Paragon Properties?

[indianaman]

Hello,
Does anyone have any background on Paragon Properties.  They are offering 2.50 acre lots with little down - balance due in 5 years.  You can divide the lot into two 1.25 acre lots and they will arrange building at house on your property at $60 a square foot.  The property will be developed into a gated community with either ocean or mountain views.  Anybody with feedback on this would be much appreciated.

[Russ]

This is a scam and is well documented online and in the local news papers.  Do not give these people any money whatsoever.  The principals are listed on the US department of Justice web site as having been involved in previous telemarketing scams in Florida.  The main red flags are:

- If you look closely at the documentation they are not actually selling the property, only shares in a corporation. 
- You can't go look at the property until you pay money.
- No reputable realtor in Costa Rica will show this development.
- "The property will be developed into a gated community"  This has not happened and is not likely to happen.  There have been numerous failed developments in the past in Costa Rica where individuals lost money putting faith in the developer.  At a minimum any property you buy for building must have:  road access (preferably paved), water, electricity.  This means to your particular lot NOT to the development.
- The literature I have seen makes it sound like this development is near Manuel Antonio and that an EXPLOSION of development is about to take place.  This is not true Parrita is not Manuel Antonio. Even though on a Costa Rica map it looks close, it is very far away. 
- The web site I saw makes it sound like you are on the beach,when actually you are well back and access to the beach is difficult.

There is plenty more, but in the end it comes down to two folk sayings "if it sounds too good to be true..."  "you can't get something for nothing".

[Russ]

Finding Costa Rica Real Estate on the Internet
See this article for tips on finding reputable developers on the Internet.

[indianaman]

I appreciate the quick reply.  It did sound too good to be true but it seems they would be getting themselves into trouble by now advertising all the false information.  They are sending me a information packet soon and I look forward to reviewing it.

[Russ]

Yes, it seems that they are skirting the law and preying upon people who aren't familiar with Costa Rica or the local market.  The information packet should be interesting.  I was trying to get the local English language paper to do an article on this and other scams, I think I will have to pursue that further. 

They don't advertise locally, only on the Internet and with telemarketing.  They call from Costa Rica to the US, so that's I'm sure in a gray area. For example, are the famous No Call lists applicable to international calls from telemarketers? 

[indianaman]

I received the packet of information. It seems they want me to send my down payment of $25,000 for mountain view or $35,000 for ocean view before I actually view the property.  They indicate after sending payment if you show them an itinery detailing when you are coming down to visit they will reimburse $500 for your travel expenses.  If you do not like the property after viewing it, they will send your down payment money back.  Definately sounds pretty shady.

[Russ]

This is the MO I have heard they operate under, in local media and online.  Could you imagine going into a restaurant and they tell you can't see the menu or order until you pay first? 

[emjayeff]

I am one of Paragon's US attorneys. If I follow the blog rules, will I be permitted to post?.

[Writer]

Hi "Paragon attorney",

We have never had any rules, but I guess if an attorney is posting we should make some up.      Stay tuned for details.

In the meantime...
This forum is sponsored and paid for by the American European Real Estate Group.  I think that is made clear in the title bar:  Costa Rica Information Station Presented by American-European Real Estate Costa Rica

So obviously we don't permit the advertising of listings for sale or projects for sale.  Particularly links to other web sites promoting projects or properties for sale.

The purpose of the forum is to answer questions from people who are considering moving to Costa Rica in a timely and accurate fashion.  Anyone who has questions or who would like to contribute information on or about living in Costa Rica or moving here is more than welcome to post here.

[JBHines]

The company you are talking about I believe is WLI    Worldwide Land Investments. Not Paragon. I have spoke with both companies. WLI is shares as you have stated. I sent for their packet and they charged me for the info which I found strange. Then their salemen got into an argument with me because I asked to many questions. So I told him where to go and hung up.....Paragon  is deeded property. They sent me all the info free of charge and also paid for its return to the Escrow attorney. Paragon is Located at 2035 Harding Street in Hollywood Fl. 33020. the sales person I used is Lyle Wexler at his personal cell XXX-XXX-XXXX.  Or company #'s   XXX-XXX-XXXX  or    XXX-XXX-XXXX. I put a deposit of 35K down with the escrow attorney in Miami. His name is Charles L Neustein and his # is  XXX-XXX-XXXX.or  XXX-XXX-XXXX.  I am going to visit the property in Feb.  So I am just as concerned as everyone else.  I hope I did my homework. The property is 2.5 acres Ocean view. Which can be subdived into 1.25 acre lots upon the total amount of 85K being paid.  If you decide to back out the attorney told me you receive your full deposit of 35K back no questions asked. I found Paragon Properties listed on the International Living site. This is Paragon's 5th project I believe. I also called some other buyers to check and see what they thought.

[Russ]

Hi JB,

I sincerely hope everything works out for you. I don't believe anyone is confused as to the company.
I would direct anyone reading this to the article mentioned previously.

Finding Costa Rica Real Estate on the Internet
See this article for tips on finding reputable developers on the Internet.

I can also tell you that this isn't the only forum where Paragon has been an issue. There is a strong possibility that JB is a Paragon employee using a pen name, just as is the "retired school teacher" who gives testimonials.  Nobody from Paragon has denied that the lots have yet to be subdivided or alternately been able to produce a folio real number for a specific lot. 

Paragon (or Paramount) (or Worldwide land Investments) (or premier) has been investigated in depth by local media and other web sites. 
Check out this article:
Pssst.. Sucker. Beachfront Property!

Also AM Costa Rica did a complete series the link is the last article from May 2005 and the company representatives interviewed stated plainly that the lots are not titled. 

[JBHines]

I am not a employee of Paragon. I am a retired 56 year old living in Ft Lauderdale. I put down the 35k on property so I hope you are wrong about the company. I gave you all the info that I have on the company. I hope it is all correct. I cannot afford to lose any money at this time in my life. I am going to read all the articles that I see posted about the company. I found Paragon Properties on the International Living site so I figured for sure they had to be legit. I also gave you my correct name.

[Russ]

Hi JB,

I sincerely hope everything works out for you. I don't believe anyone is confused as to the company.

As I said first, if you aren't a Paragon employee who hasn't actually invested, I really do hope it works out for you.

BTW, for those reading this might interest you.

I spoke to a friend last night who lives here and is constantly looking for property in Costa Rica.  He made a lot of his money investing in real estate in the US.  He is a very careful person who normally visits a property that he is considering several times during a year to assess its price, weather at different times and who the neighbors.

He told me that when he looked around in the Parrita area a couple of years ago, he was finding 5 to 10 hectare properties were valued at around .50 cents per square meter.  That would mean each hectare is worth $5000.  We are talking about farms with a description nearly identical to the original Paragon project: 3- 5 kilometers back from the coast, on a difficult access road and with a view of the water off in the distance. So for $60,000  you should be able to buy 12 hectares of land in that area and with $85,000 you could buy 17 hectares.

[frettless]

I recieved the same packet but have not purchased anything yet. I'm flying down from Sarasota to take a look at things. They have an office in San Jose that has some sort of a Design/Model Center that I will check out. After that I'm heading to Nicoya and will visit the development site. If they don't allow me to inspect this in advance of purchase I'll know what the deal is. Costa Developers are running the same MO. This is  very similar to what was going on with lots in Northport , FL a few years ago. A developer sold lots through ads in northeastern big city markets and would invite prospective buyers to come down, paying for thier accomodations. The prospective buyers were then given a tour but were not allowed to check out the local market, which they knew nothing about on thier own since they were being chauffered around by the developer. It turns out that many of the lots that were sold still to this day don't have access to power. Many buyers just quit paying taxes on the property. The county is auctioning these lots off this and next month. I'm not saying that this is what's happenning in Costa Rica but I've never bought property sight unseen and am not going to start now. 

I'll report back when I get home.

[Russ]

Very interesting information, thank you!

...  It turns out that many of the lots that were sold still to this day don't have access to power ...  but I've never bought property sight unseen and am not going to start now. 
I'll report back when I get home.

Great advice and do keep us posted!

[CRLOVERS]

We just returned from 3 weeks in Costa Rica and we have purchased property from Paragon.  We began researching them in January of 2005 and feel quite comfortable with our decision.  I am not an employee of Paragon as it seems most are accused of being who write anything positive about this company.  Feel free to check out the blog we posted detailing our adventure at www.crlovers.blogspot.com if you feel you need comfirmation on this.  We live in Washington state.

We began our due diligence in February 2005, (it was extensive) Visited their Parrita project in April 2005 and met all the major players in the company.  We have read all of the articles too. We chose not to purchase in Parrita, not because of the company, but because it wasn't what we wanted.  We ended up at Vista Del Mar above Marimar.  The view is spectacular!  (There is a picture on our blog, on the December 27th posting.)

This land is titled property.  You buy it using your own S.A. (Costa Rican corporation) which is where I believe some of the confusion and mis-information comes from.  From the research that I have done, there are many advantages to this.

There are many companies besides Paragon that are selling lots in planned developments before the roads and infrastructure are in.  We came across one in Playa Flamingo that is approaching their development in the same manner.  There are also many condo projects (which actually seem to be more of a risk to me).

We also visited their design center and looked at spec houses.  I have a hard time believing that this is all a scam. Do your research, it will make you much more comfortable if you decide to purchase.  Most of the negative information you read on these sites is simply not correct.

[Russ]

Very interesting Mary and John, I wish you the best of luck on your "adventure"

Maybe you can answer a few questions for us skeptics out here:
- What is the National Registry number of the plot you bought? You would find that on your copy of the Plano Catastrado listed as the "numero de finca"
- What is the name and identification number of your company (SA - sociedad anonima) The ID number is called a "cedula juridica" and is printed on the identification card that every company has.  It looks kind of like a US social security card. Or you can find it on the "personaria juridica" which states who the officers are.
- At least 5 people are required to form a corporation, who are the other officers and their positions?  Do you know them personally?
- The "many other" companies that are selling "pre-developed" (sic) land near Flamingo for example, who are they? Do they promise that you will triple your money in a few years?  Do you have to pay $35,000 before you can get their address or see the property?

Just to clarify for those reading, there are basically 3 types of land in Costa Rica:
- Titled
- Possession Rights
- Maritime Zone (concession)

Titled land is registered in the national registry to an owner.  Each plot has a folio real number and a farm number (numero de finca).  A farm may be subdivided and sold to individuals or to companies. The segregation must meet local and national requirements.  Once approved, the segregation takes place and the new plot recieves a new "numero de finca".  So if you really are buying titled land that can be transferred to you, you should be able to see on the government web sites your land's farm number registered in your company name. 

All of this can be verified on the web site of the National Registry http://registronacional.go.cr/

In the case of Paragon, as explained to the journalist from AM Costa Rica they needed to sell the plots before going through the approval process.  So they sold shares in a Costa Rican company which owns a farm near Parrita.  Each lot is not a segregated lot, but a share in the farm.  However, based on comments in forums, they normally tell the buyer that they will own a Costa Rican company that owns the land. Which is inaccurate and misleading. 

Many individuals place their property in Corporations or Limited Partnerships as an asset protection strategy, which is very legitimate and effective. 

I did visit your blog and it seems a little strange to me.  It is written as if you are posting it live:
- "That’s all for now. Other people want to get online and this is the best connection in town."
- "As much as I would love to keep going and have so much more to share, there is a line developing behind to get online. We are the big Internet pigs here."
But there is only actually one post in your archive.  http://crlovers.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_crlovers_archive.html

[JP Ruiz]

Dear friend,

I don’t have any experience or relationship with “Parangon Properties”, but I do have some comments that might be helpful for you.

When investing in Costa Rica, my first advice is to contact a lawyer before giving a single buck to anyone. With more than 13 000 lawyers duly incorporated to the Costa Rican Bar, most of them English spoken, you’ll have no problem getting proper assistance. In fact, try to get more than one legal opinion if you can.

The real estate regulations in Costa Rica are really complete, but in some key aspects different from the US regulations. One important aspect that many foreigners fail to remember is that the Costa Rican laws will rule the purchase and property rights.

Another advice, don’t rely only in the seller’s or developer’s attorneys. Outside counseling will always be recommended. Russ gave you some important tips that you should review. Also check the web page of the Costa Rican Chamber of Real Estate Brokers.

Good luck!!!!

[site4re]

many thanks
was really useful
Create real estate website. Real estate content management system. Real estate website development. Real estate website design.
Real estate software. Real estate support services. Real estate website. Real estate design.

[frettless]

Well, I'm back and I stopped by Paragon's Mirima development. It was late Friday afternoon after getting off the Ferry from Pachera so there was no one to talk to but i did see the lots. There is an ocean view for some of the lots but it was quite the trek from Punarenas, off of Hwy 1 at the Shell station, 7 more KM  to Mirimar, then through the entire town and up the hill on a road not much better than the one from Pachera to Tambor which is really lousy, even by Costa Rican standards. I couldn't reach anyone while in San Jose because it was the weekend.

I'm probably going to form an SA and go into business somewhere in the San Jose area so that is where I'll have to look for a place to live. I still would like a little something on the beach for the weekends. The western coast of Nicoya going north from Montezuma has great development potential- if they would make the roads passable. An article in last Saturday's  Tico Times states that contracts for a duration of 2-3 years are being given to 3 firms that will be repairing and maintaining Costa Rica's roads.

[Russ]

Thanks for the eyewitness account!  Now that we know where it is, we can do a quick comparison. My mechanic was going to buy a farm in Esparza (off the main highway, before that Shell station)  Miramar area last year.  It didn't really have an ocean view, but was flat and on the main road with electricity.  You could get to the beach pretty quickly on a gravel road, but it would be with a 4x4 or ATV.  The farm was 2.1 hectares and the asking price was 7 million colones.

In the local paper today they had a farm near Miramar advertised:
MIRAMAR 20 hectares, vista Mar-Montañas. Recibo Financ. $115,000 T.263-2996

So you can see why these companies want you to pay first before you come visit!

There is hope for the roads because no matter what happens in the elections a new administration is coming in.  Pacheco also has promised to have the crisis areas rehabilitated by the time he leaves office in May, which would be a miracle.

The article you mention did state that since 2004 no new maintenance contracts had been awarded. So no maintenance could be done!  The roads now are as bad as when Figueres left office in 1998.  The Rodriguez administration did a lot of good work on the roads, which has all gone for naught by now.  Anyway there is hope and apparently for this year there will be money available for road work.  Which should benefit tourism and development a great deal.

[frettless]

There is a development of 70 lots going up just outside of Tambor which I heard was being developed by an Italian company. I called the number on the sign and spoke to a realtor who said that some lots started as low as $17K. When I asked about a view I was told 300K for a 360 degree view of the water. I could get something cheaper if I took a lot and built a 2 story house on it. The second story would have a view. On the main road heading south out of Tambor there was a sign offering 500 square meters at $20K. Prices are really all over the place and you can't really pull comps the way that you can in the US. After forming an SA I will be opening a Beauty Salon with my Tica partner in the San Jose area. We will have to make a decision as to weather to rent or buy a location, possibly renting first. Parallel to this mission I will still be on the lookout for a little weekend place on or near a beach comewhere.

[Russ]

You are right that it takes a lot of research to establish comparatives and an experienced reputable realtor is your best defense against paying too much for an overpriced property.  On the other hand, you can establish parameters based on factual and objective research, even in Costa Rica where reliable information is sometimes hard to come by.  It is easy to establish "asking" prices, but harder to establish what actual buyers actually paid for the property when they purchased.

There is one concept though that has proven value no matter where in the world you are pricing property:  land has value according to the infrastructure surrounding it, its location, local demand and its utility.  Once you start comparing apples to apples it becomes much easier to determine if a property is overpriced or priced fairly. 

So to bring the discussion full circle, for example, you can't say that lots in Miramar are priced fairly because a similar lot in Jaco or Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo costs more.

[Paul C]

This is a very nasty scam. I got the literature through the mail and it all seemed ok. What do I know what a real deed looks like etc. So I started my due diligence. . Apart from the all the usual crap you hear from tele sales men/woman, the first and most obvious thing is pay money up front, sight unseen to "reserve" your lot. They tell you that you must visit within 180 days etc. to "stand" on your own piece of land. I am going to CR in May and said I want to see the land before I buy it. Suddenly NO one would be available to meet with me if I hadn't pre-paid. They would be too busy with people that had PAID, why would they see someone who hadn't. Even "tagging along" wasn't allowed. When I started digging deeper they tried to hit me with "Speak to the President of the company, Bill Gale". I have no idea who Bill Gale is so do these people think I'm stupid to call a number they gave me to speak to someone I don't know? YES. They think we are stupid. They gave me an "independent realtor" to talk to. Just so happens she's on their payroll.
Just by going to CostaRica.com I started finding out everything I needed. Under the real estate tab it talks about the different things but one thing you need is the Folio Real. It is a number where you can search the title and see who owns the property, if it's mortgaged, liens etc. When I asked my salesman for this number he had no idea what I was talking about. He asked me to call Neustein, their attorney for confirmation that everything was on the up and up. I would only trust an attorney I am paying, not someone elses. They evntually got back to me with a plot map that had a folio real number. The trouble is that it was for the entire piece of land. There are no sub-divisions, separate lots or anything. IT IS A CON. I got my own attorney in San Jose to start looking and when I told my salesman, he suddenly had to go. I have not heard from Paragon since. By the way, I had someone call from office to "inquire" about land in CR. They were directed to a different name than my salesman, but I could swear it was the same one.
If you search you can flights to CR for about $300 so it's worth going before you buy. I almost forgot, I was told about the new international airport being built also but my attorney in San Jose said he knew nothing about it. Take care of yourselves and your money.

[EcoTico]

So, that's what they are doing? huh?
One thing is true, big marketing networking. For all out there, you must have a register "deed" with the registro nacional, you don't own anything. Make sure you have a reputable attorney.
I read Good advise here.. Lee@EcologicalRealEstate.com

[AJPIII]

I am writing to you because of your relationship with Scott Oliver and others. Even if you do not presently represent Mr. Oliver in a strict legal sense, you and he have a close personal and/or business relationship, and it seems fitting that I direct these remarks primarily to you, and, through you, to your associates.

It has become very obvious that your associates have been manipulating Internet forums, and positioning listings, for the purpose of defaming individuals associated with Paragon Properties and disparaging the company. Although there may be some small economic benefit to you and/or your associates, it seems as if there is something more sinister and malicious behind these activities.

Not only have neutral or positive postings submitted to these various forums been consistently rejected or deleted, or access to post denied to the company or to one of its U.S. attorneys, but searching the Web via Google and Yahoo have returned priority postings of negative information, ranging from old and recycled adverse comments and links, but also to false, even knowingly false, statements, whose primary purpose can only be to harm Paragon Properties. (For example, Mr. Tashman does not own or run Paragon Properties; Paragon Properties does not run boiler rooms; and its people are not scumbags.) This is by no means about the freedom to post and share information in an open forum, or about legitimate business competition; it is about the ugliest imaginable censorship, misuse of the truth, intentional interference with business relationships, and unfair competition.

Current information about Paragon Properties and its projects, including photos, are readily available at  buycostaricanland DOT com/corporate, and paragonpropertiesofcr DOT com These sites will show that Paragon Properties owns eleven (11) subdivisions free and clear, and is actively engaged in construction homes on them. In addition, there is a standing (and previously extended) offer to doubters and haters to visit these projects. There is no good reason for Scott Oliver and/or others to directly or indirectly defame and disparage when the opportunity exists to actually see and experience the truth on the ground.

In the same vein, it appears that Mr. Oliver has a habit of referring to unnamed companies that he faults for bad practices. He no doubt does this because he is under the impression that doing so enables him to do his damage while escaping responsibility/liability for the impact of his references. However, he cannot escape from the consequences of what he does by this technique. For example, his derogatory references to television advertisers clearly refers to Paragon Properties because Paragon Properties is the only developer that markets by way of television. Since Mr. Oliver now intends to report on developments in Costa Rica, it bears pointing out that if he so much as infers that Paragon Properties developments lack merit because other developments lack merit, his report will be treated as a violation of both civil and criminal law. The same is true of any inference of lack of merit in a Paragon Properties development he has not visited.

Paragon Properties has expended millions of dollars to obtain its land, subdivide it, secure government approvals, install roads, provide for water and electric service, and otherwise prepare the land for construction. Single family homes, guardhouses and going up everywhere. In fact, many lots have already been titled to purchasers; other transfers are imminent.

All this expenditure of time, money and effort is simply too much of an investment not to protect. In court, and it will be a simple matter to demonstrate that Paragon Properties is a major and legitimate developer in Costa Rica, deserving of a good reputation in Costa Rica and beyond. How anyone would dismiss what has been done, as if it had not been done, is sheer madness.

Att. Lic. Alejandro Montero V.
Abogado de Paragon Properties of Costa Rica S.A.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Spanish ver.)
Le escribo ya que es de mi conocimiento que usted mantiene una relación con Oliver Scott y otros. Aunque usted no representa legalmente al Sr. Oliver en estos momentos, dado que usted y el mantienen una relación personal y/o de negocios, me parece correcto dirigirme primero a su persona y a través suyo, a sus asociados.

Se ha hecho evidente que sus asociados han estado manipulando foros en Internet, listados de localizaciones con el propósito de difamar individuos asociados con Paragon Properties y desacreditando la compañía. Pude que exista algún beneficio económico para usted y/o sus asociados, pero parece que existe algo más siniestro y malicioso detrás de estas actividades.

No solo se han rechazado y eliminado constantemente comentarios neutrales o positivos enviados a varios de estos foros[&]

Información sobre Paragon Properties y sus proyectos, incluyendo fotos están disponibles en www.buycostaricanland.com/corporate y www.paragonpropertiesofcr.com Estos sitios demuestran que Paragon Properties tiene once subdivisiones y actualmente construyen casas en ellas. Además se les extiende una invitación a los incrédulos y odiosos a que visiten los proyectos. No existe una razón valida para que Scott Oliver y/u otros directa o indirectamente difamen o desacrediten a esta empresa cuando existe la oportunidad de experimentar por si mismos en el campo.

De la misma forma, parece que el señor Oliver tiene el habito de referirse a compañías sin nombre, que según el son culpables de malos hábitos. El hace esto sin lugar a dudas ya que esta bajo la impresión de que puede causar danos sin la responsabilidad que estas referencias puedan causar. Sin embargo, no puede escapar de las consecuencias de lo que el hace con esta técnica. Por ejemplo, sus comentarios derrogativos a televidentes claramente se refieren a Paragon Properties por que Paragon Properties es el único desarrollador que se anuncia en la televisión.

Ahora que el Sr. Oliver va a hacer un reportaje sobre desarrollos en Costa Rica, si el trata de sugerir que los desarrollos de Paragon Properties no tienen meritos solamente por que otros desarrollos no han tenido merito, su reporte será tratado como una violación a la ley civil y criminal. Esto es verdadero si se sugiere que los desarrollos de Paragon Properties no tienen merito si el no los ha visitado.

Paragon Properties ha invertido millones de dólares para obtener estas tierras, subdividirlas, asegurar permisos de gobierno, instalar caminos, proveer agua y servicio eléctrico, y preparar la tierra para la construcción. Casas y portales de entrada están siendo construidos en las diferentes propiedades, de hecho muchos compradores ya tienen sus títulos de propiedad y otros ya son inminentes.

Toda esta inversión de tiempo, dinero y esfuerzo es simplemente mucho trabajo para no ser protegido en la corte y será fácilmente comprobado que Paragon Properties es legítimo y uno de los desarrolladores más grandes en Costa Rica que merece una buena reputación tanto en este país como en otros. Como puede alguien rechazar lo que ha sido hecho como si no hubiera sido hecho, es una verdadera locura.

Ejemplo de búsqueda de propiedades enlistadas a nombre de Paragon Properties o puede ir físicamente al sitio con el numero de identificación 3-101-366175:




Att. Lic. Alejandro Montero V.
Abogado de Paragon Properties of Costa Rica S.A.

[Russ]

Just to clarify, this post is a copy of a letter to a local attorney, José Rafael Fernández.  It was sent to AM Costa Rica, We Love Costa Rica .com, Costa Rica Pages and to the AE Group web site.  Not apparently to the Association of Residents of Costa Rica though, which has a forum and permanent legal advisors. 

Not only have neutral or positive postings submitted to these various forums been consistently rejected or deleted, or access to post denied to the company or to one of its U.S. attorneys,

In our case people often try to post listings for sale here and we don't allow that on the American-European site.  The only listings shown are in the properties database, which currently has over 600 listings with photos and prices from coast to coast. Costa Rica Real Estate Listings All of these listings have been scrutinized carefully and the owner has signed a listing agreement with an AE broker.

So it's not a matter of deleting positive comments, it is just a policy not to promote developments in a general way or allow FSBO listings.

Current information about Paragon Properties and its projects, including photos, are readily available at www.buycostaricanland.com/corporate, and www.paragonpropertiesofcr.com These sites will show that Paragon Properties owns eleven (11) subdivisions free and clear, and is actively engaged in construction homes on them. In addition, there is a standing (and previously extended) offer to doubters and haters to visit these projects. There is no good reason for Scott Oliver and/or others to directly or indirectly defame and disparage when the opportunity exists to actually see and experience the truth on the ground.

I visited these sites and they don't appear to have informed the public of any change to the main policies that cause most realtors and investment advisors to find fault with them.
- You cannot see the property or development until you pay a substantial downpayment of $25,000 or $35,000.  The contact information on the website is an office in San Jose, no directions to any development are given.
- You don't know which is your lot at the time of "purchase".
- You don't actually buy a  registered property - just a share in a company that owns the main farm. 
- Most of the sales pitch seems to be appealing to the buyer's greed, talking about how much the land will appreciate in a very short time.  Most buyers appear to be contacted by phone or Internet or email and are intending to hold the land for a short time and get out. 

[frettless]

I just got back from a short trip to Costa Rica where I attended the opening of the Beauty Salon which I have opened with my Tica partner in downtown Moravia. On the way to the airport for my return flight we drove past a small office with a Paragon Properties sign outside. Since I had to catch my flight and was expecting a long line at the toll booth to the airport I couldn't stop to check it out. I'm not sure what road it is located on, only that if you are heading from Isle de Moravia to the main road leading to airport and that long line at the toll booth, it is about 300 meters before where the Nestle Company is located. So between my visit to Mirima last January and this experience we know they are real. I'm just not real keen on living near Puntarenas or paying upfront for property that I have not yet walked on.

A Tico that I met on my flight told me of an interesting little  past scandal (which has nothing to do with Paragon, before someone threatens me with a law suit) where someone at the title office was  falsely declaring owners of land parcels as deceased so that they could be sold. Anyone hear about this?

[Russ]

Congratulations on your new venture and good luck!

Here is an article (in spanish) on the ring that was involved in the story you were told about. 

Diario Extra  You possibly get the gist if you run the text through Google translation or FreeTranslations.com

In any case 13 people were targeted and detained by the Judicial Police (Costa Rica's FBI) in relation to a ring that sold and registered properties fraudulently.
According to the paper:
" 90 police agents from San José, under the coordination of Fraud and Fiscal Fraud prosecutors made 16 raids simultaneously in Abangares, San José, Cartago, Tres Ríos and Alajuela. The suspects were identified as notaries with the last names of Alfaro, Umanzor, Arias, Jara y Villalta.  Also citizens with the last names Chacón (2), Ortiz, Rojas, Montiel, Jiménez and 2 women named Montiel y Stranbumguer were arrested. The gang leader is a man with the last names Mora Rojas, who had a previos conviction of 18 years, to which an 8 year sentence was added during his time in jail. "

Those involved were being charged with fraud involving properties registered to another person.  The agents determined that the band looked for abandoned properties, and also contacted people who were selling properties.  They offered sellers other, better properties in exchange for theirs, but showing them false documents as to the identity of the "owner" of the property to be exchanged. 

So the good news is that the gang was detained.  Also that the people who were scammed could have avoided the scam by performing due diligence in the registry and by dealing with reputable attorneys.  I hate to sound like a broken record, but ... "if it's too good to be true..."

[Stan]

First of all there are people who invested money. Talk to your lawyer right now. Some have given good advice
I like the info on the National Registry. Thank I am including that information in my ads. I am an American with 2 Excellent Costa Rican Partners. The Parrita area is a bargain area. It is 25 minutes from Jaca Beach. The road from Parrita is bad but the Gov. has it slated for paving. My partner is driving the road as we spead. She has never seen Hectares here for $500 her entire life. I have 2 beachfront lots and just purchased 1 hectare to subdivide. Yes I have numbers for the lot. My Corp. has a number and I would never take people's money before they walked their lot I paid 6 figures for the hectare and there are companies that have bought 4 or 5. They are 4 kilos from the beach I am 1800 meters but My partner says it here "Costa Rica is a place you can eat healthy, not fear terroism, be safe with a good police force and have fun the rest of your life..."