29/11/2014
Article published on November, 2014 by World Properties - ICREA
This month we focus on a small market in South America--Ecuador--and the growing community of real estate professionals. Our featured TRC is Maria ThurdeKoos, who along with husband Carlos (also a TRC), are actively engaged in the Ecuadorian real estate community and in building professional ties to Florida and other markets.
Buying in Ecuador.
There are no restrictions on foreigners buying in Ecuador, except within 50 km. of the border or coastline. An attractive retirement destination for Europeans and North Americans, Ecuador properties are no longer the rock-bottom bargains they used to be, but homes are still are generally inexpensive by European and American standards. The market is largely driven by Ecuadorians, both local and those returning from abroad. After 5 years of strong price appreciation, the market is cooling a bit.
Ecuador launches MLS.
MLS-Ecuador was created to provide the country's real estate professionals with a central database for sharing property information and to market properties through partner sites. Administered locally by real estate professionals, MLS-Ecuador is bringing Ecuadorian properties to the global marketplace. Carlos ThurdeKoos, TRC, was recently recognized for his work in Ecuador, including helping to establish the MLS.
Can you live on $17K a year in Ecuador?
International Living says you can...and still maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Low costs, modern amenities and good medical care attract retirees to metropolitan areas, including Guayaquil, Cuenca, and the capital city Quinto. Located in the northwest part of S. America, Ecuador is bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west (and includes the Galápagos Islands).
Organized real estate in Ecuador.
Ecuador's professional real estate community is growing, in part due to efforts of Maria and Carlos ThurdeKoos. A national federation, FENACBRE brings together 11 provincial groups--including ACBIR in Guayas--which work to raise the level of professionalism in the real estate community through education and training. ACBIR offered two TRC courses this year and promotes international training. The associations (one in each of Ecuador's 24 provinces) are legally entitled to issue "license" certifications, which is valid nationally.
TRC Profile: Maria ThurdeKoos
Maria ThurdeKoos has a deep passion for real estate ethics, professionalism and cultural diversity. Born in Cuba, Maria came to the US (Florida) when she was 10 and lived in Miami until 1972 when she relocated to Tampa. Her roots are in Zaragoza, Spain, however, the ancestral home of her grandparents. Maria laughs when she says, “Little did I know I would be part of the ‘Cubanization of Miami.’”
Maria’s life and business partner is husband Carlos, a native of Ecuador, and also a TRC. Carlos’ background is equally multinational with family roots in Holland, Hungary and Spain. Maria and Carlos share a background in finance and experience as bank officers dealing with real estate financing for local and international clients. This experience prompted them to obtain their real estate and mortgage broker licenses. They have been working as a team since 1976.
Maria is general manager of MCT Realty International in Orlando and director of MCT Global Real Estate, a company they control in Ecuador. Maria is also the director of MCT Educational Institute, a Florida Real Estate School where Carlos serves as instructor. The creation of the Institute stemmed from a belief that in order to be better themselves, they must train others around them to be better.
That commitment to training extends to Ecuador where Maria and Carlos (pictured below, right) are actively involved in the growth of the local real estate organizations in Ecuador. “In order to deal with Ecuadorian professionals we determined it was necessary to prepare Ecuadorian real agents to communicate on the same level,” says Maria.
Thanks to Maria and Carlos’ efforts (and the substantial support of the MIAMI Association of REALTORS®), the first professional exchange between Miami REALTORS® and Ecuadorian agents took place in October/November of this year. “The Ecuadorian agents and their counterparts in Miami had a unique professional experience—something to talk about for many years to come.”
Maria and Carlos have implemented the philosophy of their Florida-based firm in their Ecuadorian firm. Their motto is We Promise: Ethics, Professionalism and Honesty. Mariuxi ThurdeKoos, the couple’s niece is the general manager and nephew Ricardo is the top salesperson. Both are TRCs. Maria attributes their success in Ecuador to this commitment to ethics and professionalism. About 50 percent of the Ecuadorian business is local; the other half is investors from Australia, Canada, US, Europe and China.
Back in Florida, the majority (70%) of MCT’s business is international, including representing foreign investors, mostly from Canada, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Ecuador. These investors are seeking commercial and residential properties, second homes and speculation properties.
Maria earned her TRC in 2006 in New Orleans at an NAR convention. “We knew if we wanted to be successful in the international arena, we needed to obtain related certifications and WorldProperties and NAR offered us the opportunity,” says Maria.
“World Properties and the TRC opened doors that were not previously available to us. We have received many referrals thru WorldProperties.com and have been able to refer some of our clients to members of WorldProperties. In other parts of the world, certifications such as the TRC, give others a sense of security that they are dealing with professionals and are in good hands; in other words, a virtual professional handshake.”
If you’re looking for professional inroads to Ecuador, Maria and Carlos are good hands to shake. Contact Maria at [email protected].
