Buying a house in Costa Rica is a little different than in North America, but there are still commonalities.  The biggest differences are:

The Metric System -- Many homes are measured in square meters instead of square feet.  Property sizes are in hectares instead of acres.  You'll need to have a calculator handy to do the conversions.

Amenities -- Often the amenities such as light fixtures and windows aren't as unique or high quality as those available in N. America.

Heat/Air Conditioning -- In many regions in Costa Rica, homes are build without insulation, heat or air conditioning...because there's no need!

Home Inspections -- It can be difficult to find a quality home inspector and mandatory home inspections are rare.  You need to be your own home inspector.

Price Variance -- Prices vary greatly, sometimes for the exact same product.  Because there is no Multiple Listing Service, buyers and sellers often lack information to produce a perfect market economy.  As such, there are great deals and terrible deals to be had.  Take your time and do the research to find "real" prices.

Contact us today for more information or return to the Costa Rica real estate information index.