Costa Rica Property Investment | Investments

Costa Rica Property Investment

Written by Randy Berg

Thursday, 23 July 2009 12:54

by RandyBerg

Property investment in Costa Rica is a thriving business today. A lot of people from all over the world are flocking to this country in the urge to buy property. There are a lot of properties that are available at economical prices today which are expected to increase in value in a few years time. This beautiful country which is located in Central America offers a lot of options for foreigners to invest in property here.

The people of Costa Rica, also called the "ticos" are very warm and welcoming in their attitude. This is what increases the beauty of this place even more. The enthralling landscape, the towering mountains and the regal volcanoes are not just what Costa Rica has on offer. Any visitor who comes to Costa Rica leaves with the dream of owning a property here which equals to owning a piece of paradise.

Property investment in Costa Rica is on the rise today also because of the various types of property that a person can invest in. Starting with a lovely beach home to a luxurious hotel, there are a number of options for the investor to choose from. Each of these properties is sure to rake in profits in a short period of time due to the increasing exposure to Costa Rica.

Property investment in Costa Rica is vast and varied. There are various kinds of properties for people to invest in. Depending on their interests and budgets they can freeze on the property to purchase. There are properties ranging from beach front homes to upscale residential properties to commercial establishments and mountain side properties. It is up to the investor to make the choice. Some of the places in Costa Rica which are most suited for investment are Heredia, Alajuela, Puerto Viejo and Punta Uva.

Costa Rica is one of the oldest and strongest democracies in the Central American region. This country is also considered to be the safest among the Central American countries. Costa Rica is making positive changes in order to lure investors to invest in property here. The infrastructure is developing rapidly and now Costa Rica has good roads, good Internet connectivity, good air travel facilities, banks, schools and universities. The economic policies are also liberal which makes it convenient for the investor to purchase property here.

Property investment in Costa Rica is a great thought; however, certain precautionary measures have to be borne in mind in order to avoid getting the raw side of the deal. The most important aspect is to understand and accept the fact that the Costa Rican real estate is a two tiered market. The Costa Ricans quote different prices for the same property to the "ticos" (natives) and the "gringos" (foreigners). Most of the ticos have an assumption that the gringos are all very rich people and hence they tend to quote a price nearly twice the price quoted to a tico. Hence, you need to negotiate well with the ticos to ensure you get a good price for the property.

For many people who go there, the social culture of Costa Rica will come as a rude shock, especially to the Americans. Costa Ricans do not value time as much as Americans. So, expecting people to be punctual and efficient in their work is like asking too much. The people in Costa Rica are very laid back and casual in their approach to various tasks.

The final aspect to consider before investing in property here is to decide on the legal status. Costa Rica offers the status of "pensionado" to a gringo who has a monthly income of at least $600. They offer the status of "rentista" to a gringo who can show a monthly income of $1000 continuously for the past five years. The status should be renewed once every two years.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

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