Michael's story
I'm a Texan so I'll be very straightforward and honest with you. I was tired of the USA's stress, schizophrenic society, and oppressive government that was getting worse every year. So I packed my business and moved to Costa Rica which was very pretty but very polluted. Also the women were snobbish. (I'm single). (click here to read about Costa Rica). So then I moved to Paraguay. I liked it there much better. Cheap to live there, clean air and food (mostly grown there), medium sized capital city (500,000), tranquil-minded people. And there's little possibility of involvement in a stupid war. Paraguay is a no-importance forgotten country, which is the beauty of it if you want tranquility. Click here for perspectives on other southern countries. Because of a failed business I had to move back to Texas in 2006 which is where I am now. If I ever get back to Paraguay then I can be more involved in helping you find a place, but as it is I am only a link to Viviana.

Michael & feathered friend

Viviana, my real estate agent friend
Viviana Ariagada is an independent agent in Asuncion who, with a little money up-front, will be willing to help you find a suitable place to stay in Paraguay. She used to offer her services for free, but too many gringos never followed through with their stated desire to move to Paraguay and buy a house. (Money talks and bullshit walks.) So you can email her at vipatricia@yahoo.com.es with your request and how much you'd like to pay her to search for you. First go to www.altavista.com and use their babelfish translator to put your request in Spanish.

Click here to see some houses we used to have available so you can get a better idea of what is typical. 

Below is a sample of houses that are normally available. It is 12 out of 108 newspaper ads in the Sunday paper for Asuncion (ABC/clasificados/inmuebles) and the surrounding area. This is just to give you an idea of the variety of houses normally available to buy.

Duplex, 170m², 2 car garage, 2 level, 3 bdrm. $36ooo

House 3 bdrm, swimming pool, furnished. $138ooo

House 240m², 750m² yard, 3 bdrm. $30ooo

House Mediterranean style, 3 bdrm, swimming pool, 3 car garage, Italian marble floor. (no price listed)

House, 2 story, 3 bdrm, study room, bar, 4 bathrooms, electric powered gate, garden, alarm. $110ooo

House, panoramic view from terrace, 3 bdrm. $32ooo

luxury Duplex $25ooo

House 1100m², yard 700m². $250ooo

House 280m², yard 600m², 4 bdrm, garage. $69ooo

House, 3 bdrm, 2 bathrooms, walled in yard, security bars, entrance for car, furnished. $28ooo

House, 3 bdrm, 3 bathrooms, swimming pool, large yard. $37ooo

1 meter is 3.3 feet and 1.1 yard.
m² (square meter) is 10.9 square feet
4047 square meters is 1 acre.
1 square meter is 10.7 square feet.
1 square meter is 1.2 square yards.
1 hectare is 10,000 square meters.
Click here for a metric converter and later close the window to return here.

My House Buyers Checklist
Are there security bars on the windows?
Is the land enclosed with wall or fence? (for security)
Are there young neighbors just hanging around in the street?
Is the house in a quiet neighborhood? (listen for road noise and loud music)
Is there a gated entrance for your car to park in your garage/yard overnight for security?
Do the windows have screens to keep out mosquitoes? (If you aren't an air conditioning addict.)
Does the shower have instant electric heaters or storage electric heaters? (storage has no risk of shock)
Do the following work good; doors/windows/locks/faucets/toilets/showers.
(But keep in mind that everything except location can be fixed/changed. Good neighborhoods demand a higher price for houses.)