Costa Rica Living with Nature on the Caribbean Coast

Scott Oliver

Manuel Eric Bicquelle Pinto is a legal and permanent Costa Rican resident who has been visiting Costa Rica since 1990 and has lived here since 2002.

Manuel and his Emmanuelle wife have two children, Maya Soleil who is 8 years old and Sara Star who is a 1 year old. They live in Punta Uva, south of Puerto Viejo Limon.

They focus on the Southern Caribbean area Cahuita, Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo, Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva, Manzanillo with some coverage of Limon, Bananito, Penshurt and Bordon.

Manuel has taken the Costa Rican Real Estate Association (CCCBR) course and has been involved in selling real estate in this area for 4 years. He specializes in 'ecologically responsible development' an has "little taste for money making only objectives."

Costa Rica Real Estate on the Caribbean Coast

Manuel and his team have sold over 40 properties in the last twelve months and help their customers with property and land management, rental services and construction consulting. The main goal of their agency is "to communicate and educate with our clients the importance of responsible development."

"I always ask my clients: Are you here to live here or to just make money? If developing -- will you live in your development or not? Those that are here to make money only -- are not my favorite clients -- though we do have properties for them a little up north."

"We look for clients that want to be part of the solution and not the problem. We do NOT want to become a Jaco or Tamarindo -- but rather somehow maintain the small town atmosphere and lush surroundings that through today -- sets Puerto Viejo apart from most other developed beach towns in Costa Rica."

"We do NOT want to sell out to big developers who really don't care about the consequences of their actions. With all that -- we ARE perhaps very different from most agencies -- and do shock some people -- but most of our clients are like minded."

"In our 4 years of existence -- zero of our clients have bought property and segregated them. That will change -- but we are proud of that. We have also sold large tracts of land to "conservation" minded clients -- thus protecting several hundred hectares of sensitive rainforest."

Costa Rica Realtors Who Care - Manuel Pinto will help you find what you are looking for on the Caribbean

"We have also sold many properties whereby reuniting segregated properties into larger properties. We believe there is equal or greater value in larger quality properties than there is in small lots -- although small lots are easier and quicker to sell. There that's our philosophy!"

Costa Rica Realtor Biography - Manuel Pinto:

Manuel Pinto was born in France -- all French! He moved to the US at age 8. He later attended Vanderbilt University and graduated with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and spent 1991 through 2002 moving up through the ranks to head a Pharmaceutical Research company. Manuel had a successful career but he "was not satisfied with my quality of life."

Manuel believes that "we create our own luck" and he moved to Costa Rica in 2002 for a total change and "accidentally and unintentionally got involved into real estate due to my web design experience -- acquired as a hobby." His wife and partner, Emmanuelle, is a sales person with background experience in pharmaceutical sales is also "French -- very French!"

Costa Rica Southern Caribbean Real Estate - Current Market Conditions:

"Significantly picking up steam... More and more buyers... Less and less products to offer -- prices are going up. Beachfront went from $30 or $40 per meter last year to $100 - 150 per meter this year. Average single family homes were $110K to $150K, they are now closer to $200K to $250K."

Manuel and Emmanuelle are unqiquely qualified to help you with your search for Southern Caribbean real estate becauase "we started from scratch. Bought our own piece of jungle, made my 1 km road, dug my well. Brought in high powered electricity and built three houses. We have 2 children. We greatly care about the future of our hometown."

"I am not here to rape it -- but since development is inevitable, I want to be a part of doing it right. I regularly attend most town security, zoning, environmental and social meetings. Very involved with my own community. I also come from European roots but have spent a significant time in the US."

"I understand the difference in those cultures and adapt well to most people."

Most important trait: "Total honesty all the time -- even if it makes me loose a sale. As I tell my clients -- I cannot afford to do otherwise, as most of my clients become neighbors and friends."

Caribbean Real Estate For Sale in Costa Rica - There are plenty of deserted beaches like these.

Customer Testimonials:

"Manny Pinto was the broker on a transaction I did a few years back. He was professional to the highest degree and on a human level, a source of encouragement and confidence that helped me consummate the transaction.

Manny continues to be a friend of mine to this day and we speak often about real estate and other matters of importance to us. His ongoing commitment to my well-being certainly sets him apart from anyone else I have dealt with in the industry (I also am active in real estate in Miami, FL). He helped me with several issues after the purchase of my property and did so with the utmost patience and proficiency.

Manny is sensitive, attentive, super-intelligent and well-versed in Costa Rican real estate. He speaks English, Spanish, French and Portuguese fluently. Manny should be anyone's first phone call in Costa Rica. I unreservedly recommend him." Andrew Rhee. Miami, Florida. USA.

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Emanuelle and their two beautiful multi-lingual children

"From the moment I met Manuel (and his team) there were two things immediately apparent -- he loves what he does and the place he does it. Couple that infectious enthusiasm with a savvy listener and knowledgeable professional who knows that his next customer could be his next neighbour, and you are already halfway to your goal.

For us, Manuel went way above and beyond what you might expect from say a US real-estate agent, providing guidance, advice and expert referrals at every stage of the process, until the deal was done, the papers filed and we were able to finally celebrate the achievement of buying and building in Costa Rica... an achievement for which I'll never forgive him!" Geoff Lucas, San Francisco. USA.

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"A real estate sale is a big transition in life. Selling and buying property can be an emotional roller coaster. All deals involve money. Mix the two, and it can be as unpleasant as getting stung by a jellyfish. Or with a good team at your side, the experience could be more like a good ride in the surf.

With the help of Manuel Pinto at Caribe Sur Real Estate recommended by my friend Scott at WeLoveCostaRica.com, I sold my property in the Caribbean with expediency and efficiency. In a deal I thought might take as long as a year to sell, my property was sold in three months. Without Manuel and his associates, I'm not sure things would have gone so smoothly.

I feel incredibly enthusiastic in recommending Manuel Pinto. Living on the Caribbean is a mixed bag of sand. One one hand, nothing compares to the surf, sand, and sunshine. On the other hand, the rain and all the other elements - from ants to mold to termites can be a handful if you're not prepared.

Living at the beach is a big commitment. Learn early to let the water flow off you're back right from the minute your start your journey. A smooth real estate transaction can not only ease the transition, but also connect you to faces and resources you'll welcome in the future.

I send this one very important footnote with my recommendation: All deals will reflect the energy YOU put into it. Provide documents and details the Realtors need; return phone calls; be available; and most importantly be patient. A few times, it would have been easy to give into frustration, but what deal doesn't throw up an obstacle here and there? Bundling my nerves into a frazzle would have proven fruitless. I knew with Manuel's help and my positive outlook, the right buyer would come." Susan Lutz, Escazu, Costa Rica.

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"Emmanuelle Pinto (Manuel's wife and business partner) was a wonderful, her expertise was very helpful. She oriented me, gave me very good advises and support."

"It was not possible to do it without her professionalism. They manage every thing perfectly with the help of an efficient attorney."

"We became more than friends. I found generous and intelligent persons. We have the same vision of the life and the world. This family is great, they are not only business oriented but life oriented."

"They are simply the best one's in the region... And I have seen and heard so many things bad and good. Gilles Le Goff, South Africa."

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For many people real estate brokers have the same image as second hand car dealers; their only goal is to sell as quickly as possible and they therefore will not reveal the whole story and will certainly not tell you the negative aspects of whatever they are trying to sell you.

I have had contact with realtors inside and outside Costa Rica and would not easily trust any of them. My wife and I bought a property in Cocles, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica through Manuels company I came to the conclusion that we had found a broker who is an exception to what I think is the rule.

I was impressed in several ways:

1. We were shown plenty of properties without getting the feeling that we were taking too much time and in fact were told that we should take our time and not rush into making a decision. Their words: "Listening to your reaction to different properties makes it easier for us to get a more exact feeling of what you are looking for and thus enabling us to help you find the right property".
2. All my e-mails were attended to without delay and with extensive information
3. Most facets of legal situations and implications were explained in a very clear way and possible difficulties and dangers were pointed out.
4. Once we had decided on a property and were, from then on, dealing with Manuel Pinto, is where the real difference was made for me.
5. Manuel Pinto was not just selling a property for the seller but acted as a responsible intermediate for buyer and seller. He was very straightforward and fair in his advice and in finding the middle road between two parties.
6. The buying contract was clear and correct and at the time of signing at the lawyer's office Manuel showed his expert legal knowledge when correcting "our" lawyer on certain elements in the contract and explaining to us what we were signing.
7. We still experience a service orientated attitude from him and his staff and we always feel welcome to come and ask for advice.

Manuel Pinto's philosophy is to my opinion the only correct and certainly the smartest one: treat clients well and fair and you will create loyal customers and build a good and solid reputation.

His reputation in this area of Costa Rica is indeed a very good one and I can and will recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell in this part of the country." Tom Keller, Finca Chica. Puerto Viejo, Cocles

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"I Just bought a beautiful house in Puerto Viejo that I found on your site a month or so ago and the Realtor who helped me with this transaction Manuel Pinto was the most informative person that I have dealt with so far in real estate here. He went out of his way to help me secure this house, close the deal and now has helped me get insurance on this property and for that I am really grateful to him. Being an American and living here without the knowledge of the laws you need sound advice from experts like Manuel and also his local knowledge." Lewis Alongis.

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Living on the Caribbean Coast - Learning to surf