Every once in a great while ( well, maybe more often that that ) Rhonda and I sit back and reflect upon how our "adventure" has turned out here in Costa Rica. In hindsight, we ( even in our wildest imaginations ) could not have predicted the twists and turns that our lives have taken since our move.
We see an awful lot of expats here that are bitter and complain incessantly about life here. (yes, they would probably complain just as much "back home" too)... crime is horrible, the bureaucracy is unmanageable and intolerable, Ticos never tell the truth , there is too much pollution and overdevelopment...and ad infinitum. 
Well, yes, a lot of these complaints ARE true.  But, after a few years of life here it is easy to forget what life was like "back home" too.  
From OUR viewpoint here are the main advantages here:

• Slower pace of life.
• Much more emphasis upon family.
• Much more emphasis upon nature and wildlife.
• Huge amount to explore within only a short drive...from rainforest to oceans to volcanos to cloud forests to mountains to almost undis-
  covered Indian tribes... almost "too" much to see and explore.
• Lower costs of living...half as much as "back home.
• Quality medical care available and at much lower rates.

And of course, there is a lot more...these are just a few.

Are there negatives?   of course there are.   And
there are people that simply cannot adapt to life here.  But what we say is simple...give it a try...because if you do not..you will always wonder if a life in Costa Rica would have been "right" for you.

Come and see the "good, bad and ugly"...for yourselves. 
I tend to ramble when writing about Costa Rica because for us, it is a passion.  With all of its faults and problems, Rhonda and I truly believe that it is miles ahead of the alternative. 
Thank you ...all of you...who read our newsletters...and have visited OR who plan to visit...or are still just dreaming.  You have all helped make our lives here worthwhile.

Another note:  people who live here are aware that communications here is sometimes spotty and frustrating.  Oftentimes telephones do not work ( my toll free numbers are a good example!) and email ( the country's ONLY ISP, Racsa, is absolutely horrible and the interfaces and communications between various servers are sometimes intolerable...messages do not get delivered in probably 25% of the time...HURRY CAFTA!...a good advertisement for more competition here ).   We will be highlighting even more on our websites and communications...KEEP TRYING!...we are NOT ignoring you...if you do not get a response within a day or two...try again...and if you still do not get a response...PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL US...IF WE ARE NOT THERE LEAVE A MESSAGE...WE WILL RETURN YOUR CALL.
We are more frustrated than you because we want to communicate with you to ensure that you get your questions or requests answered... I just received a nasty note from someone stating that my customer service ( which I really stress ) was definitely "not as represented " and that they would go elsewhere. 
Please know that I cannot respond if I do not get your emails AND WE DO NOT AVOID EMAILS OR INQUIRIES.   Keep trying, please!  Believe me when I say that we try to answer every email and return every call. SO...please
make the extra effort.   Thanks.

We at CR Home are seeing more and more expats from other places respond to our website and ads about Grecia and the area here.   The qualities that drew us here are now starting to attract others...in a big way.  Infrastructure, security, a simpler life, a more family oriented community, less pollution and even simple things like better water and friendlier people and better roads...all of these things are being talked about by other communities.  People that previously thought that Santa Ana , Heredia and Escazu were the ONLY places to settle...are now reconsidering.  And many of these people are asking "are your prices REALLY that cheap?"   and  " what is the catch?"
Those of you that do NOT live here or are not familiar with pricing of real estate here OR how the system works would not know how much effort we put into locating reasonably priced properties.  But those that do live here, know what values are and are constantly amazed OR even unbelieving.   Come and see for yourselves and, please, compare our prices with others
as we definitely look a lot better then.   The real estate game in Costa Rica is definitely a "lot different" than anywhere else.  

New offerings:

 1. the house in Naranjo, undervalued by at least 30% is still for sale.   not enough time for prospective buyers to visit yet.   First come, first served.

2.  Over one manzana near Esparza and in the mountains overlooking Puntarenas and the pacific ocean and the islands in the Bay of Nicoya...with a small Tico house of at least 1500 sq. feet , and in good shape.  The view is stupendous.  lots along the road are selling between $20 and $50 per sq. meter.  

Do the math:
sell half of the property, which has a good buildable area...keep half for yourself...you then own the property for free.   You don't see opportunities like this often.  When you see this, you will see homes going up in the area for $250,000 on up.   Only $90,000

3. our number BH 093...we talked to the owner this past weekend and there are some items to be corrected...the acreage is a little over half an acre...there is a guest house on the property and the home is in much better condition than we originally thought.  It is definitely liveable as is.   The owner is also more negotiable and we believe that he will take a little less than $60,000.  Good view of the ocean and this house, owned by a gringo biologist, is a haven for birds...literally hundreds of species. 
And literally dozens of mature trees... this could be your spot of paradise, literally.    Less than $60,000

4. We also have a couple of beach homes in Playa Azul which we believe may offer financing.  The owners are a little anxious and willing to negotiate.   Let us know if you wanted a beach house, but may not have been able to swing the entire amount.  $15-25,000 down may entice the owner to carry some contract financing.
Check   http://www.cr-home-sale.com/beach_homes.htm

5. approximately three manzanas or five acres of gorgeous valley property just off of the main road of San Isidro de Grecia.  We are having the topography done and believe that this property is absoluely perfect for investment or to buy and build and sell off a piece or two...the Tico form of annuity.   This property is gorgeous and inexpensive.  If you are interested in buying a manzana or two for around $25-26K per, give us a call...this is the best combination of price and value we have seen in this area for a long, long time.

6.  a 25% interest in our Tacarres "urbanization is being offered.   The property is owned, plotted, cleared and the water study has been complete.   Remaining to do:  drainage ( contracted for) , road installation ( minimal ) , water installation...electric is the responsibility of the lot holder.   The entire subdivision has been reserved for resale by CoopTacarres, a local bank and co-op.   Estimated gross return is $126,000 and there is approximately another $2000 maximum in expenditures.   The project is in a Costa Rican corporation and all expenditures, legal work and projected sales can be verified.   The Coop has buyers totaling 75 and this project is only 15 lots.  Price is $15,000 for 25% ownership.   the math is pretty simple and a complete breakdown is available upon request.    This is the first urbanization that we have undertaken and, while it has taken a little longer than projected, the returns are still superb.    Call quickly. 

Again, as usual, thanks for putting up with my ramblings.  And come down and visit...the coffee is always on.

hasta luego
Rhonda y Randy; Steve y Marzena; Char y Rodrigo, Dolan and Logan; Liffer y Yolanda; Albert y Francini; our latest addition...David ( videos, computers and general geekwork ); Woodpecker; and offsite...Russ, Rowena, Chuck, and Andrew

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