BUYING

1. Get familiar with the market. Browse the Internet for Costa Rican realty directories to get an initial idea of what you're looking for, and flip through local real estate magazines to find the best listings in your price range. Make a list of the properties you like before your trip to save time and money.

2. Locate the best deals by consulting professionals and doing the necessary research before you buy. Meet with trustworthy realtors in the area and visit local websites to get a price basis for the real estate market. Compare the offering price with similar for-sale properties to ensure you're getting a good deal.

3. Consult a professional about Costa Rican real estate laws, property registration, zoning regulations, title ownership and occupancy rights. Don't forget to calculate your final closing costs in advance, which usually run about 4% of the total property value including lawyer fees, government stamps and title insurance. Lawyers and realtors are your best local resources for all the Costa Rican property info you need.

4. Deciding where to buy is the next step. After your initial research, decide on which area you want to focus, draw up your budget limit and expectations. Notify local realtors of exactly what you're looking for so they can help you find the perfect property.

5. When you find your desired property, don't hesitate to close the deal as quickly as possible. Costa Rica's real estate market is booming and properties are going fast with many agents working hard to push the sale. After doing your homework to locate the best deal, make sure you move fast to secure the purchase so you don't end up losing your dream property to a more eager buyer.


SELLING

1. Finding a reputable agent makes all the difference when selling your property. Shop around and ask questions to find a well-respected and trusted agency. Be sure to search the web and skim local real estate magazines to find out who is marketing effectively to promote sales. It's not always about who has the well-known name or who has been in the industry longest, but more importantly who is investing the money and energy to make the sale quickly and with the best returns for you.

2. Consider the pros and cons of exclusive vs. non-exclusive listings. Exclusive listings are beneficial for out-of-town sellers, as the agency works on your behalf to promote and advertise your property, providing the accessibility and exposure you need to reach the largest number of potential buyers. The property usually sells faster, and with little effort on your part. Non-exclusive listings are best if you're an owner residing in Costa Rica with the time and energy to act as your own realtor— handling promotion and advertising and showing the property yourself to save on the commission. Insider tip: to sell your home as quickly as possible, pay out commission to both a buyers' and sellers' agency to have agents on both sides pushing the sale of your property. Be sure to take the price of commissions into consideration when finalizing your offering price.

3. Presentation is everything. When marketing your property, always include professional-quality color photos and a concise, detailed property description, minimizing text to keep buyers intrigued. When showing the property to potential buyers, present your home as clean and inviting by removing clutter, making the beds and placing fresh cut flowers throughout.

4. Timing the sale of your property to coincide with the market makes all the difference. The best time to sell is when demand is high and what you're offering is in low supply—so it pays to do some research before releasing the sale. Check local listings to find out who else is selling, where their properties are located, and how they compare to yours regarding sale price and features offered. List your property when others are in short supply, and promote your unique selling points to target specific buyers and you'll be two steps ahead of the game.

5. Effective marketing is your most important tool for reaching prospective buyers and ensuring a speedy sale. Whether you're an agent with an exclusive listing or an independent seller looking to save the sales commission, finding the right print and internet advertising combination is essential. Attain maximum exposure while saving cash by marketing with publications that offer combined website and print advertising for the price of one.