absentee landowners

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  • #169143
    salamander
    Participant

    I would like to hear from anyone that has purchased land in CR but not moved yet. Just interested in what you do to maintain it while you are not there.

    #169144

    [quote=”salamander”]I would like to hear from anyone that has purchased land in CR but not moved yet. Just interested in what you do to maintain it while you are not there.[/quote]

    We just closed on our house and do not plan to live their permanently for several years. We hired a local to provide security, take care of the landscaping, and make improvements occasionally.

    #169145
    twinzor1
    Member

    Hi. We completed our house in January, and hired a property manager. She is extremely thorough and manages a cleaning team, a fumigating team (every 30 days) and external landscaping. What’s just as important is she also pays all of the bills locally (ICE, etc.) and taxes. Its worked out extremely well.

    #169146
    costaricafinca
    Participant

    [b]twinzor1[/b] I don’t mean to sound [i]disbelieving[/i], but shouldn’t you wait at least a few months before you recommend your manager, after she has done what she said she would do? Unless you meant [i]Jan 2009[/i]?
    I personally don’t think that anyone should recommend any company or person that they personally haven’t used or had experience with and the job [b][i]completed[/i][/b]
    It is easy to ‘talk the talk…’:lol:

    #169147
    twinzor1
    Member

    I personally don’t think that anyone should recommend any company or person that they personally haven’t used or had experience with and the job [b][i]completed[/i][/b]
    It is easy to ‘talk the talk…’:lol:[/quote]

    I haven’t recommended my property manager,hence I didn’t provide her name. Anyway, I’ve used her for years at my other house in Marbella. I was only trying to illustrate the property manager concept to the original poster.

    #169148
    costaricafinca
    Participant

    No, you didn’t, but I am sure you understand what I meant since you are obviously pleased with what she done for you, in the past and performed what was expected of her.
    My answer was more to anyone who recommends a company halfway though the process rather than after completion.
    I think the original poster was meaning land not a house, according to another post he made.

    #169149
    salamander
    Participant

    That’s true, I was talking about land (but I’m she not he :)) – but I appreciate all input anyway. I hope to hear more!

    #169150
    Minuit
    Member

    Salamander, I bought a 1000meters lot on a beach near Parrita in 2002. Still struggling with the concession and construction permits, so nothing built there.
    I have no water or electricity fees yet and the only expense was the gardener who keeps it clean and watch precaristas. I pay him 30 000 colones a month, 13 months a year. Plus the municipality taxes which used to be 150$ per year, and now that I just had the concession granted, it raised to $ 2000 a year.
    I am trying to fight this right now, but I don’t see many solutions.
    Hope it helps
    Jo

    #169151
    costaricafinca
    Participant

    Oops, sorry, salamander!
    [b]Minuit[/b] on a forum, a few years ago it was ‘discussed’ with many [i]pro’s and con’s[/i] that when one hires anyone to look after a property they should pay their CAJA/INS but of course most people don’t, but if an accident happens on your property, you [i]could be held responsible[/i].
    How long since you applied to build?
    Also hope you manage, to get your land taxes reduced, as that is getting to be as bad as Canadian taxes! Well almost…:lol:

    #169152
    *Lotus
    Member

    We own 5100M2 and the HOA has people who tend to the grounds. I just paid the taxes myself in Jaco and was pleasantly surprised how easy it was…took 5 minutes! Total with no house for taxes was $35 dollars. HOA is $50 per month.

    #169153
    Minuit
    Member

    [quote=”costaricafinca”]Oops, sorry, salamander!
    [b]Minuit[/b] on a forum, a few years ago it was ‘discussed’ with many [i]pro’s and con’s[/i] that when one hires anyone to look after a property they should pay their CAJA/INS but of course most people don’t, but if an accident happens on your property, you [i]could be held responsible[/i].
    How long since you applied to build?
    Also hope you manage, to get your land taxes reduced, as that is getting to be as bad as Canadian taxes! Well almost…:lol:[/quote]

    You are right CRF, one should pay seguro, and I do pay the employer part and the employee part for my full time guard and gardener where I have a house built. I was never asked and never thought about paying it for the gardner where I have only land and he works only a couple of days every month. I should offer him as his next raise.

    About the taxes, I don’t pay half of it on a 20 000 meters with construction in Canada. Don’t really know what to do about it in Costa Rica. I’ve had all kind of trouble getting my concession because I have always refused to pay any tip to anyone. Maybe that is what got them a little mad at me. We shall see how it turns out
    Jo

    #169154
    soldier
    Member

    We closed on a beachfront in Playa Hermosa, Guancaste in November 2009. We retained a property management company in the area, owned by Americans and Costa Ricans. The monthly cost is $115.00 a month. Which includes weekly home inspection, bill payments etc. We are in a HOA, which takes care of the grounds and security within a gated community.

    #169155
    paumatom
    Member

    twinzor1- We might be building in the general area of Playa Junquillal in the future. As your house in Paraiso is completed, did you use a local builder? and would you recommend that builder?.

    Thanks for any information you might share.

    #169156
    costaricafinca
    Participant

    Back to the original question: Absentee landlords.
    Some friends had an ½ Ac. lot with a 2 storey duplex and a cabina on it at Rio Bananito, 20-Km south of Limón.
    And yesterday found that the duplex is gone!
    Nothing to do with the government, just that [i]’persons unknown'[/i] have razed the building and removed the structures along with [i]everything[/i] else.
    And, yes, they were paying a [i]caretaker.[/i]

    #169157
    salamander
    Participant

    That is one of the weirdest things I have ever heard! Who tears down buildings – I guess they sold the scrap? After catching up on forums today I think this reinforces the opinions people have expressed about living in Limon – I plan to stick to the San Isidro area when I can get there. Someplace with river frontage. But if I buy before I can move, I’m definitely sticking with vacant land!

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