Defining the scope of property management for a Bogotá new-build purchase

[field.full]

I cannot choose a provider until I know exactly which decisions they will own. The purchase is a Bogotá new-build flat at roughly COP 5,760,000,000, yet “property management” appears to mean something different at every firm.

I initially expected one company to coordinate everything from the offer to closing. Some will only make introductions, however, while others exclude negotiation or chasing documents. I am therefore considering separate appointments for buyer-side coordination and any management needed after handover.

Before agreeing, I want a task-by-task schedule covering fees, response times, the named contact and what happens if that person is unavailable. The correspondence and document trail also need to remain accessible to me. Is there another responsibility that should be stated explicitly rather than assumed?

 

[RoundPebble]

At that price, I would separate transaction coordination from management after closing rather than accept one vague package. Ask for a written list showing who handles negotiation, communication with the developer, document collection, payment reminders, handover issues and later tenant or maintenance work, if relevant. Each task should have a named contact, fee and response deadline. Anything excluded should be equally explicit.

 

[RoundPebble]

One missing fact: do you actually need ongoing management, or only buyer-side coordination until handover? Those are different jobs and may require different local expertise.

I’d request a sample reporting format and a step-by-step responsibility table, then independently confirm important dates, amounts and documents with the relevant parties. Also ask where correspondence is stored and who takes over during absence. “We respond promptly” is not a useful commitment; a defined timeframe and escalation contact are.

 

[bridge.steady]

I’d be cautious about treating fast replies as proof of a good service. A coordinator can answer quickly while still having no authority to resolve anything. The contract should identify what they may negotiate, what requires your approval, and who is accountable when the developer or another party delays.

The cash downside matters too: clarify whether fees are fixed, recurring or triggered by milestones, and what remains payable if the purchase does not close. For any Colombia-specific legal or closing obligation, verify the current position independently rather than relying on the service description.