Costa Rica To Build Or Not To Build?

[ClarkKentinBC]

I didicate this thread to LastLion...

This is going to be my thread on everything Costa Rica... Well as far as building and doing business down there.

If you have any specific related experiences or questions chime in here. There is a lot to learn and I am sure none of us know it all. I will share whatever I know.

CK

[ClarkKentinBC]

This is the house I have designed to build in Costa Rica. I have actually designed several houses. My goal is to find about 6-8 acres of land to build about 18 houses on.
House plan 1800sf.jpg

The picture is just of the front elevation. I design all my houses in 3D so I have more extensive details from those files.

I want my selling price point to be $190,000. Now take into account this is for a North American style home not just some slap happy Tico shack.

CK

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by ClarkKentinBC

This is the house I have designed to build in Costa Rica. I have actually designed several houses. My goal is to find about 6-8 acres of land to build about 18 houses on.
Attachment 936

The picture is just of the front elevation. I design all my houses in 3D so I have more extensive details from those files.

I want my selling price point to be $190,000. Now take into account this is for a North American style home not just some slap happy Tico shack.

CK

Slap happy house.. hahhaah.. Hey before I jump into asking to much.. I actually think some of the building practices in LAM are quiete cool.

I actually talked to some builder, near Barichara see thread San Gil, Barichara, Curiti, Guane

where they were still using the old rammed earth method with clay a cow****. I am not sure if I posted those pics, but there are houses that are hundreds of years old.. I really dig the colonial style houses, some in San gil, but places like Barichara, probably the most beautiful town in colombia, or giron have a really beautiful style of colonial style buildings

What is the method of building you are going for ?? Stick or Stone??

BTW, thanks for showing your house, it looks like a beauty that will blend right into the natural landscape.. One thing about northamerican builders in costa rica, some of the houses are just GIANT SORE THUMBS. I hate that . They are just asking to be robbed in my eyes..

[John Wayne]

Where?.......

[ClarkKentinBC]

I am going to build with concrete mostly. Conventional wood framing is not that popular there. They say the termites get you... Also with the humidity in the rainy season that could be an issue.

I am going for the whole gated community type feeling. thats what I am building in canada right now so I think it works.

LastLion what do you do for a living?

CK

[ClarkKentinBC]

Originally Posted by John Wayne

Where?.......

Did you mean where am I building?

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by ClarkKentinBC

I am going to build with concrete mostly. Conventional wood framing is not that popular there. They say the termites get you... Also with the humidity in the rainy season that could be an issue.

I am going for the whole gated community type feeling. thats what I am building in canada right now so I think it works.

LastLion what do you do for a living?

CK

I am a contractor. Actually I have a general builders license and floor contractors license. I do both, the flooring has always been the meat. But I have always had an investment property . BUY BUILD AND SELL or buy remodel sell. Right now, my floor company is the only thing worth a damn although my staff is now at half of what is was. I did pick up a lote to build a house here recently, for an incredible price, but I am cash strapped as a result...

I have friends with homes in Costa Rica, I have a few that manged the building of their homes and a contractor buddy from here, who seams to have a good niche building for BAY AREA people in Costa Rica.. None of them say it was easy, but than again what is .. And with that nothing worth a damn is easy either

I would like live and build in LAM too..

[ClarkKentinBC]

Do you mean as in hardwood flooring? Our housing market is not as bad as yours... knock on wood... It is actually starting to pick up. We have sold 15 houses in 15 weeks in my development. Although we have cut our staff in half too.

[John Wayne]

Originally Posted by ClarkKentinBC

Did you mean where am I building?

I thought it was a pretty simple question....

Yea, where are you building ?

[ClarkKentinBC]

Originally Posted by John Wayne

I thought it was a pretty simple question....

Yea, where are you building ?

Northwest of San Jpse in a place called Gracia