Why Work With Us to Buy or Sell Property in Costa Rica

Buying Property in Costa Rica

Can Foreigners Buy Property in Costa Rica?

Yes. Foreigners generally have the same ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens when purchasing privately titled property. Citizenship or residency is not required. Beachfront concession property has different rules and restrictions for foreign buyers. Your attorney should assess the specific ownership rights and transfer requirements.

With the right team, buying can be straightforward. With the wrong guidance, missed legal issues or poorly handled funds can turn it into a costly nightmare.

Why Professional Representation Matters

Costa Rica has no mandatory government-issued licensing system for real estate agents. You may hear about a property through a taxi driver, tour guide, bartender, or acquaintance. That introduction does not establish clear title, legal access, or the seller’s authority to transfer ownership.

Experience, training, and professional accountability matter when choosing your agent.

We Search Beyond Our Own Listings

We do the heavy lifting: search property platforms, speak with other agents and brokerages, and explore on-market listings and available off-market opportunities. We organize showings, compare prices, and negotiate with your goals in mind.

If another brokerage has the right property for you, we’re happy to work with them. Your lifestyle and investment goals guide the search.

Thorough Due Diligence Before Closing

Due diligence is the legal and technical review of a property before closing. We coordinate with your attorney and relevant specialists to review, as appropriate:

• Registered ownership and the seller’s authority to sell.
• Title history, mortgages, liens, and other encumbrances.
• Surveys, boundaries, legal access, and easements.
• Tax status, land-use restrictions, permits, and utility availability.
• Physical condition through inspections and technical assessments.

We help assess pricing and suitability for your plans. Your attorney conducts the legal review; surveyors and inspectors handle their areas of expertise. If a problem appears, your advisers explain its significance and whether it can be resolved before you proceed.

Your Attorney and Escrow Provider Are Your Choice

We can recommend experienced, fully bilingual attorneys or work with yours. We use independent escrow services to hold and release funds under agreed conditions, providing transparency throughout the transaction.

Providers we can recommend from experience include Secure Title Latin America and TLA Financial Services. You may choose another qualified provider, subject to agreement between the parties.

Who Pays Our Buyer Agent Commission?

The seller pays our commission under the agreed transaction terms. You do not pay us a separate buyer agent commission. Our search, negotiation, and transaction coordination are included.

We confirm the representation and commission arrangement with you before beginning your property search.

Closing costs, legal fees, escrow charges, inspections, and other third-party expenses are separate. The property price is negotiated on its merits.

Relocation Guidance Is Included

Exclusive buyer clients receive personalized relocation guidance and a community guide at no additional fee. We help you consider everyday needs such as healthcare, shopping, climate, and community. Visit our Relocation to Costa Rica section for details.

Selling Property in Costa Rica

Pricing Based on the Market

Our in-depth property evaluations consider comparable properties, current competition, buyer demand, location, land, construction quality, condition, amenities, and infrastructure. We explain our recommended price and how to prepare the property for sale.

The aim is a competitive price that attracts serious buyers and supports a sale within a realistic timeframe.

Professional Marketing With Global Reach

For exclusive listings accepted into the Costa Rica Sotheby’s International Realty portfolio, we create a presentation tailored to the property, including:

• Professional photography, videography, and agent-presented property tours.
• Carefully written descriptions of the property and its lifestyle.
• Distribution across relevant national and international real estate platforms.
• Exposure through the Sotheby’s International Realty network.
• Active social media promotion and direct buyer outreach.

That international reach is supported by our direct involvement in inquiries, showings, negotiations, and closing coordination. We keep you informed, share buyer feedback, and review the strategy as the market responds.

Professional Standards You Can Rely On

Evelyn Bulakar is a member of the Cámara Costarricense de Corredores de Bienes Raíces, or CCCBR, and holds International REALTOR® membership with the National Association of REALTORS® in the United States. These affiliations reflect our commitment to ethical conduct and continuing professional development.

Our network includes bilingual attorneys, accountants, escrow providers, surveyors, and inspectors. We coordinate their work as your transaction requires.

Evelyn Bulakar Moya, REALTOR®
CCCBR associate Nº 3035
Member of the National Association of REALTORS®

Where We Work in Costa Rica

We focus on Escazú, Santa Ana, San Ramón, the Western Central Valley, and the Central Pacific. For the right buyer, we search throughout Costa Rica, working with local agents and regional specialists when appropriate.