If These Three Things Drive You Mad…Don't Come to Ecuador

Cuenca, Ecuador…a beautiful place to live (as long as you
remember that you're not in Kansas anymore…)

International Living Postcards--your daily escape

Friday, Jan. 6, 2006
Cuenca, Ecuador

Dear International Living Reader,

Further to the postcard I sent you earlier this week about current recommendations in Ecuador (see My Top 5 Real Estate Deals in the Sun, below), it's worth mentioning that the "system" in Ecuador, such as it is, may not be what you're used to in your home country. For me, it's all part of the charm of living somewhere I think of as the "U.S. in the 50's," but it may not be for everyone.

For example, don't expect exact measurements in your real estate deed. It would be unusual to have a topographical map in the records--most people "buy what they see" based on their understanding of the size of the land, which is usually approximate. In other words, you'll buy "from the road on the north, to the river on the south, to that big tree on the east, and the neighbor's fence on the west." Believe it or not, this is how the deed will be worded--the size is rarely stated in a deed. But you are entitled to hire a surveyor if you want the exact size.

Some real estate agents, especially in the countryside, can run a bit of a loose operation. One agent I often recommend (and who I bought my house through) is a musician, and tours regularly--recently in Amsterdam, Austria, and Chile. He'll happily help you find your dream home…but he's just as happy playing music, and you may not be his top priority. Some people can find that off-putting. I like it.

We don't have postal codes in Ecuador (as is the case in many small countries). Unfortunately, some U.S. companies have difficulty with this. I've used websites on several occasions that allow the input of a foreign country for delivery, but then require a U.S. zip code before they'll let you off the screen. I guess they'll get with it some day. Until then, try using "00001" for the zip code. This is what I do, and it's worked so far.

Lee Harrison
Roving Latin America Editor, International Living

Related articles:

- My top 5 real estate deals in the sun.

- Think you can handle a little adventure in Ecuador? Read on…

- Possibly the best beachfront buys in South America.

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