So you're ready. We're glad you're here.

Years, months, weeks, days, perhaps even minutes ago, you began dreaming about moving to another country.

Specifically, you've been dreaming about a new lifestyle in Costa Rica - relaxed - uncomplicated. You like warm, comfortable weather and you'd like your community to be just as warm and welcoming.

As you shop for your new home and even your new country, your first consideration may be a Costa Rica location. We are careful and selective concerning the developers we work with and homes that we show you. One thing that's unique about Costa Rica Home Specialist is that in addition of showing you different communities that fit your price range and life style, we also make sure that the developers of the communities that we will show you are responsible, responsive and will deliver what you contract and that all our communities foster neighbor interaction and a real sense of belonging. If none of these communities fit you, we have an usual range of re-sales in other communities as we, as GoDutch Realty agents, also partner of the largest network of realtors in Costa Rica, the AE Costa Rica Real Estate Group.  

Darlene and James Monkres

Because of Rudy Matthews and only because of Rudy did we purchase the property we now own in Costa Rica.  He handled every detail on the house we purchased by email, wire transfers, and by making all the right connections.  Thanks to Rudy’s attention to detail and the fact that we trusted him implicitly, we did not see our home in person until the day before closing on it.  We have never met an agent we would have had that much faith in to take care of our transaction until we met him. And there was not one problem that arose during the two months required to complete the deal.  We cannot say enough good things about Rudy, and we refer him to anyone we know that may be looking for property in Costa Rica.

Rudy is extremely knowledgeable about the country, and very intuitive about his clients.  He met my husband just once, and discerned exactly where we would probably want to live when we made a purchase.  He was exactly correct, as we purchased a home in Escazu. It couldn’t have gone more smoothly. I can’t say that about any of our real estate transactions in the states. He was and still is just the best.  He oversees any project we may have at our property, as we are not moving permanently to Costa Rica for a few more months.

Darlene also posted on Costa Rica Living Forum on the 8th of March 2010 the following:

Hello, all. New to the group but had to let everyone who doesn't know Rudy what a treasure he is. My husband and I met Rudy several years ago when we were on a Chris Howard tour. We knew we were going to retire to CR in about 2-3 yrs. From the minute I met Rudy, I knew he was the agent for us. I found the house I wanted on his previous employer's website, and Rudy handled the entire buying process through emails, wire transfers, inspections, etc. You see, we bought the house sight unseen until the night before closing. You will probably never meet anyone with Rudy's integrity, honesty, and sincere care about his clients. He's simply the best! If you can, use him.

I share with you comments that I hope will be informational and helpful
concerning real estate to you , your family and friends . My comments are
based on my personal perspective of the real estate market here in Costa Rica .

Owner Financing

If you are selling your property during this economic time you may
strongly want to consider owner financing . The reason is - before the downturn
which we are all aware of - most American buyers paid cash to purchase.
Currently- the majority of buyers would like some type of financing - preferably
owner. Bank financing is there but is more difficult than owner financing
and you pay the bank higher fees. If you tell the bank you are self
employed - like American banks - what is your blood type.

Why And How

Financing makes the purchase more appealing to the buyer and enables them
to buy which might not happen otherwise. If you do finance I would
recommend short term - 3----5 years . You can opt to extend after the time period
but at your option . If the buyer has made payments on time , kept the
property insured which should be a requirement and has taken care of the
property - you may want to extend .

Down payments I have done with owner financing range between 20-50% .
Whatever is your comfort level is what you should do. The down-payment should
be your safeguard for at least a two year period in case something happens
.You can amoritize over 20-25- 30 years or less with the balance due at the
end of five years .

Your particular situation is important in the decision to finance. If you
need to cash out- then you have no choice. If you do not need all cash -
then a return may be something to consider .Property, of course , should be
free and clear.

I am currently working on an owner financing deal. The sellers do not need
the cash and did not think about owner financing - after our discussion,
they like the idea. Several reasons are 1) easier to sell 2) a return on
their money- they are the bank 3) take the sale price - take your monthly
payments you are going to receive over a five year period and add those
payments to the sale price - your actual sale price is a lot higher because in
any five year loan the buyer is paying practically all interest and the loan
balance is due after five years . The actual sale price number will
pleasantly surprise you .

This is the way banks made their fortunes until they forgot to get down
payments and make good loans.

Risk

There is always a risk and I would never tell you different. That is one
reason why I suggest short term and renewal at your option . Control as much
as possible what is going on .

Interest Rates - Costa Rica - I have seen 7% -- 12% for owner financing-

Here in Costa Rica - mortgages are registered and a satisfaction has to
be entered to clear the mortgage lien. You have a lien on the property
until such time it is cleared.

Correctly and legally are important points

As stated earlier,this is my perspective- I am sure many of you would have
interesting comments as well and your comments are respected and welcome.

Thank You and Best Regards - Rudy

GoDutch Realty
http://www.godutchrealty.com/
email - rudy@godutchrealty.com)
cell- 8839-6961

Sonesta One Jaco used to advertise with the heading:

Imagine owning here: Sonesta Jaco Resort

I DID imagine, I bought and now I'm a victim of the developer not caring about those who bought.

Riverside Developers also said: Dream it, Love it, Live it.

I AM dreaming about it, all night long. I have nightmares with it.

Joshua ten Brink of Desarrollos Naturales de Costa Rica S.A. promised a beach club, I have their PDF advertising to prove it. Guess what:

I own an apartment in Sonesta Jaco Resort, also called Sonesta One Jaco, and I don't have a beach club.

But I do have an apartment with the following problems, this is a list sent one year after I paid for the apartment:

1. the toilet leaks

2. The bathtub's grout keep breaking and water seeps under the tub all over the bathroom every time someone gets into the tub.

3. The left back leg of the washbasin in the bathroom is cracked

4. the toilet paper holder doesn't work correctly

5. The lock on the closet (closet came originally without) was badly installed

6. I have three card keys that do not function. Every time we go there, they need to change them.

7. The a/c blows fluff all over the apartment

8. Electrical outlet in bedroom next to exterior sliding door works on and off.

9. Bad smell coming from washing machine outlet

10. Our storage area in the parking has no light.

We were in our apartment in december. Since then, the dishwasher and the ice-maker of the refrigerator stopped working so we asked for the guarantees (they came included in the purchase) which were still valid. We're still waiting for the guarantees and by now they are expired.

Every time we go, the on demand heater stops working. Last week we arrived for Easter week and someone "took" our heater. There is no on eon the project for maintenance and the night guard had to install another heater.

But worst of all, the developer, during Easter week, sent out an email saying that they are filing suit against the bank that lent them the money to build. We all know about the bad financial situation worldwide and that developers got stuck with a huge problem. Of course many of Sonesta One Jaco buyers did not close their purchase. I DID.

I was LOYAL to Joshua and Riverside developers and I closed on my unit, as I promised in my option to purchase in 2006. But Riverside developers is now NOT being loyal by not looking after my best interests and not willing to share the names of all the buyers. I just got off the phone with Joshua and again, he insists that the individual buyers are not willing to share their name with the rest of us. I am SURE all the other buyers want to meet each other and make a group's effort to make Sonesta One Jaco a succesful project. Its just that Joshua is not willing to share the names of owners or willing to convoce a home-owner meeting, like he should.

Joshua says we are 24 buyers, where are you all? Please send me an email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  and we'll convoce a home-owners meeting so we can see what our rights are and not dance to Joshua's whims of not releasing who the owners are. He thinks he can do what he wants, this is unacceptable to me.