Rule #1 - Don't Be a Sketchy Buyer!
As Costa Rica heads into high season, the market gets busy, emotions run high, and buyers pour in with big dreams of a new lifestyle, investment, or retirement plan. Most are wonderful to work with. But every year, there’s a consistent handful who unintentionally sabotage their own success by acting… well… a bit sketchy.
Not malicious. Not dishonest criminals.
Just unclear, inconsistent, unprepared, or sending all the wrong signals.
If you want the best possible outcome here—and the best service from the professionals helping you—here’s how to be the kind of buyer who wins in Costa Rica.
1. Be Honest. Really Honest.
You don’t have to tell your whole life story. But be clear about your intentions, your finances, your comfort level, and what you’re genuinely ready for. If you’re “just browsing,” say it. If you want to buy in the next 60 days, say that too.
Agents can work with any level of readiness—what we can’t work with is guesswork.
2. Be Loyal to Your Agent—or at Least Be Upfront About Not Being Loyal.
Costa Rica is a non-exclusive, open-listing market. So yes, you can hop around with five agents if you want. Nobody will stop you.
But it’s a bad strategy.
Pick one good local agent who knows the area and actually listens to you. Let them quarterback the process for you. If you prefer to work with multiple agents, just be upfront about it. Nothing damages momentum faster than discovering a buyer has been touring the same property with two or three different people.
Professionalism goes both ways.
3. Be Clear About Your Objectives.
Are you moving here full-time? Retiring? Coming seasonally? Looking for rental income? Hoping to flip a property? Buying raw land to build later? Or do you just like looking at pretty views on the internet?
All of these are valid paths—but each one leads to very different types of properties. Clarity upfront keeps everyone aligned and saves you months of wasted effort.
4. Know Your Budget and Say It Out Loud.
Costa Rica is not the place to play “mystery budget.”
If you’re at $350K, don’t look at $650K properties. If your top is $1.2M, don’t pretend it’s $900K. And if your budget is flexible depending on what you find, say that too.
Being clear about your budget helps your agent protect your time and your wallet.
5. Respect Your Agent’s Time.
A good agent here is not a door-opener. They’re your boots on the ground, your investigator, your interpreter of local norms, your due-diligence shield, and your trusted guide through a real estate system that is not the same as the U.S. or Canada.
If an agent invests days, weeks, or months understanding your goals, previewing properties, calling sellers, pulling water letters, confirming easements, checking zoning, and coordinating schedules—value that. Respect breeds respect.
6. Listen to Your Agent. They Actually Know This Market.
You may be brilliant and experienced in your home country, but Costa Rica is a completely different ecosystem. Not better, not worse—just different.
When your agent tells you:
• a property is overpriced
• the access road will be an issue
• a certain area gets too much rain for solar
• a seller is unlikely to move on price
• or that a “great deal” you found on Facebook is probably not legit
…they’re not trying to control you. They’re trying to protect you.
Take advantage of that wisdom. You’re paying for it whether you use it or not.
7. Courteous Buyers Get Courteous Treatment.
Real estate here is a relationship business. People remember how you communicate, how you treat locals, and how you handle stress. Courtesy opens doors—literally and figuratively.
If you want professionalism, respect, and priority service, give the same in return.
8. Trust Your Agent as a Resource—Not Random Facebook Groups.
Facebook groups can be great for restaurant recommendations or where to find almond milk. But for legal, financial, or real estate advice? They can steer you straight into a ditch.
Your agent sees hundreds of transactions, thousands of properties, complex due-diligence issues, and real-life outcomes the groups know nothing about. Lean on that experience.
9. Don’t Waste Time—Yours or Theirs.
If your timeline has changed, say so. If you’re not ready to buy until next year, say that too. If you fell in love with a different country last week, just let your agent know.
No agent will be upset at honesty. But “ghosting” wastes hard work and puts you on everyone’s “no-thank-you” list.
10. The Golden Rule Applies Here Too.
Treat your agent how you’d like them to treat you: with clarity, transparency, respect, and good communication.
You’ll be amazed at how much smoother the process becomes when both sides operate with that simple principle.
Buying in Costa Rica should be exciting—not chaotic. The buyers who succeed are the ones who show up prepared, clear, respectful, and willing to lean on the expertise they’ve chosen. Do that, and you’ll not only find the right property…
you’ll enjoy the journey along the way.
