Never Say Never!
One thing I hear all the time from buyers in Costa Rica is this:
“We’ll never sell this place.”
And every time I hear it, I think the same thing:
Never say never.
Because after living here for many years and working with countless buyers in the Costa Rica Southern Zone, I can tell you something with certainty:
A surprising number of people who swore they’d never sell eventually call me and say:
“Scott… we’re thinking about listing the property.”
Sometimes that happens five years later.
Sometimes two.
Sometimes much sooner than they ever imagined.
And the reasons are almost always understandable:
- they want to be closer to family back home
- a medical issue came up
- the climate wasn’t what they expected
- the cultural adjustment became frustrating
- the cost of living turned out higher than anticipated
- they miss conveniences from home
- they simply realized Costa Rica wasn’t the right long-term fit
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Life changes.
Plans change.
People change.
That’s exactly why I constantly emphasize something many buyers overlook:
Always Think About Resell Value
Of course you should buy something you personally love.
Real estate is emotional. Everyone has unique tastes.
But there’s a danger in becoming too focused on your own personal preferences while completely ignoring what the future buyer pool may want.
If your tastes are so specific that almost nobody else shares them, you may eventually own a property that becomes very difficult to resell.
That’s where understanding the market becomes critically important.
Understanding the Market Matters
One of the biggest advantages of working with an experienced buyer’s agent is that they understand not only what sells today… but what will likely remain marketable in the future.
That perspective is extremely valuable.
Especially in Costa Rica, where markets can be very localized and highly nuanced.
If you’re only dealing directly with seller agents, remember this:
Their job is to sell that property.
They may not necessarily point out factors that could negatively impact future resale potential.
A good buyer’s agent should.
Even when it’s not what you want to hear.
The Southern Zone Has Its Own Market Realities
In my area of expertise — the Costa Ballena region and the mountains of Pérez Zeledón — there are some very specific market dynamics buyers should understand.
For example, in Pérez Zeledón there are really two different markets:
- the local “tico” market
- the expat/foreign buyer market
Those two markets often want very different things.
Most North American and European buyers in Pérez Zeledón tend to gravitate toward mountain properties with views, privacy, cooler temperatures, and easy access.
That means certain types of properties consistently appeal to foreign buyers… while others may have a much smaller resale audience.
As a buyer, that matters.
Legal and Infrastructure Issues Can Affect Resale
Another thing that surprises many foreign buyers is that some older Costa Rica homes were built without proper permits or complete documentation.
That doesn’t automatically mean there’s something physically wrong with the house.
But it can become an issue later when you try to sell.
Water is another big one.
A property may have excellent potable water from a spring or private source, but if the water rights or legal documentation were never properly formalized, that can complicate future resale.
And fixing those issues later can sometimes become expensive and time-consuming.
These are exactly the kinds of things buyers should be evaluating before they purchase.
So What Actually Creates Strong Resell Value?
In simple terms, the biggest factors usually include:
- location
- accessibility
- quality of construction
- climate/elevation
- aesthetic appeal
- usable land
- legal cleanliness
- reliable infrastructure
- and broad buyer appeal
And yes…
The opinion of your experienced buyer’s agent.
That opinion may occasionally conflict with your personal taste.
Listen carefully anyway.
A good agent understands what buyers consistently want because they spend every day watching what actually sells — and what sits on the market.
Final Thought
Buying in Costa Rica should absolutely be exciting and emotional.
But it should also be strategic.
Because even if you truly believe today that you’ll never sell…
One day you just might.
And if that day comes, you’ll probably be very thankful you kept resale value in mind from the very beginning.
