Comparative Values

[Steve Roman]

We might consider buying a home in Costa Rica and we were wondering what the relative difference in cost might be for similar homes in the San Jose suburbs vs. communities further away, such as Grecia.  As reference, we would like at least three bedrooms on one or more acres, preferably with a guest house, gardens and a pool.  Thanks.    

[Russ]

You will see a big difference in prices.  If you compare an outlying area like Grecia or Cartago to a traditional area like Escazú or to a popular area like Santa Ana or Heredia you will be amazed.    In areas like Santa Ana, Escazú or Heredia, it's hard to find even a decent condo for $100,000.  Whereas in less developed areas you can get an entire farm for that.  I live in Coronado and my neighbor just sold his house for $160,000.  That was a 3 bedroom, two story house with panoramic mountain views.  3 hectares of landscaped gardens (almost 7.5 acres), a workshop/storage shed, caretaker's house and 2 bedroom guest house.

The Grecia area is up and coming, I think you can get a good deal there still, and you would see a big amount of appreciation in the next few years.

If you look in the Cartago/Turrialba/Orosi area, you can really get a lot for your money.  I work with this realtor and he's had listings with 10 or 20 acres and the construction you describe: The Costa Rican Real Estate Group

If you want to see a good property comparison, you can go to Costa Rica Properties for sale with photos and prices and see over 500 properties with photos and prices.  You can scroll through by price or area or search by city and by features.