posted 03-20-2006 01:38 PM            

There are not many homes that are american style construction here...composite roofs, brick, with wood frame.

For what you are looking for....you can easily do for $300k. you will see drastic variations in prices depending on where it is. If want a super nice sub division like valle del sol......much more expensive. you will only find a few in that price range i think. If oyu want to buy the land yourself and construct, you can get much more.

I VERY much advise renting first. If you are asking that question, it mean you dont understand the country....and you WILL be had.

The cost of renting right now is about 1/2 the cost of buying, and the prices of homes are not skyrocketing any more.

posted 03-22-2006 09:18 AM            

wow. i have never heard of that. I live in a small rental house (1000sq. ft) my father in law built (2br, 2ba) over 3 years ago. he bought the land 30 years ago, did the design himslef, is a tico, so he got tico prices...just construction was over $50k each (not including land and other costs. nothing luxury, no marble just tile. I have never seen a luxury home for that price.

the chapest "luxury" home i have seen (granted in the central valley) in a safe guarded area on 1/2 acre was over $250k.

how big is your house? it is a stand alone house with a yard and such??? My neighbor is about a 60 years old canadian and has been coming here for 15 years ...also commented the other day that he is renting next to use becuse he said he cant find anything decent and safe around $100k.

a pool for $3k??????? A jacuzzi is $3500 last i checked!

where are you located?????? Is there anything for sale there?

maybe there are good deals left!

posted 04-02-2006 03:47 AM            

Money is not your problem. You have way more than enough.

I admittedly did not read the entire thread above.

You also don't really need to spend a long time living here to prevent being "had."

I am living in Playa Chiquita on the Caribbean coast. I am renting now, but am buying asap. Probably a matter of weeks. I just want to live between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo.

If you did a tour, you are a saavy guy. You will do great here. About the only thing I think you should consider is the risk of buying concession land (land without a title: either Indian reservation land or refuge land, etc.) It is easy to research. I would not buy concession land without consulting a good attorney in San Jose.

[You might be okay hiring a local atty to buy titled land, but I would get a heavyweight atty in San Jose if you are looking at concession property.]

I personally know of dozens of houses in my area for sale that are not in gringo-like suburbs, of course, but regular local neighborhoods. Mostly European neighborhoods, not American. And it aint no gated community! Some are above your price range, but most are not.

I used to live in the USVI and lived aboard my sailboat for 6 years in the Caribbean. CR is a great place to flee from Uncle Sam and Dubya. There are hundreds of Vets in the Virgin Islands who never set foot in the States, and haven't since, since their tour was up.

I prefer the Caribbean coast, but the whole damn country is gorgeous. Just personal preference.

posted 04-02-2006 04:01 AM            

It is no doubt different in the Meseta Central, but there is absolutely no shortage of fine homes for sale on the Caribbean coast for $300,000 - $350,000.

Now, you don't have to spend that. You could spend half (or maybe 75%) of that and be marvelously happy, because you would have a superb house.

It is all in what you want. The $300,000 and up homes often are big enuf to have a spare room or two to rent - or a separate cottage to rent. Something to think about -that rent income stream.

I personally want to buy a house with some rent income potential. Very common on the coast.

If you get interested in the Caribbean coast, I would be happy to show you some homes (as a friend, not as an agent, or a unlicensed commission sales hustler) in your range. Then you could hire an licensed agent. (I know all the ones in my area.)

But, first maybe think about what location you like - all provinces are very different. Then think about build vs. buy.

Some guys have built before and CR is not a bad place to build your own home, acting as the building supervisor yourself. Most buyers who are not builders (at least on some level) tend to just buy a property with a house.

I am a framer and know the local building crews, but I want to buy a house, not build one. The labor is good, but building roads and obtaining materials on time can be troublesome.

I agree with all the pool price info above, BTW. This is a superb place to build a pool at a reasonable price.

posted 04-02-2006 04:17 AM            

I help two local non-profit ecological foundations, one concentrating on organic agriculture and the other with financial assistance for small local farmers.

As such, I have to have a pickup, too. To haul construction supplies, farming equip, etc.

But, I also have a contract to buy a 125 Dirt bike next week (if I don't go crazy and get a Suzuki 650 in San Jose!)

FWIW, a dirt bike is much safer than a 50 cc scooter. Yes, it costs more, but you can cross rivers, go up mountains, and
down jungle trails - like the ones in the Retama around Manzanillo. (But, please stay ON the trail and not rip up the pristine jungle!)

I have ridden bikes all my life and while scooters are cheap and convenient, I hope I do not have to resort to one too often from here on. If you try a 50 cc scooter and then hop on a Kawasaki 125 or Yamaha 125 dirt bike, I think you will see what I mean. A dirt bike is not going to take a spill on soft mushy gravel like a 50 cc scooter.

posted 04-04-2006 02:39 AM            

FAMILY BUDGET
Hipótesis: Parents with 2 kids in Bi lingual "High School"
CONCEPT ESTRATO SOCIO ECONÓMICO:
Medium Medium Medium high high
rent $700 $1000 $1400
school
(no bus no meals) $590 $700 $700
Supermarket $400 $500 $600
Insurance Medical
(INS plan ¢6.000.000,00)$115 $115 $115
Maid service
( incluye 45% prestaciones $230* $320 $320

Publc Service
Energy $40 $45 $56
Phone
(850 impulsos sin Internet ni celular)
$13 $13 $13
Long distance ( global aproximado)
$20 $30 $40
Celular (200 minutos) $24 $24 $24
Internet (Racsa, plan tarifa plana 90 horas)
$35 $35 $35
Televisión per Cable Amnet o Cable Tica
$27 $27 $27
water (global aproximado)$10 $15 $20

VEHÍCULOS Car
Gasolina (250 litros mensual por 2 vehículos x US$ 0.60)
$150 $300 $300
insurance (US$22,500 x vehículos x 4.5% x2 semanas
$169 $338 $338
year taxes (derechos circulación anual)
$25 $50 $50
Mantenimiento (global aproximado)
$50 $100 $100
Extras (misceláneos, otros, etc.)
$771 $1075 $1241

TOTAL Monthly BudgetL $3342 $4600 $5379
** 1 vehículo/car

also check
Business Environment http://www.cinde.org/index.shtml

Costa Rica Technology Insight 2006 http://www.costaricainsight.com/

for internet / cable http://www.directv.co.cr/english/index.htm http://www.racsa.co.cr/english_version/

hope this helps daniel
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/escazurealestate/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/escazunews/

also

posted 07-03-2009 04:09 PM            

Thanks.