Christopher Howard's Guide to Real Estate in Costa Rica [Paperback]

Lindsey Whipp (Author), Peter Krupa (Author), Christopher Howard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2009

This 544-page guidebook was written under the auspices of Christopher Howard, Costa Rica's MOST read AUTHORITY on living, retirement and investment in the country. Mr. Howard has channeled over 30 years of first-hand experience and knowledge into this guide. It was published to educate readers about how to invest SAFELY and PROFITABLY in Costa Rica's attractive real estate market. In 2010 this book was a candidate for the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Award for publishing excellence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you have any questions about buying, renting or building property in Costa Rica, Christopher Howard's Guide to Real Estate in Costa Rica will help. All sixteen chapters of the book are useful. The detailed advice seems to derive from the point of view of the experts. It is evident Howard, Krupp and Whipp have observed and experienced the process of property ownership in Costa Rica, and that the book was crafted to pass along their wisdom. --Adam Williams, Tico Times Real Estate Supplement Feb 26, 2010

The most comprehensive guide to buying real estate in Costa Rica and, indeed, in any Latin American country. --Peronet Depeignes, former economic correspondent, Fortune Magazine

Mr. Howard could be the Buddha of Costa Rica real estate. You don t have to be enlightened to see how much work and wisdom have gone into this book. --- Perry Garfinkel, longtime New York Times contributor

About the Author

In order to create an accurate guidebook of this scope and magnitude it was necessary to select writers with experience in the fields of economics, real estate, newspaper reporting, and photojournalism. Many candidates were interviewed but the two below proved by far to be the most qualified for this three year project. Lindsay Whipp Lidsay whipp is British and has been living overseas since she left university in the UK. After completing her masters in Tokyo in gender and development studies she worked for Bloomberg in Tokyo for five years writing about the auto industry and then the economy. In 2006 she moved to Costa Rica and worked briefly as a freelance journalist before teaming up with Christopher Howard and Zona Tropical to research, write and take photographs for this book. She has since moved back to Tokyo where she is a correspondent for the Financial Times. Peter Krupa Peter Krupa is a professional journalist who is fluent in Spanish and has spent four years living and working in Costa Rica. In his time covering real estate for local English weekly the Tico Times, he heard it all, and wrote on everything from title insurance, to beach front scams, to new developments attractive to retirees. Peter has traveled extensively in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and in addition to writing about real estate he himself has gone through the process of purchasing a home in Costa Rica. Along with his work on this book, Peter covers the Panamanian economy for the Economist Intelligence Unit, and and has worked as the Costa Rica editor for Central America Today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Costa Rica Books; 1st edition (September 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881233693
• ISBN-13: 978-1881233695
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #428,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Travel > Latin America > Central America > Costa Rica

More About the Author

Christopher Howard has resided in Costa Rica for over 30 years and is Costa Rican citizen. During this time, he has had the opportunity to gather a plethora of information about living, retiring and investing in Costa Rica. It is not surprising that he has first-hand knowledge and insight into all aspects of Costa Rica's culture and its people. Because of his expertise, he is a frequent lecturer at numerous retirement and investment seminars. He has also appeared on the NBC Today Show and CNBC World Business News and was interviewed for Good Morning America.

Mr. Howard has extensive foreign language background, having earned a B.A in Latin American studies and a Masters degree in Spanish from the University of California. The author writes columns titled "Learning the Language" for the Association of Residents of Costa Rica's magazine La Voz, "Short Cuts for Learning Spanish" for the newspapers AM Costa Rica and Inside Costa Rica and the Costa Rica Living News Group.

Christopher has written 14 language and travel guidebooks about Latin America including 16 editions of the perennial bestselling "New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica", "Official Guide to Costa Rica Spanish" and the one-of-a-kind "Guide to Real Estate in Costa Rica."

Due to a multitude of requests from the readers of his guidebooks, Christopher Howard began to offer monthly relocation and retirement tours to Costa Rica starting in 1997. Since then he has personally helped thousands of people move to Costa Rica successfully through his one-of-a-kind licensed tours, seminars and private consultation services. Please see www.liveincostarica.com for more information about his unique tours.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buying in Costa Rica, October 13, 2009

By 

Tom North "TomN" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Howard's Guide to Real Estate in Costa Rica (Paperback)

This is a wonderfully well organized book. It also has a nice balance of factual information coupled with advice based on the author's 30 years in Costa Rica.

The introduction does a great job of summarizing the significant aspects of Costa Rica geography (very diverse - warm ocean, rain forests, mountains, volcanoes, little change in temperature summer to winter), government (also see Thomas Freidman's article in the NY Times "N0 Drill, Baby, Drill" => 95 percent of its energy from renewables), society (gentle except when behind the wheel), and economics (Yup, Intel is there but so are many large, protected nature areas). A section on the legalities is followed by detailed information on each of the very different zones offered by this diverse country.

All this is followed by more nuts and bolts information on how to look, buy / build, finance, evaluate brokers (the country has no broker licensing requirements, and many other important areas. If you are new to Costa Rica, and considering buying property this book offers comprehensive coverage, for others it may be more of an encyclopedia.

We have been to Costa Rica a dozen times and love it. A few of our trips have been for medical. We were delighted that the private hospitals (CIMA -etc) had state-of-the-art equipment and thoroughly trained staff.

Another delightful read is "Costa Rica The Last Country the Gods Made" by Kim Parsons. This book starts with the creation of the continent and continues through the evolution of people and other species. Our favorite guide book is by the Lonely Planet, and Mr. Howard also has a well done book on retirement in Costa Rica (our goal).

Enjoy and good luck.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb-A must before you buy real estate, November 9, 2009

By 

K. Hamers "[e-mail]" (FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christopher Howard's Guide to Real Estate in Costa Rica (Paperback)

This is not just an "overview" about Real Estate in Costa Rica, but is a comprehensive, fair & balanced and an essential tool for anyone considering real estate in Costa Rica. Christopher has combined his wisdom with two excellent authors to deliver a guide that is clear, concise and an encyclopedia of information regarding the culture, govt., legal system, architecture, real estate regions, etc. There are 18 Chapters of extensive information, honest information, helpful information regarding not only real estate but law, culture, government, finance, crime, investment potential, property ownership as a foreigner, hiring local help and a resource/reference section that is a wealth of information. This guide is a must for anyone considering a future in Costa Rica.
The information here is clear and easy to read. The practical and common sense information is quite helpful to understanding how to purchase real estate in another country other than your own. This book is a necessary investment to your future of owning property in Costa Rica. As realtors in the USA we urge you to purchase this guide!!
The "GUIDE to Real Estate in Costa Rica" is chock full of great information. Accolades to Christopher Howard, Lindsay Whipp and Peter Krupa !! We appreciate your labor of love.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, October 13, 2009

By 

Blue Jewel Travel "Blue Jewel" (La Mesa, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christopher Howard's Guide to Real Estate in Costa Rica (Paperback)

As a Licensced California Broker and Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) I read this books with the intent of being able to help and direct my clients with an interest in Costa Rica. I would have to say this book provided excellent information. In an industry that changes by the day, no matter where you live, it is good to have the basic understandings of how real estate works in a specific area. Are licenses required? What building codes and hurdles might one encounter to build? What if I want to live in a gated community? Pros and cons of purchasing already built homes and what of buying a piece of land and building your own custom one. Will I have title issues? Do I really own the land? What are the time frames one should expect? What if I need some financing? Are there tax consequences and/or benefits. If I would like to live near an Expatriate community... or if I want to get away from people period....What areas should I be looking in? So much information. Most reference books are dry, this one tends to make you feel as though you are communicating with the authors. It was an easy read with good information. Additionally, any questions I had I was able to have answered via email by either Christopher Howard himself, or one of his colleagues. Very helpful!
Thank you