Good morning friends and family
Every month I would like to share the Real Estate market news from the States with you.
All you need to do is click on the link and watch a news clip.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask me. I am your Professional Real Estate Agent.
The best compliment that you can give me, is to give my name and number to a family member, friend or associate who is looking to buy or sell Real Estate in Costa Rica or the USA. I am at their service.
God bless all of you!
Enjoy the video!
http://kwconnect.kw.com/connect/user/share.jsp?p=2679&sh=431
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Stray Dogs Kill Couple
Please read this article.
This is why it is extremely important to spay and neuter all stray dogs and cats. If you are feeding them, then they become your responsibility. Please do the right thing. Have them spayed or neutered or take them to the pound.
You can also help by donating time or money with the people who volunteer at spay and neuter clinics in your community.
In Nosara you can contact http://www.nosaraanimalcare.com/
This is why it is extremely important to spay and neuter all stray dogs and cats. If you are feeding them, then they become your responsibility. Please do the right thing. Have them spayed or neutered or take them to the pound.
You can also help by donating time or money with the people who volunteer at spay and neuter clinics in your community.
In Nosara you can contact http://www.nosaraanimalcare.com/
Dr. Carl Wells volunteers his time to work with Dr. Delgado to offer their services free or at reduced prices to spay and neuter the stray beach dogs in Nosara Costa Rica.
God bless our furry friends and the ones who care for them!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090819/ap_on_re_us/us_deadly_dog_attack
God bless our furry friends and the ones who care for them!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090819/ap_on_re_us/us_deadly_dog_attack
Friday, May 1, 2009
Change of Season - Rain!
For those living in North America, rain may not seem like a big deal. In fact it may often be an unwelcome visitor, seeming to arrive with uncanny timing for weekends and outdoor events. Here in the Guanacaste of Costa Rica, May begins the "low season", "rainy season", or "green season". Last night, right on schedule the first rain arrived to Nosara. Nothing could have been sweeter.
The dry season begins in early December and ends in May, but these pattern changes are not abrupt. The rain begins to fade in mid November and by January it is indeed a rare event here in the Guanacaste. Months of no rain, sunny skys and blue water seem to be just what the tourist crowds want as this period corresponds with the tourism high season. If you live here such prolonged drought, though normal and expected, takes it's toll. Gardens fade to brown without regular and copious ammounts of water applied. Unpaved roads become dust factorys and the temperatures at the end of the dry season can be stifling with humidity building week by week toward those first welcome thunderstorms. Even the people who endure the full dry season can get a little crispy around the edges. We always want what we do not have!
Last night marked the begining of the gradual shift we all have been waiting for. The rain lasted for about an hour. My guage said just under 3 cm (about 1 inch) had been granted us. This morning was predictablly cooler, fresher. The surrounding real estate was moist with the plants taking in the much needed water. My morning run was without the dust and my lungs were grateful. With a few more rains the fishing at the Boca Nosara will even improve as the fish respond to the change in flow and nutrients coming down the Nosara river. Surfers will enjoy a larger swell as the waves react to off shore storms. The famous Costa Rican sunsets will appear even more brilliant and intense. Each year I am in wonder at how fast the landscape changes to vibrant green, seemingly within days of the first good rain.
So it begins. The rain and the low season are upon the Nosara beaches. Each year I notice more people discovering that the rainy season is not a negative but indeed quite a positive thing. The rain is not an every day event, especially at first . The mornings are generally sunny with showers later in the afternoon, perfect timing for a siesta. Less people, a bit cooler, great waves and world-class fishing. The "low season", the "rainy season" or the "green season", what ever name you choose, is notably less low these days - and I certainly understand why.
Pura Vida!
Carl
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Great article in the New York Times
Good morning friends and family
Here is a link to a great article on Costa Rica in The New York Times.
It talks about Costa Rica's biodiversity and how it is preserving it's cornucopia of plants and animals.
Costa Rica is such a great place to vacation or live!
Enjoy the read!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/opinion/12friedman.html?_r=2&emc=eta1
Please check out my website too at
www.TheCostaRicaRealEstateAgent.com
Here is a link to a great article on Costa Rica in The New York Times.
It talks about Costa Rica's biodiversity and how it is preserving it's cornucopia of plants and animals.
Costa Rica is such a great place to vacation or live!
Enjoy the read!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/opinion/12friedman.html?_r=2&emc=eta1
Please check out my website too at
www.TheCostaRicaRealEstateAgent.com
Thursday, March 12, 2009
What does it take to live in Costa Rica?
What does it take to live there?
It's so easy to live there. You can live there without becoming a resident so long as you leave the country every 90 days for 72 hours. We do this most inexpensively by taking a bus to Nicaragua for a 72 hour vacation.
To live in Costa Rica as a permanent resident you can live there as
1. a residente pensionado (retiree), which you need to have proof of a $600-a-month retirement income like a U.S. Social Security check or pension check.
2. a pensionado rentista, which is for those who are not old enough to retire. You must prove $1,000 a month income from an investment such as a certificate of deposit, an annuity or other source of guarantees of at least $1,000 per month, or $60,000 to be deposited in a Costa Rican bank.
3. a rentista inversionista, which is for people wanting to go into business. It requires a $50,000 investmentwith an approved tourism or export business, $100,000 in a reforestation project or a $150,000 investment in to any other type of business.
It's so easy to live there. You can live there without becoming a resident so long as you leave the country every 90 days for 72 hours. We do this most inexpensively by taking a bus to Nicaragua for a 72 hour vacation.
To live in Costa Rica as a permanent resident you can live there as
1. a residente pensionado (retiree), which you need to have proof of a $600-a-month retirement income like a U.S. Social Security check or pension check.
2. a pensionado rentista, which is for those who are not old enough to retire. You must prove $1,000 a month income from an investment such as a certificate of deposit, an annuity or other source of guarantees of at least $1,000 per month, or $60,000 to be deposited in a Costa Rican bank.
3. a rentista inversionista, which is for people wanting to go into business. It requires a $50,000 investmentwith an approved tourism or export business, $100,000 in a reforestation project or a $150,000 investment in to any other type of business.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Fishing is Good!
Hi everyone!
We have been eating fresh fish that Carl has been catching.
Yesterday we had fried snook sandwiches for lunch and oh my God were they good!
Carl saw whales last month from our house! How cool is that!
The surfers have been enjoying some sweet waves too. There was a surf tournament here last week. Lots of talent!
Take care and Pura Vida!!
We have been eating fresh fish that Carl has been catching.
Yesterday we had fried snook sandwiches for lunch and oh my God were they good!
Carl saw whales last month from our house! How cool is that!
The surfers have been enjoying some sweet waves too. There was a surf tournament here last week. Lots of talent!
Take care and Pura Vida!!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Driving - The Costa Rican Video Game
As I speak to people about their first visit to Costa Rica, the subject of driving always comes up. Driving a rental car gives one independence, allowing for spontaneous stops and plan changes. I personally find driving in Costa Rica to be a relatively safe way to see the country - Pacific, Caribean, volcanos and rain forest - provided you follow some common sense guide lines.
1) Plan your daily drive so you arrive well before dark. Morning drives are the best. As one gets toward the end of the day there seems to be a curious custom where everyone in the village comes out of their homes and walk on the road - bicycles, pets, families with babies, etc. Though certainly navigable, I prefer less distraction and try to drive before, say 4 pm.
2) One must look at driving in Costa Rica as a bit of a video game, and a team effort at that. I drive and the passenger navigates, both of us with full attention on the road. At any given time you might round a turn and find a cattle drive, ox cart, road work in progress, a stopped car (people in C.R. will just stop on the road in the middle of their lane and open up a conversation with a pedestrian or another vehicle, no attempt being made to pull to the side). Also there are well marked one lane bridges. Each bridge is marked on one side or the other with a yield sign telling you who has the right of way. No matter who is supposed to yield, proceed with caution.
3) All speed is marked in KPH. Watch your speed and have the navigator watch for changes in the speed limit - i.e. speed traps. An officer will be pulled off the side of the road with radar gun in hand. Oncoming traffic will often warn you with a flash of their headlights but I find it easier to just stay within the speed limits. If you get caught they do not come after you but wave you over and write you a ticket. There is much debate as to how to handle a ticket. The opportunity always exists to pay on the spot, essentially a bribe to the "underpaid officer". Usually about 20$ Ask the car rental company what they prefer you to do. Many just want you to bring the ticket to them when you are done with the rental and they take care of it. Ask your rental company.
4) A bit about safety and security while traveling by car. Crime is crime the world over and while Costa Ricans (Ticos) are wonderful people there still is the chance that you may be a target. So make yourself less of a target. There is very little violent crime but theft certainly occurs in direct proportion to opportunity. Wear little or no jewelry so as not to call attention. Always lock the car doors and leave nothing visible in your car, especially in tourist areas or on surfing beaches. Many parking lots of restaurants, etc will have a guard. I try to give him 500 colones (a dollar) to keep a special eye on my car if at all possible. There is also a trick used by thieves, especially in San Jose where after you rent your car or get gas, someone walks up and punctures a tire. They follow you and when you pull over to fix it they offer to help and quietly take your things. I do not know of anyone this has happened to but it is publicized. If you get a flat and are concerned, just get to a public area, like a gas station or somewhere where there are other people.
5) The roads. Ah yes, the roads. While it seems that the general road conditions have improved greatly over the past few years, be ready for adverse conditions. Pot holes that swallow small vehicles still exist, especially on gravel roads in remote areas during the green season. I recommend a 4X4 during the wet months, not a bad idea during the dry months also! Painted lines marking center stripe and lanes are rare. Hazard signs are good, become familiar with "stop", "yield", "slow' etc before leaving. Signs to distant towns are fair but it is easy to miss a turn or take the wrong one. The good news is the Ticos are happy to give you directions and get you back on your way.
So, driving in Costa Rica is a great way to see a beautiful country. Just heed the rules!
Pura Vida! Carl
1) Plan your daily drive so you arrive well before dark. Morning drives are the best. As one gets toward the end of the day there seems to be a curious custom where everyone in the village comes out of their homes and walk on the road - bicycles, pets, families with babies, etc. Though certainly navigable, I prefer less distraction and try to drive before, say 4 pm.
2) One must look at driving in Costa Rica as a bit of a video game, and a team effort at that. I drive and the passenger navigates, both of us with full attention on the road. At any given time you might round a turn and find a cattle drive, ox cart, road work in progress, a stopped car (people in C.R. will just stop on the road in the middle of their lane and open up a conversation with a pedestrian or another vehicle, no attempt being made to pull to the side). Also there are well marked one lane bridges. Each bridge is marked on one side or the other with a yield sign telling you who has the right of way. No matter who is supposed to yield, proceed with caution.
3) All speed is marked in KPH. Watch your speed and have the navigator watch for changes in the speed limit - i.e. speed traps. An officer will be pulled off the side of the road with radar gun in hand. Oncoming traffic will often warn you with a flash of their headlights but I find it easier to just stay within the speed limits. If you get caught they do not come after you but wave you over and write you a ticket. There is much debate as to how to handle a ticket. The opportunity always exists to pay on the spot, essentially a bribe to the "underpaid officer". Usually about 20$ Ask the car rental company what they prefer you to do. Many just want you to bring the ticket to them when you are done with the rental and they take care of it. Ask your rental company.
4) A bit about safety and security while traveling by car. Crime is crime the world over and while Costa Ricans (Ticos) are wonderful people there still is the chance that you may be a target. So make yourself less of a target. There is very little violent crime but theft certainly occurs in direct proportion to opportunity. Wear little or no jewelry so as not to call attention. Always lock the car doors and leave nothing visible in your car, especially in tourist areas or on surfing beaches. Many parking lots of restaurants, etc will have a guard. I try to give him 500 colones (a dollar) to keep a special eye on my car if at all possible. There is also a trick used by thieves, especially in San Jose where after you rent your car or get gas, someone walks up and punctures a tire. They follow you and when you pull over to fix it they offer to help and quietly take your things. I do not know of anyone this has happened to but it is publicized. If you get a flat and are concerned, just get to a public area, like a gas station or somewhere where there are other people.
5) The roads. Ah yes, the roads. While it seems that the general road conditions have improved greatly over the past few years, be ready for adverse conditions. Pot holes that swallow small vehicles still exist, especially on gravel roads in remote areas during the green season. I recommend a 4X4 during the wet months, not a bad idea during the dry months also! Painted lines marking center stripe and lanes are rare. Hazard signs are good, become familiar with "stop", "yield", "slow' etc before leaving. Signs to distant towns are fair but it is easy to miss a turn or take the wrong one. The good news is the Ticos are happy to give you directions and get you back on your way.
So, driving in Costa Rica is a great way to see a beautiful country. Just heed the rules!
Pura Vida! Carl
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