DO: Hire a security guard, either by pitching in with neighbors or on your own, for your individual building. Spend a little extra on security hardware, like good locks, strong windows, and an alarm system. Carefully vet any domestic employees Contract with a reputable property management company for rentals Get insurance   DON’T: Leave your

If you’re purchasing a condo, remember to figure monthly condo fees into your budget. The monthly fees can range from $20 or so, to over $100, depending on the condo. The fees go to pay for security, maintenance, cleaning, and any other services that a property management company may be offering. How do you know

Annual property taxes on a house or condo are 0.25% of the value of the property found in the municipal records. The tax is paid annually at your local municipality. If you forget to pay the tax or somehow miss the due date, you’ll owe an additional fine of a few dollars. If your property

For all of the country’s history, insurance in Costa Rica has been the exclusive provenance of a single, public insurance monopoly, the Instituto Nacional de Seguros(National Insurance Institute) commonly known as INS (pronounced “eens”). For the moment, that’s still the case, but the situation is in the process of changing. The Central American Free Trade Agreement

If you’re relocating permanently to Costa Rica, or if you own a stand-alone house that couldn’t share the costs of a property management company, you’ll probably want to hire some local help from the surrounding community. The two positions that most expatriates hire for is housekeeper and gardener. Even if you would never consider hiring

Unless you’re a full-time resident living in a stand-alone home, you’re almost certain to have to hire some sort of property management services at some point. The most common need for property management comes from people who own a vacation home or condominium who wish to rent it out (long-term or short-term) while they’re away.