Ivo’s Blog by Godutch Realty

a Costa Rica real estate blog

10 Reasons to hire a realtor when you purchase Costa Rica real estateArtboard 2

10 Reasons to hire a realtor when you purchase Costa Rica real estate

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Some buyers looking to buy a property in Costa Rica do not want to hire a realtor. Instead, they prefer to purchase FSBO, which is very understandable, but a mistake. First, it’s essential to know that this word is a registered trademark. Very few real estate agents can call themselves…

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How retirees in Costa Rica communicate with back homeArtboard 2

How retirees in Costa Rica communicate with back home

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes There are lots of retirees in Costa Rica, and in some way or another, they all communicate with their children, grandchildren, and friends back home. Technology changes faster than you want if you’re over 60 years old. I know because it drives me crazy already, and I’m computer savvy. My…

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15 Benefits of Urban Living in Escazu

Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes To make it easier for you to decide if urban living in Escazu is a better lifestyle choice for you than other parts of the country, I have come up with 15 benefits. When I moved to Costa Rica in 1980, Escazu was the most attractive community for expats. In…

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Is Tap Water in Costa Rica safe to drink and affordable?

Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes When newcomers ask me if they can drink tap water in Costa Rica, I cannot just tell them a simple yes or no. I do drink the water from my water dispenser on my refrigerator. That’s more because it’s cold than I worry about water quality. My wife buys bottled…

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3 Easy To Use Plants For Your Indoor Garden

Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes The sustainable path that Costa Rica has built itself upon has created a springboard for astonishing biodiversity. According to iNews, the country is one of the most biodiverse locations anywhere on the earth – despite only accounting for 1.3% of it. This makes the nation one of the most exciting…

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Let’s compare Escazu and Atenas lifestyle

Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes If you plan to move to the Central Valley, you want to know if the Escazu or Atenas lifestyle is for you and your family. There is a huge difference between living in Atenas and living in Escazu. Those who live in Atenas wouldn’t live for anything in the world…

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13 Tips for the Costa Rica Rainy SeasonArtboard 2

13 Tips for the Costa Rica Rainy Season

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Would you like to break an arm or a leg walking into a Costa Rican shopping mall when it rains? I bet you don’t. The rainy season, or the green season as we, the marketing specialists, call it, is a phenomenon to have respect for. When it rains in Costa…

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9 Tips to efficiently run private real estate without any hassle

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes If you’re an investor who wants to make money with private real estate in Costa Rica, it’s essential to understand how to manage a property correctly. Real estate is one of the best opportunities to receive an additional income, apart from your regular job. However, as a rental property owner,…

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Why Concrete Patio is the Best Choice for Homeowners

Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes Do you know why a concrete patio is a perfect choice for homeowners? You probably know already that when it rains, it pours here. Many areas of Costa Rica have clay topsoil, which drains poorly. When it comes to outdoor living spaces, few options compare to a concrete patio. Not…

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9 Habits that Help you Save Money

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Life has become extremely expensive, but there are ways to save money. The pandemic led to high inflation. As a result, you might want to start thinking of how to save money to have enough available balance at the end of the month. The cost of living has gone up…

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International Schools in Costa Rica

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes If you’re moving to Costa Rica with your children, you want to know all you can about the international schools and the educational system here. The country has a reputation as a place where families can go to give their children a taste of living in a different culture and…

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5 Crucial Keys to NOT be an Angry SellerArtboard 2

5 Crucial Keys to NOT be an Angry Seller

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Sometimes, a lovely person becomes an angry seller that realtors don’t want to work with/for. It is surprising what selling a house can do to very nice people. I’ve told you about this perfect seller before. I love working with motivated sellers. I know; it’s like looking for the perfect…

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Costa Ricans report the highest life satisfaction in the world

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Did you know that Costa Rica is a top scorer on the Happy Planet Index? And that we’ve been so, every year, since 2006? Costa Rica has scored #1 on this Happy Planet Index (HPI) from 2007 until 2019; you can download an excel sheet with all the HPI details:…

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Do property sellers accept almost half the asking price?

Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Information floating on the internet seems to give property buyers the impression that property sellers in Costa Rica accept half the asking price. Is this true? Some buyers express that they find the prices all over the place. Well, yes, prices are sometimes all over the place. And that can…

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Costa Rica Home Buying Guide for Foreigners

Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes I decided to create a home buying guide so you can get the max out of Costa Rica’s laid-back feel and lifestyle. Quite a few foreigners end up wanting to call Costa Rica home. Property in Costa Rica is still very affordable, and property isn’t hard to buy. There are…

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How Can Future Expats Go Native In Costa Rica?

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Are you a future ex-pat ready to move to Costa Rica and do you want to go native? Then you better read this. Often, those who plan to move to Costa Rica don’t want to live in a gringo neighborhood. They really want to live amongst the local population. I…

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