Latest Articles by NickViale

Condos - The Way Of The Future

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

The prices of condos are going up in some areas and down in other areas, but one thing is for sure, condos are here to stay! Condo living looks like being the way of the future and there are several quite diversified reasons for their popularity.

One is obviously a reflection on our society - many of us just feel safer living in a close community that offers protection of some sort. There is also the fact that most condo owners live up higher than ground level and it is known that more burglaries happen in first floor condos.

A higher proportion of condos are also being built as gated communities these days, so condos offer much more security than a single family dwelling. Many condos also offer 24 hour security patrols or underground parking.

Security is a big factor for all of us, but especially older people who may feel frail. With the baby boomers reaching retirement age, the largest ever population of pensioners will be looking for secure housing.

As age creeps upon us, we want to do fewer chores and have more peace. Another reason why a condo is so appealing as most condo maintenance is looked after by the management. Being able to walk though lawns that are fed, watered and cut by someone else has its appeal, as does swimming in a pool that is always at the perfect Ph balance!

There is another reason why members of the retirement population may like condos; it is easy to find friends in the unit and to visit without too much effort. Many condos also have a balcony, which is about enough outdoors once your back does not let you do the gardening anymore!

Real gardening buffs can search out a condo block that has large balconies and grow vegetables in pots! Make sure that you are able to grow vegetation on your balconies, this 'permission' thing may be an unfamiliar idea for those who are moving from single family dwellings.

Condos always have 'house rules'. They are there to protect rather than to hinder, but they are all individually designed. Rules can be vastly different from one condo unit to another. It would be extremely important to check the rules before you make your decision to buy.

If you find a condo with the type of rules that would fit into your normal lifestyle pattern, then there will be no conflict in your new life - that is if you are planning a change!

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Nicholas has over twenty years experience as a professional real estate agent. He has lived and worked in the Costa Rica real estate market for over ten of those years. If you're looking for condos in Costa Rica, visit Nicholas at CostaRica1RealEstate.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Sara Hearts Costa Rica

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

When she came back from her two week vacation in Costa Rica to icy Minnesota, Sara was haunted by memories of the way her toes had taken to the warm white sand and the way her heart had taken to the people. Echoes of the rolling surf chased her though her days at the office and had her daydreaming like a lovesick teenager. At night, she found herself scouring the Internet for "Real Estate in Costa Rica" and recalculating her budget until the wee hours of the morning. Finally, bleary-eyed and convinced that she couldn't live without this fascinating Latin American country in her life everyday, she traded her two-storey brown brick home for a condo on the beach and has never looked back.

Sara's story isn't an isolated incident. There are an estimated 250,000 foriegners living in Costa Rica to date and with few barriers to living, working and investing in this country, the population of expatriates grows bigger everyday. As the demand for Costa Rica real estate increases, so do the options for foriegners who want to make their vacations last a lifetime. For brave travelers like Sara, it's green lights all the way.

Known as the The Silicon Valley of Latin America, Costa Rica has plenty of opportunity for employment in the high tech industry. Companies like Acer, Microsoft, GE, Abbot Laboratories, Continental Airways and Intel Corporation all have headquarters in Costa Rica. A founding UN nation with political neutrality and no military, Costa Rica is peaceful with good international relations. The democratic government is generous in both its progressive environmental protection policies and its care for its population. Fittingly, the quality of education and health care compares favorably with countries like Canada and the US. In fact, Costa Rica boasts an even higher literacy rate than the US (95%). Low crime rates and world class surfing along the 1800 km coastline also add to Costa Rica's undeniable allure for Americans of all ages.

Condominiums are still the hottest investment opportunity for people looking to make their beach time last longer than a two week vacation. Offering security and amenities that single family homes simply can't, these mini-communities let you recognize a long time dream with very little risk. Twenty-four hour security, property management services, enhanced services and even shopping are just some of the built-in amenities you can expect in these developments. Real estate remains affordable and with a median home price of just 300K can you afford not to invest?

Of course, if you're not ready to take the plunge and become a permanent resident, Costa Rica is still a prime location for a second home or an investment property. Condo ownership allows residents to enter into property management arrangements quite easily and turn the property into a rental income when you're not using it.

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Nicholas Viale has over twenty years experience as a professional real estate agent. He has lived and worked in the Costa Rica real estate market for over ten of those years. If you're looking for Costa Rica investment property , visit Nicholas at CostaRica1RealEstate.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Invest Early To Make Your Dreams Come True

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

When looking for high quality vacation rentals, or a permanent home in an exotic location, pre-construction is often the way to go. What is pre-construction? Well, it means a home or condo that is still in the planning stages, but hasn't yet been built. The buyer purchases the home from the developer or builder-owner.

But how do you decide what to buy if it doesn't exist yet? Easy! The builder will have detailed blueprints for you to look over, as well as, usually, a model of the building. This gives potential buyers a pretty good idea of what they are getting into. There may even be already built structures that are very similar to the one you are considering. This will give you an idea of the builders quality. But even if you can't see an actual building, buying pre-construction is quite reliable as long as the builder is. Do a bit of research to find out what they have done in the past. If possible, talk to an owner of something else they have built to asses their level of satisfaction. If that isn't possible, a qualified agent will usually be quite familiar with local builders.

A qualified agent can also help you sort out the legal details. For one, be sure to get written and signed documentation stating when the structure will be completed, and what exactly will be included. Find out if there is a home warranty, and what exactly it includes. Be sure there is an "out" for you if the construction is greatly delayed or if the finished product isn't what you understood it to be.

One of the great things about pre-construction is the price. Because they haven't yet realized their full potential, pre-construction real estate is often priced quite a bit lower than what it will be in the future. You, as a buyer, know that the property can only go up in value. After all, the home built will be brand new. As long as plenty of research has been done into the location, the builder, and the type of home, ensuring that it is an emerging market and not a declining one, you can't go wrong with pre-construction.

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This article was written on behalf of Nicholas Vaile, qualified agent for real estate in Costa Rica. If you are interested in Costa Rica pre-construction real estate, or any other homes in Costa Rica, Vaile and his experienced team can help.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Take a Permanent Vacation

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Are you looking for more meaning in your life - a sense of happiness? Are you tired of days that blend into each other? Do you find yourself sitting in traffic feeling the heat rising up your neck? Fighting with your family members, coworkers or neighbors? Are you awakened night after night by the noise of the city? Maybe it's time to get away from it all: imagine a life where you can just get up in the morning, walk to the beach, have a fresh juice and enjoy the sun.

In fact, if you are feeling the grind, it may be affecting your health: chronic stress can cause or aggravate anxiety, depression, substance abuse, heartburn, chronic pain, high blood pressure, ulcers – the list goes on. Many Americans have discovered a way to put all this behind them. They've discovered a life where the pace of living is relaxed, and the worst day at the beach is better than the best day in the office.

They've discovered Costa Rica, land of "Pura Vida", where the locals enjoy life and take their time to celebrate it. Becoming more popular every year, this refreshing country is a lovely mix of local, North American, European and Argentinean cultures. The people are generally friendly and laid-back. The cost of living is 30 to 50 percent lower than most American cities and the stress levels are considerably lower.

With a well-developed health care system, good public education, a stable political situation and clean drinking water, Costa Rica is a very progressive country. In fact, Costa Rica was the first country to constitutionally abolish its army, disbanding it in 1948. It's also an environmentally blessed country: Costa Rica contains six percent of the world's biodiversity, and has 12 different climate zones to choose from. It's home to more than 850 species of birds, more than all of North America combined.

Owning property in Costa Rica is open to everybody – foreigners have a legal and constitutional right to own property. In fact, if you don't want to live here full time it's not a problem - there is no residency requirement. You can rent your property whenever you like, and sell whenever you like. Financing is very easy to obtain and there are no capital gains tax for the average property owner. Although foreigners without a work permit are not allowed to work, you can own a business here, or enjoy your retired life. Those who do earn income here will enjoy the exceptionally low income tax.

So, if you've ever dreamed of getting away from it all, Costa Rica could be your answer. Time to make this dream a reality - It's easier than you think: Costa Rica is truly the land of the dreams, and it's surprisingly painless for Americans to make this place their home.

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This article was written by the team at Century 21 Coastal Estates, your online source for real estate in Costa Rica. Let us use our local knowledge to help you find your dream home, investment opportunity or Costa Rica vacation rental. All of our agents and brokers are licensed with the Costa Rica Global Association of Realtors as well as the US National Association of REALTORS®. To view properties in Costa Rica visit us online at www.costarica1realestate.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com