by Ivo Henfling

When I started writing this article about the angry seller of Costa Rica real estate last week, I found out that there were more than only 5 points that made my life miserable on that last deal I did were I had an angry seller because the sellers decided to take the buyer’s offer.

Let me repeat point 1 again, so you don't have to go back to the other article all the time:

1. Yes, the Costa Rica realtor gets paid by the seller, but not until the real estate closing. The realtor does not get paid for advertising, gasoline, tires, phone bills lunches with clients and all efforts made unless he/she sells the property in Costa Rica. Just the fact that the sellers pay the real estate commission doesn’t give you the rights to abuse the realtor.

Now that you've read point 1 again, feel free to read on:

6. If your listing agent is also the buyer’s agent, he/she has the obligation to make the sale happen, at a price and the many other requirements most sellers and buyers have, so both parties are happy with the deal. The real estate commission, at closing, is deducted from the sales price, but that doesn’t mean it is the seller paying the commission. See point 1.

7. Even though homes in Costa Rica sell “as is”, you should allow for a Costa Rica home inspector to do his inspection, which is the agent’s responsibility. If a seller does not cooperate, generally the seller tries to cover up something wrong with the property.

8. If the seller also sells the furniture and other items, they should always give the buyer of your property first choice. If the buyer likes to buy certain things off the inventory list, why tell the buyer of your property he/she can get the left overs. Childish!!

9. Before closing, a walk-through of the property is mandatory because it is the realtor’s responsibility the house is in good shape at closing. No laws will protect a buyer if the seller leaves the country after closing. This does not mean the realtor accuses the seller of being a crook. I have seen light switches missing and all attached lamps gone. Once I found the house flooded after closing. It’s just common sense to do a walkthrough before closing.

10. The house has to be “broom clean”, another reason for the walk through. It is not correct to leave garbage the movers left behind to the people who just bought your house.

This is the reason a walk-through isnecesary before closing

11. The seller needs to cooperate with the realtor to show for the last 3 invoices of the utilities.

12. The seller will either receive a cashier’s check (national or international) at closing or the money can be wired to the seller’s account anywhere in the world. But the property is sold in Costa Rica, so the deed will be activated once the wire is sent. And NOT when the wire is received at the other end. The buyer is not involved in any mistakes or requirements by or from bank employees.   

13. The buyer HAS to receive the keys and remote controls to the house AT closing and not the day after. The seller is NOT allowed to stay a night after the closing in the house as it is now owned by the buyer.

14. If the seller rents the house back from the new owner, a lease agreement should be signed at closing.

Why do realtors put up with it?

You’ll find that lots of realtors just put up with complaining and impossible sellers because they are afraid of losing a client. I have tried to teach my people that real estate is difficult enough as it is and no extra hardship is necessary and that the next client will be more enjoyable to work with.

That client could be a buyer or could be a seller. Each GoDutch Realty agent is free to decide to delete a listing since it is only a click away and kicking a buyer out of your car is easier than it seems. It actually feels great to hit that delete button if you get an abusive buyer or an obnoxious or desperate seller who is impossible to deal with. There is no reason the realtor should accept to be used as a doormat, nor should the client have to put up with a pushy realtor either.

By Ivo Henfling, your Costa Rica realtor, who does not want to be used as a doormat, but would love to list your property in Costa Rica for sale or sell you a home in Escazu.

If you would like to be guided by a knowledgeable realtor in Costa Rica, contact any of the GoDutch Realty agents now. We can all show for plenty of great testimonials from happy buyers AND sellers.