Buyers Guide

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.   

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.

Choose The Right Real Estate Agent. We’re confident that we’re the right real estate agency for you.  We want you to be sure, too. There are many agents to choose from in the area. Why choose an agent from Wanderlust Realty?             

• Trustworthy agents. Our success in this business is a result of listening to the wants and needs of our customers and earning their trust. We greatly value this relationship. We also realize that you’re counting on us to help you make the right decision and invest your money wisely. Our solid reputation is a direct result of years of successful transactions, disclosing everything relative to a property, respecting the confidentiality of the transaction and, most importantly, dealing in an honest and fair manner. With this as our backbone we can and will earn your trust.

• Real Estate Experience. There is no substitute for experience. While we can appreciate that there are many people interested in selling real estate in Nosara, we have chosen real estate as our career. Wanderlust Realty has been serving the Nosara community for the past nine years. We have seen the slow times as well as the boom times and know the history and ownership of many of the area properties. We can tell you how and why the “American Project” was designed and implemented, where development is headed in the near future and what the overall “market climate” is in Costa Rica. We are also proud to have associates who have been very successful as Brokers, responsible for over $600,000,000 in sales with their company in the United States.  Experience in multi-million dollar new developments, investment properties, vacation homes, custom homes and the like, our associates recognize your familiarity with doing business “back home.” We’re here to give you peace of mind as you do business in Costa Rica.

• Community Roots – All associates of Wanderlust Realty live and work in Nosara full time. Most of us have children here and are committed to Nosara in the long run. We want to see the community grow and develop in a positive way. It’s important to us that our children’s children will have the chance to enjoy the beauty and lifestyle that has drawn us here.

• Nosara is our home, too.  In addition to helping you to make Nosara home, we’re here to protect its resources.  While growth and development are inevitable, it’s important to us to guide development in a positive, Earth-friendly direction.

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, 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 see 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 Realty 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. Some buy sight unseen.  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 oversee 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 You Know That We Have Your 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 within 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. All of our contracts have contingencies that give Buyers 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 commissions. 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 are truly happy to see you.

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