Costa Rica Real Estate to Use Proprietary Technology to Protect Agents

As part of a plan to enhance their relationship with real estate professionals in 2011, Hacienda Matapalo – the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica's South Pacific Coast – today announced they have partnered with Agent Shield, Inc. to provide Realtors with free tools to help them market, sell and receive credit for their efforts.

"This gives our referring parties an extra level of comfort," said Hacienda Matapalo Vice President of Sales and Investments Michael Starkey. "By having an extra level of tracking and protection for their clients, Realtors will be more comfortable sending leads directly to our Web site because they know they can track them."

Starkey said that while agents who may already work with Hacienda Matapalo know about their impeccable reputation, becoming part of the Agent Shield network was especially important for those agents who have not previously worked with them.

"For real estate agents, their most important assets are their customers," explained Agent Shield Vice President and co-founder Lu Doan. "The Agent Shield patented technology creates a better connection between real estate professionals and developers. Before Agent Shield was created real estate agents would not consider linking to a development's Web site for fear of losing leads; there was not an effective method of tracking the procuring source of the lead. Agent Shield is designed to protect Realtors while enabling developers to increase their outreach and ultimately sales."

Agent Shield, Inc., the creators of Agent Shield, has more than 7,000 Realtors in 25 countries in their network.

Now that Agent Shield is in place on the Hacienda Matapalo Web site, the company's new program for Realtors is taking shape. The company has scheduled a free Web-based seminar on January 18 at 6 p.m. ET (and any time on-demand) to discuss the new program. The online seminar will be hosted by Starkey and joined by Agent Shield's Doan, who will explain the benefits of his company’s application.

"We're looking forward to connecting with many new Realtors in the New Year," said Starkey. "With infrastructure construction fully underway, this is an exciting time for us and we believe once more real estate agents are onboard with us, it will be an exciting time for them too."

Realtors may register for the free eSeminar here.

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, visit their Web site at haciendamatapalo.com.

Infrastructure Construction Resumes for Costa Rica Real Estate Property

On Monday, December 13, bulldozers and other heavy equipment arrived at Hacienda Matapalo, the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, to resume its infrastructure construction.

“This continues to be an exciting time for us,” said Hacienda Matapalo Executive Vice President Brian Albury about the development’s early stage of construction. “When the first of several large machines began to appear on the property to work on the infrastructure, we finally saw the realization of our planning come to fruition. But now that they can really start to make headway, well, it’s something special.”

And something special it will be.

Residents at the 665-acre Hacienda Matapalo will enjoy a resort-like lifestyle including a private beach club, equestrian center, community center and clubhouse featuring several winding and flowing infinity edge pools, tennis and basketball courts, multiple picnic and gathering areas and a fabulous playground. The natural wonders of this master planned development include abundant waterfalls, bustling streams, lush forests, majestic mountains, tranquil lakes and access to 26 miles of virgin beach that was recently named the second-most eco-friendly beach in the world by CNN Travel and Mother Nature News.

In addition to the extraordinary lifestyle, residents will also benefit from many conveniences including gated security, rental and management services, concierge and maid services and a small retail center to support the community’s grocery, restaurant, medical, and other basic necessities and conveniences.

The grand entrance is the doorway to Hacienda Matapalo and it’s only fitting that it includes lush landscaping and water features that reflect the feel of the community and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

“Developing in a sustainable and ‘Green’ minded manner is and has been at the forefront in the design, engineering and planning of Hacienda Matapalo,” said Albury. “Environmentally sensitive designs have been a consideration from the beginning and continue to improve as our team works closely with our architect, engineers and biologists.” Albury stressed that throughout the construction phase, the company remains committed to ensuring the ecological impact the community will have to the area will be minimal.

“The condos and homes have been designed to blend with nature and the use of native materials will enhance the Hacienda Matapalo experience,” Albury explained. The architecture is reflective of a Polynesian style and is designed by the renowned architect, Miguel Wong.

The community’s close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s prized sanctuaries, is just another reason why buyers have chosen Hacienda Matapalo. Owners will also enjoy some of the world’s best fishing, surfing, diving and zip-lining. The recent completion of the new Pacific Coast Highway and the Autopistas del Sol Pacific Highway have made the drive from the International Airport in San Jose to Hacienda Matapalo a short and pleasant commute.

As construction moves forward [see videos], the company plans to increase its presence with real estate professionals in 2011 and will be launching a new program for Realtors, details of which are to be announced before year’s end. In preparing to launch the new outreach program, the company has scheduled a free Web-based seminar on January 18 at 6 p.m. ET (and any time on-demand) to discuss the new program. The online seminar will be hosted by Hacienda Matapalo’s Vice President of Sales and Investments Michael Starkey. Realtors may register for the eSeminar here. There will also be an eSeminar on January 11 at 6 p.m. ET hosted by Albury titled “Why Costa Rica?” which will look at why there are more Americans living in Costa Rica per capita than any other country in the world outside of the United States. Those interested may register here.

To watch learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, visit their Web site at haciendamatapalo.com.

All systems go as Costa Rica Real Estate project moves forward on construction

Hacienda Matapalo, the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, has everything in line to move forward with its project as it transitions from its pre-construction to construction phase.

When the master planned development announced in October it would resume its infrastructure construction as the rains subsided, it did so with the knowledge that all their documentation was in order.

“In addition to waiting for the seasonal rains to subside, we had to make sure all of our permits were in order,” explained Hacienda Matapalo Executive Vice President Brian Albury. “Now that the ground can support the weight of heavy equipment and our Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) has been approved by the government, we can proceed as planned.”

Because of the strict environmental and ecological protections that are in place in Costa Rica, in order for any master planned development to begin construction, their ESI must be approved. Once approved, construction permits such as D-1s and D-2s are given. An ESI is a composite index that tracks 21 elements of environmental sustainability covering natural resource endowments, past and present pollution levels, environmental management efforts, contributions to protecting common environmental resources and a capacity to improve environmental performance over time.

For Hacienda Matapalo its D-1 and D-2 – environmental evaluations permits for individual construction projects inside a master plan – were approved after being submitted to SETENA (Secretaria Tecnica Nacional Ambiental) according to the procedures that are outlined in the Manual of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Costa Rica.

“This is an exciting time for us,” Albury noted, as he reflected on the long and drawn out process to achieve government compliance on a project of this magnitude. “As the first of several large machines have already begun to appear on the property to work on the infrastructure, we can finally see the realization of our planning coming to fruition.”

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, which has been committed to ensuring the ecological impact it will have will be minimal, visit http://www.haciendamatapalo.com.

Environment Paramount to Costa Rica Property’s Development

With all the environmental issues that have been brought to the forefront in Costa Rica recently, at least one gated community there is committed to ensuring the ecological impact it will have will be minimal.

Hacienda Matapalo, the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, has remained in complete compliance with all of the environmental laws and regulations that are designed to protect the environment from any semblance of abuse.

"The recent news out of Costa Rica puts an exclamation mark on everything we have done from the very beginning," explained Hacienda Matapalo’s Executive Vice President Brian Albury. "Our goal from day one was to support sustainable development that guarantees that the South and Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica remain pristine and free from any man-made harm."

In recent weeks news has been flowing out of Costa Rica concerning a variety of environmental issues. On November 9th the country's legislative assembly voted unanimously to ban all new open pit metal mining projects in the country. There has been a major crack down on illegal shark finning as the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) and the Costa Rican Fisheries Institute closed private docks in Puntarenas on December 1st to foreign fishing vessels. And Randall Arauz, a key Costa Rican environmentalist, won Sweden’s prestigious Göteborg Award for 2010 for sustainable development.

"We needed to lead by example," Albury said, explaining how Hacienda Matapalo tasked key members of its development team with the sole purpose of implementing and maintaining extensive environmental stewardship before, during and after construction.

"It was and IS our goal to utilize the latest 'green' technology wherever possible without jeopardizing our commitment to deliver the highest standards to our homeowners. We believe that a balance and harmony with nature and our immediate environment will make Hacienda Matapalo a truly unique place to live."

As the property ramps up to resume its infrastructure construction with key strategic partner Su Casa Desarrollos de Vivienda S.A., the leading company of the Tu Hogar S.A. Real Estate Group, the management team at Hacienda Matapalo has made every effort to illustrate their ongoing commitment to the planet from sponsoring sea turtle protection programs to leading beach cleanup efforts to helping to replant the all important Costa Rica rainforests.

"One of the factors that has helped drive our efforts from the beginning to be a 'green,' low-impact development, is that our development is surrounded by a natural, lush rainforest," said Albury, adding, "not to mention a 125-plus acre dedicated nature preserve and 90 acre nature conservancy parcel."

The environmentally-conscious development will include an equestrian center, nature trails for hiking and horseback riding and even announced it will add a 500-plus foot treetop suspension bridge to its development that will stretch across a ravine along the property's nature preserve.

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 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.

In a relatively short period of time, Hacienda Matapalo has become Costa Rica's premier planned gated community thanks to both the knowledge of its executive team and due diligence as performed by its strategic legal, engineering and ecological partners. Unlike their competition, this extraordinary attention to detail has enabled the Hacienda Matapalo team to protect both its investment and investors and rewrite the standards by which successful communities in Costa Rica are planned.

"Our CEO David Matluck chalks up a lot of our success to long-term planning, extensive due diligence and proper engineering," Albury said of an upcoming article Matluck wrote for the development’s latest community newsletter. "And when you have a commitment to the environment like we do, you can expect nothing less."

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, visit their Web site at http://haciendamatapalo.com.