BUYING PROPERTY IN COSTA RICA!
Costa Rica real estate Buyers tips, info and legal advice from CR Beach Investment Real Estate, famous for being “uncompromisingly honest.”
UPDATE: FEB. 22, 2022
Thanks for visiting our SMART Buying Property blog page, because now is the time while we still have a VERY few properties left, as the past 10 months there has been a “buying frenzy.” . Check with your favorite airlines because there are still a few deals out there! Also know we regularly update our info regarding rules and regulations set by the Costa Rican government and the U.S. Embassy.
YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CR BEACH’S CONSUMER PROTECTION:
How we protect you when buying Costa Rican property?
1. We use a Costa Rica-Central Bank licensed Escrow company; your funds are released only with your signed permission!
2. After you receive your lawyer’s Due Diligence property report, you may cancel the sale & receive your full deposit back, minus only the lawyers’ (up to $500) Due Diligence research fee:
SUPER QUICK ANSWERS TO YOUR FAQ’S:
1.Yes you, can buy any Costa Rica property with the exact same rights as a Costa Rican, (except for the “Zona Maritima or concession zone” properties, and we’ll tell you why, further below).
2.Costa Rica has a very modern, digital online computerized system for registering properties, called the Registro Nacional, and everybody has the right to research all registered properties-it’s kind of complicated, but google has videos that can explain it really well.
3. Despite a few bad apples here, we do have some great attorneys, and trustworthy realtors who will help you get the best deal possible, while your money is being protected with U.S. style Escrow services regulated by the Costa Rican Central Bank system (SUJEF). REMEMBER, Money does not leave Escrow without your authorization. PLUS my Intent to Purchase Agreements even contain a BUYERS’ remorse clause….
4. RECENTLY UPDATED: Almost all properties (homes-land-businesses-vehicles) WERE put into a corporation for a variety of reasons, your protection from lawsuits; easier to sell or transfer the property; and other reasons of privacy.HOWEVER DUE TO RECENT CHANGES REGARDING “INACTIVE” CORPORATIONS, MAYBE A CORPORATION IS NOT THE BEST WAY FOR YOU! PLEASE DISCUSS with your attorney!.
5. Realtors don’t have to be licensed yet, but soon they will be, and in conjunction with the two existing Realtor associations, the CCCBR and the CRGAR. Many of us also adhere to the Rules of Ethics as promoted by the National Association of Realtors USA. (Mine is International Realtor ® Certificate of Membership #061212737 National Association of REALTORS®)
6. All the scary stuff of buying property in Costa Rica happens when the Buyer doesn’t use a real estate professional nor a recommended attorney. After more than 26 years here, we know which professionals you can trust, as our experience has taught us to be very selective.
7. Ever since the beginning of 2017, the purchase process here has become a little more difficult in following the Escrow agreement procedures, thanks to the process called Apostille. Now the good news is that it’s a lot easier to get an Apostille stamp from your nearest Secretary of State’s office than it used to be when you had to find the nearest Costa Rican consulate and pray that they were open. The Apostille stamp certifies that the notary public that stamped your other Escrow requested documents is an officially licensed Notary, and each U.S. Secretary of States’ offices which stamp the official document are always open except for U.S. holidays.More info is contained below, but feel free to call OR email us with any of your questions, We’ll be glad to help! We also recommend for online legal advice: Roger Peterson: https://costaricalaw.com/
in Costa Rica: 011-(506) 4702-0808 TRY WHATSAPP, ITS FREE & EASY, +1 (506) 8388-5055 We also have Skype: crbeachjeff_
Do I Really Need To Use A Realtor Or Broker In Costa Rica? Of course, the answer is yes! Costa Rica is not the 51st U.S. state, but a fiercely proud independent country with their own system of laws and ways of doing things. Just because you remember some high school spanish and have the courage to drive in a foreign land, should not give you the confidence that you can find “deals” on your own.
When you hear about the “gringo price” and the “locals” price, of course thats true if you are trying to find a property on your own, by driving around a neighborhood. Of course, the “local” in every country on this planet will tell you, the foreigner in a big fancy car, the highest price they can think of in that moment, just to see your reaction.
Also know this, usually, the better deal is from the foreign seller that needs that cash, now. We know exactly what you should be paying, and will fight for the lowest price possible. Many a Seller trying to list their property for a “dream price” has left our office shaking their head after hearing Jeff’s famous, “that price is not even close to reality, sorry, I can’t offer it for that price.”
Should i Use a San Jose Real Estate Brokerage for Properties for the beach? Would you call a San Francisco realtor if you wanted property in Los Angeles? It’s the same thing here. Locals know the areas, the great advantages, and the conditions to watch out for.
We know that you worked hard for your money, and we want to see you make a wise investment with us, as well as your friends and relatives, too!!! We will help you select the perfect property, attorney and other experts, assist with financing, and provide you with realistic price comparables and “no bull” market analysis. We can enlighten you to the realities of Costa Rican bureacracy, assist in the discoveries of the hidden treasures found amongst us, but most importantly we will protect your investment–this is why you use a local realtor–especially CR Beach Investment Real Estate.
Can A Foreigner Buy And Sell Property In Costa Rica?
Ownership of real estate in Costa Rica by foreigners is fully guaranteed by the Costa Rican constitution. In addition, foreigners enjoy the same ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens, regardless of whether the property is placed in the name of a corporation or in the name of an individual. The only exception to this is in regards to concession lands, which will be discussed later.
Step By Step Through The Purchase Process and how CR Beach protects you more than other real estate companies:
These are the basics that a purchaser follows when buying a property in Costa Rica:
1. Sign a Letter of Intent (aka Intent to Purchase Agreement) which contains the basic facts of the property; the price you are offering; a few details about the Buyers; time elements of the deal, and as many specifics to the deal known at the time. Signatures of Buyers and Sellers must be on the last page, initials on the previous pages, which will then be presented to the Escrow company and your Attorney. 2. If you are in Costa Rica, we suggest you make a small deposit via cash or even credit card, usually $500 to show the Seller you are serious and to take it off the market (usually for 5-10 days after you have returned home.) This $500 is given to your Attorney to initiate the Due Diligence process and later this will be a credit in your Closing Costs. Any questions:call tollfree 888-782-1119.3. Wire Transfers are part of the process established by the “real” Escrow Company (REGULATED by Costa Rica’s Central Bank Approved Financial Authority SUJEF currently www.STLA.net ).
ATTENTION: As of 2015: There are many more requirements as established by SUJEF prior to the Escrow company being permitted to send you the wire instructions.
a. There has to be a signed Intent to Purchase Agreement by both Seller and Buyer for them to start. b. They require proof of funds and completion of a form called KYC: Know Your Client, and this paperwork must be completed prior to the Escrow company sending you the wiring instructions. Please remember that wire transfers from the U.S. or Canada typically take 2-3 business days AND please include the extra fees that the banks charge here for receiving them $35-$50 per transfer.*NO FUNDS WILL EVER BE RELEASED FROM ESCROW WITHOUT YOUR SIGNED AUTHORIZATION!
4. We will introduce you to our area’s most respected Attorneys, who will speak and write in English, and they will be happy to converse with you regarding any legal matters you may have, from the purchase of property, to the choice of corporation type, to residency requirements. Best online legal info is: www.costaricalaw.com 5. When you are comfortable with the lawyer, and you have correctly filled out all the documents required to open up the Escrow Account, you will be sent wiring instructions as ONLY THEN can your funds be wired into Costa Rica to the authorized Escrow Account opened by the prestigious Scotiabank.
6. Due Diligence will then be initiated and generally takes from 1 week to 10 days, only rarely does it take 2 weeks or longer. The DD will include complete Title and Corporation research, performed by your Lawyer.
In Costa Rica, all notaries must be attorneys, and are registered with the Bar Association, (Colegio de Abogados).
7. CR Beach always protects you by giving you up to 36 hours from receiving the Due Diligence report, to decide to if you wish to continue with your purchase. For any reason, if you decide to not continue with the purchase, you will be charged only the $500 (negotiable!) for the Lawyer’s legal fees, and be required to provide a banking address for your refund if other funds were submitted. You must send an email stating your intentions!8. Closing will then occur after you have seen the Closing costs detailed by the Escrow company; proof of the receipt of the final transfer of funds; then the actual Closing where the complete explanation of all documents are explained to you in English or Spanish; the execution of transfer deed, and if the corporation is being transferred to the Buyers there is the endorsement of shares, and the change of officers form.In the not too common sale where the Seller is financing a portion, there will be a mortgage deed and the complete list of the future required payments. These days either the Sellers or the Buyers do have the option to not be present in Costa Rica for the closing, but they will have to have appointed a Power of Attorney to someone who will sign on their behalf. These documents authorizing the POA are signed first in front of a Notary Public in the country where the Buyer/Seller resides, then scanned back immediately and later sent by Fedex/UPS to Costa Rica.9. Your lawyer will submit all paperwork to the Public Registry (Registro Nacional) and then in about 9-12 weeks, you will receive official title. CR Beach will ensure that you are protected, every step of the way!
How Much Are The Closing Costs?
The old custom was for the Buyer and Seller to share equally in the closing costs, because in many cases, to reduce legal fees, the buyer and seller used the same attorney.For the years up to 2013, if the Seller was providing a clean, easily transferable corporation, the Buyer was responsible for paying the closing costs, because the Seller had provided his “value” or financial contribution to the transaction, this was always less than 2%. Not any more! This all changed starting in 2013 BUT MOST RECENTLY, JULY 1ST, 2019:The 2012 Costa Rica Property Transfer Tax Law provides that all new real estate transfers will be subject to a 1.5% transfer tax. In addition, when the property is transferred and recorded in the National Registry, additional fees for registration and “stamps” will be added to the closing costs as well, .08%. This means that if you want 100% complete “peace of mind” you can pay $550-$900 for a new corporation, plus the extra .08% of the selling price to the National Registry and place the property in a brand new corporation.This is the #1 method to protect yourself from any legal liabilities that might be the responsibility of the prior corporation, and i agree!Thus, the total cost of a real estate closing transaction will be somewhere around 2.3% of the selling price for the Buyers and about 2% for the Sellers (plus Sellers pay the real estate commission + the 13% tax on that commission-negotiable?), with the Buyer paying extra fees for the cost and registration of the new corporation, and wire transfer fees and escrow. This can all be negotiated however, as when certain times the Seller stands firm with his selling price, and says, “I will agree to this price but you pay all closing costs, I will pay only the realtor’s commission.” Some realtors are making the Purchase price offer to include the Buyers paying all the closing fees, and there are some smart negotiating tactics reasons for this. Also important to note is that if the Seller is financing any portion of the sale, or the Buyer has miraculously secured bank financing (extremely difficult especially for foreign buyers), then the Buyer IS responsible for paying ALL closing costs.Thus for the Buyers to get the best possible price, we now recommend making anall cash offer, as this can save you from 10-25% off the purchase price!
How Is Title Transferred?
What Legal Documents will the Buyer receive?When buying property in Costa Rica, property is transferred from seller to buyer by executing a transfer deed ( escritura ) before a lawyer-notary, except when merely transferring shares of a corporation, which has become the norm HOWEVER, this all changed in January 2013. Unlike common law countries, such as the United States and Canada, where the role of the notary is limited to authenticating signatures, in Costa Rica the public notary must be an attorney! They have extensive power to act on behalf of the state as they draft and interpret legal documents, and authenticate and certify the authenticity of documents.Once a transfer deed is accepted for registration, the Public Registry will return the original document with all the documentary stamps affixed to it and properly sealed. Assuming no defects in the transfer deed, it should be registered by the Public Registry within 25 to 60 days after presentation. Your completed transaction package will be provided to you by your attorney and will contain:
A) Due diligenceB) Transfer deed c) Corporate books and by-laws d) Certificate of incorporation e) Escrow disbursements) New title certificate. Please note, that as required by Costa Rican law, all documents (except the Due Diligence report), will be in Spanish. However you can pay extra and your lawyer can get those documents translated into English (or French, German, Mandarin, or Portugues!)
How Much Are The Yearly Property Taxes?
Frankly, this is one of those fantastic reasons to buy property in Costa Rica! Property taxes (Municipal Taxes) are supposed to be only ¼ of 1% of the declared value. Thus for every $100,000, the property tax is supposed to be only $250 ANNUALLY. But it’s usually less-except for those in luxury tax zones.Unfortunately the Costa Rican government is not receiving what they should for property taxes, usually because of pre-registered values and the neighbors pressure to “not rock the boat.” Coincidentally this percentage is about the same to purchase home-owners insurance, and yet many choose NOT to have it.Be aware that a new luxury tax was approved in the wealthier areas of CR, and levied at about the same one fourth of one percent, yet, this doesn’t seem to be very well enforced.
This year the law says that its only for the construction of a home worth more than $234,000 after depreciation. If the home has that value, then the land is added to the amount and the tax is figured from there. IN some cases, this would mean an annual property tax of $2000 of homes worth over $800,000. This tax is administered at the municipal level and can be paid quarterly. The type of property, location and other factors contribute to the calculation of this tax and MUST be shown to be fully paid immediately prior to transferring title.
What About Capital Gains Taxes?
There are new laws since July 1st, 2019 regarding paying taxes for properties that show personal capital gain tax. Please consult an attorney as its not as bad as it seems. Lots of exemptions…..
Who Pays The Sales Commission?
The most common way is that the Seller pays the commission to the realtor/broker at closing and typically 5 but up to 7%. The buyer or purchaser does not have to pay any commission when buying property in Costa Rica, UNLESS you have chosen this method with your Broker, and he acts 100% as a “Buyers Agent” and provides you with a Buyers’-Broker’s Agreement. There are advantages to this strategy (as an honest broker, i am happy to do this) as many times the Seller wants to know exactly how much will go into his pocket, or the Seller thinks because he will never be in Costa Rica again, he will skip out on paying. Be aware that if the Seller skips out, they may find that the actual sale can be blocked at the Registro Nacional, and thus will lose (or have blocked) 100% of the expected funds, (versus only the 3-7% they had previously agreed to pay out.
The Seller is responsible also for a 13% tax on the commission that was paid, (since 2013) and this is in lieu of a “capital gains tax” the CR government has been trying for years to impose.The sales tax (impuesto de ventas) or value-added tax (VAT) is 13%. ONLY calculated over the real estate commission, not over the sales price of the property. It is always paid by the SELLER, (Ley de Impuesto General sobre las Ventas: Ley 6826, Articles: 1.n – 2.d – 3.c) Just remember, overall, taxes in Costa Rica are a lot cheaper than the U.S. !!!
Can I Have The Title Of Property In My Own Name?
The decision to have the property that you are buying in Costa Rica in your own personal name or in the name of a corporation is strictly up to the investor. To put it in the name of a corporation is very common; it can offer benefits of asset protection, anonymity for the actual owner, and makes title transfer easier and these days, a little cheaper. However since new laws of July 2019, many property purchasers are now putting the title in their own name, and this will save them some money, yearly! A valid passport for 2-4 representatives (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer-all can be foreigners) is the only requirement for a foreigner to form a corporation in Costa Rica; the cost ranges from $600-$900 in most cases. More corporation info will be found on this website or costaricalaw.com
Can I buy or need Title insurance in Costa Rica?
SHORT ANSWER: no,Costa Rica used to have “title insurance providers” (Stewart Title, Chicago Title companies and some others) but these companies were ruled to be unnecessary and illegal about 2011. The success of Costa Rica’s new Registro Nacional with its’ improved and fully digital changeover starting in 1997, meant that all attorneys, could use this modern Costa Rican Registro Nacional system faster and more accurately to confirm that a property had clean title with proper ownership. The main Registro Nacional is located in Zapote, San Jose with many branches throughout Costa Rica. In the event that adjustments are needed for any given title, these alterations must be recorded at any Registro Nacional. The Public Registry report (Informe Registral) that most anybody can now access, provides detailed information on the property, including the name of the title holder, boundary lines, tax appraisal, liens, mortgages, recorded easements, and other recorded instruments that would affect title. Of course for accurate Due Diligence, the corporations that almost always own the property are thoroughly investigated in a different government entity. Please note: Stewart Title used to offer title insurance in Costa Rica, and stopped around 2011.We highly applaud and recommend their evolvement into a legitimate excellent Escrow services provider STLA, Secure Title Latin America https://stla.net/offices/secure-title-latin-america-costa-rica-office/ This is who most intelligent lawyers/realtors are using to protect their Buyers’ funds because it’s not easy to get an Escrow account to be approved, (proving that all funds are from legitimate sources), CR Beach protects you with the Escrow service because: NO BUYERS’ FUNDS can be released without the Buyers’ signed approval of the closing statement. They have been great and we are so thrilled that they have added a small branch office in Jaco!
Do I Need To Have Residency To Purchase Property?
No, it is not necessary to have residency to buy property in Costa Rica. You can buy with your tourist status. Living here is another matter, as a foreigner and tourist you have to leave the country for 72 hours once every 3 months in order to renew your legal status in Costa Rica. Some of the foreigners without residency enjoy traveling and visiting Nicaragua or Panama for a couple of days, or go back home for a short trip, or discover more of Central America in order to renew their visa.There are many forms of residency available, we can help you to contact an attorney who can assist you in determining what residency status would work for you. If you plan on living here year round, you will find it easier if you have legal residency. There are several ways to find a good Residency lawyer, just ask!
How Can I Get Residency In Costa Rica? There are several ways to get a residency here, with different types, such as Pensionado, Rentista or Inversionista. It depends on your individual situation; we recommend consulting a lawyer regarding residency.For all residency requirements and updates we highly recommend: such as: www.arcr.net or www.residencyincostarica.com and there are others too.The easiest? way is to fall in love and marry a Costa Rican. They recently have changed the divorce laws, so now, its no longer 3 years before one can file for the divorce.
The government has cracked down a little on obvious “fake” marriages, so if you are serious, we suggest meeting your “soul mate” thru the few reputable and legit Costa Rican “introductory services” . Residency requirements include paying the “Caja.”When you apply for CR residency you are required to join CAJA and pay into the government health care system. The fee is determined by your monthly income minus expenses, your age, and how they feel at the time? It is a reasonable price for an medical emergency, but I would not count on it as your primary medical system. I pay to see private doctors who are fairly inexpensive, as compared to cost in California, U.S., and usually we all get very good medical care for our needs. If you have preexisting conditions, fortunately that doesn’t even matter to CAJA, just need to pay into the system every month and then wait and wait and wait. My recommendation is what i did, join Blue Cross-Blue Shield, that they sell here, and my agent is Freddy Obando. I also recommend Freddy, (excellent English) for home & auto insurance.
What Are The Regulations Regarding “Zona Maritima or “Concession zone” Beach Front Properties?
A very controversial subject, as many realtors won’t tell you upfront if its in the Concession Zone or in Spanish> Zona Maritima. When buying property located on or very close to Costa Rica’s beaches, you should be aware of the following:In ALL of COSTA RICA, the first 50 meters (for linear feet x 3.28=164 feet) from the mean tide mark CANNOT LEGALLY be built on by anybody, anywhere in the country, as it is considered public beach.
An estimated 93-95% of Costa Rican beaches fall under a category known as the Maritime Zone Law, (Zona Maritima). Thus to the first 50 meters or 164 feet add another 150 meters or 492 feet. This 150 meters is subject to the Maritime Zone Law and the ICT administers the granting of Concessions. There are some disputed properties whose owners claim that since the property was registered prior to 1973, in which case it has full title and can be transferred as such and called “titled to the 50 meter line”).
Concession property operates as a leasehold agreement with the Costa Rican ICT, (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo) and the local Municipality and we strongly urge caution when purchasing this type of property. We at CR Beach will sell you “concession land” ONLY after you show us a letter, email, or quick note from your attorney stating that you have been advised about any potential risks.
The ICT is also responsible to declare the tourist or non-tourist areas at the maritime zones. At this point it is important to clarify that only private people or companies from Costa Rica may develop tourism projects in maritime spaces, as well as those foreign companies whose 50 percent of its capital belongs to Costa Rican citizens.
Restrictions when approving a concession on public land:
Article 47 of the Maritime-Terrestrial Law establishes, in general, the people or companies that cannot receive a concession:
– Foreigners who haven’t resided in the country for at least five years
– Companies (sociedades anónimas) with bearer shares
– Companies or entities domiciled abroad
– Entities founded in the country by foreigners
– Entities whose shares, quotas or capital (more than 50 percent) are in hands of foreigners. In other words, you as a foreign investor CANNOT OWN MORE THAN 49% OF THE CORPORATION THAT PURCHASES THE CONCESSION LAND!
The management of a concession requires the work of legal experts, as before applying to a maritime zone concession, a rigorous research of the land is required, especially in areas without a Plano Regulator included in the Law 6043. Besides, all the Costa Rican municipalities handle a different regulatory plan, so the paperwork to apply for each concession can vary.
The fact is that after having lived in Costa Rica for over 28 years, i have witnessed major multi-million dollar hotel projects that really are built on concession land throughout Costa Rica, (4 Seasons, Hilton, W hotels, Riu 2 hotels) without any problems, thus it must not be that risky if you have deep pockets for lawyers….All in all, an investment in shoreline property regulated by the Maritime Zoning Law requires extra caution and thorough investigation. Like how many nights can an owner of a concession zone condo be allowed to stay in their condo during a calender year? Yes that’s part of the regulations!
There are ambiguities that exist within the written law, so that as regulations are created and amended, rights to property may also change, so remember your rights are not as well respected when compared to major hotel chains who received double the length of concession zone time limits! I have seen the ICT take away 500m2 of beachfront from a small hotel, in Playa Hermosa, in 2010, thus all the warnings I am providing to you!
Even if you get a concession, there are no guarantees that the concessions will be renewed or that the price of the concession or the yearly canon will be within reason. The fact remains that you are not purchasing property, you are leasing it and you must be willing to accept that risk.
Costa Rican Corporate Structures: Types Of Legal Business Organizations
There were changes made in 2019/2020, so consult your attorney!) Thanks to Roger Peterson for his “excellent current legal internet advise” check out: www.costaricalaw.com or others on google, for information that is no more than 1 year old.
Purchase Of Land Through Costa Rican Corporations I used to have lots of info here, but now I insist you ask an attorney because there have been lots of changes in the past 2 years, and besides, thats what you pay them for!
What Does It Cost To Build In Costa Rica?We have known people to pay as low as $58 per square foot and as high as $150 a square foot. I say, on average $100 sq.ft, but if you speak spanish, then knock off 10% and if you have building experience then knock off other 5%. (or vice-versa).Building Versus Buying An Existing Home? Depends on the market. Now it’s cheaper to buy built, in a majority of cases, unless you are an experience builder that can construct multiple units for resale purposes.
What’s The Process To Build? There is a licensing body for architects and engineers, Colegio de Ingenieros y Arquitectos, which sets standards for fees should you decide to build. These prices however are not chiseled in concrete! Of course it is much easier to buy property already established, but if you must build, it is strongly advised that you have prior building experience, speak some Spanish, or have a solid recommendation for either the construction company or an architect. Costa Rica offers a wide availability of good quality construction materials, reputable contractors and construction companies. Most construction meets or exceeds California’s seismic codes, due to the low price of concrete. Hardwoods and imported tile are cheaper than the U.S. and laborers are plentiful from Nicaragua. There are many builders we can recommend, with proven track records.)
The following is from www.costaricalaw.com who we endorse as highly reputable:All architects and engineers in Costa Rica must be licensed by the Costa Rican Association of Engineers and Architects (olegio Federado de Ingenieros y Ingenieros y Arquitectos-CFIA). This governing body establishes the fee schedule that can be charged by its members. Most fees are based upon a percentage of the value of the construction project.
According to the regulations of the CFIA (Reglamento para la Contratación de Servicios de Consultoría en Ingeniería y Arquitectura), the involvement of a licensed architect/engineer in a construction project is separated into two phases. Phase 1 is construction plans and permits and Phase 2 is control and execution. Preliminary studies (estudios preliminaries): 0.5 percent. These studies may or may not be required, depending on the scope of the project.
Preproject design (anteproyecto): 1.0 to 1.5 percent. Generally, during this stage, the architect/engineer will meet with the client in order to discuss the client’s construction requirements. With this information, the architect/engineer will prepare drafts of the proposed construction project for review by the client. These drafts should include site planning and preliminary work drawings. When you contract for this service be sure you agree with your architect/engineer before hand on what he or she is going to provide for you.
Construction plans and technical specifications (planos de construcción y especificaciones técnicas): 4.0 percent. This is one of the most important steps in the overall construction project since execution of the project will depend upon the quality and accuracy of your construction plans. Once you and your architect/engineer have agreed on the layout and design of the project, she or he will begin drafting the plans. In Costa Rica, a complete set of plans should include a site plan, distribution plan, elevation and transversal and longitude perspectives, roof design and drainage, design of footings and support beams, structural plans, electrical design, mechanical and sanitary system design, as well as a plan that details all of the interior finishings of the construction.Budgeting (presupuesto): 0.5 percent for global budgeting; 1.0 percent for itemized budgeting. Here the architect/engineer prepares a materials list based upon your construction plans and prepares a construction budget for you.
Construction Permits–Another View of the Construction Process:Phase 1. Construction plans and permits. This phase is further subdivided into several distinct professional services that can be provided to the client by the architect/engineer. The percentages cited below are those that the CFIA has established as minimum chargeable fees.Supervision (Dirección técnica): 5 percent. This requires more direct involvement by the architect/engineer in the day-to-day operation of the project.Administration (Administración): 12 percent. Here, the architect/engineer takes complete responsibility for the execution and completion of the project.The option you choose will depend upon the type of project involved, the reliability of your builder/general contractor, and the amount of time you are willing to dedicate to the construction project. All told, phases 1 and 2 can range from 9 percent to 18 percent of the estimated value of the construction project, depending on the amount of services required. It is common practice to negotiate fees with the Architect AND engineer. Most, of course, will be eager for your business and, depending on the scope of the project will be willing to work out an agreement tailored to your particular needs. Otherwise, have your Attorney do the negotiating for you to ensure that you will get the best agreement possible.
Before you sign any contract, be sure that you understand the fee structure and know exactly what is and is not included in the fee and clearly define the responsibilities that your architect/engineer are going to assume. Do the same thing with your general contractor and any subcontractors.
ALL FEES ARE NEGOTIABLE!!!Before you purchase a lot with the intent of building on it, you should conduct some preliminary studies on the property to ensure that there won’t be a problem obtaining a building permit.
Due Diligence studies include:
1. Determine if the lot has basic services such as water, electricity, telephone, and drainage.2. Determine there are no restrictions placed on the lot that could result in the denial of a construction permit. It will not be enough to check the Public Registry. You should also check the local Muni first, especially by someone, lawyer or architect, who has communication Ministry of Public Works (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transporte) for future road construction projects; the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud); the National Institute of Housing and Urban Development (Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo) and the municipality where the property is located (municipalidad).3. Investigate if there are any environmental regulation that may effect your construction project, such as national wildlife refuges and areas deemed protected by the forestry Law. (see MINAE and SETENA below).Requests for construction permits are filed with the Permit Reception Office (Oficina Receptora de Permisos de Construcción), which is a centralized office that houses government representatives from MOPT (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes-roads), INVU (Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo- housing), ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad-telephone), AYA (Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados-water), SNE (Servicio Nacional de Electricidad-electricity), CFIA (Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos), and the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud).For a single family home that measures more than 70 m2 (735.2 ft.2), the applicant must provide the following documentation: four copies of the construction plans, four copies of the property cadastre plot plan (Plano catastrado), four copies of the permit checklist (hoja de comisión), two copies of your property deed (escritura), one copy of the consulting contract with your architect/engineer (contrato de consultoria), an approval from the water company (AYA) regarding availability of water, and one copy of your electrical design plan approved by SNE. Condominium projects, commercial construction, and urbanization projects all carry additional requirements for obtaining construction permits.In addition to these requirements, you will need to request a building permit from the municipality in which the property is located.
By law it is the municipality that is delegated the responsibility to ensure that all constructions comply with building regulations (Article 1, Construction Law). You can, therefore, expect periodic visits to your construction site by the municipal building inspector, who must certify that the construction is proceeding according to code.We don’t mean to scare you with the above information, but to be well informed will eliminate future problems. We are experiencing a building boom currently, so it is possible to follow procedures and get things done right.Phase 2. Control and execution. This stage involves the actual construction and project supervision. The regulations authorize three kinds of supervisory tasks, each of which requires a larger time investment from the architect/engineer. Inspection (Inspección): 3 percent of total construction value.
Here your architect/engineer will visit the construction site at least once a week and will inspect it to ensure that the plan specifications are being followed by the general contractor. They will also verify the quality of the materials being used and review invoices being presented by the general contractor. We don’t mean to scare you with the above information, but to be well informed will eliminate future problems. CR Beach will help ensure you have the greatest chance for success in Costa Rica. Who are MINAE and SETENA?Minae is the Ministry of Energy and the Environment which governs and enforces the environmental laws in effect here in Costa Rica. Minae is entrusted with protecting ecosystems and species and can be called upon to file denuncias or legal charges in cases of environmental damage by Costa Ricans and foreigners alike. Indeed, in Costa Rica, Article 50 of the Constitution gives all HUMANS the right to enjoy a healthy and balanced natural environment and provides that the STATE or government will guarantee and preserve this right for all. All permits for cutting trees and general aspects of land use are delimited by MINAE in accordance with these environmental laws. Therefore, if your property contains primary or secondary jungle, rivers, streams or springs, your use is strictly limited and should be investigated with authorities in your area to avoid serious civil and criminal penalties. Moreover, if any of these trees are rivers or springs are situated on steep mountain slopes, the laws governing construction are different.
MINAE works in conjunction with local Municipalites as well as with SETENA, the Technical Environmental Secretary charged with evaluating environmental impact incurred with all development projects. You need a Technical Study or Estudio Technico to move forward with any kind of development or construction activity, and there are private companies that can assist you with these studies, check www.deppat.com.
Many properties are part of a Municipal Zoning Plan or Plan Reguladora. In this case, your local Municipal government can tell you if a plan exists for your area, OR IS IN THE WORKS, and give you any regulations set forth therein. Any activities carried out on your property must be permitted by the zoning plan. Moreover, if your property is in a coastal zone or Zona Maritima, you must request special permits from the Municipal government as well from the Tourism Institute (ICT) to carry out any kind of construction or tourism activity. Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE)Information Office Headquarters www.minae.go.cr/ https://www.minae.go.cr/setena/ SETENA PHONE NUMBER: 2234-3367 EMAIL: setena@minae.go.cr FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: https://www.tramites.go.cr/
Can I Use IRS 1031 Exchanges or IRAs For Costa Rica Real Estate?
Yes, for those U.S. citizens who are sophisticated investors looking for unique real estate investment avenues, we recommend that you consult with your tax professional for the best strategies tailored to your specific needs.
KNOW YOUR CLIENT laws were first passed in 2009 Regarding Client information legally required to be provided to Banks, Escrow and Insurance Companies: Still in effect today! INS – which is still the only Costa Rican state sponsored insurance company operating in this country – has integrated a Compliance Office, with a full-time staff to make sure of full compliance, because the consequences are expensive if a financial institution is found to be in non-compliance! INS is now getting serious. Their first objective is to improve, update and complete a data base of its clients, known as Base Unificada de Clientes, or “BUC”. To do this, it has ruled that as of July 1st, 2009, applications for new insurance or applications to modify existing policies must attach a form “Información del Cliente” OR KNOW YOUR CLIENT, without which INS simply will not process applications. Excepted are the simpler one-shot policies, such as Flight insurance, Students’ insurance, Traveller’s Accident insurance, etc. The form is detailed, and requires from the client the usual identity and contact information. If the client is a corporation, the information is required of the corporation itself and also of the person representing the corporation (“apoderado”), whose power-of-attorney (“personería”) must be attached. The form must be signed by the client or the legal representative, if a corporation. Must attach:- Copies of the client’s and signer’s ID’s.- Proof of address (light, phone, or water bill)- Proof of income and sources of income.- “Personería” of the signer (for corporations.)Once a client has complied by filling out the “Información del Cliente” the Know Your Client form and providing the additional info, hopefully there will be no more disclosure requirements from that client for a while.
ONE MORE PIECE OF ADVICE:
When you consult a U.S. attorney and/or accountant regarding THEIR thoughts about YOUR purchasing a property in Costa Rica, please make sure they ARE FAMILIAR with buying properties in foreign lands or better yet, Costa Rica, regarding your future taxes, or expense write-offs,or especially Trusts-Wills-Inheritances. If they aren’t experienced in this area, please get a personal recommendation from them for someone that is.
BE PREPARED but please consider this:
Costa Ricans are very proud of their country, their laws, their heritage & reputation; and legalities that exist in the U.S. may not have any legal relevance here. This is the same reason why U.S. Banks cannot provide loans on Costa Rican properties.
This is a great country of laws in a different system than the U.S., (Costa Rica Civil Law vs U.S. Common Law) so don’t even think about suing someone here nor even verbally threatening to sue, because people will look at you and smile, thinking, “oh these poor naive tourists”, lol…
It’s important you find a great attorney here, recommended by either your realtor or your Embassy, and if necessary, hire three to get a definite answer!!!
Pura Vida!
CONTACT US:
TEL in Costa Rica: 4702-0808 (011 country code, 506 area code)
WHATSAPP +1 (506) 8388-5055 at no charge
SKYPE: crbeachjeff Email: jeff@crbeach.com