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Renting in Cali without co-signors.

Renting property in Cali is not like the US. A lot of owners use agents to rent their propertys. If you are a foreigner try to deal directly with the owner. It is possible to rent places without co-signors. It just takes a little more work.

Agents are very inflexible. I went with another gringo to look at places to rent. We went to several and each time we said that we were willing to pay a years rent in advance. Everyone of them said no without batting an eyelid. In the US a landlord would kiss your feet if you told them you would pay the rent for the year in advance.

Try to deal only with the owner. You will get cheaper rent and they are more flexible. Some owners are wealthy and could care less if they rented their property. Others need the money and will deal. Like the movie, show them the money. There are a lot of vacant apartments in Cali. I am talking more high end stuff. 1 to 2 million and higher in rent.

In my building there are 24 units. There are at least 2 apartments that have been vacant for several months. 2 million range. I live in a very upscale and high class neighborhood. In my opinion it is harder for landlords to rent their top-end propertys. If a Colombian has the money to rent more than likely he will buy. So the better places stay vacant longer than more reasonable propertys.

I know several gringos that have rented property without co-signors including myself.

I would pay an agent to find me a long term rental without all the hassel.

Short term and furnished rentals are more difficult and much more expensive.

By (Deleted user) on Mar 8, 2006, 08:32 in Renting, selling & meetups.

Pete E says on Mar 8, 2006, 12:50:

Co signors,ect When I came here to Cali 27 months ago I tried to rent an apartment,1,500,000 pesos a month.I had one Colombian Co signor with property.I offered them a years rent up front.They turned me down,took a month to do so,their attorney was on vacation.
I recently tried to rent a house for 2,000,000 pesos a month.It is owned by the Colombian government,drug seizure.There was the realtor,the rental insurance company and the government beauracrats.I had 2 Colombian co signors with property.They turned me down.My income from pensions is about 10,000,000 pesos a month.But it is not from Colombia,the reason they gave me for the turn down.I figured the rental insurance company was the biggest obstacle,since they would be on the hook if I didn't pay.The governments guys could care less except they don't want to be blamed for a mistake.The place has been vacant 2 YEARS.
Its best to find a place the owner is renting directly so you can convince him or sweeten the deal to do so.Problem is most places are probably handled by agents."This is the way we do it"is a common frustrating statement from people who don't want to change or do any extra work.You have to get to the guy who is losing money by not renting or making the sale.Employees could care less.You can just about hear their minds working,how do I get this guy to go away so I don't have to do any work?

Pete

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arthur brode says on Mar 9, 2006, 11:33:

for a FREE orientation on buying or renting apartments in Cali contact arthurbrode at aol.com my phone number in Cali is 680-2327 cell 312-852-4331

http://www.calirentals.net/

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