The Origins of Grupo Gap: Filling a Critical Market Need
Glenn Tellier’s journey to establishing Grupo Gap began in the early 1990s in Canada, where he built extensive experience securing hundreds of millions in financing. His mortgage broker’s license from the University of British Columbia provided the foundation for what would become a pioneering financial services enterprise in Central America.
Upon relocating to Costa Rica, Glenn identified a significant gap in the market: non-residents couldn’t access traditional financing without first obtaining permanent residency. This chicken-and-egg problem created barriers for expatriates looking to invest in Costa Rican real estate or establish businesses.
In the early 2000s, Glenn began offering consulting services to help bridge this gap, providing financing solutions for expatriates who couldn’t access traditional banking services. This initial venture laid the groundwork for what would become a comprehensive suite of services.
The company’s evolution accelerated when Glenn collaborated with immigration expert Johanna Alveraz. Their partnership led to the founding of CRIE (Costa Rica Immigration Experts), addressing the critical residency requirements that often stood between expatriates and financial access.
As demand grew, Gap Real Estate and Gap Investments emerged as natural extensions of the company’s service offerings. The final piece was the establishment of Relocate CR, which responded to clients’ needs for comprehensive relocation assistance that went beyond the financial and legal aspects.
Comprehensive Services: The Grupo Gap Advantage
Gap Equity Loans
Gap Equity Loans represents the cornerstone of Grupo Gap’s financial services, offering a meticulously designed 18-step vetting process that ensures security and quality for private investors. This comprehensive system, mastered by Lawsen Tellier over years of hands-on experience, covers everything from initial property assessment to final National Registry recordings.
Unlike traditional lenders, Gap Equity Loans understands the unique challenges expatriates face in Costa Rica’s financial landscape. Their specialized approach bridges the gap between foreign investment goals and local financial requirements.
Ready to explore loan opportunities in Costa Rica? Explore Loan Options
Gap Investments: Strategic Financial Planning
Drawing on Glenn Tellier’s over 25 years of financial expertise, Gap Investments provides strategic guidance for those seeking to maximize their investment potential in Costa Rica. Their services include comprehensive financial planning tailored to the unique opportunities and challenges of the Costa Rican market.
Whether clients seek to diversify their portfolio with Costa Rican real estate, explore business opportunities, or plan for retirement in paradise, Gap Investments offers the specialized knowledge needed to make informed decisions.
Ready to explore investment opportunities in Costa Rica? Explore investment options
Gap Real Estate
Gap Real Estate leverages Lawsen Tellier’s extensive expertise in property valuation and legal compliance to guide clients through Costa Rica’s unique real estate market. Their team provides invaluable insights into property values, location considerations, and legal requirements that foreign buyers might otherwise overlook.
With intimate knowledge of both local markets and expatriate needs, Gap Real Estate serves as a trusted advisor throughout the property acquisition process, ensuring clients make informed investment decisions aligned with their goals.
Ready to explore Real Estate opportunities in Costa Rica? Find Your Property
Costa Rica Immigration Experts (CRIE)
Born from the collaboration between Glenn Tellier and Johanna Alveraz, CRIE addresses the critical residency requirements that often determine financial access in Costa Rica. Their specialized knowledge helps expatriates navigate the complex immigration landscape, securing the legal status necessary to access broader financial services.
CRIE’s services directly complement Grupo Gap’s financial offerings, creating a seamless pathway from immigration status to property ownership and investment opportunities.
Ready to explore your residency options in Costa Rica? Start Your Residency Process
Relocate CR: Your Complete Relocation Solution
Completing Grupo Gap’s comprehensive service suite, Relocate CR emerged in response to client demand for holistic relocation assistance. This service helps expatriates navigate every aspect of settling in Costa Rica, from finding the perfect neighborhood to setting up utilities and integrating into local communities.
Have questions about our services? Contact our team directly:
Leadership: The Expertise Behind Grupo Gap
With over 25 years in the finance industry, Glenn Tellier brings exceptional depth of knowledge to Grupo Gap. His journey began at the University of British Columbia, where he earned his mortgage broker’s license in the mid-1990s, laying the foundation for a distinguished career in lending, investments, and financial planning.
Glenn’s vision for Grupo Gap emerged from his own experience navigating Costa Rica’s financial landscape as an expatriate. Recognizing the challenges faced by foreign nationals seeking to establish themselves financially, he built a company dedicated to bridging these gaps with expertise and integrity.
His commitment to enhancing Costa Rica’s economic well-being through sound financial advice has made him a respected figure in both expatriate and local communities.
Steven James Stewart: Strategic Advisor – Development & Capital Structuring
Steven Stewart brings over 35 years of international expertise in real estate development, capital structuring, and infrastructure finance to Grupo GAP. As Strategic Advisor, he plays a key role in guiding large-scale projects and advising on high-value loan structuring for GAP Investments and GAP Equity Loans.
A permanent resident of Costa Rica since 2004, Steven has helped shape a range of high-impact developments across the country, providing financial strategy and project oversight for residential, commercial, and hospitality ventures. His background includes managing complex capital stacks, working alongside local architects, construction firms, and financial institutions to align investor interests with borrower needs.
Before joining Grupo GAP, Steven led major initiatives in Canada and Latin America, managing a $300 million investment portfolio and advising on multiple Limited Partnerships. In Costa Rica, he has collaborated with top-tier firms such as Edificar, Constructora Meco, and Arquitectos y Diseños. His insights help ensure GAP-funded projects are well-structured, financially viable, and strategically aligned with investor goals.
Steven is fluent in English and Spanish and is highly regarded for his ability to navigate Costa Rica’s regulatory and financial landscape while delivering practical, on-the-ground execution.
Lawsen Tellier: The Next Generation of Excellence
Lawsen Tellier represents the future of Grupo Gap, bringing fresh perspectives while honoring the company’s foundational principles. His professional journey began in his late teens, when he accompanied his father to loan site inspections and absorbed the intricacies of Costa Rica’s financial and real estate landscapes.
Over the course of more than a decade, Lawsen has mastered Gap Equity Loans’ meticulous 18-step process, ensuring quality and security for private investors. His dual expertise in loan lending and real estate creates a unique synergy that benefits clients seeking comprehensive financial and property solutions.
“Our mission at Grupo Gap is to provide expatriates and investors with the financial access, real estate expertise, and immigration guidance they need to thrive in Costa Rica. We bridge the gaps that traditional institutions often leave unfilled.”
Benefit From Decades of Expertise
Let our expertise guide your journey to Costa Rican investment, residency, and real estate.
WhatsApp us now to get started +506 4001-6413
USA/Canada toll-free 855-562-6427
Serving Clients Throughout Costa Rica
Grupo Gap provides services to clients throughout Costa Rica, with particular expertise in popular expatriate destinations. Their intimate knowledge of regional markets, legal considerations, and investment opportunities enables them to provide tailored guidance regardless of where clients wish to establish themselves.
From the bustling Central Valley to the serene coastal communities, Grupo Gap’s comprehensive understanding of Costa Rica’s diverse regions ensures that clients receive location-specific expertise, accounting for regional variations in property values, investment potential, and lifestyle considerations.
Client Success Stories
“After struggling with traditional banks, Grupo Gap made our dream of owning a Costa Rican property possible. Their integrated approach to residency and financing simplified what seemed like an impossible process.”
— Michael & Sarah T., Canada
“Gap Investments provided strategic guidance that helped me diversify my portfolio with Costa Rican real estate. Their knowledge of both the financial and legal aspects was invaluable.”
— Robert K., United States
“Relocate CR made our transition to Costa Rica seamless. From residency applications to finding our perfect home, their comprehensive services eliminated the stress of international relocation.”
— The Johnson Family, United Kingdom
Your Partner in Costa Rican Success
Since the early 2000s, Grupo GAP has established itself as a vital resource for expatriates and investors navigating Costa Rica’s distinctive financial and real estate landscapes. By addressing the critical gaps in traditional banking services, providing expert immigration guidance, and offering comprehensive real estate and investment services, Grupo Gap creates pathways for foreign nationals to achieve their dreams in Costa Rica.
The combined expertise of Glenn and Lawsen Tellier, along with their dedicated team, ensures clients receive guidance informed by decades of experience and intimate knowledge of Costa Rica’s evolving markets. Whether you’re seeking to purchase property, secure financing, establish residency, or make strategic investments, Grupo Gap offers the integrated solutions needed to succeed.
Begin Your Costa Rican Journey with Grupo Gap
Whether you’re exploring residency options, seeking property investment opportunities, or need financing solutions, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.
WhatsApp us now to get started +506 4001-6413
USA/Canada toll-free 855-562-6427