Every time you thought of a home of your own, did you imagine it to be in the midst of greenery with birds singing sweetly all around? Did you imagine it to be as close to the sea as possible so that you can hear the melody of the waves rushing towards the shore? If you just said “yes”, then, I am sure you might have at one point at least considered looking for a house in the beautiful country of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is a breathtakingly lovely country made up of a number of small islands, each with beauty and marvels of its own. Costa Rica is a Spanish name which when translated means “Rich Coast”. This country has been blessed by God and indeed has a rich and mythical coastline since it is located in the isthmus between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
The lure of the lovely coastline and lush greenery is tough for anyone to resist. Hence, a lot of non Costa Ricans dream of finding their home in this country. An added advantage is also the climate which is mild and temperate throughout the year which makes living here a pleasure. The prices of houses here are also not very high. However, people who intend to find their home in this place should be cautious since there are chances of getting duped at times. In this article, we mention a few aspects to keep in mind while buying a house in Costa Rica.
While finding your home in Costa Rica, you might find properties that do have any titles present. This may be because some families claim it to be their own since they have occupied that property for generations without knowing who the original owners of the property are. Exert caution while buying such properties since they have no official owners.
The people of Costa Rica speak Spanish. Not many of the locals are conversant in English. Hence, it is beneficial to know the language. Also, knowledge of the local laws and procedures is important in order to avoid any hassles while buying your house. If you are do not know the language well or are not aware of the laws and procedures, then, you should take help of a native of Costa Rica to help you buy the property.
Many homes in Costa Rica have been built years ago. And most of them have not been maintained very well. The owners who are interested in selling their properties just dab a fresh coat of paint in order to lure customers. It is always better to verify the age of the house properly before buying it. Also, make sure that the wood of the doors and stairways are not rotten in cases of houses that are years old.
If you have decided to purchase a house which is about 10 to 15 years old, then, you need to ensure that the property does not have any plumbing issues. This can be done by asking for a hydrostatic test to be performed on the property. This test will determine if there are any leaks in the sewer pipes with the help of a high tech pipe camera.
Finally, very important point to bear in mind, if you are a foreigner in Costa Rica who is interested in buying property, is to ensure that you engage the services of a local who can get you good rates on the properties. This is because, in Costa Rica, people quote a lower amount to locals who are interested in purchasing the property and a higher amount to a foreigner who is finding a home in Costa Rica.
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