Buying Costa Rican property is inexpensive and easy - and prices are on the move.

Here we look at Costa Rica property for sale, and the importance of location - which will help you make even bigger capital gains on your investment.

So, when you?re looking at the Costa Rican property that?s for sale, what do you need to consider for making the big capital gains?

The Last 10 years have Shown 300% Growth

The biggest change in the Costa Rica property for sale during the past decade is that prices have doubled, or tripled in many locations ? and the good news is - it?s still cheap!

Costa Rican property prices range considerably:

. 1/4-acre beachfront home sites ranges from $50,000 to upwards of $200,000.

. Beachfront homes range from $165,000 upwards.

. Seaside condominiums range from $55,000 to $250,000 - depending on size and geographical location.

. Just inland - maybe a 10-minute walk to the beach, two-bedroom, two-bathroom, homes start at $40,000 - and single-family building lots start at $6,500

. Less expensive deals can be found in more remote areas - such as the northern Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica's southern region.

Popular Places

Most realtors agree that the best turnover, and fastest-selling properties are generally located in the Central Valley, and along the Pacific coast - and it?s here that you can get the best capital gain on your investment.

Although the Central Valley covers just five percent of Costa Rica, it contains the vast majority of the country's population. Therefore, property prices around the greater metropolitan area (including San José, Alajuela, Heredia and Escazú) - where many of the country's businesses and services are located, tend to be among the highest in Costa Rica.

Generally, the farther away from town you go, the lower the prices of property for sale will be. The exception to this rule is the central and northern Pacific coast - where a number of major developments are underway.

Property for Sale in Costa Rica - the Secret of Big Returns

Here you need to get out your map of Costa Rica, and look at areas set to increase in value - simply watch for changes in the infrastructure that will boost property prices.

Buying property that?s for sale in Costa Rica can give you great returns - but if you build in advance of important building projects that will enhance local amenities - and the quality of life, will make you even more money.

So, what sort of changes in the infrastructure are we referring to? Let?s look at three projects currently underway that look set to increase property prices in adjacent areas:

New Freeway: Scheduled to be completed shortly. The freeway will link the largest cities to the Pacific Coast - generating an increased flow of traffic and buying interest in areas with easy access to the freeway.

New Marina: The largest marina in Costa Rica will be completed shortly in Quepos.

New Airport: A new international airport is coming to the town of Orotina in the near future.

When buying property for sale in Costa Rica, being in ahead of the crowd - before an important part of the infrastructure is completed, will enable you to take advantage of the increased demand for real estate in the areas that these changes will benefit.

Buying Property that?s for Sale in Costa Rica is Straightforward

The government encourages investors ? they place no restrictions on foreigners. In fact, foreigners are entitled to the same ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens. When you factor in low costs, and no capital gains tax, overseas buyers will continue to buy the property that?s available in Costa Rica.

Property for sale in Costa Rica as an investment

Buying property currently for sale in Costa Rica can be a rewarding experience. The future looks bright - as the big fluctuations in property prices that you see in the United States, doesn't happen in Costa Rica.

Based on past history, prices either go up by at least 10 percent per year - or at worst, stay the same. When the real estate market is in a downturn, properties don?t tend to go down in value - they stay static - making this a low risk way to invest.

Currently, the chances of a downturn in the market now look slim ? due to the rising number of investment property buyers.

If you want to double or triple your money in the next few years, think about the Costa Rican real estate market - and buy some building lots or property.

Posted by Pam Salls on December 13, 2008 at 12:00 AM

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