Guys In The Zone: Costa Rica Real Estate

July 26, 2010

Education In Rural Costa Rica, Part 2

Filed under: Relocation — Tags: , , , , , , , — Tigre @ 6:16 pm

[This article is a continuation of Education In Rural Costa Rica, Part 1]

Bilingual teacher offers a hands-on lesson.

Private School

Simply put, the reason most tico families do not send their children to private school is the cost.  The best private elementary school in San Isidro runs around $275/month.  Even by gringo standards this can be viewed as a lot of money; however, most parents understand the benefits are significant, like— bilingual studies, text books, well-equipped teachers and classrooms… to name a few.  “After school” extra-curricular activities often include— art, dance, and sports.  These creative activities teach kids so much more than memorizing dates in history.  They prepare them for life beyond the farm, should they choose to pursue it.

To give you an idea of how “private schooling” has become synonymous with success, there are currently 6 public and 60 private universities in Costa Rica.  The southern Pacific region is fortunate to have the Int. University San Isidro Labrador, only 45 minutes drive time from Dominical.[1] According to StateUniversity.com, “…higher education is free for nearly 50 percent of the enrolled students.” My guess is that scholarships are a significant part of the aforementioned $2 million (6.3%) of budgetary spending on education[2].

The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.
– C. S. Lewis

Escuela Verde

The increase in private universities is a good sign for the future of the Costa Rica, but what about options for the parents of younger kids?  Let me share a quick story about Escuela Verde, a new private grade school that opened in 2009 in Uvita.  The school was founded by a couple of parents who were unimpressed by the public school options in the area, and their mission statement is clear,

“Escuela Verde prepares children to be resourceful and independent while inspiring them to give back to their multi-cultural community and the natural environment.”

After securing a building in Uvita Centro, they quickly rallied support from the parents and community.  The teachers follow guidelines for Costa Rica and U.S. grade level guidelines, and many subjects are taught in both English and Spanish.  Unlike many of the public schools, the kids are even responsible for completing regular homework assignments.   They even have scholarships for tico families that want to expose their children to the best educational option available in the area.  It is my understanding that they already have a long waiting list.  For more information, you can go to Escuela Verde’s website.

A Melting Pot Of Ideas

Compared to crime and politics, education does not receive a lot of publicity in the media.  However, it is a hot topic for parents who want to make Costa Rica their new home.  Perhaps the best news I can offer our readers and potential clients is that the Southern Pacific Zone of Costa Rica is a melting pot, ala the United States of the 19th and 20th centuries.  A blend of ideas, talents and energy has created a lively, international community… one that is keenly focused on sustainability, preservation, and education.

[1] http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/300/Costa-Rica-HIGHER-EDUCATION.html#ixzz0ix0kJIPU

[2] http://www.ticotimes.net/dailyarchive/2008_09/090208.htm#story1

May 8, 2010

Rainy Season In Southern Costa Rica

Filed under: Info & How To's, Relocation — Tags: , , , , , — Tigre @ 4:34 pm

With the rain comes the color...

If you’ve listened to our recent Talk Show #7, you have heard us convey how much we enjoy the rainy season down here in Costa Rica.  As Ben mentioned in that video, “Four out of five people who live here would probably say they prefer the rainy season.”  (Disclaimer- this estimate is not based on scientific data.)  However, there are those visitors to our blog and websites who see the rain as a deterrent for buying here, a sentiment that serves as my motivation to write this article.

First, the rain here is different than in most areas of North America and Europe.  It doesn’t bring a shiver to the bones; it’s refreshing and a welcomed break from the heat.  Warmth is just one of many characteristics that make this tropical precipitation so vital and so magical.

Six Months Of Rain?

Climate is a significant factor for most buyers when determining where to buy their piece of Costa Rica real estate.  In fact, one of the most popular questions Ben and I field is “How many months per year does it rain?”  The quick answer is around seven; however, that number doesn’t tell an accurate story.  The rainy season starts in mid-April and usually runs through mid-November.  Most days start out cool, clear and sunny with some rain in the afternoon and evening.  Rainfall in September and especially October can be heavy.  These September-October downpours, aguaceros in Spanish, lead some residents to make plans to be elsewhere during that time.  That being said, even in October the sun will come out at some point during the day.  We do experience the occasional tropical storm, but hurricanes on the Pacific side of Costa Rica are a rarity.

One of my favorite benefits of the rainy season is there aren’t as many people.  It’s not that I have anything against tourists; we were all tourists at one point in the Costa Rican journey.  However, if you live here full time or part time, the small town, pura vida is easier to absorb without the extra traffic, both automotive and human.  Tourism, and the vacation rental market, is still strong between June and August as most kids are out of school.

I spent most of my life in the relatively dry Bay Area of California, my love of the rain comes as a surprise to friends and family back home.  I try to explain how the rain cools things down, how it takes the dust out of the air, how it replenishes the fresh water tables, and how it summarily brings this place to life.  The southern Pacific zone is SO GREEN that at times it seems like someone has adjusted the color balance.  The tropical flowers and budding fruit pop against an ever-changing jungle backdrop.  Simply put, rain helps everything grow, and that includes the wildlife and the humans walking around.

Like buying real estate in Costa Rica, living here is relatively easy with the right contacts.  It can also be a very enriching experience with some understanding of Spanish.  If you want to be on the Pacific Coast, you have to enjoy the heat to some degree (pardon the pun).  Thanks to the heat, I am now a morning person.  Thanks to the rain in Costa Rica, I am now living a dream.

May 5, 2010

Guys In The Zone Talk Show – Episode 7

Filed under: How to Sell, How to buy, Land For Sale, Processes, State of the Market, Talk Show — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Tigre @ 1:00 pm

Talk Show – Episode 7

Talk Show – Episode 7

Pura vida, compadres! With a focus on Costa Rica real estate, Episode 7 features our impressions on topics like–

The Rainy Season
Property Prices
Seller Financing
The NEW Forum

Thanks for watching and following us on Dailymotion, Facebook, Twitter, and our websites– www.GuysInTheZone.com, www.hotcostaricarealestate.com, www.Dominical.biz, and www.Uvita.biz.

April 21, 2010

Costa Rica Real Estate Chit Chat

Filed under: Info & How To's, MLS, News — Tags: , , , — Ben @ 5:30 pm
Training for Costa Rica real estate certification.

Rod being attentive at the Camara de Bienes Raices course in San Jose Costa Rica.

The Guys just got themselves certified!  Rod & I are now card carrying Costa Rica real estate agents.  Imagine that.

I know – you’re saying: “I didn’t know that there was such a thing”. Well, in fact there isn’t, yet, but there is about to be, and so we have joined a number of our peers in anticipating the coming change to the U. S. (and elsewhere) model of licensing for real estate agents.

The organization is called CBR or “Camara de Bienes Raices” (Chamber of Real Estate).  Perhaps you’ve seen the CBR logo around on various websites. You’ll be seeing it on ours as well now.  It is a 4 day course of 8 hours a day.  We did it, enjoyed it (for the most part – butts are a little sore.), met & networked with lots of people and now feel just that much more entrenched with our chosen industry in Costa Rica.

CBR has proposed a law that they feel will become adopted this year of required licensing of Costa Rica real estate agents.  Our position is that this will be (more…)

April 3, 2010

Education In Rural Costa Rica, Part 1

Filed under: Culture, Info & How To's, Relocation, Stories — Tags: , , , , , , — Tigre @ 2:34 pm

Education… it elicits warm images of smiling children, colorful classrooms and fundamental ideas like opportunity and a brighter future.  I am happy to say I see all of those elements unfolding here in Costa Rica, albeit sloooowly.

Did you know that the Costa Rican government is constitutionally required to budget at least 6% of the country’s GDP on educational programs?  In fact, the only countries that spend more on education (as a percentage of GDP) are Saudi Arabia and Norway at 9.5% and 6.8%, respectively.[1] Costa Rica also sports the highest literacy rate in Central America at 95.8%[2].  That said, there are a couple of gaps this learning curve, and I’m specifically referring to the parents and educators in this rural region, not the kids.

Elementary school classroom.

Ben and I often receive school-related questions from potential clients.  So, here’s a quick synopsis of public and private education in our region of Costa Rica.  Public school is free and for children between the ages of 6 and 13 (e.g., 1st through 6th grade).  Unlike most of the public schools in the United States, Canada and Europe, students are required to wear a uniform, typically dark blue pants with a white or light blue shirt.  The curriculum includes the usual core subjects of Spanish, Math, History, and Science.  Since 1998, English and Computer Sciences are also standard.  After kids pass their final elementary school testing, they have the option of a five-year stretch in colegio (i.e., high school in North America and Europe).

Judging from the local tico parents I have spoken with, their public school system offers a decent education for their children.  Judging from the growing number of expats living in the area, the school system is far from acceptable.  Leveraging my sources, namely my girlfriend (who has an 11 year old son) and a variety of local parents with school-age children, I embarked to uncover the real education story.

Frustration In An Emerging Country

“They don’t have school today… again!”  My girlfriend was beside herself.  Apparently, the parents of her son’s public school (he was in 5th grade) chained the front doors of the school demanding the removal of an (allegedly) drunk principal.  This comical Latin American story quickly turned ridiculous, as the protest went on for almost a week?!   Then, there was the teacher’s constant infirmity with no substitute.  Then, there was the partial flooding of the campus for a few days during the rainy season causing… yep, no school.  In reality, her son probably only attended half the number of days scheduled.

On top of that… the school didn’t have any books.  The teacher cited the importance of learning dictation and penmanship, but at what expense?  Early in the first parent-faculty meeting of the year, my girlfriend asked for an explanation?  The answer was they didn’t have any money.  Then, education in rural Costa Rica came into focus when each of the parents decided to budget money ($2.75/month for 10 months) for a “Christmas Party” for the kids.  The party turned out to be a success; the kids sang a few songs, played a few games, and ate what amounted to $20 worth of candy and cake.

This year, her son is attending a new “better” public school in Uvita.  The only problem is they don’t have any text books either.  But, hold on… before prospective mothers and fathers cross Costa Rica off the list, please allow me to share another option available.

Multi-Cultural, Global Citizens

“By learning you will teach, by teaching you will learn.” – Latin Proverb

I remember when I first met Ben, and he told me the main reason he moved his family of five from Colorado to Costa Rica was because he wanted his kids to be bilingual and have an enriching life experience.  In fact, those are two of the main reasons most families move down here.  The third being… it’s a tropical paradise.  They lived in San Isidro, and they homeschooled their children who turned out happy, healthy, and yes… fluent in Spanish.

All that being said, we understand home schooling is not a viable option for some parents.  In Part 2 of this article, I will share arguably the best educational option in Costa Rica— private school.  It will also include continuing education for adults specifically, learning Spanish!  Until then, please feel free to share your questions and comments in the space below.  Saludos.

[1] http://www.oclc.org/reports/escan/images/edpercent.swf

[2] United Nations Human Development Report 2007/2008 (Unfortunately, in some countries literacy is defined as being able write your name.)

March 27, 2010

Guys In The Zone Talk Show – Episode 6

Filed under: Talk Show — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Tigre @ 3:37 pm

Talk Show – Episode 6

Talk Show – Episode 6

Welcome to our full video Talk Show format!  In addition to this new look, we share new information on Costa Rica real estate including, a recap of 2009, recent activity in the southern Pacific zone of Costa Rica, and new issues for buyers and sellers.  This post comes in advance of the new www.GuysInTheZone.com website, where you can find all of the best resources for the area in one place.  The most notable addition to our new site is the forum.  It’s there to give us all a place where we can discuss the various topics that are going on around The Zone.  To all our readers, watchers, and listeners, thank you for your questions and comments, and please feel free to get involved over at our new forum.

Click here for the Forum.

Uploaded by GuysInTheZone. – Explore lifestyle, fashion, and DIY videos.

March 23, 2010

Water In Costa Rica, Part Two

Filed under: Construction, How to buy, Info & How To's, Processes — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Tigre @ 3:37 pm

Water is a necessity.

If you ask the World Bank or one of the mega-water corporations (e.g., Coke, Nestle, Vivendi), fresh drinking water is a commodity.  If you ask virtually everyone else in the world (including the United Nations), fresh drinking water is a basic human right.  Whether it is the encroachment of privatization or Nicaragua’s plan to divert the San Juan River[1], water in Costa Rica is an increasingly lively topic.

One of the most popular questions for potential property owners is, “What is the water situation for this property?” Most of these new investors come from North America and Europe, areas that have hundreds of years of infrastructure development.  However, this southern Pacific region of Costa Rica is still early in the cycle of development.  We continue to see rapid growth in communications (cell phones and high speed internet), power (high tension power lines), and roads (the newly paved Costanera between Quepos and Dominical).  That being said, cell phones are a luxury, but water… is a necessity.

Property In A Development

Most quality developments have a water system that has been installed by the developer.  The most common sources for these systems are high flowing springs, and in some cases surface water (e.g., creeks and rivers).  Some developments, like Osa Estates in Uvita, even have back-up systems and extensive water storage capabilities.  The interesting thing is very few developments actually have a concession (permission to extract water from the ground).  The good news is the majority of them are “in process”.  Either way, the developer usually provides the property owner a prevista (water right document) which guarantees use of water into the future (assuming the property owner is in compliance with established CC&Rs and other laws).  Proof of a water document, like a prevista, is also required by the local Municipality before they will approve any construction project on a property. (more…)

March 10, 2010

The Most Precious Real Estate

Filed under: Info & How To's, Just for Fun, Relocation, Stories — Tags: , , , , , , — Tigre @ 2:06 pm

I want to tell you the ocean knows this,                              Yo os quiero decir que esto lo sabe el mar,
that life in its jewel boxes                                                         que la vida en sus arcas
 is endless as the sand                                                               es ancha como la arena

Isla Ballena in the Paque Nacional Marino Ballena

As a teenager, I was as inspired by the poetry of Pablo Neruda.  So much so, I decided to study English and wrote extensively during my college years in San Luis Obispo, California.  I had the good fortune to rent a house on the beach with two friends, who were brothers.  The younger brother would frequently bellow, “Thar she blows!” when he spotted a whale’s spout.  His brother and I would always drop our books and run to glimpse one of Nature’s great spectacles.

Perhaps fueled by this touch of nostalgia and the fact that I spend almost everyday at the beaches in and around Uvita, I wanted to highlight some of the most precious real estate in Costa Rica— Parque Nacional Marino Ballena.

Parque Nacional Marino Ballena

Created in 1989, the Marino Ballena National Park was the first national marine park in Costa Rica.  It was created to protect the marine ecosystems associated with the beaches, mangroves, islands and a fragile coral reef that turns out to be the largest on the Pacific Coast of Central America.  The park itself stretches from the southern end of Playa Hermosa to the northern end of Playa Piñuela, and a triangular area reaching 9 miles out into the Pacific Ocean.  That triangle also includes the famous Uvita Whale’s Tail, Tres Hermanas (The Three Sisters) and Isla Ballena.  In addition to enhancing ocean view of property in the area, these landmarks are home to thousands of aquatic and terrestrial species.

Whale breaching in the Pacific.

“Ballena” means whale in Spanish.  That’s right… this area is visited every year, primarily between the months of November to early March, by southern and northern hemisphere female humpback whales.  They arrive to give birth and nurture their 14-foot?!! newborn calves in the warm, calm waters of Costa Rica.  Although there are daily whale sightings in the peak season, this majestic mammal is still on the endangered species list.  If you haven’t seen one up close, you might want to consider putting a whale-watching tour out of Uvita on your Bucket List.

Even if you aren’t into the idea of being on a boat in the open ocean, you can still enjoy the experience from land.  I vividly recall one morning at La Parcela (which used to be my favorite spot for breakfast until they stopped serving it!) when my parents were visiting.  We were enjoying our gallo pinto and eggs when a dark blue whale suddenly breached in the middle of the bay.  Over the next half hour, it continued to rise out of the water, twist, and crash down on its side at least 20 times.  It’s safe to say, this was the most memorable breakfast my parents and I have ever shared together.

Return Of The Ridley

The humpback whale is just one of many creatures inhabiting the marine park.  Sea turtles are another ancient animal that return to nest on these specific beaches every year.  Thanks to conservation efforts, Olive Ridley numbers are actually rising in the southern Pacific.  You can see them while snorkeling around the Whale’s Tail or one of the aforementioned islands.  But, let me tell you… if you haven’t seen a baby sea turtle dig out of its sandy nest and instinctively scratch its way to the water, you’re missing out on a truly wondrous experience.

Without question, the great outdoors, including the multiplicity of marine life found in Parque Nacional Marino Ballena, is at the center of this amazing life in The Zone.  It is one of the primary reasons tourists visit and why many of those tourists eventually invest in real estate and/or relocate in this part of Costa Rica.  The immediacy of wildlife in the southern Pacific zone, like a 50-foot whale breaching during breakfast, adds value beyond measure.

February 23, 2010

Houses In Our Future

Filed under: Construction, How to Sell, Land For Sale — Tags: , , , , , , — Tigre @ 6:09 pm

What does the future hold for The Zone?

The crystal ball… standard equipment for psychics and investors, alike. Ben and I are constantly observing the trends and then peering into the future of our little Costa Rican real estate market.

The First Wave

Around 1995, the first wave of developers arrived to the area. These early mavericks (let’s call them environmental-preneurs) benefited from a combination of vision and cheap land. Development was easier back then. Buy a big farm and segregate it into smaller farms (or lots). As the news of cheap land and low costs for materials and labor trickled out to the world, there was a 10-12 year rush on land that led to spiking prices for ocean view home sites. At the beginning of 2007, there were no quality ocean view lots left under $100K, at least not any in developments with good infrastructure (roads, water and electricity). Well, it’s now 2010 and we suddenly have many ocean view properties that can be purchased for under $100K. This quick “land in The Zone” recap is an attempt to set the table for the next trend I believe we experience, moving forward—Houses in The Zone.

Ben and I estimate over 60% of the people who inquire about property want to buy a house; however, over 60% of those house hunters end up buying raw land. There is a very obvious lack of supply in this economic equation, and the reason is we are simply at an early stage of the development cycle. According to CFIA (Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos de Costa Rica), compared to 2007, the province of Puntarenas experienced decrease of -67% in total square meters constructed compared to the January–April of 2008.[1] Safe to say, the global economic downturn effected everyone investing in Costa Rica.

Gorgeous villa in San Buenaventura.

Yet toward the end of 2009 to present, we find ourselves busier than ever! We currently have 40 house listings on the coast (which means not including the mountain towns of Platanillo, Tinamastes, and the regional capital of San Isidro) ranging from $66,000 to $3.2 million. And, it’s no surprise that 90% of home buyers want an ocean view.

For those with construction experience and a desire to build houses in a foreign country, this where there may be money to be made. The crystal ball formula is– buy a cheap ocean view lot, no more than 10 minutes from the Costanera (our paved coastal highway), and build an affordable house with a swimming pool. The main question we anticipate from potential builders’ is “What kind of house do I need to build to guarantee a sale?” Unfortunately, we cannot provide a “guarantee” only guidance based on our personal, feet-on-the-ground perspective.

Price

The $weet $pot in our house market is between $200-250K. There are folks looking for houses on the coast in the $100K range, but they quickly realize those days are over. If you their budget is fixed at $100K, then we show houses up the mountain in towns like Platanillo and Tinamastes. We do have a couple of nice coastal properties with old tico houses on them for under $100K, but most of these are “tear downs” and re-building on these footprints is generally un-advisable.

Floorplan

Swimming pools sell property.

In this $250K price range, one effective floor plan is the 2&2 en suite (e.g., double master), central kitchen and small living area, and a large patio outside to enjoy the view. Most of the living experience in Costa Rica is done outside. Without question, one of the key rental amenities is the swimming pool.

IT doesn’t need to be huge, or have an infinity edge. But, it really helps a sale because it really helps rent-ability. Even thought there is a bathtub-warm ocean with miles of empty, gorgeous beaches just sitting there for people to enjoy, vacationing groups, couples, and especially families, love the pool.

I could offer a few more building suggestions, but I’ll leave those details to those with far more experience in spec building. What I do know is… Ben and I need houses, and I see them in our future. Thanks for reading.

[1] Indicadores CFIA de la Construcción. Costa Rica, Enero-Abril 2009


February 12, 2010

Water In “The Zone” (Part One)

Filed under: Info & How To's, Projections — Tags: , , , , , , , — Tigre @ 4:15 pm
Costa Rica, Uvita, water, creek, lead, reflection

Ample surface water in The Zone.

Recently, I had the good fortune to visit a friend who gave me an excellent book called “The Heart of Dryness” by James Workman.  Although this particular book is about the socio-political struggles of the Bushman of the Kalahari Desert, it sparked a deeper exploration into a topic I believe will jump to the forefront of everybody’s conversation in the near future— water.  Access to fresh drinking water is already one of the “big three” infrastructure necessities (along with electricity and good roads/access) when looking for property in Costa Rica, hence the motivation for this article.

I will save my thoughts on the impending collision between over population and global warming (two forces which, in a nutshell, will have a dramatic effect on fresh water availability and global food production).  However, I do want to share a few thoughts and discoveries about water in Costa Rica, as I believe it will continue to move up the list of positive reasons why people will be moving to the Southern Pacific Zone.

Unlike some of the coastal areas in Guanacaste and Nicoya, The Zone has an abundance of fresh drinking water.  There are two main reasons for this fact— (1) rainfall and (2) less development.

Rainfall

For the Southern Pacific Zone of Costa Rica, rainfall ranges between 120-160 inches annually, with the rainy or “green” season (May-October) supplying the majority of this annual total.  My experience has been that the sun shines almost everyday in the rainy season, typically in the morning to mid-day hours.  Residents of The Zone thoroughly enjoy the 20-30” of rain we do receive in the dry season (3 hours last night, in fact), and the lush, green vegetation it stimulates.  In contrast, the popular coastal region of Guanacaste (Tamarindo, Flamingo, Papagayo) receives only between 40-60 inches of rain annually.[1]

Population

Approx. 35,000 people live in the Osa Canton of Punta Arenas (think of a canton like a county within a state), which roughly includes the coastal area between Dominical and Palmar.  Unlike The Zone, Guanacaste’s coastal region developed rapidly over the past 15 years.  According to the Minister of Tourism, it is the #1 Canton for tourism, specifically the coastal areas.  This influx of world travelers, especially in the peak dry season, puts an added demand on water resources.  Without question, the agencies and residents are benefiting from these growing pains experienced by our neighbors to the north.

Fresh Drinking Water

Part of the reason for this “gold star” is the government structure.  AyA (Aqueducts and Sewers) is the main government agency that manages water in Costa Rica.  Although many subdivisions and larger farms in the Southern Pacific Zone have their own water sources (springs or surface water like—rivers and streams), most of the towns and pueblos get their water from AyA-managed water delivery systems.  Those smaller, rural communities in the region have been encouraged by AyA to form ASADAs (Administrative Associations for Sewers and Aqueducts) to become eligible to receive AyA assistance in constructing and operating water systems.  ASADAs make up nearly ¼ of the water provisions in Costa Rica.

Rain and a rainbow over Uvita.

“At 82.2 per cent, Costa Rica has one of the highest rates of population with access to safe drinking water in the Latin American and Caribbean region.”[2]

The vast majority of water in the Southern Pacific Zone is either (1) safe to drink from the tap or (2) treated with chlorine and safe to drink from the tap.  There are cases of people living below cattle pasture or near commercial industries where run-off has led to water-born illnesses and toxins, respectively, but these are few and far between along the coast.  I live on a farm where we drink our water from the tap, and I feel very fortunate to have clean, chlorine-free water on demand.

Properties that are served by mountain spring water tend to be fresher and with a reduced risk of water contamination.  Over 50% of the property we sell is located in a development of some kind.  These developments range from those that have received a water concession and those that are at some point along this process.  Either way, these developments have invested in basic infrastructure, or the “big three”– water, roads, and electricity.  We also have many clients requesting information on these larger properties with independent fresh water sources, when they become available.  One beautiful 50-acre listing, Finca Uvita, has two springs on the property and touches the Ballena River for over 1/2 a kilometer (or 1,660 ft).

Whether you buy a large farm like Finca Uvita or a viable commercial piece in central Uvita, you will intrinsically benefit from a growing area and an abundance of water in The Zone.

[1] Toucan Guides, http://costa-rica-guide.com/Weather/WeatherMap.html

[2] STATEMENT BY THE UNITED NATIONS EXPERT ON WATER AND SANITATION, March 2009

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