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I think you are getting more concerned than than need be about squatters. This is not a big problem in most of Costa Rica and I really only heard of any real problems occuring in the southern zone about 10 or 15 years ago. No matter where you buy theoreticly you expose yourself to “squatters”. There are many other things to worry about; at the risk of wrath from other members I would suggest you take a look at Columbus heights in playa hermosa. They are offering 1.3 acre lots starting at $60k and you can speak with the independant contractor that was hired to build out the infrastructure etc… also you can just go down and look at the property with no deposit. If you really have doubts hire an attorney and have him/her look into it for you. Yes I have signed a contract to buy and yes after doing my own due diligence feel good about my decision. I believe this deal is much better than what Paragon is offering for many reasons.
I think a big part of the problem for us here in the U.S. is our lack of conservation. I have spent quite a bit of time in Europe and gas has always been very expensive$3-$6 dollars a litre. But they drive cars that get a minimum of 25-35 mpg, turn there heat off or very low at night. In apartment buildings common area lights are set on timers and home lights are turned off when not in use. And there are many other examples. It seems like everyone here has at least one giant SUV or other large vehicle, ac runs all day,lights left on, 3 tvs to a home,supermarkets stuffed with a 100 varieties of chips, cereal etc..the simple answer to $3 a gallon gas is a car that gets 30-40 miles per gallon, how about a hybrid 60mpg!!
check out the central valley, San Ramon, Grecia, Atenas etc..thats where you can have a great climate, close to San Jose for all the best services and about an hour to the Pacific beaches.And it seems like you can get a nice home and land for about $100k. This website has a service to help you find a property…sounds like a good idea for you. Most of the developments along the central Pacific in gated communities where you are buying land and house are expensive. There are a couple of condo projects in Jaco where you can buy starting at about $150k if that’s your thing. There are a couple of guys at http://www.costaricaltd.com building inexpensive homes(relatively)but they are jammed together.Goodluck!
I have to say although I think going to war with Iraq was a mistake; I thought oil prices would come down? You know the old saying “to the victor goes the spoils”? I never believed the weapons of mass destruction thing and just assumed they wanted control of the worlds 3rd largest reserve of oil. Never imagined oil prices would go up?
I have been involved in the real estate business for about 14 years and tire kickers are just part of the game. Your idea of marketing costs being driven excessively up does not really make sense. I would assume the agents are being payed on commission and simply may have to work a bit harder, but if organized properly can also be efficient. I think they would do better with more conventional marketing ideas, I was looking for property for about 6 months and every time there ads popped up I just closed them out and at the time had never even heard of Paragon. There is no real information in them and they just seem like a get rich quick scheme with the “with $25,000” etc….I am amazed they have even sold 10 lots this way, maybe I could sell the Brooklyn bridge?lol.
Edited on Apr 17, 2006 18:03
Well I think it may depend on your age, but the guanacaste area of play flamingo, playa de coco should meet most of your criteria. The best health care is around San Jose. You may want to look into the central pacific near Jaco although I would avoid actually living in Jaco. There are a few established communitys in and around the area such as Opera salveje(playa hermosa), great little community of beautiful homes that run the gamit of cottage to 3000sqft.mediterranian homes run from $200k up. There is hermosa paradise large and beautiful homes on the ocean about a kilometer or two south of playa hermosa homes start at $400k. There is costa rica ltd. in esterillo, small homes and townhouses being built by a couple of nice guys on small plots of land build as a surfers community prices for land and house start at $129k. Land has gotten very pricey most lots with water/electric and roads near play hermosa can range from about $25k(hard to find) for a 500M2 lot to about $90-$150k for about 5000m2 just off the Costa Nera. There is also Columbus heights(not a good rep on this board) but they are offering 5000m2 lots starting at $60k and are in phase 4, I have spoken with all involved and am satisfied, yes I have a contract on a lot with them.It’s in Playa Hermosa about 3-4 kilometers from the beach. I loved this area(playa hermosa) before it started to boom and still love it! Good medical facilities in Jaco, just 1.5 hours from San Jose on a good road, Jaco has all the little conviences you need; shopping, great farmers market, good pizza and great super market etc…you are just so close to so much great stuff and just an hour from Manuael Antonio. I have only been in and around Playa Flamingo for about a week, but a very established ex pat community, good beach(no surf), great for boaters and some decent restaurant, overall a pretty upscale feel.
I believe the north pacific is the driest climate although they to have a rainy season. At all the beaches I have been to(Nosara to Manuel Antonio) dogs roam freely on the beaches. Whether there is a law regarding dogs on beaches I really don’t know but doubt it.
not that I’m a fan of Paragon, but to be fair most of the discussions in this forum(regarding paragon) are based on hearsay. Or just a general dislike for the way they do business, but at the end of the day what matters is are the roads and utilities being put in. As we have seen in some cases it appears this is happening.That said I for one would not send anyone I did not personally know $25k just to have the privilege to view a property in a country I may have never been to. You can’t really blame paragon completely, perhaps some responsibility rests with the folks who are foolish enough to do business this way. So far though we have no conclusive proof that people are being scammed out of there money as evidenced by some of the posts on this site. Proceed with caution and don’t forget there still is quite a bit of land in this country, although central pacific property is getting quite expensive!!!
I have been bitten maybe twice in five years It seems certain weeks or months can also be bug free, how ever my girlfriend can not walk out especially at sunset with out deet on. She gets bitten quite a lot, and near the coast there is potential for big run ins with mosquito’s, we had someone at our hotel last august who came down with dengue. Believe me folks they are there just read the reports in the local papers regarding dengue! So enjoy but exercise caution, malaria is near non existent but dengue has been a bit of a problem, lets hope the government steps things up and community’s eliminate standing water.
You can also get direct flights fro NYC area, I think you will be seeing more direct flights as tourism picks up. And it certainly seems like we are heading in that direction. We usualy connect in Atlanta or Miami and the lay overs are pretty short.
