How Folio works, step by step
From a listing you are curious about to a clear document in your lawyer's hands. Here is the whole flow, with nothing hidden and no promise that a property is "safe."
Enter a property, Folio pulls the official layers, you read the flags, you upgrade to the verified report if it is worth it, and you take that document to your lawyer. Free to start, and informational the whole way through.
The flow, start to finish
Folio is built as a funnel from curiosity to decision, and every step is honest about what it can and cannot tell you. You never have to commit money to find out whether a property is worth pursuing.
Start with a location, a listing, or a plano or finca number. No account needed. Folio finds the parcel and draws it.
It overlays the official data on that parcel: the cadastre, the 200-meter maritime zone, SINAC protected areas, CNE flood and risk, and water context.
See in one view where the property touches each layer. A flag is a "look here," not a verdict. Now you know what to ask.
If the property deserves a closer look, the verified $29 report confirms the exact parcel, pulls the registry detail and liens, and gathers the official documents.
Hand the report to your attorney so their time goes to judgment and negotiation, not data-gathering. The decision, and the legal review, stay with the professionals.
Free to start, no account required. See the official picture before you fall for a photo.
Why the order matters
The sequence is deliberate. Most buyers get attached to a property first and check the facts last, often after money is already committed. Folio flips that. The free check comes before any spend, so you can walk away early and cheaply. The report comes only when a property has earned a closer look. And the lawyer comes at the end, working from an assembled picture instead of a blank page, which is where their expertise is actually worth paying for.
Finishing the flow does not make a property "safe", "clean", or "guaranteed." Folio is informational and independent, not affiliated with any government agency. It does not give legal advice and does not replace your lawyer, notary, or surveyor. It gets you and your professionals to a clear, shared picture faster.
What each step costs
| Step | What you get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Free property check | Official layers and flags on any property | Free |
| Verified report | Confirmed parcel, registry detail, official documents | $29 |
| Your lawyer | Legal judgment, contract, transfer | Their fee |
Free to start. Read the flags, and only go deeper if the property is worth it.
Frequently asked questions
How does Folio work, in one sentence?
You enter a property, Folio overlays the official layers, you read the flags, you can upgrade to a verified report, and you take that clear document to your lawyer.
Do I need an account to start?
No. The free check works without an account. You only create one or pay if you want the verified report.
Where does the lawyer come in?
At the end, by design. Folio gathers the record so your lawyer spends time on judgment and the legal review, not data-gathering. Folio never replaces counsel and is not legal advice.
Does finishing mean the property is safe?
No. The flow gives you a clear picture of the official record. It never calls a property safe, clean, or guaranteed. The decision rests with you and your professionals.