It’s no secret that Costa Rica is one of the most popular places in the world to buy a house. The country’s natural beauty, stable government, and thriving economy are just a few reasons people are drawn to it. Furthermore, foreigners in Costa Rica have many rights, including opening bank accounts, earning rental income, and purchasing a property without necessarily becoming residents.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, Costa Rica was the fifth most popular country for American home buyers in 2018. In 2022, Forbes ranked Costa Rica as the second-best country in the world to retire to. And it’s not just Americans who are buying properties in Costa Rica – foreigners from all over the world are investing in the country. In fact, according to the Costa Rican Association of REALTORS®, foreigners bought $2.4 billion worth of property in Costa Rica in 2017, representing a 26% increase from 2016.
These statistics show that buying a house in Costa Rica is a smart investment. Not only will you be able to enjoy all that the country has to offer, but you can also expect your property to appreciate in value over time. Below, we’ve included four steps to keep in mind when purchasing a house in Costa Rica’s market, including checking the title of your potential home and hiring a real estate agent.
The Property Title
Property ownership follows specific rules in Costa Rica. The property title is an important factor to consider when purchasing land in Costa Rica. However, the legislation made sure that foreigners benefit from almost the same privileges as residents if they want to invest and purchase land in the country.There are specific areas designated for particular types of development, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with any legal provisions or ask your real estate agent to explain them before making an offer. For example, there are coastal zones where construction is limited to certain heights, and agricultural zones where farming is the primary use. Furthermore, it is essential to make the distinction between titled land (fee simple) and concession land, such as beachfront property.
Titled Land (fee simple)
Title land (fee simple) is a type of property ownership that gives the owner full control over the property and all its assets. The owner can sell, lease, or use the property however they please, and can also bequeath it to their heirs. Fee simple ownership is the most common form of property ownership in Costa Rica and is often used for residential and investment properties.Don't see the property you're looking for? We have more!
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The zoning and restrictions
Zoning and restrictions are important aspects to consider when looking to invest in Costa Rican real estate. In particular, the government has a variety of regulations in place that investors must abide by. The restrictions on purchasing beachfront property have been put in place to protect the country’s coastline.With so many people from all over the world interested in buying beachfront properties in Costa Rica, the government is worried the country’s natural beauty will be spoiled. Much of the prime coastal land is zoned for tourism use, meaning that development is restricted to hotels and other similar tourist facilities. This is done in order to protect the country’s natural beauty and preserve its beaches for future generations.
The location
Now that you know places to avoid when looking for a home, you can make an informed decision regarding the area where you want to move to Costa Rica.Put together a list of things you want and will not budge on, not only with your home but your neighborhood. Look at the communities as well, and see if they are accepting of foreigners in their location, although Costa Ricans are known for their open hearts and minds and are very accepting of living in unison with foreigners.
Locations Expats and foreign investors love
Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo is one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist destinations. Situated on the country’s Pacific coast, the town is known for its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. It’s also home to a wide variety of high-end real estate properties, from luxurious condos and villas to sprawling beachfront estates.
Tamarindo
Playa Tamarindo is a notable exception to the Maritime Zone that we have mentioned before. It allows foreigners to buy beachfront properties without having to split the ownership. This is why it is the perfect location for expats and investors to purchase property at.The process
It’s important to start looking for a real estate agent after you’ve narrowed down your choices and before making real estate purchases. Though Costa Rica is fairly small, many real estate transactions are done locally, meaning that agents only cover a small area. The agents at Christie’s cover the whole country.Advantages of hiring a real estate agent
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They know the local laws. For example, a quick search shows you that any foreigner in Costa Rica pretty much has the same rights as any citizen, and that includes purchasing a house. However, there are two major exceptions surrounding Maritime Zones and INDER properties, which the current property owners might not know about or tell you. Your real estate agent can go over these specifics with you to make sure you won’t purchase a piece of property that leads to legal issues.
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They can check your title. A real estate agent can check property titles easily as you go through the purchasing process. If you want to do it on your own, you will have to search online and know the property’s identification number on the National Registry.
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Find the best place for you. Whether you want a house near your workplace, lower property taxes, a gated community, or a luxury home, a real estate agent can help you find the best place for you faster than any online property search can.
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Keep things going even if you are abroad. If you have to leave due to only having a temporary residency or a 90-day tourist visa, your real estate agent can continue to work on the purchase process on your behalf, while you schedule a new visa.
Conclusion
Buying a house in a foreign country isn’t easy. It can involve a lot of rules and housing guidelines you might not experience in your own home country or other countries. However, Costa Rica is often the exception to this rule. Its zoning laws are clear, and foreigners enjoy almost the same rights as citizens when it comes to property purchases.
Even so, working with a real estate agent can help you throughout the entire process and make things a lot simpler and faster for you. After all, investing in real estate is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make. It helps to have someone else dot the i’s and cross the t’s for a successful real estate transaction.
