International Real Estate Listings – My Podcast Interview

Joshua Kanter Discusses Real Estate in Dominical Costa Rica

by Taylor White +

The IREL Podcast by Taylor White > Dominical Costa Rica real estate > Joshua Kanter Discusses Real Estate in Dominical Costa Rica

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I had the pleasure to sit down and speak with Joshua Kanter from Properties in Costa Rica in Dominical Costa Rica – and we will get down and dirty with the Dominical real estate scene – and have you coming away wanting to investigate it’s local property market further – or, cross it off your short list entirely and continue listening.

Right now from Josh you will learn:

• Why he passed on the more well known expat communities of Jaco and Tamarindo – and why he believes you could do the same.

• What constitutes properties located inside the Maritime zone – and then how those are different than fee simple titled properties.

• Where the heck Dominical is even located on a map of Costa Rica – and what lies all around it.

• The exact types of properties Josh is recommending today – and explains what “suitcase ready” means and how you can profit.

• Breaks down strategies to get money together to buy Dominical real estate – and shares data on what percentage of buyers pay with cold hard cash.

Josh’s contact details:

• Website – http://www.propertiesincostarica.com
• Email – josh@propertiesincostarica.com
• Magic Jack – 843-608-6586

Listening options:

• Subscribe Via iTunes (right here)
• Listen on Stitcher Radio (right here)
• Android users can grab our RSS (right here)
• Check out the YouTube video (right here)
• Or click here to get sent to the top of the page where the on-site player is.

Paradise Pic of the Week

Uvita cascade and inviting swimming hole.  I had to take a dip to cool off in this beautiful spot…

Check out our Dominical Property Facebook page and “Like Us” for more updates and Paradise Pics of the Week!!

Marcharmo

The “Marcharmo” is the annual minimum liability insurance you are required to pay for all vehicles, motorcycles, or ATVs in Costa Rica.  You can pay the Marcharmo from November 1^st to December 31^st each year and the value is based on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.

The Marcharmo is not cheap and for a 2008 SUV I will pay around $800 this year, ouch!  Even an older car, motorcycle, or ATV can pay around $200.  This is a requirement and no way around it.  In fact anyone caught after January 1^st without the new decal on their front windshield will be subject to hefty fines and even getting your car impounded and towed.  Best believe the “Traficos” / “Transitos” or Transit Police will be out in full force around the entire country stopping cars at various check point searching for current Marcharmo stickers.

You can pay your Marcharmo online, at any local bank, or insurance office.   You can check how much you owe for Marcharmo and pay for it on the INS website.  In order to pay your Marcharmo you have to have all traffic tickets and parking tickets paid and if not; they will be added to the total cost of your Marcharmo.  You also have to have a current Revision Technica Vehiculo (R.T.V.) inspection sticker, which is the annual inspection every car, motorcycle, and ATV must pass to prove it is worthy of the road.

So pay your Marcharmo on time, or else your New Year will not start out too well!

Paradise Pic of the Week

This picture of a beautiful end to the day in Lagunas, Dominical was taken from our back porch.  If you have not seen a sunset in person on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, then you are missing out!

Check out our Dominical Property Facebook page and “Like Us” for more updates and Paradise Pics of the Week!!

“Alguinaldo” – Christmas Bonus

Tis’ the season for “Alguinaldo” or Christmas Bonuses in Costa Rica.  Every December this mandatory payment for full time employees is due and many count on this for their holiday season expenses.

Often called the 13^th month of salary, the “Alguinaldo” is equal to one month’s average pay.  The easiest way to calculate your employee’s “Alguinaldo” is to take their weekly salary and multiply by 4.3; since on average there are 4.3 work weeks in each month.  Or you can add up all their annual pay and divide it by 12 to get the 1 month average.

These Christmas Bonuses could not come at a batter time because December is the most expensive month in Costa Rica with car and motorcycle “Marcharmos” (annual fee for vehicles), taxes due December 15^th, plus holiday festivities and gifts.

So make sure you pay your employee’s “Alguinaldo” on time because their family is surely depending on it for the holidays.

Paradise Pic of the Week

Enjoy the first ever Dominical Property “Paradise Pic of the Week”.  This was taken at Playa Ventanas about 30 minutes south of Dominical. The beach is famous for its 2 caves that at low tide you can walk into and at high tide spit mist.

Plus a bonus picture for our Blog readers of one of the Ventanas, which means “windows”.

Check out our Dominical Property Facebook page and “Like Us” for more updates and Paradise Pics of the Week!!

FIRE SALE!! – Home in Lagunas, Dominical

REDUCED BY OVER $1,000,000 USD!!!!

Asking Price: $590,000 USD
Property Size: 7,584 m² / 0.75 hectares / 1.88 acres

The ultimate in luxury with top of the line finishes throughout the home and a large infinity pool with spectacular coastline views all the way to Manuel Antonio.

End of the road privacy within the exclusive community of Lagunas and only 15 minutes to Playa Dominical.  Property includes large home, huge pool, garage and garage apartment of 1,500 sq ft, plus another big home site ready to build.

The main house has an open living room and kitchen overlooking the pool and view and a there is a spacious master bedroom and bath with Jacuzzi tub.  Downstairs there is a self sufficient studio apartment with full kitchen as well.  The un-used flat area between the garage and garage apartment and the main house could be used to build an amazing dream home and the current main house could be turned into the pool/guest house.

The amazing view spans all the way to Manuel Antonio and enjoys breathtaking year round sunsets. There are also mountain, valley, and jungle views with daily wild life visits such as White-Faced Monkeys, Toucans, Parrots, Sloths and more.

The property also borders a 75 acre private nature reserve with trials for hiking and nature watching.  This is the perfect property for retirement residence, luxury vacation rental and second home, or family home in paradise.

The finished homes have top of the line finishes such as; ceramic tile roofing, granite everywhere, slate tile flooring, infinity pool, satellite TV, 3 full kitchens, high-speed internet,  handmade custom wood cabinets, and more.

Additional Options for Sale: 2 Homes with 30 acres of land for $1,750,000 USD | 2 Homes with 100 acres of land for $2,750,000 USD

How to Live a Self-Sustainable Lifestyle in Costa Rica

Living a more sustainable existence is a growing movement around the world; especially in modern times with so much wasteful pre-packaged goods and food products.  A self-sustainable lifestyle in Costa Rica is not the answer for all, but a select bunch will find their own piece of paradise and be able to virtually live off the land.  Joshua Kanter of United Country – Properties in Dominical discusses this eco-minded trend in the Southern Pacific Zone of Costa Rica.

Playa Dominical, Costa Rica (PRWEB) November 14, 2012

The planet’s population is growing at an alarming rate and there simply will not be enough resources for the future generations.  Therefore there has been a collective shift by many towards sustainability and causing less environmental impact.

-World population reached 7 billion on October 31, 2011 and is estimated to reach 8 billion by 2030 (wikipedia.org)
-Water scarcity affects one in three people on every continent of the globe (World Health Organization)
-The world’s richest countries make up only one-fifth of global population but account for 45% of all meat consumption, 58% of total energy use, 84% of paper use, and 87% of vehicle ownership. (United Nations Development Programme – undp.org)

Joshua Kanter of Dominical Property a local Costa Rica real estate and property management company, shares his perspective of this current and growing market:

Many of our clients today are looking for a home with acreage or large ocean view property with its own water source and land capable of providing fresh organic fruits and vegetables.  If a property can also support chickens or even some livestock, plus has an ample creek to make a Tilapia pond; then it becomes even more desirable among these types of customers.  We have even seen buyers on a budget create a sustainable lifestyle with an affordable home on a couple acres or turning some raw usable land into a personal producing farm

The Southern Pacific Zone of Costa Rica still has pristine rain forest and is teaming with wildlife, therefore eco-minded tourists and investors are logically drawn to this area.  This current trend is driving sustainable development projects such as; Osa Mountain Village which is a residential community that will have sharing of fruit and vegetable crops, as well as, poultry and Tilapia.  This model of development has potential in Costa Rica and around the world as resources become more and more scarce

Although escaping to Costa Rica’s tropical shores may not be for everyone; it is a realistic and viable option for those that seek a simpler life with less of an ecological footprint.

Contact:
Joshua Kanter, Agent
United Country – Properties in Costa Rica.
Website: http://www.DominicalProperty.com
Blog: http://www.DominicalProperty.WordPress.com/
Toll Free: 1-888-679-1227

The Local Fish Stand

The coastal beach towns of Costa Rica all enjoy the freshest sea food and everyone has their favorite local fish stand.  In the Dominical area it depends if you want whole fish or already cut filets.

Fish Shack at Playa Dominicalito

For whole fish you can go down to the beach in Dominicalito from the La Parcela Restaurant entrance and then drive to the right once you hit the beach.  There you will find a little shack where most of the fishermen come in with their daily catch.

Whole Red Snapper

Here you can buy whole fish from the same place many of the re-sale vendors and restaurants buy it from for only a few bucks per fish.

Fish Stand in La Macha Parking Lot

If filleting fish is not you thing, then you can buy the already cut filets from the fish stand in the La Macha parking lot.  This is right across from the La Parcela entrance in Dominicalito.

Sushi Grade Tuna Steaks

Here you can buy fresh sushi grade Tuna (Atun), Mahi-Mahi (Dorado), Sea Bass (Corvina), or Red Snapper (Pargo) all for around only $10 per kg or 2.2lbs.  They usually have Shrimp (Camarones) and sometimes even Lobster (Langosta), but both of those are more expensive.

So if you live in the Dominical area or are just visiting; fire up the BBQ and enjoy some fresh fish tonight!!

Costa Rica Offers Baby Boomers a Second Chance at Retirement

This is Dominical Property’s first Press Release and it got a very positive response and even made Yahoo! News and many other online news outlets:  http://www.prweb.com/releases/costa_rican_real_estate/baby_boomers/prweb10102981.htm

Costa Rica is a natural choice for Baby Boomers due to its year round temperate climate, lower cost of living, advanced medical sector, and a short flight from most of the continental U.S. Joshua Kanter of United Country – Properties in Dominical discusses current retirement trends in Baby Boomer retirees.

Playa Dominical, Costa Rica (PRWEB) November 06, 2012

Costa Rica has historically been a retirement haven for ex-pats and will be one of the top destinations for Baby Boomers to retire. The Southern Zone and Playa Dominical area are fast becoming more popular with retirees due to unparalleled natural beauty, laid back healthy lifestyle, easier access, plus convenient hospitals and clinics. Dominical Property, S.R.L. is a local real estate and property management expert that specializes in making the transition to Costa Rica as smooth as possible.

Baby Boomers Facts
-76.4 million Baby Boomers born from 1946 to 1964 (U.S. Census)
-A Baby Boomer turns 60 every 8.5 seconds (U.S. Census)
-More than 10,000 Baby Boomers will retire every day for the next 19 years (Pew Research Center)

According to Mary Furlong’s book, Turning Silver into Gold the top 3 financial concerns of Baby Boomers are as follows:
1.) Having enough money to retire
2.) Overall financial well being
3.) Having enough money for health care

So what will Baby Boomers look for in a retirement destination? Basically somewhere they can make their savings last and enjoy an active lifestyle, while staying fit and healthy.

The quality of life in Costa Rica is some of the best in the World and it has been ranked #1 on the Happy Planet Index (New Economic Foundation) for two consecutive years. The medical care in Costa Rica is also some of the best in Central America; as many travel here specifically for medical tourism. Most all fruits and produce are grown locally; meat and poultry are fresh; and seafood is plentiful.

Costa Rica has many micro-climates, but more and more Baby Boomers are exploring the Southern Pacific Zone. This area is best known for Playa Dominical, which was 18th on CNN Go’s list of the “World’s 50 Best Beaches”. The Playa Domincal area offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, an abundance of wildlife, miles of secluded beaches, numerous waterfalls, and tons of outdoor activities from adventurous surfing, hiking, rafting, and zip-lining to more relaxing hobbies such as; bird watching, beach combing, fishing, and whale watching.

The Dominical-Uvita area, also known as Costa Ballena, has experienced recent growth and popularity due to the new Caldera Highway and paving of the Coastal Highway from Quepos; now only a 3 hour drive from San Jose. Also the Quepos Regional Airport is 30 minutes from Dominical and services daily commuter flights from San Jose.

Costa Ballena has all the amenities a retiree wants in casual and fine dining restaurants, banks, shopping, supermarkets, mechanics, pharmacies, and clinics. There are also 3 hospitals with in 30 to 45 minute drive in Quepos, San Isidro, and a new hospital in Cortes. The city of San Isidro is 40 minutes from Dominical and is one of the fastest growing cities in Central America. Modern conveniences mixed with a laid back lifestyle and lush rain forest surroundings make this one of the most desirable areas of Costa Rica.

Joshua Kanter of Dominical Property, S.R.L. (http://www.dominicalproperty.com/) says, “Our most common clients are those nearing retirement looking for a second home to eventually live here full or part time. Or those seeking ocean view property to build their dream home. Plus the Southern Zone still has very affordable real estate prices compared to other regions of Costa Rica real estate and this allows an investor’s dollar to go a long way.” He continues, “We have also seen an increased trend in retirees renting long term prior to a purchase in order to make sure the Costa Rica lifestyle is truly for them.”

Dominical Property, S.R.L assists Baby Boomers in retirement relocation with a wide array of Dominical real estate listings for sale and rent. The company can also manage a second home, recommend real estate and residency attorneys, and help facilitate the building process. The Southern Pacific Zone of Costa Rica is becoming a World class retirement destination and allows Baby Boomers a second chance at retirement.

Contact:
Joshua Kanter, Agent
United Country – Properties in Costa Rica
Website: http://www.DominicalProperty.com
Blog: http://www.DominicalProperty.WordPress.com/
Toll Free: 1-888-679-1227