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Need Realtor info

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melhiker
  5/2/2016 16:00 EST

I'm looking for a one bedroom rental for a few months end of this year till March of 2017. How do I locate realtors for this? I'm going to be traveling around CR to determine if I want to retire there. I would want a base around San Jose for that period of time.
Thanks

ILuvCR
  5/2/2016 17:49 EST

Dear melhiker,

Please know that the term "realtor" is used commonly in the U.S.

Definition of Realtor :
—used for a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors

But is not really applicable here in C.R. There are certainly real estate sales people and they might even call themselves a "realtor" but are very different,

I believe in U.S, a realtor has fiduciary responsibility and usually represents a buyer/ renter or a property owner but usually not both.

Not the structure here. I'm not even sure about licensing?

There are Remax and Century 21 offices here for example but I'm not sure exactly how they work,

Almost everything about our little slice of paradise will be different from what you are used to.

Learn to like it or at least how to function in the environment or don't bother? Just Saying,

Pura Vida!

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melhiker
  5/2/2016 18:01 EST

I'm happy to function in the environment but obviously I'm new to it. I'm just asking for information.
I'm adaptable and a World Traveler. Just asking for information!

ILuvCR
  5/2/2016 19:45 EST

Got you! I actually lucked in to my first longer term rental by flying next to a business owner back to Atlanta from C.R. He explained that his company owned a five bedroom home and that he'd arrange for me to use one of the bedrooms on my next visit,

As it turned out when I get there it had been set up but the other owners where in C.R. , Thanksgiving back home and there was no room for me. That was the bad news, the good news was that they also had a 2 bedroom condo next door and put me up there.

I stayed a month while exploring and then returned for another month after I decided to make the move. I would have signed a lease for it then but they decided to jack the price and I went looking.

I found the next house, really nice and close to the location on Craig's List, Costa Rica.

They say it's better to be lucky then good and I've been extremely lucky with the way things have happened for me here in C.R.

Four plus years, own a home have a new wife, three dog's a 4x4 SUV and loving it!

La vida es Buena!

PackRat
  5/2/2016 21:12 EST

Yeah, what you need is a rental, but whether or not you need a realtor to find one (or if a realtor is the best means of finding one) are separate issues.

Many gringos own rentals that they're happy to rent short term, and they usually advertise on Craigslist. If you look there long enough, you'll probably find one.

However, caution and fexibility are in order. I twice found rentals this way years ago, but one didn't work out and I left after the first month. The other one though was fine.

There is also a woman, a realtor of sorts, who seems to handle a lot of rentals on the western side of San José, and she seems to advertise a lot on Craigslist (and elsewhere). I forget her name. I think it's Karina or something like that, and while I never did business with her, I did communicate with her once and she seemed pretty much on the level. She might be a good contact.

But once again, there are some unscrupulous types operating on Craigslist, so be cautious.

Locally encuentra 24 is probably the best classified ad listing for rentals (far better than Craigslist) but most of those assume the usual year's lease. It's probably worth combing through the ads though.

You can also post on boards like this (there's also an expats in CR Facebook group) and ask.

Last, you can just hire your own person on the ground to look for you. Heck, even I could do that. I have heard that some people do it this way.

Anyway, good luck. In my experience, it's not ultimately that difficult to find what you want, but it is an unnerving and time-consuming process.

lhammond14
  5/2/2016 22:42 EST

Just wondering, have you been to Costa Rica before? San Jose is not the kind of area I would want to use as a base to hunt where I would want to retire.

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ILuvCR
  5/2/2016 23:38 EST

"around" San Jose is a big area.

Heredia, Alajuela, San Pedro, Escazu, Santa Ana, etc,etc,etc....

melhiker
  5/2/2016 23:46 EST

Why not??
No I have not been to CR. But I have many friends who have been and really love it. I've never heard anything negative about San Jose. Yes I know it's a large city but I was born and grew up in Chicago so I know large cities.

Mariska
  5/3/2016 09:48 EST

Hi Melhiker,

You can contact Expat Housing Costa Rica for both short and long term rental properties www.expathousingcr.com / 62557577

Good luck!

melhiker
  5/3/2016 10:28 EST

Thank you Mariska!

jetsetc5
  5/3/2016 18:44 EST

Send me a Pm. I have several rentals and cars as well Lomatranquila.com

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jetsetc5
  5/3/2016 18:45 EST

Send me a Pm. I have several rentals and cars as well Lomatranquila.com

robertadeforest
  5/4/2016 07:24 EST

You may want to try Airbnb.com for a short-term rental. Or, VRBO.com

robertadeforest
  5/4/2016 07:26 EST

You may also want to check out TrustedHouseSitters.com. You may find a short-term living situation that way.

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