People from different countries are buying properties in Costa Rica because of the low cost. However, what they have to deal with is a language which is not familiar to them and managing their properties while they elsewhere in either America, Canada or even in Europe. Managing your real estate in Costa Rica has to be done by someone who is on the spot and with instructions from you.
All the documents and title deeds are in Spanish and unless you understand the language you do not really know what is written in these documents. For this you need someone who is a local and who understands the language to assist you. Managing your real estate in Costa Rica is best done by a person who is knowledgeable about the laws which govern the land and knows what to do.
Word will spread by word of mouth from one visitor to the next, but there has to be someone to ensure that you have a steady flow of people who want to rent out your homes. A real estate agent will be the right person for managing your real estate in Costa Rica and for bringing in guests.
You will have to be aware of the rates which are being charged by other holiday homes and an agent will be well aware of such things. You do not want to loose money or charge too much either, as you will loose clients if you do this. By trying to be Managing your real estate in Costa Rica on your own you may not be able to do your best and will loose out on business.
Directing someone who knows the business, even while you are living in another country is safe as you can be sure that he will be doing things the legal way. Maintaining records, having taxes paid and ensuring that the property is taken care of can all be done by a real estate agent of course for a fee. Remember that if a real estate agent is managing your real estate in Costa Rica, he will also be able to get you a tenant for the period you want one. This could be either long term or short term as per your need.
Locking up a home and not giving it for care to anyone will only make the property go to seed. Instead be practical about managing your real estate in Costa Rica and either hire someone to take care of it for you or allow someone to live in at least part of the home
It is best to try and make a visit to see your property even if you have someone managing your real estate in Costa Rica in your absence. This is always safer rather than to leave things to someone else to handle for long periods. However, it is possible to manage your property in your absence without getting unduly worried about it.