www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Does anyone have any detailed information about a program in Costa Rica where by low income families can buy a house? I communicate with a former(?) working gal and she has been talking about the program. I am encouraging her to apply. Knowledge is power so I want to try to understand.

Unfortunately, the only program I'm aware of is the one where the single mother Tica takes up the profession of a working girl....and even then she has to learn how to manage her business and her money. ...................They're definitely not in Kansas.

Zebra

K;
There is such a program. My novia just did it. Took about 3 months and now that she's in the house, she will be paying 15,000. colones per month.
I can't remember the exact name of the agency that does it but it has something to do with being able to trace you're Costa Rican antestery back to your Grandfather.
I'll ask her for the agency name and post it.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

I know a tica who did this. Yes - you have to be a natural Costa Rican. You also need to periodicly use a lawyer and pay a bond for guarantee of payment.

That said - I've been in her house. For about $30 per month, you essentially get a modified chicken coop. Her whole family - 4 people - shared the same bed. The only hot water was a tricked-out propane tank system and hoses that heated pipes to the sink and shower. It looked like a serious safety hazard, but hell, I'll give her an A+ for creativity. BTW... I'll give that to her brother as I'm sure he rigged the whole setup together.

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http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

Sounds like the sorry excuse for a casa I was in during a visit to a favorite chica's "house" in Desemperados.....I really felt bad for her and her little girl ...........Though in true Tica style, they seemed amazingly happy there.

Zebra

The name of the govt. agency that handles this is INVU.
Don't know what those letters stand for but most Ticas will.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

It's the Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo. Here's the website describing the program: http://www.invu.go.cr/ahorro.htm
From browsing around the website a little it looks as if it might be available to anyone who has permanent residency. It's a little difficult for me to understand (poor web design and spanish), but it looks like one of it's programs allows you to sign a contract and take possession of the house while you're making monthly payments into an escrow account for the down payment.

Steve,

You say
Funny-one of my "novias" just did the exactly the same thing.
Either a lot of girls are putting their resources to good use or we have a mutal friend.

Hey Kyran,

I'm taking a trip to Ecuador soon to build a house for an impoverished family.

Habitat for Humanity has a program in CR. They're going to SJ soon.

This link tells more about it:

http://www.habitat.org/intl/lac/48.aspx

Best of wishes,

Danno

When guys spout the statistics abut how low the monthly income is for most Ticos and why Ticas are so overpriced by comparison, they should consider what that really buys down here. All you need to do is go to a typical working girls Tipico Tico house once and you will have a very different understanding of their lifestyle and why they think we are all rich and foolish with our money. The above description of chicken coop matches up with my experience. I went to a very poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Heredia where 10 people lived in three rooms with no glass in windows and no hot water. This neighborhood is sizable and a fair number of girls, many of whom you know come from there and in some cases still live there. I am by no means a bleeding heart type, but I do recommend that you get out and see how most of these girls live.

BKTUNA