Sunday 17
August 2003 In my last article I promised to tell about my Costa Rican Attorney.
First of all, I need to explain that although all of the Attorney jokes and prejudices apply to the majority of Attorneys, I have many friends who are exceptions. These people are skilled at maximizing their client's interests yet not going way past ethical. They are mature and responsible enough to look past today's profit.
Given all that, I must say I approach any new Attorney with caution. I was introduced to Carlos Umana Balser by an incredible Real Estate man, Axel Marquart. Axel has been in Real Estate here in CR for over 11 years and had weeded through several before he found Carlos. When Axel introduced us to Carlos, we were in the "looking stage" to buy a home and retire to CR full time.
Carlos spent a little over an hour with us. (there was no charge) He explained a lot about CR law. He is very fluent in English even to appreciating American humor. We quickly felt at ease. I explained we are not rich and would be looking for a house for less than $60,000. He said he treats all his clients with the same attention to their interests no matter how big or small the deal. He made several key points:
· He will accept phone calls from 9am to 2pm Monday - Friday. (if he is on the phone or in a conference he will return the call ASAP)
· There is NO CHARGE for phone calls.
· Be sure and call him before signing or agreeing to anything in CR. (like renting, buying autos, houses, business, etc.)
· The law sets the amount an Attorney can charge for most transactions and this charge is very reasonable.
I learned his wife is his business partner. She is from China, an Attorney, fluent in Chinese, English, and Spanish and beautiful. His father was an Attorney, his brother is an Attorney and his office is at the exact center of San Jose. His receptionist speaks good English too.
Through my many years of business, I came to believe experience is very important but, Networking is THE MOST IMPORTANT facet of successful transactions. I believe Carlos networks with all of the right people to get things done in Costa Rica.
About 4 months after returning to the USA, I found a house in Acosta which sounded like a heckuva deal. It was built by a retired couple from California who had spent 2 years in the Peace Corps there. They had used it 3 months per year for 7 years but, had gotten to where their health prevented them from this.
I flew to CR, visited the house and spent the night in it. That was all it took. I wanted the house. I returned to the USA, called Carlos, and asked him to check it out. He found a little problem in the title and we contacted the owners. They got with Carlos, resolved the glitch and Carlos confirmed this would be a clean deal.
Now, I did not do any more due diligence on Carlos. I felt very confident he is trustworthy and trusted him to proceed with the deal. I told him I did not want to spend the $ to return to CR to do the paperwork and asked him if he could do it without me being present. He said he could. I wired him $2,000 over the cost of the house and told him to let me know if he needed more $. He formed the Corporation, and bought the house. He notified me when all was complete and I again asked him if he needed more money. He said we would settle up when I moved into the house.
I went to see him a couple of days after we moved in. We chatted a bit, I signed the papers to give ownership of the Corp and thereby the house, and then came time to settle up. He advised me I had a $750 refund coming. It may have happened somewhere in history that an attorney refunded money after having it in his account, but this is surly an exception.
I now introduce all of my guests to Carlos and everyone has chosen to use him for their business here.
You can contact him by writing
me.
WHAT A COUNTRY!!!
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