Ecuador for Investors – Page 137

New Discussion Forum for Expats in Ecuador

This week I’m pleased to announce the new discussion forum for expats located on this site here. Or access it from the link “Expat Q&A Forum” in the upper left hand corner of this site.

Ask questions, get answers, meet new people and network, 100% FREE, don’t delay ask your first question today to join our community online…

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The Dreaded Bridge Effect in Ecuador

Found it.

A 2 bedroom apartment in Ecuador… new building… beautiful furnishings… good area of town near shopping… good short-term growth potential… asking price= $40,000 (similar apartments are in the $50-60k range). Furnished, could get around $500/mo rent. Good buy, within my current budget.

The problem… it’s next to a small bridge and dusty park.

Now, in the US, being next to a park is a plus… but not in Ecuador. Parks and areas underneath bridges in the bigger cities have BAD reps in Ecuador. Locals will tell you, beit true or not, “that’s where all the junkies and thieves hang out at night.”

It’s true, when I first arrived in Ecuador a few years back I stayed with a friend in a rather ghetto area of Quito (the Vicentina Baja), and the first thing he told me was to walk fast when I have to pass under the bridge near his house.

After consulting with a few local friends (who quickly mentioned the same thing about the property) I decided not to buy, the place would probably be difficult to rent out to the higher-end folks.

Rental incomes can be really good in Ecuador (I’ve seen returns higher than 30% annual if you buy right), but consult a few locals before buying, and don’t get caught by the dreaded “bridge effect”!

7 Day Self-Guided Ecuador Coastal Tour

Here’s one sample Itinerary I’d recommend to someone looking for beachfront property in Ecuador. You can go yourself taking local buses and taxis without renting a car if you wish to minimize your expenses.

Day 1- Fly to Manta, visit nearby Crucita, San Clemente, northern Manta
Day 2- Manta
Day 3- Catch bus south to Santa Marianta, Puerto Cayo
Day 4- Visit Los Frailes beach, sleep in Puerto Lopez
Day 5- bus to Ayampe, then bus to Olon, sleep in Olon.
Day 6- Visit Montanita, bus to Salinas, sleep in Salinas
Day 7- Salinas, nightime 3 hour bus to Guayaquil

*The ideal time alotted for this trip should be 10-14 days, but it can be done in 7 rushing.

Inflation Rises a Bit in Ecuador

As released by the National Census Board in Ecuador, the inflation rate for July of 2011 was 4.40% (if calculated annually) compared to July of the last year which had inflation (if calculated annually) equaling that of 3.4% annual year to year inflation.

National Development Bank Tightens Micro-Loan Policies

Small farmers in Ecuador are complaining about the strict policies the National Development Bank enforces… which offers credit to only those farmers who have their own land (to put as collateral) of at least 3 hectares. Effectively disqualifying many small farmers for loans in Ecuador.

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