May 25, 2011 - When the U.S. economy went south back in 2008, the Costa Rica real estate market got hit hard a year later making it a challenge for Costa Rica real estate brokers and people trying to sell their home.

On the other end of the spectrum, the people that have cash or can obtain a mortgage loan have the upper hand making the Costa Rica real estate market a definitive buyer?s market.

Currently Costa Rica real estate agencies, brokers and just home sellers are either still adjusting to this shift of interest or are drowning in sorrow.

The bottom line is that they need to be realistic when they prepare to sale their Costa Rica land for the market.

Here is a perspective to help buyers and sellers understand the current shift in the Costa Rica real estate market

What Are Home Buyers Looking for in the Current Costa Rica Real Estate Market?

Currently, home buyers in Costa Rica are the elites and they can be as picky as they want about the property they buy in Costa Rica. From what I have seen, most buyers are looking for instant equity meaning, they are not looking for fixer or investment houses.

They are looking to move in right away and not looking to buy it and sell it a year or two later because of the uncertainty of the real estate market in Costa Rica.

A Home Sellers Needs to be Realistic

If a home seller in Costa Rica really wants to sell their home, they have to be realistic and take a look at the current home prices based on location and condition.

Right now, price is the driving factor and sellers need to realistically evaluate the price of their home. If the area their home is located in has many homes for sales and foreclosures, this will greatly affect the price of their home.

Sellers in Costa Rica should also not be surprised nor take it personally when their Costa Rica real estate broker asks them to list their house below the market price. If a home has been on the market for more than 3-4 months without any real interest, this means that the home is overpriced.

Tips for the Costa Rica Home Seller

Your home does not need to be the best home in Costa Rica in order to sell it as it is fine if it is in the same neighborhood as some of the best homes in Costa Rica. One of the things you need to keep in mind is that first impressions are the key to selling your home. Landscaping in Costa Rica is very cheap so why not spend some money to make your home stand out.

Small additions can really make your home look nice like changing an old carper, giving your house a new paint job or just adding some decoration to your entrance.

What to expect when closing a Deal in today?s Costa Rican Market?

Yes, in most cases, a down payment is required when you decide to buy a home in Costa Rica which means that home buyers will usually ask for closing costs to be covered by the seller. Since not every home seller can afford to cover the closing cost, be prepared to negotiate.

Lynn Chang is an internet marketing consultant who has been living on and off in Costa Rica for the last 3 years after buying Costa Rica Land.? Ms Chang also works part time as a Costa Rica real estate broker and has written several articles about the real estate market in Costa Rica. is kept busy with her job as a registered nurse as well as the occasional writing that deals with nursing, living in Costa Rica and traveling in Costa Rica. Ms. Armstrong can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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