Retirement Planning Website November 17, 2007
Posted by admin in : Retirement , add a commentI’m pleased to announce the launch of my new retirement planning website. Many people consider Costa Rica for retirement, not because they necessarily want to retire in Costa Rica, but because they don’t believe they can afford to retire in the United States or Canada. Whether you want to retire in Costa Rica or the United States or Canada, this new retirement website will introduce, a new approach to retirement.
Visiting the website, may save you hundreds of thousands of dollars, and allow you to retire years earlier. The current model of retirement is based on consumption, it is not only damaging to the environment, but also may ruin your retirement. The new website introduces the concept of retirement through conservation. The website also contains a Retirement Blog.
Costa Rica faces an uncertain future, retiring to Costa Rica may not be the wisest decision at the moment, however there is an alternative. I think you will find the site, both interesting and unique, it also has a free retirement guide you can request that explains retirement planning in detail.
RetirementCosta Rica Real Estate - Finally! August 31, 2007
Posted by admin in : Real Estate, Retirement , add a commentFinally. For many reasons - Finally.
More than a year, after I initially planned to have iCare Costa Rica Real Estate and Retirement up and running, it finally is open to the public. It’s a monkey off my back, they have literally been on my back, to get this Costa Rica real estate and retirement company going. iCare is my effort at saving the monkeys, and all the creatures of the Costa Rica jungle, from being wiped out by reckless real estate.
And finally you have a choice. Before iCare Costa Rica Real Estate and Retirement, whichever real estate company in Costa Rica chose, you were helping to destroy the environment and society. No longer. With iCare Costa Rica Real Estate and Retirement, you now have a choice, and you can have a positive impact on Costa Rica and your wallet.
Finally, there is an honest real estate company in Costa Rica.
Finally there is a new approach to environmentalism. One that takes into account the realities of life. One that doesn’t ask you for money, but instead, helps you save money.
Finally, I can stop warning you about the dangers of buying property in Costa Rica, and the hurdles you face in retiring in Costa Rica, and start helping you. Helping you to discover the best of Costa Rica, help you to become a part of the community, help you to save money and get the most out of living in Costa Rica.
And finally, I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Ramsay Mameesh
Oh yeah! In all my excitement, I forgot to tell you that there is finally, a real estate website. Click the link below.
iCare Costa Rica Real Estate and Retirement
Real Estate RetirementMeasuring Costa Rica Real Estate August 7, 2007
Posted by admin in : Real Estate, Living, Retirement , add a commentCosta Rica real estate is measured and priced in metric units. For Americans from the U.S., who are accustomed to measuring homes in square feet, this can be confusing. Does a 232 sq. meter house sound very big? Well, that’s a 2500 sq. foot house to you and me.
If you use approximation, the challenge of figuring out the size of a house, condo, or apartment in Costa Rica, actually becomes quite simple.
Sq. Meter Sq.Feet Approx. Sq. Feet Actual
100 1000 1076
150 1500 1614
200 2000 2152
As you can see, using approximation, the numbers logically match. 100 sq. meters equals 1000 sq. feet, 150 sq. meters equals 1,500 sq. feet, 200 sq. meters equals 2,000 sq. feet.
Costa Rican homes tend to be smaller than their U.S. counterparts, and so most houses, condos and apartments, will fall within this range.
costa rica real estate Living Real Estate RetirementCAFTA, Big Ass Fans, and Costa Rica’s Future. July 4, 2007
Posted by admin in : Real Estate, Investing, Living, Retirement , 1 comment so farAccording to the U.S. Government, if you are Big Ass Fans, you should be very excited if CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement), gets approved by Costa Ricans this September. But should you?
CAFTA - , or TLC as it is known in Costa Rica, will be approved or disapproved in a referendum vote by Costa Ricans in September. At stake is the future of Costa Rica. This is not another boring trade agreement. Costa Ricans are taking the upcoming elections seriously - and you should be as well.
Pro-CAFTA supporters suggest that passage will benefit Costa Rica by increasing investment into Costa Rica, create more employment, and expand Costa Rican exports. Furthermore, Costa Rica’s state monopolies will be privatized, and Costa Ricans will receive better service and lower costs for tele-communications, banking, and insurance, among other services.
They are correct.
Anti-CAFTA opponents suggest that that passage will destroy Costa Rica’s middle class, it’s treasured environment, and will create greater poverty in Costa Rica.
They are correct.
How can both sides be right? I will try and over simplify.
Investment - More investment will enter Costa Rica. It already has, Wal-Mart now owns all of Costa Rica’s major retail operations, for example. The privatization of the state owned monopolies will also cause a huge influx of investment.
Employment - More low-wage jobs will be created to work the new factories. And call-center jobs, the so called high-tech jobs, will boom. call-centers jobs are nothing more than people who learn english, sit at a computer all day, and harass you to pay your credit card bill.
Exports - will increase as the output of the factories, farms and fish, are shipped north.
Environment - More of Costa Rica’s precious environment will be destroyed as international agri-business takes over Costa Rica’s farming and fishing industries. Creating export farm products, typically environmentally un-suited, and un-friendly.
Tele-communications - More investment will go into communications, mainly to service call-centers, but will also expand the network of cell phones, and high-speed internet. This benefits those that can pay for the higher costs. The rest will be left with inefficient service.
Middle Class - Will shrink and get squeezed. Consolidations in banking, retail, agriculture, tele-communications, and government employment, through the state owned enterprises such as ICE, will cause loss of jobs in those industries.
Poverty - Will increase as the middle class declines and inflation eats away at real incomes. Inflation in Costa Rica is at 12%. Wages do not increase anywhere near that amount. Easy credit (predatory lending) to Costa Ricans the last few years has masked the deficiency.
How does this affect you? The person interested in living, investing and retiring in Costa Rica? Unless you are a multi-national corporation, a wealthy Costa Rican manufacturer, a large farmer, or you own an English Language School, you don’t receive any benefit. What you will get is a worsened environment, higher crime, and Big Ass Fans.
Ramsay
A Fan Company
Lexington, Kentucky 40505
Country of Success: Honduras
This company is a manufacturer of over-sized ceiling fans used to cool factories, warehouses, dairy barns, and other large spaces economically. As a result of U.S. Department of Commerce programs, this SME has had increased success in international markets, such as Europe, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and South America. Most recently, the Big Ass Fan Company added a new-to-market sale of two fans to a factory in Honduras. Big Ass Fans anticipates additional export sales to follow soon.
Costa Rica Health Spot - Born Again! April 3, 2007
Posted by admin in : Living, Retirement , add a comment
I hate sharing secrets like this, especially one that has helped me so much, since I’ve lived in Costa Rica. But since a surfer friend of mine, Sandro Anderson, shared it with me, I shouldn’t be selfish.
Anytime I am sick, injured or exhausted, I go here first before I see the doctor. It has cured my sinusitis, the air has negatively charged ions, according to the Romanian Physical Therapist. It cured my back. Chiropractors, acupuncture, a new mattress had all only partially helped. Two days here and I was new.
When my wife and I are emotionally exhausted, owning a hotel is hard work, and our level of bickering has reached an intolerable level - we head here.
This last time it failed. There are somethings it can’t cure, but this cure is so pleasurable with no side effects, why not try it? Two months ago something happened to me, that all surfers have accepted will happen to them, I had a killer wipeout. I broke two fins and my collar bone. I went to my secret health spot, and it helped a little but no cure, the x-ray confirmed - surgery. But it was still worth the trip.
El Tucano Resort is only two hours from San Jose, located next to a hot springs river, in the mountains in Agua Zarcas. Far from the tourist crowds, in La Fortuna’s hot springs, El Tucano is practically alone in the protected Rainforest.
As a hotel owner I know a great value when I see one. At only $79, high season rate for residents, this 5 star health retreat, is an exceptional value. The setting is beautiful, the waters are healing, and the price is unbeatable.
The hotel features, a hot spring fed olympic size pool, three hot pools, a steam room, a full spa, access to river hot springs, and breakfast is included.
Hotel El Tucano is our favorite secret spot in Costa Rica - Thank us by not passing it along.
Ramsay
health spot hotel el tucano hot springs Living Retirement steam roomTop 5 Costa Rica Real Estate Lines March 24, 2007
Posted by admin in : Real Estate, Investing, Living, Retirement , 2comments
If you hear any of the following lines, coming out of the mouths of real estate agents in Costa Rica, something should go beep-beep in your head.
The Top 5 Costa Rica Real Estate Lines:
#5) Once the highway is built, in about a years time (connecting us with civilization), real estate values in Alto Humongous will Skyrocket! You should, in general, be wary of the word skyrocket.
#4) When the Marina is built, in about a couple of years time, your investment in Jaco Tower 24 is going to instantly double. Add “instantly double”, along with “skyrocket”, to the list.
#3) The New Administration, is going to fix all the roads, get rid of the corrupt and inefficient state monopolies, pass CAFTA - thereby opening up Costa Rica to a flood of American investors, and cure cancer. The New Administration isn’t really that “New” anymore, so I expect to see a decline in it’s usage, but it was and still is very popular.
#2) It looks like secondary forest to me? I’m sure the monkeys, sloths, parrots, toucans would all disagree, it looks like the forest is primary to survival for them.
#1) People have bars on their windows to keep out Raccoons. Yes, while they may be effective in keeping raccoons out of the house, their main purpose is to keep out thieves. The same holds true for the Rottweiler chained to the front door.
Cheers,
Ramsay
Investing Living Real Estate RetirementCosta Rica Beach Evacuation March 21, 2007
Posted by admin in : Real Estate, Investing, Living, Retirement , 3comments
What began a year ago as a trickle, longtime residents leaving Costa Rica’s pacific beach communities, is now a stream. American and foreign residents, are either moving to San Jose, or are leaving Costa Rica entirely. Fed-up with the rampant illegal real estate development, the destruction of not only the environment, but also the destruction of the tranquil beach communities they’ve helped build.
This is a great loss for Costa Rica. Many of these foreign residents, were a part of Costa Rica’s original movement, to protect her environmental treasures. They are foreigners who respect Costa Rica’s land and traditions. Losing these wonderful people makes the effort to preserve Costa Rica more difficult.
There are even some, who have recently purchased Costa Rica beach property, that have become frustrated with lying real estate agents, theiving lawyers, and corrupt municipalities, and have decided to leave after only a short time in Costa Rica.
I will write more about the reasons, and the implications, in future posts.
Ramsay
beach communities costa rica beach real estate agents environmental treasures Investing Living Real Estate real estate development Retirement tranquil beachCosta Rica Real Estate - Part 3 March 20, 2007
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Costa Rica Real Estate Outlook
If you are looking to buy Costa Rica land or real estate on speculation, and your investment time frame is less than five years, you should be thinking of Short-Term Treasuries instead. Of course, you may get lucky and find a real estate nugget in Costa Rica, there are at least a hundred real estate agents in the country who won’t help you find it. And even if you do find a great deal on Costa Rica real estate, will you have anyone to sell it to, in three years when the U.S. economy is still struggling in recession? The likely answer is there will be no one.”So why bother with Costa Rica Real Estate at all?
Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Why? Because, if your investing time frame is longer than five years, then Costa Rica could be a smart investment. There are still places in Costa Rica, peices of heaven, that have not been seriously damaged. And that are, depending on your particular circumstances, wise investments. In any case, if you are at all interested in investing in Costa Rica real estate, you should come and visit Costa Rica. There is still an abundance of beauty in Costa Rica - and people who are trying to preserve what remains. And as an investor, someone looking to purchase Costa Rica real estate, considering Costa Rica for retirement, or living and working in Costa Rica, visiting will give you a base point that will help you make better decisions in the future.
In the end, if you seek to appreciate Costa Rica, not seek real estate appreciation in Costa Rica, you’ll receive a much better return on your life.
Ramsay
costa rica land costa rica real estate Investing Living Real Estate real estate agents real estate appreciation recession Retirement smart investment speculation wise investments working in costa ricaCosta Rica Real Estate - Part 2 March 18, 2007
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Common Sense Says…
The American Real Estate investors who originally bought the land, and either subdivided it into lots or built condo high rises, and the agents who sell the land and condos, will take most of the appreciation out of the asset before selling it to you. This makes common sense. If the land developer believes, that their land is going to double in value within a year, why would they sell it to you today?
“Who Knew?”
Real Estate agents get paid when they sell. It is in their best interests for you to buy, they will show you the obvious and deny the reality, and tell you later “who knew?” If you are buying Costa Rica beach property now, you are most probably buying it from a land speculator, at a fully appreciated price. You are a 2nd generation real estate investor. You will not double your money in Costa Rica Real Estate - the land speculator who came before you just did.
“I’ll take a double doble please!”
The Costa Ricans long ago, figured out that Americans coming to Costa Rica, will buy real estate at incredible prices. If an American shows up looking to buy his land? He instantly doubles the price. Bye-Bye appreciation.
The Second Scary Reason
The second and scariest reason not to buy Costa Rica beach property - the U.S. economy is about to tank. A painful plunge into recession in the United States is about to occur. Starting with the over inflated values in real estate, and an over valued stock market, the United States may be facing a prolonged recession.
Is this the time to be investing or buying Costa Rica Real Estate?
If the economy in the United States of America is going down, what makes you think, Costa Rica’s is going up? The United States is Costa Rica’s largest trading partner. When the U.S. and World economy tumbles, Costa Rica’s exports will decline. A severe slow down in tourism due to high airline tickets (jet fuel, Iraq war, job anxiety) , which has already begun, will worsen. And finally, if the run-up in real estate values in the United States have to correct, what will happen to real estate values in Costa Rica, where there has been tremendous appreciation in real estate values in the last two years? Read more in Costa Rica Real Estate Part 3
Read the Tico Times March 18, 2007
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Read the Fine Print in the Tico Times
Before you buy real estate, invest, move or retire to Costa Rica or any foreign country, especially one you are unfamiliar with, you need to research that country as thoroughly as possible. You should be familiar with it’s history, culture, economic system, political situation, and you should be able to make an educated guess about that country’s future. “What are things going to be like in three years, five years, or twenty years?”
“Feeling” Costa Rica
Most potential investors, conduct their Costa Rica research, by visiting Costa Rica. Their visit to Costa Rica usually lasts anywhere, from a week to two weeks, and will involve two or three different locations in Costa Rica. Most are trying to get a “feel” for Costa Rica.
Visit Costa Rica
A one week visit, may be sufficient to determine if you want to continue exploring Costa Rica, or to discover that Costa Rica is not for you. A one week visit to Costa Rica may or may not give you an accurate picture of the country. However, a one week visit to Costa Rica, will definitely not give you enough time or information to make an accurate investment or life changing decision regarding Costa Rica.
You should visit Costa Rica before investing, some people have invested in Costa Rica real estate, or even moved here without first visiting. But before you visit Costa Rica there is something you should do that will be benefit you immensely.
Read the Tico Times
Before I had even visited Costa Rica, I was a subscriber to the Tico Times, Central America’s leading weekly English language newspaper. I took out a six month subscription, and had it delivered to my house in the United States, I prefer the paper edition over the online. You can compare the Tico Times, in quality and depth, to your local hometown newspaper. The cost for a six month subscription is only $34 - incredibly inexpensive for the wealth of information you receive.
Gossip Too!
Read the TicoTimes every week. Read every section of the Tico Times. Even stuff you’re not interested in like sport fishing or the theatre. And especially the classified section of the Tico Times. Read the slick full color ads for real estate developments, even though you’re not interested in them, (as explained in Costa Real Estate) the appreciation has already been taken out. Read the gossip section.
Why do you care about Sport Fishing or the Theatre in Costa Rica?
If you are thinking about buying a condo in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica, because you are gay and love the gay beach so much, but you don’t care about sport fishing - you should.
Gay Sport Fishermen
Because if you read the fishing report in the Tico Times, you might know that, sport fishermen aren’t doing well. Their aren’t as many fish in the sea. They’re blaming el nino, global warming, long lining, the Taiwanese, and they are worried about the future of fishing in Quepos.
“Who cares about Quepos?”
You are about to buy a condo in Manuel Antonio. Quepos is a port town, that serves as the commercial and financial hub for Manuel Antonio. Manuel Antonio National Park is only five minutes from Quepos. Much of Quepos’s fortune is tied to sport fishing. And sport fishermen rent condos in Manuel Antonio. If fishing isn’t doing well? You aren’t either. “But the gay beach was beautiful when I visited and everything seemed fine?” If you’re a sport fisherman why should you care about the theatre in Costa Rica? I’ll let you figure that one out.
Appreciating Slick Real Estate
What do the slick real estate developer ads in Costa Rica tell you? If you are an interested real estate investor in Costa Rica -it tells you where not to invest. Again, the appreciation has been removed. Beyond that, and beyond the development, the surrounding land and property has over appreciated. As a value investor you are not interested.
The Exciting Classifieds
The most exciting part of the Tico Times is the Classified Section. If you are interested in retiring or living in Costa Rica, then the classified section of the Tico Times, is a must read. Everything from the obvious, properties, apartment rentals, cost of a used car in Costa Rica, help wanted, washing machines, pets, and much more. It is a wealth of data that you can track, with your subscription to the Tico Times, over a long period of time. To the not so obvious, why are their a lot more rental listings for Escazu, than three months ago? And why are rental prices going up in Heredia? The reason is home invasion robberies. Read the Tico Times.
Ramsay
buy real estate costa rica real estate exploring costa rica history culture Investing Living political situation Real Estate real estate invest Retirement sport fishing ticotimes tico times
