Week 1 — Listings, Airbnb & Neighborhoods
- Vocabulary of leases, Airbnb listings, and sales offers.
- Furnished vs. unfurnished; services included; red flags.
- Mapping cities: Santa Cruz, La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre.
- Organizing visits and shortlists.
House Hunt
Find your home in Bolivia with confidence. Whether you’re browsing Airbnb for short-term stays, renting a furnished apartment, or exploring the process of buying your first home, this mission gives you the Spanish, cultural insight, and street-smart tools you need. You’ll learn to understand listings, negotiate fairly, avoid scams, and read contracts clearly — so you secure the place that fits your lifestyle and budget, in the city and neighborhood that’s right for you.
What you’ll do and learn
We’ll decode listings on local platforms, Airbnb offers, and traditional leases (furnished vs. unfurnished, utilities, guarantees, deposits). You’ll compare rental options with Bolivian-style leases, spot common red flags, and plan visits efficiently. In class, we’ll also explore how to ask for photos/videos, schedule showings, and clearly express what you need — from reliable internet and natural light to pet policies, parking, or a quiet environment.
You’ll also learn how to evaluate cities and neighborhoods. In Santa Cruz, trendy Equipetrol and Urubó are popular with expats; in La Paz, you’ll find lively Sopocachi and historic San Pedro; in Cochabamba, vibrant Recoleta and calm Queru Queru each offer different lifestyles. We’ll discuss cost of living, transport, safety, and vibe — so you can make an informed choice before signing or buying.
For those considering buying property, we’ll introduce the vocabulary and processes you need: working with notaries, verifying title deeds, checking for unpaid taxes, and avoiding scams. You’ll learn how to confirm ownership, what documents must be registered, and how negotiations differ when purchasing instead of renting.
Finally, we’ll go deep on avoiding scams: fake listings, double rentals, inflated deposits, and fraudulent contracts. You’ll practice role-plays of conversations with landlords, agents, and notaries, learning how to ask for proof and insist politely but firmly on documentation.
Syllabus — 4 weeks
Example syllabus; we’ll tailor according to the group’s level and goals.
Week 2 — Visits, Inspections & Questions
- Scheduling, directions, and polite requests.
- Inspecting water, internet, appliances, noise, security.
- How to document visits: photos, videos, notes.
- Spotting inconsistencies and politely refusing.
Week 3 — Negotiation, Contracts & Buying Basics
- What’s normal to negotiate: deposit, repairs, inventory.
- Reading contracts and receipts line by line.
- Key buying vocabulary: notary (notaría), property title (derecho propietario), taxes.
- Avoiding scams: verifying documents, working with trustworthy professionals.
Week 4 — Move-in, Ownership & Long-term Protection
- Utilities setup, internet, and building rules.
- Check-in checklist and inventory with photos.
- Exit clauses and moving out.
- For buyers: registering your purchase, protecting ownership, long-term considerations.
Perks included
- ✔Neighborhood Guide (PDF)Areas by vibe/budget; quick pros & cons.
- ✔Rental & Buying Spanish + Scams (PDF)Key phrases, common pitfalls, how to protect deposits and purchases.
- ✔Move-in Checklist (PDF)Inventory, utilities, speed tests, photos, receipts.
These PDFs are bonuses you receive in addition to the live classes.
M
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Thanks to this mission, I found a beautiful apartment in Cochabamba and even understood how the buying process works. No scams, no stress — I felt fully prepared.