Boomers In Costa Rica's Real Estate & More

Squatters?

In some countries, including Costa Rica, squatters can be a problem.  So, you buy a piece of land, decide to hold it for several years, and since you aren't living in Costa Rica you finally come back to the country and find out a family has been living on your land for a long time--and they are going to try to claim the land as theirs since you did not take any precautions to keep them off your land.  Yikes!  What do you do?!  I good article on squatter issues can be found here: Squatting issues

Real Estate Investment in Costa Rica?

Thinking about investing in real estate in Costa Rica?  Take a look at this article for a good overview of investment potential: Real Estate Investment in CR

For more information, join one of our Boomers in Costa Rica Tours!  More information here: Boomers Tours!

News from Costa Rica

President Arias has a girlfriend?  See story here: Arias' girlfriend?
Cool Surfing/Yoga school in Guanacaste.  Read about a combination surf school/yoga program in Guanacaste.  Life couldn't be better than that eh!? Surfing/Yoga
Spirit Airlines begins service from Ft. Lauderdale to San Jose.  Read more here: Spirit service
New Tourist Signs for Visitors.  Read more here: Tourist signage
Still room on Boomers' March 26-29 relocation tour.  More information here: Boomers in Costa Rica Tours!

World's Cheapest Countries

According to Transparency International (Transperancy International), Costa Rica ranks 8th in the world as the least expensive place to live.  Here are the top 10:

Top 10 Cheapest Countries (USA = 100)

1. Iran (33)
2. Philippines (39)
3. Pakistan (43)
4. Paraguay (45)
5. India (47)
6. Libya (47)
7. Bangladesh (48)
8. Costa Rica (53)
9. Argentina (54)
10. Kazakhstan (54) 
     

INVESTMENTRICHES.COM*

Check out Tim Miner's terrific site, InvestmentRiches.com. As his site says, it's where "real estate investment begins."  Even if you aren't considering moving to Costa Rica and investing in real estate (and you should!), his site is an excellent resource for everything real estate, particularly in the United States.  It's a great way to meet and network with others interested in real estate investment, get tips and hints on upcoming areas, and it's filled with leads on real estate.  It also includes forums for specific areas and interests and we've recently created a "Costa Rica forum." In the future we will be working with Tim and his members to educate even more people about Costa Rica.

Take a look!  InvestmentRiches.com

*InvestmentRiches.com and Boomers in Costa Rica are in no way affiliated with each other on a financial basis--we just like what each other is doing!

Have You Asked Your Land Developer/Real Estate Agent About....

Okay, so you are about to buy a lot in a new community in Costa Rica.  You love the views from the lot you want to purchase, the proximity to town and the developer's suggested home designs are great.  The price is right.  Now what?  We've found in our travels throughout the Central Valley, and in hearing some of the "horror" stories from unhappy lot purchasers, that many key questions about buying in a community are never asked--oftentimes just not thought of in advance.  So, here are a few questions to consider:

1. Is the lot titled (if not, stay away!!!)?
2. Will a home be built below my lot and will it obstruct my views?  What authority do you [the developer] have to control this?
3. Are there any controls over the type/size of homes that can be built?  Can any restrictions be enforced by law?
4. Who pays for maintenance of the roads and other items around the community after we build our home and move in?
5. Is there a community/association fee?  What does it cover and not cover?  Who decides how much it will be?  What happens if there is a shortfall in fees or if their is a surplus?
6. What other additional expenses do you anticipate we'll have besides the obvious (utilities) in living in this community?
7. How is garbage collection and disposal handled?
8. Are the surrounding areas zoned for commerical/industrial or residential use?
9. Is electricity and water already at my lot (if not, use a contract to try to enforce such provisions or walk away if you are not comfortable)?
10. Do you have all of the proper permits in place for developing lots and creating the community?  May I/we see the paperwork?
11. Who pays for making the building lot (i.e., the area where the home will go if it doesn't already exist)?
12. Is there a natural spring (or river) on/near my lot and what are the restrictions for building near it?

Best of luck!

For more information about buying in Costa Rica, consider a 4-day/3-night Boomers in Costa Rica Tour.  We have just a few spots left for our February 12-15 and March 26-29 tours.  For more information click here: Boomers Tours!

Where to Retire Abroad

Interesting article about choosing a place to retire:

Ezine article on retiring abroad

Baby Boomers Downsize their lifestyle

Apparently, as us baby boomers get closer to retirement, we're unloading many of the things we've accumulated over the years.  We're also moving to smaller homes.  A recent article in the Christian Science Monitor describe this trend among baby boomers.

Click here to view the article: Baby boomers downsize

Boomers Yahoo! Group

We've created a Yahoo group called "BoomersCR" because so many people seem to enjoy Yahoo groups.  By and for baby boomers interested in, or already living in Costa Rica, this group is creating a new community in Costa Rica of like-mined people enjoying the good life--young enough to be very active but old enough know they're having fun!  Check out and join our new group here:

BoomersCR Yahoo! Group

Costa Rica Property Success to continue in 2007

Two recent articles describe why Costa Rica will continue to be successful in the real estate area in 2007.  This one talks about the market factors that continue to make Costa Rica desirable:

AmberLamb article

And, this one discusses why Costa Rica is still a good value for investment and retirement:

Ezine article