The Expat Files

Building and/or Buying a House: PART 3 - Because of phantom building inspectors, you’re on the honor system when it comes to building your house to blueprint specs and to the local codes. - How the cost of a building permit is arbitrary (and subject to bribes) and how to avoid getting charged ‘gringo’ prices. - Hiring an architect. Why good architects are a dime a dozen, unbelievably affordable, and will do practically anything to land an expat’s building contract (a 1st world style project is a huge portfolio booster). - How to disperse funds and how to avoid (er.. minimize) pilferage and ripoffs. - Getting big cash discounts on materials and how Latins skirt the taxman.