2CRRE took Coldwell Broker Jaco Offices under their wing and Banner: A full circle for Ms. Piper Renner

In the last couple of days was the announce,ent was made of 2Costa Rica Real Estate and Coldwell Banker Jaco, the top Costa Rica real estate agencies joining forces to be the best agency, with the top agents in Jaco.

The target, with the formation of this new team, is covering most of the real estate deals for the central pacific area of Costa Rica and being s force for which top quality service is their banner with impeccable ethics and studied knowledge of the market.  A team is only how good the people are in it, and these people, I can vouch for, are the best.

2Costa Rica Real Estate was originally established in the Manuel Antonio, then Escazu the central valley San Jose area, then, most recently, Jaco and is the top real estate agency in their marketplace. In the last year or so, the Cutter bother’s, Todd and Scott, who are the owners, have expanded to move into areas along the central pacific into Jaco Beach and Manuel Antonio. Meanwhile, Coldwell Banker Jaco, with Lisle Head as broker and owner, has been the leading real estate firm in the central pacific since 2008 and the top producing franchise in Costa Rica for many years both with a large focus on Luxury living,  vacation, and retirement properties.

I joined 2 Costa Rica because it is regarded as the top privately owned, and quality controlled, company in Costa Rica. I also, actually, worked for Lisle Head, the past Coldwell Banker broker, now 2CRRE Jaco broker, when I first moved to Costa Rica for a different firm of which he was the head. Even back in those days both Lisle and I saw each other going places and have stayed in touch, including me always staying in contact with his top agents and working with them via Coldwell Banker though out the years. Therefor, you can imagine the pleasant surprise I had from the joining of our 2 teams under the 2CRRE banner. Costa Rica is a small community and I know both Lisle and I saw the opportunities 2CRRE had in our 3 offices (Jaco, Escazu, and Manuel Antonio) and the owners who care so much about this company (2CRRE), that now we are both here. I have always appreciated and held Lisle Head’s business skills and team skills of his agents, in high esteem and I hope he has as well for me (ok, I know I m the reason they are joining our offices-lol) I am beyond happy to work side by side with them. David Karr and Nikita Mohammad are 2 agents in Jaco which I have admired, co-broked, competed, and shared thoughts with over many years and now we are together which is a real estate force to be reckoned. I am truly excited to see what this team can do.

Costa Rica, best tourist destination in 2011

The American company "Apple Vacations" granted to Costa Rica the award for best tourist destination in 2011. For 42 years, Apple Vacations has been involved with market tour operators.  The winner of the award, "Crystal Apple Award for Best Destination 2011", was announced during Apple Vacations' 24th Annual Trade Show in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.  This selection was based on the results of surveys measuring hundreds of customers' satisfaction and likelihood to recommend Costa Rica as a destination to friends and family.  This award also recognizes the sustainability of Costa Rica that seeks a balance between environment and society, which distinguishes it from other destinations.

Costa Rica is truly a beautiful country to enjoy, either on vacations or to live permanently. Its beaches, its vegetation, everything is a spectacular setting that you cannot help but to enjoy. In this amazing country, there are many protected areas, wildlife refuges, marine parks, volcanoes, etc. that makes you not want to leave.

Marine Parks Care

There is a multi-national effort to professionalize staff that work in marine areas, which in the case of Costa Rica, includes 14,282 square kilometers.

There are twenty-one students in total enrolled in the program; 14 Costa Ricans, 5 Colombians and 2 Panamanian who are trained in navigation, boat maintenance, surveillance, rescue and environmental crimes, by the National Academy Coast Guard. The course consists of eight modules covering marine sciences, control and surveillance strategies, maintenance of outboard motors, environmental law, marine biology, loading, first aid, rescue and water safety, and tourism management in protected marine areas.  Participants begin their day at 5 a.m. with physical training.  They then combine their theoretical classroom knowledge with practice.  In the evening, they receive keynote addresses on drug trafficking, trawling, marine management, global warming and even participate in film forums that promote exchanges of experience amongst the staff.

At the end of the course, participants will receive two certificates: one by the University for International Cooperation (UCI) and one delivered by the International Red Cross training in marine rescue and first aid.

"In a formal sense, this is the first generation of Marine Park Rangers," said Jose Rodriguez, coordinator of the course, adding that the idea is to make the course a year. Thus, in five years, these three countries will have 50 professionals trained in the management of marine areas helping preserve our beautiful marine area.

The Physical Activity Lowers Risk of Death

A study done in Taiwan with 400,000 people in eight years, said that 15 minutes of daily exercise increases life expectancy by up to three years and reduces the risk of death by 14%. According to the report, this benefits all people, regardless of age, physical condition, sex or have a chronic disease. Exercise training reduces chances of heart disease and of cancer.

The research, published in the prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet, says that 15 minutes of exercise six days a week - or 90 minutes of exercise distributed during the week - protects the heart, reduce diabetes and helps prevent cancer development. The research found that for every 15 minutes of physical activity a day the risk of death from heart failure lowers chances by 4% and lowers chances of developing cancer by 1%.

"If sedentary or inactive people do a little exercise every day, one in six deaths from heart disease or cancer could be avoided. This measure has a similar success to snuff control programs", said Chi-Pang Wen in a press release, of the National Institute of Health Research in Taiwan, the study coordinator.

How was it done? Doctors and physical education instructors in Taiwan recruited 416,175 people over 20 years. All participants gave blood samples, were weighed, measured and cholesterol and blood glucose levels were recorded. Participants also completed a questionnaire indicating how much physical activity per day, and how much they drank or smoked. They were divided into five groups according to the level of exercise they do: idle or low (no or little physical activity), medium (you exercise often), high and very high (almost a professional athlete). All were followed for eight years in order to determine the impact of exercise on your health.

"If only 15 minutes of physical activity is needed to give a longer life to a person, governments and health professionals should give more support to the creation of spaces for people to do exercises," said The Lancet magazine in a comment about the study.

Why Buy Real Estate in Costa Rica?

Lately, many people have been asking me, “Why should I buy Real Estate in Costa Rica when I can get something cheaper somewhere else in Latin America?”

There are many answers for this seemingly difficult question, so I compiled my top 5 answers below:

1. Something for Everyone: Now I like to put this one first because it is so important when trying to find a place to live, vacation or retire. There really is something for everyone in Costa Rica. There are amazing beaches, tropical rainforests, exotic plants and animals, volcanoes and lakes; and then there are activities and events to emphasize each of these incredible aspects of this diverse country.

2. Stable Real Estate Market in Costa Rica: As we have all clearly seen, the Real Estate Market in the United States crashed dramatically and heavily affected many people. Fortunately, this has not been the case in the Costa Rica Real Estate Market; in spite of the economic recession occurring throughout the world, the market has remained relatively stable, and this is in part due to the lower holder costs of properties in Costa Rica, as well as Foreign Investment.

3. Costa Rica has some of the Lowest Property Taxes: The property taxes in Costa Rica are 0.25% (a quarter of 1 percent), which compared with Real Estate in The United States and many other countries, is extremely low, especially when compared to other Coastal Real Estate throughout the world.

4. Costa Rica is an International Real Estate Market: Costa Rica is the choice for many experienced International Buyers. During these instable times around the world, people want to invest in Foreign Real Estate Markets in order to expand their earnings. However, everyone wants and needs to be cautious at this point, and that is what makes Costa Rica in such high demand. Internationally, investors are aware that Real Estate in Costa Rica is a safe investment, has been for years, and is only getting better.

5. Great Infrastructure / Stable Government: Yes, Costa Rica is in Central America. Yes, Costa Rica is considered a 2^nd world country. However, what really separates Costa Rica from the rest of the Central American countries is the modern infrastructure and stable government. There is excellent medical care (bringing visitors from around the world), great educational system in Costa Rica (with a 95% literacy rate), stable economic conditions and a secure, democratic government (without a military since 1948).

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