We negotiate sellers down to 0% interest — and close a lot of deals there. When 0% isn't on the table, fixed rates run 5–9%. Either way: 20–40% down, 5–15 year terms, and your name on title at the National Registry on closing day.
North American banks don't underwrite Costa Rican real estate — full stop. Canadian lenders won't touch it. Most U.S. banks decline at the foreign-property line. Owner financing through Real Estate Grupo replaces the bank entirely.
Published terms. No hidden fees. Negotiated per property, not from a brochure.
It's the line no major Costa Rica brokerage can write. We negotiate the seller directly — and we close a lot of deals at 0% interest. Here's why sellers say yes.
Most owners we work with — retiring expats, estate sellers, partners exiting a holding — care about getting out clean. A strong down + a defined balloon gives them the exit they want. Interest is just a number we trade for certainty.
When you put 35–45% down on day one, the seller already has the bulk of their money. We trade their willingness to wait on the balance for a 0% rate. They'd rather have $1.0M today and $1.0M in 24 months than chase yield for a decade.
A property sitting 18 months loses 8–12% of asking. Sellers know it. We bring qualified international buyers in 60 days and structure the close. Our 0% pitch lands because the alternative is another year on the market and a lower number anyway.
We're brokers, builders, and operators with our own portfolio across the Nicoya Peninsula. When we walk into a seller meeting, our buyer pipeline is real and our closings are public. A 0% ask from us is a serious offer, not a wish-list opener.
We're a single point of contact for the property, the financing, the legal review, and the registry. Most buyers go from first message to title in under six weeks.
Beach, jungle, town, finca, hotel, lot. Budget in USD or CAD. Use case: live, rent, build. We come back with three to five owner-financed matches — including off-market — within 48 hours.
Down payment, rate, term, schedule (monthly, semi-annual, balloon), prepayment rights — all negotiated directly. You don't fill out a bank application. You don't wait 90 days. You get the terms in writing.
Closing happens in front of a Costa Rican Notario Público. Title is registered at the Registro Nacional in your name (or your entity). The seller's hipoteca is filed the same day. You're the owner from minute one.
The three ways foreigners actually finance Costa Rican real estate. Here's what each one looks like in practice.
| North American Bank | CR Developer Financing | Real Estate Grupo Best | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approval | 60–90 days, project-tied | Same-week term sheet | |
| Interest Rate | N/A (won't lend) | 9–14% typical | 0% – 9% fixed |
| Down Payment | — | 30–50% | 20–40% |
| Term | — | 3–7 years typical | 5–15 years |
| Credit Check | Hard pull, U.S./CA history | Some require it | |
| Title at Closing | — | Often deferred until paid off | In your name on day one |
| Currency Options | USD only | USD only | USD or CAD priced and paid |
| Prepayment Penalty | Varies, often steep | Often present | Typically none — sometimes discounted |
| Property Selection | — | Only the developer's project | Open market + off-market access |
Pick the structure that fits your cash position. We've closed both — and custom hybrids in between.
For buyers who want a fixed monthly and full ownership inside a decade. No prepayment penalty.
For buyers with liquidity who want zero interest cost and a defined payoff. Rare in this market — we negotiate it directly.
This isn't a worked example. It's a real Real Estate Grupo closing — buyer paid $100K down, $50K every six months, and balloons the remainder at month 36. Total interest paid: zero.
Drag the sliders to model a realistic deal. We negotiate the actual terms with the seller — these are working numbers, not a binding quote.
We work with cross-border accountants on both sides of the border. Tax filing differs. Banking differs. The closing process is identical: Notario, Registry, Title.
We are not tax advisors. We coordinate with Canadian cross-border accountants (Allan Madan, Cardinal Point, etc.) if you don't already have one. T1135 is the only common surprise for first-time Canadian buyers.
We are not tax advisors. We coordinate with U.S. cross-border CPAs if you don't already have one. Costa Rica and the U.S. don't have a tax treaty — verify your filings before closing.
Filtered to homes, lots, and commercial properties already cleared for owner financing. Live inventory updates automatically.
Same protections we use on our own portfolio purchases. Costa Rican law gives buyers strong remedies — we make sure you have all of them, in writing.
Your own Costa Rican attorney reviews every document — never the seller's lawyer. We provide a vetted shortlist if you don't have one.
The seller's lien is filed at the Registro Nacional. Public, dated, enforceable. Your ownership and their security both exist on day one.
Closing is executed by a licensed Costa Rican Notario Público — a public officer with state-delegated authority. Not optional, never bypassed.
We use Costa Rica's regulated escrow agents (Stewart, BCR Escrow, Pacific Trust). Funds release on registry confirmation — never before.
Twelve answers to the questions that come up first. Have a thirteenth? WhatsApp Leo — answered same business day, usually within the hour.
WhatsApp is fastest — most replies same business day, usually within the hour. Tell us what you want and what you can put down, we'll send three matches before your next coffee.
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