Signing a purchase agreement for a home is only the beginning. Before closing, a buyer should go through a due diligence period, the time to inspect the property and review the important information before the sale is final. In Costa Rica, this step, often called due diligence, is where a good investment is separated from a costly mistake.
Why due diligence matters
Buying real estate is one of the most important decisions a person makes, financially and for their family. Due diligence lets you avoid a bad investment, renegotiate the price or terms if something turns up, and make sure the property actually serves the purpose you have in mind, free of hidden contingencies.
What a proper review covers
A thorough due diligence looks at more than the house itself. It confirms who the true owner is and that the property is properly recorded in the Registro Nacional; checks for liens, mortgages, or annotations against the title; verifies that the physical boundaries match the survey plan (plano catastrado); and reviews taxes, permits, utilities, and any restrictions such as maritime-zone or environmental rules. For foreign buyers especially, these details are easy to miss and expensive to ignore.
Do it before you sign, not after
The best time for due diligence is before you commit, or during a clearly defined review period written into the contract. That is what gives you room to walk away or renegotiate. Skipping it can expose you to fraud, disputes, or the loss of your investment.
At Libre Verdad Servicios Legales, we handle the legal and registry review of the property you want to buy, or have already bought, so you can move forward with real legal certainty.
Thinking of buying property in Guanacaste? Contact us by direct message and we will guide you through the due diligence.
General information, not legal advice.
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