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Frustrated with getting Utilities Connected in Costa Rica?

Frustrated with getting Utilities Connected in Costa Rica?

Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes Getting utilities connected in Costa Rica can be a frustrating process, especially for newcomers unfamiliar with the country’s bureaucracy and service delays. Buying a property in Costa Rica is a relatively simple process. However, the challenges to getting utilities connected often begin with the language barrier, as most communication with…

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8 Unusual things housekeepers in Costa Rica do

8 Unusual things housekeepers in Costa Rica do

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes This week, I want to share some interesting habits of housekeepers in Costa Rica—things that might seem unusual to us, who come from different backgrounds but habits that are entirely normal to them. These actions stem from cultural differences and unique lifestyles, which expats must understand before hiring a housekeeper…

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Do you think I can sell my Cariari home for a million dollars?

Do you think I can sell my Cariari home for a million dollars?

Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes Sellers often ask me, “What can I sell my Cariari home for?” The Costa Rica real estate market is quite vibrant. Like other markets, it can move up or down quite suddenly, as many have witnessed. Nonetheless, prices of properties here don’t move much most of the time. There are…

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How to Purchase Property with Cryptocurrency

How to Purchase Property with Cryptocurrency

You can purchase real estate in Costa Rica with cryptocurrency like bitcoins; you only need to know how to do it. At GoDutch Realty, we have found the legal solution. It’s legal in Costa Rica to trade crypto, own the currency, and provide crypto-related services because no law currently prohibits these activities. Nonetheless, cryptocurrencies are…

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Costa Rican weather and temperatures: what you need to know

Costa Rican weather and temperatures: what you need to know

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes I’m sure you already know that the Costa Rican weather is one of the country’s most attractive advantages. Nonetheless, you might not know that the weather and temperatures can change tremendously from one village or town to another. A friend sent me some very cold-looking photos of snow-covered roads, rooftops,…

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Premium Costa Rica Home Purchase Advice by Buyer

Premium Costa Rica Home Purchase Advice by Buyer

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes I have some home purchase advice that I’m sure you’ll like. My wife and I learned a lot when we bought our home in Costa Rica, and I’d like to share this advice with you. I am TicoNuevo and moved to Costa Rica in 2013. This is one of the…

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Why does Costa Rica not have a good real estate MLS?

Why does Costa Rica not have a good real estate MLS?

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Costa Rica has never really had a well-functioning real estate MLS system. Real estate licensing is not mandatory in our beautiful country. This is why the two existing real estate boards have never been able to create one. Although, maybe it will happen soon… What is a good real estate…

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How can sellers prepare for a buyer needing a bank mortgage?

How can sellers prepare for a buyer needing a bank mortgage?

Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes When selling to a local buyer, there is a good chance that the seller will purchase with bank financing. If you want a smooth process and do not get stuck with unknown procedures, follow the recommendations in this article. If only one real estate agent is involved, especially a Godutch…

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The wrong approach when looking for property on your own

The wrong approach when looking for property on your own

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Many foreign buyers make the wrong approach when looking for a property on their own in Costa Rica. This mostly happens because they want to save themselves the realtor’s commission or they don’t believe the realtor’s expertise is necessary. Unfortunately, there are many pitfalls when buying a property in a…

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Geriatric Care in Costa Rica

Geriatric Care in Costa Rica: Addressing the Needs of an Aging Population

Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes As the population of older adults continues to grow worldwide, the demand for quality geriatric care in Costa Rica becomes increasingly important. In Costa Rica, a country known for its natural beauty and welcoming communities, efforts to meet the healthcare needs of its aging population are gaining momentum. This article…

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Costa Rica escrow and real estate closing

Costa Rica escrow and real estate closing

Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes What is Costa Rica escrow, and why should you use escrow for a real estate closing? Is it really necessary? The Costa Rican authorities don’t want you to purchase a property with a wheelbarrow full of money. For many years, cash purchases happened all the time. Worldwide, authorities want more…

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9 More Crucial Points to NOT to become an Unhappy Seller

9 More Crucial Points NOT to become an Unhappy Seller

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes When selling your property, it’s crucial to NOT be an unhappy seller. An unhappy seller usually turns into an angry seller, which makes the sale of their property almost impossible.  After writing this article about the 5 crucial keys to NOT being an angry seller, I have come up with 9…

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How important are nearby amenities in your home purchase?

How important are nearby amenities in your home purchase?

Estimated Reading Time: 13 Minutes Often homebuyers in Costa Rica forget to check on nearby amenities before they fall in love with a house. Are nearby amenities important to you? Or is lots of sunshine enough for you when you move to Costa Rica? Are you unsure whether you’d like to live in the Central Valley…

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Top 11 Places to Visit Before Retirement in Costa Rica

Top 11 Places to Visit Before Retirement in Costa Rica

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Before retirement in Costa Rica, you must determine if our country is your best choice. Only by doing your homework, you’ll learn which country fits your requirements to retire to. Before you travel, you can visit this site for the Costa Rica safety report. Once you have decided Costa Rica…

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Why Zoning is so important when you purchase Costa Rica real estate?

Why is Zoning so important when purchasing real estate?

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Do we have zoning? Imagine buying a property and finding out later that you’re not allowed to construct, or install the business that you had in mind? In my opinion, that is a great reason to investigate first. Before you purchase real estate in our beautiful country, you first want…

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Oops it looks like the buyers agent made a mistake

Oops it looks like the buyers agent made a mistake

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes Are you planning to hire a buyers agent? Then you need to read this blog, as it will explain how important it is you hire an experienced one. It is not so important whether this agent is a licensed agent or not. In Costa Rica licensing is not mandatory. Unfortunately…

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Christmas traditions in Costa Rica

Christmas traditions in Costa Rica

Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes Christmas traditions in Costa Rica are probably not what you are used to.  You can prevent culture shock by learning what Ticos do during the Christmas holidays and where they go. Christmas Eve in Spanish is Nochebuena. Adjusting to another culture is one of the most challenging things to do…

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How to Deal With Pre-Construction Changes And Get It Right

How to Deal With Pre-Construction Changes And Get It Right

Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes Pre-construction changes are probably the most difficult ones to make when buying a home. You’re dreaming about moving into that brand-new home or condo soon and then it turns out it isn’t as great as you had imagined. For a real estate developer or a builder, a client who changes…

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11 Reasons for NOT hiring a realtor when selling property

11 Reasons for NOT hiring a realtor when selling property

Estimated Reading Time: 2 Minutes Today I wanted to publish Victoria’s reasons for not hiring a realtor when selling your property in Costa Rica. We should always give you the good and the bad about everything, the reason for publishing these comments. We already know that there are people who think there is no value…

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Retirement Fund Prohibitions when you buy Costa Rica real estate

Retirement Fund Prohibitions when you buy Costa Rica real estate

Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes There are a few retirement fund prohibitions when using your IRA or 401(k) to purchase real estate that you should know about. Many retirement fund owners don’t even know you can buy real estate in Costa Rica with your self-directed IRA (Individual Retirement Account) or your 401(k) (Retirement Savings Account).…

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10 Reasons to hire a realtor when you purchase Costa Rica real estate

10 Reasons to hire a realtor when you purchase Costa Rica real estate

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Some buyers looking to buy a property in Costa Rica do not want to hire a realtor. Instead, they prefer to purchase FSBO, which is very understandable, but a mistake. First, it’s essential to know that this word is a registered trademark. Very few real estate agents can call themselves…

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How retirees in Costa Rica communicate with back home

How retirees in Costa Rica communicate with back home

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes There are lots of retirees in Costa Rica, and in some way or another, they all communicate with their children, grandchildren, and friends back home. Technology changes faster than you want if you’re over 60 years old. I know because it drives me crazy already, and I’m computer savvy. My…

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Is Tap Water in Costa Rica safe to drink and affordable?

Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes When newcomers ask me if they can drink tap water in Costa Rica, I cannot just tell them a simple yes or no. I do drink the water from my water dispenser on my refrigerator. That’s more because it’s cold than I worry about water quality. My wife buys bottled…

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Do property sellers accept almost half the asking price?

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Information floating on the internet seems to give property buyers the impression that property sellers in Costa Rica accept half the asking price. Is this true? Some buyers express that they find the prices all over the place. Well, yes, prices are sometimes all over the place. And that can…

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5 Ways to Ensure a Fair Sales Price for Your Property

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes One of the foremost concerns when selling your property is getting a fair sales price. It’s likely that you’ve lived in that house for years and invested quite a lot in making it a beautiful and comfortable place. In short, that property has both monetary and sentimental value; it’s only…

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5 Common Realistic Listing Price Objections on Costa Rican property

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Property owners in Costa Rica are often not realistic about the listing price of their property; so I decided to publish the five most common listing price objections. Listing a Costa Rican property for sale can be a lot more complicated than you think, no matter if you’re a motivated…

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How to dress and live without stress in Costa Rica

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Costa Ricans still dress quite conservatively in public, although they are not as prudish anymore as they used to be. Costa Rica is not that 3rd world country where I moved to in 1980 anymore. Although, of course, television and foreign influence have opened their minds tremendously. But there are…

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Checkin’ Out Costa Rica on Suicide Showers and other things to avoid

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Suicide Showers, Surfer Hotels, and Other Things to Avoid on Your First Trip to Costa Rica. Unless you want to go native and adapt to your new home country. In this blog, I’m trying to cover things you may not hear or read before you visit Costa Rica for the…

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Checkin’ Out Costa Rica | Getting Around

Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes Getting around this relatively small nation is pretty straightforward, but you should know a few things. Costa Rica has more than its share of national parks, outdoor activities, beaches, wildlife, laidback lifestyles, and many cultural activities. You should be aware that driving times and speed limits are slower than you…

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All About Costa Rica vehicle restriction or tag day

Estimated Reading Time: 9 Minutes I was updating this blog about vehicle restriction or tag day and realized that the government started implementing this restriction on the 6th of April, 2013 for the first time. So, it’s about time for an update, especially with all the Covid restrictions. For a realtor, before Covid started, vehicle…

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Why Resort Communities like Nativa Resort are Not Successful

Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes There are reasons why resort communities like Nativa Resort in Garabito not to be thriving. There are quite a few abandoned residential communities along the coast of Costa Rica. Sonesta One Jaco, Columbus Heights, and Costa Esterillos are just a few in the Central Pacific coastal area. Some were sold…

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Obtain Investor Status in Costa Rica by Using Retirement Funds

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Did you know that you can get a foot in the door by investing in Costa Rica using your retirement funds? Of course, there are some rules. But most think their IRA or 401(k) can only be used to invest in stocks and bonds or in real estate in the…

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Due diligence before you purchase property in Costa Rica

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Of course, everyone says they have done their due diligence before they buy a property. Unfortunately, many think they do. They end up buying in the wrong place and say it’s everyone’s fault, except their own. This happens more often than you think. That’s one of the reasons I always…

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Costa Rica on Ethical Traveler Top 10 in 2021

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Ethical Traveler keeps supporting countries working to maintain strong environmental, human rights, and eco-tourism values. This nonprofit organization, Ethical Traveler, started placing Costa Rica in its Top 10 in 2011 of the best ethical destinations worldwide.   Costa Rica did it again in 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Ethical…

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Is Vinyl Plank Flooring Right For Your Costa Rican Home?

Have you thought about using vinyl plank flooring in your home? Costa Rica is characterized by the beautiful balance between indoor and outdoor living. Spacious verandas, large glass sliding doors, and nature-inspired flooring are just a few features that blur the line between life within homes and their outdoor spaces. For many homeowners in Costa…

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International Money Transfer Companies option for real estate purchase

A money transfer is key to any international real estate transaction. It’s no secret that traditional banks are dinosaurs in the modern economy. Although banks still have an important function in our society, tons of fintech start-ups have begun providing financial services. Although they provide these services in a more modern and efficient way. When…

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Clever Ways To Decorate Your Home With An Aquarium

I know, you usually wouldn’t think of decorating your home in Costa Rica with an aquarium. That’s probably because Costa Rica’s natural beauty is a major draw for people moving here. And we have 763 miles of coastline, so we’re surrounded by an aquarium! When decorating your own property in Costa Rica, incorporating tropical fish…

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3 Considerations When Buying Renovation Property in Costa Rica

3 Considerations When Buying Renovation Property in Costa Rica

Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes Before you purchase a renovation property, there are a couple of considerations you should take into account. The minimum cost of constructing a Costa Rican house from scratch is about $750 per square meter, according to American-European. Depending on your budget, you might think it cheaper to just buy a secondhand…

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15 Tico Driving Habits – Driving in Costa Rica is different

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Driving habits are different because most drivers in Costa Rica probably don’t have the discipline you might have. Learn about Costa Rican driving habits before you move to Costa Rica. In my opinion, the reason is that the Latin-American mindset when driving is different. Some might think I’m trying to…

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Have a good look at affordable Grecia home rentals

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes The word is out! Grecia home rentals are among the most affordable in the Central Valley. It seems like lots of US citizens are running from something. YES, you can find Grecia home rentals for around $500 – $600/month already. Our agents don’t make much money on it, but you…

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All About U.S. Tax When You Retire in Costa Rica

Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes For many retirees and soon-to-be retirees, the idea of retiring in Costa Rica, although appealing, can often get complicated because of the U.S. tax implications. So, before you say goodbye to your neighbors, take into account these vital U.S. tax considerations: 1. Pension Income How will your move abroad affect…

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Dealing with home financing in Costa Rica

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Are you dealing with home financing in Costa Rica or will you be soon? Then you will find this a very useful blog. Purchasing a home is a huge responsibility, especially if you think you can afford it but can’t find any home financing. Often, future expats start shopping for…

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23 Awesome Mortgage Tips for a Property Purchase in Costa Rica

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes If you are looking to make a property purchase you’ll love the mortgage tips. In fact, using these mortgage tips will save you time, money, and effort. When you go to view houses on sale, the seller’s agent may make the buying process seem easy and straightforward. If the price…

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Inactive corporations in Costa Rica must declare assets in 2021

In December 2019, the Costa Rica Tax office published a resolution that starting 2021, existing inactive corporations must declare their assets. This must be done between January 1st and March 15th, 2021. New corporations will have to do this starting 2020 but let your attorney worry about that when he/she constitutes a new corporation for…

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8 Common condominium bylaw restrictions in Costa Rica

Thinking of buying or renting a condominium in Costa Rica? Then you should know about some of the condominium bylaw restrictions first. Maybe there are restrictions that won’t allow you the living comfort as expected. Bylaws are very important when you live in a condominium. Actually, they can give you a lot more living comfort…

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Costa Rica looking forward to $400 million casino resort for tourism and real estate boost

A casino resort is normally a big-time real estate investment involving millions of dollars. The latest such mega casino establishment to grace the gambling world will not be inaugurated in Las Vegas or Macau. It will be inaugurated right here in Costa Rica. A $ 400 million project known as Casino City Caribe is currently…

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Would you prefer Guaro or a Chiliguaro?

You’ll ask “what’s Guaro? And what’s Chiliguaro?”. Well, it all started with simple guaro. Guaro is a sugar cane – made clear liquor, similar to aguardiente. It was once the moonshine of Costa Rica. Now, it’s fabricated by the state-owned FANAL or Fabrica Nacional de Licores, in Grecia. It is marketed with the name Cacique…

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Smart Guide for buying property stress-free in Costa Rica

Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes Buying property stress-free is like being a mom raising your first kid. It’s almost impossible to keep it stress-free unless you know what you’re doing. Just like parenthood, becoming a homeowner is wonderful, but challenging at first. But most of all, it’s exciting. If you know what you’re doing. It’s…

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Meet your Marijuana friendly Real Estate Broker in Costa Rica

Yes, there is a marijuana friendly real estate broker in Costa Rica: me. I saw this article about Denver residential real estate agent Bob Costello. He launched a Marijuana friendly real estate broker advertising campaign in January 2014. That’s when the state of Colorado legalized marijuana for recreational use by adults 21 and over. Great…

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Can Canadian home buyers purchase property in Costa Rica?

A common question from Canadians is if Canadian home buyers can purchase property in Costa Rica or not? Our friendly partner in Vancouver Canada strawhomes.com often mentions property in Costa Rica is on the tips of their buyers’ tongues. Extended winters have led to an increase in Canadians affected with SAD. But the north’s frosty…

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New condo towers in Costa Rica offer a change of lifestyle

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Life in the suburbs is changing, tremendously, with new condo towers everywhere. I remember like yesterday, that we had cows and horses in the street a while ago. Jeez, time flies. And the world has changed so much. And Costa Rica is now a whole different world than the one…

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How much are sales commission and other fees to list a property?

A property seller asked what the sales commission and fees are to list and sell a property. The seller’s second question was: what happens if an outside source provides a buyer. So I’m taking advantage of these questions and put it all in one blog. All GoDutch Realty agents charge 5% sales commission at closing.…

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Why is the property location a carefully kept secret in Costa Rica

Every day, we receive emails from buyers asking for the property location. Coming from a foreign buyer, this is a pretty normal question. But in Costa Rica, real estate agents refuse to divulge the property location. They won’t until they have a chance to show you the property and register you as their client with…

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Flipping Fixer Uppers seems like a good investment – is it really?

Flipping fixer uppers might seem like an interesting business in Costa Rica. Buying a cheap home that needs TLC, revamping it, and reselling at a much higher price seems simple to do. In some countries, there are people who make a living by flipping houses. Generally, the most difficult part of this business is finding…

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