Transferring Funds for Real Estate purchase & real estate generally

Rick: your questions answered:
1) The best and safest way is electronic wire transfers. I really would not recommend bringing bullion at all.
2)In a Real Estate transaction your attorney will handle title searches. Title insurance is available.
[Moderated: Communicate by PM please]

Rick,
No question is  " dumb "
As was mentioned by the former poster, I would locate a good attorney that does real estate as a specialty in Ecuador. I found a firm that I am very comfortable with. The attorney will guide you through all the aspects of the purchase, to include finance information. Ecuador is not the US, and there are a miriad of issues to contend with.... you'll want a good attorney.
Good Luck in your journey.
Neil

I was able to write a check from my US account.

Amy,
As I am coming to understand, that is the way most expats handle their banking in Ecuador. They deposit a check written on their US account to themselves, and then deposit into their bank in Ecuador. Saves on wire fees. All you need to be concerned with is having enough funds initially in your account in Ecuador to cover the aprx. 2 week lag time until the check clears from the states. Also, I guess that's where your ATM card comes in handy from the US.
As was your experience, the folks I was dealing with were willing to accept my personal US drawn check for a property purchase I was interested in.
Stay Well,
Neil

You were able to actually cash/ deposit the US check in Ecuador?! I would not recommend. Some folks waited over three weeks for clearance to have them turned down at the end due to "impossibility to verify personal info or signature".
How long did yours take to clear? Lucky Amy, good for you