www.CostaRicaTicas.com

But the questions remain:

(1) Financing: Since I don't have $90K stashed away at the present moment, who does financing? American or CR mortgage companies? I would obviously think the latter. I would also think that the lending standards are a bit different. Can anyone shed light on this? What are the terms and rates? Since the US is based largely upon the LIBOR, what does CR base theirs on?

(2) Insurance: What is available and how?

(3) Homestead Requirements: To own a piece of CR real estate, I must -- what? Be a citizen? Be a permanent resident? Please explain.

I would conceivably look for something in the greater Metro San Jose area (I know, it's a big place so name some neighborhoods, I know!) -- the thing is, I'd want a decent middle class neighborhood. And I realize that middle class in CR is a different thing than middle class in the US. But, how is it different?

Thanks all for the input.

Regarding financing, you can get financing there but it ain't pretty. Scotia Bank will do it and Stewart Title has some affiliation with a bank in Texas, I think but both require about 30% down with fixed rate loans at maybe 10% or so. Insurance is available through the goverment agency but I don't think it is highly regarded.

Owning property there is easy and no need for residency requirements, etc. You need an attorney to put it together for you, it's not expensive at all, maybe $300-$400 for the paperwork. You actually put it in a corporation and own it that way.

Hope that helps.