Quite often, we receive an email from a potential Costa Rica real estate buyer, asking us to send the listing location on Google maps.
Real estate agents in Costa Rica, who have a property listed on their website, will never give the exact location of a property for sale. Unless they have a signed exclusive listing agreement.
Some buyers request the exact location so they will know what neighborhood the property is in. If the buyer is familiar with the area, there is a reason to ask for a showing appointment or not.
Another reason to find the listing location on Google maps, is that they can knock on the door. Then they can ask the seller to show the house and deal without the interference of the realtor, with or without exclusive listing agreement. Believe me, it happens.
If you look at the photos of many Costa Rica real estate listings online, you will find that many agents don’t even post photos of the front of a property or the neighborhood. In other countries, real estate is promoted by neighborhoods.
In Costa Rica, the realtors prefer not to even tell you what the name of the neighborhood or the condominium is. They will only give you the name of the town or city. At AE, we do quite the opposite.
Listings on an MLS
Buyers asking for a listing location on Google maps or Google Earth are mostly buyers from other countries. Mainly from those where there is not only a professional real estate board but also an active and well-functioning Multiple Listing Service (MLS) available. You might not know this yet, but finding an address in Costa Rica is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Looking for a listing location on Google Maps?
By having a well-organized and functioning MLS, it is necessary there is only one listing agent who exclusively lists a property for sale and represents the seller. All other realtors representing a buyer will have to go through the exclusive listing agent.
By being an exclusive listing agent, the property for sale will be marketed correctly and with the correct information on what is being offered and at which price. You will find listings carry even a map with the exact location of the property.
I personally expect Costa Rica real estate to advance sooner than some think. Then we will have access to all those useful tools like Google Maps on all our real estate listings.
Listings in an open market
We have an open market in Costa Rica. Here, a seller lists his property with 10 or 20 or even 50 agents (depending on how large the town or city is). You might find a lot of incorrect listing information and even several different sales prices. This happens when a seller reduces the asking price of a property and forgot who the property was listed with.
In many Costa Rica beach areas it is quite the opposite. There are fewer real estate agents because the areas are smaller than in the Central Valley. So you will find much more exclusive listings than anywhere else. It is possible you might get an exact listing location on Google maps from an agent.
So they can knock on the door and ask the seller to show the house
How to find out the exact property location?
If you have already settled on where you would like to purchase your future home or investment property, search for a professional real estate agent in that particular area you would like to be represented by. Then contact that agent and tell him/her what you are exactly looking for, your budget and your time frame to purchase. The agent will take well care of you when you show your loyalty. You will find that when you arrive in Costa Rica, the service will go way past the real estate purchase.
If you haven‘t settled for a certain area to purchase a property, take one of the retirement tours we recommend. Once you have decided on the area, search for a professional real estate agent.
If you are not interested in using the services of a professional real estate agent in Costa Rica, you are now on the wrong website. Then you should be surfing on a For Sale by Owner website. I am sure the owner will email you the Google location of the property that is for sale.
I certainly hope you take the right decision and we can be of your service with your next Costa Rica property purchase.
Contact us at your convenience.
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While we’re at it, I DO want to remind our readers that we appreciate any referrals you can send us. Finally, please remember the American-European real estate Group’s agents when you refer a real estate agent. Because we DO appreciate your business.
