Your advantages when buying real estate with Costa Rica IMMO

Costa Rica IMMO – Your real estate expert and reliable partner in Costa Rica

Locally based since 1996. Personal, independent, experienced and networked nationwide.

Are you looking to buy a property, acquire land, invest, emigrate, or simply fulfill your dream of owning a home under the tropical sun in Costa Rica?

Then you've come to the right place!

Costa Rica IMMO accompanies you from your initial idea to the successful purchase of your property and continues to support you with advice and assistance afterwards. We see ourselves not simply as real estate agents, but as your personal contact and long-term partner on the ground.

Since 1996 we have been successfully operating in Costa Rica and have extensive knowledge of the country, many years of experience and a well-established network of real estate agents, lawyers, notaries, architects, construction companies, banks, travel agencies, hotels and other professionals.

Our aim is not simply to broker any property for you, but to work with you to find the right property and to provide you with expert support throughout the entire process.

1. Our real estate offerings – diversity across the country

Our offering includes a wide selection of real estate and investment opportunities in various regions of Costa Rica.

These include, among others:

• Single-family homes and villas.
• Holiday homes and apartments.
• Luxury properties and exclusive estates.
• Building land and plots of land.
• Farms and fincas.
• Farms and self-sufficiency projects.
• Hotels, lodges and tourist establishments.
• Restaurants and gastronomic businesses.
• Commercial and industrial real estate.
• Reforestation and forestry projects.
• Development projects and building plots.
• Investment properties and capital investments.
• Special investment opportunities.

Whether you are looking for a small house by the sea, a finca in the mountains, a plot of land for your new building or an existing business: We help you to discover the possibilities and compare the offers.

2. A nationwide real estate network – your decisive advantage

One of our greatest advantages is our network of real estate agencies and partners throughout Costa Rica, built up over many years.

We work with various real estate agencies and brokers, which gives us access to a large part of the local real estate market.

Our network extends to the following regions, among others:

Pacific Coast and Guanacaste:

• Playa del Coco and Playas del Papagayo.
• Tamarindo, Flamingo and Playa Grande.
• Sámara and Playa Coyote.
• Montezuma, Mal País and Santa Teresa.
• Tambor and surrounding area.

Central Pacific:

• Jacó and Herradura.
• Manuel Antonio and Quepos.
• Dominical and surrounding area.
• Uvita and Ojochal.
• Osa Peninsula and Golfito.

Caribbean coast:

• Limón and Cahuita.
• Puerto Viejo and surrounding area.
• Manzanillo and other coastal regions.

Central Valley and Highlands:

• San José and Escazú.
• Santa Ana and Heredia.
• Atenas, Grecia and San Ramón.
• Cartago and other regions.

Naturally, we also consider other parts of the country and lesser-known regions.

The major advantage: We are not limited to offering only our own properties. Through our collaboration with various real estate agencies, we can also make properties from other providers available to you.

Furthermore, we monitor and compare the current market situation to provide you with the most realistic assessment possible of location, supply and price level.

3. Only one contact person – numerous real estate contacts

You might be familiar with this: You discover interesting houses and plots of land on various real estate portals. Behind each listing is a different real estate agent, a different agency, and a different contact person.

This often means a lot of effort, numerous phone calls, different information, and sometimes significant language problems.

With Costa Rica IMMO, you can largely avoid this effort.

You have a contact person who knows your wishes and takes care of the coordination for you.

For example, we take care of:

• Obtaining available object information.
• Contact the responsible real estate agency.
• Clarification of prices and terms of sale.
• Obtaining existing documents and photos.
• Organization and coordination of site visits.
• A compilation of various real estate offers.
• Communication with the respective sellers and real estate agents.
• Comparison and evaluation of the different objects.

You don't need to deal with multiple real estate agents yourself. We handle the coordination and keep you informed about each step.

Did you discover your dream property yourself?

No problem!

If you find an interesting property on a real estate portal, website or in an advertisement, simply send us the corresponding link.

We try to locate the responsible agency, make contact, obtain the available information and, if possible, organize a visit.

Even if you spot a "For Sale" sign during your trip through Costa Rica, feel free to send us a photo with the relevant information via WhatsApp or email.

We will take care of finding out what the object is, who the contact person is, and what other information is available.

This allows you to concentrate on what's essential: finding your dream property.

4. Personal consultation and individual support

Every customer has different ideas, needs, and financial resources.

While some are looking for a holiday home by the sea, others want to emigrate permanently to Costa Rica, manage a finca, be self-sufficient, or make an investment with long-term development potential.

That's why we take the time to understand your ideas.

Together we will discuss, among other things:

• Which region is suitable for you?
• Which climate do you prefer?
• Would you like to live by the sea, in the mountains, or in the central valley?
• Are you looking for peace and quiet or proximity to shopping facilities and infrastructure?
• Do you need schools, medical facilities, or international services nearby?
• Do you want to live in the property yourself or rent it out to tourists?
• What financial resources are available?
• Is it more sensible to build a new property or to buy an existing one?

We want you to find not just a property, but a place where you feel comfortable in the long term.

5. Property inspection and purchase clarifications

Buying real estate in Costa Rica should be carefully prepared.

Not every plot of land is automatically buildable, not every house has all the necessary permits, and not every sales offer withstands closer scrutiny.

Therefore, we support you in obtaining and clarifying important information.

Depending on the object and the order, this may include:

• Current ownership and registry extracts.
• Verification of the registered owner.
• Access to the cadastral map (Plano Catastrado).
• Clarification of mortgages, liens and other encumbrances.
• Examination of property boundaries and property area.
• Clarification of access and right-of-way rights.
• Review of municipal building and usage regulations.
• Clarification of water and electricity supply.
• Review of existing building and usage permits.
• Clarification of possible environmental regulations and protected areas.
• Review of special ownership structures and concessions.

Of particular importance is the examination of the so-called Zona Marítimo Terrestre (maritime coastal zone). Properties near the coast may be subject to special legal regulations and cannot simply be treated like ordinary private property.

Water availability, access rights, land classification and possible restrictions on use should also be clarified before purchase.

The legal review and binding assessment will be carried out by an independent, appropriately qualified Costa Rican lawyer or notary.

6. We will guide you through the entire purchase process.

Buying real estate in Costa Rica differs considerably in some respects from the processes you are familiar with from Switzerland or Germany.

We will guide you through each step and coordinate the collaboration with the relevant experts.

The process usually looks like this:

1. Property selection and viewing

You choose one or more properties that interest you. We organize the viewings and compile the available information.

2. Purchase offer and purchase option

If you are interested in a property, a written purchase offer will be drawn up. This will specify the purchase price, payment terms, deadlines, and other contractual conditions.

Often, a so-called Option-to-Purchase contract (Opción de Compra) is concluded for this purpose.

3. Down payment and escrow account

Depending on the agreement, a down payment is made. This is often, for example, 5 to 10 percent of the purchase price, although the amount is agreed upon individually.

We recommend processing payments through a suitable and legally vetted escrow account. The conditions for releasing the funds should be clearly defined in the contract.

4. Legal and technical review

The appointed lawyer checks the ownership details, registry entries, encumbrances and other legal requirements.

If required, we can also organize a technical property inspection, surveying or other professional investigations.

5. Purchase completion (closing)

Once all requirements are met, the purchase transaction is notarized. The purchase price is paid according to the agreed terms.

6. Transfer of ownership and registration

The transfer is submitted by the notary to the Registro Nacional for registration. The proper execution of the registration is then verified.

We coordinate these steps and are available as your contact person throughout the entire process.

Do I need to be personally present in Costa Rica to finalize the purchase?

Not necessarily!

Depending on the legal structure, real estate purchases can also be processed from abroad. For example, a special power of attorney (Poder Especial) can be issued, authorizing a representative to carry out the necessary actions on site.

The specific details, authentication and recognition of the power of attorney must be agreed upon in advance with the appointed notary.

7. How much will buying the property cost me?

We place great value on transparency.

Therefore, we inform our customers as early as possible about the expected costs that will arise when acquiring and subsequently owning a property.

Typical acquisition costs include:

• Real estate transfer tax (Impuesto de Traspaso).
• Registration fees and statutory stamp duties.
• Notary and lawyer fees.
• Costs for escrow services, if agreed upon.
• Costs for additional technical or legal reviews.
• Any other contractually agreed expenses.

The real estate transfer tax is generally 1.5 percent of the relevant assessment base.

The distribution of incidental purchase costs between buyer and seller is partially negotiable and should be explicitly regulated in the purchase contract.

Who pays the real estate agent's commission?

In a traditional real estate sale in Costa Rica, the real estate agent's commission is usually paid by the seller. However, the specific agreement depends on the individual sales mandate and contractual arrangements.

It is important for you that we discuss the cost distribution transparently before the purchase.

What ongoing costs will arise after the purchase?

Even after purchasing a property, you should take into account the regular maintenance and operating costs.

These include, for example:

• Annual municipal property tax (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles), generally 0.25 percent of the tax-registered property value.
• Possibly a luxury property tax (Impuesto Solidario).
• Electricity, water, internet and waste disposal.
• Insurance.
• Garden and pool maintenance.
• Repairs and general maintenance.
• Property management and security service.
• Owners' association fees (Cuotas de Condominio), if applicable.
• Ongoing obligations of a real estate company, provided the property is held through a company.

Depending on location, size, construction and features, maintenance costs can vary considerably.

We help you to estimate these expenses as realistically as possible before you make the purchase.

8. Our additional services – far more than real estate brokerage

Our service does not end with the signing of the purchase agreement.

Especially if you are new to Costa Rica or want to carry out a larger project here, there are numerous other things to organize.

Thanks to our long-standing network, we can support you with many of these tasks and connect you with the appropriate experts.

Emigration and residence permit

• Advice and guidance on the different accommodation categories.
• Referral to experienced lawyers.
• Support in obtaining and preparing documents.
• Coordination of translations and certifications.
• Assistance with official procedures.
• Information on registering with the National Health Service (CCSS).

Company formation and finances

• Referral service for lawyers and tax advisors.
• Formation of companies (SA and SRL).
• Assistance with the preparation of bank account openings.
• Information on tax obligations.
• Placement of accountants.
• Consulting for business projects.

Construction planning and real estate projects

• Placement of architects and civil engineers.
• Land surveying.
• Soil and environmental investigations.
• Preliminary investigations for construction projects.
• Obtaining and comparing construction quotes.
• Construction consulting and building inspections.
• Home inspections and technical property audits.
• Renovation and refurbishment projects.
• Referral service for tradespeople and specialists.

Other services

• Property management and maintenance.
• Rental and tourist use.
• Insurance.
• Solar and alternative energy systems.
• Reforestation and agricultural projects.
• Mobile phone and internet.
• Hotel and car rental brokerage.
• Travel planning and personal support.
• Support with administrative matters.

The respective services are provided either directly by us or by selected external specialist partners, as required.

9. Our local team and our partner network

A good network is especially valuable in Costa Rica.

Over the years, we have built up contacts with numerous experts and companies who support us and our customers in a wide variety of tasks.

Our network includes, among others:

• Costa Rica specialists and real estate consultants.
• Real estate agents and real estate agencies.
• Lawyers and notaries.
• Tax consultants and accountants.
• Translators and interpreters.
• Banks and financial service providers.
• Architects and civil engineers.
• Topographers and surveying experts.
• Construction companies and tradesmen.
• Carpenters and electricians.
• Solar and energy technicians.
• Travel agencies and hotels.
• Insurance professionals.
• Property management companies and security services.

We know who to contact with different questions and will help you find suitable contacts.

10. Why Costa Rica Real Estate?

What sets us apart from an ordinary real estate agency?

Years of experience

We have been operating in Costa Rica since 1996. We know the country, its unique characteristics, its regional differences, and the challenges that foreign property buyers may face.

A large real estate network

We draw on offers from various real estate agencies and contacts across the country and are not limited to our own sales portfolio.

One contact person

You don't need to coordinate numerous real estate agents, lawyers, architects, and other service providers yourself. We handle the communication and organization within the scope of our agreed-upon contract.

Personal care

We take your wishes seriously and strive to find a solution that fits your expectations and financial means.

Transparency and honesty

We want to build long-term customer relationships. This includes open communication, realistic assessments, and an honest presentation of the opportunities and risks.

Support beyond the purchase

We won't leave you on your own after you buy your property. We'll also support you with our network and experience as you take the next steps in Costa Rica.

Your dream of Costa Rica begins with the right partner!

Whether you want to emigrate, spend the winter, invest, or simply own a beautiful holiday home under the tropical sun: We support you in turning your ideas into reality.

We know that buying property abroad requires trust. That's why we don't want to convince you with empty promises, but with experience, commitment, personal support, and a reliable network.

In Costa Rica since 1996 – and happy to be there for you too!

Costa Rica REAL ESTATE
Your real estate expert and partner for advice, buying, selling and emigration services.

Let's explore your opportunities together. We look forward to meeting you!

Further information and contact details:

https://www.cr-immo.com/

https://www.costa-rica-immo.com/