Diverse Real Estate Options When Buying Your Dream Home in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Tamarindo is one of the more developed beach towns along Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast, commonly known as the Gold Coast. As its popularity has grown, so too has the real estate market in this region.
It’s a diverse market in terms of the availability. As a buyer, you’ll have your choice of anything from simple, Tico-style construction, to modern, even luxury, North American-style living. Single family homes, small homesteads, gated communities, condominiums, and even plenty of available land for those who want to construct their dream home from scratch…you can find it all here in Tamarindo and the surrounding area.
Right now, Tamarindo is a buyer’s market. Inventory is high and you have a fair number of motivated sellers, so your negotiation power is strong. While Costa Rica on the whole experienced a bit of a real estate price boom in the immediate aftermath of the 2008 recession, prices are not as low as they once were. But they have leveled out, and particularly when it comes to beach-town property, there are still plenty of bargains to be found, especially when compared with North American equivalents.
When looking for real estate, in Tamarindo, or anywhere in Costa Rica, those accustomed to North American real estate should keep in mind there is no MLS (multiple listing system) in Costa Rica. A single property could be listed with five or six separate companies, and the lack of an MLS also means there is no one single body regulating real estate agents.
Working with a real estate agent can be extremely beneficial, but do your due diligence and ensure it is someone who truly has experience and a good track record in this market. Tamarindo for example is a beach town in the Guanacaste region, one of the driest regions of the country. A real estate agent should be well versed in things like title issues as they relate to the distance from a property to the water, or whether or not a specific property has the necessary paperwork in order to have water access because of restrictions in the area. This is just one example of something that’s not necessarily a given.
A simple Google search for “Tamarindo real estate” will return pages of real estate and property management companies. These websites are great places to start taking a look at what’s available, list prices, and who is representing the property. Always plan a trip to take a look at properties that interest you in person, and put in the leg work to speak with several real estate agents to find someone whose working style most closely matches your needs as a buyer.
Earlier this year, the Global Property Guide put out a report showing that 80% of the listed properties in Costa Rica over the last three years have exceeded $200,000. So it’s certainly not the cheapest Latin American market, but even in Tamarindo, one of the most popular beach towns for expats and tourists, bargains can be found.
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Let’s take a look at a few current listings to give you an idea of what’s out there:
If low-maintenance, convenient condo living appeals to you, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom, fully furnished condo in the heart of Tamarindo could be your ideal find. In a complex that offers two community pools and barbecue areas, you are within five minutes walking distance to both town and the beach. The charming beach condo offers plenty of natural light, and the gated community features a security guard 24 hours a day. With a full-size master suite complete with a soaking tub and king-size bed, you have space for rest and relaxation, plus an extra bedroom upstairs to accommodate guests. This condo is currently on the market for $135,000.
Owning a car and being willing to locate just a bit outside of town can be a huge money-saver when it comes to buying property in and around Tamarindo. Just a 10-minute drive outside of town for example, you’ll find this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom, single-family home, built to North American standards with all the upgrades you could want including porcelain floors, granite countertops, and stainless-steel appliances. Distance from town offers an exotic, natural landscape while still being just a short drive to Tamarindo and other area beaches. This home is situated in a gated community with security, a swimming pool, a gym, and a clubhouse and offers just about the same amount of space outside as inside allowing for indoor/outdoor living customizations. This home is currently listed for $180,000.
If words like luxury, oceanfront, and ocean view are a part of what you’re searching for, you can find that here too. At the south end of town, where Tamarindo Beach meets Langosta Beach, there’s a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo that has spared no expense when it comes down to even the smallest details and finishings. Just steps across the street from the beach, with panoramic ocean views to boot, the location doesn’t get more prime. With a luxury listing, features like granite counter tops are a given. But here you also have extras like a built-in outdoor kitchen overlooking the ocean, a jacuzzi tub in the master suite, his-and-hers sinks, and a walk-in closet…not to mention high-end furnishings throughout. This condo is currently priced at $328,000.
From bargains to penthouses, Tamarindo offers real estate options for pretty much any buyer and budget…so long as you’re willing to put in the effort to have a look around and do the research to ensure you’re making the best decision for you.
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