| As we continue to hear all the excitement and see | | | | before making a final choice. |
| the overwhelming attraction to Costa Rica grow, not | | | | 4. Go check it out for yourself! Costa Rica is a short |
| only as a wonderful vacation and tourist spot, but | | | | plane ride from the States. One visit will be all it takes |
| also as it races up many lists to become the number | | | | before you and your family will want to have a piece |
| one real estate investment location in the world, one | | | | of land for yourselves. Find a nice hotel near the area |
| can't help but be intrigued and want to know more. | | | | you are considering and spend a few days personally |
| More and more people are seeking vacation homes, | | | | visiting each location. There are so many factors at |
| retirement homes, rental homes, and even full time | | | | play- unless you go see it for yourself you may end |
| homes in beautiful, exotic Costa Rica. It's a tropical | | | | up with an unpleasant surprise! Visiting Costa Rica to |
| country - What's not to love?! | | | | view the piece of real estate is very important and |
| Shopping for real estate in Costa Rica can be | | | | will give you a chance to learn the language while |
| challenging from your current location, so here are a | | | | building trust between you and your realtor and |
| few tips that will help you select the perfect Costa | | | | lawyer. |
| Rican dream home for you! | | | | 5. While you're there, make friends with your |
| 1. The most important thing is to make sure you get | | | | neighbors! They may be able to fill you in on some |
| to see up-to-date photos of what the interior and | | | | less commonly known secrets of the area- like an |
| exterior of the home currently looks like. If there are | | | | amazing restaurant most people don't know about, |
| no photos available, then you should keep looking. | | | | or the best place to go dancing! |
| Also, don't go strictly by brochures and guide | | | | 6. When purchasing real estate in Costa Rica, it is |
| books-they could be very outdated. There's no | | | | pertinent to find a licensed broker to help negotiate |
| saying when those photos were taken. Luckily, most | | | | prices while educating you about available financing |
| Real Estate agents are very accommodating in | | | | options. You will also want to make sure that your |
| producing current photos of houses. | | | | beautiful piece of Costa Rica real estate has the |
| 2. Make a list for yourself of the amenities that are | | | | legitimate title for liens, the status and ownership |
| absolutely necessary, and those that you would | | | | documents, and surveys to confirm the property's |
| simply enjoy, but aren't really deal-breakers. Keep | | | | full size. It is worth your time and patience to visit |
| that list handy while evaluating possible real estate. | | | | Costa Rica's Land Title Office in Zapote, near San |
| This will help you easily eliminate the homes that do | | | | Jose; to confirm your purchase of Costa Rican real |
| not fit your needs. | | | | estate. |
| 3. Once you've selected a few prospect homes, call | | | | 7. As in the States, you will need to hire a lawyer to |
| the owners personally. This will give you the | | | | draft a transfer deed of the Costa Rica real estate |
| opportunity to speak with them directly, which may | | | | to confirm the transfer of ownership from seller to |
| impact your final decision. You might learn that they | | | | buyer. Additional fees are to be expected. |
| have nearby amenities you didn't know about before | | | | 8. There are a few books that focus on real estate |
| and would very much enjoy. Or you may find out | | | | in Costa Rica. Bill Baker's wrote "The Rules of the |
| that the nearest town with restaurants and shopping | | | | Game: Buying Real Estate in Costa Rica." Also, Alvaro |
| is an hour away... all things you'd want to learn about | | | | Carballo wrote "Purchasing Real Estate in Costa Rica. |