Yalile Alpizar is the President and Owner of Costa Rica Luxury Estates. After working twelve years for international organizations, she started her real estate career in the year 1990, putting into practice advanced techniques in the areas or public relations, management, marketing and several more real estate related subjects. Besides many professional real estate courses and seminars, both local and international, she holds a Real Estate Certificate from the State University, where she graduated with honors.

She is the pioneer luxury real estate expert of Costa Rica, exclusively dedicated to the high-end market. It was back in 1997 when the company she leads closed on a multimillion deal by selling a 123 acres’ farm near the International Airport, to INTEL Corporation to install their Latin American Regional operations. This sole transaction changed the future of the whole country. Haute Residence caught up with Costa Rica Luxury Estate's owner, Yalile Alpizar, to discuss how she became involved in real estate along with what makes her business unique compared to others:

How did you get involved in real estate?

After working for a period of 10 years with two different International non-profit organizations, I was traveling a lot and my kids were very small. Suddenly a friend who is a real estate agent asked me for help with taking care of clients who didn´t speak Spanish. I was fluent in English and that helped! I started helping her part-time and after a year of doing so, back in 1990, I decided to start my own real estate company, because I found out not only that I liked real estate very much, but that this career gave me the ability to organize my schedule in a way that I could spend more quality time with my family. My company was built on the basis of family first, and up to date, it is a family company, where my four daughters, a son and my husband, aside from their own professional careers in different multinational companies, are also involved in different areas of the company depending on their professional skills: marketing, financial analysis, audiovisual production, and professional photography, strategic planning, engineering of processes, management, etc.

My daughter Andrea is the co-Broker of the company, she has been by my side as a Realtor since 16 years ago. Along the years, she has taken care of highly sophisticated clientele and has handled million-dollar closings. She is taking the company to the next level, with the energy that her young years provide, and I am by her side supporting change and innovation at all levels.

It was not until last year when we decided to open our door to a few external real estate agents with expertise in different areas of the real estate market and this year we are introducing the Costa Rica Luxury Network, a luxury affinity marketing group of highly experienced luxury real estate professionals, working closely together to facilitate the best of the best in service and expertise to their high net worth private clients, under the unparalleled marketing platform of Costa Rica Luxury. The exclusive properties represented by members of the Costa Rica Luxury Network have a list price of $1,000,000 or more.

The Costa Rica Luxury Network is a partnership of like-minded and respected real estate professionals, aiming to create networking alliances to facilitate working together to serve the needs of pre-qualified affluent and high-net-worth customers in the upper-tier market, with first-class service, brand quality, and advanced marketing strategies.

What is unique about your business compared to others in Costa Rica?

Our almost 30 years of experience working with the most advanced marketing techniques in the high-end market of Costa Rica sets us apart from any other local real estate companies in the luxury market. We lead the market with innovation and creativity, and most realtors that have entered the high-end market, have just followed out track. We have built up credibility and trust based on maintaining the highest standards of ethics, and on the understanding that we are facilitators for creating life experiences and that for our clients, finding a luxury home in Costa Rica is much more than purchasing a piece of land with a house on top of it, it has to do with a change in lifestyle, an stage in their lives that will turn into a collection of unforgettable memories for them, their families and friends.

We consider ourselves very unique. Even though Costa Rica Luxury is a totally independent family-owned company, we became one of the most respected and reputable luxury real estate companies in Costa Rica based on many years of perseverance, discipline, and effort. We are always looking for innovative ways of doing our job, in order to provide our clients with the best service. Up to date, Costa Rica Luxury has the largest inventory of million-dollar homes for sale in Costa Rica.

Are you seeing more foreign buyers buying homes in Costa Rica now compared to 5 years ago? Where are they mostly coming from?

Yes, definitely. We are experiencing more inquiries from Europe as opposed to a few years ago when most of the inquiries that we received were coming from the USA and Canada. The fact that there are now direct flights from Costa Rica to the most important capitals in Europe, has turned into discovery trips for many Europeans who come to Costa Rica to visit and want to share with the friendly Ticos (Costa Ricans) and experience the Pura Vida lifestyle. Some of them will turn into potential buyers, looking to own a second home, a vacation home or a retirement home. Some will even move their company to Costa Rica and others are top-level executives from multinational companies or Embassies, who are transferred to the country as part of their appointments inside their organization.

How do you help buyers decide on where in Costa Rica is the perfect location for them?

Buyers in the upper end are highly educated buyers who will normally do extensive research before making a decision on where to live. When they contact us they are normally very clear about where they want to live, and the decision mainly focuses on living in the Central Valley surrounded by mountains, with all of its fancy residential areas and first-class services, or living in a beach town; because our tiny country has two oceans, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, with thousands of beaches and hundreds of nice and relaxed beach towns in perfect harmony with nature. But we also have strong communications skills that allow us to guide our clients whenever is necessary for them to change their mind about the location so that they can find the perfect lifestyle that they are looking for during their relocation process. Given our many years in the market, we count with a large network of facilitators who come into place as part of an integral service that we provide to our clients.

What is your favorite part about being in the real estate industry?

My favorite part about being in this industry is the ability to connect with people from all over the world and speak the same language, because when it comes to finding a home, we all have the same feeling in our hearts, we want the best of the best for our families, and we are experts in helping our clients make their dreams come true, and accompanying them along the way as a local advisors and professional guides. During our many years in the luxury real estate market of Costa Rica we have helped clients coming from as far as China, Taiwan, the USA, Monaco, Spain, Germany, England, Canada, Australia, Russia, Mexico, Argentina, Austria, Hong Kong, India, Switzerland, Italy, among other countries, and each time we have experienced the same feeling.

Photos courtesy of Costa Rica Luxury 

The post Yalile Alpízar On Costa Rica’s Current Real Estate Market And What Makes It So Special appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Built as a home to create experiences and memories, an expression of the owners love for nature, without interrupting what was already there.  The house sits on a hill above the canopy, overlooking the beautiful the evergreen mountain range, and the Pacific Ocean with its spectacular sunsets, the National Park Marino Ballena and its famous whale tail as part of the magnificent views.

For a private, independent and adventurous lifestyle, the home comes full of spaces for collecting exciting life experiences.   A five-minute drive from the Costanera highway, on a well-maintained gravel road, takes you to a private first class concrete road with underground electricity, and natural tropical gardens on the side, leading you to the main gate with full security features and intercom, which can be opened from your cellular.    Near the main gate, there is a 140 m2 caretaker´s house with two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, storage room and garage.

A nice concrete bridge separates the main entrance from the rest of the property, giving an added sense of privacy and security.  The main house is located on the hill and the construction was adapted to the shape of the terrain.    Generous parking facilities and a garage for three cars welcome you to the main house with 1,100 m2 of under-roof construction area.   The house opens to the terraces, decks, and balconies, in the best expression of indoor/outdoor living.

The house is anything but ordinary. Its first-class quality of construction is an anchor attached to the hill. Every space was designed for maximum use of the space, the views and the connection with nature.  The beautiful outdoor areas are complemented by a salt water infinity swimming pool overlooking Shaman Beach and the top of the trees. Monkeys, toucans, butterflies and all kinds of birds come as frequent visitors, as the house was built without interrupting their natural habitat.

Address: Uvita, Bahia Ballena Beach, Costa Rica

Price: $3,200,000

For more information, please contact Costa Rica Luxury Estates at (506) 8861-1515 or yalile@costaricaluxury.com

Costa Rica Luxury Estates is the exclusive agent representing the Costa Rica real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of their listings here.

Photos courtesy of Costa Rica Luxury 

The post Contemporary Costa Rica Property appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The reality of the current market is that luxury properties are worth what buyers are willing to pay for them. It is a market where the appraisal is no longer a starting point to define a realistic price for the property, where a good location is not so crucial to determine its value, where the sentimental value that the owner has for the property is no longer relevant for the future buyer, nor does it matter as much that the price has been significantly lowered. It is a market where the buyer will always want to get the biggest discount and, when presented with a very low offer, the seller will have to ask himself if he will take the opportunity or leave it. To take it will make it possible to move on to the next stage; to leave it could mean the property continues on the market more months or even years without any certainty of obtaining a better price.  Sadly, our experience in some cases has been that buyers who have rejected an offer end up selling for less a few years later.

Because the reality of the high-end real estate market in Costa Rica is that we cannot estimate how long will it take for a property to sell, we cannot estimate with certainty what is the best price to attract a potential buyer and whether sellers should wait or continue offering the property. In short, it is a market of uncertainty. To give assurance in this market is to guide the owner to erroneous conclusions.

How can this situation be addressed when a buyer has a serious motivation to sell in the shortest possible time? The main way to do this is to provide credibility. Credibility is defined as the feeling of trust and respect that the seller inspires to a prospective buyer.

By providing credibility the owner is telling the potential buyer that the price is right, that the property has not been overpriced due to sentimental value or for any other reason, that the it is priced to sell and not to be parked indefinitely. The owner conveys to the buyer a sense of respect and trust. Respect is manifested by defining a price that is in line with reality. The buyer perceives confidence when a seller presents an excellent quality property at a price that is in line with demand.

In this market, overpriced properties are considered an insult to the intelligence of the buyer. The high-level buyer is an educated buyer who carefully studies supply and demand; these buyers easily identify the properties that are overpriced, compared to those that are priced in line with current reality.

Those who bought properties or built their luxury homes on the highest point of the market, just before the housing crisis, quite possibly will never recover the replacement value on their investment, and may not even hope to get a return on their investment. Unfortunately, these are properties that are now classified as “properties highly overpriced,” because their current value does not correspond to the present trends of the market.

So the task for homeowners who want to sell their property this year or next year is to build credibility around their intention to sell, to study the comparable properties in the area, preferably not similar properties for sale, but properties that have been sold and their selling price.  Since in Costa Rica there isn’t a data base of sold properties, the task of getting the final sale prices becomes a Herculean effort. If sellers do not have a direct and trusting relationship with someone who has managed to sell their property, they will often end up getting information second-hand from acquaintances or others who may be aware of the sale price, in order to obtain reliable data.

Credibility is built when developing a relationship of trust and respect with everyone involved in the process of selling the property, including potential buyers and the real estate broker. The property owner has to see the process as a team effort, where all participants have the same goal and in one way or another, will benefit when the process is concluded.

Credibility is also built when selecting a successful, trustworthy, and experienced real estate professional, because in the high-end market, the potential buyer will not feel comfortable putting financial information, personal information, and the whole negotiation process in the hands of someone who does not have the experience to take responsibility of the process in a safe and reliable way.

Finally, credibility is built by being trustworthy and authentic. A trustworthy owner will act properly throughout the sales process and will generate confidence in the buyer to disclose all information necessary so that the sales process is safe and transparent. The seller will not commit to what he cannot deliver and will do whatever he can to comply with everything that has been agreed during the negotiation process. The seller will be authentic by fulfilling his word and will act at all times with the best intentions.

At the same time, the professional luxury real estate specialist will have to commit to the same principles of credibility, authenticity, integrity, respect, and trust described above, because these values will determine that the whole sales process is carried out in a successful and transparent way, for the benefit of all those involved.

Casa Alta Vista is a good example of a property very well priced and below market value

Photos courtesy of Costa Rica Luxury 

The post Yalile Alpizar Discusses Repricing Vs Overpricing In Costa Rica appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Scenic tranquility and related entertaining are the hallmarks of this impressive property located in the hills of Escazu.  Overlooking the Central Valley and only minutes’ distance to all kinds of first class services, this property exceeds the expectations of those looking to buy a house with maximum privacy and surrounded by nature. A magnificent location, formerly made of coffee plantations, today embraces high end homes in large plots of land, taking advantage of the panoramic views of the Central Valley and proximity to Escazu. This elegant Escazu mountain home sits on a large lot of 14,626 m2. With a garden full of mature trees like cypresses and fruit trees, as well as several plants with flowers that attract a large variety of butterflies, birds and animals. The property has beautiful 360º views including ocean view in the distance to the gulf of Nicoya, as well as views of the mountains, Central Valley and volcanoes, is a quiet and relaxing place but at the same time close to all amenities since The Multiplaza shopping center is only 15 minutes away, the airport is 30 minutes away and only two hours away from the country's Pacific coast. A perfect place to go jogging, walking or cycling with different routes and intensities. The style of the house is colonial type with delicate finishes all with tile roof, hardwood floors, wooden doors made of wood, wooden window frames with European system to open. The floor of the terraces is marble as well as the main entrance. The bathrooms are finished in marble.  All the handcrafted wood and metal work done by recognized national artisan Daniel Bolaños. The Chef style stove has both gas or electricity options for cooking.  The kitchen has a spacious cupboard and its furniture are with granite countertops. The oversized master bedroom enjoys spectacular views.  It has a private balcony and a private entrance area with large sitting room, which can be used as home office.  Ample walking closet and full bathroom.  The master bedrooms is big enough to make a separate bedroom with full bathroom.  The whole property is surrounded by mesh and with enough vegetation for your security and privacy, the entrance gate is electric made of wood and a pedestrian door operable electronically with the telephone exchange.  The whole house has a telephone exchange in every room with an extension for convenience.

Address: 1541,  Casa Alta Vista, Escazú, San José, Central Valley

Price: $ 1,977,000

For more information, please contact Costa Rica Luxury Estates at (506) 8861-1515 or yalile@costaricaluxury.com

Costa Rica Luxury Estates is the exclusive agent representing the Costa Rica real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of their listings here.

Photos courtesy of Costa Rica Luxury Estates 

The post Scenic Costa Rica Estate appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Moving to Costa Rica is a life adventure, a process of adapting to a new culture, learning a new language, and accepting the many challenges that day by day experiences will bring.

Over many years of working with foreign clients, there are four characteristics that are repeated over and over when it comes to outlining the basic requirements that the property has to meet.  We have called them the SPOT because they represent the new address that the client is trying to find.

For most foreign clients, the SPOT must meet the following four requirements:

1. Security.  A place that meets security standards
2. Privacy.  A place that offers privacy for family and friends.
3. Ownership.  A place that is finally yours and makes you proud and happy.
4. Tranquility.  A place that brings quiet times, peace and happiness.

Security:  The world has changed.  The feeling of insecurity has moved our society to question security issues, like never before.  When it comes to outlining security preferences, some families will prefer a gated community or an apartment building, with 24-hour security, others will prefer to live in an independent parcel where they can control their own security.  Security features can be very sophisticated in high-end homes; it can vary from just having security cameras around the perimeter all the way up to having a smart home with full security features that can be controlled from anywhere in the world, and even a full-service panic room inside the house.  But on the other hand, it is also very important to note, that we have many families who have never experienced the need to install security features inside their property, and they enjoy the fact that in Costa Rica they can come and go without the feeling of insecurity.

Privacy:  A home should be a private paradise.  There is nothing more delightful than enjoying the benefits that a private home brings.  High-end buyers have a specific interest in privacy as one of the most precious treasures of family life.  Privacy is critical to luxury home buyers.

Ownership:  Owning real estate in a foreign country can become a nightmare if the due diligence process and transfer of title are not done properly.  Transferring title in a clean and transparent way is one of the most important aspects of the process of buying a home, and for that reason, it is so important to count on the services of professional legal advisors from reputable law firms, some of which we can highly recommend.  On the other hand, some very unique and luxurious beach homes in Costa Rica are located inside the Maritime Zone, and the process of buying a property inside the Maritime Zone requires much more due diligence and professional advice than regular property.

Tranquility:  There is no paradise if there is no peace and tranquility.  High-end buyers give a very special value to the fact that they want a property where there is a feeling of tranquility.  They measure tranquility from the moment they cross the door.  The property talks by itself and the connection is almost immediate.   For high-end buyers’ money is not the issue, but it is clear in their minds that no money can pay for peace and tranquility.

Finding a new home is probably one of the biggest challenges a family has to face, and for that reason, it is so important to count with the assistance of a real professional to guide the way.  Costa Rica Luxury Estates has served the needs of high end foreign and local clients for over 26 years, and our experience, expertise, and work ethic is at the service of our distinguished clientele.

Luxury real estate in Costa Rica is characterized by the finest quality and sophistication, involving the work of internationally recognized building companies and architectural firms.  Different architectural styles are part of our select inventory, Natura with a modern tropical architectural style, Villa Firenze in ultra elegant Italian style, El Castillo, built by a French Countess in Mediterranean style, Villa Atria in a luxurious contemporary concept, Villa Ensueño built as a modern and very private beach home, Villa Jade in perfect hacienda style,  Las Nubes in Moorish style, offering absolute privacy in a forestal reserve.  Costa Rica luxury homes are like jewels in a tropical paradise.

Photo courtesy of Costa Rica Luxury Real Estate 

The post Costa Rica Luxury President Discusses What Clients Are Seeking appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

This modern and elegant Santa Ana luxury home provides the perfect living space for family and guests, with exceptional attention to detail in its interior design, and its proximity to the best commercial facilities, first class restaurants, schools, amenities and leisure. Interior design with numerous attractive accents, including roof to floor windows, double and triple height ceilings and marble floors throughout the social areas.  Located in one of the most private and exclusive gated communities of Santa Ana, the property enjoys 24 hour security all year round. A gigantic double entrance door opens to the triple height lobby with sitting area and an ample guest bathroom. The expansive living room and dining room areas open to the terrace and gardens, offering panoramic views of the mountain range and the Central Valley down below, for a lifestyle of exquisite luxury. The first floor is complemented by a nice and modern kitchen with top of the line appliances, private family dining area and deck, giving direct access to the ample terrace area with BBQ area.  On the main floor there is also a TV room, and the maid`s quarters with two bedrooms and one bathroom. The lower floor is made of the guest apartment, storage areas, laundry room and garage for three cars. The upper floor of this dramatic home has a very large family room with an office.  A luxurious master suite with its private balcony to admire the views, complemented by the beautiful bathroom enhanced by the Jacuzzi, double vanity and double walk-in closet.  Two bedrooms, each one with a bathroom and a guest bedroom with its bathroom, make this a perfect home for a large family or a couple that likes entertaining.

Address: 1807,  Villa Atria Santa Ana, San José, Central Valley

Price: $3,300,000

For more information, please contact Costa Rica Luxury Estates at (506) 8861-1515 or yalile@costaricaluxury.com

Costa Rica Luxury Estates is the exclusive agent representing the Costa Rica real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of their listings here.

Photos courtesy of Costa Rica Luxury Estates 

The post Elegant Santa Ana Estate appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Luxury is only a word... until it brings the experience of a change in lifestyle.

In today's luxury home, architecture, nature and art blend together to redefine luxury, with homes that not only have quality and elegance, but exclusivity, craftsmanship, uniqueness, state-of-the-art design and amenities in total connection with nature, all in one package tailored to the needs and desires of a very sophisticated clientele.

Architectural luxury homes of this nature must offer utmost privacy and exclusivity. These are homes where time runs at a different speed and nature is blended in, as the most important part of the experience. They are relaxing and private, in perfect balance with nature.

Beyond fine crystal chandeliers, polished marble floors and granite, a new trend has emerged for high end buyers looking for a dimension of luxury defined by a change in lifestyle, where nature also takes its place, as part of the needs and desires of the high end buyer, creating extraordinary living experiences.

People buying property in Costa Rica as a second home, retirement home, or permanent residence, get much more than a house and a parcel, they get the experience of living in a tropical country with one of the best climates of the world.  In one of the most exotic destinations of the Americas, with a tiny total extension of 51,100 km2 that holds the largest biodiversity of the world per km2.

As stated in the last Haute Residence Summit in Miami, the high end luxury market is not a buyers' or sellers' market anymore, it has turned into a market of opportunity, where buyers normally search for properties to meet certain standards of a lifestyle, and budget limitations are not the number one criteria.

Costaricaluxury.com represents some of the most unique architectural homes for sale in Costa Rica. A country where peace and social stability are a treasure. Many families from all over the world move to Costa Rica for a change in lifestyle, better weather conditions all year round, and the fact that this small country of Latin America holds the largest biodiversity of the world in its tiny 51,100 Km2 of extension.

The post Experiential Luxury Living A Definition Of Today’s Luxury Home appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Located inside Bosques de Lindora in Santa Ana, one of the most prestigious gated community of the Central Valley, it enjoys of 24/7 top security and a nice club house with swimming pools and tennis courts. Fully equipped with attention to detail throughout, this exquisite gem offers grand living spaces, the ideal layout for multiple ambiances, a delight of any professional interior designer.  Professionally designed in timeless classic Mediterranean architectural style. The residence offers marvelous detailing beyond expectations. Enchanted living spaces and stunning formal rooms paired with covered and tiered terraces invite lavish indoor-outdoor entertaining.  Among the finest details you will find carefully crafted paneled ceilings and walls in precious woods, marble in all bathrooms, marble floors, coffered ceilings and roof to floor windows to keep the house clear and airy.   The majestic swimming pool and BBQ area, coralline stone terraces and manicured gardens, provide the perfect ambiance for entertaining. From the entrance lobby, the house is divided into two different wings. One encompasses a large family room with an office, a guest bathroom, magnificent kitchen with large pantry and breakfast area.  The kitchen has direct access to a covered porch, ideal for having breakfast outdoors. This area also comes with a maid´s bedroom with a bathroom and private access to the outside.  A large laundry room, storage room and covered garage with additional parking area.Impressive from every angle, this sophisticated residence achieves the ultimate in urban living and entertaining.

Address: Bosques de Lindora, Santa Ana

Price: $3,800,000

For more information, please contact Costa Rica Luxury Estates at (506) 8729-1909 or yalile@costaricaluxury.com

Costa Rica Luxury Estates is the exclusive agent representing the Costa Rica real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of their listings here.

Photos courtesy of Costa Rica Luxury 

The post Luxurious Costa Rica Estate appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Address: La Garita, Alajuela, Central Valley

Price:  $16,000,00

For more information, please contact Yalile Alpizar at (506) 2235-7767 or yalile@costaricaluxury.com

Yalile Alpizar is the exclusive agent representing the Costa Rica real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.

Photos courtesy of Costa Rica Luxury Estates

The post Luxurious Costa Rica Estate appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.