Cartagena
Strongest Rental MarketWalled city charm, world-class restaurants, and the strongest rental market on the coast. If you want a property that works hard when you're not here, this is the one.
Buyer's Agent — Colombia
Your Buyer's Agent for Property in Colombia
Thinking about buying in Colombia? We're an eight-person team across the Caribbean coast and Medellín who handle everything — finding the right place, sorting the legal side, getting it furnished, and managing it when you're not here. Think of us as your Kiwi mate who happens to live here with a team of locals behind him.
We're not a listing site and we're not trying to sell you something. We're your people on the ground — the team you'd want in your corner if you were buying property in a country where you don't speak the language, don't know the rules, and don't know who to trust.
The #1 Barrier for Foreign Renters — Solved
No Fiador?
No Problem.
Every Colombian landlord requires a fiador — a local Colombian guarantor who co-signs your lease and personally guarantees your rent. As a foreigner, you almost certainly don't have one. That's the moment most expats hit a wall.
How We Solve It
Through our sister company Maia Legal, we provide a legal structure that satisfies the fiador requirement on your behalf. Our licensed Colombian lawyer stands behind your lease — so you can rent any apartment in Colombia without needing a Colombian guarantor. No awkward asks, no rejected applications, no missed apartments.
Who We Are
A Kiwi and a Colombiana Who've Been Where You Are
We're Andrew and Luz. Andrew moved from New Zealand with a construction background and got tired of the runaround buying property here. Luz is Colombian with years at the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros — Colombia's most important agricultural institution. She knows the coast, the culture, and the people.
We built Maia Realty because we wished this team existed when we first bought here. International perspective, local know-how, and no runaround. When the gringo premium is real, Luz is the reason you don't pay it.
Let's TalkWhere We Work
Where We Work
Colombia's Caribbean coast and its most popular expat cities. Each place has its own character, price point, and opportunities.
Santa Marta
Beach Meets MountainsBeach life with mountains right behind you. Rodadero for rentals, Taganga for character, Pozos Colorados for something special — all at a fraction of Cartagena prices.
Barranquilla
Fastest Growing CityColombia's fastest-growing city and genuinely underpriced. Great rental yields, serious infrastructure investment, and nowhere near as many foreign buyers — yet.
Medellín
El Poblado & LaurelesThe city of eternal spring. El Poblado for the expat scene, Laureles for the locals' vibe. Huge foreign buyer market and strong short-term rental demand year-round.
Envigado
Aburrá ValleyQuieter than Poblado, just as convenient. Families love it, prices are better, and the local restaurant scene is unreal. The one the long-termers pick.
Coffee Region
Eje CafeteroFincas, mountain air, and tourism that's growing fast. Whether it's a lifestyle buy or an Airbnb play, the Eje Cafetero delivers.
What We Do
Everything Under One Roof
Most people buying property abroad end up juggling five different vendors who don't talk to each other. We do it all in-house.
Property Search
Tell us what you want and we'll go find it. We know these cities inside out.
Tap for detailsWhat's Included
- Personalised search brief based on your goals and budget
- On-the-ground property visits with video walkthroughs
- Market comparisons and neighbourhood analysis
- Curated shortlist — no time wasted on duds
- Access to off-market and pre-launch listings
Independent Valuations
Before you put money down, we get the place independently valued.
Tap for detailsWhat's Included
- Independent third-party property valuation
- Comparable sales analysis in the area
- Rental yield projections (short-term & long-term)
- Honest assessment — we'll tell you if it's overpriced
- Written valuation report you can keep
Legal & Conveyancing
Our in-house lawyer handles title searches, contracts, and closing.
Tap for detailsWhat's Included
- Full title search and lien verification
- Promesa de compraventa drafting and review
- Notary coordination and escritura signing
- Foreign investment registration with Banco de la República
- Property registration at Oficina de Instrumentos Públicos
Tax & Accounting
Our certified accountant keeps you on the right side of the rules.
Tap for detailsWhat's Included
- RUT registration (Colombian tax ID)
- Annual tax filings (renta declaración)
- Rental income declarations and withholdings
- Capital gains planning for future sale
- Ongoing compliance monitoring
Furniture & Fit-Out
Hand us the keys to an empty apartment and come back to a home.
Tap for detailsWhat's Included
- Full interior design and furniture sourcing
- Contractor management for renovations
- Appliances, linens, kitchenware — move-in ready
- Rental-optimised layouts if it's an investment
- Photo-ready styling for listing platforms
Rental Management
We list it, manage guests, sort maintenance, and deposit the money.
Tap for detailsWhat's Included
- Listing on Airbnb, Booking.com & local platforms
- Professional photography and copywriting
- Guest communication, check-in/out, cleaning
- Maintenance coordination and emergency response
- Monthly owner reports and income deposits
Why Us
Why People Trust Us
We're on Your Side
We're a buyer's agent. We don't represent sellers, and we don't play both sides. Our job is to get you the best deal.
We Speak Your Language
Founded by a Kiwi who moved here and got tired of the runaround. We bridge the gap between what you need and how things work here.
All In-House
Legal, accounting, fit-out, rentals. One team, one point of contact. You're not chasing five different vendors who don't talk to each other.
Transparent Pricing
Simple, phased fees so you only pay as we progress. If we earn a seller's commission, it's credited straight back to you.
How It Works
From “I'm Interested” to Keys in Hand
01
Search Brief — $300
Initial consultation, market briefing, and a personalised search plan built around what you're actually after.
02
Active Search — $1,500
We hit the ground, visit properties, send video walkthroughs, and build your shortlist. Real legwork, real results.
03
Negotiate & Close — $1,500
Independent valuation, offer strategy, hard negotiation, and our legal team handles everything through to closing.
04
After You Buy
Fit-out, rental setup, property management — quoted separately. Use as much or as little as you need.
Commission credit: If we receive a seller's commission on your purchase, it's credited directly against your fees. In many cases you'll get most or all of it back.
Meet Us
See Who You'll Be Working With
We're not a faceless agency. Meet the founders and see the kind of clients we support through purchases on the ground in Colombia.
Andrew & Luz
A Kiwi and a Colombiana — we've been through the process ourselves, and now we help families like yours do the same. No sales pitch, just real talk about buying property in Colombia.
Client Purchase Examples
James & Sarah T.
Apartment in Cartagena's Walled City
Michael R.
Beachfront in Pozos Colorados
Karen & David L.
Investment property, Barranquilla
The Team
Eight People Who've Got Your Back
Everyone you need for a successful property purchase — legal, finance, operations, management — already working together under one roof.
Andrew Gallie
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Kiwi with a construction background who moved to Colombia and built the team he wished he'd had when he bought his first place here. He speaks your language and knows exactly what you're worried about — because he's been there.
Luz Gallie
Co-Founder & Head of Client Relations
Colombian with years at the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros. She knows the coast, the culture, and the people. When the gringo premium is real, Luz is the reason you don't pay it.
Roiser Fernández
Head of LegalLicensed lawyer. Handles all contracts, title searches, and closing.
Emanuel Bravo
Head of FinanceCertified accountant. Tax setup, foreign investment registration, rental income.
Property Coordinator
Viewings & CoordinationOrganises viewings, works with sellers, keeps your search running smoothly.
Investment Analyst
Market ResearchRental yields, market trends, valuation data. Makes sure you're buying smart.
Contracts Analyst
Due DiligenceTitle searches, document review, and compliance checks.
Financial Analyst
Accounts & ReportingRental income tracking, owner reports, and day-to-day bookkeeping.
Client Stories
What Our Clients Say
We were terrified of buying overseas, but Andrew and Luz made it feel effortless. They found issues in due diligence that would have cost us thousands. Absolute lifesavers.
Having someone who speaks both languages and truly understands the legal process was a game changer. I felt protected at every stage of the purchase.
The rental management is what sold us. We bought the place, they furnished it, listed it, and now it earns while we're back in the States. Completely hands-off.
2026 Market Data
Santa Marta Property Market
The Caribbean coast's fastest-growing real estate market — backed by data.
59%
Price Growth
2022—2025 across Santa Marta residential
8—15%
STR Yields
Short-term rental yields in prime beach areas
0%
Restrictions for Foreigners
Full ownership rights for foreign nationals
$800—$1,400
Entry Price / m²
USD per m² in Rodadero & El Centro
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a fiador (Colombian guarantor) to rent in Colombia?
Normally yes — Colombian landlords require a local Colombian guarantor who co-signs your lease. As a foreigner, this is almost impossible to arrange. Through our sister company Maia Legal, we provide a legal structure that satisfies the fiador requirement on your behalf. You rent without needing a Colombian guarantor. Ask us how it works.
What is a buyer's agent and why do I need one in Colombia?
A buyer's agent represents you — the buyer — exclusively. Unlike traditional agents who represent sellers, we work solely in your interest to find the right property, negotiate the best price, handle legal due diligence, and manage the entire purchase process.
How much does it cost to use Maia Realty?
Our service is structured in phases: Search Brief ($300 USD), Active Search ($1,500 USD), and Negotiate & Close ($1,500 USD). If we receive a seller's commission, it's credited directly against your fees.
Can foreigners buy property in Colombia?
Yes. Foreigners have the same property rights as Colombian citizens. You can buy, own, and sell real estate freely.
Legal Support
Need a lawyer for your purchase?
Maia Legal handles all foreign buyer conveyancing in Colombia — title searches, escritura, fiador bypass, and registration. Fully licensed. English-speaking.
Get Started
Ready to Have a Chat?
No pressure, no sales pitch. Just tell us what you're thinking and we'll come back within 24 hours.
Contact
Tell Us What You're Looking For
Whether you're just thinking about it or ready to move, we'd love to hear from you. No commitment — just a conversation.
Registered Office
Calle 24 #3-99, Edificio Banco de Bogotá, Suite 1102, Level 11Santa Marta, Magdalena 470007
Colombia
We work across Colombia's Caribbean coast and Medellín