Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Purchasing
Survey Map
The survey map with the owner's name and the specific properties registration number is located at the Catastro registry. There is one master map and the property of interest should be noted, to specs, in its exact location. This map gives size, boundaries and the exact location of the land and structures contained. It is mandated by law, that all transfer deeds have a survey map complete with a unique reference number.
Be advised that the notary may not verify that the land you expect to buy is the land noted by the survey map that will be involved in the transaction. This is where a bait and switch can be used and it is in your best interest to verify the consistency yourself! The information on the survey map may not be congruent with the Registro report either. Independent surveyors can help alleviate this problem as well if you are unsure how to handle this. This problem can come up when a property owner has made changes to the land that are not indicated in the registered deeds such as adjusted measurements and even ownership changes!
While reviewing the physical property and the legal climate surrounding it, you should also Stake out the boundary lines. (replanteo) Have a surveyor come out to the the land and mark boundary lines with stakes. It typically costs $500-$900 depending upon the size of the property. Often times owners of the property do not know their exact boundaries and the real estate agent typically only knows what the seller told them which can potentially be inaccurate.
A good lawyer will aid you in this process. Making sure you are 100% sure about what you are buying and what it entails makes these steps a great move for a prospective real estate buyer in Costa Rica.