La Unión, Cartago real estate: investing guide
Overview
Buying La Unión, Cartago real estate means looking at a canton in Cartago province, in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, that covers 44.3 km² (17.1 sq mi). It is made up of several districts, so the property on offer varies from one part of the canton to another.
The listings cover homes, land, farms and commercial buildings. That range lets a buyer choose between living here, building, or buying a property to rent out later, which is a long-term investment.
What people buy here
The mix of listed property suggests several buyer profiles. Buyers who want a home can compare houses with apartments or condos. Those who plan to build can look at lots and land, and some may prefer a farm.
People who buy to rent out can consider apartments, houses or commercial spaces. Offices and warehouses suit those who want a base for a business. Each profile needs a different set of checks, so decide the purpose of the purchase before you compare properties.
Advertisements
Property types
The canton lists these types for sale: houses, apartments or condos, lots and land, farms, commercial spaces, offices, warehouses and buildings.
- Houses: check the condition of the structure, the roof, and how the property is reached.
- Apartments or condos: ask about monthly fees and the bylaws.
- Lots, land and farms: confirm access, water and electricity, and the boundaries.
- Commercial spaces, offices, warehouses and buildings: confirm the permitted use and the state of the building.
Why buy here
La Unión sits close to the capital: downtown San José is 9.4 km (5.8 mi) away in a straight line. Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is 25.9 km (16.1 mi) away in a straight line.
The canton is not coastal, so the rules for the maritime-terrestrial zone do not come into play. It lies in the interior of the country, in the Central Valley, within Cartago province.
What to check before buying
- A title search at the National Registry (Registro Nacional) to see who owns the property and whether it carries mortgages, liens or annotations. Order it before investing.
- A registered survey plan (plano catastrado) that matches the title and what you see on the ground: boundaries, size and access.
- A land-use certificate (uso de suelo) from the Municipalidad de La Unión and, where one exists, the canton's zoning plan, which says what can be built and for what use.
- Property tax (Law 7509) and municipal services paid up to date.
- For lots or farms, written water availability from AyA or the local ASADA, plus electricity, before buying to build.
- For apartments or condos, the condominium bylaws and proof that fees are paid (Law 7933).
Getting around
The canton has eight districts: Tres Ríos, San Diego, San Juan, San Rafael, Concepción, Dulce Nombre, San Ramón and Río Azul. Each one has its own setting, so check where a property sits within the canton before you compare prices.
Real travel time depends on the hour and the road, so visit at the times you would actually travel, such as weekday mornings and evenings.
How to buy
A purchase usually starts with an agent who knows the area. Compare several properties of the same type before making an offer. Then a Costa Rican notary prepares the public deed and registers the transfer, which pays the transfer tax (Law 6999). Ask for the full closing-cost breakdown before signing.
Foreigners can own titled property in Costa Rica with the same rights as citizens (Article 19 of the Constitution), with the exceptions the law sets. Agencies and agents with listings in the zone appear further down this same page.
