What are the steps to buy property in Guatemala as a foreigner, and how long does registration take?

Every sale of real estate requires a public deed before a Guatemalan notary, who drafts it, attests to it, settles the taxes and files the testimonio with the RGP (Conservis Abogados). The sequence for a foreign buyer, per a commercial guide consistent with Conservis: 1) obtain a NIT from SAT with a passport; 2) due diligence with an RGP registry certificate, municipal IUSI clearance and a land-use certificate; 3) promise to sell with a deposit of 5–10%; 4) public deed; 5) payment of taxes; 6) recording of the testimonio at the RGP (2–4 weeks); 7) notarial notices to the municipality and to DICABI. Buying from abroad requires a power of attorney in public deed form, apostilled and protocolized in Guatemala. The timelines are market practice, not law.