Buying Property in Colombia

[AddictedToWomen]

Jellyballs (or anyone else):

You know what the correct procedure is for bringing money into Colombia in such a way that I take take it out again easily in the future? Preferably without being stung by the massive official difference in the COP/USD and USD/COP rates?

[Jellyballs]

Albert will charge you $400 for his help. If you tell me what type you want I will explain how do it for free.

My name is Albert and if you want contact me at my email [Email address deleted by Admin] and I will explain in details how to obtain it.

That is my field of expertises.

[VipMedellin]

My name is Albert and if you want contact me at my email [Email address deleted by Admin] and I will explain in details how to obtain it.

That is my field of expertises.

I tried sending you a PM but you were not accepting them.
Saw your post and wondered if you had a name or contact info for the person who helped you get your cedula.

I tried it the old fashioned way, and only made it to having a temporary cedula after a lot of hassles and time wasted. They never did give me my permanent, and my temp is no longer valid.

At some point I'll want to pursue it again, and would sure like to do it the easy way.
Please send me a PM if possible.

Thanks!

EDITOR's NOTE: This report was edited to remove email addresses in the text. Please do not post email addresses in the Forum. Instead, please invite other Forum Members to contact you directly via the Forum's Private Messaging system. Thanks!

[Talisman]

Hello everyone,

I like to know if anyone knows any apartments for sale in Cartagena or Santa Marta?

T.man

[TheShadow2]

I tried sending you a PM but you were not accepting them.
Saw your post and wondered if you had a name or contact info for the person who helped you get your cedula.
I tried it the old fashioned way, and only made it to having a temporary cedula after a lot of hassles and time wasted. They never did give me my permanent, and my temp is no longer valid.
At some point I'll want to pursue it again, and would sure like to do it the easy way.
Please send me a PM if possible.
Thanks!

[Rufus]

Hello, I am moving to columbia,and I am betweeen medellin or cartegana.

What is the expensive/trendy neighborhood in medellin called so I can find apts. in the paper? Reading the forum I think it is called "el poblado" but want to make sure.

I live in a community now that is very relaxed and laid back. I know all my neighbors and is not difficult to walk out of my house and on the beach and talk to people. I know medellin does not have a beach, but is there a similar "vibe" in medellin?

hey Jon32,
Yes the suburb is el poblado, its nice there and leafy, high end place but I think the people there are snobby.
Go there and see for yourself and travel aroud the area and Colombia before buying and see what suits you the best.

[Jon32]

Hello, I am moving to columbia,and I am betweeen medellin or cartegana.

What is the expensive/trendy neighborhood in medellin called so I can find apts. in the paper? Reading the forum I think it is called "el poblado" but want to make sure.

I live in a community now that is very relaxed and laid back. I know all my neighbors and is not difficult to walk out of my house and on the beach and talk to people. I know medellin does not have a beach, but is there a similar "vibe" in medellin?

[VipMedellin]

I just wanted to let you know to all of the members that I have a lot of expierence in real estate and visa processes so whatever I can do to help please let me know.

[Peter Solano]

I am an american male with some advise to all who want to live in Colombia. I have aquired my cedula, gold insurance policy , and bank accounts with no problem. I went thru the cedula process in 1 day, insurance acceptance, and bank account opened in 20 minutes. The advice I give is simple, make the right contacts, propina the service people, and be kind and remember this is not America, sometimes its better , sometimes its not. For example , blood work for blood type required for Cedula, blood drawn and typed in 10 minutes at the Lab. Entry into the DAS office/ immigration offices/ in 5 minutes, no appoinment.All with the help of a service provider who was very good at working the system, all the people here know and like him, a big plus. The country is similar to most latin american societies, its not what you know but who, same as USA but we do not like to admit it.

I could not agree with you more. Peter.

[Jchipper]

I am an american male with some advise to all who want to live in Colombia. I have aquired my cedula, gold insurance policy , and bank accounts with no problem. I went thru the cedula process in 1 day, insurance acceptance, and bank account opened in 20 minutes. The advice I give is simple, make the right contacts, propina the service people, and be kind and remember this is not America, sometimes its better , sometimes its not. For example , blood work for blood type required for Cedula, blood drawn and typed in 10 minutes at the Lab. Entry into the DAS office/ immigration offices/ in 5 minutes, no appoinment.All with the help of a service provider who was very good at working the system, all the people here know and like him, a big plus. The country is similar to most latin american societies, its not what you know but who, same as USA but we do not like to admit it.

[Lima Busy]

Good Info Tom, Lima and EVEN Greg! Thats my next step for my CASA in Colombia! I think I will go the LB route with the lawyer and escrow, because I can just forsee all kinds of problems ahead, like giving a $20k deposit on a casa to a contractor then he all of a sudden disapears or something shady along those lines AND then having no-one or nothing to turn too for help in this foreign land! Peace "Chino"

I, personally never had a bad experience (Never used a lawyer and did not have a bank account)but I did my homework on builders and got lucky!I did get screwed by the homeowners association who were able to double my maintenance because I was a "Gringo" with a penthouse! I guess I use more electricity because the elevator has to go up another floor!

I have a friend who has bought 4 apartments (used a lawyer) and still got screwed. (Two apartments were never finished and even though there was a clause that the builder had to pay a $100.00 a day fine if they were not completed on time) you can't get blood from a rock! There are guy's in Lima (GyM) is one who will sell out a highrise before ever breaking ground. There reputation is so solid they now put there name on other projects as a consultant/guarantor.

[MiamiHeatLuver]

Guy's,
Tom33 is offering good advice here! The most important thing is to have a reputable law firm. They will set up a escrow account for you to wire the money into and only release it according to the terms of the contract. If you are buying "pre-venta" make sure the builder has solid finances and a good reputation.
LB

Good Info Tom, Lima and EVEN Greg! Thats my next step for my CASA in Colombia! I think I will go the LB route with the lawyer and escrow, because I can just forsee all kinds of problems ahead, like giving a $20k deposit on a casa to a contractor then he all of a sudden disapears or something shady along those lines AND then having no-one or nothing to turn too for help in this foreign land! Peace "Chino"

[Lima Busy]

Lots of luck. Conavi required a copy of my cedula(no cedula-no account), a copy of my Colombian tax return, and a personal interview with a bank manager. Then they referred my application to committee. By the time they got around to approving my account application, I was back in the US for the summer. Now I can't open the account until I return in Oct.

I have lived in Colombia for over 3 years and owned my own apartment for 2 1/2 years. I bought my apt. with no account in Colombia and had no problems. Of course I used good people and had a large law firm in Bogota representing me.

Guy's,
Tom33 is offering good advice here! The most important thing is to have a reputable law firm. They will set up a escrow account for you to wire the money into and only release it according to the terms of the contract. If you are buying "pre-venta" make sure the builder has solid finances and a good reputation.
LB

[Tom 33]

AMEN! That has been the biggest mistake I have made in this purchasing process. I did not have ana account opened. There is now a chance that I am going to have to fly back just to open an account.

Lots of luck. Conavi required a copy of my cedula(no cedula-no account), a copy of my Colombian tax return, and a personal interview with a bank manager. Then they referred my application to committee. By the time they got around to approving my account application, I was back in the US for the summer. Now I can't open the account until I return in Oct.

I have lived in Colombia for over 3 years and owned my own apartment for 2 1/2 years. I bought my apt. with no account in Colombia and had no problems. Of course I used good people and had a large law firm in Bogota representing me.

[JudgeSchmails]

AMEN! That has been the biggest mistake I have made in this purchasing process. I did not have ana account opened. There is now a chance that I am going to have to fly back just to open an account.