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Costa Rica Real Estate Title

Most land in Costa Rica is titled. Good lawyers will check to ensure it has good title, or for a minimal fee it can be checked in the ARCR office where computers are connected to the land registry. Land that has not changed hands for many years may not be titled. If the title to the property is not registered, registration is difficult, complicated and expensive. The buyer may spend years in the court system sorting out other claims to the land.

If a piece of land is titled and registered for the first time (this includes a previous undivided interest registered as a separate parcel for the first time) claims may be made against the title for ten years. It is therefore dangerous to purchase or to accept as security land that has been registered for less than ten years.

The Central Registry for land in Costa Rica is computerized and similar to most places in North America. Top law firms and the Casa Canada Group have computers connected directly to the Central Registry and can search the title of land quickly from their offices. Registry of mortgages and liens are much the same as in North America. A buyer should insist on an Escritura showing title to the property, complete with registry stamps on it. Unscrupulous lawyers have been known to keep registration fees and not register the property transfer, leaving the vendor in a position to sell the land again.

Title insurance to guarantee the title of properties can be arranged with Stewart title at a special price through the Association of Residents of Costa Rica.

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