How to Buy/Build a House in Costa Rica w/out getting ripped off
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- #building #buying #construction 'How to Buy/Build a House in Costa Rica w/out getting ripped off' I can't tell you how many people move to Costa Rica and getted ripped off buying/building a house in Costa Rica. The stories are endless. Seriously. But why? Do they think they know what they are doing when purchasing or constructing a new house? Are they just trying to save money and shortcut the process? Why do folks continue to move to Costa Rica and make the same mistakes time after time? What are the mistakes? Is there anything you can do to guarantee a positive outcome? What are the options? Chris is a construction expert and when you listen to him in this video, 'How to Buy/Build a House in Costa Rica w/out getting ripped off' you will know it. In this video we discuss these and many other issues. So whether you're thinking about living in Costa Rica and buying a pre-existing house or constructing a new home, this video is a MUST SEE! Please don't be another negative statistic when it comes to building/buying a house in Costa Rica.
Want to make sure the home you are buying or you're going to build in Costa Rica is up to the best standards. Get a hold of Chris
Email- crdhconsult@gmail.com
Facebook - www.facebook.c...
Is Costa Rica Right For You? 7 Day Event'
ALL INFO/DATES and SIGN UP for the Retreat HERE- www.lasarahele... We would love to see you there. VERY FUN AND INFORMATIVE.
If you have any questions, write me at info@travelcostaricanow.com and I will help you.
The Relocation Retreat will be held in La Fortuna, the top tourist destination in Costa Rica and home of the Arenal Volcano, at Montaña de Fuego Hotel. And we are super EXCITED to have them host our relocation event.
First, my 2 promises to YOU. 1) There will be no, 'blowing smoke' about the good, the bad and the ugly about moving and living in Costa Rica... and especially by me ;) 2) By the end of the 'Relocation Retreat', you will absolutely, 100% know if Costa Rica is right for you.
Relocation Retreat Testimonials:
• Mother/Daughter Living... w/Katt & Susan Mother/Daughter
• Living in Costa Rica R... w/Barbara
• Live in Costa Rica MAY... w/Lou
• Live in Costa Rica fro... w/Jenn
START HERE to find out if Costa Rica is right for you or not, so if you really want to get a good idea if Costa Rica is right for you- Check OUT these videos and you will know within the hour if you should pursue a life in Costa Rica or NOT. If you decide Costa Rica might be a good fit, maybe now is the time to contact us at- info@travelcostaricanow.com
The Ten Commandments for Living in Costa Rica • ❌Top10 COMMANDMENTS fo...
Living in Costa Rica YOU R NOT the Exception to the Rules • Living in Costa Rica U...
Living in Costa Rica The Top 10 Things You May Hate • ❌ Living in Costa Ric...
Oldy but a goody. Still relevant Living in Costa Rica Culture Shock- • Living in Costa Rica C... Costa Rica 10 Reasons You Shouldn't Move There • ❌ Costa Rica -Ten Reas...
Living Cheap in Costa Rica • Living CHEAP in Costa ...
-Living in Costa Rica 10 Annoying Things Must See • Living in Costa Rica 1...
Finding a Long Term Rental • Costa Rica Finding a L...
Finding Long Term Rentals More Tips • Finding Long Term Rent...
-Moving Retiring to Costa Rica BEST Expat Interview (Must SEE) • Living in Costa Rica -...
Comments/Questions, thinking about moving to Costa Rica- info@travelcostaricanow.com
I hope you ENjoYed this video, ' How to Build/Buy a Home in Costa Rica w/out getting ripped off' and hope to see you at a Travel Costa Rica NOW Relocation Retreat very soon. From all of us at Travel Costa Rica NOW- Pura Vida.
![8 Reasons Why Americans LEAVE Costa Rica [Why I Left]](/img/1.gif)
What a great, and needed, service! The other leg under the stool is having a written service contract that outlines the process for making changes.
yes, for sure. I've seen what happens when you don't have good people around you when it comes to buying or buidling a house.
I completely agree! Having a comprehensive building agreement is essential. It's crucial for everyone involved to fully understand the terms and expectations before signing. As you mentioned, a good construction contract should clearly outline the process and fees for any change orders.
I've also posted an article on my business page about the essential terms to include in any construction contract specifically tailored for those buildings in Costa Rica.
Excellent information as always. A home is likely one of the biggest investments a person will make in Costa Rica. Ensuring you know all about what you are buying is MORE than worth the price of getting an inspection. I wouldn't buy a house anywhere in North America without an inspection, why would anyone change tactics when further south? The building process there is definitely different and having someone who understands those differences and can navigate them successfully can make or break a project. The due diligence on any endeavor is a big part of it. As always, thank you for sharing this with us. Keep up the great content!!
yes, it is different and most seem to learn that fact the hard way. As always,, thanx for commenting and sharing your perspective.
Thank you for the kind words! You’re absolutely right-buying a home is one of the biggest investments most people make, and getting a thorough inspection is invaluable. Just like in North America, it's crucial to fully understand what you’re buying, and this becomes even more important for North American buyers in a foreign market like Costa Rica. The building process here does have unique aspects and often more relaxed standards regarding safety, quality, and functionality compared to the U.S. Having someone knowledgeable to point out these differences and make suggestions on how to repair or improve the situation can make a huge difference when purchasing a property. I appreciate your support and agreement on the importance of due diligence. Thanks for watching and for your encouragement!
Building a house in CR seems like a full time job. I would not even think about it unless I lived there for a number of years.
Building a house in Costa Rica is indeed a full-time job, especially if you're unfamiliar with the local business culture, processes, and regulations. It can be even more challenging if you’re not well-versed in construction materials and techniques or don’t have the time to learn about them before starting the project. I agree that it's wise to live in the area and understand the culture before undertaking such a project, as this experience can provide valuable insights into the local environment and building practices. For those who prefer a hands-off approach or want comprehensive guidance through the entire design and build process, that's where I assist through owner’s representation service.
yup. me either.
Chris offers important information in good home building. I hate to use north American standards even though they can be valuable to the home buyer, too me it is just a matter of right and wrong and that will relieve many headaches. I would be very disappointed to build a new home and have major problems in ten years anywhere in the world. Good interview Michael, you ask good questions ones that pop in my head, and Chris offers valuable answers. I don't care if he is a nerd he knows his stuff and can save people big money. As always, knowledge is power.
I completely agree-building a home is about getting things right from the start, no matter where you are in the world. Most building materials and techniques used in Costa Rica have either been developed in North America or evolved from those in North America. The key difference in construction lies in where these materials are implemented and the installation processes. The longevity of any material ultimately depends on proper application and installation, which is where North American standards and manufacturer specifications become crucial.
Good morning 🌺 , another fabulously informative video! Thank You for your hard work
thanx. always appreciate your neverending support....
Michael, I had a great time discussing this topic with you. If anyone is thinking about buying or building in Costa Rica, I’d be happy to chat further. You can reach me through any of the links in the description.
As a GC, Roof contractor and own one of largest home inspection companies in Ft Laud/Miami Fl, I agree to hire an inspector down there and everywhere. People get cheap and cheap can hurt. However, I will say, even up here, our findings sometimes are consistent from house to house. Expectations are UN-realistic sometimes. I have inspected same house 3 times where seller dropped price 50k when all they had to do was put a 20k roof on to save sale and lost the market. Great interview!! Right up my alley.
@@tpxrp6244thanks for watching. I totally agree that an experienced third-Party inspector is worth their weight and gold no matter where you were buying or building.
likewise. I always learn something hanging out with you..... like never go to Baldi Hotsprings..jajaja lol ;)
Fantastic video Michael. Very informative. 😉👍🏻
thanx matt, I appreciate you taking the time to say.... hope all is well and everything is still going as planned.
Excellent episode. Needed this. Just started shopping for architects and builders.
This is great information!!
Glad it was helpful! thanx for watching.
Here, almost all houses have three-pronged outlets, but the MAJORITY of them ARE NOT grounded...it's just a cosmetic thing here. I recommend that you have a whole house breaker to protect your electronics OR buy good surge protectors.
Great advice, thanx.
You’re right that many houses here have grounding issues. These problems often stem from the way and location of the connection to the grounding electrode. Although Costa Rica has adopted the National Electrical Code of the United States, it is loosely interpreted and strictly enforced in residential construction. Through my inspections, I’ve found that electrical grounding and other electrical safety issues are a recurring problem in every home I’ve inspected
Great topic. Thank you.
Another great video Mike
thanx Paul.... always appreciate your support. :)
From all the research online, it seems like it's the wild wild west out here in CR in terms of the quality of house you can come across. I can't see a discernable fiscal difference between buying a house and then renovating it, vs building one from scratch. You could buy a $300k house and spend $100k renovating it or build a $370k house from scratch (that is exactly what you want) while spending $30k living somewhere else in the meantime. Although, I suppose with buying a house, there's always a chance that you get a really good deal on a property, whereas there's not a lot of room for saving money on building a house.
So, I guess the advantage of one or the other has to do with time and logistics and your individual life circumstances. Theoretically, you could live in your house while it is being renovated and you can do one project at a time over a span of 18 months - which from experience I can say that living through a renovation is not fun. Of course, if you're building that's a whole chunk of time where you don't have access to your home and you need to pay to live somewhere else and still travel to the home site often to see what is going on.
🤷♀ Decisions decisions
I wonder which option Chris would choose if he had $400k to do either option...
yes, definitely decisions, decisions. But the biggest one, as usual, is your contacts. If you got people like Chris on your side, you can't go wrong. I think pre-existing is the way to go. But yeah, everyone has to do what's best for them. thanx.. appreciate your comments. Hope all is well in your world.
@@TravelCostaRicaNOW All is well, thank you! Just counting down the days until my mom comes back to CR and we can start rental shopping up there by you - well Ciudad Quesada more specifically. October is right around the corner.
It’s true that the quality of houses in Costa Rica can vary widely, and buying, renovating, and building from scratch each have their pros and cons. You’re right that there might not be a significant fiscal difference between renovating a $300k house and building a new $370k one, but there are many factors to consider.
Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preferences and circumstances. Renovating can offer the opportunity to find a great deal on a property and make it your own over time. However, you might not fully understand the extent of the work needed until you start opening up the walls and foundation. On the other hand, building from scratch allows you to design a home exactly to your specifications but involves managing the complex logistics of the build quality and process, as well as dealing with the rising construction costs in Costa Rica.
As for my choice with $400k, I’ve already bought a home in Costa Rica within that price range. The decision to buy rather than build came down to the availability of properties in the location we wanted, the home's integrity, move-in readiness, and the potential for upgrades versus the time and cost of building something similar. My wife and I do plan to build eventually, but for now, we’re very happy with the home we found and are enjoying making personalized upgrades and renovations to meet our vision standards. Based on my past experience, this approach has also paid off financially in the long run.
@@christopherdrown3817 "the potential for upgrades versus the time and cost of building something similar"
That is an important distinction because with the $400k scenario, the house you could buy for $400k that's move in ready (but not exactly what you want) vs the house you could buy for $300k and renovate with $100k to get closer to what you want vs what you could ACTUALLY build for that amount (which might end up smaller or with major compromises on finishes/features due to availability or construction costs) can end up significantly being different.
So much to consider. In our case, the first step is to at least move closer to the area in CR where we want to be and rent while we explore our options and see what is available. So long as we don't overspend in rent, we should be good to just take our time.
Fantastic information!!!! Everyone should watch this!
Thank you. I’m glad you think so.
Indeed. Chris is a wealth of solid info.
Your guest is invaluable for people moving to CR. Pay attention, viewers!! You are not in North America anymore ❤
haha... yes, exactly that. :)
'You are not in Kanas anymore, Dorothy'
Brilliant information. So looking forward to getting to your relocation retreat, especially after this podcast.
Even as a speaker at the retreat, I learned a great deal from the other guest speakers. I highly recommend Sarah’s and Michelle’s retreat to anyone considering a move to Costa Rica who values thorough research before committing to such a big decision of immigrating.
We look forward to it as much as you.... love hanging out... and yes, Chris is GREAT.
'doing it the Tico way' is when you do something half assed. A friend of mine from Florida built a luxury house near Naranjito. She had no knowledge of house building, and didn't want to hire someone to oversee the construction, although I brought an engineer from France with his Tico engineer specialist friend to help her out. She declined their services, didn't even pay them for their trip from San Jose. Penny wise, pound foolish in the end. She spent her time in Florida during construction, allowing the builder to do what he wanted. Needless to say, her house was terrible with constant, expensive problems.
Many local washing machines heat the water internally...same in Europe
Very cool
Thank You!
Welcome!
✌🏻🤘🏻👊🏻
pura vida
The notion of building to "North American standards" in CR is silly! This is NOT North America. The climate is completely different. The materials are different. The builders are much more familiar with local materials. Also, the "North American standards" are pretty bad - house built to that standard wouldn't even pass the inspection in Germany. 🤔.. not sure why would anybody even try to "inspire" to that.. 🤷♂️... Guanacaste coast is littered with 100's of those "built to North American standard" houses for sale right now. What makes you think you will do better? You won't.
North America is vast and diverse, with many climates similar to Costa Rica, including tropical/coastal areas, mountainous regions, hot and humid zones, and dry forests. Most modern building science, materials, and techniques used worldwide, including in Germany and Costa Rica, have either been developed in North America or evolved from those in North America. However, I'm not saying that Europe and Central America don't have distinct building practices and standards that are highly regarded. The fact is that building science has the same fundamentals everywhere you go in the world. The key difference in construction between the U.S. and Costa Rica lies in how these same materials are implemented and the installation processes. The longevity and safety of any material and devices ultimately depend on proper application and installation, this is where North American standards and manufacturer specifications become crucial.
When I refer to 'North American standards,' I'm talking about fundamental building science principles that ensure safety, quality, and functionality-important factors no matter where you are. It's not about imposing a foreign style but ensuring that the chosen materials, techniques, and safety features are correctly implemented to withstand the local environment.
The goal isn't to replicate North American homes but to enhance the longevity and safety of structures using proven methods. Many homes in Guanacaste and throughout Costa Rica are built to varying standards. Unfortunately, many were not executed correctly, which is part of the reason many are struggling in the market. My approach is about transparency and ensuring that homeowners get the quality, durability, and safety they expect, tailored to the unique and diverse conditions of Costa Rica. I appreciate your perspective, and it's a good reminder of the importance of adapting building practices to the local context.