+ Are Pets Allowed?
Yes. Dogs, cats, and small birds only.They must be on a leash when outside and not allowed to roam freely. Please have a doggie bag with you when walking so we can keep the grounds beautiful for everyone.
+ Are there Home Owner dues? What are they? When do they start?
Yes. Effective June 2011 the first 12 owners will each pay $138 a month. One or twice a year the HOA board members will review the rates at regular board meetings.
+ Can we get insurance on a condo? How much is it likely to cost? What does it cover?
Yes. It's very reasonable. Normal insurance covers building and contents. Earthquake insurance also available.Fees are based on a percentage of amount being insured, something akin to 5% per year.
+ Should we get our own lawyer in Ecuador before we close?
You certainly can. You can also use the same one we use as he is going to give everyone a discount that buys a condo through us. However if you choose to have your own we can provide a list.
+ What are the exact closing costs?
For the Purchase Agreement you pay the Notary costs + Lawyer. Notary costs may be $200-300. For the final Deed you pay Lawyer+Notary+Registration+Municipality. Maybe a total of $1250 plus Lawyer costs or 1 - 1.5%. These are just estimates
+ After I decide to buy a condo how long until it is ready?
The condos are built in order, depending on the unit you purchase. We have some ground floor condos available now.
+ What about utilities?
Water.
Water is not municiple. It is community rights water from Lake Cuicocha and is treated before being pumped to Jahua Pacha. Each condo will have it's own septic tank. Electricity is from the national grid. Outages are so infrequent and short in length that at this stage we have no plans to have backup generators.
Gas.
There is no national grid in Ecuador. Propane tanks are used to heat water and for tanks. Lines are fitted through buildings just as they are in other countries.
Telephone/Internet
The current plan is that all condos will be fitted with one telephone line to be hooked up to DSL (Digital Subscriber Line). A second line can be added for local calls if the owner wishes. I say "the current plan" because the national telephone company is not an easy organization to deal with at times and we may have to revert to a plan B which would involve either satellite or microwave dish connection to internet. Other internet users are connected via this method in Cotacachi. All services will be under ground.
+ What about Security?
At the moment we have two(2) watchmen at night and the weekends.
+ Are there local doctors available?
There are local doctors who have already and will continue to come out to do home visits. They charge $20.00 or similar for such a visit. One, Dr. Vaca, has many times gone to collect the medicines and then come back to attend and administer the medicines.
+ Are medical clinics and hospitals available?
There is a county hospital in Cotacachi. It's services are limited but what they do is good. They have ambulances there and can stabilize patients before sending them on to clinics/hospitals in nearby Ibarra (30 minutes). One clinic in Ibarra has state of the art equipment. I've taken visitors there and they have been impressed.
+ What about dentists? Are they available?
There are two reasonable dentists in Cotacachi, one has laser. For more complicated treatment we recommend Dr. Bolanos in Ibarra. His rates are about 15-20% of rates in the U.S. Many, many foreigners have had treatment with the dentists here. A wider range of clinics and dental surgeries are available in Quito.
+ What about groceries and food markets?
Ibarra has a great supermarket and Cotacachi has a great local food market. Between the two you can purchase most of what you want. Non pasteurised dairy products are available in Cotacachi.
