www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've got a potential client who is looking to divest a signficant land investment in CR. Approximately 300 acres. While I've been to CR several times, and this project would allow me to come down a few more times, I'm not sure this is something I can take on. I'm hoping some folks can help me.


First, is there a reliable way to determine market value for such a property? In the US I would just look at comps and do some bank searches, but I haven't found anything equivalent.

Second, does anyone have links to a FAQ or quide on real estate transfers, title searches, and the like?

Third, can anyone recommend a reliable agent on the ground?

thanks!

not for nothin, but...






sorry...

no, not much of that exists there...

Not sure what you mean QBF, not everyone spends every minute in CR drinking, gambling and screwing. Mkhobby03 I PM you some info that may help.

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

I meant... that not much info can be found in DB's about land prices...

That getting real estate prices in CR have always seemed to be... well, not set, so much as guessed.

That finding a reliable person on the ground may be difficult, although not impossible.


That's all...

I have spent WAY too much time in CR not doing those things you mentioned, and plan on fixing that...

QBF
Nice come back
If it aint broke do not fix it
I think you know you way around very well
This guy may be bying HLH for all we know
And if that is the case His first rule is no QBF
It takes three days to D&C the room he had

Mostly, they just burn the few remaining rags of sheets after I'm done with them...

CR real estate is a minefield. If you don't already know the answers to your questions, you shouldn't consider buying anything. I could give you quick and dirty answers but I sure wouldn't recommend anybody buying property based on something they read on a prostitution discussion forum.

Having said that, check www.inmotico.com for an idea of what asking prices are like. Selling prices are a lot less for those who know what things are worth. You can PM me and I'll give you the phone # of my roommate who is a real estate agent here. I just think that rushing into things is a bad idea.

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

I think a couple posters are confused, divest means to sell off so his client wants to sell some acreage, not buy anything.

Brother PacoLoco is correct about "divest" but buying or selling you need the same basic info and the same type of trustworthy people, so the other posters' info may be helpful.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Ah, pardon me, guilty. Selling (the process, not the actual fact) is quite easy. Ask around, find a reputable attorney. Advertise in Craigslist or wherever you think might work and demand cash in full. Then hope you find a buyer. If you get the word out, every real estate agent in the country will try to find you a buyer. This may not be easy though. As far as pricing goes, my web link still is a good place to find comparable asking prices. Selling prices are kept secret here, or lied about to keep taxes low. But my best advice is that if you want to sell quickly, take the asking price of the nearest equivalent property and cut it in half or a third and you might sell. Or not. There is more 'wishful' pricing here even than in California.

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

Thanks folks. I guess what I'm mostly looking for is transaction prices, and it seems like that'll be hard to find. i'm sort of surprised it's so easy to dissemble about the actual sale price. it'll make the job much harder to evaluate.

AND THAT was my initial point...

Since sale prices here aren't a matter of public record, my suggestion is to seek out agents who are knowledgeable in the area where this property is located, i.e. they've sold property nearby. The word agents is important, talk to more than one. Then in today's market, expect it to be worth less.

I believe there are untold "real estate agents" in CR from the USA, Canada, and Western Europe who all but fled to CR due to their "practices" in their own sandboxes....such that licenses were yanked; sanctions/"reprimands" issued, blah, blah, blah.

The bottom line in my view is now is NO TIME WHATSOEVER to buy anything in CR except....well....we all know the answer to that one.....

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Brother Steven, care to elaborate.......? Is there a pending revolution and subsequent gringo purge you would like to clue us in on?

This might actually be the ideal time to buy. Costa Rica is now being touted as the happiest place on earth, blah blah blah, plus the fact that real estate is in the toilet. There may be some great buying opportunities. Its like the stock market...its time to buy when everyone one else is selling.