Many of you that have received our newsletters know that we make money here in Costa Rica …through real estate and through construction. 
But this newsletter is going to reveal a few more opportunities that 99% are NOT aware of…

We have detailed low income urbanizations in one of our last newsletters and received and overwhelming response…in fact, so many responses, that we cannot handle all of the interest.   We have purchased our first piece of land and are risking our own funds to ensure that we have covered all facets of the process AND that nothing surfaces to bite us in the proverbial behind.   Opportunities will be forthcoming but unavailable for most of you simply because it is a “first come, first served basis” and interest IS that heavy.  A second co-op has approached us to provide properties for their clients so we are hopeful that we will be able to provide opportunities here at the rate of 1-2 per month.  

How many of you are familiar with “information processoria”? ( my computer will not let me write in Spanish, sorry ) .  In plain English, it is a property where the title is not totally clean and must follow a legal process in Costa Rica to obtain a perfectly clean title.   Probably 15%-20% of all property here in Costa Rica is sold that way.   ( this is not related in any way to concession property ) .   In simpler English, it is most likely a piece of land which was given to a family generations ago and passed down from family to family…but without proper registration.   It is a relatively simple matter to rectify the situation but is time consuming.   Our point here?…we were just shown a piece of land just outside of San Jose with an absolutely stunning view…and area which is just beginning to be developed.   The land fall in the “information processoria” category and the owner needs to sell.  The land can be had for a fraction of its worth once the legal work is done.   We estimate holding time of 2-5 years and an estimated return on investment of over 400%.  

We have information on foreclosures because of relationships with local banks and coops.    Oftentimes these purchases can be available at 50-60% of current market value.   Obviously the trick here is to know current market value AND how quickly and effectively the property can be resold.    The negative here is often time frame as decisions have to be made quickly.  

Because we now have 4 scouts constantly “beating the bush” we are seeing more properties than ever before.   And because we constantly see buyers, we know which properties can be resold relatively quickly.  Many of the properties in our listings never make it to the website because we have a list of buyers seeking specific types of properties.   Oftentimes, we are also able to find out which sellers absolutely must sell NOW.   Obviously that makes for a much more attractive purchase.   These situations happen at least 2-3 times monthly and we cannot personally take advantage of them all. 

Because of our network , we are also shown a great many larger properties…most of which never are even worth consideration.   However, once or twice a month a property jumps out at us which is a superb buy and offers outstanding potential.   Sometimes we have buyers, sometimes we don’t.   We do not have the resources to followup on every potential buy we see that we consider a “steal”.   We just missed out on one bordering the Rio Celeste that could have been purchased for a little over $200,000...and was actually resold within 3 months for over $1,000,000.   Sad but true ( for us anyway ).  

We have the capability to develop these larger properties but oftentimes simply not the time or the resources at that particular time.    These are properties  which could actually be sold “as is” to another developer because they are “that good a purchase” and are priced significantly below market.  These is a market which offers huge potential returns…it is higher risk but the rewards are huge.   A good example is a property we are aware of of 55 acres which is available at probably 50% of market value…it can be tied up for a relatively small amount for at least a year.   Studies have been done and documentation can be provided to show a prospective buyer superb returns.   Returns here could easily run 10-1 with a relatively small amount down.   

We know how to build homes…and because there is a scarcity of “american style homes” in the Grecia area, it is a void crying to be filled.    Returns of 50-75% are common.    Many Americans we know have built for a total cost of well under $150,000 two or three years ago and are now selling their homes for $350,000-500,000.  Personally we think they are slightly overpriced but the point here is pretty simple:  there is a market here with large potential profits crying to be filled.   It is not as easy as it looks as many gringos come here, think it is simple and then end up spending nearly twice as much as they should have.  Experience, referrals and honesty are crucial here.  Not every Tom , Dick and Harry with a hammer who has remodeled a home in the States can come here and be a successful builder, remodeled or developer.   If it was that simple everyone would be doing it.  Risks for investors in projects like this are almost negligible.  ( let me rephrase this…risks are almost negligible WITH US ) 

Because Costa Rica is a relatively small country there are rumors afloat everywhere…and most of them never amount to anything.   The area of Bajamar for example…when we were buying land there for clients ( superb ocean view properties ) there were rumors everywhere of huge tracts of land being purchased for hotels and marinas and even Disney  was rumored to be putting a theme park in nearby.   Gullible buyers or those here for the first time may be taken in but certainly not those who live here.   There are however, developments which DO impact values and a good example is the autopista or highway currently under construction which will shorten drive time to the Central Pacific by a factor of 50%.   This has been underway for sometime and rumors of construction projects and other projects such as airports, hospitals, marinas are common.    However, this WILL be complete in two years….three at the outside.  
Common sense and knowledge of supply and demands indicates that there are areas which will benefit from this event.    International Living is pushing Caldera.   We personally think Caldera and Puntarenas are simply port towns without much going for them.   But we believe that other areas such as our Ventanas project and our Pueblo Escondido project will benefit greatly.   We are actively seeking more land around the San Mateo area as we believe that it will soar.  

We think that Costa Rica will continue to be the “blue chip” of  overseas or Latin American investment.    There are definitely values everywhere but investments in Costa Rica are less subject to internal events and governmental changes than anywhere.   There is huge potential here…or …there can be disaster too.  
As mentioned in past newsletters and blogs, we are opening up a new, larger office.   We have hired a great office manager who , we believe, will help streamline not only emails but help inject much needed organization into CR Home…and we feel absolutely more confident that our growth will continue to help us pass on even more investment opportunities to our readers and clients.   
In anticipation of high season and in anticipation of investment offerings soon on the plate…if any of you wish further information OR wish to be contacted regarding specific types of investments please indicate below your preferences:  
( and if you have done this before,  we apologize…and now you understand why we are hiring an office manager! )…

Those of you that say “ why aren’t you taking advantage of these opportunities yourselves?”…our answer:  WE ARE.  And we have.   And yes, we do know what we are doing. 

 All investors know that there are very few guarantees in the investment world…of any kind.   But with the state of the stock market and world economy looker grimmer by the day in many places…Costa Rica offers some truly outstanding opportunities.  
Don’t be one of those who say “ if only I had….”

And please recognize that we know that most of you will never invest in Costa Rica…but please…don’t let it stop you from visiting.   The journey here may be sooner than you think!