Once those preparations are out of the way, it is time to find the right property for you. Our clients are choosing their Costa Rican beach properties either by going on live tours or by video tours which can be done together by FaceTime, Zoom, or WhatsApp, or by reviewing videos that we prepare and send to you.
Do Some Online Research or Take a Drive
Get to know the neighborhoods, gated communities, and different beaches that interest you. Research or drive around and get a feel for what it would be like to own a property in that area. Start getting a sense of the properties available in those areas. Check out our
COMMUNITIES section for helpful information and videos to guide you to the area that you feel will be most suited to your needs and desires.
Think about how you will be spending your time at this Property. Do you want to be walkable to the beach? Are you a surfer? Do you love to go hiking? Do you love to swim? Is having an ocean view a must for you? Do you want a pet-friendly neighborhood? Are you OK to drive to grocery stores and restaurants or is it important to you that you are able to walk to them? How close do you need to be to medical? Is being in a gated community important to you? Do you like the hustle and bustle of a busier tourist down or do you prefer to see wildlife over other human beings? How much land do you need? Is a certain view important to you? Do you need to be close to schools? Is being close to a farm to ride horses important to you? Do you imagine yourself eating your dinners outside so you need a covered balcony? Do you want to be near a church? Is having social activities nearby important to you? Are you OK with paying a monthly HOA knowing you get services for it?
Narrow Your Search
We will always listen to your wishlist and dreams and will do a full property search for you. Select a few properties that interest you the most and have your real estate agent make appointments to visit them. We suggest you keep this to no more than 5 or 6 properties. Otherwise, it gets overwhelming and it is difficult to distinguish them and you could have trouble making the best decision for you. Ask your real estate agent about the potential long-term resale value of the properties you are considering.
Time to Buy
Once you have picked out the property you want to purchase, we will help you make an offer that the Seller will accept. Closing costs on a property in Costa Rica are approximately 4% (2.5% government transfer taxes and stamps, 1.25% closing notary fees, and 0.25% escrow agent fees). The closing costs are negotiable but tend to be borne by the Buyer. The Seller is responsible for paying real estate agent commissions. Your real estate agent can also help you draft your offer in a way that gives you an advantage over another offer.
