buyer-guide
What does the buying process look like?
From reserved offer to registered title, a straightforward Lima purchase typically takes six to ten weeks.
A typical purchase in Miraflores follows five stages.
1. Reservation. You sign a short reservation agreement and place a deposit, usually between USD 1,000 and USD 5,000, which takes the property off the market for an agreed period.
2. Due diligence. Your lawyer pulls the property's registry record from SUNARP to confirm ownership, verify there are no mortgages, liens, or embargoes, and check that the built area matches the registered area. Municipal tax and building maintenance accounts are checked for arrears.
3. Minuta. The private purchase contract is drafted and signed by both parties and their lawyers.
4. Escritura pública. A notary converts the minuta into a public deed. Funds are transferred at this stage, normally by international wire to the seller's Peruvian bank account.
5. Registration. The notary submits the deed to SUNARP. Registration takes roughly two to four weeks, after which the title is recorded in your name.
This guide is general information for foreign buyers and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Always retain an independent Peruvian lawyer before signing.