www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Inside Costa Rica:

Retirement Dream Home Can Be a Good Investment
Looking for something other than stocks and bonds to invest in? Real estate holds lots of promise right now, not just in the United States, but overseas, and a country that's getting a lot of attention these days is Costa Rica.

A beautiful, tropical country, still nearly untouched by development. It's lush -- with beautiful mountain and ocean views -- perfect for establishing your retirement, vacation or second home. Technology is there and getting better; the highways and roads are improving, large chain stores have not yet arrived.

In November, 2005, five acre parcels were selling for $35,000. Now, 1 1/4 acre parcels sell for $49,900. Rising land value is the trend and soon it all will be sold. "You can do the math, and the return is incredible," says Brad Hogan, CEO and owner, Costa Vista Land, Inc. "It's like Florida, California and Hawaii 30 years ago and that's what's going on in Costa Rica. The opportunity does exist to take a lot or farm and cut it up into small pieces and maximize the return."

Costa Vista Land is an investment company and developer that buys undeveloped land and installs roads, plumbing and electricity. Investors can purchase lots and sell them off and double and triple their money in as little as 18 to 24 months. They can also choose to keep a lot for themselves and build a beautiful, luxury dream home with a view overlooking the ocean starting at $150,000. And if you purchase the property through a self-directed IRA, you can expand and grow your retirement portfolio tax free.........

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Interesting article. Unfortunately it is long on unsubstantiated claims and short, in fact very very short, on facts. It reads more like a PR release for Costa Vista Land Inc, especially when you include the rest of the article that you cut off. The attribution for the article is shown as "ARA" whoever that might be.

".... Want to know how to do it? Order a 60-minute DVD with video that includes a one-on-one with Brad Hogan and a video "tour" of the property under development and lots available.

Included in the package is the IRA Wealth System video, demonstrating how you can purchase land inside your self-directed IRA and grow your investment in Costa Rica completely tax free. You'll also receive the Tax Savings Report and CD Audio revealing tax strategies you can use immediately to start slashing your taxes by up to 70 percent.

Since Costa Rica is not in the United States, there are specific rules you'll have to follow to make the deal legal. Through Costa Vista Land you will meet with Vivian Conejo Torres, an experienced attorney who will set up a corporation through which you purchase the property. She will help you set up a bank account in Costa Rica as well as residency -- while still keeping your U.S. citizenship. Torres sets up 500 corporations per year, of which 95 percent are prepared for purchasing land."

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I did cut that article short, but only because I didn't want to plug the company (Costa Vista Land Inc) in the article. This article may be an attempt to drum up business for them. But I still found it interesting...

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

IMO, it's not a matter of being in the right place at the right time. It's a matter of "BEING IN CR", period! If you want to buy a home (or land) in CR, you need to be in CR!

With the way things are in CR, especially when it comes to realtors, and land/home acquisitions, you can not intelligently look for a piece of land or a home in CR, by simply sitting on your computer and searching the internet or online listings. Sure, you'll find plenty. But good luck with that.

As it's been said before, on this board and many others.... If you want a piece of CR, you need to do your homework, and lots of it. Living in CR for at least 6 months is a good start. And many times, it's not what you know, but WHO you know.

This subject has been discussed on this board in the past, so it's not necessary to re-hash or debate the issues. I agree, that there's still some great values on land / homes in CR, but you've got to be willing to put in some time to find them.

Good luck to all who decide to invest in CR. It can be a dream come true, or your worst nightmare. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Mucho Gusto

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

That AM Costa Rica article sounds like a rather thinly disguised sales pitch. I suspect this company mentioned, whoever it is, is an advertiser on AM Costa Rica.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Article was in Inside not AM. Anybody who know how Rico puts together his news letter knows he cuts and pastes from many sources. I believe this so called "article" was a PR piece for the company and while it might be interesting it certainly is misleading and should be taken with the proverbial grain of salt.

I am not a big fan of Jay Brodell but I think he has enough journalistic ethics that he would not publish a puff piece like that, for one of his advertisers, and try to pawn it off as legitimate news.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Absolutely!

If you're going to invest your hard earned money in a foreign country, you had better damn-well know what you're getting into. You know what they say about a fool and his money....

Many visitors (who come to CR on vacation) can only see through their rose colored glasses, and many of them have more money than common sense. The first "realtor" that latches onto them will tell them everything they want to hear. I'm sorry, but if they're that careless with their money, and they put their total trust (and money) with a person they've just met, then they will probably learn a hard lesson. I wish it weren't this way, but unfortunately, history has already proven this.

- Travel around the country...
- Talk to the locals...
- Get your hands dirty, and your feet wet...
- Befriend a local Tico...
- Learn the language...

If nothing else, the above is a good start!

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Yeah, looking for the right place to retire is hard work. I agree, the only way to search for property in CR (or any other place) is to be there for a period of time. I am hesitant to fork over my hard-earned $ for a piece of property until I've had a chance to live there for a while. My goal is to find a place where I will be relatively happy and thrive in retirement...not so much speculation. In all likelihood, it will not be a place with a lot of gringos around. I am still leaning towards CR, but will most likely rent first, for at least a year, before committing to another non-liquid asset such as real estate. That should give me ample opportunity to 1) Determine whether CR is really meant for me (and vice versa) and 2) Assess available real estate and prices.

In addition to the normal fun and games during my 11 trips, I have made time to explore and become familiar with most of the regions. The frustrating part is that the more I learn, the more questions I have. At least I've narrowed things down to one area that seems right for me...Perez Zeledon. However, my search is not over until "the fat lady sings."

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

I just want to say thanks for this tread. A goal of mind is to invest in some property there in the future. I only hope that MG does not buy all the land up


NYG

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Damm that water is cold!!!
And deep too!!!

The TMan posted in another thread Do not invest in Condos that have not been built. You will not be able to get your deposit back if they don't get built.

I know there is a lot of developement in CR, especially on the Pacific side, but this "puff piece " makes me think of Tamagringo;.......with the highest prices and the worst roads.

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My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

No problem amigo. I'll be sure to leave a couple acres for you!!!
MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Thanks. I am glad somebody has my back


NYG

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Damm that water is cold!!!
And deep too!!!