Costa Rica Real estate has a few strange differences form other countries.

By Barry Ashworth, our west side of San Jose specialist for the Easy Times.

Since so many people in Costa Rica say they are a real estate agent and many are not well trained, you might receive information about a property you might be viewing that is incorrect. What you read on a website or are told by a real estate agent or owner may not be true. Due to the slow judicial system in Costa Rica and the way of life here, you better think twice about suing afterwards. (BUYER BEWARE). For this reason, when you purchase real estate in Costa Rica, you need a good real estate agent and a good real estate attorney.

Let me give you some classic examples:

Sizes: Whatever size is quoted whether in Square Meters or Square Feet (the conversion is multiply by 10.8) is nearly always here construction size. This can vary considerably but beware it is possible this is not useable living area.  The construction size is measured from the outside of the walls and everything under roof. The garage is counted as full construction and a carport or open garage should be half construction. Similarly a covered terrace should be counted as half the size as construction. This is not always the case so ASK how the place has been measured or ask your real estate agent to check. As a result many houses will look much larger on paper than the actually are.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: Be careful as sometimes the maid’s room and bathroom may be included in these numbers giving an exaggerated amount.

Condo/apartment:  Generally speaking here an apartment is in a tower and can even be a Penthouse or large apartment worth millions. A condo is usually thought of as a house in a gated community or townhouse, normally one or two storey. Some very up market houses are in condominium lots like Villareal so beware of labels.

"Mountain view":  This means often valley view from a higher position (not view of the mountains). If it was just Mountain View you basically have this from any house or lot in Costa Rica! The Central Valley is surrounded by hills and many beach areas have hills set back from the ocean. Just turn around and you have to have a view of the Mountains.

When using Too: this translates as a very. In other words "too light" means very light and not exaggerated light or too much light.

"Two level" house: may often be a two story home.

Beware also: of a "Walking Closet" as this could be dangerous.

Barry Ashworth is one of the three founders of the American European Real Estate Group and specializes in homes and land in Sabana, Escazu, Santa Ana, and Hacienda Los Reyes. Barry has over 20 years of experience selling Costa Rica real estate west of San Jose and thousands of satisfied clients.

Barry Ashworth is British and after working 15 years in England and other countries had the great fortune to discover the paradise of Costa Rica. Feel free to contact Barry with any questions you might have or to see any of the properties in Costa Rica Barry has for sale.