Sometime last January, I was excited to open my email and find a message from Afghanistan. “Wow,” I thought, “this internet has some kind of reach!” I was amazed!
The writer, Albert, a North American employed in Afghanistan, was interested in condos in Ecuador, more specifically, Primavera II Condominiums in Cotacachi. We corresponded for several months.
Then I received this message: “I’ll be in Ecuador on April 2nd. I want to look at the condominiums. If they are what I want, I will buy one!”
Step-by-Step Purchasing Process
Wednesday, April 2nd—Albert arrives at Casa Izabella, an Ecuador Bed and Breakfast owned by our partner Martha, staying two nights. He picks her brain concerning everything about Ecuador.
He thoroughly enjoys the fantastic food, beautiful views, and all the Casa Izabella amenities. On Thursday, he takes a day trip with Martha to explore Quito. He’s already falling in love with Ecuador.
Friday, April 3–Albert arrives in Cotacachi with Martha’s driver at 3 p.m. We take him to his home for the next five days, a luxury Primavera I penthouse condominium, complete with large Jacuzzi tub, fireplace and even a telescope, that the owner offers as a vacation rental.
Within 10 minutes of dropping off his luggage, we are at Primavera II condos. Albert likes what he sees, but wants to visit Colonia El Baton, the hand-made adobe house development out on the edge of Cotacachi, before making a final decision.
“I love these houses, but I have to stick to my game plan. I came here to buy a condo.” Back at Primavera II, Albert selects the condo he wants–a second-floor unit in Taita Imbabura. (The second floor in Taita Imbabura is now sold out.)
I call an attorney who comes to our apartment to confer with Albert about the contract details. Then he leaves to work on the contract over the weekend.
Monday morning, April 6–Albert and I go to an appliance store. Albert picks out all his appliances–stove, refrigerator, microwave, television, mattresses, washer and dryer. In the afternoon, we meet with the attorney and Jorge Quilumbaqui, the builder, to work out the terms and final details of the contract.
Tuesday morning, April 7, 10 a.m.–We again meet with the attorney and Jorge to finalize the contract. Everything looks good.
Tuesday afternoon, 3 p.m.—This time, the meeting is in the notary’s office to sign the final documents. After signing, Albert calls his bank from my VOIP internet phone and has money transferred. We are wiring to the Miami branch of an Ecuadorian bank, so it’s a U.S. transfer fee. No complications.
Tuesday, 4 p.m.—Albert meets with Jorge at Primavera II to select paint colors, tile and counter tops. I am delayed a bit; another group of people arrives in Cotacachi with Martha to tour the Ecuador condos, after visiting the market at Otavalo. Jorge and Albert do just fine, even though Albert speaks no Spanish.
Tuesday 5 p.m.—The furniture/cabinet maker we use comes to the condos, helps us design the built-in desks, entertainment center, and dressers. Albert will send photos of beds and dining room furniture and the furniture maker will construct them exactly as pictured–solid wood cabinetry and custom furniture using the same techniques his grandfather used.
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.—Albert and I arrive at “El Lenador,” a restaurant in Cotacachi, for a celebratory dinner. We each order beers. Albert has a two-inch thick Argentinean Chateaubriand steak grilled to perfection. I have a plate of delicious, jumbo garlic shrimp. It’s almost more food than we can eat, but somehow we manage. Jorge is late, so he joins us with a large beer. Total bill? Under $20 with tax and tip.
Wednesday, 5 a.m.—Albert takes a cab to Quito to catch his flight to the states for a short visit before returning to Afghanistan. Total time allotted for the purchase–two and a half days, not counting the weekend. When Albert returns in July, he will move into his finished condo. Albert is one happy camper!
Do you think the process of buying condos in Ecuador, or any kind of real estate, is difficult? Guess again! Cotacachi real estate is easy to purchase and a good bargain. For information about Primavera II condos, Contact us.
Filed under: Condos in Ecuador, Cotacachi, Ecuador Real Estate, Living in Ecuador
