INTERESTED in becoming a real
estate agent in Costa Rica? You may be in for a few surprises.
Legally, the only requirements you need to become a realtor
here are a residency permit and a work permit no license is
required.
Becoming a member of the Real Estate Chamber is optional,
although Spanish speakers may find a short orientation course
run by the chamber useful. The course costs $175, takes place
once a month and is 32 hours long, completed in four days
full time or eight evenings part time.
Participants are taught the technicalities of construction,
brokerage, contracts, customer service, ethics and basic Costa
Rican laws. “Not every real estate agent is a member
of the chamber, but the responsible people are,” said
Emilia Pisa of the Real Estate Chamber. However, some of the
realtors interviewed by The Tico Times did not feel it was
worthwhile to be a chamber member, and said they did not find
the meetings beneficial.
The general consensus of many real estate agents is that
the ease of becoming a realtor means some people do not do
business as well as they should. “I’ve seen a
lot of shady goings on,” said Ron Douglas, manager of
Surfside Properties in Potrero, on the North Pacific coast.
However, he added, “Costa Rica is the place to be at
the moment; the market is hot. If you work hard, work long
hours and are honest and effective, you will do well.”
ALEXANDRA Lancaster runs Alexi Real Estate, her own property
business in the Central
Valley.
She had several years of experience and was licensed in
three states in the United States before starting up in Costa
Rica 15 years ago. How did she become a realtor here? Lancaster
remembers she started out with very little money. “I
think I had to borrow money for my first advertisement in
The Tico Times,” she recalled. From the response to
the advertisement, she began helping interested people buy
houses. Her flair and experience brought her success, but
she said it was very hard work.
Lancaster now builds homes, works as a consultant and is
working on a project for “affordable housing for non
wealthy North Americans” just outside the Central Valley.
Fluent in Spanish, Lancaster said half her clients are Costa
Ricans. Other agents, such as Douglas, admitted they don’t
speak a word of Spanish. “Almost all of our clients
are English speaking,” he said.
A working knowledge
of Spanish would obviously make life easier, but the predominantly
English speaking clientele means it is possible to do business
without knowing the language, particularly on the Pacific
coast, where holiday condominiums or retirement homes are
very much in demand.
Lancaster has some advice for anyone interested in becoming
a realtor. “Prior experience is essential, and be prepared
for extraordinarily hard work. In Costa Rica you must be
prepared to work in an unregulated business. It is not a
part time job, but the rewards can be great, and it’s
enjoyable because it’s a great way to learn about the
country.”
If you want more information about the best real
estate affordable, please contact Costa
Rica real estate and retirement properties or call toll
free 1 888 581 1786. |
