Real Estate

Architects Carlos Espinoza and Alexis Schulman argue that preserving Cuenca's Historic Center should mean keeping people living inside its old houses, not just protecting the buildings. Their answer is responsible densification: reusing under-occupied heritage homes as housing without erasing their character.

Only 2 of Azuay's 15 cantons — Guachapala and El Pan — have updated property cadastres. That's blocking a provincial property tax the prefecture passed all the way back in December 2023. If you own rural or rural-adjacent property in Azuay, here's why your provincial surcharge may look strange this year.

President Noboa singled out Cuenca as holding the national record for construction regulation, while announcing that nationwide construction sales are up 20.5% with $6.5 billion in purchase promises. If you've noticed more cranes and scaffolding around the city, now you know why.

Choosing where to live in Cuenca? A neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide covering rent prices, walkability, safety, vibe, and which areas suit retirees vs. remote workers vs. families.

National developers are entering Cuenca. Uribe Schwarzkopf's 15-story La Maison sold out before completion. A Novotel is coming to the Zona Rosa. Construction grew 14% last year. Here's what the boom means for renters, buyers, and anyone watching Cuenca's skyline change.

Everyone tells you to buy. The prices are so cheap! But cheap doesn't mean smart. Here's why renting might be the better financial move for most expats — and when buying actually makes sense.

Cuenca property values are climbing 8-12% annually. Furnished 2BR rents hit $800-1,200 in expat neighborhoods. New condos run $100K-$150K. Investor visa threshold now $48,200. Neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide and rent vs. buy analysis.

The City Council approved a one-time exception letting inherited rural properties subdivide below the legal minimum lot size. New floor: 120 square meters. Pilot starts in Llacao, then expands to all 20 rural parishes.

If your lease is up soon, brace yourself. One-bedroom apartments in Cuenca now run $550–750/month, two-bedrooms hit $750–1,100, and the days of the mythical $400 rental are mostly over. Here's what's driving it and where to look.