Selling Property in Southern Ecuador

A Practical Guide for Property Owners

Selling a property in Ecuador requires more than finding a buyer. Having the property’s documentation ready before the transaction begins can help avoid delays once an agreement is reached.

Our team can help property owners understand the process, prepare for the sale and connect with potential buyers.

Step 1 — Make Sure the Property Is Ready to Sell

Before beginning the transfer process, the property’s documentation should be in order.

This may include:

• Registered property deed
• Updated Property Registry Certificate
• Current property tax payment
• Municipal improvement contributions paid and up to date
• Release of any previous mortgage, when applicable
• Other documentation required for the specific property

If there is an outstanding mortgage or another restriction affecting the property, it may need to be resolved before the sale can move forward.

Step 2 — Confirm Who Can Authorize the Sale

The legal owner must be able to authorize the transaction.

If the property belongs to spouses and both are required to participate in the sale, both should be in agreement and available to complete the necessary documentation.

If the owner will not be in Ecuador during the transaction, it may be possible to appoint someone through a power of attorney to handle the process on the owner’s behalf.

The requirements of the specific transaction should be confirmed before proceeding.

Step 3 — Reach an Agreement With the Buyer

Once a buyer and seller agree on the price and conditions of the sale, the documentation for the transfer can be prepared.

The agreed terms should be clearly documented before moving forward with the municipal and notarial process.

Step 4 — Taxes and Seller Costs

The seller is generally responsible for the applicable municipal capital gains or plusvalía tax.

Other transaction costs and taxes may be paid by the buyer or allocated according to the agreement between the parties and current regulations.

Because every transaction is different, the applicable taxes and costs should be confirmed for the specific property before closing.

Step 5 — Municipal and Notarial Process

Once the required documentation is ready, the transaction proceeds through the applicable municipal process and then to the notary for execution of the Public Deed.

The notary verifies the identities of the parties, reviews the required documentation and formalizes the transaction.

Step 6 — Property Registration

After the deed has been signed, the transfer must be registered with the Property Registry.

Registration completes the legal transfer of ownership to the buyer.

How Long Does a Sale Take?

A property sale may take approximately 30 to 60 days.

The actual timeline depends on factors such as:

• Whether the documentation is already complete
• Municipal processing times
• Notarial processing
• Property Registry processing
• Whether a mortgage or other issue must first be resolved

Preparing the documentation before finding a buyer can make the process considerably smoother.

Selling From Outside Ecuador

Being outside Ecuador does not necessarily prevent an owner from selling a property.

Depending on the circumstances, an owner may be able to appoint a representative through a valid power of attorney to manage the transaction.

Because the requirements can vary, the appropriate documentation should be prepared in advance.

Preparing Your Property for the Market

Before listing, it’s useful to have accurate information about:

• Property size
• Land size, when applicable
• Bedrooms and bathrooms
• Parking
• Building or condominium fees
• Property condition
• Included furniture or appliances
• Neighborhood and nearby services
• Relevant building regulations

How Live in Loja Can Help

Our team can assist with different parts of the selling process, including preparing the property listing, presenting the property to potential buyers and helping coordinate the steps required for the transaction.

Our goal is to keep the process clear and organized for both seller and buyer.

Thinking About Selling Your Property?

If you own a property in Loja or Southern Ecuador and are considering selling, talk to our team.

We can learn about your property, discuss your situation and explain the next steps.

Disclaimer

This guide provides a general overview based on common property-sale practices in Loja.

It should not be considered legal, tax or financial advice. Requirements, taxes, documentation and procedures may vary depending on the property, municipality and circumstances of the transaction.

For legal or tax advice, we recommend consulting the appropriate licensed professionals.