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," said one person in Salinas.

"We are in Puerto Cayo. It is small and I mean small. There are no shopping for groceries or luxury items. It is quiet and on any given day, I am the only person on miles and miles of beach," said one expat who made the move to Puerto Cayo.

"Not easy... I was offered a teaching job at PUCE , then denied it when my papers came through very late but I knew the barrio where I wanted to live -- however, it has gone up in price and there were few options available. I walked around in the neighborhood I wanted to finally settle in and found what I need. This is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED way to discover a good apt in Quito," explained one foreigner living in Quito, 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 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," explained one expat in Ecuador.

"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," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Salinas.

"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," explained one person living in Quito, 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"?," said one expat in Ecuador.

"We live in a large two bedroom two bathroom apartment with views to the mountains and over the river. Yes there are expats in other buildings but we did not come here to live with expats............although we love bumping into them. We only have one other couple (expats) who live in our building. The rest are locals and lovely people and they have accepted us with open arms," remarked one member in Cuenca.

"My wife and I came to Ecuador this summer, we live in a 2 bedroom apartment in Loja, Ecuador. Our building has 4 units of which 3 are occupied. We have many of the comforts of a first world country except a dishwasher, oven, elevator. We don't need or have a/c. We are 10 to 15 minutes walk to downtown and have stores, bakeries and a great market in easy walking distance. And saving the best for last we have an exquisite view of mountains all around us and great, responsive, caring landlord's. Who could ask for more?," explained one expat living in 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 person in Puerto Cayo.

"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," said one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

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

"The cost of housing in Ecuador varies depending on the location and size of housing. Generally, housing in larger cities like Quito and Guayaquil tends to be more expensive, while housing in smaller towns and villages is often more affordable. The average cost of housing in Ecuador across all types of locations is typically moderate," said one in Ecuador.

"I am originally from New york City. NYC is expensive but you get little space. Economically, would say the same, but I have much more space both in and outside of the apt. The company pays $2200 monthly plus about $75 in utilities for a 3 bdroom (plus housekeepers room), 5 bath furnished apt. The community has ample green areas, soccer field, tennis court, several bbq grills and villas, basketball court, an adult and kiddie pool, and a ballroom for gatherings. The only thing missing is a gym. Average for Sanborongon is about $1300/month. Urdessa, Ceibos go for about $900, but not as nice," explained one expat in Guayaquil.

"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.

"I rent a two bedroom, two bathroom condo on the 11th floor on the Rio Tomebamba. 24-hour security guards, underground parking I pay $300 a month for rent, gas $8, water $10, cable $52, internet $34 and security is $50," remarked one member in Cuenca.

"When deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Ecuador, it's important to consider factors such as your budget, length of stay and living style. If you plan on being in Ecuador for an extended period of time, buying a home may be a more cost-effective option in the long run. On the other hand, if you're looking for more flexibility, you may want to consider renting instead. Additionally, understanding local laws and the differences between buying and renting can be helpful in making an informed decision," explained one expat living 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," said one foreigner 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," explained one expat living 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," explained one person 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," said one foreigner living 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," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

" Facebook local groups for house sales and rentals like Cuenca arriendo de casas or something like that. If you know what City, try googling Facebook groups + arrienda de casa + Manta, Ecuador or whatever town. The locals use social media, not mls," explained one foreigner living in Ecuador.