Reserving a lot is one of those decisions that feels exciting and a little intimidating at the same time. There is a beautiful piece of land, a friendly person presenting it, and a date to decide by. What helps in that moment is not more enthusiasm but better questions. Here are six that I think any buyer in Colombia should carry in their notes, whatever the project or the city.
The questions about the paperwork
1. Does each lot have its own matrícula inmobiliaria (title deed)? This comes first because it defines what you are really buying: a lot with its own legal identity, or a share of something larger. Ask for the confirmation in writing, and do not settle for an easy "yes, of course."
2. Who sells, and who develops? It helps to know whether the person helping you is the developer or an intermediary. Neither is bad, but it changes who you ask the hard questions and who stands behind what was promised.
3. How exactly does the financing work? Ask whether banks are involved, how many months it runs, what share of the value is financed, and what changes between stages of the project. Terms and percentages can differ from one stage to the next, and the details matter more than the headline.
The questions about the land
4. What is already built, and what is only a promise? Roads, power, water, lighting, social areas. Seeing them in a render is one thing, standing on them is another. Ask for a visit, and if you can, go more than once.
5. What are the rules for building? Ask whether you are required to build with a specific builder, and whether an owner's manual or set of rules applies to every owner. Knowing this up front avoids surprises on the day you want to start your home.
A concrete example: how Altos de Yariguíes would answer
Since I like to practice what I preach, here is how those answers look in the project I know best. Each lot is delivered with its own matrícula inmobiliaria. Proyecto Girasoles S.A.S. is the developer and sells directly, with no banks or intermediaries. Financing runs up to 7 months in stage 1, and in stage 2 up to 40% of the lot's value over 22 months, depending on the lot you choose. The paved roads, solar street lighting, underground wiring and the drinking water supply point with its own treatment plant are already built. You can build with Proyecto Girasoles or with another construction company, as long as the owner's manual is respected. And there is a model home already built and open for in person tours.
6. Can I go see it before I decide? This is the sixth and the simplest. A good project does not fear a visit. At Altos de Yariguíes there is also a 360 degree virtual tour of each stage, filmed on site, so you can start looking from home.
You do not need to love every answer right away. What matters is having them clear before you reserve, because buying land with your doubts settled is far more enjoyable.