Real Estate in Guanacaste
Our Best Advice: Buying Real Estate in Guanacaste
Head and heart. When it comes to finding a property, it helps to use both intellect and intuition. Our ultimate goal is finding you a property that meets two criteria: it makes solid financial sense and you love it. Consider us your guides and we’ll give your mission our full attention. While there are a number of factors to consider when investing internationally, we’re prepared to walk you through every single step. We work with a variety of clients from veterans of multi-million dollar investments, property developers, to first-time homebuyers. The good news: You’re already on the right track.
Purchasing Process: Real Estate in Guanacaste
Browse the Sites. Since you’re already here at www.wanderlustrealty.com, you’re going in the right direction. We do, however, encourage you to browse various real estate websites. Find properties that interest you. Make lists. Write down questions. With a general idea of what’s out there, you’ll be better equipped to make solid real estate decisions.
Let us help you. We are all happy to be at this point, together. You’ve committed to us and we’ve committed to you. Since you’ve communicated your plans and interests, we’ll take the next step in the process. We’ll want to refine your vision: a house within a five minute walk to the beach, a farm far away from everything, a lock-up-and-go condo. We’ll talk some rough numbers; give your thought process some direction. We’ll go through your ideas with you and discuss pros and cons of the different options. We’ll find other possible properties, go through our lists and answer questions. We may even include a few pocket listings that haven’t yet been formally put on the market. Once we have a solid list of possibilities, we’ll review all the properties that fit your criteria and select the best.
Let’s Hit the Road. So it’s time to check out what’s out there … walk the vacant lot that could be the foundation of your future villa, hear the birds in the jungle from your could-be bedroom window, smell the ocean breeze from the porch of the “I-Gotta-Have-It” condo. It’s time to see what those properties look like, time to let your kids test out the hammock in the yard, to count the steps to the beach, to see if the view at sunset fits the bill, to feel out the surrounding neighborhood.
Have you found the property you love? If so, smile. If not, we’ll persist until we find you what you’re looking for. The word ‘impossible’ does not exist here. We want you to get the full picture, see all the options. Since we at Wanderlust work in cooperation with other local real estate offices, we’re able to show you any property available on the market. If we believe in the value and integrity of the property, we’re happy to sell another company’s listings.
Take your time. Our schedule is your schedule. Some of our clients have found homes they love in a couple of days, or even less. Others take a more leisurely approach. Our objective, always, is to direct you to the right property as efficiently as possible. But if it takes time, that’s no problem. We’re in it for the long haul and are here to help you.
If you’re still searching and have to leave Costa Rica, we’ll birddog the project for you, pursuing every possible avenue. In the meantime, if you see an ad or a sign for a property that looks interesting, call us, and we’ll secure further information and photos.
Let’s Make a Deal. So we’re all smiling. Perfect property found. It’s time to write an offer. Don’t worry. We’ve done this hundreds of times and know the process. We’ve got you covered. For more information and other legal aspects to consider, see Real Estate Laws. From here, we’ll construct an offer that covers all the bases and insures your protection in the purchasing process.
How do we know you have our best interest at hand? Here is the deal: Our company is rooted in the philosophy that all relationships must be mutually beneficial. Our commitment to you: Your needs come first. Always. Non-negotiable. We are motivated by your happiness with your purchase. When you’re happy, you’ll tell your friends about your experience. Your referral means exponentially more than a higher commission.
How to buy as well as possible A few common questions:
- Can we negotiate? Of course, but if the seller rejects your offer, don't be discouraged...we will help you figure out the next step to take, whether to pursue the original property or to move on. Most properties are negotiable are 10% of the asking price. Depending on the sellers motivation, this may be more.
- How do we get the best price? Make offers as clean as possible, with minimal contingencies. Cash deals that close quickly are the best way to get the best deal.
- Can we finance the property? The majority of transactions in Costa Rica are cash. However, we do have sellers that are offering personal financing. This varies greatly from seller to seller.
Securing your offer. Your offer to purchase is normally presented with a 10% deposit, often wire-transferred to a local title company or attorney within five days of agreement.
Congratulations, the seller accepted your offer! We have a double-inked contract. You can expect the closing to take place within 30 to 90 days, depending upon your due diligence requirements. It is common in our contracts for buyers to have contingencies which give them adequate time to review title work and surveys. We at Wanderlust Realty will assist you with all these arrangements and keep all the parties involved on track.
Let us do the homework. Wanderlust Realty will handle all the countless little details of the transaction along the way to closing, including:
Providing multiple reputable options for attorneys & title companies. We can steer you in the right direction, and also steer you away from businesses that have lost our confidence.
- Depositing any and all deposit funds with the selected title company
- Working hand-in-hand with the attorney to insure that the property is in good title and free of any liens or encumbrances.
- Checking if property taxes have been paid to date.
- Requesting official surveys.
- Insuring obligations promised by the Seller are being met (availability of water, electricity, road access, etc).
- Ordering appropriate inspections and/or repairs.
- Conferring with the title company about the closing and the preparation of your settlement statement
- Making sure you receive a recorded deed and title policy
Closing costs. In Costa Rica the buyer generally pays closing costs and the seller pays commisions. We’ll provide you with a detailed settlement statement in advance of closing.
Closing long distance. Most of our clients love the excuse to come back to Costa Rica. However, if you cannot return for the closing we can handle everything through Internet, international courier and the wire-transfer system.
Trusting your broker. The bottom line is we won’t sell you any property that we’re not comfortable with, or that we don’t believe in. The reason? We want you to do business with us again and to refer us to your friends.
The future. We wish to remain your primary source of information and assistance, months and years after closing. Pop into the office, say hi. Anytime. We’re truly happy to see you.
