Tip #3 Verification + Do Your Homework

Again, like anywhere in the world, you need to build genuine trust and you need to track and verify. For instance, when building the house we transferred funds directly to the buiding supply company who provided us with price lists and receipts. We only paid for what we received and tracked labor costs by matching estimates with actual work completed before transferring money (daily photos and video). You can quickly transfer funds through banks and Western Union for smaller amounts. 

Another BIG TIP that might save you years of regret. A Compra y venta (a “buy and sell contract”) is not a deed. Real estate in Colombia is no different than anywhere else – you need a deed for full ownership. There are many stories of foreigners notorizing a “buy and sell contract”, transferring funds, and thinking they now own the land. They don’t. YOU NEED A DEED!

So, soon as you target a house or land, ask about the presence of a deed. If they dodge the question or say a compra y vente is the same, walk away. This is where having a good lawyer on your team is crucial to finalize and verify all the details. There are many competent multi-lingual lawyers in Colombia. Do your research! 

Tip #4 Can we pull it off if we don’t speak Spanish?

Is speaking Spanish absolutely necessary? No. But, lets not be naive.  Things will take more time and you’ll have to find more allies as your proceed. Showing that you are learning Spanish as you get to know people will, of course, go a long way in building credibility. Whether you speak Spanish or not you’ll need to take your time putting infrastructure in place – banks and lawyers, etc. 

This was lot of information compressed and summarized. Don’t hesitate to contact us at the website below. 

www.fincamariposajardin.com

For now, listen to our story in the Life with David youtube channel.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdrL2tOPREQ

Well before the Spanish conquest evidence reveals that the area around what is now Jardin was inhabited by the indigenous people of the region, including the Catíos de la etnia de los Chamíes.

Indalecio Peláez was the official founder of the township and area in 1863.

Like many stories in Colombia the naming of this pueblo is steeped in imagination born in fragments of reality.

The legend speaks of the founders cresting the ridge surrounding the valley and awestruck by the beauty and its enchanting river systems they proclaimed it to be the garden of Antioquia.

Today, it seems little has changed. The excitement of arrival never diminshes. As we journey from Canada to Medellin and venture up the mountain to Jardin we feel the landscape magically change as we “crest the ridge” and feel the lushness explode all around us.

People always ask us to tell our story; “why did you come to Jardin and what inspired
– possessed?- you to build a Finca and start a coffee farm?”

It’s both simple and complicated. Mimi, smiling in the hammock, grew up in Bogotá and Medellin but has lived in Canada most of her life. After an absence of 25 years (yes she wasn’t “home” for 25 years!) we came Medellin in 2017 for Mimi to reconnect with her roots and share that history with me. Doing our pre-trip research (we wanted time in the Andes Mountains)  we learned about “the most beautiful pueblo in all of Colombia” – Jardin! Intending to stay for 2 nights, we stayed for 5 and were so enchanted we started looking for land.

Two trips later we settled on what has become Finca Mariposa. A 5 acre, 2.5 hectare piece of paradise and the adventure began!

In the next blog we’ll walk you through the process of the buying and building experience. The challenges, the hazards and the keys to making it happen.

www.fincamariposajardin.com

For now, listen to our story in the Life with David youtube channel.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdrL2tOPREQ