ….gracias por un repuesta henri lewkowicz .

      1. Hello, there are a variety of lots available, all with unique sizes. There are also some already constructed homes. All of the lots have water and electricity in place and the view is absolutely breath-taking. All of the properties are listed on the website so please feel free to have a look and write me with any questions you might have! Thank you!

  21. Thank you for the myriad of information provided, I can see that you’re educated and well versed about Ecuador. My question to you is about healthcare services, what’s the status of the healthcare system? Cost? Or is is provided by the government if you’re a resident? hospital comparison to USA?
    Thank you,
    Zeli

  22. HELLO EVERYONE,
    If you are looking to buy property in Ecuador, you can contact me at [email protected] or +593 99-771-9402
    I have great options in Guayaquil if interested.
    Big and gorgeous houses/apartments for a small budget

  23. Renting beautiful house 3/3.5 in Quito in the valley of Pifo at 10min from the airport. Reply for pics and details. Thank you.

  24. I’m looking to rent an apartment in Salinas Ecuador from Jan 2 to April 2. I’d like to find an apartment that has a tennis court on the property.
    Thanks,
    Bob

  25. My name is Daniela, I am renting or selling a Property in Atahualpa, 5 minutes from the city of Ambato, has 44543.73 mtrs2. The land has a lot of green area, in addition is surrounded by trees some of them fruit.
    The property is in a very quiet area, but at the same time very close to the city, along the main street pass several bus lines, besides being close to Colleges, Supermarkets, Pharmacies.
    For sale the value per meter is 45usd.
    For rent is 800usd.
    Any additional information can contact me to send you photos,
    Regards,
    DANIELA

  26. Furnished house for rent by owner in Manta Ecuador. 3 bedroom house, office room, beautiful gardens, 4 bathrooms, 1 service bathroom, garage in closed gated community with swimming pools, tennis court, basket, futbol court, kids parks, etc. Inquires are welcome. 🙂

    1. Hi Ana, my name is Sylvain from Québec, Canada
      I’m looking for rent a home at Manta for december to the end of april 2017. If it’s good for you please send me adress and photos of your house.
      Thank’s Sylvain

  27. Hello I am Dhaval Mehta travelling from India to Ecuador on tourist visa for three months I am looking for a very small accommodation in which I can live for only short period of time I am very poor person and cannot afford more than 100US$ my aim is to get professional PR after my entry into Ecuador as a tourist I need contract letter of rental agreement to show immigration office as proof of residence address for three months anyone who can help me please come forward I will pay three months of rent in advance all I need is rental agreement of three months my email address is : [email protected] and cell 91-9624745860
    Thanks
    Dhaval Mehta

  28. I am selling a quiet jungle home Comunidad Katzua, Palora-Puyo
    Full solar power, utility free, self sufficient, running water, hot water heater/shower, large covered porches front and rear, river property, oversized lot with garden, kitchen, bedroom.
    Government registered property.

    1. Hi Richard,
      Can you please send me information and photos of your farm.
      How safe is Ecuador? Why are you selling? Where is the property situated? Near what town or city? Did you build the house? Is there fruit trees? How far is the nearest neighbours?
      Thanks
      Wally

      1. Hi this is Daniela from Ambato – Ecuador, I am selling a beautiful finca in Atahualpa, 5 minutes from the city of Ambato, has extensive gardens with many trees, as well as fruit trees.
        There are 2 houses a new one and the old one, it is beautiful.
        I am renting it in 800usd monthly or I am selling it in 45usd the square meter.
        If you like, you can send photographs of the property,
        Regards,
        DANIELA

  29. Hostel in operation for sale, located in the center of Quito. Excellent positioning in the market. Please provide e-mail for further information.

  30. I’m selling a recently build 1 bedroom apartment in Quito, 70 sq. meters, in a building located in Las Bromelias, north east sector, across new Banco Promerica headquarters, includes a parking slot and storage. Close and easy access to banks, supermarket, shopping malls and hospital. If interested email to: [email protected]

  31. Hey 🙂 my name is Lolita,im a french canadian but i would try to write in english 😉 we are selling two pieces of land in Puerto Rico,Manabi,same beach than Ayampe, 1000m2 Each one, 25x40m. On a hill top,with sea and montain view. We are selling for 60$/m2 but open to negotiation. Dont esitate to contact us for some pictures, information,o to visit it. We are selling with deed !
    Saludos cordiales.mathieu y lolita 🙂 [email protected] 0998021567/whatsapp

  32. I own a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, fully furnished condo in Otovalo which is approx. 45 minutes drive from Quito. The unit is in a gated, 8 unit complex close to shopping, eating establishments and only a short drive to amazing hot springs. This quiet and peaceful town is just off the Pan Am highway and 15 minutes from many local artists who sell their wares at very reasonable prices.
    Asking $75,000 for this lovely place and would rent monthly as well. You can contact me at the above email address in Canada.

  33. My in-laws are selling their European-style home outside the city of Cuenca in order to spend more time with the grandchildren and travel. They have been living there for the past 28 years, ran a very successful bakery business in the centre for much of that time and have absolutely loved it. Beautiful home on a fully-fenced hectare block with plenty of space for family or to run a business/enjoy various hobbies, even renovate. Perfect mix of country lifestyle and a bustling city close by. The lifestyle there is not a spoiled one but a genuine one with the freedom to make it your own. Feel free to get in touch if you would like more info: [email protected]

  34. I have a brand new house that is fully furnished in Samborondon-Guayaquil (Ciudad Celeste) that I’m interested in renting up to three months. I’m looking for a family that is looking for a vacation home or professionals willing to stay between 1-3 months.
    It is a gated community, 24 hour security, pool, tennis, soccer field, gym, can sleep up to 1- (3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms), open concept kitchen, central air…all of the amenities that we are used to back home.
    If you have happen to know a real estate agent with experience on short term rental, and perhaps with heavy contact with corporation please don’t hesitate to send them my way.
    contact: Richard , 917 406 5901, [email protected]

  35. Now you can browse properties in Ecuador through the first RETS MLS in the Country. Adopted by ACBIR Pichincha, Pichincha’s Real Estate Commission. All Licensed Agents GUARANTEED!

  36. I am selling a Colonial House in the heart of Quito Historic Center.
    This authentic stunning property offers breathtaking views in all directions. It is located in a renowned, secure neighborhood at the end of a quiet closed ‘pasaje’. Enjoy majestic mountain vistas and endless cityscapes from your bedroom or one of the many terraces.

    1. I am interested in more information about the Colonial House in the Centro Historico in Quito – I am familiar with the area – where exactly is it located? How large is it and what is your asking price? Any information would be appreciated.
      Susan Mora

  37. We have a beautiful cacao farm for sale in Mompiche ecuador. This 5 hectare property is ideal for tourism and people interested in eco friendly/ self sustainable lifestyle. This land is VERY productive and already has more than enough wood and bamboo to build your own house! For more information please contact [email protected]

    1. Hi pls elaborate on this property, crops productivity ,annual income ,fencing ,price # &age of trees and so forth.
      Best Regards.

  38. Finca near Mindo (Pichincha)
    German family is selling finca of 14 acres in the northwest of Pichincha (Noroccidente). The finca is about two hours from Ecuatorian capital Quito, at an altitude of 1300 meters (cloud forest area). Tourist places like Mindo and Tulipe are very near. The land is suitable for agriculture (eg coffee) or tourism. 3.5 hectares are flat and have lemon and guava trees. The remaining land leads to a little river (part of the property) with clear water.There is no construction. The price is 53.000 negotiable (1 US$ / square meter). If you are interested and would like to see some fotos, please write to [email protected].

  39. 930 metros for sale in dos mangas-manglaralto in a growing area, very peaceful, with mountain views and green areas, near river, light and water, papers in order, $18.000. Sebastian 0991092321,

  40. Hi all,
    Originally from Canada, I am currently residing in Quito with my Ecuadorean family. We have beautiful property for sale just outside of the popular tourist town of Baños. The 29 hectares of land encompasses 2 large wooden cabins, each with their own spectacular view.
    This property is ideal for those who looking to reside/retire in the countryside, able to grow their own produce, for ecotourism projects, retreat programs or ecological research.
    Thank you very much for your time and interest 🙂
    With kind regards,
    Katharina

  41. My name is Greg Fidler. I am a Canadian who has lived here in Ecuador for over three years.
    I own a business called Sherlock Homes Cia. Ltda. with 2 partners (American and Ecuadorian) and we are currently offering for sale our beachside apartments in Playas Villamil, the closest beach to Cuenca or Guayaquil, and the beach town with the most sunny days per year in Ecuador.
    (I might shamefully add that by simply buying any of the apts. we have for sale, you would qualify for lifelong residency here in Ecuador. Voila!)
    Likewise, if I can help with some of the concerns or questions you may have about life in Ecuador or obtaining residency etc. feel free to send me an email and I will do my best to help.
    Be lucky,
    Greg

    1. Hi Greg, retired Cdn. senior here interested in renting long term in Loja. I heard that if one rents a non-furnished apartment, it’s cheaper. Question: Would you or perhaps a friend of yours know if I could buy furniture and furnishings in Loja? A response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and all the best to you.
      Robert Dow

      1. Hi Robert,
        You’re certainly right about the price difference. It’s far cheaper often half the price to rent unfurnished. I haven’t spent much time looking for furniture in Loja to be honest. It is a large enough city though and I can’t see why you would have any problemds finding what you need. You are also likely to find a lot of little local woodworkers with their fares in front. You can easily buy handcrafted tables and dressers chairs etc.
        You’ll be fine. I supposed if you needed better selection, you would have to buy in cuenca nad hire a truck to Loja (3-4 hrs)
        I am slowly adding links to useful info I have found over the years here to my new facebook page ” moving to Ecuador ” in the hopes that it might help with some of the questions such as this that people such as your self may have. Feel free to contact me
        Take care and good luck with everything!
        Greg

  42. Puerto Cayo is a beautiful little village with excellent food and views. HOWEVER, if you are considering building in the area, please do not use Gary Scarborough. Of his three projects , none are completed and he has since left the country with many of us having paid many dollars and with little or nothing to show. He is a scam artist with no conscience and
    left us searching for a contractor to finish our houses, although he has been paid to do the job. BAD NEWS!!!

    1. hi! my father and sister are architects, we have a family company that works on construction in guayaquil. we used to go often to puerto cayo since we had a house over there. if you are looking for any type of help please contact me. email: [email protected]

    2. Hello, I’m looking for an Agent to sell a property in guayaquil samborondon. Kindly contact me at your earliest if your interested in the listing.If not,then kindly refer me to a diligent, ready and willing realtor.Thank you.
      Regards,
      Sylvia Fohmzttad

      1. hI THERE.
        MY FRIEND Monica owns a house there that she rents out. I Stayed there in 2017. Did you find an agent? Sell it?
        That area is not bad. Just the humidity not nice. Cuenca so beautiful. Weather great. I have visited there 3 times and love that area. I have travelled around the country of Ecuaodr and prefer Cuenca and Salinas.

    3. Hi David, I feel really bad for ALL the victims of Gary Scarborugh, he is evil n done so much evil here in our town/village. he also teamed up with a bunch of crooks from the corolinas. the good news is that the village still peaceful/, beautiful and plenty of great and honest buys.

  43. Hello my name is Bruna I work in RE/MAX as you may know a recognized US real estate franchise and in Ecuador we work by the same brand guidelines, so if you need any help regarding real estate in Ecuador, mainly in Quito I will be glad to help you find what you need.

  44. Hi, if anyone interested in luxury property beachfront, unused new properties, located in Salinas, Ayangue or Guayaquil, we are professionally licensed real estate brokers and work directly with major developers of coast o Ecuador. Greetings!

  45. I am interested in moving to Ecuador in August 2015. I would like to know where the places are that the climate is Spring like but, where I can still get to town market, not in town rental and where I could still go into the jungle to observe and photo wildlife. I would like to rent a place that is adequate, utilitarian if you will. It has been my dream to be able to go into animals natural habitats as I am an avid animal person. I want to rent on the cheap as I am sure you have gathered. I want to explore and live a peaceful quiet existence but not so far on the fringe I can’t get to market, post and so on.

  46. Hey guys, im an ecuadorian realtor with license from ACBIR. You can check my website: corretucasa.com in there you can find only properties listed by licensed realtors. Whether you want to sell or buy, we will aid you and advice you making shure all legal documentation meets the requirementes. I’m more than happy to help any one interested in knowing more about my country, you can mail me at [email protected]

  47. I live in Ecuador for around 18 years and know very well the local “ethic code” regarding business. If you wish to look for a property in southern part of Ecuador (province of Loja) and wish to deal with a honest person just write to my email: [email protected]

    1. Hello,
      I am a scientist interested to get some of your papers, but I am a poor person. Could you please help me?

  48. I’m 63 and live with two ex wives. We are looking to move to the mountains somewhere where the tax man can’t touch us. Cuenca comes up a lot as a great destination. Question: Are there too many expats? I’ve seen other places change ad become tourist traps as a result of the influx of immigrants retirees. What about weapons? We are accustom to carrying small arms, usually .38 or smaller. Is that a problem or is it easy enough to bribe a cop?

  49. I would like to visit Ecuador and investigate the ocean side area for when I retire. Olon and Montanita are two areas that might work. I am open to others. When I fly into Ecuador, which airport is closest? Also, I would like to rent a place for 3-4 months in this area. Whom should I contact? A realtor or someone else? Thank you in advance. Victoria

    1. You only have two options for international flight arrivals: Guayaquil and Quito. You can either drive from Guayaquil to the coast or into Quito and get a national flight to the Manta airport. Manta might be closer for some coastal destinations. Just check a map to confirm.

  50. I have lived in Manta Ecuador now for 6 years and absolutely love living the beach lifestyle. Great sea food on the coast and great waves. My father and I own a Real Estate company here in Manta Ecuador and now we have over 8 years of experience working with the market here on the coast. If you have any question about the market here and the renting market please do not hesitate to write us. We also have a wide variety of rentals on the beach that are fully furnished.
    We were also featured on HHI the Manta episode, and are getting geared up to film two more shows with the network.
    Garrett Parker
    Co-Owner
    Ecuadorian Coastal Properties
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Cell: 0939979539
    U.S. Number: 1-804-859-1916

  51. We bought a penthouse condo in Cuenca Centro and love it. Yes, we used it for our residence visa.
    However, I _never_ recommend anyone do that, and we would not do it again. Instead, buy that place, but put $25k into a CD for our residence visa. By tying it to a property, you are stuck if you decide to sell. Even if you sell one property and buy another, you have to go through a LOT of paperwork to avoid losing the visa.
    We lucked out and love our home. I know a lot of people that aren’t so happy though, and want to move a year (or less) after moving in. Noisier than they expected, or the remoteness is more of a problem, or neighbors they detest, or… Whatever. Give yourself flexibility and don’t tie your residence visa to your house…

  52. Hello,
    I am Chuck Robinson. I am seriously considering retiring in Ecuador. I am a retiring College Professor from a major Medical School in the US. I am single and have no dependents that will ever live with me. I have traveled extensively throughout CA, SA, West Africa and India. Are there any agents that can meet with me for consultation and show any properties that would serve my needs? I am very cautious. I would like to first rent for 1-3 months and then purchase a property. I have very few absolute request. I am not interested in a multi-unit city centered location. The ocean, mountain side or interior location is OK. The more remote and private the better. I am mainly interested in cost and a tranquil atmosphere. Please advise,
    Thank you,
    Chuck Robinson
    email; [email protected]
    Telephone: 205-317-2225 This is in Birmingham, Alabama (US)

  53. Hi, I have been a continuous reader of your blog & newsletter for several years now. I lived in Santa Elena, Ecuador but recently moved back to Rosarito, Mexico to be close to my aging parents. I purchased property there and built a little on it too; there are 4 small studio/apartments and 1 storage/laundry room. There still is plenty of room to build on it. It is 500 meters, on a main road, about 5 minutes away from Ballenita beach and conveniently located to everything.
    I want to sell it , could you recommend someone that could help me with this process please?
    Thank you

  54. Villa in Salinas secure gated community in Sevilla 1
    It has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, utility room and an annexe with bathroom and closet.
    Furnished.
    Swimming pool and tennis court.

  55. Hi All,
    My name is Ali and I´m from London.I have been living in Quito for almost 5 years now.I am married to an Ecuadorian.
    We have an apartment that we are renting out available from 30th March, it is in the North of Quito. My American tenants that are teaching are going back home.
    It´s ideally for a couple or if desired can be shared between 2 people.Fully furnished. 40mins max to the old town
    Let me know pls if your interested or want more info.
    my email is: [email protected]
    Thanks

  56. Got your email this AM about the new real estate site. Like the additional info it offers.
    We visited Cuenca in mid 2013 for about a week because we had decided we would like to take up residence in the city for some time.
    Liking a change scenery every once in a while we are more interested in renting living quarters. Either 2-3 BR +2 bath condo or apartment with amenities included. Four BR-s would be better but we can certainly make do with the aforementioned. A a one to two year lease is about what we would be interested in.
    We are discussing the possibility of my wife returning to look for residence in Central Cuenca, or close to it and setting up a banking account and taking care of some of the preliminaries so when we come back with many pieces of luggage we can have a place to move things into.
    When we were there we stayed in a hotel from the park and the tourist information center and it worked out very well.
    You may not know this but can you offer any information on reasonably priced hotels in that area that offer monthly rates for what I call sort extended stays? Possibly one to two months.
    One other thing, of which I probably already know the answer to. Do the Government run banks offer prearranged bank payments [drafts] for payments made on a regular monthly basis? Things like rent, utilities and cable?

  57. Bryan,
    Can’t wait to see your HH International show! Question: If someone were interested in paying up to $750 per month, what sort of apartment might you expect to get in Cuenca? Thanks.

    1. You will have a hard time finding a place at that high of a price – if you pay a normal price. There are lots of properties marketed to expats for even more.

  58. 62 married in Va. will be living on SS of $1500.00 . prefer the beach life, I’ve been a builder , like a beach lot & build my own small place , like info on how to find local prices on land & building materials, THANKS

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