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CRGAR / Costa Rica Where Your Dreams Find a Home

The Next Wave of Professionalism in Costa Rica Real Estate The Costa Rica Global Association OF REALTORS/CRGAR

By Allen Lungo Keller Williams Costa Rica and CRGAR President

T he Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS (CRGAR) invites you to learn more about our special commitment to real estate professionalism, client service, global relationships, and community outreach . In its 19- year history, CRGAR has grown into a leading real estate association in Costa Rica, and an innovative partner to global professionals. CRGAR provides 1) training for Costa Rica’s realtors, 2) recognized global standards for professional conduct, 3) online services to its members, 4) information resources to investors, 5) connections to global organizations and property listing services, 6) the Proxio-based (800,000 global users) Costa Rica MLS, and 7) for the 10th consecutive year in 2020 – an Institute for the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation awarded by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) in the United States. Most recently, CRGAR has created a relationship for its members with a financial entity in the United States to introduce US-style, 30-year, fixed rate mortgages to US citizens investing in Costa Rica properties. There will be more news about this program in coming issues. The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® (CRGAR) includes Costa Rican citizens and legal foreign residents working in many areas of Costa Rica; including all Pacific zones, the Northern

Plains, and the Central Valley. CRGAR was founded to provide responsive oversight to the real estate industry and to encourage legally working professionals to have a global focus. CRGAR is committed to supporting the laws of Costa Rica including any efforts tocreate real estate licensing in the country. CRGAR encourages Costa Rica’s President and National Assembly to pass a law and implement registration requirements for future, legally licensed realtors in the country. This effort has CRGAR’s full endorsement. Currently, CRGAR REALTORS® are required to state their legal working status on the membership application and are given guidance on the requirements of legal business operations . They are also trained about their responsibility to pay income taxes and collect taxes applicable to professional service fees. CRGAR is committed to the training and education of REALTORS®. Successful applicants for CRGAR membership are required to complete a series of professional courses. These modules are offered through a joint educational program between CRGAR and attorney, Carlos Angulo. CRGAR membership also requires the retaking the training courses 6 years after they were previously completed. CRGAR is committed to ethical practices and professional standards. CRGAR realtors are subject to the

Standards of Professional Practice of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in the United States. CRGAR also has a defined process for handling claims of ethical or professional misconduct. This process is available to all members, clients, and other industry professionals. CRGAR is committed to attracting global real estate investors to help Costa Rica grow. CRGAR works to 1) provide its members with worldwide exposure through the Costa Rica MLS and its listing syndication relationships, 2) to present Costa Rica to groups in the North America, 3) to having a strong social media presence, and to attending global conventions (NAR). CRGAR is planning for the future of Costa Rica and its real estate professionals. CRGAR’s commitment to REALTOR® training (required courses), advanced professional tools (new MLS), and the legal status of professionals (Licensing Law) represents a constant focus on what is best for Costa Rica. Vigilance about these goals is our members’ way if giving something back to Costa Rica for the opportunities and blessings of living and working here. Lastly, CRGAR wants to thank our recent business and professional sponsors for their annual support of our goals:

COSTA RICA GLOBAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

70 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE