by Ivo Henfling Every year I get surprised emails from interested people asking to see Costa Rica real estate during the Christmas holidays. They act surprised when they find out our real estate offices close down a couple of days before Christmas until after the 2nd week of January of the next year. Thousands of…
John Doe and his wife finally decided to make the big step in the property purchase process. This is the real story of a husband and wife who are purchasing property in Costa Rica FSBO. They bought directly from the real estate developer. Nonetheless, they wanted to tell us all about the purchase process they…
How to keep your home in Costa Rica safe? As you all know, I never try to hide anything that would be negative about moving to Costa Rica. Security is an issue that might stop people from moving to Costa Rica. In other blogs, I have explained why we have security issues in Costa Rica…
What is the International Living Fast-Track Costa Rica Conference? Over 200 future retirees attended the 2012 International Living Fast-Track Costa Rica Conference from the 12th – 14th of November in the San Jose Marriott Hotel. Many of those 200 have come by our table at least 4 times. My feet are still hurting, imagine my mouth! It…
Internet service in Costa Rica has been available for many years now. It might not be what you are used to, and at the same cost, but internet service is available almost everywhere. This is an August 2020 update. This blog was originally written in November 2012. But since the internet service in Costa Rica…
Learn more about the life of expats in Atenas. Two sisters – Judy and Roxi – are creating a whole new life in Costa Rica post-retirement from the United States. They were in touch with our Atenas real estate agent before they moved to Costa Rica and gave Isabelle Jones a raving testimonial. Learn about…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes After I quit smoking, I needed to get fit again. Getting back in shape is hard work but a lot of fun if you do it in the right place and with the right guides. No matter where you live now, and if you are in good health or not,…
Do you want to be a happy person? Maybe moving to Costa Rica will make you a happy person? There are quite some people who think that moving to Costa Rica will make them a happy person. But that is not always true. It’s not something that goes automatically. Many people who are thinking of…
Do you also have an orthopedic problem? I have been struggling with bad pain in my feet for years and no doctor could find what the problem was. Thank God for the internet (not of Facebook this time), that made it possible for me to find out that I have a neurological problem. Well, it’s…
How much is my Cariari home worth? That’s a question I’ve been asked so many times. Usually, a seller already has a price in mind. Their expectations are at times quite dead-on; at times the expectations are too low. But in most cases, sellers want way too much money for their Cariari home. I’ve heard…
I’m pretty sure you already know that the Costa Rica weather is one of the most attractive advantages that the country has to offer. I just received some very cold looking photos of snow-covered roads, rooftops, and cars from a friend. And I am sitting here at my desk, looking over my computer monitor. I…
For a smooth closing, it’s better for the seller to move out before closing. But is it always possible? Are there other solutions? Serious Costa Rica real estate agents will write up an offer to purchase – sale agreement on the Costa Rica property for sale. This offer should show what the buyer and the…
Do you need ambulance services to get to the hospital in Costa Rica? Then make sure you know your Tico address. This is important so the ambulance will know where to find you. We don’t have real addresses you know! If you don’t want the ambulance to get lost, ask your neighbor for your address…
Costa Rica has a pretty decent healthcare system with many public hospitals and Ebais clinics. By becoming a legal resident, you will have access to this social healthcare system. To obtain legal residency in Costa Rica you are obliged to register at the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social or C.C.S.S. This government-managed health care system…
Because I grew up in Holland it comes easy to talk about the topic and quite a few gay people email me asking that question: “are gay people moving to Costa Rica”. The answer is yes. When I was a kid, there was a gay kid on my block and at the time nobody would…
Trying to adjust in Costa Rica is very hard work, did you know that? In November 2009, I was introduced by an old client, to a very unusual couple. I mean unusual because they were much younger than most of my clients. This couple is barely in their 30’s. Husband Ethan, the 7-month, his pregnant…