Owning a Costa Rican vacation rental property can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable real estate investments. It is important to know that there are a few key points that must be addressed in order to have your investment produce returns and not headaches.

When selecting a vacation rental property, it is important to consider why people vacation and what options they have when they vacation. You have to find your niche. Before even looking at a property, you need to decide what kind of role you are going to play in the management. Hands off or hands on. There is rarely an in-between.

No one wants to fix leaky toilets, so who is going to do it. If hands off is your approach, you can expect to pay about 20% – 40% of your gross rentals to a management company. This company will most likely market and take reservations for the property as well.

By sharing in the profits, incentives are aligned, and by managing multiple properties, management companies can create economies of scale that allow them to hire gardeners, maids, and maintenance personal and provide them to you at a fraction of the overall cost.

The most desired elements in a vacation rental property on the coast for a renter are:

1. Beach access
2. Ocean views
3. Swimming pool(s)

Other top characteristics include walking to amenities, experience, security, and value.

Location, Location, Location. A property without any of these characteristics is much less likely to perform, and a property with all of these elements combined with proper management will position you for success and a very profitable Costa Rica real estate investment.

Here are my Costa Rica Vacation Rental Homes – Key elements to success:

1. Think of Yourself as the Customer. Ask yourself if you would stay here and would you pay the weekly rate?
2. Check out the Competition: What are hotel room nights in the area going for and what are other rental houses getting per week?
3. Interview the Property Management Company: And also talk to other owners in the development.
4. Ask for Real Figures in Writing: Get the numbers on maintenance costs and rental returns, not just projections.

The Manuel Antonio home for sale here for US$565,000 generates $30,000 per year for the owner and that’s after all expenses..

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If you have ever dreamed of living in the Manuel Antonio area and would like to know more about real estate for sale please contact our Recommended Costa Rica Realtors Daveed Hollander, John Wieland and James Drews by using the simple form below: