Discovering Costa Rica

Page 49

Housing

The majority of the international companies are within the greater metropolitan area, which is

formed mainly by the west side of San José, and areas of other provinces such as Alajuela,

Heredia, and Cartago. This is the area where most of the transnational corporations have set up

their headquarters. Housing is found at a variety of levels and prices in these areas.

San José is a very active rental market; good properties are in and out of the market in a week

or two. There is no multiple listing service (MLS), and properties can be listed with several

realtors at the same time. There are no real estate restrictions for internationals; the law

contemplates equal rights for nationals and internationals, which means that there are no

special conditions for the acquisition or rental of properties in the country.

Helpful Hint:

With over 360 hotels located throughout the country, Costa Rica also

provides a wide spectrum of possibilities to rest and relax.

Home Finding

As is the case with almost any real estate transaction, finding a real estate broker is an

important step in the process if you’re looking for a property in Costa Rica. Lease terms are

negotiated through a broker. Property in Costa Rica can be purchased in one person’s name,

jointly, or in the name of a corporation. It is very common in Costa Rica for individuals to buy

property in the name of a corporation in which they own all shares.

Interest and/or title to real property are registered in the property section of the National Registry

(Article 460 of the Civil Code). Most real estate in Costa Rica has a titled registration number

known as the Folio Real, and the property records database can be searched with this number,

by name index or ID number.

Three bedrooms are the most common properties found. Nevertheless, some one and

two bedrooms can also be found, with some four/five bedroom as of lately

A very small percentage of available properties are fully furnished. Landlords are rarely

open to negotiate the electrical appliances to be included in the rent unless there is a

significant increase in the monthly rent

Properties shown might need some negotiating over repairs

Condominium complex buildings usually have 24-hour security guards, nice grounds

with pools, sports courts, barbecue grills, gyms, playgrounds, and more