Properties in Costa Rica Blog

In 1955, a real estate professional by the name of Delbert Williams came up with what is now known as the realtor lock box. The lockbox then was just an aluminum container for the house key. This container was secured with a padlock and then hidden on the premises. Although simple in design, at the time, the lockbox had solved a problem that most real estate professionals encounter of having to go back and forth from their office or the house owners to get the keys to access properties they were selling.

The process took time away from showing a house to prospective buyers. The lockbox was the perfect solution, and many real estate professionals followed suite to make it easier for them to do their jobs.

If you’re just like Delbert Williams, and other real estate agents who run back and forth to the office or colleagues to get keys, then maybe you need a lockbox for your properties. However, you might have heard some disadvantages of using a lockbox, deterring you from buying. In this article, we’ll discuss four advantages and disadvantages of using a real estate lockbox.

Advantages of Using a Real Estate Lockbox

Lockboxes Can Save a Realtor’s Time

The main purpose of a lockbox is to save time. Without a lockbox, agents would have to get the keys to a property from the house owner, their office, or colleagues.

There is also the chance that the changing of hands could lead to an agent taking the wrong key. This mistake not only makes it difficult to show a house, but if a buyer has to wait for the right key to be found, they might get impatient because of the delay and just back out before even viewing the property.

A lockbox also helps a real estate agent with multiple listings under their care. It saves them from having to bring multiple keys with them as they work, lowers the risk of accidentally grabbing the wrong key, and avoids the possibility of losing a key.

Lockboxes Are Convenient for Houses with a Lot of Foot Traffic

A house for sale might have contractors, workers, agents, and occupants walking in and out of the property. Having a lockbox eliminates the need for all of these people to have copies of a house key.

If too many people had a key for the house, there is the possibility of losing it and giving people unauthorized access to the property. Aside from this, giving them a key would mean they would have access to the property whenever they wanted. This could be inconvenient if the house was occupied, or it can even lead to a serious security breach if there’s no one around.

Electronic Lockbox Access Can Be Set to a Specific Time

Electronic lockboxes have more advanced security measures, and one of these measures is the ability to set the time a lockbox can be accessed. For example, the house owner or an agent can allow people to unlock the lockbox only during daytime or office hours. The codes given to workers or other authorized personnel will only work during the given time. This security measure prohibits unauthorized access, especially if a property has a lot of foot traffic.

Electronic Lockboxes Can Track Access to Property

Another advantage of an electronic lockbox is its ability to track lockbox activity. Because electronic lockboxes have advanced security measures, smartphone apps or electronic key cards are required to access them. As these apps or key cards are assigned to a specific person, their information is logged in whenever they unlock the storage unit. Aside from their name, the time and date of when they accessed the lockbox are also recorded.

This security measure can help an owner track any unauthorized usage and suspicious behavior from their workers or agents. It can also deter workers or agents from abusing their access to the property as house owners will see who accessed the property and when it was accessed.

Disadvantages of Using a Real Estate Lockbox

Lockboxes’ Keys Can Get Lost or Stolen

The biggest disadvantage of using a lockbox that requires a key to open it is the risk of losing the key itself. A solution for this is to keep track of the key or place it somewhere safe. Another solution is to get a more advanced lockbox. Either a combination or electronic lockbox would provide better security. A combination code will not be stolen easily, and an electronic lockbox will have additional security features like those mentioned previously.

Combination Lockboxes’ Code Can Be Cracked

Although combination lockboxes can provide better security, the combination code can still be cracked.

In some cases, prospective buyers can sneak a peek as the agent enters the code. They might then return to the property to steal furniture or use the house for their enjoyment.

A real estate agent may also accidentally reveal the code. If they have it written down somewhere, this piece of information can get lost in the office or near the property, giving strangers access to the house. If the code is on a cloud server without password protection, the server could easily be hacked.

The greatest disadvantage to a combination lockbox is that some older models can be broken into by a thief trying all kinds of combinations. As these lockboxes don’t have a program to limit the combinations being entered, a malicious individual can keep guessing until they crack the code.

You can avoid these problems by taking extra measures to ensure the code combination will never get revealed or stolen. Obfuscating any line of sight as the code is being entered or getting the key before the visitors arrive are just some ways to safeguard the combination. It’s best to change the code regularly or right after a showing so that guests can’t use the code you previously entered.

Another solution is to get an electronic lockbox instead. Because electronic lockboxes use an electronic key card or a smartphone app to be unlocked, the lockbox isn’t as easily cracked as other types of storage units.

Older Lockboxes Can Deteriorate or Can Be Forced Open

You might be tempted to get an older model of a lockbox as these will be cheaper, but they can also pose a security threat.

Older models can be damaged by the elements. Lockboxes can that are subjected to heavy snow or rainfall can deteriorate over time. Thus, they can easily rust or break down, which will make it hard for an agent to open the lockbox and access the property. This type of damage can also make it easy for anyone to force open the lockbox, giving easy access to the keys of the property.

To guarantee that this never happens to you, ensure that the lockbox you buy is made of sturdy and durable materials that can withstand any type of weather or forceful impact. Newer models are also fire-proof and burglar-proof, giving them an added layer of security and protection.

Electronic Lockboxes Can Be Expensive

Because of the security features of an electronic lockbox, such models can be expensive for some homeowners. Good quality lockboxes with all the best features and an easy-to-understand smartphone app interface will usually cost around $100 or more. Many homeowners will balk at the price and feel like they should settle for something cheaper or not buy one at all.

But a lockbox is a great investment if you want to keep your home safe from invaders, especially if you’re opening it to several strangers in the hope that they will buy it.

Lockboxes provide several benefits to both house owners and real estate agents, such as ease of access to the property and added security. And while there may be some disadvantages to using a lockbox, these disadvantages still outweigh the many benefits that they can bring to the table.

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Yet another Hollywood star is added to the list of people connecting with nature and relaxing in Costa Rica; this time, the country welcomed none other than Zac Efron. The 34-year-old was caught relaxing in beautiful Santa Teresa along with his brother and best friend, looking to relax from the intense environment that comes with being an A-list celebrity.

This has not been the first time he visits the country, as he was exploring towns in Limón and San Mateo while showcasing the sustainable practices taking place in each place for his famous Netflix show, “Down to Earth”.

It’s clear to see that Costa Rica is a place where the famous actor formed a unique and special bond. Efron had already visited the country back in 2016, where he touristed places such as the Osa and Papagayo Peninsulas and was pictured in wonderful waterfalls and beaches with his closest friends. A few days ago, he posted two pictures alongside his brother Dylan and left his followers with a heartfelt message to the country: “Mi corazón está aquí”, in other words, “My heart is here”.

Why is Costa Rica such a popular location for Hollywood stars you ask? Well, apart from the amazing flora, fauna, rainforest and green landscapes, the country is a place where people tend to wander off the cameras for a while and connect with themselves by going to the beach, waterfalls, volcanos, to name a few. One of these places is Santa Teresa, given that it combines a bit of everything, from it its pristine beach to its vivid town aura that has resonated with all your famous TV stars.

Costa Rica is well known for its sustainability-oriented vision and initiatives towards the conservation of its most precious zones. This is not the exemption for the new underwater project that the Rocky Reef Conservation and the Punta Leona Hotel have been working on, combining art with the conservation of marine life. We’re talking about an underwater museum located 50 meters off the Central Pacific Coast and at a depth of 2 meters in low tides, making it perfect place to experience snorkeling or amazing diving sessions.

The backbone of this project is the fact that it constitutes in a type of regenerative art where Costa Rican sculptor Fabio Brenes along with some help from James Madison University students created three stone and wood pieces that portray three of the most representative figures of the zone: the “Cacique Garabito”, a manta ray , and a sea turtle. With a renowned record of over 20 years working in wood sculptures, it is safe to say that Mr. Brenes knows his work and during his years of creation, most of his artwork has been inspired by the awe of nature and figurative elements that belong to it. Not only do these sculptures enhance the diving experience for the people, but this type of art also considers the habitants of the sea as they have been created to offer them another type of home. Keep in mind, this is only the beginning stage of the project, meaning that their efforts and actions towards creating even more habitats and places for marine flora & fauna to thrive is just starting. For those who love the sea, this is a great step in the direction towards a healthier relationship with our surroundings and the animals that live in it. Stay close for more updates on the wonderful underwater museum in Garabito, Puntarenas.

Source:

• Fernandez, Ileana. (March 12, 2022) Costa Rica’s First. Underwater Museum. Recovered March 20, 2022, from: https://ticotimes.net/2022/03/12/costa-ricas-first-underwater-museum

Costa Rica is a fascinating and picturesque country with beautiful nature and rich history of its foundation and development. Lots of Best Writers Online, who have ever been to Costa Rica or lived there, cannot be silent and stop describing this unique nature and people in their books.

If you are keen on Latin American countries and their peculiarities, we have gathered the best books about Costa Rica that will make you want to visit this country.

Lonely Planet Costa Rican Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary

by Thomas Kohnstamm

Costa Rican people speak Spanish, but this language is a little different from the Spanish you may have learned on a language course. Due to the influence of Costa Rican culture and local traditions, the language was transformed, including jargon and dialects known to local citizens. This book will come in handy for people who want to familiarize themselves with the peculiarities of Costa Rican Spanish and dive into their culture. The book will be easier to read for those who know the fundamentals of Spanish but don’t be afraid of challenges to start learning a foreign language from scratch.

Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate: Exotic and Unseen Costa Rica

by Jack Ewing

This book consists of several narrations published in the chain of logic by Jack Ewing. The author has been living in Costa Rica for 30 years, which has pushed him to describe the fascinating nature and culture of this country in the book. Costa Rica is an exotic country with exciting nature that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet. This book is a kind of guide for people who are willing to visit Costa Rica for the first time but don’t know where to start their trip.

La isla de los hombres solos

by José León Sánchez

This book is supposed to be one of the most popular books of Latin American literature for the last decades. The book tells readers a true story based on the narration of a prisoner on the island of San Lucas, who was accused of a crime he didn’t commit. This book is a detailed biography of this prisoner, which he decided to tell the world after the release. A small spoiler—the author of the book is Sánchez, the prisoner.

The Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide

by Richard Garrigues, illustrated by Robert Dean

As we have mentioned previously in this post, Costa Rica is known for its picturesque flora and fauna. The great peculiarity of its nature is a huge variety of birds. As writing service reviews Trust My Paper writes, many tourists come to Costa Rica in the seasons of birdwatching—tours along with the places where you can see hundreds of different birds. This book is a kind of encyclopedia that tells readers about all kinds of birds you can see in Costa Rica, with their pictures and locations. You can boldly explore the nature of Costa Rica, being aware of its specifics.

Costa Rica: A Traveler’s Literary Companion

by Barbara Ras

This is a great piece of literature that combines 26 different stories from local citizens. By reading this guide, you can replenish your knowledge about the different regions and districts of Costa Rica, their culture, traditions, and differentiators. You can read the detailed descriptions of nature, landscapes, mountains, deserts, coasts, and so on. We promise you will fall in love with Costa Rica after reading this book, where the author shares sincere feelings and moods.

Cut the Crap & Move To Costa Rica: A How-to Guide Based on These Gringos’ Experience

by Steve & Nikki Page

This is a very useful guide on how to move to Costa Rica for all people that dream to change their location and travel the world. Here, readers can find practical and true-based tips on how to find the apartments, what insurance, and other documents you need to move. You will also find out how to find a job as soon as possible, get a bank account, and rent a car. Moreover, readers will read about the real stories of people who moved to Costa Rica from different countries and whether it is worth it.

The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica

by Mavis Hiltunen Biesanz, Richard Biesanz, and Karen Zubris Biesanz

This book is completely dedicated to the history and foundation of Costa Rica. The authors tell readers about the main factors that influence Costa Rica to make this place a country we can see nowadays. You can find out more about its history and key personalities, the current government, and social system, level of life, and values of local people. The writers have made a great exploration of the internal processes of the country to make people aware of everything before they decide to visit or move to Costa Rica.

The Best Short Stories of Quince Duncan

by Quince Duncan

The author of this book is considered to be the first Afro-Caribbean writer who succeeded to become popular and promote his art. This book is a combination of different short narrations from other black authors about the racial identity in Costa Rica. You can learn about the life stories of African descent race from the past till today to know the local people and their principles better.

A Beach House to Die For

by K.C. Ames

This is a fictional story about a middle-aged woman who has recently divorced and has a challenging period of life. But everything changes when she finds out about the inherited villa in Costa Rica, a beautiful and sunny country. So she decides to move to the house and start a new life from scratch. She gets into the fascinating world of nature and new people who inspire her to keep going.

Two Weeks in Costa Rica

by Matthew Houde and Jennifer Turnbull

The title of the book speaks for itself. This is a story of a couple who have spent two weeks in Costa Rica. They have visited numerous cities and places, communicating with local citizens and writing down their stories and experiences. The authors depicted the bright and saturated lives of Costa Rican people, the adventures they get in on a regular basis, and what aims they mainly follow in their lives.

To Sum Up

We hope you will find these books interesting and useful for widening your knowledge about Costa Rica, and its culture. More book reviews can be found on the custom writing service Writing Judge. This exotic country is a must-visit for all travelers who are willing to see the most beautiful landscapes in the world.