| It never fails. When I meet someone who has read | | | | I’m speaking with asks, “How low?” |
| any of the articles that I’ve written about Costa | | | | I usually give them an example. For instance, what |
| Rica, the number one question is: “Why are you | | | | comes to mind right now is a community in the |
| always raving about Costa Rica real estate? | | | | southern Pacific of Costa Rica that I’ve heard |
| That’s usually followed up by: “What does | | | | about. There, an investor can purchase a half-acre to |
| Costa Rica have that other places don’t | | | | 1.25 acres of golf course or waterfront land for |
| have?” or “It just seems like it wouldn’t | | | | under $80,000. Add a four bedroom, three and half |
| be a good idea to invest in real estate in a foreign | | | | bathroom house to the mix and they could spend |
| country.” The questions surprise me every | | | | less than $200,000 for both. Property in any other |
| time…but not because of what you’d think. | | | | similar location—Hawaii, Jamaica, the Bahamas, |
| I’m never surprised that the questions are asked | | | | Mexico, etc.—would cost two to three times that |
| but rather at the fact that people still feel the need | | | | much. Next, I tell them that property taxes one |
| to ask the question. Though I’m a huge | | | | quarter of one percent of the value of the property, |
| proponent of Costa Rica, I’m not the only | | | | and then they’re really interested. (For those |
| person who knows about the great real estate | | | | who aren’t math wizards, that’s about $250 |
| opportunities there. I’m certainly not the only | | | | for every $100,000!) After that, I give them my top |
| one who has made significant profits from investing | | | | financial reason for investing in Costa Rica real estate: |
| in Costa Rica land either. Still, when I come across a | | | | The fact that returns of 100% or more in the first |
| person with a question or comment like that above, I | | | | two years of ownership are common! |
| just tell them the truth. I say, “I do it because | | | | Once people learn about all of the financial perks of |
| right now, in this first decade of the 21st century, | | | | investing in Costa Rica real estate, they understand |
| there is no better, safer place to invest money.” | | | | why I rave about Costa Rica and why investing in a |
| You know what they say next? “Tell me | | | | foreign country is a good idea. It makes financial |
| more!” Here’s how I explain it to them… | | | | sense and millions of cents. The thing is, that |
| Costa Rica has a lot of undeveloped land. About one | | | | conversation leads to a whole new conversation. It |
| quarter of it is protected to maintain the nation’s | | | | usually begins with, “Can you help me |
| unique biodiversity but much of the land is earmarked | | | | ________,” but I don’t mind. Makes me |
| for development purposes. Demand for land is | | | | feel good to help others get on the path to financial |
| strong, and steadily growing, but it doesn’t | | | | freedom and knowing what it feels like to own a |
| outweigh the supply YET. Therefore, prices for | | | | piece of paradise. |
| Costa Rica land lots are low. Inevitably, the person | | | | |