Selling One Costa Rica Home and Buying the Next

Many owners reach a point where the home they have no longer fits: a family grows, children leave, or a move to the coast or the mountains calls. If you want to sell and buy a home in Costa Rica at the same time, the hard part is timing. This guide compares the three ways to do it, what each involves, and how the GAP companies can help at each step.

Option 1: Sell first, then buy

Selling first is the simplest financially. You know exactly how much you have to spend, and you are not paying for two properties at once. The trade-off is that you may need somewhere to live between closings, and the home you want may sell to someone else while you wait.

It suits owners who are flexible about where they live for a few months and who are not set on one specific property.

Option 2: Buy first, then sell

Buying first lets you secure the next home and move once, on your schedule. The challenge is paying for it before your current home sells. Some owners have the cash. Others borrow against the home they already own and repay the loan when it sells.

Banks set their own requirements, which can make bank loans harder for newcomers, and banks can take many months, if not longer, to close. GAP Equity Loans arranges private loans secured by titled property:

• loans from US$50,000, with terms from six months to three years;
• monthly interest-only payments, with the principal repaid at maturity or earlier from the sale;
• around 30% loan-to-value or less preferred, and 50% at most, with GAP determining the value used, with the lender’s input and acceptance;
• no credit score or residency required, and no costs before closing; loan fees are deducted at closing;
• closing within 10 business days once the required documents are complete.

If you repay from the sale before maturity, early repayment has a penalty that depends on the lender, so ask about it before you sign. Bridge loans for home buyers in Costa Rica explains this route in more detail.

Option 3: Close both on the same day

Some owners try to line up the sale and the purchase so the money from one pays for the other at closing. It avoids a loan and a gap between homes, but it depends on two sets of buyers, sellers and attorneys keeping to the same timeline. If either side is delayed, the other can fall through. Talk to your attorney before you commit to dates you do not control.

Selling your current home

GAP Real Estate markets the property and helps you negotiate. Sellers pay GAP Real Estate only when the sale closes, with no GAP fees before closing, and the seller’s consultant fee is agreed in the listing agreement. Get your documents ready early, because a sale moves faster when the buyer’s attorney has what they need. GAP Real Estate’s listing checklist includes the survey plan, building permits, water service documentation, current municipal tax receipts and condominium documents where they apply.

If the home still has a mortgage, it is normally paid off from the sale proceeds at closing. Selling property in Costa Rica walks through the sale step by step.

Buying the next home

Every purchase needs the usual checks on title, liens, the survey plan, access, water and permits; see due diligence before buying property. Your attorney can confirm the closing costs for your transaction. Buyers of any nationality can buy through GAP Real Estate, and Costa Rican residency is not required.

Plan the numbers before you start

Whichever order you choose, work out the numbers before you sell and buy a home in Costa Rica:

• What will the sale really leave you? Start from a realistic price, then subtract closing costs, including the consultant fee and any mortgage payoff.
• What does the next home cost in total? Add its closing costs and any work it needs.
• If you borrow, how long could the sale take? Choose a term with room to spare, and budget for monthly interest until the sale closes.
• What is your backup plan? If the sale takes longer or brings less, how will you repay? See plan your exit before you borrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell and buy a home in Costa Rica at the same time?

Yes. You can sell first, buy first with a loan against your current home, or try to close both together. Each has different costs and risks.

Can I borrow against my current home to buy the next one?

If it is titled property, yes. GAP Equity Loans lends from US$50,000, and the loan can be repaid when the home sells.

Do I pay GAP Real Estate before my home sells?

No. GAP Real Estate is paid only when the sale closes.

Do I need residency?

No. Residency is not required to buy, sell or borrow through GAP.

This article is general information only and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Confirm the details of any sale, purchase or loan with a licensed Costa Rica attorney. Every loan depends on property review, documentation and lender approval.

List your property with GAP Real Estate → · WhatsApp us at +506 4001 6413 to get started, call or email [email protected]