What sort of decline/increase have you see in the number of potential buyers who have contacted you in the last six months in comparison to the previous year?

We have seen a sharp increase of inquires and actual clients coming in look at and purchase property since November 2008. Actual numbers? 4:1 – Prior to November 08 and throughout 08 business was slow with few customers making contact and setting timings to come to Costa Rica.

How has the number of sales declined or risen in the last six months in comparison to the previous year? The number of actual sales has increased sharply compared to the same time period in 08.

What is the easiest real estate sale for you in your area right now? Small fincas (farms) with a few acres and good spring or creek, Tico house good access and not priced over $200,000

Where do land prices stand now in your area in comparison with this time last year? In some cases the desperate seller has dropped their final sale price. But for the most part prices are holding their position but and have not increased.

Where do finished home/condo prices stand now in your area in comparison with this time last year? Here in the San Isidro area and the Valley General we have no condos. There is a good handful of newly finished homes on the market.

I have seen prices get lowered on a few homes that are on the market. But those houses and properties were a bit over priced from the beginning. For the most part prices on new homes in this area are holding steady with moderate sales.

What sort of real estate product is currently available in your area? What are you lacking? Is there an oversupply of any particular product? We have a wide product on the market here in the San Isidro area and the Valley General.

From new modern Tico style homes on 1,000M2 to fincas to apartments. What the area lacks is new homes on moderate sized lots 1,000m2 to 3,000m2 at reasonable prices. Also the gated or private community like you see in the S.J area. We don’t have any of that kind of product yet.

If there was an oversupply of any particular product it would be the typical small San Isidro home in the central or the surrounding area. Old construction from the 50’s 60’s & 70’s on 250M2 to 500M2 lots, exactly the same as you see in the older parts of San Jose. There are one or two of these kind of houses for sale on every block but most gringo buyers are not interested in these.

Where are the best opportunities right now in your area? The Talamanca side of the Valley General and the surrounding small communities of San Isidro

How do you feel the real estate market will perform in your area for the remainder of 2009? I feel confident that my specific market will continue to grow as will my audience. I don’t know about the sectors of the country? I have tried to fine tune my market to the feedback and needs of my audience.

Through trial and error I am focusing on a certain kind of product that seems to be in demand from a high percentage of my interested buyers and at the same time I continue to track down to bigger finca deals and as I still get interest from buyers that are looking for that fantastic 100 hectares.

[custom_script adID=97]

[custom_script adID=163]