By city: buying and moving
Buying a property in Salinas
What is specific to buying in Salinas (Santa Elena): the Property Registry and the online property look-up of the Municipality of Salinas, and the canton's parishes.
Salinas is a canton of Santa Elena province, 140 km from Guayaquil according to the Municipality. INEC's geographic classification lists the urban parishes of Carlos Espinoza Larrea, General Alberto Enríquez Gallo, Vicente Rocafuerte and Santa Rosa, and the rural parishes of Anconcito and José Luis Tamayo (Muey). The Municipality presents it as the "Capital del Sol" and the most important holiday beach resort of mainland Ecuador.
Where the paperwork is done
| Procedure | Issued by | How |
|---|---|---|
| Property Registry certificates | Property Registry of the Salinas canton | Through its online service, linked from the Municipality of Salinas portal (salinas.gob.ec). |
| Debts and property look-up | Municipality of Salinas | Online, in the municipal portal's services. |
| Alcabala and plusvalía | Municipality of Salinas | The Municipality assesses the transfer taxes. |
In a horizontal-property building, as well as the property's certificates, ask the administration for proof that the unit's service charges (alícuotas) are paid up, and read the building's internal rules, especially if you plan to let the unit by the season.
Step by step in Salinas
Property Registry certificate
Request the certificate of encumbrances from the Salinas Property Registry through its online service. Confirm the seller is the owner and that there are no unresolved mortgages, prohibitions or attachments.
Municipal certificates
Check on the municipal portal that the property has no debts and the predial is paid.
Promise, minuta and taxes
If needed, sign a promise of sale by public deed (Civil Code, art. 1570); the lawyer drafts the minuta and the municipality assesses the alcabala and the plusvalía, without payment of which the deed is not granted (COOTAD, arts. 537 and 560).
Deed and recording
The deed is signed before a notary and recorded in the Property Registry of the canton where the property lies (Civil Code, arts. 702 and 703).
Frequently asked questions
Is Salinas in Guayas province?
No. Salinas is a canton of Santa Elena province, with its own municipality and its own Property Registry.
Can I check online whether a property in Salinas has debts?
Yes. The Municipality of Salinas portal offers a debts and property look-up among its online services.
Sources
- Servicios en línea y Registro de la Propiedad — GAD Municipal de Salinas
- Historia y Generalidades — GAD Municipal de Salinas
- Código Orgánico de Organización Territorial, Autonomía y Descentralización (COOTAD) — Consejo de Participación Ciudadana y Control Social (copia publicada)
- Código Civil (Codificación 2005-010) — FAOLEX, FAO (copia del texto oficial)
- Clasificador Geográfico Estadístico (División Político Administrativa) — Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC)