Are you curious about the ins and outs of investing in luxury real estate in San Juan Del Sur and Tola, Nicaragua? You’re in the right place. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to give you the clarity and confidence you need to make informed decisions. From property acquisition to legal considerations, our FAQs cover it all. Explore the answers you seek and embark on your real estate journey with confidence.
We are a full-service real estate agency that helps our clients achieve their individual property goals in the markets of San Juan del Sur & Tola, Nicaragua. We focus on sales: assisting buyers to acquire property and sellers sell their property. In this process, we connect our clients with the best lawyers, architects, designers, tradespeople, property & rental managers, and all other parties necessary before, during, and after a transaction. We also act as consultants and investment advisors for more complex transactions such as land development, new-builds, remodels, multi-unit housing, mix-use projects, marketing & branding, crypto, and lending. Every agent on our team lives in San Juan del Sur or Tola full-time and is an active investor in the market.
Fortunately, buying real estate in Nicaragua is exceptionally straightforward. There are no special requirements for foreigners who want to purchase real estate, and likewise, Nicaraguans do not receive any unique benefits when buying real estate here. Anyone can buy property in Nicaragua, regardless of your country of origin, and you do not need to be a resident of Nicaragua to own property here. As simple as it sounds, the only things you need to buy property in Nicaragua are the money to purchase and a passport. Yes, that’s it!
Check out our First Time Buyer’s Guide video/article, which goes through the step-by-step process of purchasing property in Nicaragua, for more details.
Technically yes, banks in Nicaragua do offer financing. However, in practice, it is very rare to see a bank approve a foreign or national buyer for a real estate purchase in the markets of San Juan del Sur & Tola. Currently, in 2022, we are not seeing local banks provide loans for property purchases. The exceptions to this are specific projects which are typically outside of San Juan del Sur & Tola where the bank is financing the developer, as well as existing bank clients who have a very long history with their bank.
Similarly, we have not seen foreign banks provide loans for properties in Nicaragua as they are not able to repossess properties outside of their home country in the case of default. An exception to this may be a personal loan against an existing asset in the same country as the bank.
With the above in mind, San Juan del Sur and Tola are cash markets. On a case-by-case basis, certain owners may entertain owner finance. In this scenario, owners are typically looking for a minimum 50% downpayment and 1-2 years maximum for the balance.
Check out our really simple free tool that allows you to see what your budget for an owner financing structure would look like here: owner financing calculator.
Investors, retirees, individuals, and families from North America and Europe make up the bulk of buyers entering the real estate markets of San Juan del Sur & Tola. Whether an individual who works remotely, an investor looking to capitalize on the strong growth occurring in the country, or a retiree just looking to enjoy the pristine beaches, Nicaragua seems to be on everyone’s radar. Recently we’ve seen huge waves of families relocating to San Juan del Sur & Tola to take advantage of great international schools and the plethora of activities.
Don’t wait any longer, plan your trip immediately.
Fortunately, the cost of living in Nicaragua is extremely low compared to neighboring countries, North America and Europe. Outside of lower real estate prices, everyday items such as groceries, gas, and entertainment are also cheaper. Clearly, depending on one’s lifestyle, the cost of living will vary – family vs individual, cooking at home vs dining out every night, etc.
We’ve put together a comprehensive Guide to the Cost of Living which can help you figure out your budget if you plan to relocate or spend time here.
Like many other destinations, travel to Nicaragua for the past two years has been ever-evolving as international & national travel restrictions consistently change. As the world returns to normal and travel restrictions loosen, traveling to Nicaragua is getting easier every day.
Read our detailed guide to learn How to Travel to Nicaragua in 2022.