128Canopy Blog

I will be talking to weekly about what is happening in Costa Rica.
Let`s talk about Stated Income Mortgage Loans

Free enterprise is alive and well in Costa Rica.  Stated Income Loans are now available here!
One of the developer’s on the Pacific Coast is offering beach front stated income loans with 30% down.  There is no limit to the number of units financed by one Buyer. Fixed Interest Rates range from 8.5% to 6.5%. There is no prepayment penalty. For more information go to www.LiveLikeAKingCR.com
Brad’s Top Ten Reasons to Live in Costa Rica

● State Income Mortgage Loans Now Available and Costa Rica’s Credit Rating was just upgraded by Standard & Poor.
● Property values stable. Increasing and property registrars are accurate.
● Labor Cost $8.00 a day… Quarters on the dollar for construction, auto mechanics, maids, servants, and any labor intensive business.
● U.S. Friendly - American communities, dual residency encouraged.
● American Investors welcomed - Special programs available.
● Retire comfortably for under $1000.00 a month.
● Costa Rica’s currency has depreciated consistently by 12% to 14% per year against the U.S. dollar. CD’s here pay 4.05% the total is a nice return of 16% to 18% per year.
● Beach Condos for as low as $45K, inland homes in the $100K, and low rentals.
● Total respect for Americans, locals are friendly and ready to serve Americans.

● Lifestyle-Perfect tropical whether, beaches, volcano’s, cliffs, mountains, valley’s, jungles, surfing, boating, fishing, and wildlife galore. Breathtaking views around every corner of this tropical paradise called Costa Rica!

I look forward to seeing you here in beautiful Costa Rica.  I would also like to meet you, just ask around for the “Loco Gringo with the Hat” and they will point you in my direction.
Bradley Owen Smith-Author

Organizers for the IV Guanacaste Market Place are making their final preparations as the event is scheduled to begin November 3rd and end November 5th.  However, this year the marketplace will change its strategy and open up to Costa Rican buyers as well.

Traditionally, the Guanacaste Market Place receives international buyers from the tourism industry and carries out negotiations between local service providers and international buyers.  However, the organization has decided to accept the participation of local buyers from the rest of the country due to current financial crisis in the United States.

The organization has announced that several wholesalers were scheduled to attend but had to change their plans at the last minute.  The adjustment of the Guanacaste Market Place will now open up the possibility for Costa Rican wholesalers to directly negotiate with service providers in the area.

The Costa Rican wholesalers will later create custom packages using these services and offer them to their clients, which are mainly made up of travel agents and tour operators.

The Events Director for the Costa Rican Professionals in Tourism Association (ACROPOT), Tannia D’Ambrosio, mentioned that we should acknowledge that Guanacaste’s main source of tourists is the United States.  The North American country is currently under the perception that they are in crisis and they are being very cautious.

The IV Guanacaste Market Place will have a total of 40 local exponents showcasing their products to approximately 20 International and National buyers.

In a recent article published by the president of the Costa Rican Association of Professionals in Tourism (ACOPROT), Carlos Lizama, the need for funding the National Park System in Costa Rica was exposed.

Costa Rica’s National Park System is one of the country’s biggest achievements when it comes to protecting the dense flora and fauna within its small territory.  Costa Rica has been able to set aside at least 25% of its territory for protection following in the footsteps of pioneer countries such as Switzerland.  International eyes have always turned to Costa Rica when it comes to pointing out a model in sustainability.

In a recent survey among North Americans tourists, 60% of the subjects stated that their main reason in visiting Costa Rica was for its National Parks.  However, the media has recently echoed the numerous complaints issued by experts, park rangers and other administrative personnel regarding the lack of funds that visibly affects the system.

The author of the article dug deep into the complaints and admits that although the park system urgently needs improvements, he also points out that it’s not because of the lack of funds, but rather because of the lack of investment.  In other words, the park system legally has access to funds; it’s just that the funds are “lost” within the bureaucratic State banking system.

Costa Rica’s National Park System generates enough funds from entrance fees to have world-class facilities, but when local and foreign tourists visit parks such as Manuel Antonio, it is clearly visible that an immediate improvement is needed.

The author of this article calls out to the current Minister of Environment and Energy to properly redirect funds from entrance fees as well as international philanthropic donations to park improvements as well to the hiring of more personnel.