Properties in Costa Rica Blog

Monthly Archives: June 2015


Retirees Seeking Sustainable Living and Green Homes Move to Costa Rica

Retirees Seeking Sustainable Living and Green Homes Move to Costa Rica

June 26, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

According to a recent New York Times article, green communities are gaining popularity among downsizing retirees. A combination of factors including a desire to cut cost of living and wanting to live a more sustainable lifestyle are driving this trend. Costa Rica does not have a shortage of green homes or planned communities. The high quality of life combined with a low cost of living continues to attract retirees from North America and Europe seeking a slower pace of life without sacrificing quality. The demand for green homes and communities is expected to significantly grow in the coming years. Costa Rica is also on track to become the first carbon neutral country by 2021. It’s become a global model for other countries to follow. The climate is very conducive to solar powered homes, and a large number of developers are building sustainable homes as well as communities. It’s a major priority in Costa Rica.

Green communities offer the opportunity to live among like-minded retirees who want to live a more sustainable lifestyle. It’s a community of people who share a common purpose. Costa Rica has a large number of planned green communities. Boomers retiring are conscious of the environmental concerns plaguing the planet. Cutting their personal energy consumption is a priority and living in a green community or home contributes to creating a sustainable world. They are also concerned with rising energy costs. Green homes save both energy and money. There are green homes that offer top of the line amenities in beautiful communities here. These homes provide the opportunity to live a high quality of life without sacrificing the needs of the future. It’s a winning combination for everyone.

Whether you are looking to buy a parcel of land to build your dream green home or purchase a home in an established community committed to sustainability, there are many choices. With the cost of green homes ranges anywhere from five to seven figures, anyone looking to purchase a sustainable home is able to finding something that fits his budget. From the simple casita to the luxury home both offer a high quality of life and comfort comparatively. Low tech or high tech, it’s about utilising the best of modern design practices and local materials to build and design these homes.

Buyers must their research before purchasing a green home of moving into a green community. There is a wide spectrum of what people define as “green.” Examine the home’s energy use and output, and if you are moving into a community, ask them the same questions. It’s also best to work with a reputable realtor who can help guide you in the right direction. Purchasing green or moving into a green community raises your overall quality of life and contributes to creating a sustainable world. Costa Rica is an ideal place for those looking to purchase a green home and live a sustainable lifestyle.




Costa Rica Home to World Champion Surf

Costa Rica Home to World Champion Surf

June 19, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

Costa Rica was recently crowned the world champion surf capital. Last week Costa Rica’s team won a gold medal in the International Surfing Association (ISA) 2015 World Surfing Games held in Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua. It was another historic moment for this team. Costa Rica continues to hold it’s legendary reputation as the world surf capital. There is great surfing in places popular with tourists as well as off the beaten path places you can trek to for mind-blowing breaks and legendary tubes. Surfing and Costa Rica are synonymous.

Here are some of Costa Rica’s best surfing destinations:

DOMINICAL

Known as the gateway to the southern zone is Dominical, a surfing capital and a must stop for all surfers headed to the remote Osa Pensinsula. Dominical is very laid-back and the surf is consistently good here. It’s a beach break with a river mouth, and when the swells are strong the waves can get pretty huge.

PLAYA HERMOSA

Playa Hermosa located in Jaco, the central Pacific region of Costa Rica, is a daring surf adventure. With strong swells and waves getting as high 13 feet, the surfing is for experts, not beginners. Every year, it attracts pros from all over the world. It is also home to the International Quicksilver Surf Championships.

PLAYA TAMARINDO

Playa Tamarindo is probably one of the most heavily trafficked surfing destinations in Costa Rica. It is perfect for beginners, surfers getting a refresher and child friendly. Close by there are a few more challenging breaks in the area such as Ollie’s Point and Witches Break more suitable for pros. The general area is home miles of beach breaks friendly to both beginners and experts.

CARIBBEAN COAST

Along the Caribbean Coast, there are many top surf spots. Just offshore from Porto Limon is Isla Uvita an incredible barrelling left wave that peels around the islands reef and is quite a sight to behold. There is also Cahuita, home to the largest coral reef in Costa Rica and accessible only by boat or foot.

PLAYA JACO

Playa Jaco is a world-renown surf destination and home to some of Costa Rica’s most famous surfers. The small beach town is filled with surf shops and surf camps. The surf attracts both beginners and experts, and it is the first stop in everyone’s surfing itinerary. This popular spot gets crowded but a great place to land and get your footing in Costa Rica’s legendary surf. Jaco features a small beach break with lots of peaks and waves here can get as high as ten feet.

MAL PAIS

Along the southern tip of Nicoya Peninsula are Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen and Mal Pais. These are some of the Pacific Coast’s best beaches. Mal Pais is the most rustic of the three areas and offers incredible surfing. This rustic destination is also very popular with younger crowds. There are several excellent surfing spots in the area. Suck Rock is a right-hand break that can get pretty big with eaves as high as 20-feet. Playa Hermosa is never crowded and has a great right-hand point break that works well in medium and low tides. Playa Carmen produces the most consistently good waves in the region. La Lora is also consistently good and home to several surfing competitions.

PAVONES and MATAPALO

In the southern zone in the Osa Peninsula bordering Corcovado National Park and across the Golfo Dulce is Pavones. This area is known as the edge of the world. The area is home to several legendary breaks that for a long time were only known through word of mouth by surfers in search of the ultimate wave. Accessible only by boat, this surfing mecca attracts surfers from all the over the world. It also home to this year’s world surfing champions. It has a left-point break that is the world’s longest wave in the world. On a good day, it can last as long as two to three minutes. Puerto Jimenez is also a not to be missed legendary break in the region. At the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula is Matapalo with three right point breaks.

If you are looking for world-class surfing and adventure, there is nowhere in the world that can top Costa Rica. It is the best of the best and a place not to be missed.




Purchasing Property in Costa Rica

Purchasing Property in Costa Rica

June 12, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

The recession is officially over in the United States and economies are picking up. More foreign buyers are turning their attention to Costa Rica to purchase property. Both European and American buyers are attracted to this Latin American country known for its high quality of life. Costa Rica’s stable economy and government, as well as near perfect weather makes it popular among foreign buyers. Today, second homes are more than a place to retreat for a vacation they are also a smart investment opportunity. People with large cash reserves are turning their attention to real estate as an alternative investment opportunity to diversify their portfolios. There are few countries in the world as friendly to foreign buyers as Costa Rica. The country grants foreigners the same property rights to non-citizens as citizens.

The real estate market is predominantly cash based here and therefore stable. Unlike the US, there is little threat of a major real estate crash because there is very little debt financing involved in the market. Year round great weather at a fraction of the price of comparable beach communities in the US or places such as the South of France makes purchasing property in Costa Rica a very attractive option for many foreign buyers.

The steps to purchasing property in Costa Rica are fairly straightforward. First, it is critical to check the chain of title through the National Registry and verify ownership rights. In Costa Rica, there is a large of amount of untitled land and concession property, which is not privately held. While it is possible to possess property not held under a title, it does not grant ownership rights. Most foreign buyers want to avoid concession and untitled property because of the risk involved in taking possession without a title.

Once you are ready to make a purchase, you begin the process through an option purchase agreement or promissory note, which is notarised. At this point in the process, you do all the necessary legal research and due diligence on the property including checking the title, borders and boundaries. Once the research is completed, a conveyance deed is drafted up. This document transfers the ownership title to the new owner. Next the notary public must register the property with the National Registry. It is the last and vital step in purchasing property in Costa Rica. Ownership is not officially transferred until the title appears in the National Registry.

Choosing a reputable notary public is critical in ensuring a smooth transition of property ownership. Once the conveyance deed is recorded, the owner or a representative must declare the property with the local municipality for tax purposes. When purchasing property in Costa Rica as a foreigner, it is not essential to be in the country. An attorney can also represent you. When it comes time to select someone to represent your interests in purchasing property in Costa Rica, research and do your due diligence. Working with reputable individuals who not only possess expertise in the real estate market but also have strong relationships with the local culture and municipalities will help streamline the entire process.




The Pros and Cons of Prefab Homes

June 8, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

With so many parcels of land available in Costa Rica, prefab (or modular) homes are gaining in popularity as buyers seek simple relatively inexpensive ways to build a home on recently purchased lots. There are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to go with a modular home or to build a custom design home. With a modular home, you are choosing from a limited number of models where portions of the home are built in a factory and then assembled on site. With a custom designed home, you start from scratch working with an architect to design the home and a contractor to build a home on site from the ground up.

Here are some of the pros and cons of prefab homes:

PROS

Eco-friendly

Modular homes use fewer resources, and many companies create green designed homes. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, use fewer resources and create less waste then a prefab home is the preferred option

Fast and easy to build 

You’ll have your own home up and inhabitable much faster than if you custom design a house. If you need to build a home quickly than a modular home is the best choice. It can be completed in a matter of weeks.

CONS

Limited choices

If you are looking to build your dream home than its time to hire an architect to help you construct your ultimate vision. While there is some flexibility, modular homes offer designs with limited customizable options.

Resale price

Also, with a modular home you will save in cost with the initial cash outlay but the resale value will be less than with a custom design home. In the long run, a prefab can cost you money.

It all depends on your intention for purchasing the property and designing the home. If your main purpose is to have an investment property and you have the cash available than a custom design home would be the preferred option. However, if you are planning to live in the home, hold onto the property long term and have limited funds available than a modular home may be the best option. Also, keep in mind that the cost of land can be equal to that of purchasing a property with an existing home. Take the time to think through both your short term and long-term goals when making a decision about whether to go the prefab or custom design route.

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