Ecuador Real Estate Feature

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Colonia el Baton Opens its First House in Cotacachi

by Gary Phillips

Ecuador real estate is booming in Cotacachi. A new development here, Colonia El Batan, opened the first of 14 houses Feb. 17, with an inauguration party that had the new owner, Al DeLoach, in tears.


The 3,000 sq. ft. house was commissioned about 5 months ago with the builders and developers, Marcelo and Jimmy Penafiel. For Linda and me, having lived in Ecuador now for nearly a year and a half, something very exciting happened in our experience: The house was delivered to the owner on exactly the date that was promised several months ago!

“Having lived in the U.S., I understand the requirements of North American home buyers,” Marcelo explained. “I understand that they want attention to detail and on-time delivery.”

Marcelo and his brother Jimmy, who both grew up in Cotacachi, formed a partnership to create this development two years ago, buying a plot of land just outside of the city.


Marcelo has been a petroleum engineer for Exxon Mobil for 17 years, living in Washington, D.C. His brother Jimmy is an attorney working for the Ecuadorian government.

After nearly 20 years of the rat race, Marcelo decided to change careers and return home to his roots in Cotacachi and to get involved in Ecuador real estate. From the response of just about everyone who toured the house, he will be a huge success in his new career.

Linda, who is not that easy to please, was thrilled with very facet of the house, which features a garden tub in the master bathroom, adobe fireplaces, tiled kitchen with custom wood cabinetry, beamed ceilings and incredible views.


The adobe houses the brothers are building are unique in that they are entirely hand-made, with eucalyptus beams and adobe blocks made from earth directly from the property itself. The workers use no power tools in the construction.

A Master Carpenter Comes Out of Retirement

When Marcelo and Jimmy heard that one of their relatives, a retired carpenter and furniture maker, was going a little stir-crazy in retirement, they opened a furniture-making shop and put him back to work creating wonderful pieces with the new equipment the brothers purchased. The result has been a win-win situation for everyone!

All of the furniture in Al’s house, and the windows and doors in future houses will be made in their shop. Al is now the proud new owner of custom solid wood furniture made to his specifications from pictures he sent to Marcelo.


The architect, Jorge Echeverria and his wife, on the left, Al DeLoach, the new home owner, and Marcelo, the builder.

Pricing for the houses starts at $45 per square foot, which includes a 1,500 sq. meter lot, or slightly more than 1/3 acre. The minimum house size of 1,500 sq. ft. gives an entry-level price of $67,500 for house and lot. When was the last time you heard of a 3,000 sq. ft. custom-built house that could be purchased, lot included, for $135,000?

The houses, which come in five floor plans and styles, are designed by architect Jorge Echeverria, who took a four-month intensive post-graduate course in Santa Fe, New Mexico, studying methods of adobe construction. Hence the Southwest influence in the design. The houses are specially designed to be earthquake resistant.

As an added benefit for buyers on a fixed income, the director of a bank in nearby Otavalo was present and told me that the bank is willing to provide 20-year financing to foreigners who want to purchase one of these houses.

Contact us if you want further details about financing.

The owner, Al, will be retiring from Exxon Mobil within the year and plans to move here to become a full-time resident of Ecuador. When he saw the house for the first time, just before the party began, he couldn’t hold back the tears. The Casa de los Suenos y Esperanzas, “the house of dreams and hopes,” was exactly as he had envisioned it. He was one happy camper!


Al was very delighted with his new house and custom furniture

A number of Cotacachi expat full and part-time residents, local indigenous families who helped in the building of the house from the nearby village of El Batan, and friends and family of Jimmy and Marcelos, gathered to welcome Al to his new home.

We were treated to a grand meal followed by the rousing music of a Mariachi band. Later, Marcelo and some of his friends entertained us with wonderful guitar music and songs as we danced the night away.

The newer residents of Cotacachi were thrilled at the unique social life that Cotacachi obviously offers to new purchasers of Ecuador real estate.

Contact Pro-Ecuador for more information about purchasing these properties

Continue reading this blog....

Ecuador Volcano Eruption

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Tungurahua Volcano near the tourist town of Banos is blowing off steam and ash again in an eruption that so far is smaller than the eruption that occurred in 2006. We have had several questions as to whether we here in Cotacachi are feeling any effect from the explosion, and the answer is no, almost.

I talked to Jorge, the builder of Primavera II condominiums today and he told me that his sister called him late at night on Wednesday and asked him if he had heard anything. She woke up in the middle of the night to the rattling of the windows in her house. Jorge hadn't heard anything, but turned on the TV in time to see news about the eruption.

Jorge said that even in 2006, when there was a major eruption, there was no effect in Cotacachi. Then he made a comment that I really appreciated.

He said, "we live in paradise, between two major rivers that carry the water away so we never have floods, and our two volcanoes are extinct." Linda and I have lived here for more than a year and have never experienced a major storm, except for a couple of hard rains.

I saw a volcano eruption in Guatemala in 1974. It was one of the highlights of my life. Such incredible power and magnificence was hard to believe. It was one of those experiences I remember as if it happened yesterday. But I certainly don't want to live near one!

Questions About Moving to Ecuador: Can I Buy a Little Piece of Land and Build a House?

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We received this letter from a Canadian woman. The idea of moving to Ecuador sounds great for many people. Lots of people are inquiring about buying some land in the country and building a little house. But there are somethings that potential Ecuadorian residents need to understand. Read Linda's response below.

Hello,

I am now a single mother. My kids are 3,4,8. I am planning on moving to Ecuador from Canada this summer. My children will be 4,5,9. I want to move into a rural area and be able to have a property to grow my own vegetables, and keep a pony etc. at the same time, it has to be close to a school. I cannot afford a luxury house. Can you recommend an area?

Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth,

Canada to Ecuador. That will be quite a change! A number of Canadians come to Cotacachi to either live or vacation. We found a rent house for a Canadian couple from Calgary who spent 6 mos here last winter and now are back for another 6 months. They don't speak Spanish at all but somehow are managing to make lots of new friends and are having a wonderful time.

If you are single, (or a couple, for that matter) there are a few precautions I would like to get out of the way right up front. Ecuador is not Canada. Certain protections are needed no matter where in the world you live. And in this part of the world and in this particular culture, a single mother living alone with her children out in the country would need to have someone she could look to for help and information.

The unspoken rule here, as in other Latin American countries we have lived in, is that if you leave something unprotected, it is fair game. So people here have gates, walls around their property, dogs, and/or guardians. You can hire a guard, have an electronic alarm system or have a guardian or caretaker live with you or live near others whom you trust. This seems to work quite well.

What doesn't work is for a gringo to move here, buy lots of tempting appliances and furniture, and then leave the house unguarded. That's why many choose gated communities. So consider these things when choosing a property in addition to the requirements you have for the physical land, like water, trees, etc.

Now let's get to the good stuff!

Ecuador is great! In Cotacachi where we live, you can grow just about anything, except tropicals, which are brought from the coast or jungle---bananas, exotic fruit, nuts. So you can have a wonderful garden here! Ecuador is a small country so nothing is very far away and arrives nice and fresh.

In this area, there are many options, including just renting until you feel comfortable and can take your time looking around to find the perfect land. However, that would require some advance notice since furnished apartments or houses are few here. Let us know when you are coming and we may be able to help you find something.

We know of some land near town within walking distance and near a gated community of other gringos that might be ideal for you. You can build your own house and have a pony.

There are not many real estate agents in Ecuador and licensing is not required. People often sell only by word of mouth or put small signs in their windows or write Se Vende (for sale) on their walls. It would be best to have an agent or someone representing your interests. We can do that for you by acting as your buyer's agent to find property, negotiate a fair price and handle the contracts and paperwork.

My recommendation would be to do lots of research about Ecuador. Read all you can. Read our website and others, check the Ecuador news, (we have news on our site running constantly) decide on the areas you want to visit and when you find that perfect area, then look for land.

Unless you already speak Spanish and have a good working knowledge of the culture, you will probably find it is not that easy. Hopefully, we will be able to help make your move to Ecuador easier.

Love,
Linda

Hotels in Cotacachi

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Several readers have inquired about hotels in Cotacachi. We are preparing a web page for pro-ecuador.com with reviews, photos, and prices. But until that is up, I thought I would give a brief preview here to let readers know that there are several choices in a variety of price ranges.

Two hostels in Cotacachi offer good value at very reasonable prices. Hostel Tierra Mia on Bolivar just off leather street charges $7 per person. Hostal Posada Munaylla, on the corner of leather street (Diez de Agosto) and Sucre has beds for $8 per person. When we were interviewing the owner at the $8 hostel, a middle-aged American woman walked in who just arrived from a bus trip across Columbia. After a little bargaining, she got her room for $5.

Both hostels have clean, comfortable rooms with hot water and private bathrooms. Don't worry about reservations as there are usually plenty of rooms. Both hostels are near leather street.

The next step up is the Hotel Sumac Huasi, belonging to our good friend Jorge Quilumbaqui, the builder of Primavera Condominiums. This very nice hotel offers room and breakfast for $25.62 for a double per night. The rooms are clean with private bath and local television (Spanish). He told us he will begin a room by room cosmetic touch up very soon, as well as painting the outside.

A newly constructed hotel, El Arbolito, recently opened just next to the bank. It is nicely decorated, and the owners are friendly and helpful. Price is $25 per couple, or $15 per person in twin beds. They also have cable television. This is an excellent value, and completely comfortable, although the beds are standard double and not queen size. If you want good reasonably priced accommodations, you can't go wrong with El Arbol.

Two hotels are just on the edge of town. The first is the 4-star Hotel Rancho Santa Fe Garden and Resort, a 44 room hotel with a dining room that seats 400. It has a swimming pool, tennis courts, and other amenities. Price is 593-6-291-6338.

Then at the entrance to Cotacachi is the El Paradiso. This is another newly built hotel and resort. El Paradiso is a lovely facility on 6 acres of land. It has several hotel rooms, lots of bungalows that can be rented for longer term, a 9 hole mini-golf course and a very nice, high quality restaurant in a beautiful setting. Rooms in both of these hotels are in the $45 dollar range. email: paradiso.ecauador@gmail.com. More specific details will be given in our web page.

El Meson de las Flores is near the town square and next to the church. It is a restored colonial home. Rooms are mostly remodeled, many with king beds. Room prices of $72 and $84 (tax included) include an excellent breakfast in the courtyard. Wireless internet and a free VOIP phone to call North America are nice amenities. They also have a full service restaurant. We recommend asking for rooms off the street. 593-6-291-6009

La Mirage, a 5-star resort and Spa offers magnificent rooms and gardens complete with all meals for $350 to $750 per night. The spa has 19 massage therapy modalities. This is a very special treat. Meals are $35 for dinner and $15 for lunch. Don't miss out on this, even if it is only to have lunch.

Two ancient haciendas are sure to thrill history buffs. Hacienda Pinsaqui is just at the entrance to Cotacachi on the Pan-American Highway. Hacienda Cusin is just outside of Otavalo. Both are delightful places to stay or to have a meal.

Wherever you choose to stay while in the Cotacachi area, you can be certain that the friendly staff and owners will do everything possible to make your visit memorable. Make sure to tell them that you found them through Pro-Ecuador.com.

Premier Home for Sale in Cotacachi

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A home in San Miguel Homes and Gardens, just outside of Cotacachi, came on the market last week. This one is a gem! The couple selling it is not very happy about it, but health problems are making it difficult to move back and forth from Canada.

It's certainly not good when this happens, but you know the way it works, someone's misfortune is often another's good fortune.




The house is 2,400 sq. ft, with a lot that is almost 2/3 of an acre. It is located in the San Miguel, a gated community with 34 lots, nearly all of which are sold to North Americans. San Miguel backs up to the famous five-star La Mirage Resort and Spa. When the owners are not there, the house has been renting for $750 per month.

The $112 per month maintenance fee includes twice weekly maid service (including laundry) complete yard and garden service, armed security, exterior maintenance of the house, and even a person who comes around nightly to bring wood and light your fireplace! There are options to the maintenance fee depending on the services you choose.



This is one of three premier lots in San Miguel, on the edge of the development backed up to a creek. It is being sold fully furnished, which is a decided asset here in Ecuador. Buying furnishings is a big task. And the front fountain is ideal feng shui for bringing wealth into your life.

If you are interested in learning more about this fine house, please contact me at gary@ecuadorEDG.com.

Goal to Eliminate Child Malnutrition in Cotacachi Canton

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Linda and I had a wonderful visit today with Teresa Jaramillo and her husband Manuel Pazmino. Teresa is the director of public health in the Canto of Cotacachi.

Cotacachi Canton (like a county) is the largest in the province of Imbabura. A few years ago, the canton inaugerated a system of participatory democracy that is becoming a model for the rest of the country.

One of the major goals Cotacachi citizens have selected in their annual goal setting meeting is the complete elimination of child malnutrition in the province. It was so exciting to see the enthusiasm Teresa has for her job, and for this program.

There is a great volunteer opportunity here for anyone who would like to participate in this effort. Teresa would like to have volunteers in three areas 1) nutritionists, 2) nurses, and 3) doctors with nutrition backgound.

The Canton received a $180,000 two year grant from the Spanish Government to help accomplish this goal.

Watch this blog, and sign up for our newsletter at http://www.pro-ecuador.com for several upcoming articles about health care in Cotacachi.

If anyone is interested in getting more information about the volunteer program, please contact me at our website.