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| and guide books-they could be very outdated.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