Many people are probably aware that most realtors typically specialize in working with a type of property (commercial, residential, land, etc.), but more importantly a good realtor will focus on covering a specific area and becoming an expert on that area. In many cases serious purchasers know the general area where they want to be and want a realtor who knows the area inside and out. For example, if you were to move to Los Angeles you probably would not feel too comfortable using a realtor from San Francisco. In many cases people have formed close relationships with a local realtor and do use their help in recommending other realtors in different regions, but like I said most people are going to use a local realtor to assist them more. Surprisingly when it comes to real estate in a foreign country you would think that purchasers would take this to heart even more, but every week I see people choosing differently. Costa Rica is a small country, and most professional realtors have a good grasp on all the different regions, but just like in the U.S. a good realtor should be an expert in one area. Recently I have seen many clients working with realtors who live and work in one part of country trying to sell property in a completely different area. For me and my broker, Lisle Head, we are experts in Jaco and the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. We are both familiar with markets like Guanacaste, San Jose and Dominical, but you would never see us trying to sell properties in that regions. As professional realtors we completely agree that you should choose one realtor in Costa Rica and we are happy to assist with other regions, but you can be assured that we are going to partner with another realtor, an expert, in that region so our clients are best served. The network of professional and reputable realtors in Costa Rica is small. If you have selected a realtor that works and lives in a different area from where you want to purchase do yourself a favor and at least make sure that realtor is working with an expert that is going to be sure to get you the service you deserve.

The Los Suenos Resort has an outstanding reputation in Costa Rica and is one of the most exclusive destinations for luxury real estate.  Right now I think Los Suenos is one of the most secure investments in Costa Rica real estate and let me tell you a few reasons why.

It’s Finished

There are no other finished communities of this magnitude, that include a full service marina, golf course, restaurants, and hotel.  Yes there were plenty planned, but with a changed economic climate it could be 10-15 years before we see another resort like this in Costa Rica.

Reputation

Los Suenos has been around for ten years and many are familiar with the name.  Local Costa Ricans also know the resort very well, meaning it is a popular destination for both buyers and renters.

Location

With the Caldera highway now open, Los Suenos is one hour from Escazu and one hour from the San Jose airport.  This proximity will continue to attract more of San Jose population and attract buyers looking at second homes.

Developer

The developer of Los Suenos owns the hotel and has a vested interest in making sure the resort continues it’s exclusive image.  Los Suenos also has a large marketing budget and continues to advertise throughout the U.S. and Costa Rica.

The past couple years we have some isolated cases where some sellers have wanted a quick sale and have taken 10-20% less than value, but those have been far and between.   Most of the owners in Los Suenos are quite affluent and paid cash so are in no rush to sell, but there are still a couple great deals in the resort.  The best being this 2 bedroom Veranda, the lowest priced 2 bedroom in the entire Los Suenos resort.

If you are looking for a great deal in Los Suenos now is a great time.  I can help you in showing you all available properties and help you find the right home or condo.  Contact me and I can send you the full list of all condos and homes available in the Los Suenos resort.

For many people looking at real estate in Costa Rica, the Jaco area is a very popular option.  Jaco and the Central Pacific region truly offer something for everyone.  Upscale developments like Los Suenos, beachfront condos, single family homes, all of it can be found in this area.  But sometimes it can be difficult to learn accurate values for properties in Costa Rica. To help understand our market it is important you work with a knowledgeable realtor.  Each development can range but below I have provided a small snapshot of the real estate market in Jaco.  I work hard to help educate our clients the value of different properties in Costa Rica so they can make a better decision with their investment.  I  also monitor sold properties to help make sure we know recent and accurate comparables.  Since the opening of the new highway we have seen a strong demand and sales in several different communities in Jaco.  With the proximity to San Jose, we expect to continue seeing a number of buyers from that market, as well as increased interest from American and Canadians who are looking to retire in Costa Rica.  This is an excellent opportunity to purchase in Costa Rica, but first let us help you understand the market more so when you are ready you can rest assured that you are making the best decision possible.

If you like more detailed info on this market click here

One thing expats worry about in settling in another country is the quality of the postal service (Correos). These days when email is already around, this isn’t such a big problem as it used to before, but it is still a concern because these expats may need to send or receive packages from anyone outside the country.

Fortunately, mail service isn’t really a problem in Costa Rica.

For the public postal service, you’ll find a postal service center in almost every city and town in Costa Rica. San Jose is the main hub where most of the packages from abroad get directly sent. So the farther you are from San Jose the longer the waiting time, although delivery to areas in like Jaco Beach and the Central Pacific are just usually one day longer.

Is it safe to send packages through the public mailing system? Yes, it is. By adding a small fee, you can also require the receiver to sign a document upon pickup, giving you the assurance that the package has already been sent.

You can also use Fedex or DHL if the package is that important. At least through these services, you’ll be assured that everything is sent safely.

This story was originally published here

Soccer, futbol, whatever you want to call it, Jaco Beach now has it!

Jaco will be home to a new professional soccer team called the Jaco Rays. The team was purchased by a local developer who hopes to improve the team and win its division in order to move up to the first division where it can play popular teams like Saprissa and La Liga. For now the Rays will play in the League de Acenso, the Second Division. At the end of the year, the team with the worst record in First Division drops down to Second Division and is replaced by the winner of the Second Division Championship.

As you can imagine locals are all very excited to have the team. Last year we saw just what kind of support this area can provide when the Puntarenas team had to move a few games and play in the Jaco stadium. The seats were full for all of those games and gave a glimpse of the future of soccer in Jaco Beach. The new owner feels that this is going to not only be a great gift for the Jaco community but a fun activity for soccer fans visiting from all parts of the world.

Johnny Perez and general manager Carlos Esquivel, announced that the coach will be Wilmer “El Pato” Lopez, a very popular retired player from the San Jose area. El Pato started his training plan earlier this month at the Jaco Stadium.

If you weren’t already aware, Soccer is clearly the most watched and played sport in Costa Rica. I definitely encourage you to see a game the next time you come down, GO RAYS!

When you first start learning more about Costa Rica and begin investigating places to visit, there is no doubt that Jaco Beach will come up as one of the most popular destinations.

And while it IS the most visited beachtown in Costa Rica, it’s not always the place that everyone is necessarily looking for, and that’s fine, but what a lot of people don’t understand is that many times Jaco doesn’t necessarily just mean Jaco.

I live and work out of Jaco Beach, but Jaco is just the hub for the entire Central Pacific and most of the time when people refer to Jaco they are referring to the entire region from Punta Leona all the way to Esterillos.

Unfortunately many of the smaller beaches and areas outside Jaco remain completely undiscovered to many. Let’s take a quick summary of some of the different areas found in the “Jaco” area, all within 5-20 minutes away!

Punta Leona
Not frequented much by tourists, who barely even know of its existence because of its unique location, Punta Leona is a fascinating place to visit for nature lovers, bird watchers and families alike, who are given a rare insight into the rich biological diversity of Costa Rica.

Home to countless beautiful Scarlet Macaws, the reserve is also the dwelling place of a number of indigenous birds and animals like the Marbled Wood Quail, the Three-wattled Bellbird, Hummingbirds, Toucans, Spider Monkeys, White-faced Monkeys, White-nosed Coatimundis, iguanas and a variety of beautiful butterflies.

Herradura
This area features great amenities, like shopping, spas, golfing, the regions only marina and one of the nicest boutique hotels in the country. The area is rapidly becoming one of the biggest tourism developments in Costa Rica, however, with its tranquil waters, Playa Herradura still draws in a number of locals who want a quiet getaway.

Hermosa

Playa Hermosa offers surfers some of the best and most consistent surf breaks in the world. Located just two miles outside of Jaco Playa Hermosa is obviously ideal for more serious surfers, but also perfect for spending a day lounging in the sun with a good book, as not many people come here often.

Esterillos
Often a favorite among Canadians, this area features beautiful and quiet beaches and remains fairly undeveloped. The area is also very popular with surfers and many people like it’s village like charm. While the area offers some seclusion it is still just a 20 minute drive to Jaco making it convenient for shopping and services.

There are many types of properties and different real estate options in all of these areas. I always try to help people discover all of the different areas in the Jaco area to truly find which area is best for them.

But what’s important to know if you purchase in Jaco, you have access to all of these fantastic towns and beaches. If you would like to learn more about properties in this area please contact.

Originally posted here

Direct Beachfront and unobstructed oceanview, that is the premium in Costa Rica real estate. But there is another very popular request I receive when looking at beach properties, proximity to restaurants and shopping. The beach is great, but it’s even better when you don’t have to get in a car and you can simply walk in your flip flops to dozens of restaurants, bars, shops and services. These brand new beachfront luxury condos have the best of both worlds. This condo community features spectacular unobstructed oceanviews and is located right in the middle of Jaco Beach.

Most of the clients interested in Jaco Beach love it because of its’ great surf and active social life. I’ve had many clients originally look at areas outside of Jaco that were more secluded only to find it a bit too quiet and boring and in the end decided that Jaco was perfect for them. And apparently I’m not the only one getting that feedback because over a dozen sales have been made in this community in the past 6 months!

There are 2 and 3 bedroom condos fully furnished currently available from $429,000 (seller financing available). Diamante del Sol boasts modern and luxurious oceanfront condominiums in the heart of Jaco Beach. Two and three suites feature unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean from private terraces.

And if you are interested in renting out your property has a vacation rental this is definitely the right community. Again, people taking vacations want beachfront, views, and proximity to town, meaning this community stands to be one of the most popular rental destinations in Jaco. If you are interested in these luxury condos don’t wait too long, because this is one project that IS selling!

If you are interested in sales OR vacation rentals please contact me at 1.866.403.1345.

My broker, Lisle Head, just put together a great summary of tips to look for when choosing an agent. You can see the original post here

Real estate investment is one biggest investments most people make in there lifetime. Not only does it involve lots of money but it is usually a long term investment. The best way to invest in a Costa Rica real estate is to hire the services of a professional real estate agent. Here are a few tips to choose a good real estate agent in Costa Rica :

Choose A Local Agent – It is advisable that you choose a local agent for buying a property as they have in depth knowledge about the market. It is no point of hiring an agent from New York if you plan to invest in Costa Rica. They can get you Costa Rica real estate for the best price.

Agent Must Have An Office – Don’t work with agents who don’t have an office and work from home. Do not trust agents based on telephonic conversation. If they don’t risk investing on a office, you shouldn’t invest on them.

Opt For Full Time Agents – Many people make the mistake of buying property in Costa Rica through taxi drivers, waiters etc. and suffer later. Opt for a full time real estate agent and never do this mistake of opting for part timers.

Choose Agents Over Franchises – A good franchise somewhere else need not be good in Costa Rica. It is better for you to opt for an agent while investing in Costa Rica real estate than a franchise. While a Franchise in a good place to start you still want to interview the agent.

Check For Referrals – Check for the referrals posted on the agent’s website. Check them out as they will give you a fair idea of the agent’s track record. Ask questions that are relevant to your Costa Rican real estate search to these people.

Work With Someone You Like – If you don’t like the Costa Rica real estate agent don’t work with them. The agent’s work doesn’t end with sale and you will require a lot of after sale services. It is thus important that you work with an agent who offers to assist you with everything.

One of the reasons Americans and Canadians feel so comfortable living and traveling in Costa Rica is the amount of English spoken here. Spanish is the official language, but many Costa Rican’s speak a bit of English making it fairly easy to spend weeks even years in Costa Rica without ever knowing much Spanish at all. I have met countless expats who have lived here for years and still can not manage to even order a meal in Spanish. To each their own, but I am always amazed to meet expats living here who do not know any Spanish. I always recommend that anyone making a move to Costa Rica should take the time to learn the language. Speaking Spanish will definitely make life much easier on a day to day basis, but equally important it will allow you to really connect and understand this great Costa Rican culture. Some of the friendliest and sincere people I know in Costa Rica speak no English, those friendships would not have been formed if I had not been able to communicate with them.

You can go ahead and make countless excuses about not having the time or resources to learn Spanish, but the truth is you really don’t have one. Here are a few simple ways you can start….

Software
Rosetta Stone is the top language learning software available. This isn’t a plug for the product, it’s just really that good. A lot of people download the software to their ipod, phone, laptop and can begin studying from anywhere. 30 minutes a night would really help in at least getting you though the basics.

Online Instruction
All you have to do is google “online instruction in spanish”, and you’ll come across many websites which offer courses.

Language Schools
The Central Valley has an abundance of affordable language schools. Instruction can range from 1 hour a day to 4 hours a day with classes in many cases costing less than $10 per hour. And if San Jose is not your preference don’t worry, there are language schools located throughout the country, including popular beachtowns like Jaco.

Tutoring
Sometimes this is more expensive, but it can be a much better fit for some people. There are plenty of tutors available throughout Costa Rica.

The realty is yes, you don’t NEED to speak language to live in Costa Rica, but you’ll be glad you learned.

Although Costa Rica is a small country, it has several climatic zones, each distinct and individual. Considered a tropical country, Costa Rica gets to skip winter, and today it’s about 75 Fahrenheit and sunny at the beach. For those shivering in the Midwest today or shoveling snow in New York, there’s more interesting news: it’s almost always like that here. You can predict sunshine here every day and be more accurate than your weatherman back home. Beyond the landscapes, the ocean vistas, eco adventures, friendly and charming people, the fact will always be that great weather attracts people to Costa Rica. Year round, it’s tropically warm at nearly all our beaches, between 70 and 80 degrees, and the sun shines except when it’s getting ready to rain. Costa Rica has about 12 hours of sunshine almost every day. Sunrise doesn’t move around like it does up north, because we’re close to the equator. It rises at about 5 am and sets at about 6 pm throughout the year. When Costa Rican weather varies, it’s usually because you changed your elevation. The northern province of Guanacaste is dry and arid because it primarily lowlands, while a highland city like Monteverde is often misty, foggy, and temperatures can plummet to 50 degrees at night. The so-called Central Valley where the capital San Jose sits, enjoys a wonderful climate with an average 72 degrees Fahrenheit, with frequent coastal breezes. Down at sea level, the temperature stays at around 26 degrees Celsius or 79 degrees Fahrenheit, with hot days and sultry evenings. In Costa Rica the coolest months of the year are November, December and January, but December and January are fabulous for vacationing because at Jaco Beach, the daytime sunshine keeps you at 80 to 85 degrees with ocean (and pool) water that feels like a body-temperature bath. Nobody can remember snow in Jaco for the last several thousand years. Without a real summer or winter, Costa Rica does have its rainy season which lasts from May to November. December through April have little to no rain. The wet season starts in May and gradually gets heavier, with September and October featuring rain almost every day. However, it’s a rain that you can work with, because it tends to come  in the late afternoon and evening. In October and November it runs later into the night. Outdoor activities including weddings are scheduled for mornings, and rarely are impacted by rain. It becomes almost an unconscious habit to schedule indoor activities like business appointments for the rainfall hours, while taking advantages of the brilliant mornings. Many who know both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Costa Rica prefer the wider beaches and drier climes of the Pacific. The Central Pacific, around Jaco Beach, is very popular due to its lower rainfall, warm ocean temperature, and lighter-colored sands. It doesn’t take long here for the memories off chipping ice off the windshield and changing snow tires to seem like they happened to someone else!