Costa Rica Real Estate: 5 Common Pitfalls to Avoid
There’s a reason pools have shallow ends. Not everybody is the cannonball-sort. For sure Costa Rica has plenty of deep ends to explore, but you like to take your time, move wisely. There’s a smart way, and there is a not-so-smart way to approach luxury investment in the world of Costa Rica real estate. Today we are talking to the toe-dippers, but perhaps you cannon-ballers should tune in too. We think this is good advice.
Costa Rica is much more than other second-home beach locations, in so many ways: bigger waterfalls, more beaches, and many micro-climates to choose from. Pound for pound, your investment in Costa Rica is so much more valuable, and we're not just talking about the high resale rates.
You didn't become a luxury vacation home buyer by being foolish about spending. Whether we're talking about time or money, this experience should be no exception to that rule. Take your time. Check things out the right way.
Here is our shortlist of five pitfalls to avoid when shopping for a luxury vacation home in Costa Rica, don't forget to read our freshly updated and comprehensive Guide to Buying a Property in Costa Rica:
Of course, an agent solves most of these. A name like Coldwell Banker brands history and trust, and of course we want you to go with us, but your first metric should be trusted. An agent you trust is one with whom you’ll build a better relationship. Your agent should not only be connected with the right professionals to get the job done, the right way, he should feel like your friend.
Keep these rules in your pocket for reference. This is such an exciting time for you and it should be fun. We hope it’s fun, no matter what. We hope we can share in that fun along with you. (In case you didn't know, we’re toe-dippers too.)
Your perfect Costa Rica real estate investment likely has a pool. It’s probably an infinity pool. (People like those around here.) Whatever it offers, make sure it has a shallow end. Make sure you've got a someone looking out for you who knows what you want because you told him, and he listened.
Come check out our Pinterest board for this blog and follow us!
Costa Rica is much more than other second-home beach locations, in so many ways: bigger waterfalls, more beaches, and many micro-climates to choose from. Pound for pound, your investment in Costa Rica is so much more valuable, and we're not just talking about the high resale rates.
You didn't become a luxury vacation home buyer by being foolish about spending. Whether we're talking about time or money, this experience should be no exception to that rule. Take your time. Check things out the right way.
Here is our shortlist of five pitfalls to avoid when shopping for a luxury vacation home in Costa Rica, don't forget to read our freshly updated and comprehensive Guide to Buying a Property in Costa Rica:
- Buy too soon
Slow down, because Costa Rica is diverse, you'll want to shop around and look at different areas. Stay near the cloud forest, near a volcano, and near the beach. Try staying anyplace that sounds interesting. There are 15-microclimates from which to choose.No matter what, take your time deciding where to make your purchase. [Pro tip: let your Coldwell Banker agent help organize this for you.]
- Visit only one time of year
The off-season for Costa Rica, depending on where you visit, is anywhere from Easter to the middle of December. Every season has something to offer, to someone, depending on the area, and personal tastes. Once you figure out where you think you want to buy, you'll want to visit different times of the year to really know the area.
- Ship a Car
Travel light. This isn’t packing advice, but sure, that too. Those of us from more developed countries have strong relationships with our vehicles. Shipping a car to Costa Rica can be a pain! For the cost and headache, you can simply purchase a vehicle here. Or go really simple: buy an electric vehicle. If in the long run, if you decide you need more than a golf-cart, buy a car at that time.
- Buying from "a guy who knows a guy"
Save yourself what buyers before you have learned the hard way. Buy from a trusted, known, real estate company. You may talk to someone who knows a "good deal" and winds up with lost time, and more importantly, lost money. Skip this mistake.
- Listen to the advice of others
Careful. It's good to talk to others, get to know the sort of people where you want to buy, and gather advice, but (and this is a big BUT) take advice with a grain of salt. People bring their own biases to the table. Meeting experts on the run from themselves is not uncommon. Don't be surprised to meet others who blame the problems of their lives on everything but themselves.
Of course, an agent solves most of these. A name like Coldwell Banker brands history and trust, and of course we want you to go with us, but your first metric should be trusted. An agent you trust is one with whom you’ll build a better relationship. Your agent should not only be connected with the right professionals to get the job done, the right way, he should feel like your friend.
Keep these rules in your pocket for reference. This is such an exciting time for you and it should be fun. We hope it’s fun, no matter what. We hope we can share in that fun along with you. (In case you didn't know, we’re toe-dippers too.)
Your perfect Costa Rica real estate investment likely has a pool. It’s probably an infinity pool. (People like those around here.) Whatever it offers, make sure it has a shallow end. Make sure you've got a someone looking out for you who knows what you want because you told him, and he listened.
Come check out our Pinterest board for this blog and follow us!