Arrangement Flower Yacht

Despite being located in Latin America, the small country of Costa Rica enjoys a stable economic environment and offers numerous real estate investment opportunities. And, because the cost of living in Costa Rica is a mere fraction of what it is throughout North America, more and more people are drawn to the area, not only for monetary reasons but also for the country's stunning vistas and diverse collection of wildlife.

Costa Rica boasts a low violent crime rate, a democratic government that's been in place for a half century, a tropical climate, and plenty of activities to do all year round. With fragrant flowers and trees, exotic birds, fascinating sea creatures, and mammals like monkeys all making their homes in Costa Rica, one will certainly never be at a loss for nature.

Investment opportunities in the States have dwindled in light of the recent economic crisis, but in Costa Rica, the opposite is true as both home and land prices are as much as 25% cheaper as opposed to the U.S.

The cost of property maintenance is also far lower, making the country the ideal place to invest in business and real estate investments. In fact, investors are flocking to the country from all around the world to take advantage of enjoying the same equal property rights as the native citizens.

In comparison with countries in Europe as well as larger cities in the United States, Costa Rican real estate is incredibly affordable. Property taxes are also noticeably lower than in other countries and even the most luxurious of homes will have a minimal tax applied.

Fortunately, foreigners are faced with few rules and restrictions when it comes to owning land or property and relocation to the country is fairly simple provided all of the paperwork is properly completed and in order.

The area known as the Central Valley is one of the prime real estate locations in the country, most specifically in Grecia, which offers pleasant living conditions and reasonable home prices. However, as the country's popularity continues to grow with tourists and investors, real estate prices continue to grow as well, making it important to act quickly if you think you've found something.

Public land auctions announced in Costa Rica's official government publication "La Gaceta" may occasionally feature a few good deals and remote areas like the Osa Peninsula haven't seen the increase in prices as other areas in the country have.

As you would expect, real estate prices encompass a wide range based on variables like location. A beachfront home with one quarter acre of land might be anywhere from $40,000 to more than $200,000 while those with more property can be in the millions.

In addition to the Central Valley region, the fastest selling properties are along the Pacific coast, and it is here where some of the most expensive homes and buildings are located. In general, the farther away you are from metropolitan areas like San Jose or Alajuela, the cheaper the properties will be.

Financing does not exist in Costa Rica the way it does in North America to foreigners who will have to buy properties with existing mortgages or assume legal residency in order to qualify for a bank loan. Owner financing remains the one of the best options for foreign investors looking to buy real estate in Costa Rica.

Heather has been writing articles for 10 years and enjoys sharing her knowledge about different countries. You can find by visiting Heather's new website