Costa Rica Real Estate Project Bridges the Gap Between Man and Nature

Hacienda Matapalo, a gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, recently announced it will add a 500-plus foot treetop suspension bridge to its development that will stretch across a ravine along the property’s 125-acre nature preserve.

"One of the most appealing features of Hacienda Matapalo is being surrounded by a natural, lush rainforest," said the project’s Executive Vice President Brian Albury. "The development’s 125-plus acre dedicated nature preserve and 90 acre nature conservancy parcel have helped drive our efforts from the beginning to be a 'green,' low-impact development."

The suspension bridge is the latest feature to be added to the environmentally-minded development that will include an equestrian center and nature trails ideal for hiking and horseback riding. Because the majority of the area’s wildlife lives within the rainforest canopy, the hanging suspension bridge will close the gap between man and nature, allowing homeowners and visitors alike to have an up close and personal experience at the preserve.

Hacienda Matapalo Costa Rica Real Estate has tasked key members of its development team with the sole purpose of implementing and maintaining extensive environmental stewardship before, during and after construction.

“It is our goal to utilize the latest ‘green’ technology wherever possible without jeopardizing our commitment to deliver the highest standards to our homeowners,” Albury said. “We believe that a balance and harmony with nature and our immediate environment will make Hacienda Matapalo a truly unique place to live.”

Some of Hacienda Matapalo’s ongoing efforts include:

• Minimized clearing of the present land (dense forest to remain throughout constructed areas)
  
  
• A percentage ratio of 70:30 natural land to developed land (based on a total area of 665 acres)
  
  
• For every tree that must be removed, up to three trees will be planted as replacement
  
  
• There will be an onsite nursery
  
  
• There will be an onsite wastewater treatment plant
  
  
• Landscaping will consist of native species (reducing the need for water and fertilizer)
  
  
• Subterranean power and electrical lines will be used where feasible and strict safeguards will be in place to ensure above ground lines pose no threat to wildlife
  
  
• Recycling receptacles will be in place throughout the property, including an intensive recycling program
  
  
• Energy saving air-conditioning systems will be used
  
  
• A water agreement has been put into place to supply the nearby town of Hatillo with fresh drinking water
  
  
• Onsite lakes will serve as recession ponds, natural habitats and home for many native fish
  
  
• A biologist/naturalist with extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna will be on staff
  
  
• There will be ongoing communication and involvement with the homeowners and community (i.e. community awareness and social responsibility)
  
  
• Exploratory use of cutting-edge “green” technology will constantly be considered throughout development and construction

Albury pointed out that Hacienda Matapalo will also utilize environmentally friendly goods for many of its external building materials including: use of concrete which contains post-consumer materials, siding and external finishes that contain post-consumer materials, low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC) finishes/paints/adhesives, sustainable and locally farmed woods and materials, pervious or permeable pavers/materials for walkways and parking, recycled materials for roofing and materials that drain well and do not hold moisture or heat.

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo and their Green Project, visit their Web site.

Costa Rica Real Estate Pre-Construction Sales Surpass $60 Million at Hacienda Matapalo

The best selling Costa Rica property, Hacienda Matapalo, has once again reached new heights by surpassing the $60 million mark in pre-construction sales.

“People have caught on,” said Dave Matluck, chief executive officer of Pegasus Star Limitada, the developer of Hacienda Matapalo. “Luxurious. Adventurous. Relaxing. Environmentally friendly . . . these are the words we hear every day about Hacienda Matapalo from the people who visit our location and decide to buy. From lakefront condominium-villas to single family estates, the home of your dreams is waiting for you at our 24-hour secured gated community.”

Matluck painted a typical day at Hacienda Matapalo.

“Imagine waking up to the sounds of the ocean and sipping a cup of world-renowned Costa Rican coffee from a veranda that overlooks the shimmering Pacific? After a swim in an infinity edge pool, you might take the property shuttle to one of Hacienda Matapalo's pristine, private beaches. If you are feeling ambitious, perhaps you will take a horseback ride to view one of several waterfalls located on our 665 private acres. Then after a visit to the clubhouse for a gourmet dining experience, you can treat yourself to a dip in the Jacuzzi to finish out the day.”

“Sound like paradise?” asked Matluck. “That's because it is.”

When asked the secret of “why Hacienda Matapalo has become the best selling Costa Rica Real Estate development?” compared to other properties in the region, Matluck replied: “It will be revealed in our next eSeminar.”

Each month the leaders of Hacienda Matapalo host a complimentary online seminar on a variety of topics. The next eSeminar will be on Thursday, June 17 and is open to the general public. Interested parties may register here.

In 2009 an independent British research company rated Costa Rica as the “happiest place on earth,” focusing on building a new economy "centered on people and the environment." Hacienda Matapalo embraces this concept with a strong commitment to residents and the environment. Because the property is lushly forested, no trees will be removed beyond the ones required for construction of the infrastructure and house pads. However, for every tree that is removed, one to three new trees will be planted as a replacement. Landscaping will consist of native species and only energy efficient air conditioning systems will be utilized. Hacienda Matapalo's commitment to the community and the environment is ongoing, with on staff naturalists committed to ensuring the best practices and highest standards of environmental preservation.

But being an environmentally conscious country isn’t the only lure of Costa Rica. In recent months there have been major focus shifts throughout North America and Europe on health care, spurring an entire health care tourism industry. And on the heels of the rising costs there, comes word from the National Inflation Association that food prices are spiraling out of control in the United States and accelerating at their fastest rate since records began being kept in the United Kingdom. In Costa Rica, the cost of food went down last year and trends show it is on target to go down again for 2010.

Transportation has also become an important topic on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast. Upgrades in transportation have made it easy to access Hacienda Matapalo's Costa Rican property. The Costanera Sur, the major Pacific Coast Highway, is now fully paved and runs directly in front of the property while area airports are receiving facelifts with longer runways and refurbished structures. In addition, the new Osa International Airport in the Southern Zone, scheduled to be completed in 2012, will provide new travel options for residents and alternatives for visiting guests.

There is no better time to invest in Costa Rica real estate than right now and everyone realizes it. With the global economy continuing to recover and as history shows us, real estate prices in Costa Rica poised to appreciate dramatically, this makes purchasing at Hacienda Matapalo during the pre-construction phase a smart investment.

Nothwithstanding, retirees can live like royalty with all the luxuries of an upscale development at a substantially lower cost of living than they would in the U.S., Canada or U.K.

“Many of the buyers at Hacienda Matapalo have used their IRA or 401k plans to fund their purchase,” explained Michael Starkey, Hacienda Matapalo’s vice president of sales. Starkey has presented several free seminars on the subject of investing in Costa Rica real estate and has made those presentations available on the Hacienda Matapalo Web site.

Learn more about Hacienda Matapalo

Commercial Center to Cater to Costa Rica's South Pacific Coast

As the interest in Costa Rica real estate continues to thrive on the South Pacific coast, the planning of a new retail and consumer hub for the region is starting to draw a lot of attention - introducing the new Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center.

Located at the north end of the Hacienda Matapalo gated community and adjacent to the newly paved Costanera Highway, the Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center will feature at least two 10,000 square foot structures built on half of a six acre parcel. The commercial space - designed to blend in with its natural surroundings and be environmentally responsible - will consist of a variety of businesses ranging from retail storefronts to professional offices.

"Clearly there is a tremendous need for commercial space in the region," said Marcy Seay, Director of Operations for the project. "This commercial center will not only serve the 400-plus homeowners at Hacienda Matapalo, but it will provide much needed goods and services to other communities that are being developed in the area."

Intended to be completed in three phases, the Phase One commercial building will include multiple storefronts and a restaurant that overlooks one of the man-made lakes that is planned for the Hacienda Matapalo gated community.

"There are several types of establishments that would be perfect for Phase One of the project," Seay explained, listing potential leaseholders. "A pharmacy, a grocery store and a tour company are all good choices," she said, adding that "a bank with an ATM, a real estate office, a clothing store, a hardware store and executive offices" would be ideal tenants.

Seay said that the Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center is, without question, the most anticipated non-residential project in the entire region. "Even prior to our official announcement, word of the commercial center had begun to spread," she admitted, "and now there are several people who are eager to lease space for their businesses."

Seay also pointed out that with the growing interest of health care in the region and the booming health care tourism industry, the Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center is a great location for various medical services.

"We are looking forward to having a medical clinic at the commercial center," said Seay. "We've already had inquiries from a multitude of specialists who can provide services from pediatrics to emergency medicine." A medical clinic would give the Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center the finest health care facility in the region next to Hospital de Osa in Cortes.

While Seay could not disclose specific names of those who have already signed up to be included in the commercial center citing confidentiality agreements and individual timelines, she said several notable brands and identities have committed to the project.

The nearly $6 million USD Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center is being funded by a limited partnership that was created where investment "units" are offered through a private placement memorandum to accredited investors. Construction is expected to begin with the advent of construction at the Hacienda Matapalo gated community, which is currently in the final stages of its pre-construction.

For more information on the Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center or to inquire about retail space, interested parties may visit the Hacienda Matapalo Web site or contact Marcy Seay directly at 954-548-3000.

Learn more about Hacienda Matapalo

Retire Happy in Costa Rica

Would you like to know what types of retirement accounts can be Self-Directed? That's easy; Traditional IRA's, SEP IRA's, Roth IRA's, 401K's, 403B's, Coverdell Education Savings, profitsharing plans, money purchase plans, Keoghs, and government eligible deferred compensation plans to name a few. In other words, any and every retirement account.

You can even Self-Direct your HSA account! Once you have opened your Self-Directed retirement account you are free to use those funds to purchase raw land, improved real estate or a variety of investments previously unavailable to you now with your traditional retirement accounts. Click here to find out more.


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