Aside from starting the financing process, the first real step retirees take toward putting down a deposit on a piece of property will be preliminary due diligence. We’ll get into the details of comprehensive due diligence in the next chapter, as they depend on a number of factors and are often very involved. There are

Due diligence is the process of researching the physical and legal status of the property you are about to buy before you buy it. During this process, you are confirming that the property is what the seller says it is; that it brings with it no legal complications that will make your life difficult; and

The downturn in the U.S. has had a positive effect on Costa Rica’s housing market. Retirement homes are more inexpensive as a result. During the international crisis of 2008-2009 home prices in some areas fell as much as fifty percent. According to Costa Rica’s financial newspaper, La Republica and the Costa Rica Chamber of Realtors

Your broker’s role in the process Your broker plays generally the same role as a broker in any other country. That is, he or she will help you with the process of checking market values and finding a property that fits your specifications. Once you find the property and meet the owner, the broker will

There has been a lot of talk here about inept and unscrupulous real estate agents since the business is unregulated in Costa Rica. Unfortunately, there are always a few bad apples who spoil everyone’s perception. On the other side of the coin are the ungrateful and difficult clients. Since the crisis in the States more

I just composed this article for the participants on my next relocation/retirement tour. Since the housing industry was hit so hard in the United States we have a lot more renters now. This summary of the situation should really be helpful to future residents of Costa Rica. Renting is the least risky and more flexible

Once again, retirees are advised to use the services of a real estate broker to buy or sell their retirement or any property in Costa Rica. REMEMBER: Real estate agents normally collect a five or six percent commission on the sale of a home and up to 10 percent commission on the sale of raw