Those of you following the news out of Costa Rica for the past few weeks know that much of the country has been hit with heavy heavy rains and resulting flooding in the low lying areas, particularly in the pacific coastal areas.    For those of you who have not had much experience with beach areas but still are considering a purchase here PLEASE be aware that when heavy rains strike beaches become clogged with debris and sometimes even garbage.   Yes, it is unsightly.   If you have been on a vacation you remember that the beaches there were always clean and pristine…but please know that that is the result of the hotel or resort staff cleaning the beaches daily so that it always APPEARS clean.   We will be cleaning the beaches and even the entire area around Playa Azul on a weekly basis but please, those of you who expect a pristine, absolutely spotless beach and surrounding area…prepare yourselves for the occasional “mess”.  And please be aware that it is that way anywhere in the world.   If you do not w ant to be exposed to the “real world”, stick with a condo or a gated community with no access to the beaches.

The past few weeks have been rewarding AND frustrating.   Many of you know that we find our properties via our “scouts” , Ticos (Costa Ricans) who are on our payroll and are paid to knock on doors and ferret out properties in specific areas at”tico” prices rather than inflated prices.   And if any of you do not think that there is really a “two tier pricing system “ here, just try it for yourself OR ask almost anyone who has been here for more than six months.    A system , which used to infuriate me as being unfair and dishonest…. now has turned into a game.   Face it, isn’t it only logical that Ticos, who have lived here all of their lives know precisely what property is worth ?   ….versus “gringos” who have no idea what land is worth?    Of course, it is.

Ok,  frustrations…( oh, one other thing…there are almost NO exclusive listings here as selling real estate is almost a national pastime here ) …we had an example last week of a house in Grecia that the seller said he wanted $85,000…we took a TICO buyer there and all of a sudden, the seller says “ no, I have decided that I want $110,000.”   Of course, this not only makes us look stupid and incompetent but obviously is a frustrating process.   Why does it happen?   Well, partly because perhaps the seller overhears someone else saying that “gringos” will pay almost any price…( which is the overwhelming perception here in Grecia)  or possibly because we took someone there “too soon”  after he quoted a price to us AND he figures he can get more.   I have actually had a friend ( another real estate company) who said that he actually had the buyer and the seller in a closing of a million dollar property and the female owner said “No, I have decided I want another $200,000.”  Can we do anything about it?     Unfortunately , no.   All we can do try to ascertain as best we can that the seller is serious.

  
This is just ONE of the frustrations we encounter on the “scenes behind CR Home.”   Remind me to publish descriptions of the bureaucratic snafus that exist here almost on a daily basis…not only with the governmental bureaucracies but also with the local  ones. 
Many of your have visited us and seen properties here and been to our homes and spent time with us.   And many of you know how we live and have a pretty good idea of “ what life is REALLY like here AND “how much things really cost here.”   This is something that we believe very strongly in…that everyone considering moving to Costa Rica deserves to know “the good , the bad, and the ugly “ about the country and life here BEFORE moving here.  We really do try to make an attempt to show people the country and answer questions.   And, believe it or not, it is not all about sales, because the sales of land and real estate always comes, if we do our job.   In the States or Canada realtors have an MLS system and have access to literally thousands of homes and can put together presentations for their clients in a matter of minutes.   That does not exist here and nearly all realtors do NOT cooperate with each other.   So you will not only see a broad range of prices of properties in Grecia ( as an example) but you will definitely have trouble finding many as well.   And for reasons mentioned, a “gringo” cannot exactly walk up , knock on the door, and converse with the owner about his property which may feature a SE VENDE ( for sale ) sign. 

 
My point here?  It is a great deal of work to assemble our listings and obtain fairly priced properties…so …if any of you seeking property understand the process…it makes things a lot easier.   And further…it is virtually a full day’s time for us to show one or two properties on the beach from our office in Grecia…so please understand that if we ask to leave early in the morning in rainy season, it is not necessarily to “fit you” into our schedule …it is to ensure that you can actually view the properties without being caught in a downpour.  And please…try to remember that we really do want to ensure that you are exposed to as much of Costa Rica as we can show you ….and also know that if you decide that it is NOT the right time for you to buy or you do not like our listings….that is OK too.  Just try not to totally disappear without saying goodbye.   Nearly all of our clients or potential clients become our friends and they are welcome in our homes.   We really appreciate your feedback and it is really disappointing when people just “disappear” without saying goodbye or giving us any feedback at all.     Please afford us the same courtesies that we give you.   And if you have criticisms, yes, they are welcome as well.  I have had members of my staff ( and yes , that includes Rhonda and I ) spend literally a full day standing in line to get a paper that someone has requested…or offer a place to sleep in our cabina…or even to go so far as to lend a potential buyer enough for a downpayment on a property, or pick someone up at the airport at midnight…    We really do believe that we are the best at what we do.   And we do want to make certain that each of you gets a taste and feel of “the real Costa Rica”.  And we also hope that you do visit our competition because we know exactly where we stand…and that you will be back. 

Sorry for the ramble.   One thing that almost everyone asks is “how much does it really cost to live here?”   We were just on the telephone trying to persuade some friends, who are retiring to consider Costa Rica and it is always gratifying when someone says “that’s ALL it costs?”   A few samples:  a rebuilt engine for your car:  $1000…a new head gasket: $150…. A full time gardener:  $300/mo.…a part time maid:  $2 per hour or less…a cook, the same…a good dinner: $8-10….a good lunch at a soda or the market: $3 …a beer : $1.50; pack of cigarettes: $1 ( believe it or not…and hardly anyone here smokes)…gasoline: about $4.50 per gallon equivalent…food for two for a month ( not compromising on quality ): $250…rent, a 2 BR decent neighborhood with a good view:  between $250 and 500 per month ( and yes, you can find rentals for less outside of town in the rural areas…decent rentals here can run as low as $100 per month. )  Medications are typically less than half of what they are in the states or Canada.  Haircuts are two bucks.     A good steak equivalent to Stateside is about the same price…but fish , say, sea bass, will cost you about $3 per pound at the very most.   An awful lot of people make do with social security here.   And remember, the best things about Costa Rica are free.

Ok…new listings and possibilities…

1.     The birding lodge….on a river and overlooking the ocean AND only a two minute walk away from the pacific…this lodge was formerly run as a bed and breakfast and was known as one of the premier birding destinations in the country.   The owner guaranteed that if you did not see at least 100 different species of birds during your stay that your lodging was free.   This lodge consists of 6-7 bedrooms , 3 baths , large living area, huge terraces and decks  and is extremely well designed and built.    This property is a jewel and the owner is now desperate to sell.    We believe that this could be operated again as a B and B but would also make a superb family retreat.   We are not exaggerating when we say that it is a real bargain at this level.    Here is our proposal:   we think that this home /lodge could be picked up for around $100,000, which is about a third of what the original selling price was.  And if the owner will finance a portion so much the better.   We suggest that this property be purchased as cheaply as possible with the iintent of reselling within a year’s period of time at close to a 50% profit.   And if leverage can be employed…so much the better.   We suggest two investors split the cost…although one person may wish to do the entire amount as it is definitely worth more.   We will work with the buyer(s) to ensure that everything gets accomplished with a minimum of problems…from start to finish.    Write or email for more details as I think that, one way or the other, it will go quickly.  randy@cr-home.com   

2.    4300 sq. meters in arguably, the best area of Poas ( a little over an acre ) gorgeous view, with a choice of three building area so that the property could be subdivided if desired.   This is a great find  and a fantastic area.    Only  $44,000.  (comparable property in Grecia and most of this area is twice as much ). 

3.    5-6 manzanas just outside of San Ramon near Llano Brenes…gorgeous ocean view and includes river and waterfall.  (around ten acres ) .   Gorgeous areas for building, excellent access and utilities right next to the property.    This property is available at a fantastic price and should sell immediately …just found last week .   Around $175,000 depending upon the amount of land.   Best buy in the area we have found in two years.  Subdivide and resell.   Land in this area is selling for much more. 

4.    We have found 3-4 houses in Poas in the $30-50,000 range that are all VERY liveable.   It makes a lot of sense to purchase one of these, “test drive” the country for a period of time…and if you decide to stay, sell the property for a profit..  These are all below market and very nice homes.   Ask for details. 

5.    Those of you interested in the waterfall investment…sit tight.   Sometimes things take more time than we want here.   One of the many things I have learned about investing here is NEVER force things or try to make things happen.   If an investment is meant to happen….it will.   We have two or three more projects pending…meantime you might consider #1 above. 

Our souvenir shop is up and running.  Still getting organized but it is manned and open for business!   We are in the process of setting up a coffee shop in town as well.    The one coffee shop in town ( at least with good traffic ) is Tico owned and much is lacking.   It is a spot for gringos to congregate and newcomers as well as everyone knows it. ( this used to be our favorite meeting place before we had an official office).  We have hired a couple that has had significant retail experience as well as having superb customer relations experience.   We have a fantastic location, just off of the public square in front of the “red metal church…over 3000 sf and a perfect setup for a coffee shop.    We envision something like a Starbucks back home…but obviously with Costa Rican coffee!   The rest will have to be a surprise.   Suffice it to say that it will fill a void here in town.    If any of you have an interesting in investing in this project, let us know quickly as we are proceeding full tilt.    Minimum of $10,000.    randy@cr-home.com  ( oh, Rhonda said to be sure to mention that Aunt Barb’s carmel rolls will be featured here…and they are worth a flight down just for a taste )

We are also in the process of adding to our staff, adding additional projects and will be working on our new website soon.   Videos will soon be a major part of our website and should add much more in terms of understanding more about what life is like here BEFORE you get here.   Of course, our intent is to whet your appetites even more. 
Are we too busy?    Sometimes, but hey, for now and most of the time it is fun working here in Costa Rica.  
Thanks for reading.

Randy y Rhonda; Steve and Marzena; Char and Rodrigo, Dolan and Logan; Liffer and Yolanda; Albert and Francini, David, Pedro Coto,  and the Woodpecker, Alvaro Trejos.   Stateside:  Russ, Chuck, Rowena and now Robin

Office toll free:  1-877-262-8904
Toll free:  home:  1-877-247-3014
Home: 011-506-2-444-8716
Cell:  011-506-8-841-5782