Which GAP Company Do You Need to Buy a Home in Costa Rica?

Buying a home in Costa Rica usually involves more than finding the right house. You may also want the property checked properly, money to put toward the purchase, a sensible use for the proceeds of a home you sold abroad, and answers about living here. If you want to buy a home in Costa Rica, Grupo GAP has a company for each of those needs. This guide explains which one to talk to, and when.

GAP Real Estate: when you buy a home in Costa Rica

GAP Real Estate is where a purchase starts. The team helps you search for property, make an offer and move through the checks and the closing, with an attorney and notary confirming the title, liens and documents.

You do not need to be a citizen or a resident. Article 19 of Costa Rica’s Constitution gives foreigners the same individual and social rights as Costa Ricans, with the exceptions and limitations set by the Constitution and the laws, and GAP works with buyers of any nationality. Coastal land is the main exception to watch: under Law 6043, the 200-metre maritime-terrestrial zone belongs to the State and is used under concessions rather than owned outright.

Before you commit, the checks that matter most are the registered title and liens, the survey plan, access, water and permits. Our guide to due diligence before buying property in Costa Rica walks through them, and guarding against title theft explains how to protect the title once it is yours.

What a purchase costs

Budget for closing costs as well as the price. Your attorney confirms the closing costs, and your attorney confirms the exact amounts for your purchase before closing. Real estate closing procedures in Costa Rica explains what happens on closing day.

GAP Equity Loans: capital toward the purchase

If you already own titled property in Costa Rica, GAP Equity Loans can arrange a private loan secured by that property, and the funds can go toward your next purchase. Banks set their own requirements, which can make bank loans harder for newcomers, and they can take many months, if not longer, to close.

• Loans start at US$50,000, with additional paperwork and due diligence above US$1 million.
• Terms run from six months to three years, with monthly interest-only payments and the principal due at maturity.
• No credit score is required, and Costa Rican residency is not required.
• Around 30% loan-to-value or less is preferred, and 50% is the maximum.
• Borrowers pay the loan fees, deducted at closing, with nothing to pay before closing.
• GAP closes loans within 10 business days once the required documents are complete.

This is short-term financing, not a 30-year mortgage, so it works best with a clear plan to repay at maturity. Using property-backed financing to buy a home covers that in more detail.

GAP Investments: when you have capital to place

Many buyers arrive after selling a home in Canada, the United States or Europe. If part of that money is not needed for the purchase, GAP Investments arranges private loans secured by Costa Rica real estate, with lender rates from 9% to 16% a year and the lender in first-lien position. No return is guaranteed, and lending carries real risk. See private lending opportunities in Costa Rica.

CRIE: if you also plan to live here

Buying a home does not require residency, and residency is a separate process. If you want to live in Costa Rica, CRIE handles immigration and residency questions. You can reach CRIE at info@crie.cr.

How to start

To buy a home in Costa Rica with GAP, you do not need to work out the right company first. Email info@gap.cr with what you want to do, the area you are looking at and your timing, and Grupo GAP will direct you to the right team. Our office is in Escazú.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need residency to buy a home in Costa Rica?

No. Buyers of any nationality can work with GAP Real Estate, and Costa Rican residency is not required.

Can GAP finance my purchase?

GAP Equity Loans can lend against titled Costa Rica property you already own, reviewed case by case. It is short-term, interest-only financing, not a traditional mortgage.

Who checks the property before I buy?

GAP Real Estate guides you through the checks, and your attorney and notary confirm the title, liens and documents. If a loan is involved, GAP Equity Loans also reviews the title, liens and value before closing.

Is there one contact for everything?

Yes. Email info@gap.cr and your request goes to the right GAP company.

This article is general information only and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Confirm the details of any purchase with a licensed Costa Rica attorney or notary. Every loan depends on property review, documentation and lender approval, and no lending return is guaranteed.

See properties with GAP Real Estate → · WhatsApp us at +506 4001 6413 to get started, call 855-562-6427 from the US or Canada, or email info@gap.cr