Comments on: What $50,000 will get you in Belize, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua less than 90 minutes from the international airport. http://www.revealrealestate.com/blog/what-50000-will-get-you-in-belize-panama-costa-rica-and-nicaragua-less-than-90-minutes-from-the-international-airport/ Real estate data, property reviews and strategies for successful international real estate investing Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:49:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Nelson http://www.revealrealestate.com/blog/what-50000-will-get-you-in-belize-panama-costa-rica-and-nicaragua-less-than-90-minutes-from-the-international-airport/comment-page-1/#comment-106120 Nelson Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:57:58 +0000 http://www.revealrealestate.com/blog/what-50000-will-get-you-in-belize-panama-costa-rica-and-nicaragua-less-than-90-minutes-from-the-international-airport/#comment-106120 I agree with John when saying: "consider upping the analytical rigor..." (what is your last name John?). I am a small investor who would like to know about land opportunities, for rural development. regards, Nelson I agree with John when saying: “consider upping the analytical rigor…” (what is your last name John?). I am a small investor who would like to know about land opportunities, for rural development.

regards,

Nelson

]]> By: John http://www.revealrealestate.com/blog/what-50000-will-get-you-in-belize-panama-costa-rica-and-nicaragua-less-than-90-minutes-from-the-international-airport/comment-page-1/#comment-43488 John Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:58:18 +0000 http://www.revealrealestate.com/blog/what-50000-will-get-you-in-belize-panama-costa-rica-and-nicaragua-less-than-90-minutes-from-the-international-airport/#comment-43488 It seems almost every article on this site complains about the lack of available market data (i.e. comps) when discerning value. Also, I'm not clear if the site is catering to investors, bargain hunters, or people looking for a place to live. If people are not looking at their purchase as an investment, but as a place to live, the decision buy decision comes down to preference and affordability. ROI per se is not important. If the purchase is an investment, then of course purchase price becomes key. But what about rents, taxes, maintenance, management? What about alternative valuation methods, besides comps, such replacement cost and discounted cash flow analysis. I don't get the sense that this sites managers are exhausting all the methods available to discern value, if they are, they're not publishing it. Comps are not the end all be all of real estate analysis. Do some surveys and figure out how much rents are. Discern intrinsic value using a method that takes financing cost into account (i.e. DCF) and use the average cost of capital to give investors an idea of potential returns across a range of scenarios. Publish some of the spreadsheets you use so investor can play with the assumptions themselves. If you guys want to be a serious real estate investment site, I think you should consider "upping" the analytical rigor beyond comps. I think you should make a more clear distinction between buying as an investment and buying as place to live. Great site otherwise. I hope you consider the criticism constructive. John It seems almost every article on this site complains about the lack of available market data (i.e. comps) when discerning value. Also, I’m not clear if the site is catering to investors, bargain hunters, or people looking for a place to live.

If people are not looking at their purchase as an
investment, but as a place to live, the decision buy decision comes down to preference and affordability. ROI per se is not important.

If the purchase is an investment, then of course purchase price becomes key. But what about rents, taxes, maintenance, management? What about alternative valuation methods, besides comps, such replacement cost and discounted cash flow analysis. I don’t get the sense that this sites managers are exhausting all the methods available to discern value, if they are, they’re not publishing it.

Comps are not the end all be all of real estate analysis. Do some surveys and figure out how much rents are. Discern intrinsic value using a method that takes financing cost into account (i.e. DCF) and use the average cost of capital to give investors an idea of potential returns across a range of scenarios. Publish some of the spreadsheets you use so investor can play with the assumptions themselves.

If you guys want to be a serious real estate investment site, I think you should consider “upping” the analytical rigor beyond comps. I think you should make a more clear distinction between buying as an investment and buying as place to live.

Great site otherwise. I hope you consider the criticism constructive.

John

]]> By: Scotty http://www.revealrealestate.com/blog/what-50000-will-get-you-in-belize-panama-costa-rica-and-nicaragua-less-than-90-minutes-from-the-international-airport/comment-page-1/#comment-13078 Scotty Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:12:40 +0000 http://www.revealrealestate.com/blog/what-50000-will-get-you-in-belize-panama-costa-rica-and-nicaragua-less-than-90-minutes-from-the-international-airport/#comment-13078 I just wanted to thank you very much for this illuminating article. I have already bookmarked your site, when I have more free time I am going to have to do some further reading. Well back to my dreaming of Panama or back to the books - I wonder which one is going to win out. :) I just wanted to thank you very much for this illuminating article. I have already bookmarked your site, when I have more free time I am going to have to do some further reading. Well back to my dreaming of Panama or back to the books - I wonder which one is going to win out. :)

]]> By: Bret Dudl http://www.revealrealestate.com/blog/what-50000-will-get-you-in-belize-panama-costa-rica-and-nicaragua-less-than-90-minutes-from-the-international-airport/comment-page-1/#comment-7449 Bret Dudl Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:57:00 +0000 http://www.revealrealestate.com/blog/what-50000-will-get-you-in-belize-panama-costa-rica-and-nicaragua-less-than-90-minutes-from-the-international-airport/#comment-7449 I have crawled all over Central America looking at real estate in Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica. The differences between countries are quite striking, yet not at all surprising. You can expect to pay far less in Nicaragua and Panama than Costa Rica for many reasons, but mainly political instability in the first two and an American friendly environment in the last. Furthermore, if you want to get serious appreciation in today's market you should consider buying near an international airport that will be built, such as the proposed airport in Sierpe, in Costa Rica's Southern Zone. With beautiful surroundings, political stability, and international airport access, my view is that Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula is where you get the best value. In today's global economic climate, a country like Costa Rica is one of the best places left where the U.S. Dollar goes a long way. I have crawled all over Central America looking at real estate in Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica. The differences between countries are quite striking, yet not at all surprising. You can expect to pay far less in Nicaragua and Panama than Costa Rica for many reasons, but mainly political instability in the first two and an American friendly environment in the last.
Furthermore, if you want to get serious appreciation in today’s market you should consider buying near an international airport that will be built, such as the proposed airport in Sierpe, in Costa Rica’s Southern Zone. With beautiful surroundings, political stability, and international airport access, my view is that Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is where you get the best value. In today’s global economic climate, a country like Costa Rica is one of the best places left where the U.S. Dollar goes a long way.

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