Real Estate in Ecuador

"Rentals in Salinas: You might also consider Porto Lucia if you are interested in Salinas. Much more tranquil than malecon de Salinas yet still in Salinas. If you prefer ocean front living at a budget price there are a few condo options available most are rented fully furnished. Walk to largest shopping center & next .to yacht club & marina. Look on Google maps for location. Hope this helps as an option, most expats do not know about this location when viewing Salinas," explained one person living in Salinas, Ecuador.

"We made an exploratory trip months before we decided to come and live in Cuenca, Ecuador. We did not really choose the neighborhood we just found the apartment absolutely fell in love with it and the price was just right and the view and everything. It seemed like a good neighborhood as well and we bought it within two weeks of being in this country. To date 18 months later we are still very very happy with our purchase. We have since found it is a great neighborhood close to all amenities but far enough from the centre of the city," said one expat in Cuenca.

"The best way to find a place to live in Ecuador is to visit the country in person. This will allow you to explore different neighborhoods and areas and get a better understanding of the local culture and environment. You can also look into renting an apartment or house from a reliable source. There are numerous real estate agencies and websites that list rental properties in Ecuador, so you should have no trouble finding a place that suits your needs. Additionally, many expats join local Facebook groups and other social media sites to network and search for housing opportunities. Lastly, you could consider connecting with an established property management company that specializes in providing international real estate services," remarked one member in Ecuador.

"Fortunately, my company hired a relocation firm. Sanborondon is the upper class, safe, and happening nearby suburb of Guayaquil. It was almost a given that I would live there as an expat with Company-provided housing. The Company also hired a realtor for us who helped with our search options (furnished, gated community, 3 bdrms, spacious, pool). Newspaper ads weren't very helpful at all. Word of mouth or realtors are the way to go," explained one expat living in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

"A "suite" or two rooms and bath, lovely little place, good dueno and furnished nicely with condominio fee monthly it's $460. in the swanky neightborhood of Gonzalez Suarez. Noise here is bad," said one person in Quito.

"I live in an apartment within an 8 unit building (tower) within a gated community of about 20 towers. Ideal mix of privacy and neighborly acquaintances. I don't know what the house/apt mix is, but I would imagine expat families with kids go for houses (in Sanborondon, Los Ceibos, or Via la Costa) and expat singles and couples go for apts. The houses in Sanborondon are usually huge, expensive, and not many to rent," said one expat who made the move to Guayaquil.

"In Salinas you also can find less crowded areas away from the busy weekend tourism and noise. Little known is Porto Lucia a 15 min drive from the Malecon of Salinas. Here you can find quiet beachfront living with modern furnished condos on beachfront with all the amenities of the crowded Salinas tourist area & walking distance to the largest mall in the area. You can find it on google maps. Another option to the tourist area of Salinas yet still in Salinas," explained one foreigner living in Salinas, Ecuador.

"Expat homes and apartments in Ecuador tend to be snug, but often have plenty of natural light due to the large windows and balconies that come with them. Expat homes or apartments in Ecuador tend to be well-furnished with modern conveniences such as air conditioning, heating, internet, and cable television. Many expat homes also come with their own private gardens or terraces, providing a great spot for al fresco dining and relaxation," said one in Ecuador.

"If you really want to experience and love Ecuador - or any other foreign - don't make the mistake that too many ex-pats do by surrounding themselves with other ex-pats in an all-ex-pat gated community. Why move to a foreign country only to surround yourself with English-speaking gringos who sit around all day complaining about how everything was "so much better back home"?," explained one expat in Ecuador.

"When I first moved here 10 years ago, I was single and rented a 1 bdrm. furnished ground-floor "executive" apartment with a small patio off the bedroom. The "executive" nomer meant that it was completely furnished - including a washing machine on the patio, a fully-equipped small but adequate kitchen with gas stove, and refrig. pots, pans, dishes, etc.; a fully furnished living room with color t.v., cable, and internet connections; a double bed ( with sheets & blankets ) and a large wardrobe; and a bathroom with HOT WATER in the sink and shower! This was in a very nice neighborhood in Machala within easy walking distance stores, buses, and a park to exercise in. My total monthly cost - including 24hr. security, utilities, cable/internet, and the rent was $360! ( $320 for the rent and $40 for the rest ). Believe it or not, the prices haven't gone up that much in all these years," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Machala.

"You can buy a beautiful 2 brm 2.5 bathroom apartment from about $78,000 upwards. If you are looking for a home with a bit of land around you can go about 15 mins from Cuenca and find the most beautiful homes for $150,000 - $300,000 and of course then you have the ones that are even higher. Depending on what you are looking for. There are beautiful pre-construction apartments selling from $60,000 to a large penthouse which has the most spectacular views for under $200,000. I went and paid our phone and electric bill the other day and for the two of us it was $30 for the month. Our apartment taxes are around $30 per year. Our security apartment and gas fees per month are $63.00," explained one person living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Much lower. We paid cash for our land and to build our house. Electric is about 100 per month. We get 2 trucks of water a month roughly and it equates to about $50/month in water. There are no other bills," said one expat in Puerto Cayo.

"Much lower. I bought an apartment for under $30k and I have rented another for just $150 a month," remarked one member in Quito.

"Do not buy anything until you've lived in this country for at least 6 months! And preferably for over 1 year. Rent a house, an apartment, a condo first! Get to know the ENTIRE country. Travel, learn the language, get acclimatized, absorb the culture, and make friends ( both gringos and Ecuadorians ) ... then decide what place really fits you best and where you want to make your home. By then you'll have built up contacts, and learned the real prices ( not the tourist/gringo ones ), Then, and only then, should you consider buying. Once the rose-colored glasses have come off, you can make a sensible and informed decision about purchasing and possible investment. Don't buy a pig in a polk, as they say. Take your time. You'll be glad you did. ¡Bienvenida y buena suerte," said one expat in Ecuador.

"When buying property in Ecuador it is important to ensure that there is a valid title deed to the property that can be presented to the government for taxation and registration. It is also important to make sure to understand any local zoning regulations or restrictions in place which may affect the way the property can be used. Additionally, it is important to be aware that foreign buyers may need to obtain special permission from the government in order to purchase property. Finally, it is important to bear in mind that the official language in Ecuador is Spanish, so it is recommended to enlist the services of a professional translator if necessary," explained one person living in Ecuador.

"Try staying in an equivalent type structure you are considering. For example, if you want a condo in Bahia, stay at a condo in Bahia for a week, Minimum. A house in Cuenca? Rent one for a week. If you think the weekly rental price is too expensive, you'd better take a hard look at investing 75 to 100 times more than that. So, in actually, it pays to do it," said one expat in Ecuador.

"Yes, foreigners are allowed to own property in Ecuador. The Ecuadorian Constitution guarantees the right of foreigners to own real estate in the country, as long as they are legally registered with the Ecuadorian government. Foreigners must obtain a cedula, or national identification card, in order to purchase property in Ecuador. This process is relatively straightforward and can be completed with the help of a lawyer or real estate agent. Additionally, foreigners are subject to the same taxes and regulations as Ecuadorian citizens when it comes to owning property," said one person in Ecuador.

"Note it is typical here to not use chests of drawes, there are built-in hanging closets, built-in drawers, etc. Like in kitchens in US, built-in cabinetry. So for bedroom you need bed and maybe side tables. More of IKEA type units," said one foreigner living in Ecuador.

"Rental properties in Ecuador typically feature basic appliances including a stove, refrigerator, washing machine, and sometimes a dishwasher. Depending on the property and the agreement with the landlord, it is possible to find additional amenities such as a microwave, air-conditioning, dryer, and even a water heater amongst other conveniences," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

"Yes, there is a MLS Service in Ecuador. Although it may show 50% of what is available. Some houses will just have a sign in the window. Just remember that a broker may know about half of what is out there and you'll need locals and natives for the other 50%," wrote one expat who made the move to Ecuador.