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About Brian Botta
Expertise

Relocating to a foreign country and adjusting to life in a different culture, with a different language and a different set of values can be difficult. As a foreign expatriate living in Venezuela I've become rather well acquainted with how the country operates and how to avoid problems in Venezuela.

I have specific expertise with regard to the relocation of English speaking individuals and families to Margarita Island, including the associated issues of renting or buying a home, acquiring language training, acquiring a residence or investor visa, opening bank accounts, finding competent professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants, dentists, etc.) placing children in a private school and other associated issues involved with relocating individuals or families to Margarita Island.



Experience


Experience in the area
I (a US Citizen) relocated my family to Margarita Island in early 2005, and we have been living here since that time. We are now residents of Venezuela, living normal lives and doing business here on the Island.

I am active in real estate development and sales, as well as helping foreigners relocate to Margarita Island. I'm a writer, and my website (http://bulletproofretirement.com) has over 200 articles on the various aspects of relocation abroad and moving to Margarita. As a writer and researcher I am quite experienced with providing complete answers to specific questions.

I currently assist with the relocation of 1 to 2 individuals each month, about half of them from the US and the rest from Canada and the UK. Some of the clients are retirees, others are business or real estate investors who need assistance in finding quality properties to purchase. In either case, I've become experienced in solving problems with moving to Venezuela.


 
   

You are here:  Experts > Cultures > South America for Visitors > Venezuela > Auto Purchase

Topic: Venezuela



Expert: Brian Botta
Date: 3/11/2008
Subject: Auto Purchase

Question
Hey Brian, hope all is well.  I found the link you provided to buy new autos-Thanks, very helpful!  Now, if I walk in with $30K, is there going to be an inquisition about how I got the money into Venezuela?  Is it possible to buy a new car on a US account in dollars?  How is this usually done?  Dano

Answer
Hi Daniel

If you have $30k worth of Bolivares and you give them a cheque de gerencia (cashier's check), you won't be doing anything different from anyone else.  They want your money- not your life history.  That much in cash?  I wouldn't try that.  

Several of the dealerships that I'm familiar with will not only accept a Dollar payment to their Panama account, but they'll move you to the front of the line if you're paying in Dollars.  

Normally, for new cars, there is a waiting list that may be anywhere from 5 to 50 people at any given dealership.  These aren't special orders, it's just that the economy is doing so well down here that new cars are sold before they ever make it to the dealership.  It's a situation that you  have to see to believe.

The dealership will have an account in Panama or Curacao, and they prefer to be paid in Dollars at this point in time.  That could change in the future.  If you ask about paying in Dollars you might find that they would give you the next car available (move you to the head of the waiting list) as an incentive to do so.  Then again, they might not.  Will they accept a payment in Dollars?  You betcha.

As far as buying a used car goes, you'd have to deal with the owner and that would get complicated very quickly, so I wouldn't offer to pay in Dollars except at a Dealership.  

Cheers,
Brian

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