Costa Rica
Why should I use a real estate agent when buying new in a development or condo?
July 22nd, 2009 categories: Buyer Tips, Costa Rica
Having an agent who represents you exclusively rather than an agent who is working for both the developer and the buyer can have advantages. In most cases, you won’t pay any more to have your own representative and you may even pay less. Your agent should be able to compare this condo, development or builder with others and give you the advantages and disadvantages. Your agent should be able to suggest clauses to insert in the contract or put in an addendum to protect your interests. It extremely important to remember that anything verbal is NOT enforceable. Be sure that anything you’re relying on is in writing and signed by both parties. Most developers DO care about you and keeping you happy – but perhaps they’ll care a little bit more if they’re also accountable to someone who represents more current and future business. You may not think to ask about pet restrictions or water connections or electrical outlet locations or whether the corridors have air conditioning – but a good real estate agent should bring these up.
If you’re buying in another country, such as Costa Rica, it’s even more important to have a good real estate agent (and a good attorney) representing you and covering your back. A homesite buyer commented on his experience buying a lot in Costa Rica. In response to his situation, I wrote about getting help buying real estate in Costa Rica. Clarifying all the conditions that you want to be met before you have to close on your purchase is important, and needs to be written in the contract! One of our services to clients who want to buy real estate in Costa Rica is to introduce them to an experienced real estate agent in Costa Rica with excellent local knowledge, good credentials and a track history, professionalism and integrity – someone who will “cover your back” and who will treat you there like we treat our clients here.
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Costa Rica is the “happiest” country
July 7th, 2009 categories: Costa Rica
CNN reports that Costa Rica is the happiest place in the world. It says a recent report from an independent research group in Britain says that the Costa Ricans report the highest life satisfaction in the world and the second-highest average life expectancy of the new world. 143 countries were surveyed. The United States ranked 114th and was greener and happier 20 years ago.
From personal observation, the Costa Rican people, or Ticos, are friendly, welcoming and enjoy the Pura Vida. It’s a pleasure to be around them.
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How do I get to my Costa Rica vacation home?
June 13th, 2009 categories: Costa Rica
Sadly, there are no direct commercial flights from Tampa to Costa Rica, despite its popularity as a destination.
From Miami to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, it’s a 2 hour 45 min flight on American Airlines – cost for the sampled first week of July is $235 round trip (from Tampa it’s $359 RT)
American also flies from Miami to Liberia, which is less than 30 minutes from several resort areas in Guanacaste (north Pacific coast, same flight time, but $662 round trip for the same period (obviously less demand). From Tampa it’s $572 on American via Miami or $517 on Delta via Atlanta (interesting logic it’s cheaper when you add an extra flight on American).
From Orlando to San Jose, Jet Blue flies 3 hours and 8 minutes, for $218 round trip for the same time period.
Spirit flies from Ft Lauderdale to San Jose for $228 round trip – and from Tampa to San Jose, changing planes in Ft Lauderdale, it’s just $238.
All these are captured at a moment in time, and have various fees, options, etc. but it gives you a general idea of flying back and forth to Costa Rica. It’s a lot easier and faster than flying to Hawaii.
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Why do people want to buy in Costa Rica?
June 10th, 2009 categories: Costa Rica
We frequently are asked, “Why do people want to buy in Costa Rica?” It has warm weather, a beautiful landscape, ocean and mountains, and is reasonably close. So? Lots of places have these.
Some of the other reasons are:
- a stable political climate (no army or militia since the 1940s)
- high literacy rate
- excellent health care
- easy to get along speaking only English and using dollars and credit cards
- relaxing lifestyle
- and most important of all, the wonderful Costa Rican people, or Ticos. They are happy people, welcoming to visitors, eager to please, and endlessly pleasant.
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Costa Rica building lot – Playa Panama
May 11th, 2009 categories: Costa Rica
One of our clients just returned from Costa Rica, after meeting a colleague of mine there. After an whirlwind 3 day tour, he learned a lot, got to know the Guanacaste area, and is purchasing a lot that he plans to build on in 4 or 5 years. This is in Playa Panama, about 20 minutes drive from the Liberia International Airport. If you’re thinking of buying in Costa Rica, let us help by introducing you to a professional agent who will have your interests at heart. Our client had a bit of trepidation about buying in a foreign country, but when he returned, his comment was “Any concerns I may have originally had about going there and being taken advantage of were quickly dispelled by such a consummate professional.” If you’re thinking of buying in Costa Rica, let us help by introducing you to a professional agent who will have your interests at heart.
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Playa Hermosa – Guanacaste
March 20th, 2009 categories: Costa Rica
Of the varied areas in Guanacaste region, on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, my favorite was the Playa Hermosa area, from Playa Ocotal to Playa Panama and Papagayo. This is a typical view from the hills.
Kevin Brass of the International Herald Tribune posted his analysis and market report of the area today.
Kevin was fortunate, as I was, to have Mike Simons as a guide. Before I met Mike in Playa Hermosa, he sent me enough reading material to keep me occupied for weeks. If you contact him directly, please tell him that Sharon Simms sent you!
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Experience the Costa Rica lifestyle
January 16th, 2009 categories: Costa Rica
Many places in Costa Rica have an impressive gate, perhaps some roads, and renderings of what’s planned to be there. Sorry – that’s not enough for me to be comfortable. I want to see, touch and feel – and understand the quality of the finished product. Here at del Pacifico in Esterillo Este you can see condominiums and single family homes that are already built – and you can even stay in a typical one so that you really get to know it. There are a final two condominiums in this first phase, or you can reserve a position in the next phase, to be located on the next hill over.
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Check out Costa Rica
January 15th, 2009 categories: Costa Rica
When the temperatures get cold up north (and even Florida is having a cold spell right now) it’s nice to have daily temperatures ranging from 70 to 84 F.
It’s time to show more clients real estate opportunities in Costa Rica – after they return on Monday, I’ll head up to the northern Pacific region of Guanacaste to check out that area as well.
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Portofino Founders Club – del Pacifico – Costa Rica
January 4th, 2009 categories: Costa Rica
Currently there is an opportunity to be a member of the Portofino Founders Club at Del Pacifico at Esterillos, Costa Rica. Protofino is the second phase of luxury condominiums on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There will be only 15 Founders in this section with 68 condos and 3 pools. Your $50,000 deposit is refundable and secures your priority for unit selection upon release, preconstruction pricing, And an exchange option to reserve a soon to be announced beach front condo project with an international 5 star resort operator. 2 bedroom units are 1,380 sq feet plus patios/balconies; 3 bedroom units will have 1,710 sq ft plus patios/balconies. First floor units will have a plunge pool on the terrace. Furnished units will be priced from $450/sq ft. Tami and I have stayed in a luxury condo in the first phase so can share our first hand knowledge. Contact us for information on purchasing in this Seaside Town with a Tropical Soul on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, between Jaco Beach and Quepos.
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Costa Rica sunset
September 21st, 2008 categories: Costa Rica
In August, Tami and I went to Costa Rica to begin exploring real estate opportunities for our clients. We went to the central Pacific Coast, to the del Pacifico development, in Esterillos, between Jaco and Quepos. The gathering was a great opportunity to really experience living in Costa Rica, and meet the people who would be living around us. One of the potential buyers who was there, Jeff Jones, took this sunset photo, which I think is a great introduction to the beauty of Costa Rica. I’ll be posting several more articles, but for now I can say – we were impressed, and we think there are real estate opportunities. Thanks, del Pacifico.
p.s. You can click on the photo to see a larger version.
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