Análisis del comportamiento de alquiler de bienes raíces en la ciudad de Guayaquil.

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the behavior of the real estate rental market in the city of Guayaquil, with an emphasis on the factors that influence tenants’ decisions when renting a property. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies. In the qualitative phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with current and recent tenants, allowing for a better understanding of their motivations, perceptions, and experiences during the property search, selection, and negotiation process. In the quantitative, descriptive phase, sociodemographic questionnaires were applied, and official statistics from the INEC and the Central Bank of Ecuador were consulted in order to characterize the participants and provide a contextual overview of the real estate market in the city. The results show that, in addition to economic and geographic factors such as price and location, social, cultural, psychological, and emotional variables also influence the decision to rent, such as neighborhood safety, expected quality of life, and previous rental experiences. Furthermore, the study confirmed the usefulness of the Engel, Kollat, and Blackwell (EKB) model to explain the stages of the tenants’ decision-making process. The research identified consumer profiles that can guide both property owners and real estate agents in optimizing their offerings, as well as authorities in formulating public policies that promote more equitable and sustainable access to the rental market in Guayaquil.