Tips to Help you Sell your Home in Costa Rica

There are a few ways that a seller can improve the marketability of their property.  Please consider the following as you speak with your agent:

1. Properties that are seriously for sale should be priced appropriately.  Speak with your agent about the comps in your area for similar types of listings.  Real estate in Costa Rica continues to be a buyer's market with plenty of well priced properties that compete for a buyer's dollar. 

2. Remove the emotion from the process and understand that the real estate market has chnanged over the last few years. Agents are only interested in selling your property for you and work hard to help you establish a price.  At this point, establishing a value or a list price can be tricky.  We wish not to offend our sellers and there is no scientific historical data available to help you make this determination.  Our agents work with you to look at what has sold that is public knowledge and what other reasonably priced properties are listed for in your market.

3. Ensure your property is properly maintained and looks cared for.  You can do this through a property manager or live-in caretaker.  Properties fetch less interest and a lower offer price that look like they are owned by absentees or have a run-down look to them.  This means having your lot or your home and garden cleaned two or three times per month.  Labor is inexpensive here and keeping the property maintained will assist in maintaining property value and therefore the best possible price.  Remember that we have buyers even in the rainy season when the grass grows rapidly and keeping grass and hedges trimmed helps keep the insects and critters at bay and buyers appreciating the beauty of your property.

A final consideration, if you are not already doing so look into renting your property to offset maintenance costs.  If you have a house or condo, this is an excellent option to cover costs and perhaps even net you a profit.