RECREATION PROPERTIES
Couple opts for Costa Rica
After 30 years toiling in Calgary’s housing and hotel sectors, David Bengert has retired. But just what he means by “retired” is open to discussion.
Bengert has put behind a 24year career as director of corporate purchasing for Jayman MasterBuilt and nearly six more as vice-president of construction at MasterBuilt Hotels. His wife, Candiss, leaves behind a long career in real estate, landscaping and home staging.
And together they are beginning life as retirees in Costa Rica as partners in a land development company called Villa Fresno Hills that is creating Costa Vida Estates located about 90 minutes from the San Jose International Airport.
“We’re looking forward to having a more relaxing lifestyle after having worked so hard for so long,” says David Bengert just days prior to heading for the Central American nation. “And enjoying the afternoon siestas, as well.”
The Bengerts are managing partners of the 55-acre country estate community, and are corporate partners with Candiss’s father, Brian Brook, and his wife, Merri.
Costa Vida Estates is a blend of tropical and forest land that has been subdivided into 22 individually titled estate lots. A former working farm, the property is a horn of plenty — liberally covered with lemons, mangoes, papayas, cashews, almonds, plantain, pineapples, coconuts and bananas.
“When we first saw the land, a lot of the fruit and nut trees were buried under several years worth of overgrowth, so for the last two years we and our co-workers have been cleaning out that overgrowth and upgrading or developing infrastructure so we could see exactly what we had,” says Bengert.
What the cleanup revealed was views of the Pacific Ocean, forests and large beach areas below the rolling lands of Costa Vida Estates and about four kilometres away.
“Our varied topography allows for amazing garden, ocean and panoramic views from nearly every lot,” says Candiss.
Internal roads and access ramps into lots have been regraded, fences have been repaired or built, and lots have been staked and enhanced with fruit trees and flowering plants. Next will come water and power lines, an entrance gate, and further internal road work.
All of this is in preparation for a marketing program set to begin early in 2019 that will offer home sites priced between $37,000 and $86,000 US and measure from a third of a hectare to almost two hectares.
When it comes to buying real estate, foreigners have the same rights as Costa Ricans, says Bengert. But he recommends taking title of a Costa Vida property through a Costa Rican corporation.
Until purchased, lots are individually titled to Villa Fresno Hills. When purchased, the title is transferred to a company established through the corporation.
“By purchasing your property through a corporation, it protects you from personal liability in case of accidents or suits from third parties,” Bengert adds.
There will be minimum sizes for homes to be built — 1,400 square feet for bungalows and 1,990 square feet for two-storey homes. Patios or decks will be a minimum of 30 per cent of the ground floor area, with 50 per cent of that area covered by roof.
“We have a list of a half-dozen parties interested in buying, but are waiting to see more of what the development will look like before committing,” says Bengert, adding that home designs have now been created, along with suggested pre-determined building envelope locations for each lot.
He expects the majority of buyers will be Canadian, American, or European, people who enjoy the outdoors and will likely be between 50 and 75 years old.
“Over the course of several visits, we have come to better understand the culture of the country, and to see just how friendly and trusting the Ticos (native Costa Ricans) are,” says Bengert, adding that by the end of next year he and Candiss will be living there full time.
Our varied topography allows for amazing garden, ocean, and panoramic views from nearly every lot