When you're buying property in another country, in a language you might not speak, from someone you've never met in person, the real question isn't what the commission is. It's whether you can trust the person on the other end of the WhatsApp thread. I can't answer that for you, but the people who've already been through the process with me can, so here's what they've said, unedited, in their own words.
Trust at a Glance
Sellers
From Buyers Across Canada and the U.S.
"After meeting with several agents, I decided to work with Juan. I trusted him immediately because he explained the purchasing process to me in detail, including the steps with the lawyer, the escrow company that secures the money, and the process with the bank. In short, Juan is honest, transparent, and trustworthy." — Danny St-Jacques, Quebec, Canada (Verified Facebook Recommendation)
"Working with Juan Pablo was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. He made the entire experience enjoyable and stress free. His professionalism and incredible knowledge of the market here in Costa Rica gave us complete confidence throughout the process." — Hollis Blank, United States (Verified Google Review)
"Juan Pablo made our dream of moving to Costa Rica a reality. As first-time international property buyers, we were nervous about the process and the language barrier, but Juan Pablo's fluent English and genuine patience put us at ease immediately." — Kirk White, Newfoundland, Canada (Verified Facebook Recommendation)
"Juan is an excellent real estate agent. Thanks to him, I found exactly what I was looking for. He is very professional, attentive to my needs, and available at all times." — Megan Fortin, Quebec, Canada (Verified Google Review)
From Sellers, Too
Most of what I do is help buyers, but I also list and sell property for owners in Playas del Coco and the surrounding communities:
"Right when we met Juan Pablo and his husband, we knew he was the perfect realtor to help us navigate selling our business in Costa Rica. He is so knowledgeable and knows the area, its inventory, and speaks both perfect English and Spanish. He is our go-to guy for all things Costa Rica." — Gregory Brady, United States (Verified Google Review)
"We purchased our own little piece of paradise, thanks to Juan Pablo. The process was not only seamless but actually enjoyable. He shared his knowledge of the area and all things real estate when it comes to CR." — Ulrich Blank, United States (Verified Google Review)
Why I Keep the Reviews Unfiltered
Anyone can put a testimonial on a website. What I can't fake is a Google or Facebook review tied to a real name, on a platform I don't control. That's on purpose: if you're going to hand over a deposit on a property from another country, you deserve more than my word for it. You can read the full set of reviews and trust badges on my homepage, or look up the names above directly on Google and Facebook yourself.
If you're earlier in the process and still deciding who to work with at all, my guide on how to choose a real estate agent in Playas del Coco walks through what's actually worth checking, beyond star ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these reviews real, or written by the agent?
They're real. Every review here is publicly posted and verifiable on Google or Facebook, in the client's own words, unedited. Nothing on this page was written or paraphrased by me.
Can I contact past clients directly?
I can't share private contact details, but several reviewers have posted publicly under their real names on Google and Facebook, so you're welcome to look them up and see the reviews in their original context.
Do you work with sellers as well as buyers?
Yes. Most of my reviews come from buyers, since that's the bulk of my work with international clients, but I also list and sell property for owners in Playas del Coco and the surrounding Guanacaste communities.
