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PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:04 pm 
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Jsmythe23 wrote:
TimBones wrote:
Again, if the squatter situation is extremely rare, why would the embassy specifically post a warning about it? And if it is so rare, why have there been many stories posted about the dangers of leaving land or houses unoccupied? I have heard personal annecdotes from at least a dozen former landowners in CR about the dangers of squatters.

In the interest of full disclosure, do you own or sell or rent property in Costa Rica? :?: :?:

I do not sell or rent any property in Costa Rica. I don't understand why you see the need to pick at issues that don't really have relevence to the board here ie. squatting, it affects almost no one on this board. Almost all the members here who would consider buying property in C.R. would most certainly be buying in tourism or developed areas where squatting would be a moot point. In my previous post I said buyer beware for any people that are considering a rural, isolated property that they will not be spending much time at. I also mentioned that the fix for this was very cheap and very easy. If you want to make a mountain out of a molehill and make something that is either a non-issue or that can be fixed for $80 a year keep you or other people who may want to to invest from investing that's fine. I will most likely be buying in Costa Rica again and I like rentors, so fine by me.


Gee. so sorry to upset your sensibilities :roll: :roll: . I really don't require your permission to publish anything. If publishing this info helps just one member to know the problems that would be associated with perhaps buying 10-100 beach view acres in Guanacaste or the Penisula of Osa than its worthwhile to post it. My question to you is why are you getting so tweaked about it if you have no vested interest in warning folks of potential problems. :?: :?:

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Last edited by TimBones on Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:04 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!

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double post

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PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:11 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!

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Jsmythe23 wrote:
Icantstayaway wrote:
Jsmythe23 wrote:
Your repair costs etc. are a fraction of the U.S.
I strongly disagree with this . Everything cost more here in Costa Rica. Anything at the hardware store as well as appliances, light fixtures, furniture, a pool table, etc are 50% to 100% more than in the USA . Yeah, you can get an unqualified Nicaraguan to work for 1000 colon an hour but the qualified guy that supervises and micro manages him will even out the cost.

But Jsmythe, You Should BUY in Costa Rica ! There is a need for more rental units in San Jose and beach locations . You can advertise here on CRT.


Are you serious?. I've done extensive remodeling and maintained a rental property for 6 years in Costa Rica. My construction/repair company charged me $25,000 for a job that would have cost $150,000 where I live in the States. Having the leak fixed when I had a leak underground was $105 and would have been $700, when the lock in the front door broke, emergency service at 11pm was $60 and would have been $300 in the states. Painting the whole house was $150 and would have been $800 where I am. I did my research and found a quality contractor and had no games or hassles. Appliances which are more costy there (cheaper if you buy them in Golfito) last a long time and I've never found them to be an issue.

I have owned in Costa Rica and have advertised on CRT, I'm currently pretty heavily invested in Panama but am considering a purchase in CR as I like what they are doing with the roads and the crime problem and I still have some really good friends there. As I mentioned in my previous post I had a great property ownership experience in CR and would consider getting involved again so I very well may take you up on your recommendation.


So in one post you say you don't own or have rental property in CR and in another you say you do? Which is it? I think we are getting closer to the OX being gored or the hot iron in the fire :?: :?:

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Last edited by TimBones on Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:12 pm 
TimBones wrote:
Estebanh wrote:
Quote:

Recently, while talking with a friend of a friend, he mentioned he was a former CR land owner who who had the squatters ejected by an armed group that he hired and he implied some violence was involved. That is the most recent anecdotal info that I have and again, it is anecdotal and not proven fact, but I have no reason not to believe the guy.

A


A friend of a friend? Not a very strong reference. Also, your article talks about unimproved land. Unless we have some farmers among us, not very likely any CRT members would be interested in unimproved agrarian land.

I think all of those people that heard the story from "a friend of a friend" probably all heard about the same case and I believe that case involved an ex-Tico business partner. The guy involved has a website all about it.


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:17 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!

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Estebanh wrote:
TimBones wrote:
Estebanh wrote:

A friend of a friend? Not a very strong reference. Also, your article talks about unimproved land. Unless we have some farmers among us, not very likely any CRT members would be interested in unimproved agrarian land.

I think all of those people that heard the story from "a friend of a friend" probably all heard about the same case and I believe that case involved an ex-Tico business partner. The guy involved has a website all about it.


The friend is a guy I have known for 25 years or more is a West Pointer and MP Officer who does not hang with liars and as I admitted my most recent experience discussing this was merely anecdotal, which means it is not established fact. OK, how bout the post from the embassy? Are they equally unreliable??? :roll: :roll: This is getting good!!! :D Here are two more links that specifically mention near beach properties

http://ticotimes.com/costa-rica/squatte ... ers-rights
http://www.costaricaretirementvacationp ... atters.htm
Judge for yourself whether it is a problem or not. I am out!! Happy Veterans Day to all you Vets!!!! :D :D :D

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“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits


Last edited by TimBones on Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:37 pm, edited 3 times in total.

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PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:19 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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When I first went Skydiving, I had to sign a piece of paper that said , " YOU MAY DIE TODAY . SKYDIVING IS DANGEROUS".

My goal is not to worry with weathered investors. They can handle themselves, but being one, I still recommend living here for several years before buying. My goal is for the average CRT guy to understand that there is a 'learning curve' here in Costa Rica. No need at all to rush a purchase !

The guys that will read this entire post as well as other post here on CRT and still want to purchase have at least been warned.

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* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:27 pm 
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TimBones wrote:
Gee. so sorry to upset your sensibilities :roll: :roll: . I really don't require your permission to publish anything. If publishing this info helps just one member to know the problems that would be associated with perhaps buying 10-100 beach view acres in Guanacaste or the Penisula of Osa than its worthwhile to post it. My question to you is why are you getting so tweaked about it if you have no vested interest in warning folks of potential problems. :?: :?:

Where do you get the idea you upset me or that I was in anyway inferring you needed my permission to publish anything???. I am in agreement with you that you need to be aware of the squatting issue and I even posted the method to make it not be an issue. I am certainly not "tweaked" and definitely don't have any issues with anyone posting warnings, but when someone makes assertions implying that NO ONE should buy in Costa Rica just because THEY have had personal issues and problems, I think that is a little ridiculous and simply wanted to point out my experience and some common sense. For the 4th time now, it's not for everyone and it's not for most- but for SOME people it makes sense to buy there, they can circumvent a lot of the downside and they can maximize the upsides and they quite possibly can make rental income while they own and profit when they sell. Thousands of people have done just that, I'm not really sure where your argument or issue is with any of this. So for hopefully the last time, I'm not saying for anyone to buy, I'm not saying it's easy amd I'm not saying you don't have to work at finding a good lawyer and contractor as well as take action against squatting if you are buying an isolated piece of rural land- I'm saying that for the small group of people for whatever reason who decide they would like to buy in Costa Rica, that it is possible to do it and to make money and have minimal problems.


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:34 pm 
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TimBones wrote:
So in one post you say you don't own or have rental property in CR and in another you say you do? Which is it? I think we are getting closer to the OX being gored or the hot iron in the fire :?: :?:

Holy smokes, I think I have been pretty consistent in all my posts in stating that I do not currently own nor am I selling any property in Costa Rica but that I have in the past owned a piece of rental property that I had sold for a profit and that I am considering possibly re-investing in Costa Rica.


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 9:03 pm 
TimBones wrote:


The friend is a guy I have known for 25 years or more is a West Pointer and MP Officer who does not hang with liars and as I admitted my most recent experience discussing this was merely anecdotal, which means it is not established fact. OK, how bout the post from the embassy? Are they equally unreliable??? :roll: :roll: This is getting good!!! :D Here are two more links that specifically mention near beach properties




Tim,
I think everyone who reads this board for any length of time would be hesistant or extremely cautious about buying real estate in Costa Rica but there is a current of hysteria that runs through this web site about real estate in Costa Rica

If you know your history about Florida you would know that some of the biggest land and real estate swindles in the history of earth have happened there, starting in the 50's and progressing through today. There are more scam artists and swindlers in south Florida than you can shake a stick at.


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 9:52 pm 
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Ok.

Why should someone buy a home in Costa Rica ?

1.
2.
3.
4.

Can you do 36 ?

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* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:11 am 
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1) I got a unsolicited email with a sure fire 100% guarantee 300% rate of return on my investment over a 3 month period on flipping homes in CR.

2) A couple of guys I meet for the first time at Key largo late last night are cutting me in a secret deal that they got going, but only if I can come up with the cash in the next 22 hours to buy a house so the owner can pay off his drug dealers

3) All the homes in the swamp land in Florida are overpriced

4) You only live once or up to 48 times depending on what you believe

5) would you rather give your money from your EX and her attorney

6) I got to much money and just can not spend it fast enough

7) I am Dallas fan needing a place to hide for a few years

8) I told every one so many times I was leaving the country if ( blank) got elected I am to ashamed to show my face any more.

9) I fell in love and need to provide her with a nice house to live in when I am gone

10) I need a place to live when I am in Cr because my girl friend and her family take up the whole house I already own.

11) Location Location Location

12) seemed like a good thing to do at the time.

13) should have went to the AA meeting instead of DR

14) buying a house was the only way to get out of the cab my lady chose for us when we left DR

15) Not being able to read Spanish before I singed those papers.

16) for the interest deduction

17) to brag to my friends back home

18) to impress those 20 years Gringas back home, so they will want to come with me

19) need some place to park my car

20) Hotels are way to expensive for my 2 week vacation

21) You never lose on real estate investments

22) Sl will not let me bring my 4 Rottweilers into the my room

23) If I own a home I can get a CR passport and get through customs faster

24) I like the color of the inside walls

25) The neighbors and neighbor hood seemed so nice

26) to get in on the ground floor on a new and up coming economy

27) to beat the Chinese buying craze that is coming

28) Returning to my hippee roots and have a house on the beach, pick fresh fruit every day and frolic with the natives in the waves all day long

29) Been kicked out of every other county

30) good enough for those guys who backed Nixon, it's good enough for me

31) The relaxing drives in the county

32) honest Police

33) easy to navigate government system

34) excellent consumer service

35) fair, honest and cheap taxis

36) going to start a business and need a place to stay

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:19 am 
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37) I can sit around and do nothing every day for the rest of my life, except drink,screw and party

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:41 am 
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Icantstayaway wrote:
Ok.

Why should someone buy a home in Costa Rica ?

1.
2.
3.
4.

Can you do 36 ?
This has gotten real silly so this will likely be my last post on the topic. Having to do 36 is really nonsensical. What matters is if you can do even one important one like make a profit. If you can have 3 or 4 more reasons they are a bonus. My reasons as well as my actual experience were as follows:

1. Didn't have a hotel bill on my 8 or 9 trips per year
2. Had rental income when I wasn't occupying the property myself
3. Was able to write off plane tickets, meals, taxi, and other expenses
4. Got a 10 time better return on my money than if I had it sitting in a CD
5. Was able to charge U.S. rates on short term rentals
6. Had 3rd world overhead- property tax- $250 per year, home owners ins. $200 a year, $15 to have it cleaned.
7. Rental income paid for all my flights, meals and entertainment for my trips with money left over to bank
8. Sold and made a decent profit.


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:54 am 
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Jsmythe23
you looked at buying as a cold hard business deal, added up the pluses and drop off the minus and took your chances knowing all the possible outcomes, all based on rational thinking,and that's the way it should be for every one. However I am willing to gander you are the exception to buying, not only in CR but even here, note the housing collapse in vacation areas here . Almost all others are basing on emotion combined with sales pitches and lots and lots of propaganda. EX- a man I worked with for 20 years retired and got it in his head to move to CR, and was back in 2 years, before left all he could talk about was a dream, not living a life there , never put any thought into day to day.. was lucky sold out and came back in 94-95? and did not lose much.

Good for you, your doing all you thinking with your big head and that's why you have money at the end of the day and most others will not.

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:56 am 
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dammed I am bored tonight

38) all the wonderful colored frogs I can play with

39) the county is so Eco friendly they do not club baby seals any more

40) To get away from Government health care in the US

41) to get Government Health care from CR

42) No rain, only light mists

43) escape the earth quakes of Kalifornia

44) good enough for Rush good enough for me

45) to Escape the next Ice Age that is coming

46) to have a place to entertain the Colombian ladies that I find in DR

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