Do I get a property title in my own name?

Yes. You are not buying into a cooperative or commune. We can assist you with all the technical and bureaucratic aspects of the buying process, but when the transaction is complete, YOU are the sole title-holder of the property.

Does owning land qualify me for permanent residency in Ecuador? What about my family?

Yes. Owning land is one of the most straightforward paths to becoming a permanent legal resident of Ecuador with the associated benefits of healthcare and other public services. 

As soon as you become a property owner in Ecuador, you can hire an immigration lawyer to begin processing a permanent visa(s) for yourself and members of your immediate family. You will need to comply with and complete all the requirements, but owning a property here in Ecuador will certainly facilitate the process.

Do I need to be physically present to purchase the land?

No. A designated representative granted a Limited Power of Attorney* can complete all the necessary procedures on your behalf including:

• Register your Identification with the Municipality of Pedro Vicente Maldonado 

• Petition the transfer of deed contract between the Buyer (you) and the Seller

• Be present for the reading of the contract and sign your new property title on your behalf

• Register your property with the Municipality

• Pay all of the attendant legal fees, taxes, and registration fees

*We can also furnish you a correctly worded and legally acceptable Limited Power of Attorney document that grants only the particular powers necessary to buying your land, paying the necessary administrative fees and taxes, and registering the property. You are responsible for notarizing the Power of Attorney document in your home country and getting it certified either through apostille or at a consular office, depending on your home country’s participation or non-participation in the Hague Treaty. Some countries require the apostille seal, others from the consulate. You can easily look up the requirements for your country.

How long does the process take? When do I get my deed?

Buying land and registering it is a multiple step procedure that depends putting several moving parts together: the buyer or representative, the seller, the presiding legal official, and all of the attendant paperwork. In our experience, the process takes an average of 2 weeks to complete.

Buying land in Ecuador is a fairly straightforward process once you know how to navigate the inevitably tedious bureaucracy that accompanies any official transaction. We have navigated this process on behalf of two other buyers and we know the ropes. We’ll get it done.

How much will my property tax be?

Good news. Taxes on rural property in Ecuador are low—just 1% (one percent) of the assessed value of the land, determined by the municipal office of Urbanification and Planification. Because the land adjacent to our project is not “urbanized”—on a municipal power or water system—this assigned value is generally very low, approximately $3000 per hectare. Therefore, for a 3 hectare property, your annual property tax would amount to about $90 (1% of $3000 = $30 x 3 ha = $90)

Please don’t hesitate to reach out directly with any questions at:

kristen@sdvforest.com

We’re looking forward to hearing from you.