With the recent downfall of the US housing market, Costa Rica presents an excellent alternative for those seeking land investments. Costa Rica real estate allows investors to enjoy affordable luxury in a country of breath-taking sceneries and views. Costa Rican properties have low downside volatility and good liquidity which allow an easier buying and selling.
Today, Costa Rica sees a number of Americans and other nationalities coming in to look for second or retirement homes. With a more affordable and better lifestyle, you can enjoy a comfortable living without running out of cash. In finding and buying a property, be sure to avoid lands with zoning issues, title problems and other scams.
For considering and closing property deals, always ensure that your purchase is setup correctly under Costa Rican laws. Don’t invest in any property touted having unbelievably returns or housing that you haven’t thoroughly checked out. Let a knowledgeable and experienced consultant from a reputable Costa Rica real estate company guide you in every phase of the deal.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Spanish Grammar
Spanish has two verbs 'to be': ser and estar. Ser refers to a permanent state, and estar to a temporary state or location. For example, el perro es gris (ser) = 'the dog is grey' - permanent state, but el perro esta afuera (estar) = 'the dog is outside' - location. Es aburido (ser) means 'he is boring', esta aburrido (estar) means 'he is bored'.
Unlike English, adjectives nearly always follow the noun, for example, un programa interesante is 'an interesting program'. They also agree in gender and number with the noun, for example, el gato negro is 'the black cat', but las vacas blancas is 'the white cows'.
In Spanish, nouns are either masculine (mostly ending in 'o') or feminine (mostly ending in 'a'), for example, la muchacha (the girl), el muchacho (the boy). There are exceptions like el programa, el planeta, el problema, and la mano (hand), la foto and la dinamo.
Nouns ending in 'ion' or 'dad' are also feminine, for example, la organizacion and la unidad. Those ending in any other letter simply have to be learned, for example, la piel (skin), but el nivel (level), and la mujer (woman), but el amor (love).
Universities which offer study abroad courses and Costa Rica real estate forums or anything related to Latin America are good source of information for learning Spanish
Unlike English, adjectives nearly always follow the noun, for example, un programa interesante is 'an interesting program'. They also agree in gender and number with the noun, for example, el gato negro is 'the black cat', but las vacas blancas is 'the white cows'.
In Spanish, nouns are either masculine (mostly ending in 'o') or feminine (mostly ending in 'a'), for example, la muchacha (the girl), el muchacho (the boy). There are exceptions like el programa, el planeta, el problema, and la mano (hand), la foto and la dinamo.
Nouns ending in 'ion' or 'dad' are also feminine, for example, la organizacion and la unidad. Those ending in any other letter simply have to be learned, for example, la piel (skin), but el nivel (level), and la mujer (woman), but el amor (love).
Universities which offer study abroad courses and Costa Rica real estate forums or anything related to Latin America are good source of information for learning Spanish
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Costa Rica: The Business Environment
The Costa Rican economy is changing rapidly, with agriculture being downgraded and clothing factories declining in the face of cheaper competition from Asia. The country is now trying to remodel itself as a suitable location for high technology industries, Costa Rica real estate, foreign companies operation centers for human resources, call centers, conferences, and conventions.
Costa Rica is a very business card-oriented culture, and everyone from your taxi driver to a company president will whip out a card at the slightest opportunity. Costa Ricans, however, set a great deal less store on formality than many other Latin countries. While many of these cards will show the person's educational status, for example a graduate or doctor, this is not the norm, and you are not expected to greet anyone in a business setting in this fashion as you would do elsewhere in Latin America.
Personal relationships and conversation are still valued more highly than punctuality, and there is usually quite a bit friendly chitchat before meetings get seriously started. There are few topics off-limits when talking with Ticos, but don't waste the opportunity to strengthen your new business relationships by moaning about their country, bureaucracy, or government. Ticos may well do this themselves, but if a foreigner starts carping too much they may take offense.
As with everything else in tiny Costa Rica, networking is the key, so you should have a good people skills. Although many Ticos, especially in the business community, have been educated abroad and speak excellent English, any effort to speak some Spanish on your part will definitely be appreciated. You should try to learn at least enough to be polite.
Costa Rica is a very business card-oriented culture, and everyone from your taxi driver to a company president will whip out a card at the slightest opportunity. Costa Ricans, however, set a great deal less store on formality than many other Latin countries. While many of these cards will show the person's educational status, for example a graduate or doctor, this is not the norm, and you are not expected to greet anyone in a business setting in this fashion as you would do elsewhere in Latin America.
Personal relationships and conversation are still valued more highly than punctuality, and there is usually quite a bit friendly chitchat before meetings get seriously started. There are few topics off-limits when talking with Ticos, but don't waste the opportunity to strengthen your new business relationships by moaning about their country, bureaucracy, or government. Ticos may well do this themselves, but if a foreigner starts carping too much they may take offense.
As with everything else in tiny Costa Rica, networking is the key, so you should have a good people skills. Although many Ticos, especially in the business community, have been educated abroad and speak excellent English, any effort to speak some Spanish on your part will definitely be appreciated. You should try to learn at least enough to be polite.
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