Real Estate Antigua Guatemala

Join Casa Nova every Tuesday and Saturday afternoon starting July 15th 2008. Our seminars begin at
4.00 PM on Tuesday, and 2:00 pm on Saturday.
Per registration would be appreciated, and this can be done by contacting our office by telephone at 7832-8729/30 or 31 (Local Guatemala number) or on our US direct toll free number at 866-248-0675.
You may also email us at info@century21casanova.com
The seminars will take place at our office, which is located at 3rd Calle Oriente # 29. The office is about 20 meters west of the main entrance to the Santo Domingo Hotel, on the opposite side of the street.
Space is limited to 12 people on a first come basis.
The seminar will cover a broad range of topics that will take first time and previous property buyers through a step by step process in evaluating property, and the legalities involved in purchasing a home in the Antigua area.
Please bring writing material for note taking.

Top 14 reasons to list your property with
CASA NOVA REAL ESTATE

It would be reasonable to assume that anyone who is offering their property for sale is looking for the company that will offer the best service, and the fastest results. The following reasons will convince you that your decision to list your property with Casa Nova is to your best advantage.

1. Casa Nova S.A. has been established in Antigua Guatemala for 16 years, and its name is the most widely recognized of all real estate companies in Antigua
2. Casa Nova S.A. sells more property than all other competitors combined.
3. Casa Nova S.A. is dedicated to providing the best possible service to all of their clients
   7 days a week, 12 hours a day.
4. Casa Nova’s marketing team has a combined total of over 50 years experience in marketing all types of property in the Antigua area.
5. Casa Nova’s sales team is fully bilingual, and therefore they are capable of servicing foreign customers and well as local clientele.
6. Casa Nova S.A. has a data base of qualified purchasers looking to immediately purchase reasonably priced property in and around Antigua.
7. Casa Nova S.A. has the most comprehensive web site of real estate listings in Antigua, and all listings are represented on our web site for maximum exposure. (http://www.century21casanova.com aka http://www.casanova.com.gt).
8. Casa Nova S.A. advertises available properties for sale in major Real Estate publications with the widest distribution in Guatemala, and also publishes its own magazine for local distribution.
9. Casa Nova S.A. offers free property evaluation prior to a commitment to list your property.
10. Casa Nova S.A. works for the seller to assure that the best possible price is obtained for your property.
11. Casa Nova S.A. keeps all sellers informed as to any activity that our listed properties receive immediately. You’re never left wondering if the property is receiving proper attention by our sales team.
12. Casa Nova S.A has formed alliances with other Real Estate companies operating in Canada, the US and Europe, to offer properties to prospective purchasers abroad.
13. Casa Nova S.A. has an International communication system to receive telephone calls directly into our office at no cost to potential customers.
14. Casa Nova S.A. is a member in good standing with the Guatemala Real Estate Board, and adheres to all of the ethical guidelines of Real Estate business practice dictated by the Board.

We look forward to being of service in the sale of your property, and we can assure you that every effort will be made to market your property in a shortest period of time and with the best results possible.

Many people have ask exactly what the process is to become a resident in Guatemala.
Thanks to a long time resident, this is the process from start to finish.

1. The first thing is to visit the Migration office at
   4th Calle 4-37, Zone 9, Guatemala City, and obtain a
   “Solicitud de Visa Residente Permanent”.
   To gain this residency, you need to find a guarantor
   who is a Guatemalan citizen/or company who pays income
   tax to SAT (like the IRS in the US), has a bank
   account, is employed/or an active income prodcing
   company, and shows a reported income of at least
   Q15,000.00 a month.
   This residency will allow you become actively employed
   in Guatemala, should that be your choice.
   Now, this applies to people who are not in the retired
   status, and are not receiving income from other
   sources such as a guaranteed income from a certified
   pension plan or Social Security and the like.
   If you are receiving a pension, the minimum income
   required is currently $1200.00 per month.
   In this area, you can become a “Rentista”. That means
   you will not be actively employed, but simple retired.
2. Documents Required to be handed in with Solicitud (application):
• For Guarantor:
  • Signed legal document taking full economic responsibility for person seeking Permanent Residency.
  • Copy of guarantor’s Cedula.
  • Copy of Nit Card.
  • SAT forms for previous tax year.
  • Copies of personal bank account statements for previous 2 months showing at least Q.15,000 per month deposits.
• For Applicant seeking Permanent Residency:
  • Permanent Visa application.
  • Legal declaration affirming information in above application.
  • Copy of Passport, including page with Temporary Residency Stamp.

    - authenticated by Lawyer

  • Police report (Penales Antecedentes) for Guatemala.
  • Police report from your Country of Origin.
  • Certificate confirming previous receipt of Temporary Residency.
3. Return time & again to inquire about your file and futher requirements.
   
   Your File will be assigned to an Immigration Officer. Hours are 8:00 – 12:00 noon, Monday to Thursday to inquire about your case.
   
   No one will contact you!
4. Receive confirmation of Approval of your Permanent Residency.
5. An Interview date will be assigned.
• Need 2 black/white passport photos
• Q 3,000 to pay Residency Tax
• Pink copy of Residency approval.
6. Go to INGUAT (Zona 4) to pay Residency Tax of Q 3,000 and return with

   Receipt to Migracion (Zona 9).

7. 3 days later return to Migracion to pick up approved form completed at

   Interview. (pink slip)

8. Apply for CEDULA in Municipalidad where you live.
   Antigua Requirements:
• 2 witnesses (testigos)
• Copies of witnesses Cedulas
• Purchase 2 Boletos de Ornato in Municipal Office.
• Fee = Q 140
• 2 authenticated (by lawyer) copies of pink page received after interview.
• 3 cedula size black/white photos.
9. Receive Cedula, Hurray !!
10. Go to INGUAT – 2nd. Floor – Permanent Residency window with:
    • Original Passport
    • Copy of passport plus page with Temporary Residency stamp.
    • Pink page received aftr interview at Migration office.
    • Copy of pink page.
    • Cedula
    • Original certificate received with issue of Cedula.
    • Copy of certificate received with issue of Cedula
11. Return several days later to pick up your Passport, Cedula and original

    Documents.
    Passport now has your Permanent Residency Stamp!!

12. Believe it or not, you are done!!
13. You can now get your Guatemalan Driver’s License, register for voter’s list

    and your bank will want you to update your information.

Antigua Guatemala: A retirement paradise for locals and foreigners

If the time has come to consider your retirement options,
we highly recommend Guatemala as a first choice. More
specifically, Antigua, Guatemala!

Of course we have a vested interested in your decision
to move here, as we certainly hope to be your contact
to fulfill your Real Estate needs, so now that we have
made our intentions clear, we feel it’s only fair to tell
you why.

Topics:

The Weather
The Cost of Living
Security
Transportation
Shopping
Dining Out
Communications
Things to do (passive or active)
Health Services
Taxes
Residency requirements
Buying a home
Financing the purchase of a home
Wills and the other things we don’t
like to talk about
How land is measured
Location

The Weather

The first thing that comes to mind is that we have never
seen anyone shoveling a driveway in Guatemala. If perfect
weather is an incentive, Guatemala just can’t be beat.
We don’t want to abuse an old phrase, but whoever coined
the expression, "The Land of Eternal Spring"
hit the nail on the head. The weather is fantastic!

Then we go to one of the most important areas for most
newcomers.

back to topics

The Cost of Living

For an average couple, on a monthly basis, exclusive
of housing, you can expect the following:

Electricity for an average household	Q 650.00
Water	Q 10.00
Waste removal	Q 35.00
Telephone, not including LD calls	Q 50.00
Internet connection	Q 175.00
Food, not including dining out	Q 1600.00
Local transportation	Q 120.00
Furnished home of decent quality	Q 5600.00
Once a week local entertainment	Q 960.00
A few good dinners out	Q 1000.00
This will provide you with a very good life for:	Q10,200.00
Converting to USD (today’s rate)	$ 1,342.00

We are told your can rent a closet space in New York
for somewhere around the same price. Welcome to Guatemala!

back to topics

Security

This has always been a major concern for first time visitors
to Guatemala, and rightly so. Now, you can’t compare Antigua
to Guatemala City. The city is a place most people visit
out of necessity, not out of desire. The city does have
it’s attractions as well as it’s ability to provide things
we may need that are not readily available in a small
town like Antigua.

If you visit the city, the daytime is the most secure
time to do so. There are several zones in Guatemala City
that would not be recommended regardless of the time of
day, but it won’t take long to discover which ones to
avoid. On the other hand, Antigua is relatively crime
free. Certainly, it has it’s bouts with petty crime such
as the odd purse snatching and the odd pick pocket, but
generally you can travel the town with no fear for your
personal safety or possessions. The times that create
the most petty crimes are associated with major events
such as Samana Santa, where the crowds swell to a few
hundred thousand people who want to witness the annual
spectacle.

back to topics

Transportation

This can take many forms. Local busses, shuttle service,
trips to the city, flying to the States or any other country.
Take your pick, as it’s all available, and normally, just
around the corner.
A local bus will cost you just over .06 cents.
A bus to the city is only .70 cents.
A private shuttle to the city or the airport is generally
$25.00 US
The international airport in the center of Guatemala City
has several international airlines providing daily direct
or connecting flights to anywhere in the world.

back to topics

Shopping

Granted, Antigua is not a shoppers paradise when it comes
to large department stores, but everything is available
if you know where to go. The central market provides first
class produce all year round, with the major market days
being Thursday and Saturday.

If you need to "Hit the shopping trail", then
a trip to the city is in order. Lot’s of malls and grocery
stores to keep you entertained for hours. Since the opening
of the US Price Smart chain, you can now wander the isles
and find all the things you thought you may miss by being
here. Those of us that just can’t get by without Heinz
ketchup or Vlasic pickles will be in heaven once they
visit Price Smart.

Antigua offers several Boutique style food shops that
generally will handle all of your needs as well.

back to topics

Dining out

Antigua probably has more restaurants per capita than
any other city in the world.

You pick your favorite, anything from Thai to Italian,
and it’s here to enjoy. As with all restaurants in the
world, some are better than others, but it only takes
a couple of questions to be directed to the right places.

Average dinner at a "High Class" restaurant
can run around $16.00 per entrée.
Add a bit of wine and dessert, and your just about on
the $25.00 mark.
Favorite places to eat and enjoy a pleasant evening would
be The Maison Panza Verde for first class dining and atmosphere,
or for a fun night out on the town, you could choose the
Sneaky Petes Pub for a quick game of darts and a cold
pint of draught.

back to topics

Communications

Keeping in touch is a concern that many people express.
Will I have good communication with friends and family
by telephone and Internet?
Antigua has several options to choose from. If you’re
an Internet buff, it’s available in 3 forms. One would
be using the local Internet cafe’s that charge a very
minimal fee for anywhere from a 15 minute connection to
as long as you need. As another option, you can have a
simple dial up connection through you home telephone for
pennies a day. For the more sophisticated user, you can
install high speed "Turbonet" to keep you connected
24/7 for as little as $43.00 a month.
Telephone service is good, with quick connections to anywhere
in the world. Cell phones are as common as "T"
shirts. Simple to acquire, and very inexpensive to use.
Currently, a call to the US or Canada is only .10 cents
per minute by Cell phone.

back to topics

Things to do (passive or active)

Depending on you "activity" level, Antigua
offers several outlets to keep you amused, and also in
shape.
Football, basketball, tennis, swimming, hiking, biking,
mountain climbing, walking or just plain "sitting
in the park and people watching". If your into theater
activities, there are several plays produced locally,
and talent is always in demand. If you’re a card player,
then there are several Bridge groups looking to add new
players. Poker nights can be a lot of fun as well, and
there is never a shortage of players willing to lose (or
win) Q50.00 for a night of entertainment.
There are several events in Antigua annually that can
keep your interests alive as well. There are Jazz festivals,
Ballet productions, Opera, and many more seasonal productions
that are generally set in the historic parts of this great
city.

As they say "Never a dull Moment" if that’s
what your looking for.

back to topics

Health Services

Although there is no major hospital in Antigua other
than the national IGSS hospital located in San Felipe
(2 minutes away), there are several top class clinics
and private doctors to serve you. If something major should
occur, your 45 minutes to Guatemala City, and some of
the finest private hospitals in the world.
Local and international health plans are available at
a fraction of the cost you would pay in most parts of
the world.
Most doctors are US trained and have served their internship
abroad.
If your concerned about dentistry, look no further. Good
examples would be, a root canal for $125.00 and a crown
would be the same cost. A simple filling would cost $25.00.
An annual check up and cleaning is under $50.00 (X-rays
included)
Ambulance service is available 24 hours a day, should
the need arise.
For those of you that are considering a little “Facial”
makeover, $3000.00 will turn you into a new person.

back to topics

Taxes

We all know that nasty word, don’t we.
As far a personal income taxes are concerned, there are
none to pay as long as your retired here and not gainfully
employed. Obviously, you will need to file a return in
your original country of residence.

Property taxes are shockingly low in Guatemala.
Tired of paying $4000.00 or $5000.00 a year just to have
a roof over your head. Try somewhere in the range of $200.00
to $300.00 year in Guatemala.
There is a standard sales tax in Guatemala called IVA.
This tax is included in everything you purchase, and amounts
to 12%. You don’t really see, but it’s there. Major purchases
such as a home or automobile (new), have the tax applied
as a separate item.

back to topics

Residency requirements

You have a couple of choices to consider. Under the immigration/tourist
law currently in effect, you can enter Guatemala for a
period of 90 days. At the end of 90 days, you will need
to exit the country, and then return and do the same thing
over again every 90 days. For some, this is just fine,
as a quick trip to Mexico or Salvador can be a welcome
break in your normal routine.
If the thought of driving to the border has no appeal,
you can make application for residency. This process is
not a 20 minute item. You may spend several months of
producing documents that seem to make no sense to the
common man, and then find out that suddenly, you need
one more that may be impossible to produce, as it relates
to something when you were in Kindergarten. You will also
need to produce a statement of income to prove you can
sustain yourself once the residency status is in process.
The best thing to have would be a guaranteed pension from
a recognized pension administrator.
Is it worth all the time and effort? That’s a decision
you need to make.
90 Days seems to be the simple answer, and hundreds of
retired people do it quite happily.
There are lawyers available that will do a residency application
for you if you desire. This is by far the best thing to
do, if your sure that your going to be a permanent resident.

back to topics

Buying a home

The first question is, can a foreigner purchase property
in Guatemala?
The answer is YES. You have all the rights of a Guatemalan
citizen when it comes to property. You are granted full,
unrestricted title to your property. You will receive
a freehold title in your name(s), and you are free to
sell, rent, or live in the home as you wish.
All titles are registered in the Central Registry in Guatemala
City. All property can be checked for liens and encumbrances
prior to purchase.
Normally, your lawyer will do all the work as part of
their required paperwork.

back to topics

Financing the purchase of a home

This may be the one big stumbling block in Guatemala.
Unless you are a resident of Guatemala (generally for
a minimum of 1 year) and can provide proof of income generated
within the country, and you have established a credit
rating, your going to waste your time dealing with the
local banks. Risk is not in their vocabulary. How banking
survives with all the blocks that are put in ones path,
is a mystery to most.
What we recommend, based on the fact that you may not
wish to sell your present home outside the country, is
to arrange an equity loan using your current property
as collateral with your current bank.
The next option is to find a seller that is willing to
provide private financing.
This generally isn’t available, and when it is, most sellers
require at least 50% down payment, and the terms are generally
quite short.
The current interest rates are around 8% in US dollars
for private financing.
This is equal to local bank rates as well.
Full title to the property is only transferred to the
buyer once the last payment has been made.

back to topics

Wills and other things we don’t like to think about

If your retired at the standard age of 60 to 65, then
a will is something you probably have in place at the
moment.
You can create a will that is recognized in Guatemala
simply by discussing it with your lawyer.
If you don’t make out a will in the country, then
your foreign will is acceptable, as long as you have included
your Guatemalan assets in the foreign will.
The will go through probate, and copies that are certified
by the Guatemalan embassy will be required to have your
heirs properly claim you property and transfer title as
per your wishes.

back to topics

We hope you have found the information
provided to be both helpful and informative.
Casa Nova Real Estate has been representing property in
Antigua Guatemala for over 13 years, and their experience
and knowledge is available at your request.
We look forward to meeting you and being of service in
the near future.