About four months I published an article entitled “Demonizing Real Estate Agents.” You can read it on my blog at www.liveincostarica.com. In it I talk about the good and bad real estate brokers in Costa Rica and how to find one who is a buyer’s agent and who will look out for a client’s interest more than just making a sale. More on this subject is contained in my 544- page book, “Guide to Real Estate in Costa Rica.” Recently I have become miffed by a few characters in the field of relocation who play the self-righteous card by distancing themselves from real estate as part of a sales pitch to sell their services. These nascent retirement gurus are making a habit of bashing the local real estate industry and the idea of buying a home here. What this probably boils down to is that these types don’t have enough knowledge of the real estate to give out advise or they don’t have the resources or guts to invest here. Thus, they are playing god and trying to dissuade others from purchasing the home or property of their dreams. I do agree that your should do your due diligence, not buy impulsively, spend some time here to see if the country it is suitable for your retirement goals and have an exit strategy in case you do buy but decide to go home later. Remember that despite the current economic crisis a property purchased in an area in the path of progress and at the right price, will appreciate in coming years because of Costa Rica’s popularity, unblemished international reputation and fame as a warm-weather destination like Hawaii. The Baby Boomer influx and tourism will also continue to fuel the real estate market now and in the future. Furthermore, the local market is good because more and more professional Costa Rica’s can get financing and have the purchasing power to by better homes. I have a gringo broker friend whose most recent re-sales have been to Costa Ricans who paid over $200,000 for their properties. - On my award-winning relocation/retirement tours I make it a point to show a sampling of properties so that prospective retirees will have an idea of what homes are like here. Let’s face it, you have to live somewhere whether you rent or buy. I am aware that not everyone is a buyer and renters abound here, so I am not trying to convince everyone to becoming property owners. When I started my tours almost 15 years ago I didn’t include visits to properties. However, my clients repeatedly expressed the desire to see what homes and different living situations were like here. Consequently, I began to include a sample of living situations as part of my retirement lifestyle tours. NO retirement tour of this type would be complete without including this service. Over the years I have had a full range of clients ranging from serious investors who have come here to buy something to renters who have no desire to ever purchasing anything. I strive to address all of my clients different needs on my tours in order to provide the best possible service so that anyone who decides to move here will do it successfully. Notice that I mention lifestyle tours in the last paragraph. My emphasis is on different areas where expats live, infrastructure, shopping, medical care, lifestyle and a whole lot more including a highly-informative seminar sponsored by the Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR). We are blessed to have an organization like this to help people move here. As far as I know a similar entity for foreign retirees and residents doesn’t exist in any other country. I have been a featured speaker at the seminar for almost ten years. It is the least I can do to pay the ARCR back for the excellent service they have provided for my clients and for helping enhance the quality of my tours.