If you are looking to rent or buy a property in Cuenca or its surrounding locations, I wish to highly recommend Maribel Crespo of Ecuadorable Homes to help you with your search. My sister and I first met Maribel in December, 2013 when we made an exploratory tour to Cuenca and hired her to give us a real estate tour of the city. A native of Cuenca, Maribel knows the city extremely well and she helped us to familiarize ourselves with the various sectors before we located here. After our move in September, 2014, Maribel showed us several rentals and throughout the process, she was very professional and actually listened to what we wanted. When I found out I would have to move again in October, 2015, Maribel was one of the first persons I contacted to help me find an apartment. She is very effective, but not pushy, and she really shows you properties that fit your needs, not just the properties she would like to rent or sell. And, due to her numerous contacts in Cuenca, she is often able to find properties before they come onto the real estate websites, a real plus in the very competitive market in Cuenca. I have friends who have both purchased and rented properties through Maribel, and they have all been extremely satisfied with the process. An added plus for most gringos is that Maribel lived in the US for many years and her English is excellent. I would recommend Maribel without reservation to anyone wishing to find a home in Cuenca. Her website address is www.ecuadorablehomes.com. You should contact her directly by email or phone for all of your property needs. Marcia Glen

Maribel Crespo of Ecuadorable Homes recently helped me lease a wonderful home in Cuenca. I worked over 30 years in commercial sales and leasing in San Diego and Napa, California in very stressful and competitive markets. I have worked with some very competent and excellent agents. I would put Maribel Crespo among them. She is fluent in English and Spanish. She is punctual, friendly, knowledgeable and very professional. Maribel helped me with every aspect of the moving experience including recommending competent movers, handymen, painters and assisted me with connecting to an internet service. She is an excellent agent and I know what a remarkable business woman is and Maribel counts among the best. Recommended by Rebecca Lockwood: adventuregirlecuador@icloud.com

We would highly recommend Maribel Crespo to help you find something to buy. She is from Cuenca, speaks English and is very knowledgeable and competent. She helped us find our condo which we bought last winter. Steve & Susan Rigney

My husband and I came to Ecuador from the US for a 3-month reconnaissance trip to identify a community where we might like to settle down. We liked Cuenca very much and, days before the end of our trip, on the recommendation of a US expat, we took a quick tour of Cuenca condos and homes with local realtor, Maribel Crespo who showed us a home in the countryside that was a very good fit, given our particular requirements. In addition to speaking excellent English, we found Maribel to be efficient, honest, reliable, resourceful, with a quick mind, and always "simpatica" personality, and a total commitment to customer satisfaction regardless of wealth or the size of the purchase. The home we liked was listed by another real estate agent so her commission was relatively small; however, Maribel was able to match us with that home within about 3 hours. It was simply delightful to work with Maribel. When we later decided to delay our move to Ecuador substantially, Maribel Crespo went the extra distance to help coordinate fit-out of our newly-constructed new home with appliances and accessories, and minor fix-up, as needed for rental. And once the home was ready, she found a suitable tenant even before we had it formally listed. We highly recommend Maribel who provided invaluable assistance to us as we prepared to move to Ecuador. Recommended by Amy O'Connor and Ray Wheeler: integrated100@gmail.com

My husband and I came to Cuenca on our exploratory trip in December 2012. Despite the short notice and it being during the holidays, Maribel made time for us and drove us around to give us an idea of properties for purchase and rent. Once we moved here in October 2013, we contacted Maribel right away, and began looking for properties....Maribel had remembered our criteria from the year before and immediately showed us a property which was too good to pass up...we ended up buying it, although we had intended to rent at first. Throughout the process, Maribel was available to us immediately, by e-mail, by phone, and in person. She held our hand, explaining the processes in her impeccable English. We highly recommend Maribel (in fact, relatives of ours are going through the process now to purchase two properties from Maribel) for her work ethic, her non-pushy demeanor, her expertise, and her loyalty. Maribel did not stop helping after we bought the property...she put us in touch with an electrician, a plumber, a handyman, a locksmith, and even helped translate for us when we hired a maid. Moreover, Maribel was helpful in locating a tailor and most recently, a general physician. She is very well-connected and highly regarded in her field, as well as in Cuenca. Thanks Maribel, for helping make our house a home and being genuine throughout the process. Deepa Aggarwal

Maribel recently sold a condo for me in Cuenca and handled the entire process beautifully! She managed each step efficiently, professionally and with grace. Within 24 hours of listing she posted photos and details on her website. She priced it correctly and actively marketed and showed the property. When the buyer was ready she smoothly managed the process to closing in just a few weeks. Her business practices were in direct contrast to the expat realtor I'd previously listed the property with: He priced it way too high, took 6 weeks to post it online and in 6 months showed the place only twice. Maribel is a STAR! I am so grateful to have found her! Sheila Donnell

Hello, Maribél! You are a wonderful ambassador for your country; you made me fall in love with it. Thank you, Maribel for the heartfelt introduction you gave us to Cuenca, it was extraordinary and wonderful! Eric The Eric Berendt Studio

During my time in the U.S. Army I came across a compliment that was used if some one did something extraordinary. It would be said that the person went 'over and above the call of duty.' You, Maribel, have done that for me. I deeply appreciate the time and effort you have taken to help me out. Marty Marzolf

We are happy to provide a positive referral on behalf of Maribel Crespo as a real estate representative in Ecuador. In her efforts to represent the sale of our Ecuadorian property, we found her to be consistently knowledgable, professional, courteous, responsive and prompt in all her dealings with us. She is sensitive and considerate of the different cultural perceptions that incoming North Americans have in regards to real estate vis-a-vis Ecuadorians. She offers good advice and counsel in dealing with the complex Ecuadorian real estate environment. Without hesitation, we recommend her as a reliable agent. Roger and Suzanne Yazell

I would like to make a long over due recommendation for Maribel Crespo, of Ecuadorable Homes here in Cuenca. I had the pleasure of meeting Maribel in the Spring of '12. On that exploratory trip, Maribel showed me a large number of properties. I made a decision on one of them, but responsibilities back in the states caused me to put my plans on hold. On Christmas I got a nice greeting from Maribel, and she mentioned the owner/ builder was still interested in doing business with me. Maribel had set me up with a wonderful attorney team on my initial trip, and a deal was made long distance. This was a new construction project, so all manner of decisions had to be made. Through email she sent me pictures of choices to be made in the construction faze. It helps that Maribel has such wonderful taste. She pointed me in the right direction on numerous choices. She dealt directly with the architect and the builder. She was at the building frequently while it was being constructed. I was not fortunate enough to be bi- lingual, so I was blessed to have Maribel there as an intermediary. She speaks flawless English. When I arrived back in the Spring of'13, all had been contracted, and Maribel again aided me in last minute details that all new construction projects incur. I am more than happy, and confident to recommend Maribel for her expertise in the Real Estate field, and all things Ecuador. She also has contacts in every area you will need to make your house, your home! Neil Nagle