Seller Frequenty Ask Questions Costa Rica Real Estate

Frequently Ask Questions:

Seller fees for selling Real Estate in our region:

- From the selling price, seller pays at closing the real estate commission. Standard in our area is 6% of the selling price + 13% VAT (6.78%)

- Buyer pays the closing fees and each party its own representation. Seller representation is commonly around $1000 +13% VAT (this includes a power of attorney ,if required) to represent the seller at closing, review the legal documents, assist the buyer's attorney during the due diligence and represent the seller at closing. This cost will vary depending on specific seller requirements.

- Capital gains (if applicable): If the seller purchased a property in Costa Rica before 2019, the seller has two options for the first property sold:

option 1: 15% capital gains (from the price difference of what seller sells and how much the seller purchase (the seller can apply invoices of purchases and remodeling, if applicable)

option 2: 2.25% of the transaction value (accepted sales price between the buyer and the seller)

Example:

Option 1: Seller bought a property for $400,000 and it sells for $430,000. 15% of $30,000: $4500 capital gains

Option 2: Seller sells a property for $430,000. 2.25%: $10,750 capital gains

*Note: The seller can choose the 2nd option if it is a less amount, and only if it is the sellers first property sold

Example:

Accepted selling price $430,000. Seller approximate costs:

6% commission on selling price + 13% VAT on commission $25,800 + $3354 ($29,154 VAT included)

Capital gains: $4500

Closing fees for seller representation approximately: $1130 VAT included

At a sales price of $430,000: For seller approximately at closing: $395,216

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