Flamingo Beach Costa Rica
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How Not To Treat Your Realtor in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Realtor Becky Clower
You may wonder what I mean by the title to this article. I believe I've wanted to write this article for a long time and I'm now just getting down to it. I want to sum up my years as a Realtor here in Costa Rica and kindly remind those out there to have courtesy and understand the following points:
Costa Rica Realtor Becky Clower
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- There is NO mandatory licensing in Costa Rica. There are, however, a few reputable organizations with voluntary licensing such as CRGAR (Costa Rica Global Association of Realtors) and CCCBR (Camara Costaricense de Corredores de Bienes Raices). Being a member of either or both of these shows that the Realtor that you are working with considers ethics, morals, networking with other agents and a future MLS system important. Very few agents in Costa Rica hold active real estate licenses in their home country. Even fewer of those worked as agents before coming to Costa Rica.
- There is NO centralized MLS (Multiple Listing Service) in Costa Rica as of today. There are, however, many MLS type systems. Most real estate agents are tied into one or more of those MLS systems to assist with finding suitable properties for clients.
- If you are serious about buying property in Costa Rica, I encourage you to visit FIRST, tour the different areas you are interested in on your own and then decide if Costa Rica is for you. Real estate agents are NOT tour guides. Our time is valuable and gas and cars are expensive. If you want a tour, rent a car or hire a tour guide. Many real estate agencies can set up real estate tours to view many different areas at a very reasonable price.
One of the many Costa Rica rental properties that Becky's firm manages
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- If you want to buy to live in Costa Rica, VISIT first! If you want to buy to rent out (investment only) and are dependent on rental income, it's best to buy in areas that are desirable to travelers-that means areas that have more of a tourist population.
- Getting financing in Costa Rica is difficult. Basically those who don't really need financing are the ones who are approved. If you need financing it's always best to get in your home country. Very few deals offer owner financing, although it's possible but extremely limits you.
Playa Conchal, Costa Rica
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- If you are looking to purchase in five years, then it's best to explore the area on your own or pay for a real estate tour. No sense of asking an agent to see properties now for 5 years down the line. Inventory will change. Prices will most likely be up.
- PLEASE understand that Costa Rica is a very small country. Many of us agents know one another and certainly all the best ones do.... When you contact me, and contact two other agents in the same area to look for property, we will find out about it. The reason we find out is because when searching for the type of property you are looking for, we email requests to other agents and find out we are looking for properties for the same buyer. If I find myself in this "multiple real estate agent" situation, I choose not to be a part of it. Loyalty goes both ways. I personally don't have time to waste with a client who is not loyal to me. Be loyal and respectful as a buyer and choose ONE real estate agent, not five (especially in the same town!). Of course, if you work with an agent and decide they are not a 'match' for you, then switch.
A local resident enjoys the trees...
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- Please understand that if an agent shows you property and you choose to buy that property by bypassing the agent, they will find out about it. In most cases, agents register a client when showing a property to protect commission. I have personally had a situation where I showed a property to clients, they bought directly with the developer and I not only found out about it, but was also compensated.
- People who compare real estate agents to sleezy used car salesman or don't see the value of using a professional real estate agent have obviously not worked with the right people and did not do their homework when choosing who to work with. Do your homework! The internet is an amazing tool where you can find out the good, the bad, and the ugly about anyone.
- Being an agent in Costa Rica is 100 times harder than being one in the USA. I know, because I was one (and still hold an active Florida license). Without a true MLS, networking is key. In order to locate that perfect property, there is a lot of back and forth with phone calls and emails.
Playa Conchal, Costa Rica
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- Lastly, if you want to meet with a real estate agent and decide to stay at a hotel one to two hours away from their office, it's YOUR responsibility to get to us. I find it funny that I have had clients that expect me to drive to pick them up, bring them back to my office area, show properties in my area, return them back. If you do the math, that is 4 hours of driving just for picking up and dropping off the client. That doesn't include the hours of looking at properties. I figure if you are serious about buying, then you would arrange your own transportation to the area, whether by taxi or rental car.
Playa Conchal real estate for sale in Costa Rica
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I hope the above tips and information prove useful to you. After years of dealing with many clients, I felt the need to publish this article. If I can be of assistance in your search for real estate in my area of Guanacaste, feel free to contact me.
Written by Becky Clower who is our Recommended Realtor in this area. Becky grew up in Buffalo, NY and graduated from Arizona State University. Becky is fluent in Spanish, thanks to her mother who is Tica. Looking For A Highly Recommended Realtor?If you would like to communicate with Costa Rica Realtor Becky Clower about buying real estate in the area from Playa Avellanas to Playas del Coco in Guanacaste, please help us to help you by using the simple form below: Give Us Your OpinionClick on the Leave a Comment Box Below ToTell Us How You Feel About This?
Customer Comments
Most Helpful Customer Comments
It seems to me that this realtor wants her cake and eat it too,I am from Costa Rica born and raised,a little more help would be nice since most people dont know the area,language is a problem,transportation somtimes tricky so a little more help from the realtor will also make the interest party buy the property than being frustated with transportation etc,,, I realize some people will abuse the sysytem,her time is very valuable but also the buyers time is veluable and is a no brainer the buyer will provide the money for the realtor so a littlae more help will help both parties
Many of those who are looking to move to Costa Rica just assume wrongly that realtors in Costa Rica should carry part of the cost and effort of the due dilligence of moving here. A real estate agent sells real estate and some go the extra mile. Have you ever seen a realtor in the US who works the whole state? Of course not. You want the real estate agent to work hard for you? If you show loyalty, he/she will. Good real estate agents in Costa Rica take well care of their buyers, and if you feel badly treated you´re free to move over to another one. I do the same as Becky, if you are not loyal to me, why should I be loyal to you? I can show you hundreds of testimonials, I received those for a reason. But I can also show you for hundreds of "buyers" who have or tried to abuse. Its not a matter of Becky getting over herself. That is a typical comment from a buyer I prefer NOT to have in my car. Too many people think they have the right to abuse of their realtor because "the realtor is making lots of money anyway". Thanks Becky for writing this risky article.
Mark Quinn get over yourself!
This article is in no way shape or form an attack or condescending on clients. It is educational and should be taken as such. Becky values her clients and goes out of her way to help them find EXACTLY what they want. She works all the time, is honest and truly cares for the people she interacts with. If you want a realtor that is going to tell you exactly what you want to hear all the time, please realize that they probably do not have your best interest at heart and are strictly after your money. My husband and I have worked with Becky for over a year now. We took various trips and each time she was there to lend a helping hand and keep working to help us find what we we really wanted. I have reccommended all of my friends to her. It saddens me to read these post. Please go back and re read her article with a new mindset. See it as an educational tool to help you make the most of your time and money. Becky you are amazing. I believe anyone who knows you and works with you will agree. Please disregard the other comments as they are not the types of people who truly know the PURA VIDA spirit.
Mr. Quinn;
If you had seen any previous articles by Mrs. Clower, you would know that
the 3 MILES you refer to is not even close to reality. Her 'territory' covers
an extensive area of approximately 30 miles; North, South and East.
Have you never dealt with any agent that did not have a specific area?
I have personally seen cases where 'clients' use multiple agents to show them
properties for many days, only to have the 'buyer' deal directly with the
owner for the sole purpose of avoiding paying a commission. Does Dr. Barry
from Atenas sound familiar??
Or, others deliberately withholding information from the agent(s); that they
cannot buy anything until they sell their own property? They waste the realtors
time when they have no intention of purchasing!
Sheila Q.
Mrs. Clower has quite enough business generated not only from this site
but before becoming a contributor on wlcr.com.
Give her a try when you are serious about an investment here in Costa Rica.
I am confident that your opinion will change once you understand how she
treats all clients; with honesty and professionalism.
Please share your 'better approach' with all of us!
In this article I feel Becky is coming from a very honest, genuine and sincere place. I appreciate her candor. As a business professional myself I only want to work with professionals who are self confident and are not YES MEN. There is a big difference between a BS'er and "rip off artist" and a TURE PROFESSIONAL. Education is the sign of a true professional, which Mrs. Clower profoundly demonstrates in this article.
I see that a few people have taken exception to Mrs. Clowers' candor but my question to those people would be; Is this not the HONESTY you want from a professional? I have been a business owner for many years and can say without question this is EXACTLY the type of person you want on your side. I would suggest that everyone not take the tips, comments, and suggestions Mrs. Clower has put forth personal but be understanding and realize that the pitfalls of doing business in Costa Rica exist for both sides. I hope everyone can appreciate the service of such honesty. I say BRAVO Mrs. Clower, you have all my RESPECT!
As a Costa Rica realtor I understand Becky's frustrations. I think a lot of people are turned off when we advise them to come down first before searching property, but anyone who has been here knows firsthand that the different regions and different climates are something you have to experience for yourself, it's only then that you can realize what area is right for you. The realtors in the welove network are some of the most professional in the country so just as your expectations are higher for us, we have higher expectations from you.
I, too, find the article condescending. If you are using this forum to gain new clients, Ms. Clower, I suggest this is not the right approach.
I don't know you Becky because I was never interested in the section of Costa Rica that you cove, but I liked your article. When I bought my property in the San Isidro area, I was dealing with an extremely difficult seller. I had Victor Guerrero to help me deal with the seller. At times, I wanted to throw in the towel because the seller was truly a jerk, but I stuck to my guns and lo and behold, the sale finally went through. We are all humans and have to deal with human foibles. Even Victor had his ups and downs, but I understand why and forgave him. He managed a very difficult situation with the help of my attorney, Gonzalo Viquez Carrazo, Jr. I am now the owner of a beautiful finca in San Pedro de Cajon, and Victor was the one who sent me the renters who have been renting the property ever since I bought it. It served me well to make sure that Victor got paid his commission. When I move there, Victor will be a neighbor and he knows everyone around. It is always a good idea to respect the people you are doing business with and they will remember your actions in the future. I enjoyed your article and you are so very right. It applies to many other professionals.
I found her comments to be very condescending . CR is a mine field of rip off artists and lazy people representing themselves as Agents. Having spent many months researching on the Internet and then traveling the coast on my own I would have loved to have found an agent who was willing to move out of their 3 mile radius. If you don't want to travel for your clients tell them so. But remember the agent works for the client not the other way around and I have always found the agent that goes the extra distance makes the most sales.
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