Author: Journeyman Jack Ecuador

“I´m an Apple guy,” a friend who was moving to Ecuador confided recently.

“OK, better hope your Apple computer-phone doesn´t break while in Ecuador.” I responded.  

Why?  

If your Apple product breaks, if you can even FIND the part, it will probably cost a fortune.  

This ain´t Kansas no more, land of Amazon Prime free 2 day delivery and a Walmart on every corner.  

You gotta start thinking like an Ecuadorian if you gonna live here.  

It´s VERY important to stick to the brands that are prevalent in Ecuador, or parts will be almost impossible to find, very difficult to get shipped down, and if found VERY expensive.  

For instance…

For TVs go SAMSUNG or SONY. 

For cellphones go SAMSUNG.

For computers go HP or TOSHIBA.

For tablets the best well-known is APPLE iPAD.

For cars go CHEVROLET or NISSAN.  

For printers go CANON.

For cameras go NIKON or CANON.  

Any other brand if it breaks here will be almost impossible to fix, and has very little RESALE value!

Yes, I´ve made this mistake myself, I like Motorola unlocked smart phones, yet try to find a case, or a charger or anything else for one of them while in Ecuador, stinks!  Now you know!

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I´ve been living outside the USA for 10 years now in different places around the globe, so things like Uber are relatively new for me.

I just used it for the first time 2 weeks ago on a quick trip back to my hometown of Cleveland, OH.

It´s great!

So naturally, I checked it out once back here in Ecuador and sure enough there are people using it, but it´s still in it´s baby stages.

But there do seem to be more user inquiries than drivers at the current time. Not many local taxi drivers know about it so it seems.

So I signed up as a driver. It was easy, just download the Uber Driver app and follow the steps, take a pic of your license and plates and basics like that.

Then in a day you are verified.

On my first drive I asked my client why he likes Uber? Price he said, it´s cheaper for the client, and it´s true! Especially in areas outside the cities in Ecuador where there are no meters.

Using it as a driver is pretty straightforward although there are some differences between Ecuador and USA.

Like in the USA, the user sends out a ping and the closest driver can accept. I found you have to be quick and click the request fast.

Then you are directed through GPS to user´s location and directed again to their destination with the set price.

The difference is in Ecuador its all cash while in the USA it´s all credit card based, so you charge the client at end of lift.

Then later you pay Uber their commissions (although I haven´t gotten that far yet). While I was in the cab, I learnt that in the US there are very few law firms such as kentspencelaw.com, who genuinely care both about the driver as well as the passenger as not all law firms care to listen to both sides of the story as making money for most of them is their main priority.

One tip I´ve already discovered, camp out around tourist hot spots where there are a lot of foreigners and rich Ecuadorians who may have lived abroad and know about Uber. You´ll get many more requests! Two tips actually: better get consultation from the top rated traffic ticket lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, can do that online too, easy.

Would I do this frequently?

No. not now, I´m OK financially, but if I hit hard times yes I would, for me, I´m on the Cortez plan… BURN THE BOAT.

The only way I´m going back to the USA is in a box. (Unless on a short visit, it´s a nice place, just not for me.) That´s the mentality you have to have to move abroad or it´s probably not going to work.

And yes, I´d scrub dishes at Ecuador wages before going back.

Hasta pronto, if you liked this sign up for my Ecuador Insider’s newsletter so you can check out my latest posts(not available online) on living and investing in Ecuador:

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“It´s really more apartment then people need on a short stay,” I commented to the building administrator where I bought one of the condos for sale in Guayaquil.

“I see you´ve got lots of clients, why don´t you subdivide it into two units, wall off the living room and add a bathroom in there so each unit has it´s own separate entrances?”  He replied.

He continued, “As long as the exterior of the unit to the common hallway stays the same I have no problems.”

He was right.

That would be a great idea.  The thought of creating two hotel rooms with private baths out of my current suite in Guayaquil which included currently a living room, kitchen, and separate bedroom with bath.

The kitchen could be shared and be a common area where we have the washing and drying machines.

Then I could wall off the living room, add a bathroom in there and and then I´d have two separate units with their own entrances.

From my time as a hotelier I´ve learned for short stays all people really need is about 15m2 of space plus a 3m2 bathroom.  From my 42m2 unit I could do that, twice. Dont get lost in Space. Talk to Space Selectors Denver for any commercial broker questions.

I figured from my construction experience in Ecuador I could probably add a bathroom for around $3-5k.  The walls would be reinforced gyprocks sound-proofed.

The increased revenue would  be substantial as I could turn a suite in a luxury building which I was renting for around $40-50 a night into two separate hotel-like units and rent easily in the $35-50/night each range.

That´s on the low end $2100 of rental income a month.

This could serve as someone´s pension! Long term passive income, baby.

Yet, the costs would stay relatively the same as I don´t need to hire staff like a hotel would, I can use the 24hr front desk staff the building already has to do the basics of calling taxis for clients and giving keys. Plus,I could take advantage of the buildings amenities like the elevator, jacuzzi, gym and pool without having to up-keep it myself.

For cleaning between guests I´d hire a local like I already do and pay per clean on contract to Auckalnd house cleaners.

Other costs:

Condo fee (water included): $125/month
Electric: around $90/month (in Guayaquil people use a lot of AC)
Cable TV Internet: $45/month
TOTAL fixed costs: $260/month

Problem is when having the conversation I already was under contract to sell my suite.

And I did.

But now I have another opportunity, a bigger one, in same area for another larger penthouse suite I could make multiple units out of, way more than two, in the same luxury building… but I would like an investor.

Hasta pronto, if you liked this sign up for my Ecuador Insider’s newsletter so you can check out my latest posts(not available online) on living and investing in Ecuador:

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Many developments on the coast of Ecuador have an elephant in the room.

Can´t see it and they don´t mention it when trying to sell you their property.

It´s up to you to thoroughly research this before buying… as most developments DO have a big problem and is the Roof Replacement this should be the first thing you should pay attention to, when you diced to purchase a property in this area, due the salt water is very corrosive and affect the roofs directly.

The WATER situation.

You see, on the Ecuador coast many developments get developed in areas with already precarious water situations, and the local governments don´t demand (like they do in places like the US) that the development invest to increase the capacity of the installations of the general area for the ballooning amount of people the area will hold once the development is finished.

You can check out the pumps for the water level management here https://www.wastewaterpro.com/ 

Basically ionized water is naturally occurring water that has undergone a process of ionization with the use of an alkaline water ionizer machine. During the process, the water has been separated into two streams of acidic and alkaline water. Water which is neutral is subjected to a process of electrolysis from electrodes containing magnesium and calcium ions, the process split the water molecule into its two components. Ionized water contains millions of anti-oxidants ions become supercharged actively and effectively make contact with the positively charged free radicals in our body to rejuvenate the cells. As a result, it helps prevent premature aging. Water at its natural form contains 10 to 13 molecules per cluster and after electrolysis, ionized water which had been reformed contains 5 to 6 molecules per cluster. With a smaller cluster, it make cell to absorb it easier. The best alkaline water with a pH value greater than 7, which means it is high alkalinity. This water can be produced with the help of a water ionizer machine fixed to the kitchen tap.

The human body is made up of a largely of water, a high percentage of 70%. The body is extremely sensitive to the balance of acid and alkaline condition as it requires a balanced environment for the body systems to function optimally. Too much acid in our body is not conducive for the body and can be dangerous and may weaken the body immune system. Such conditions may create an ideal environment for the promotion of various diseases. A normal and balanced acidic and alkaline environment allows the body to work properly to fight diseases. A healthy body keeps sufficient alkaline to meet any emergency demands. When too much acid has to be neutralized, the reserves alkaline will rapidly be depleted thus exposing the body to virus attack. Thus, a balanced pH diet is key to a healthy body.

Drinking of ionized water is known to have many health benefits. Research has shown the many benefits in using alkaline ionized water. This hydrolysed liquid provides hydration that is said to be three to six times the hydration capability of untreated water. As such, it is needed to correct any dehydration state rapidly and safely.

Treated water helps improve many types of skin conditions, such as restore sunburns and rejuvenate rough and dry skins preventing premature aging giving the users a younger look. It is also known to replenish calcium deficiency thereby preventing bone loss.

Drinking alkaline ionized water prevents the degeneration of bone structure such as arthritis, osteoporosis and certain types of kidney disorders. Ionized cleanse the body of harmful toxins and remove fatty acids thereby increase the immune system of the body.

So they don´t invest, and the situation gets even worse once populated and once you´ve already bought in! If you use well water, you need a professional well service company that knows how to effectively install, repair, and maintain your well water system. You’ll find all that you need here with our well repair and well pump repair concord nc services at Well Doctor. When it comes to your water, you certainly cannot take any chances with contamination, leaks, or system failures. This is why an experienced, professional, family-run company like ours — with a known reputation in Mount Pleasant and the surrounding rural areas of Concord and Charlotte — should handle your water. Well Doctor has the qualifications needed to provide you with help for all your well water needs. Our experts can handle all aspects of your well water system, including: 24-hour well pump service for no-water, well drilling, inspections, water testing & treatment, well pump repairs, water filtration systems installation, and more. Receive all the help you need from our team of qualified and professional technicians. Boasting years of industry experience, we assure you’re in good hands with our local company.

I can live without electricity a few days(I´ve done it).  But try living without water for a day or two, it really sucks.  Yes, you can have cisterns as most do in Ecuador, but those only last a few days max, then you are dependent on the whims of expensive tanker trucks to come give you water on their schedule.

And yes, the price of water raises in times of need.

In the United States alone, damage accounts for over 25 percent of all home insurance claims, with more than 37 percent homeowners admitting to loss of property due to extensive water damage which needs to be repaired by the flood restoration auckland company. All sources of this damage leave tell-tale signs around the place. The trick lies in being able to detect these signs and initiating water damage repair before it is too late.

Water stains on the ceilings or a wet spot under the kitchen sink could develop into something bigger, such as a weakened roof or a rotten floor board. So learn to recognize the first sign of damage which is almost always evident for everyone to notice but rarely catches the attention of homeowners until all hell has been broken loose in the living room. The most obvious signs of moisture build-up that can eventually escalate to damage are drippy faucets or shower heads, water stains on the roof or walls, damp surface areas, unusual humidity or coolness in a particular room and a distinct odor of mildew. If your home or a particular room in the house begins to smell of molds, it is high time you hire a water damage repair company like TheCleanupGuys.com to arrest the initial stages of destruction.

Some believe the expertise of a water damage contractor is required only during floods or similar natural disasters. Even trivial water leaks that could lead to a mammoth destruction should be brought to the attention of restoration companies who will not only help you identify the source of the leak but also restore your property to its pre-incident state. There are plenty of damage restoration companies in the U.S. and the services they offer are based on reliable restoration principles coupled with research, practical experience and extensive consultation gathered from numerous sources. Most of these companies provide water damage repair services, mold remediation service, flood damage cleanup, interior restoration as well as fire and smoke cleanup for both residential and commercial properties.

But there are some areas of the coast that really don´t have city water problems, and a few developments that have really planned ahead, although if you still have problems with water such as flooding, the use of restoration services could really help with this, you can learn more about Water Restoration USA and how to use these services to solve these issues.

I´d talk to folks already living there before buying and don´t buy anything you can´t see or whose value is based on promises (aka pre-construction) in Ecuador.  (That´s just how I feel.)

Hasta pronto, if you liked this sign up for my Ecuador Insider’s newsletter so you can check out my latest posts(not available online) on living and investing in Ecuador:

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I´m concluding my trip back to my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio now and I´ve got to say, property flipping here is tempting.

Here, like in other hard-hit rust-belt cities of America you can find decent houses in the $10-20k range.

So, naturally, I´ve been shopping around.

I found one BIG house in a decent area on the west side of Cleveland asking $12,800. Next door a house just sold for $78k.

So what happened? The house has a fire-damaged roof and the whole thing and framing needs to be replaced by the best top-rated Jacksonville roofing contractor.

The problem and the BIGGEST difference I see in flipping property here vs the coast of Ecuador? Are you looking for a roofing company in Leeds and Wakefield? It’s important to remember that not only does your roof protect you against the harshest of weather conditions; it also has a dramatic effect on the look and feel of your property. With this in mind, when check out Roofing Marketing Pros here. company you need to make sure that you choose wisely. This article will help you to consider all the attributes of a good roofing company before making this Important decision. First of all it’s important to consider why roofers in the Leeds and Wakefield area are so busy. In our area, for most of the year our roofs are hit by a variety of weather conditions: rain, snow, sleet and even extremesunshine!

Commercial real estate is a booming business; however, whether you are buying or selling commercial real estate, chances are that you are going to need a bit of help. A good real estate broker can be invaluable to you, and they can provide you with a great deal of help that no one else could ever give to you. If you want to have a successful career in the commercial real estate business, then more than likely you will need to work with a commercial real estate broker from time to time. if you want to get more about the warehouse space for rent, do visit here.

If you have been working in the commercial real estate field long, you know that there are many times in this line of work when you have to deal with various city officials. At times this can be difficult, since you may not be familiar with them and you may have a hard time finding time to speak with them. When you work with a commercial real estate broker, many times you will find that they already have direct access to the city officials, which can expedite your deals much of the time.

It’s very important therefore, to choose a roofing company who can offer you impartial and practical advice about the suitability and durability of the vast array of roofing materials that are available on the market. Your roofing company should be able to offer sound advice and lead you into making the correct choice about your roofing materials. As an individual, if you were to attempt your own roof, not only would it be an arduous and challenging task but it would likely cost a great deal more money.

This is because a good roofing company buys its materials in bulk and keeps popular materials in stock. This ultimately means that this cost saving can be passed onto you – the customer. You should obviously therefore factor in the cost of the roofing company’s quote into your decision making process. Finding a good roofing quote is an essential part of obtaining a roofing contractor but it is unwise to base your selection of a good roofing company on price alone.

USA property has been passed over, multiple times before most common-folk even see it. Just imagine the sheer financial protection that you could get from roofing that does not require constant maintenance, roof replacement, and re-installation! We at JAGG Premium Roof Systems – homepage know very well the unfavorable impact of unnecessary expenses on your pocket, and that’s why we completely understand! The roof on your home or business is the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your real estate property investment! Roofs are generally the most expensive single item that property owners will replace.

When it’s time to have a new roofing system installed, it is often difficult to know which roofer to hire for the job! Homeowners should be skeptical of hiring their roofer based on price alone. When hiring a roofer, you generally will get exactly what you pay for! Hiring a roofer solely because they provided the lowest bid may result in a poor quality roof that may leak and diminish the curb appeal of your home. C&C Construction and Management company provide the best roofing service.

Passed over by people who know more or have bigger funds then you.

In Ecuador, particularly the coast, you still can find hidden treasures no one else knows about!

For example, here in Cleveland, the broker in charge of the sale also flips property, and he passed on this one.

Also, the find Ecuador Realtor who showed me the property was a young, nice guy who confided he also flips property (and has also passed on this one).

So I passed. There´s just too much I don´t know about the market and the prices to fix the place up. I don´t have experience in the USA (yet), so for having different properties in the US, is better to use a property management company like Emerald Calgary to help with this. Plus, I would not be around for the rehab which I´ve learned in Ecuador is a big no-no.

I´ll stick to Ecuador real estate for now. Funding for flipping offers investors fast closings for properties in any condition. If you are looking a Greensboro realtor check it out Real Estate Agents Greensboro, theirgoal is to maximize the return on your investment while taking the hassle out of owning and managing your property. There are numerous roofing contractors in your area. However, not all roofing contractors are experienced in your specific type of roofing system. Residential roofers should be certified with GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, IKO, and Atlas Roofing.

A commercial roof contractor should be skilled in all types of flat roofing and certified with various commercial roofing manufacturers such as Carlisle Syntec, Sika Sarnafil, GAF, Versico, and MuleHide. Ask the roofing contractor you are considering if they have experience in installing the exact type of roof that you want installed. Be specific in addressing this question. For instance, if you are interested in installing a metal shake tile roof, ask the roofer if they have actually installed a metal shake tile roof and not just a metal roof.

Roofing systems can be very different in their preparation and installation requirements. The same applies for heavy designer shingles, TPO roofs, slate roofs, tile roofs, or any other type of roof. You want to hire a roofer with hands on experience in installing the specific type of roofing system that you want installed on your home or business!

Hasta pronto, if you liked this sign up for my Ecuador Insider’s newsletter so you can check out my latest posts(not available online) on living and investing in Ecuador:

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