Be Careful While Finding Your Home In Costa Rica

By Randy Berg

Every time you thought of a home of your own, did you imagine it to be in the midst of greenery with birds singing sweetly all around? Did you imagine it to be as close to the sea as possible so that you can hear the melody of the waves rushing towards the shore? If you just said "yes", then, I am sure you might have at one point at least considered looking for a house in the beautiful country of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is country in Central America. It is one of the most beautiful places on the face of Earth. This name Costa Rica means "Rich Coast". This country is located in the isthmus in Central America between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Hence, it has a rich, lush green coastline and is aptly called Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has a mild and temperate climate throughout the year and is suitable for people from any country to stay. If ever you dreamed of owning a piece of paradise, then, you should find your home in this country. Finding a home is this country is on the list of top priorities for a lot of people, however, you must bear in mind certain important points so that you do not get duped in the deal. This article will throw light upon a few important points that will help you exert caution while finding your home on this soil.

A lot of families in Costa Rica have occupied certain properties for many generations without actually knowing who the rightful owners of the properties are. Such properties are also not clearly registered in the property registry of the country. Hence, while finding your home in Costa Rica, you have to ensure before hand that the property you are interested in does have a specific owner.

Another point to keep in mind while finding your home in Costa Rica is that you need to be aware of the local laws and procedures. Also, you need to ensure that you know the language well. Incase you don't know the language or you are not aware of the local laws and procedures, then, it is suggested that you go engage a good real estate agent who can help you with the entire process.

Many homes in Costa Rica have been built years ago. And most of them have not been maintained very well. The owners who are interested in selling their properties just dab a fresh coat of paint in order to lure customers. It is always better to verify the age of the house properly before buying it. Also, make sure that the wood of the doors and stairways are not rotten in cases of houses that are years old.

When you decide to purchase a house which is years old, there is another aspect that you must verify. There are times when the sewer pipes beneath the slabs of the house are damaged. Hence, it is better to get a hydrostatic test done on the property which will reveal any such flaws.

In Costa Rica, the natives who are interested in selling their property quote different prices to the "ticos" (people of Costa Rica) and "gringos" (foreigners). They "ticos" quote up to 50% higher price if a "gringo" is interested in purchasing their property. Hence, if you want to make sure that you find your home at the best price possible, then, entrust the job of finding out the price of the property to a trusted "tico".