There's often a misunderstanding between Costa Rica real estate agents and their foreign customers about setting up showings...
For instance, I'm often contacted by buyers who want me to set up showings last minute. That's when I have to educate them on how property showings are different in Costa Rica.
For one thing, most of the time the properties the client wants to see are in diverse locations, often with a good bit of distance between them.
Generally, unless all the properties are in the same general location, you can only see 5-6 properties in a day in Costa Rica. And by the end of that day, you will be completely worn out, trust me on this.
Not only is there distance between these properties, but the roads leading to them can be very bad.
Most of the time the properties are owner or renter occupied. You have to get clearance from the owner or renter before the showing. Usually you will need to give 24 or 48 hours notice.
Finally, since we don't have any centralized MLS, I have to track down who the actual listing agent is and then set the showing up with that agent. Since we agents advertise each others exclusive listings, usually the agent that the buyer saw on the listing of interest will not be the actual exclusive agent. I have to do the research to find out who that agent really is.
Maybe you're getting the idea that setting up a full day of showings is not that easy of a task.
And you'd be right!
So, please don't call an agent in Costa Rica at 8:00 pm wanting to see 5- 6 properties the following morning at 8:00 am.
It just doesn't work that way down here.
Give your agent sufficient time to do an adequate job for you with limited stress. That'll make showing day much more enjoyable for every one.
Another thing different in Costa Rica is that often both buyers' and seller's agents will be at the showing. That often seems odd to my foreign buyers.
The reason for that is because the buyer's agent needs the seller's agent, generally, to both find and get access to the property. Also, since the listing or seller's agent knows the property best, it is comfortable for the buyer's agent and beneficial for the buyer, that the listing agent be present at the showing.
It's also very common for the seller him or herself to be present at the showing. We agents don't always like that. However, for complicated properties it can be very beneficial. Buyers like it too since they can get info directly from the horse's (or seller's) mouth.
What I mean by complicated properties are the sort of small farms I often sell in my market of focus, Perez Zeledon. These are not just homes on small lots, but homes on large parcels of 5, 10, 20, or more acres, They might be growing things. They might have private water systems from springs or wells. For these reasons and countless others, it is sometimes very beneficial to have the actual seller present to provide accurate info.
The bottom line is that showings in Costa Rica are an adventure.
You ain't in Kansas anymore so don't expect your day of showings to be anything like back home.
