Which is BETTER? House Rental vs. Condo Rental in Cuenca Ecuador? This video details the differences between a house rental vs. condo rental in Cuenca Ecuador; and we list the main advantages and disadvantages that most expats and travelers would want to know when they come to Cuenca Ecuador to visit or to stay. To see the complete and more detailed article about this subject, go here.
Welcome to Gringo Good Samaritans, integrated with our 8 years of living in Cuenca Ecuador and traveling the world. We create informative videos and articles helping people come to awareness of what's happening in our world so they can enjoy their retire early lifestyle with their families, healthy, happy and free!
Showing posts with label renting in Cuenca Ecuador. Show all posts
Showing posts with label renting in Cuenca Ecuador. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Beware, It's not the Real Thing Guys - No Need to Pay US Rents...
There's a lot of misinformation and hype on You Tube in videos so beware that you are not getting misinformed because it could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. We can go to Medellin Colombia right now and find a rental house/apartment in a decent area for under $400 a month and so can you! There is no need to pay North American prices. What's that all about anyway?
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We lived in Cuenca Ecuador for five years and now we are in Salinas Ecuador where our adventure continues.We vlog several times per week where we share crucial insights and every day experiences to help others see what its really like to live in a Latin American country.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We lived in Cuenca Ecuador for five years and now we are in Salinas Ecuador where our adventure continues.We vlog several times per week where we share crucial insights and every day experiences to help others see what its really like to live in a Latin American country.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
5 Years in Ecuador and Still Living on a Local Level
Living local in Ecuador: Our rent has increased $50 per month, a small jump up from $250 to $300, even though we have been living in Ecuador for 5 years now. Stay with us as we continue our Ecuador journey in Salinas Ecuador and maybe beyond that, who knows.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Are there Expat Only Apartment Buildings in Cuenca Ecuador?
Reader Asks: We are beginning to look at Cuenca as a retirement city for us. Are there any apartment complexes just for the expat community?
Frank and Angie Respond: Really? We’ve never been asked this before, ever. It’s the kind of question that perhaps some folks wonder about but are too polite to ask. At first the question comes off as somewhat offensive and perhaps even racial but who are we to judge why a person asks a certain question.
No, there are no gringo only apartment buildings in Cuenca Ecuador. However there are a few buildings that house about half to ¾ gringos, which tells us that the rents have gotten so out of hand in these buildings that most of the Ecuadorians can’t afford to live in their own apartment buildings anymore.
We recommend that some folks should retire in familiar surroundings. Moving to a developing country is not for everyone! However, if you really feel the need to move from the USA and need an inexpensive place to retire to, then Mexico might be a better fit for you. Mexico has several “little N. American gringo communities” where you do not have to learn Spanish; they even have their own grocery stores, post office, restaurants, and hospitals, so you don’t even have to leave the confines of your gringo compound.
Until we write again…
You might like these articles too!
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Frank and Angie Respond: Really? We’ve never been asked this before, ever. It’s the kind of question that perhaps some folks wonder about but are too polite to ask. At first the question comes off as somewhat offensive and perhaps even racial but who are we to judge why a person asks a certain question.
No, there are no gringo only apartment buildings in Cuenca Ecuador. However there are a few buildings that house about half to ¾ gringos, which tells us that the rents have gotten so out of hand in these buildings that most of the Ecuadorians can’t afford to live in their own apartment buildings anymore.
We recommend that some folks should retire in familiar surroundings. Moving to a developing country is not for everyone! However, if you really feel the need to move from the USA and need an inexpensive place to retire to, then Mexico might be a better fit for you. Mexico has several “little N. American gringo communities” where you do not have to learn Spanish; they even have their own grocery stores, post office, restaurants, and hospitals, so you don’t even have to leave the confines of your gringo compound.
Until we write again…
You might like these articles too!
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Gringos Renting a Home in Cuenca Ecuador Should Be ALL about Value!
As you may know, rental prices have gone up in Cuenca Ecuador and so we are now seeing a lot of really over-priced rentals out there, especially with house prices. It is possible to find a 3/2 apartment for $350 but a house, no. Take a look at some of the prices we’re seeing lately in Cuenca. We’re going to show you two examples, however, there are many more bad deals out there just like these ones.
You Have to Lower Your Price!
Dear Real Estate Agents and Home Owners in Ecuador: The owners know what gringos like, so we are suggesting nicely to the owners that if you want to rent your house to gringos at higher prices than you’d better make it gringo friendly. You know, as in offering more value instead of just raising prices but not adding anything on the table. Let’s talk about this.
Kitchens/Counters/Fixtures/Cabinets
We wouldn’t have rented the house we’re in now for $250 per month if it would have had old cracked tiles on the counters, cracked up walls, or outdated faucets, like the kitchen in this house below. And guess what they want for this house? They want $1,200 monthly for it!! Ugh! (Click photo to enlarge.)
This is outrageous!
What should the price be for this house, you might be wondering? Well, because it is VERY spacious at 350M and because it does have a yard, it should be priced at $500 to $600 but no more. The house is old, outdated and has awful paint colors in all the rooms. By the way, that price would reflect a 5% inflation rate from 4 years ago. Some house prices would not normally rise with inflation if the house is not in an acceptable condition. Why would it?
Because it’s in an area the gringos want to live in there could be a dreamy perception that some naïve gringo will rent it for $1,200. I suppose anything is possible especially if you’re from major u.s. metro areas, but don’t bring your dog. The ad says “no dogs”!
Moving on to the next bad deal!
Older Homes Need to be Priced Right
These older homes like this one below, used to go for $220 to $300 back in the day. And look, it’s now $500 and they’re asking for a guarantee too!! They assume the gringos will pay it; well, will you?
It’s funny that prior to the Gringo influx after the online hype, they never asked for a guarantee with the Ecuadorians but now that the “rich gringos” have come, they’re asking for a 2nd rent. Why not a third rent, or a fourth rent, heck, why not a whole year’s rent up front like they do in South Korea? Why stop anywhere? If the major metro u.s. residents financial condition is the driver of these foreign real estate markets, then why not? They can afford it, right?
Would a gringo really pay $500 for this old house and $1000 just to get into it? (Click photo to see this old house).
You know, we’re just saying, the prices for many homes today in Cuenca have lost much of their value because the prices are just too high for old and outdated houses!
The older 3 and 4 bedroom homes still need to be priced at the $250 to $300 price range, unless they are actually updated to reflect modern times. Newer homes that offer green spaces and near everything can and should go for $350 to $500 depending on construction size. Bigger homes should be priced higher than the smaller homes.
It’s ALL about VALUE in a RENTAL: as we’ve touched on above, value as it relates to the local market. The Per Capita GDP household income for all of Ecuador for 2016 is still less than a thousand per month. Most parts of Ecuador outside of Cuenca would be much lower than that. So, think about what you’re doing to your neighbors when you come down here, and compare rental prices to Florida, New York, Chicago, California, etc. etc. When was the last time you looked for a rental somewhere outside these very expensive u.s. areas?
Until we write again...
Here are a few related articles you might find interesting.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
You Have to Lower Your Price!
Dear Real Estate Agents and Home Owners in Ecuador: The owners know what gringos like, so we are suggesting nicely to the owners that if you want to rent your house to gringos at higher prices than you’d better make it gringo friendly. You know, as in offering more value instead of just raising prices but not adding anything on the table. Let’s talk about this.
Kitchens/Counters/Fixtures/Cabinets
We wouldn’t have rented the house we’re in now for $250 per month if it would have had old cracked tiles on the counters, cracked up walls, or outdated faucets, like the kitchen in this house below. And guess what they want for this house? They want $1,200 monthly for it!! Ugh! (Click photo to enlarge.)
 |
| This home has outdated kitchens and baths and their still asking for $1200 rent. |
This is outrageous!
What should the price be for this house, you might be wondering? Well, because it is VERY spacious at 350M and because it does have a yard, it should be priced at $500 to $600 but no more. The house is old, outdated and has awful paint colors in all the rooms. By the way, that price would reflect a 5% inflation rate from 4 years ago. Some house prices would not normally rise with inflation if the house is not in an acceptable condition. Why would it?
Because it’s in an area the gringos want to live in there could be a dreamy perception that some naïve gringo will rent it for $1,200. I suppose anything is possible especially if you’re from major u.s. metro areas, but don’t bring your dog. The ad says “no dogs”!
Moving on to the next bad deal!
Older Homes Need to be Priced Right
These older homes like this one below, used to go for $220 to $300 back in the day. And look, it’s now $500 and they’re asking for a guarantee too!! They assume the gringos will pay it; well, will you?
It’s funny that prior to the Gringo influx after the online hype, they never asked for a guarantee with the Ecuadorians but now that the “rich gringos” have come, they’re asking for a 2nd rent. Why not a third rent, or a fourth rent, heck, why not a whole year’s rent up front like they do in South Korea? Why stop anywhere? If the major metro u.s. residents financial condition is the driver of these foreign real estate markets, then why not? They can afford it, right?
 |
| This Cuenca older home should be $250 |
Would a gringo really pay $500 for this old house and $1000 just to get into it? (Click photo to see this old house).
You know, we’re just saying, the prices for many homes today in Cuenca have lost much of their value because the prices are just too high for old and outdated houses!
The older 3 and 4 bedroom homes still need to be priced at the $250 to $300 price range, unless they are actually updated to reflect modern times. Newer homes that offer green spaces and near everything can and should go for $350 to $500 depending on construction size. Bigger homes should be priced higher than the smaller homes.
It’s ALL about VALUE in a RENTAL: as we’ve touched on above, value as it relates to the local market. The Per Capita GDP household income for all of Ecuador for 2016 is still less than a thousand per month. Most parts of Ecuador outside of Cuenca would be much lower than that. So, think about what you’re doing to your neighbors when you come down here, and compare rental prices to Florida, New York, Chicago, California, etc. etc. When was the last time you looked for a rental somewhere outside these very expensive u.s. areas?
Until we write again...
Here are a few related articles you might find interesting.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Monday, January 25, 2016
Seeking Cheap Rental for Less than 3 Months in Cuenca Ecuador?
A Reader Asks: We’re coming to Cuenca to check it out in January and we’re wondering if it is possible to find a cheap rental for 3 weeks for both of us.
Frank and Angie's Response: The million dollar question asked by hundreds of people. The short answer to your question is there are no “cheap” rentals in Cuenca, and especially for less than 6-months. Less than 3 month short term rentals will be more costly. Understand that you are coming to a popular tourist destination where hundreds of gringos visit each month and prices reflect that.
Minimum stays in furnished apartments is usually 6-months, however a few landlords are willing to rent for a minimum of 3 months. Anything less than that is going to be other options. Let’s take a look at some of those options.
Note: If you have a pet, if the landlord allows small pets in the home the renter will have to pay a pet deposit, in case something gets ruined by pet.
Short Term Rentals
If you’re only visiting for several weeks to a few months you can check out these websites for short term rentals. And remember to negotiate according to your personal circumstances. The asking price is usually not the set price.
Craigslist – This is accommodations that charge per day and weekly rates for apartments and home stays in Cuenca Ecuador.
Airbnb - You can find plenty of short term stays on Airbnb, however be careful and make sure that you know what you are getting...there has been some complaints.
OLX - This is the daily - weekly - monthly ads for short term stays in Cuenca Ecuador
Hostels in Cuenca Ecuador
Cuenca Ecuador has some nice comfortable hostels and if you are only one or two people then staying in a hostel is probably your best bet for the budget minded traveler(s). Hostels are less expensive than hotels and will usually have a shared kitchen and common area for guests to use. Kitchens are supplied with utensils, pots and pans and cooking appliances. The only thing you will need is your own dish detergent for doing your own dishes.
We list several hostels, according to different budgets in the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide. Below are videos of a couple of these hostels.
La Casa Cuencana Hostel – Martha, the owner of this hostel offers the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide readers a discount if staying for a full week. Please show her you bought the book with a printout of the page of her Hostel or the book itself.
Note: We list rates for several hostels in the DIY guide; however rates are higher during holidays and festivals. The whole month of February Carnaval is celebrated throughout the country of Ecuador.
Hostal Macondo - Here is a video tour of this hostel.
Cuenca Ecuador Short-Term Rentals – Rooms for rent and home stays in Cuenca Ecuador.
Another great option, if you are only one or two people, is staying with an Ecuadorian family. There’s two ways this is done. The Ecuadorian family will rent out a room in their house and you use the shared kitchen; the room may or may not have a private bath. You will find these listed as a "habitacion".
The other way we’ve seen it done is with the bigger Ecuadorian homes where they make a separate apartment attached to their home; These "mini departamentos" will usually have a one bedroom with a private bath, kitchen and its own entrance. Renting this way can also be more economical than staying in a hotel, plus you will have the added benefit of interacting with Ecuadorians on a more personal level and learn some Spanish!
Until we write again…
Related Articles
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Frank and Angie's Response: The million dollar question asked by hundreds of people. The short answer to your question is there are no “cheap” rentals in Cuenca, and especially for less than 6-months. Less than 3 month short term rentals will be more costly. Understand that you are coming to a popular tourist destination where hundreds of gringos visit each month and prices reflect that.
Minimum stays in furnished apartments is usually 6-months, however a few landlords are willing to rent for a minimum of 3 months. Anything less than that is going to be other options. Let’s take a look at some of those options.
Note: If you have a pet, if the landlord allows small pets in the home the renter will have to pay a pet deposit, in case something gets ruined by pet.
Short Term Rentals
If you’re only visiting for several weeks to a few months you can check out these websites for short term rentals. And remember to negotiate according to your personal circumstances. The asking price is usually not the set price.
Craigslist – This is accommodations that charge per day and weekly rates for apartments and home stays in Cuenca Ecuador.
Airbnb - You can find plenty of short term stays on Airbnb, however be careful and make sure that you know what you are getting...there has been some complaints.
OLX - This is the daily - weekly - monthly ads for short term stays in Cuenca Ecuador
Hostels in Cuenca Ecuador
Cuenca Ecuador has some nice comfortable hostels and if you are only one or two people then staying in a hostel is probably your best bet for the budget minded traveler(s). Hostels are less expensive than hotels and will usually have a shared kitchen and common area for guests to use. Kitchens are supplied with utensils, pots and pans and cooking appliances. The only thing you will need is your own dish detergent for doing your own dishes.
We list several hostels, according to different budgets in the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide. Below are videos of a couple of these hostels.
La Casa Cuencana Hostel – Martha, the owner of this hostel offers the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide readers a discount if staying for a full week. Please show her you bought the book with a printout of the page of her Hostel or the book itself.
Note: We list rates for several hostels in the DIY guide; however rates are higher during holidays and festivals. The whole month of February Carnaval is celebrated throughout the country of Ecuador.
Hostal Macondo - Here is a video tour of this hostel.
Cuenca Ecuador Short-Term Rentals – Rooms for rent and home stays in Cuenca Ecuador.
Another great option, if you are only one or two people, is staying with an Ecuadorian family. There’s two ways this is done. The Ecuadorian family will rent out a room in their house and you use the shared kitchen; the room may or may not have a private bath. You will find these listed as a "habitacion".
The other way we’ve seen it done is with the bigger Ecuadorian homes where they make a separate apartment attached to their home; These "mini departamentos" will usually have a one bedroom with a private bath, kitchen and its own entrance. Renting this way can also be more economical than staying in a hotel, plus you will have the added benefit of interacting with Ecuadorians on a more personal level and learn some Spanish!
Until we write again…
Related Articles
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Thursday, January 21, 2016
What’s It Like Dealing with Unscrupulous Rental Agents in Cuenca Ecuador
What (can) happen when you put an unscrupulous Ecuadorian and an unscrupulous Gringo together doing business? A lot of things can happen. Here’s the latest. BTW, some of you may have already dealt with these two buffoons and you’ll know right away, who we are talking about.
We went to go see an unfurnished apartment that was listed online, as a fifth floor, brand new apartment with great views and a huge terrazza for $550. Now understand, we saw the photos of the apartment.
So we get out there and they proceed to show us an apartment but it was not the one they had listed online. We said to the two guys, “this is not the apartment you have listed for $550 dollars”. They just blankly stared at us. We said again, “This is not the same apartment we saw in the photos”.
The now frustrated 40ish year old Ecuadorian RE agent begins to put the blame on the 70ish year old something gringo agent, saying “Did you get the photos mixed up, again”?
The gringo apologized to his Ecuadorian partner for the mistake. The Ecuadorian scolded the older gringo over and over again (in front of us) for posting the wrong photos. It was like a scene from the three Stooges with Curly and Moe, which one was Curly and which one was Moe is not yet apparent.
We could see right through the “good guy, bad guy” charade they were playing right in front of us…and they played this sham for as long as they thought they could get away with it. We were not interested in the ground floor apartment at all and we were getting ready to walk when…
…the Ecuadorian gave us a big smile and piped up with “I know what you want, come on, I’ll show it to you”. So we all get into the elevator (now remember, this is considered a luxury apartment building and five people can’t fit in the elevator comfortably) to the top floor penthouse unit. When we walked in we knew that this was the apartment we saw online. We right away said, “This is the apartment we saw in the photos”.
The Ecuadorian said, “But this unit is not going to be $550”. How come did we already know he was going to say that?
At this point the obvious was made quite apparent; we knew we were in the middle of a bait and switch. Frank and I talked quietly amongst ourselves about what we were going to do next. For now we decided to just play along.
Meanwhile about this time, after she had walked through the apartment, the expat woman renter came to us with love in her eyes because she told us, “I’m “in love” with this apartment”. What is it with gringos and views? Now, had she not cared about the apartment we would have walked already. Sure, the views were incredible but there was nothing special about the apartment. And well, all views in Cuenca are incredible.
The two guys noticed the expat lady loving the apartment and they loved every minute of watching her go gaga over the huge terraza and the views. Again the Ecuadorian said, “This apartment is not $550 dollars.”
“Ok, how much is it?” It’s $850 dollars”.
In the meantime we are becoming more annoyed at being suckered in on this bait and switch. Frank of course was not going to allow these two dodgy guys (and that’s nice way to put it for these guys) to get away with their unscrupulous dealings without letting them know he was on to them.
Frank looked right at the English speaking Ecuadorian and said, “This looks really bad on you and doing business like this will give you a bad reputation in the city of Cuenca.” The Ecuadorian nodded his head and seemed to agree and continued to blame the gringo agent. As long as the blame was not centered on him, all was okay…oh, you should have been there…It was comical.
The expat took us aside and let us know she would pay $750 rent for the apartment if everything was included. She was not coy about it or quiet either; we were sure she was overheard because it was just a few minutes later when the gringo piped up and said, “They might go $750”. How funny.
So, that’s what we offered with everything included. The Ecuadorian said, “Ok, let me call the owner and see what she says.”
The Ecuadorian leaves the room to go make the call to the owner of the apartment.
After about five minutes, the Ecuadorian comes back and says, “Yes, she said she will take $750 and that includes everything, utilities and aliquot and she will put a refrigerator in.”
The expat lady we were helping says, “Ok, what about my little four pound doggie?”
“Yes, she said your dog is okay too”.
“Ok, I want to give you a deposit to hold the apartment?”
The Ecuadorian put his hands up and backed up slightly, shaking his head and said, “Oh no, that’s okay, tomorrow you can meet with the landlord and work out the deposit.” and "don't worry, everything will be ok". Always worry when you hear, "don't worry".
We knew something was fishy. What kind of a rental agent is not going to take a deposit to hold an apartment? It just doesn’t happen...very fishy…
So the next day, at the scheduled time we show up at the apartment, ready and willing to pay a deposit and look over the contract. The landlord is there, the expat renter is there and we’re there.
So, first we find out that the owner is not really the owner after all, it is her brother and he’s in the states. So, we are dealing with the sister. To make a long story short, the sister who is assisting her brother was hemming and hawing about the small four pound dog and making all kinds of excuses about why she still needs to talk with her brother about renting the apartment at $750 and if the dog would be ok.
In the meantime, we realized we were being strung along and that they were waiting for another gringo to show up (because they’ve been getting calls left and right about this penthouse apartment) and pay the $850 they were asking, or possibly more, thinking if a gringo likes it enough they might spend $1000 a month for this 2/2 unfurnished penthouse apartment. They’d just do the bait and switch game on them too.
The Ecuadorian didn’t know that Frank understands Spanish and consequently Frank overheard him quietly tell the lady in Spanish, “I have other gringos that want to see the apartment”. And after she heard that she came back to us and said, “I’ll talk with my brother and get back with you”.
That was three weeks ago. Apparently no gringos have offered to pay more than the $750 because the apartment is back online again with an asking price of $750! They obviously are not going to call us, since they know we are onto them and know they are shadier than Alaska during the wintertime.
So in a nutshell, the two stooges, Curly and Moe continue to do business unethically in Cuenca Ecuador, shamming unsuspecting new gringo arrivals. This is a clear-cut bait and switch to be aware of in Cuenca Ecuador. One guy kept saying, don't worry everything will be ok, and they both said dog ok all along. Then they said, talk to the owner, which then turns out to not be the owner, and turns out that dog is not ok. You will be spun around like this and your time wasted. Having someone on your side makes it much less stressful. Think about it.
We share this with you today to make people aware of what’s happening in Cuenca Ecuador. The reality is the rental market in Cuenca is saturated with rental agents, however most of them are honest enough, and if they are not, we quickly let them know we’re on to them; but once in awhile we run across a couple of punks like this and of course, we simply stop doing business with them. What else can you do?
In Ecuador you are not allowed to publish names and harm someone’s (already bad) reputation, even though they are harming people’s lives. We will never use these guys again and we feel bad for anyone who accidentally does.
Until we write again.
Related Articles
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
 |
| Cuenca Ecuador - Tomebamba River |
We went to go see an unfurnished apartment that was listed online, as a fifth floor, brand new apartment with great views and a huge terrazza for $550. Now understand, we saw the photos of the apartment.
So we get out there and they proceed to show us an apartment but it was not the one they had listed online. We said to the two guys, “this is not the apartment you have listed for $550 dollars”. They just blankly stared at us. We said again, “This is not the same apartment we saw in the photos”.
The now frustrated 40ish year old Ecuadorian RE agent begins to put the blame on the 70ish year old something gringo agent, saying “Did you get the photos mixed up, again”?
The gringo apologized to his Ecuadorian partner for the mistake. The Ecuadorian scolded the older gringo over and over again (in front of us) for posting the wrong photos. It was like a scene from the three Stooges with Curly and Moe, which one was Curly and which one was Moe is not yet apparent.
We could see right through the “good guy, bad guy” charade they were playing right in front of us…and they played this sham for as long as they thought they could get away with it. We were not interested in the ground floor apartment at all and we were getting ready to walk when…
…the Ecuadorian gave us a big smile and piped up with “I know what you want, come on, I’ll show it to you”. So we all get into the elevator (now remember, this is considered a luxury apartment building and five people can’t fit in the elevator comfortably) to the top floor penthouse unit. When we walked in we knew that this was the apartment we saw online. We right away said, “This is the apartment we saw in the photos”.
The Ecuadorian said, “But this unit is not going to be $550”. How come did we already know he was going to say that?
At this point the obvious was made quite apparent; we knew we were in the middle of a bait and switch. Frank and I talked quietly amongst ourselves about what we were going to do next. For now we decided to just play along.
Meanwhile about this time, after she had walked through the apartment, the expat woman renter came to us with love in her eyes because she told us, “I’m “in love” with this apartment”. What is it with gringos and views? Now, had she not cared about the apartment we would have walked already. Sure, the views were incredible but there was nothing special about the apartment. And well, all views in Cuenca are incredible.
The two guys noticed the expat lady loving the apartment and they loved every minute of watching her go gaga over the huge terraza and the views. Again the Ecuadorian said, “This apartment is not $550 dollars.”
“Ok, how much is it?” It’s $850 dollars”.
In the meantime we are becoming more annoyed at being suckered in on this bait and switch. Frank of course was not going to allow these two dodgy guys (and that’s nice way to put it for these guys) to get away with their unscrupulous dealings without letting them know he was on to them.
Frank looked right at the English speaking Ecuadorian and said, “This looks really bad on you and doing business like this will give you a bad reputation in the city of Cuenca.” The Ecuadorian nodded his head and seemed to agree and continued to blame the gringo agent. As long as the blame was not centered on him, all was okay…oh, you should have been there…It was comical.
The expat took us aside and let us know she would pay $750 rent for the apartment if everything was included. She was not coy about it or quiet either; we were sure she was overheard because it was just a few minutes later when the gringo piped up and said, “They might go $750”. How funny.
So, that’s what we offered with everything included. The Ecuadorian said, “Ok, let me call the owner and see what she says.”
The Ecuadorian leaves the room to go make the call to the owner of the apartment.
After about five minutes, the Ecuadorian comes back and says, “Yes, she said she will take $750 and that includes everything, utilities and aliquot and she will put a refrigerator in.”
The expat lady we were helping says, “Ok, what about my little four pound doggie?”
“Yes, she said your dog is okay too”.
“Ok, I want to give you a deposit to hold the apartment?”
The Ecuadorian put his hands up and backed up slightly, shaking his head and said, “Oh no, that’s okay, tomorrow you can meet with the landlord and work out the deposit.” and "don't worry, everything will be ok". Always worry when you hear, "don't worry".
We knew something was fishy. What kind of a rental agent is not going to take a deposit to hold an apartment? It just doesn’t happen...very fishy…
So the next day, at the scheduled time we show up at the apartment, ready and willing to pay a deposit and look over the contract. The landlord is there, the expat renter is there and we’re there.
So, first we find out that the owner is not really the owner after all, it is her brother and he’s in the states. So, we are dealing with the sister. To make a long story short, the sister who is assisting her brother was hemming and hawing about the small four pound dog and making all kinds of excuses about why she still needs to talk with her brother about renting the apartment at $750 and if the dog would be ok.
In the meantime, we realized we were being strung along and that they were waiting for another gringo to show up (because they’ve been getting calls left and right about this penthouse apartment) and pay the $850 they were asking, or possibly more, thinking if a gringo likes it enough they might spend $1000 a month for this 2/2 unfurnished penthouse apartment. They’d just do the bait and switch game on them too.
The Ecuadorian didn’t know that Frank understands Spanish and consequently Frank overheard him quietly tell the lady in Spanish, “I have other gringos that want to see the apartment”. And after she heard that she came back to us and said, “I’ll talk with my brother and get back with you”.
That was three weeks ago. Apparently no gringos have offered to pay more than the $750 because the apartment is back online again with an asking price of $750! They obviously are not going to call us, since they know we are onto them and know they are shadier than Alaska during the wintertime.
So in a nutshell, the two stooges, Curly and Moe continue to do business unethically in Cuenca Ecuador, shamming unsuspecting new gringo arrivals. This is a clear-cut bait and switch to be aware of in Cuenca Ecuador. One guy kept saying, don't worry everything will be ok, and they both said dog ok all along. Then they said, talk to the owner, which then turns out to not be the owner, and turns out that dog is not ok. You will be spun around like this and your time wasted. Having someone on your side makes it much less stressful. Think about it.
We share this with you today to make people aware of what’s happening in Cuenca Ecuador. The reality is the rental market in Cuenca is saturated with rental agents, however most of them are honest enough, and if they are not, we quickly let them know we’re on to them; but once in awhile we run across a couple of punks like this and of course, we simply stop doing business with them. What else can you do?
In Ecuador you are not allowed to publish names and harm someone’s (already bad) reputation, even though they are harming people’s lives. We will never use these guys again and we feel bad for anyone who accidentally does.
Until we write again.
Related Articles
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Dealing with Two Unscrupulous Rental Agents in Cuenca Ecuador
What (can) happen when you put an unscrupulous Ecuadorian and an unscrupulous Gringo together doing business? A lot of things can happen. Here’s the latest. BTW, some of you may have already dealt with these two buffoons and you’ll know right away, who we are talking about.
We went to go see an unfurnished apartment that was listed online, as a fifth floor, brand new apartment with great views and a huge terrazza for $550. Now understand, we saw the photos of the apartment.
So we get out there and they proceed to show us an apartment but it was not the one they had listed online. We said to the two guys, “this is not the apartment you have listed for $550 dollars”. They just blankly stared at us. We said again, “This is not the same apartment we saw in the photos”.
The now frustrated 40ish year old Ecuadorian rental agent begins to put the blame on the 70ish year old something gringo agent, saying “Did you get the photos mixed up, again”?
The gringo apologized to his Ecuadorian partner for the mistake. The Ecuadorian scolded the older gringo over and over again (in front of us) for posting the wrong photos. It was like a scene from the three Stooges with Curly and Moe, which one was Curly and which one was Moe is not yet apparent.
We could see right through the “good guy, bad guy” charade they were playing right in front of us…and they played this sham for as long as they thought they could get away with it. We were not interested in the ground floor apartment at all and we were getting ready to walk when…
…the Ecuadorian gave us a big smile and piped up with “I know what you want, come on, I’ll show it to you”. So we all get into the elevator (now remember, this is considered a luxury apartment building and five people can’t fit in the elevator comfortably) to the top floor penthouse unit. When we walked in we knew that this was the apartment we saw online. We right away said, “This is the apartment we saw in the photos”.
The Ecuadorian said, “But this unit is not going to be $550”. How come did we already know he was going to say that?
At this point the obvious was made quite apparent; we knew we were in the middle of a bait and switch. Frank and I talked quietly amongst ourselves about what we were going to do next. For now we decided to just play along.
Meanwhile about this time, after she had walked through the apartment, the expat woman renter came to us with love in her eyes because she told us, “I’m “in love” with this apartment”. What is it with gringos and views? Now, had she not cared about the apartment we would have walked already. Sure, the views were incredible but there was nothing special about the apartment. And well, all views in Cuenca are incredible.
The two guys noticed the expat lady loving the apartment and they loved every minute of watching her go gaga over the huge terraza and the views. Again the Ecuadorian said, “This apartment is not $550 dollars.”
“Ok, how much is it?” It’s $850 dollars”.
In the meantime we are becoming more annoyed at being suckered in on this bait and switch. Frank of course was not going to allow these two dodgy guys (and that’s nice way to put it for these guys) to get away with their unscrupulous dealings without letting them know he was on to them.
Frank looked right at the English speaking Ecuadorian and said, “This looks really bad on you and doing business like this will give you a bad reputation in the city of Cuenca.” The Ecuadorian nodded his head and seemed to agree and continued to blame the gringo agent. As long as the blame was not centered on him, all was okay…oh, you should have been there…It was comical.
The expat took us aside and let us know she would pay $750 rent for the apartment if everything was included. She was not coy about it or quiet either; we were sure she was overheard because it was just a few minutes later when the gringo piped up and said, “They might go $750”. How funny.
So, that’s what we offered with everything included. The Ecuadorian said, “Ok, let me call the owner and see what she says.”
The Ecuadorian leaves the room to go make the call to the owner of the apartment.
After about five minutes, the Ecuadorian comes back and says, “Yes, she said she will take $750 and that includes everything, utilities and aliquot and she will put a refrigerator in.”
The expat lady we were helping says, “Ok, what about my little four pound doggie?”
“Yes, she said your dog is okay too”.
“Ok, I want to give you a deposit to hold the apartment?”
The Ecuadorian put his hands up and backed up slightly, shaking his head and said, “Oh no, that’s okay, tomorrow you can meet with the landlord and work out the deposit.” and "don't worry, everything will be ok". Always worry when you hear, "don't worry".
We knew something was fishy. What kind of a rental agent is not going to take a deposit to hold an apartment? It just doesn’t happen...very fishy…
So the next day, at the scheduled time we show up at the apartment, ready and willing to pay a deposit and look over the contract. The landlord is there, the expat renter is there and we’re there.
So, first we find out that the owner is not really the owner after all, it is her brother and he’s in the states. So, we are dealing with the sister. To make a long story short, the sister who is assisting her brother was hemming and hawing about the small four pound dog and making all kinds of excuses about why she still needs to talk with her brother about renting the apartment at $750 and if the dog would be ok.
In the meantime, we realized we were being strung along and that they were waiting for another gringo to show up (because they’ve been getting calls left and right about this penthouse apartment) and pay the $850 they were asking, or possibly more, thinking if a gringo likes it enough they might spend $1000 a month for this 2/2 unfurnished penthouse apartment. They’d just do the bait and switch game on them too.
The Ecuadorian didn’t know that Frank understands Spanish and consequently Frank overheard him quietly tell the lady in Spanish, “I have other gringos that want to see the apartment”. And after she heard that she came back to us and said, “I’ll talk with my brother and get back with you”.
That was three weeks ago. Apparently no gringos have offered to pay more than the $750 because the apartment is back online again with an asking price of $750! They obviously are not going to call us, since they know we are onto them and know they are shadier than Alaska during the wintertime.
So in a nutshell, the two stooges, Curly and Moe continue to do business unethically in Cuenca Ecuador, shamming unsuspecting new gringo arrivals. This is a clear-cut bait and switch to be aware of in Cuenca Ecuador. One guy kept saying, don't worry everything will be ok, and they both said dog ok all along. Then they said, talk to the owner, which then turns out to not be the owner, and turns out that dog is not ok. You will be spun around like this and your time wasted. Having someone on your side makes it much less stressful. Think about it.
We share this with you today to make people aware of what’s happening in Cuenca Ecuador. The reality is the rental market in Cuenca is saturated with rental agents, however most of them are honest enough, and if they are not, we quickly let them know we’re on to them; but once in awhile we run across a couple of punks like this and of course, we simply stop doing business with them. What else can you do?
In Ecuador you are not allowed to publish names and harm someone’s (already bad) reputation, even though they are harming people’s lives. We will never use these guys again and we feel bad for anyone who accidentally does.
Until we write again.
Related Articles
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
|
| Cuenca Ecuador - Tomebamba River |
So we get out there and they proceed to show us an apartment but it was not the one they had listed online. We said to the two guys, “this is not the apartment you have listed for $550 dollars”. They just blankly stared at us. We said again, “This is not the same apartment we saw in the photos”.
The now frustrated 40ish year old Ecuadorian rental agent begins to put the blame on the 70ish year old something gringo agent, saying “Did you get the photos mixed up, again”?
The gringo apologized to his Ecuadorian partner for the mistake. The Ecuadorian scolded the older gringo over and over again (in front of us) for posting the wrong photos. It was like a scene from the three Stooges with Curly and Moe, which one was Curly and which one was Moe is not yet apparent.
We could see right through the “good guy, bad guy” charade they were playing right in front of us…and they played this sham for as long as they thought they could get away with it. We were not interested in the ground floor apartment at all and we were getting ready to walk when…
…the Ecuadorian gave us a big smile and piped up with “I know what you want, come on, I’ll show it to you”. So we all get into the elevator (now remember, this is considered a luxury apartment building and five people can’t fit in the elevator comfortably) to the top floor penthouse unit. When we walked in we knew that this was the apartment we saw online. We right away said, “This is the apartment we saw in the photos”.
The Ecuadorian said, “But this unit is not going to be $550”. How come did we already know he was going to say that?
At this point the obvious was made quite apparent; we knew we were in the middle of a bait and switch. Frank and I talked quietly amongst ourselves about what we were going to do next. For now we decided to just play along.
Meanwhile about this time, after she had walked through the apartment, the expat woman renter came to us with love in her eyes because she told us, “I’m “in love” with this apartment”. What is it with gringos and views? Now, had she not cared about the apartment we would have walked already. Sure, the views were incredible but there was nothing special about the apartment. And well, all views in Cuenca are incredible.
The two guys noticed the expat lady loving the apartment and they loved every minute of watching her go gaga over the huge terraza and the views. Again the Ecuadorian said, “This apartment is not $550 dollars.”
“Ok, how much is it?” It’s $850 dollars”.
In the meantime we are becoming more annoyed at being suckered in on this bait and switch. Frank of course was not going to allow these two dodgy guys (and that’s nice way to put it for these guys) to get away with their unscrupulous dealings without letting them know he was on to them.
Frank looked right at the English speaking Ecuadorian and said, “This looks really bad on you and doing business like this will give you a bad reputation in the city of Cuenca.” The Ecuadorian nodded his head and seemed to agree and continued to blame the gringo agent. As long as the blame was not centered on him, all was okay…oh, you should have been there…It was comical.
The expat took us aside and let us know she would pay $750 rent for the apartment if everything was included. She was not coy about it or quiet either; we were sure she was overheard because it was just a few minutes later when the gringo piped up and said, “They might go $750”. How funny.
So, that’s what we offered with everything included. The Ecuadorian said, “Ok, let me call the owner and see what she says.”
The Ecuadorian leaves the room to go make the call to the owner of the apartment.
After about five minutes, the Ecuadorian comes back and says, “Yes, she said she will take $750 and that includes everything, utilities and aliquot and she will put a refrigerator in.”
The expat lady we were helping says, “Ok, what about my little four pound doggie?”
“Yes, she said your dog is okay too”.
“Ok, I want to give you a deposit to hold the apartment?”
The Ecuadorian put his hands up and backed up slightly, shaking his head and said, “Oh no, that’s okay, tomorrow you can meet with the landlord and work out the deposit.” and "don't worry, everything will be ok". Always worry when you hear, "don't worry".
We knew something was fishy. What kind of a rental agent is not going to take a deposit to hold an apartment? It just doesn’t happen...very fishy…
So the next day, at the scheduled time we show up at the apartment, ready and willing to pay a deposit and look over the contract. The landlord is there, the expat renter is there and we’re there.
So, first we find out that the owner is not really the owner after all, it is her brother and he’s in the states. So, we are dealing with the sister. To make a long story short, the sister who is assisting her brother was hemming and hawing about the small four pound dog and making all kinds of excuses about why she still needs to talk with her brother about renting the apartment at $750 and if the dog would be ok.
In the meantime, we realized we were being strung along and that they were waiting for another gringo to show up (because they’ve been getting calls left and right about this penthouse apartment) and pay the $850 they were asking, or possibly more, thinking if a gringo likes it enough they might spend $1000 a month for this 2/2 unfurnished penthouse apartment. They’d just do the bait and switch game on them too.
The Ecuadorian didn’t know that Frank understands Spanish and consequently Frank overheard him quietly tell the lady in Spanish, “I have other gringos that want to see the apartment”. And after she heard that she came back to us and said, “I’ll talk with my brother and get back with you”.
That was three weeks ago. Apparently no gringos have offered to pay more than the $750 because the apartment is back online again with an asking price of $750! They obviously are not going to call us, since they know we are onto them and know they are shadier than Alaska during the wintertime.
So in a nutshell, the two stooges, Curly and Moe continue to do business unethically in Cuenca Ecuador, shamming unsuspecting new gringo arrivals. This is a clear-cut bait and switch to be aware of in Cuenca Ecuador. One guy kept saying, don't worry everything will be ok, and they both said dog ok all along. Then they said, talk to the owner, which then turns out to not be the owner, and turns out that dog is not ok. You will be spun around like this and your time wasted. Having someone on your side makes it much less stressful. Think about it.
We share this with you today to make people aware of what’s happening in Cuenca Ecuador. The reality is the rental market in Cuenca is saturated with rental agents, however most of them are honest enough, and if they are not, we quickly let them know we’re on to them; but once in awhile we run across a couple of punks like this and of course, we simply stop doing business with them. What else can you do?
In Ecuador you are not allowed to publish names and harm someone’s (already bad) reputation, even though they are harming people’s lives. We will never use these guys again and we feel bad for anyone who accidentally does.
Until we write again.
Related Articles
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Monday, December 14, 2015
Is the Rent Really Negotiable or Bait and Switch? Renting in Cuenca Ecuador
As you know we like to report our observations and experiences of what it’s like to live in Cuenca Ecuador. We simply love to give out details so newcomers can be made aware of and know what to expect in certain situations. Recently we have noticed a pattern emerging in the rental market in Cuenca Ecuador.
Rental Ads Says Negotiable
In Ecuador many ads say “negotiable”, which means the price is not set and you can negotiate with the landlord/real estate agent for a better/fairer price.
And, just like in the U.S when something says negotiable it usually means the price is already too high to begin with.
Here in Cuenca you still can negotiate even when an ad doesn’t say it’s negotiable and THAT is why we find it odd when an ad says “negotiable” and then it turns out that it's really not.
Recently we have come across ads that say “negotiable” and when you negotiate for a lower price it’s not really negotiable after all. We call this back in North America “bait and switch”.
Bait and Switch Definition
It’s false advertising, plain and simple. They bait the person in with whatever product or service that is being sold (in this case, home rental) and once the person is involved and wanting the product, they switch price or don’t do what the ad says.
1. A fraudulent advertising claim or sales offer for a product or service that is not available or not for sale at the stated price, made with the intention of luring customers who are then offered something else or forced to spend more money to get the same thing.
2. A deception based on a false claim or enticement that proves to be disappointing.
Source: The Free Dictionary
Here’s how it’s played out in a nutshell. Both of these examples happened to us recently with two separate real estate companies in Cuenca.
Example 1: The rental ad says $500 negotiable. We call the advertisement. When we get out there we like the place and are prepared to negotiate. We negotiate the price to $450 and the landlord brings up a condo/aliquot fee not mentioned in the ad for $50. Do you see what’s happening here? The monthly rent still comes out to be $500.
We’re not done yet.
Example 2: The rental ad says $600 negotiable. When we get out there we like the place and are prepared to negotiate. We negotiate the price to $$550 and the landlord brings up a condo/aliquot fee not mentioned in the ad for $50, plus the rent is $600 not negotiable, so the rent comes out to be $650 but the ad read $600 negotiable!
uh?
Why Rental Ads Say “Negotiable” When It’s Not?
1. It gets more people to call the ad – the word “negotiable” brings in a much larger call-in for the rental than if it didn’t say negotiable. Perhaps they are hoping that someone (a gringo) will just take the price and not care to negotiate.
2. It is negotiable for the locals but not for the gringos.
3. By not mentioning the aliquot fee perhaps they think that if the ad says negotiable and you negotiate the rental price that you will not balk at the aliquot fee when they bring it up.
4. The real estate agent/owner knows they don’t have to call you back. Many times we negotiate a price and you never hear back from them but the house or apartment is still on the Internet for rent. What’s up with that? They wait it out and take the best price, which might take weeks, and there’s nothing wrong with that except for the fact you’re putting people in the wings and they might like to look at other rentals.
5. Playing on your emotions. They think that once you come all the way out to look at the apartment/house you will fall in love with it and won't care to negotiate or care about price.
Gringos Fear of Loss
And then you have the retiree who thinks it’s the only house or apartment they will like in ALL of Cuenca and so they are willing to pay anything. What they don’t realize is that in Cuenca, there’s lots of fish in the sea, and there is always a better price, if you’re not in a hurry.
When we put our emotional heart and soul into a place, we often think “it’s the one”, but that is our emotions talking, not our senses. In Latin American countries you sometimes have to be willing to walk away from getting trampled on; that’s all there is to it.
Something to Ponder
Have you ever thought about how the Ecuadorian real estate people were getting along financially before all of us gringos came along willing to pay two and three times as much as the locals?
In 2010 all the houses and apartments were $200 to $400 dollars? That was about five years ago. Five years ago in a building in gringoland you could rent a furnished 2/2 for $300 (local rate). Now, try $650 to $800 (gringo rate)!
What has changed in that building to make the rents and condo fees higher? Absolutely nothing, but the building is getting older and needs more repairs, paint, updates, etc.
Where’s the luxury we keep hearing about? The furniture in the first photo is cheap, uncomfortable and low to the floor. Hope you’re short legged.
The Ecuadorians were doing just fine renting to their own people and then we come along and they become insatiable! I wonder if they will negotiate. Our $250 dollar per month house is nicer than that.
Until we write again…
If you liked this article, we think you should try these ones too.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Rental Ads Says Negotiable
In Ecuador many ads say “negotiable”, which means the price is not set and you can negotiate with the landlord/real estate agent for a better/fairer price.
And, just like in the U.S when something says negotiable it usually means the price is already too high to begin with.
Here in Cuenca you still can negotiate even when an ad doesn’t say it’s negotiable and THAT is why we find it odd when an ad says “negotiable” and then it turns out that it's really not.
Recently we have come across ads that say “negotiable” and when you negotiate for a lower price it’s not really negotiable after all. We call this back in North America “bait and switch”.
Bait and Switch Definition
It’s false advertising, plain and simple. They bait the person in with whatever product or service that is being sold (in this case, home rental) and once the person is involved and wanting the product, they switch price or don’t do what the ad says.
1. A fraudulent advertising claim or sales offer for a product or service that is not available or not for sale at the stated price, made with the intention of luring customers who are then offered something else or forced to spend more money to get the same thing.
2. A deception based on a false claim or enticement that proves to be disappointing.
Source: The Free Dictionary
Here’s how it’s played out in a nutshell. Both of these examples happened to us recently with two separate real estate companies in Cuenca.
Example 1: The rental ad says $500 negotiable. We call the advertisement. When we get out there we like the place and are prepared to negotiate. We negotiate the price to $450 and the landlord brings up a condo/aliquot fee not mentioned in the ad for $50. Do you see what’s happening here? The monthly rent still comes out to be $500.
We’re not done yet.
Example 2: The rental ad says $600 negotiable. When we get out there we like the place and are prepared to negotiate. We negotiate the price to $$550 and the landlord brings up a condo/aliquot fee not mentioned in the ad for $50, plus the rent is $600 not negotiable, so the rent comes out to be $650 but the ad read $600 negotiable!
uh?
Why Rental Ads Say “Negotiable” When It’s Not?
1. It gets more people to call the ad – the word “negotiable” brings in a much larger call-in for the rental than if it didn’t say negotiable. Perhaps they are hoping that someone (a gringo) will just take the price and not care to negotiate.
2. It is negotiable for the locals but not for the gringos.
3. By not mentioning the aliquot fee perhaps they think that if the ad says negotiable and you negotiate the rental price that you will not balk at the aliquot fee when they bring it up.
4. The real estate agent/owner knows they don’t have to call you back. Many times we negotiate a price and you never hear back from them but the house or apartment is still on the Internet for rent. What’s up with that? They wait it out and take the best price, which might take weeks, and there’s nothing wrong with that except for the fact you’re putting people in the wings and they might like to look at other rentals.
5. Playing on your emotions. They think that once you come all the way out to look at the apartment/house you will fall in love with it and won't care to negotiate or care about price.
Gringos Fear of Loss
And then you have the retiree who thinks it’s the only house or apartment they will like in ALL of Cuenca and so they are willing to pay anything. What they don’t realize is that in Cuenca, there’s lots of fish in the sea, and there is always a better price, if you’re not in a hurry.
When we put our emotional heart and soul into a place, we often think “it’s the one”, but that is our emotions talking, not our senses. In Latin American countries you sometimes have to be willing to walk away from getting trampled on; that’s all there is to it.
Something to Ponder
Have you ever thought about how the Ecuadorian real estate people were getting along financially before all of us gringos came along willing to pay two and three times as much as the locals?
In 2010 all the houses and apartments were $200 to $400 dollars? That was about five years ago. Five years ago in a building in gringoland you could rent a furnished 2/2 for $300 (local rate). Now, try $650 to $800 (gringo rate)!
What has changed in that building to make the rents and condo fees higher? Absolutely nothing, but the building is getting older and needs more repairs, paint, updates, etc.
 |
| -- Cuenca Ecuador apartment rentals located in a gringolandia building they call "luxury" -- |
Where’s the luxury we keep hearing about? The furniture in the first photo is cheap, uncomfortable and low to the floor. Hope you’re short legged.
The Ecuadorians were doing just fine renting to their own people and then we come along and they become insatiable! I wonder if they will negotiate. Our $250 dollar per month house is nicer than that.
Until we write again…
If you liked this article, we think you should try these ones too.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Thursday, November 26, 2015
How to Live Like a Local in any Country Abroad
It was our intention to do so before we arrived, and we’ve been living like the locals ever since we began our Cuenca journey 4 plus years ago. We know the basic behaviors you need to have to blend in with the local community and live a frugal and happy life in South/Central America.
Going local is not the same as “integrating” oneself into a culture. Integration is actually adopting the beliefs, traditions, values and customs of the new land into your own belief system and vice-versa, which is not easily done. To read more about what it really means to integrate into a culture, click here.
One of the first things we did when we first moved here was let all the local folks know we were not rich Americans. Breaking the stereotype with the real estate/rental agents is a must; otherwise, somewhere down the line someone will take advantage of you. The reality is gringos are often financially taken advantage of in Latin America and most of the time they are oblivious to it.
I’m Not a Rich North American
Have you ever been sized up financially? When the local folks don’t know you they automatically think you’re looking to spend like a tourist would spend. That would be someone who doesn’t know what the local price for something is? We have had to tell many of the local people that “We are not tourists and we live here.”
When we rented the home we live in now we had to let them know “We were not rich gringos and if the price is right we’ll sign a one year lease and rent it on the spot—today! The asking price was $350 but we rented it for $250 per month four years ago and we still rent today for $250.
We live in a nice home in a nice neighborhood that blends in with everyone else’s home. Our rental house does not stand out in anyway, nor is it the nicest home in the Ecuadorian neighborhood that we live in. In other words, it is unobtrusive. We live like the locals live and that’s the way to live if you care about “peace of mind. Locals also have prowler and thievery issues, and noticing how they handle it is a very good idea.
Can I Please Get a Discount?
Department Stores: You wouldn’t believe some of the things we have gotten a discount on just because we asked for one. We’ve gotten discounts on appliances from department stores. Many people think the prices at department stores are fixed like in the U.S, but that isn’t necessarily so. Ask, and you shall receive.
Notary Office: We asked for a “family discount” at the notary office because we’re five people and that’s a lot of paperwork getting notarized and the notary guys just chuckled and gave the discount to us. I doubt they have ever been asked to give out a discount before, especially from a big group of gringos.
Most of the locals get a kick out of us gringos asking for discounts; it actually brings on friendly interactions with the locals because they respect us for being humble with them. It allows them to see that NOT all North Americans are rich like we have been labeled to be and that some of us can behave like ordinary folks…just like them.
Mercados: We all know that bargaining is expected in Mercados, but what many people may not have considered, is that if you don’t know what the seasonal prices are around town in the various grocery stores already, before you even start, then you will surely pay for it…prices in outdoor markets should be half of the best bargains around town already, and if you weren’t already a frugal and diligent shopper before moving to South America, going to an outdoor Mercado won’t necessarily turn you into one. On the contrary, I’ve had vendors quote me triple and local bystanders snicker. All because the color of my skin says: rich foreigner. Ha.
Hiring Taxi: When we were in Panama the taxi drivers do not have meters and so we always had to ask first “how much” or tell them “what we want to pay”. If you just jump in the taxi you’ll surely find that some taxi drivers are not exactly honest about a fare, especially if they think you do not know what a fare should be.
So, firstly what we had to do was ask a few taxi drivers what a fare should be and once we gathered that information we were able to take a taxi to and fro like a local. Simply jumping into a taxi cab, without a care in the world will surely help prices go up for all the gringos just like they did in Cuenca BEFORE they got the meters in.
In 2011 in Cuenca (before meters) we could easily go all the way downtown from Las America and Coral Centro for $2.50 by 2013 the price had risen to $4 and if it was raining out, or night time, make it $4.50. Then, magically Cuenca taxi drivers had to start having meters in their cabs because of all the locals complaining of the high fares. Today, with the meters that same route/fare is $2.50 to $3.00.
Speak the Language
And last but not least, the best and easiest way to go local is to speak the language. It is not absolutely necessary to speak the language but if you do, it will become one of your biggest assets of your move abroad because you will be rewarded ten times over in almost every interaction with locals.
Until we write again.
You might also like these articles.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Going local is not the same as “integrating” oneself into a culture. Integration is actually adopting the beliefs, traditions, values and customs of the new land into your own belief system and vice-versa, which is not easily done. To read more about what it really means to integrate into a culture, click here.
One of the first things we did when we first moved here was let all the local folks know we were not rich Americans. Breaking the stereotype with the real estate/rental agents is a must; otherwise, somewhere down the line someone will take advantage of you. The reality is gringos are often financially taken advantage of in Latin America and most of the time they are oblivious to it.
I’m Not a Rich North American
Have you ever been sized up financially? When the local folks don’t know you they automatically think you’re looking to spend like a tourist would spend. That would be someone who doesn’t know what the local price for something is? We have had to tell many of the local people that “We are not tourists and we live here.”
When we rented the home we live in now we had to let them know “We were not rich gringos and if the price is right we’ll sign a one year lease and rent it on the spot—today! The asking price was $350 but we rented it for $250 per month four years ago and we still rent today for $250.
We live in a nice home in a nice neighborhood that blends in with everyone else’s home. Our rental house does not stand out in anyway, nor is it the nicest home in the Ecuadorian neighborhood that we live in. In other words, it is unobtrusive. We live like the locals live and that’s the way to live if you care about “peace of mind. Locals also have prowler and thievery issues, and noticing how they handle it is a very good idea.
Can I Please Get a Discount?
Department Stores: You wouldn’t believe some of the things we have gotten a discount on just because we asked for one. We’ve gotten discounts on appliances from department stores. Many people think the prices at department stores are fixed like in the U.S, but that isn’t necessarily so. Ask, and you shall receive.
Notary Office: We asked for a “family discount” at the notary office because we’re five people and that’s a lot of paperwork getting notarized and the notary guys just chuckled and gave the discount to us. I doubt they have ever been asked to give out a discount before, especially from a big group of gringos.
Most of the locals get a kick out of us gringos asking for discounts; it actually brings on friendly interactions with the locals because they respect us for being humble with them. It allows them to see that NOT all North Americans are rich like we have been labeled to be and that some of us can behave like ordinary folks…just like them.
Mercados: We all know that bargaining is expected in Mercados, but what many people may not have considered, is that if you don’t know what the seasonal prices are around town in the various grocery stores already, before you even start, then you will surely pay for it…prices in outdoor markets should be half of the best bargains around town already, and if you weren’t already a frugal and diligent shopper before moving to South America, going to an outdoor Mercado won’t necessarily turn you into one. On the contrary, I’ve had vendors quote me triple and local bystanders snicker. All because the color of my skin says: rich foreigner. Ha.
Hiring Taxi: When we were in Panama the taxi drivers do not have meters and so we always had to ask first “how much” or tell them “what we want to pay”. If you just jump in the taxi you’ll surely find that some taxi drivers are not exactly honest about a fare, especially if they think you do not know what a fare should be.
So, firstly what we had to do was ask a few taxi drivers what a fare should be and once we gathered that information we were able to take a taxi to and fro like a local. Simply jumping into a taxi cab, without a care in the world will surely help prices go up for all the gringos just like they did in Cuenca BEFORE they got the meters in.
In 2011 in Cuenca (before meters) we could easily go all the way downtown from Las America and Coral Centro for $2.50 by 2013 the price had risen to $4 and if it was raining out, or night time, make it $4.50. Then, magically Cuenca taxi drivers had to start having meters in their cabs because of all the locals complaining of the high fares. Today, with the meters that same route/fare is $2.50 to $3.00.
Speak the Language
And last but not least, the best and easiest way to go local is to speak the language. It is not absolutely necessary to speak the language but if you do, it will become one of your biggest assets of your move abroad because you will be rewarded ten times over in almost every interaction with locals.
Until we write again.
You might also like these articles.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
You Can Still Rent a Nice, New Home for $350 in Cuenca Ecuador!
Lovely new 2-story house for rent. 3 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, green space, terrace overlooking farmland, secure parking, electric fence, security system. The house is practically new and is in a great neighborhood, close to river and nearby parks and shopping. Internet ready. The landlord speaks both English and Spanish. The rent is $350 per month. Utilities (not included). Pets are welcomed for an additional $20 per month. Click on photos to enlarge.
This home is available as of today! We work hard to find you the best value
deals according to size, location and price. If you are interested in a
rental abroad, take
a look at our Assistance Packages and choose the one that fits your
needs; Then tell us what you want and need in a rental, and we'll provide the priceless protection for your smooth
transition abroad from Gringo Good Samaritans.
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| front of house, front entry, living room, kitchen |
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| terrace with farm views, 2 baths, stairs leading to bedrooms |
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| bedrooms, plus bonus room |
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Modern Apt. Quito Ecuador AND Furnished House in Santa Isabel, Azuay Available Today!
Modern, clean 3 bed, 2.5 apartment in QUITO ECUADOR! Asking price is $450, includes the condo fees. The apartment comes with two parking spaces in the parking garage under the building. Centralized gas throughout the apartment. Curtains throughout and phone line installed. All three bedrooms have built-in closets as you see in the photo. Master with ensuite bath. Supermaxi Plaza one block away from this apartment.
Santa Isabel, Azuay Ecuador - 40 miles south of Cuenca!
Big Modern FURNISHED House with BIG Terreno in Santa Isabel. The house is 250M with 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Totally Furnished with unique pieces of furniture. Asking price is $500. The property boasts 450M of green space for the pet(s). Santa isabel is a bit warmer than Cuenca and is located about 60Kilometers from Cuenca, which is about 40 miles south of Cuenca.
We're finding some great deals today! Interested in these rentals? Let us know; they are available now. We
scout and negotiate, working to find you the best rental deals in
Ecuador.
Take a look at our Assistance Packages and choose the one that fits your needs; and we'll provide the priceless protection for your smooth transition abroad from Gringo Good Samaritans. http://www.gringogoodsamaritans.com
Santa Isabel, Azuay Ecuador - 40 miles south of Cuenca!
Big Modern FURNISHED House with BIG Terreno in Santa Isabel. The house is 250M with 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Totally Furnished with unique pieces of furniture. Asking price is $500. The property boasts 450M of green space for the pet(s). Santa isabel is a bit warmer than Cuenca and is located about 60Kilometers from Cuenca, which is about 40 miles south of Cuenca.
Take a look at our Assistance Packages and choose the one that fits your needs; and we'll provide the priceless protection for your smooth transition abroad from Gringo Good Samaritans. http://www.gringogoodsamaritans.com
Saturday, June 22, 2013
For Rent Furnished Apartment for $400 in Great Neighborhood of Cuenca!
As most of our long time readers know we focus on getting the best rental deals and this is one of them. This beautiful apartment is in a good location not far from El Centro, in fact, it is just a five minute bus ride or a 15-minute walk (walking slow) to the center of town! The apartment has everything you'll need to be comfortable and Internet WIFI is included in the price. As you'll see in the video tour, the apartment is nicely furnished/decorated and there is a washer machine on the premises for you to do your laundry, and the apartment has cable television. Contact us if you are ready to rent because this one will not last long.
This apartment has been rented!!
This apartment has been rented!!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
$230 Home Rental in Cuenca Ecuador: Video Tour with $300 Dollar Cuenca Rentals!
This NEW home in Cuenca has a guardian/caretaker in a private gated community. It is a ten minute bus ride to Supermaxi grocery store. There is a $25 maintenance fee with this home. So for just $255 per month you can have a brand new home in a quiet, peaceful, safe Ecuadorian neighborhood! Not bad, eh? For more information (sq footage and photos) go to $300 Dollar Cuenca Rentals.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Best Rental Prices in Cuenca Ecuador! $300 Dollar Cuenca Rentals!!
We are pleased to share with our readers the BEST RENTAL PRICES IN TOWN - THIS WEEK ONLY! These are LOCALLY priced rentals so better act fast...they will be gone.
Click here to view photos of these great priced rentals!
BTW, if you would like to be alerted of special rentals like these in the future, please sign up to the $300 Dollar Cuenca Ecuador Rentals for all the updates sent to your inbox as they come in!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Pets and Furnished Rentals in Cuenca Ecuador
Our pets are our wonderful friends that give us much love and companionship. For many of us older folks our pets have taken the place of our children who have married and left home. More than half of the foreigners that come to Ecuador bring their beloved pets with them.
We have encountered a few foreigners who are looking for a rental that have both dogs and cats with them. One expat couple we know brought three cats and a dog to Cuenca from the states. Another couple brought a huge dog with them. All three families with pets have something in common—they are looking for a furnished or semi-furnished rental.
Most apartments and condos do not allow pets, even when the place is without furniture. Although, there are exceptions but you will pay for it. Your best bet for housing when you have pets is a house with a yard rather than an apartment or condo because sometimes they will have a small green area, and or, a terrazzo for your pet, and of course because of this the landlord is more catering to those expats with pets.
Don’t you think it is only fair to your pet to have a yard, even if it is small? No dog likes to be cooped up without a yard to roam around in. Cats are different however, they are completely happy being cooped up in an apartment.
Pets and Furniture
We know that your pet would not scratch the furniture wood, or pee in the same corner on the hardwood floor, or get fur all over the furniture, but try and tell the landlord that. Most landlords do not allow pets in their furnished rentals and if they do, you will pay up to four times more.
Finding a two or three bedroom furnished at the local rental price rarely come up and the landlord will most-likely not allow pets…of course you can always ask, but you won’t pay local rent. We know this because we personally have asked about pets in many of the furnished rentals.
We’re not saying don’t bring your pets, but we are saying that it might be a lot more difficult to find a furnished rental that will take indoor pets. It certainly is not impossible, but just more difficult. But money always talks, it’s up to you if you want to over-spend on a furnished rental.
Here are a couple of things to consider if you are coming to Cuenca with your pet(s).
1) Don’t have an expectation of furnished at the local rental rates. Expect to pay $200 to $400 more for furnished. If you have pets expect to pay a hefty deposit to the landlord, just in case something gets ruined. You know your pet is clean and not destructive, but try and tell the landlord that after she just spent $1,800 on a new living room set.
2) Trying to find a furnished rental that will actually take your pet(s) will usually take some time; it could take days, or weeks until you find a furnished house or apartment that will accept pets. So, you can’t be in a hurry.
3) If you have pets, we recommend getting an unfurnished at the local rental rate and buy your own furniture. We recommend this for longer term stays just because in the long run it is much cheaper and there are more of the unfurnished rentals to go around and you will find a rental home much quicker and at a much nicer rental price!
4) So if you know ahead of time that you will be bringing your pet(s) we suggest you make room in your budget for buying your own furniture ($5k to 7K) for when you get here.
And here’s another thing to think about with furnished rentals. Many of the furnished rentals may have furniture that is not your style and you will end up not enjoying your new rental. We know personally that many of the homes and apartments that are furnished in the local price range have the bare minimum of furniture and it is 70’s and 80’s style furniture.
There is a lot of demand for even vacant houses with yards, and the local market is responding by raising rental rates. Our recommendation is: don't put yourself under time pressure to have to sign on any rental. This way, you can take your time and negotiate a more appropriate local rental rate rather than a foreigner rate.
The worst offender in that regard, as you might well have already guessed is: tah dah, craigslist. But if you're a reader of our DIY Cuenca Landing Guide, you already knew this.
For more, practical, how to, money and time saving advice and an inside look on how to live well on a budget in Ecuador see the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide today and if you want some assistance with finding a locally priced vacant long term rental see http://300dollarcuencarentals.blogspot.com/
We have encountered a few foreigners who are looking for a rental that have both dogs and cats with them. One expat couple we know brought three cats and a dog to Cuenca from the states. Another couple brought a huge dog with them. All three families with pets have something in common—they are looking for a furnished or semi-furnished rental.
Most apartments and condos do not allow pets, even when the place is without furniture. Although, there are exceptions but you will pay for it. Your best bet for housing when you have pets is a house with a yard rather than an apartment or condo because sometimes they will have a small green area, and or, a terrazzo for your pet, and of course because of this the landlord is more catering to those expats with pets.
Don’t you think it is only fair to your pet to have a yard, even if it is small? No dog likes to be cooped up without a yard to roam around in. Cats are different however, they are completely happy being cooped up in an apartment.
Pets and Furniture
We know that your pet would not scratch the furniture wood, or pee in the same corner on the hardwood floor, or get fur all over the furniture, but try and tell the landlord that. Most landlords do not allow pets in their furnished rentals and if they do, you will pay up to four times more.
Finding a two or three bedroom furnished at the local rental price rarely come up and the landlord will most-likely not allow pets…of course you can always ask, but you won’t pay local rent. We know this because we personally have asked about pets in many of the furnished rentals.
We’re not saying don’t bring your pets, but we are saying that it might be a lot more difficult to find a furnished rental that will take indoor pets. It certainly is not impossible, but just more difficult. But money always talks, it’s up to you if you want to over-spend on a furnished rental.
Here are a couple of things to consider if you are coming to Cuenca with your pet(s).
1) Don’t have an expectation of furnished at the local rental rates. Expect to pay $200 to $400 more for furnished. If you have pets expect to pay a hefty deposit to the landlord, just in case something gets ruined. You know your pet is clean and not destructive, but try and tell the landlord that after she just spent $1,800 on a new living room set.
2) Trying to find a furnished rental that will actually take your pet(s) will usually take some time; it could take days, or weeks until you find a furnished house or apartment that will accept pets. So, you can’t be in a hurry.
3) If you have pets, we recommend getting an unfurnished at the local rental rate and buy your own furniture. We recommend this for longer term stays just because in the long run it is much cheaper and there are more of the unfurnished rentals to go around and you will find a rental home much quicker and at a much nicer rental price!
4) So if you know ahead of time that you will be bringing your pet(s) we suggest you make room in your budget for buying your own furniture ($5k to 7K) for when you get here.
And here’s another thing to think about with furnished rentals. Many of the furnished rentals may have furniture that is not your style and you will end up not enjoying your new rental. We know personally that many of the homes and apartments that are furnished in the local price range have the bare minimum of furniture and it is 70’s and 80’s style furniture.
There is a lot of demand for even vacant houses with yards, and the local market is responding by raising rental rates. Our recommendation is: don't put yourself under time pressure to have to sign on any rental. This way, you can take your time and negotiate a more appropriate local rental rate rather than a foreigner rate.
The worst offender in that regard, as you might well have already guessed is: tah dah, craigslist. But if you're a reader of our DIY Cuenca Landing Guide, you already knew this.
For more, practical, how to, money and time saving advice and an inside look on how to live well on a budget in Ecuador see the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide today and if you want some assistance with finding a locally priced vacant long term rental see http://300dollarcuencarentals.blogspot.com/
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