Affordable Property Investment In Costa Rica
In: Business
22
Jul
2009
by Randy Berg
Property Investment in Costa Rica is a booming sector. Costa Rica welcomes people from countries all around the world to come here. The country of Costa Rica nestled in the Central American region was discovered by Christopher Columbus in the 1500s. This country comprises of a group of islands and was aptly named Costa Rica by its discoverer because of its extensive and rich coastline. Costa Rica is a Spanish name which when translates to English means “rich coast”.
The beauty of Costa Rica is very enchanting and captivating. This country was so long unexplored and unexploited. However, as more and more tourists pour into this pleasant country, its fame is spreading far and wide. Almost every tourist who visits this country carries with him/her the dream of buying property in Costa Rica.
Property investment in Costa Rica is on the rise today also because of the various types of property that a person can invest in. Starting with a lovely beach home to a luxurious hotel, there are a number of options for the investor to choose from. Each of these properties is sure to rake in profits in a short period of time due to the increasing exposure to Costa Rica.
The various options that Costa Rica offers for property investment are beach properties, upscale residential homes, farms and mountain properties. Some of the places in Costa Rica where your investment in property will prove worthwhile are in the Central Provinces of Heredia and Alajuela, locations in San Jose such as Escazu and Santa Ana and places like Puerto Viejo, Punta Uva and Dominical.
Costa Rica property investment is also a good option because the country offers good infrastructure support like good roads, good Internet connectivity, public transportation, free trade zones, universities, schools, banks and good air transport. The weather in Costa Rica and the scenic beauty of this land ranging from the bountiful rainforest’s to the volcanoes and the enticing beaches ensures that property investment is worth every penny here.
Property investment in Costa Rica is a great thought; however, certain precautionary measures have to be borne in mind in order to avoid getting the raw side of the deal. The most important aspect is to understand and accept the fact that the Costa Rican real estate is a two tiered market. The Costa Ricans quote different prices for the same property to the “ticos” (natives) and the “gringos” (foreigners). Most of the ticos have an assumption that the gringos are all very rich people and hence they tend to quote a price nearly twice the price quoted to a tico. Hence, you need to negotiate well with the ticos to ensure you get a good price for the property.
There are certain points to keep in mind while investing in property in Costa Rica. The Costa Rica real estate market is a two-tiered market which means that there are different rates for the same property for the “ticos” (natives of Costa Rica) and “gringos” (foreigners who come for investment). The property prices quoted for the “gringos” are nearly twice the price quoted for “ticos”. Hence, it is important to bear this point in mind and negotiate on the costs demanded by the seller for the property.
Another important aspect to note is that the legal process is completed thoroughly. It is important to have sufficient knowledge on how to get the property registered in your name completely and take over 100% ownership rights on the property. If you are not aware of this, it is recommended to take the services of a local attorney who can hand hold you through this entire procedure.