Nearing the End of 2009

As the end of the year quickly approaches, we quickly see mental vacation syndrome starting to set in. You all know it, but here in Costa Rica it often takes on a new meeting.

In a phone conversation with a developer two weeks ago, I overheard him telling his accountant, "well, if I don't speak to you before the New Year, have a happy and healthy one." Well, certainly, there is nothing wrong with the best wishes, it is the timing that was humurous to me. 45 days before year's end. Why is everybody saying goodbye, see you next year. The kindness is pleasant.

It is the mental dismissal of the rest of the year that gets me. I live in Costa Rica, but this certainly has not changed my work ethic and dedication. It has always been why our company has been successful here, with efficient response time and constant communication. As the end of the year approaches, as much joy of the holiday season as it brings, it seems to breed "early departure" which seem to get earlier with the passing of each year.

It is funny. At this time of year, when we are planning closings, we have to plan them around when the attorneys are going on vacation, when the national registries is closing until mid January and when the banks are open. To those clients of ours who are listening, don't worry, we always find a solution.

Working under the Radar

I feel as if I must type quietly....as if the sound of the buttons on my computer will wake up one of the precious ones sleeping nearby.

It's 500am here in Costa Rica, on Saturday September 5th...As I sit at the barstool sipping my coffee as is customary for me every day, my newborn (3 week old this morning) daughter Samantha is resting in one of the greatest inventions in modern day, the baby papason chair. I only wish the grown up version also vibrated and had such calming music.

In the other room, my wife, whose birthday is today, and my near 5 yr old daughter Maya are still resting.

What has become customary to me, the morning coffee and lightning work ritual before the crew arises, allows me a unique time to work, but also to reflect on the silince that is so rare in a household with two young children. Silence can be so calming, but at the same time, so cautionary (sp, word?>)....The mere silence reminds me of how quickly this will change to livelihood any moment, when one of the ladies in the house starts to stir...

Well, enough morning philosophy, cleary this coffee has not taken its affect.

Back to work....Plugging away on some interesting deals right now, so back to the drawing board.

Perception

Interesting, in today's market, the first question that I get now from buyer's is always regards to how the market is behaving. Loaded question of course, but the answer is transparent in my opinion, but often times, a buyer in today's market looks for security to know they are buying at the right time.

In the market here in the Central Valley, both commercial and residential real estate are on the rise again, but it is interesting to see how both buyers and sellers seek to confirm their perception, to ensure their timing is right. The sellers, well, they hope to confirm that the market is on the rise so that they can either move their property, or move their price :)
Buyers, well, they want to know that the market is moving in a positive direction, but not too fast so that they did not miss the chance to buy at the best price.

The good news for the market in general, both on buyers and sellers side, is that the perception of current economic conditions and how they will affect us has changed dramatically. People have now decided that they must continue living, making decisions, investing, and buying that first, second or third home, or opening up that next office space to continue to expand their business.

The Synergy of Manuel Antonio…..

A ray of hope and a story of success in a real estate market which has been marred by dropping values and stagnancy. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, arguably the most beautiful and complete destination in all of Costa Rica, is in the midst of redefining itself as the premier coastal destination in all of Costa Rica combining the best in luxury, infrastructure, services and amenities, with an authenticity which an increasing number of international investors are seeking.

Manuel Antonio, located on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast currently has several synergetic forces converging which are driving continued real estate sales and development during the most challenging of economic times. The construction of the Marina Pez Vela, a 300 plus slip full service Marina is nearing completion of its first phase and will be the finest boating facility in Central America. The area is the home to the world’s best sportfishing, with flat water year round and some of the finest bill fishing waters on the planet. Marina Pez Vela will boast the nation’s first full service boat yard facility catering to private yachtsmen and charter boats and will also include an extensive commercial area with boutique shops, restaurants and services. While the Marina charges towards completion with the first slips being set to open in late 2009, the Costa Rican Government is also making huge advances in the construction of a new highway linking San Jose and the principal international airport with the central Pacific coast and the completion of the Costanera Sur linking Manuel Antonio with the untouched beauty of the southern zone. These major infrastructural improvements make this area even more accessible for tourists who can opt for a much shorter drive or one of the many 20 minute commuter flights to the region. Finally, Manuel Antonio is seeing the completion of its first two condominium projects and the ground breaking of the first branded resort in this region, the Jade Condo Resort Residences and Beach Club. This project, offering a 190 unit condo hotel, plus 50 luxury residence condos and a world class beach club, will be an inconic figure on the Central Pacific coast. The active investments of Jade, Marina Pez Vela and the nearly completed condo projects in the area represent a capital investment in the area of superior to $100,000,000 which combined with the tens of millions which the government is spending on area infrastructure make for a dynamic future.

Though no one and no market is immune to the global economic slowdown, like many of the best businesses in the world, Manuel Antonio is investing in its future and building the foundation for it to continue to flourish into Central America’s most sought after destination. There are fantastic opportunities in the area for those with the vision and desire to revel in the beauty of Costa Rica, within a real community fusing luxury with authenticity, and an investment environment poised to be a leader in the future of Costa Rica.

the happiest nation

Well, by now I am sure you have all heard about the story. Not sure whether it was CNN or MSNBC, but the report was clear: Costa Rica just earned the number one spot on the Happy Planet Index.

That makes me feel better. After nearly 12 years of living in Costa Rica, someone worthy of a CNN report has justified my decision to be in Costa Rica. I was seriously doubting my life for a while there, but it all makes sense now. You can certainly understand my confusion I am sure... First and foremost, although I met my wife and have a beautiful daughter and one on the way, I was still not convinced that one could be happy down here.... With a successful and growing business, I was not convinced that happiness could be achieved. With a lifestyle hard to achieve in most parts of the world, I was still not sure about the place that I call home.

But, here comes a report on CNN. I can finally sleep at night. I can finally wake up in the morning with an ear to ear grin. And it has nothing to do with the gorgeous backdrop, the tropical weather, the laid back lifestyle, my lovely family...it is all thanks to our good friends at the Happy Planet Index, who I now cordially invite to my real estate office, where I ensure we can make them even happier :)

This one Makes a Fire look Cold

Well, all of us abuse the term...Fire Sale. A term too often used by agents and sellers to pawn anything that has been reduced from an already overpriced property back to a realistic level.

Not this one. A hectare of land, at the peak of the mountain in Escazu, offering dizzying panoramic views of the entire city, central valley and surrounding mountains...A breathtaking estate, private entrance, surrounded by coffee plantations, 600 sq meters of construction including a master suite designed main home, a guest quarters, employee's quarters, plenty of room for expansion....

JUST REDUCED From $1,050,000 to $525,000! Yes, and there is nothing wrong with it....Buy now, remodel, hold, move in, no way to go wrong on this one...

Check it out:
http://www.2costaricarealestate.com/San_Jose/Central_Valley/Homes/Escazu/Escazu/Agent/Listing_696861.html

Psychology of Buying Real Estate

In these unique times as some markets drop, other show signs of increased value and therefore start to show signs of stability, I have been forced to watch an entirely new side of my clients...Their heads. Yes, it is is tough to look in there, but it seems like people are now wearing their neurons on their sleeves, and although thoughts, logic, and decision making are always the key factor in making smart real estate decisions, this aspect is being taken to an entirely different level.

In our office, we deal with a wide variety of clients from residential buyers, commercial developers, transnational businesses, retirees, speculative investors and every other category that you can imagine. In today's market, each one's analysis of the market, in conjunction with the education and insight of our team of professionals, has become more intriguing.

With our international buyers, no one wants to be guilty of buying the wrong property, at the wrong time in the wrong place...the brunt of the dinner jokes, the cocktail party, the business meeting or the guys' night out. At the same time, with opportunities that have risen from the challenging market, no one, either, wants to miss that deal....You know the one...the one that everyone looks back on and says, yeah that was a no brainer. I wish I would have done that. Man, he's so lucky, he picked that up for a song....Of course he's happy, he got a great deal and bought that in yesterday's market...

Well, you gotta make a move, to make a buck. I know, easier said from the real estate broker, than the one forking out the money. The true success in real estate comes from buyers who find a broker or agent that they can really trust. A PROFESSIONAL in any business, is the best company that you can find. Many people erroneously believe that by digging on their own, they will somehow gain the insight and knowledge that a real estate professional has learned both in their studies, and in their extensive experience. A real broker/agent should take the time to truly understand your investment criteria, before "selling" you anything. Finding the right trusted advisor can make or break your investment, and the right one, can cut through weeks and months of research, and take your investment goals and turn them into a reality.

For the clients who are out in the market place today, if you do not have the trust and confidence in your agent to tell him your realistic goals, realistic expectations, budget parameters, then you are probably not working with the one that is best for you. Once you feel that level of trust, know that your agent works for you and that you should find comfort in knowing that when he brings that opportunity to you, along with your own analysis, you want to pay attention as those true opportunities may not come back around.

I know these are not easy decisions. They require time, patience, care and often times, life savings. A professional will understand this, and will guide you through the process, and seek out the property that not only fits your criteria, but falls into your timeline so that you can buy the rihgt property, in the right place, at the right time.