Vanilla and teak intercropping in Naturewalk

Vanilla is the second most expensive spice in the world (after saffron) and it grows wild throughout Naturewalk.

An opportunity has been created for clients who own teak lots (with older teak) to intercrop vanilla on their lots.

The vanilla produces a significant yearly income whilst the teak provides a lump sum return at harvest.

To find out more e mail us at info@costaricainvest.ie or call us on USA+1-866-990-1123 or Europe +353-1-272-4184

Investing in Teak

A recent story about Tropical American Tree Farms in the Tico Times and reports of unhappy investors, has prompted me to write about the risks associated with investing in teak or agricultural commodities in structures where you do not own the land.

A plantation manager inspects a stand of teak trees
in the northern region of Costa Rica. 

Many teak and other agricultural commodity investments are structured under deals where the investor owns the crop and leases the land for a period until the crop is harvested.

This appears to have been the Tropical American Tree Farms model and according to the report in the Tico Times, many investors are unhappy as they have not received their promised returns.

There are a number of risks associated with this type of investment structure:

- Teak maintenance is essential and you may be restricted to using the promoters teak maintenance company. As a "captive audience" investors may be forced to pay excessive teak maintenance charges.

- You may be required to renew the lease during the growing period and again may have to pay "over the odds".

- In the event the landowner / promoter encountering problems you may end up in the invidious situation of owning a crop growing on an "unwilling participants" land.

- Fundamentally, land is more valuable than crops and is the most potentially valuable part of the investment. That is why, in these structures, the promoters retain land ownership.

So the best advice, if you are considering an agricultural investment, ensure you own the land. This gives you full control.

To read the full story on the Tico Times click here

Webinar - Is Costa Rica a good investment opportunity?

The nest webinar in our webinar series is on Thursday 10th March at 1pm Eastern USA time.

To read more click on the button below:

Title: Is Costa Rica a Good Investment Opportunity?
Date: 10th March 2011
Time: 1pm Eastern USA (6:oopm UK)
Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/725701931

Webinar Thursday 20th Januray 2011

Our next webinar will take place on

Date: Thursday 20th January 2011

Time: 1:00pm Eastern (6:00pm United Kingdom)

This webinar will present NatureWalk our teak and development land opportunity in Costa Rica

Whether you are a pure investor, plan to have a home in Costa Rica, or want both you must attend this webinar.

To read more and to register visit:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/815720370

What is covered in our regular webinars?

Webinar - Buy Land they aint malking any more of it

Join us for a webinar on Thursday August 19th (1:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm BST, 5:00pm GMT) Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/718958275

James Cahill, Costa Rica Invest, discusses land, development land, land price trends, factors affecting land prices, the investment opportunities, the upsides and the pitfalls to avoid. By the end of the webinar you will know more about lands economic trends and specifically lots more about Costa Rican land. Nature Walk, a combination investment opportunity in Land, Teak, Development Usage with Ecological Advantages will also be introduced. The opportunity is also suitable for those with a medium term plan of having a home in Costa Rica. Better still, as a small thank you for attending we would love to send you a gravity defying teak wine bottle holder. This is hand carved from teak from Nature Walk. So don't forget to give your full address details and we'll ship direct to your door after the webinar. We have a limited number so the first 25 registrant attendees only!! Title: "Buy Land - they aint making any more of it" Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010 Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, 2003 Server or 2000 Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Title Insurance- what is it and what does it really mean?

All of the lots in NatureWalk are insured by Chicago Title through their exclusive Costa Rican Agency Latin American Title Company.

But what is title insurance and what does it really mean for you?

Title insurance is and indemnity insurance against financial loss from defects in title (the paperwork relating to land ownership) to real property (in NatureWalk's case the land) and from the invalidity or unenforceability of mortgage liens.

The purpose of title insurance is to protect an owner's or a lender's financial interest in real property against loss due to title defects, liens or other matters. It will defend against a lawsuit attacking the title as it is insured, or reimburse the insured for the actual monetary loss incurred, up to the dollar amount of insurance provided by the policy.

The bottom line as an investor in NatureWalk, is that the Chicago Title Insurance gives you the securoty of knowing that you are definitely getting what you are investing in.

Even better the title insurance is provided at the developers cost!

Why is timber a good investment?

The video below a section of our Money Doesn't Grow On Trees - True or False webinar, details some of the historical factors that make timber a solid investment. The video also gives the inside track on trends that will affect timber prices in the medium term

Launch offer lots in NatureWalk

We are often asked why the launch offer is so good on the first lots in NatureWalk, and in the short clip below (taken from a recent webinar), Tim Alexander of PRG details why the offer is so good and where the 10%pa dividend (payable for 3 years) comes from and how it is funded.

Economic Sustatainability vs. Eonomic Sustainability

Recording of our most recent webinar Economic Sustainability vs. Ecological Sustainability is now available in the Free Downloads and Media Area of our website.

During the webinar you'll learn more about Costa Rica, Teak, Timber and Land. Further we discuss whether Economic Sustainability and Ecological Sustainability are mutually exclusive or whether they can work together to create a better, stronger and safer investment alternative.

Water Preservation and Protection at Nature Walk, Costa Rica

NatureWalk has provisionally agreed to incorporate the installation of the “advanced enviro septic” waste water treatment facilities on its site in Turrubares Costa Rica, to protect ground water and preserve the eco integrity of the project.

NatureWalk has provisionally agreed to incorporate the installation of the “advanced enviro septic” eco-friendly waste water treatment facilities on its site in Turrubares Costa Rica.

NatureWalk is an existing teak plantation, subdivided into serviced development lots of 1,000m2 and upwards. PRG Group Canada are the developers.

Tim Alexander from PRG Group said “the eco-friendly integrity of the project as a whole is very important to us. We have investigated a number of waste water treatment options and sought out an option which does not require electric pumps and so does not further contribute to the planets carbon dioxide load.”

James Cahill from Costa Rica Invest added “The treated waste water will be relatively superficial to the grounds surface and will help to water the tropical trees and shrubs growing on the lots. This will ensure that Nature Walk is the literally “greenest development” in Costa Rica.”

NatureWalk is an ecological subdivision in which purchasers benefit not only from the ownership of the serviced development lots but also the teak growing on them. The teak from the lots will be harvested at maturity and used by Tropical Teak Homes, a division of PRG Group, in the build of teak homes on site.

The offcuts of teak will be used in furniture manufacture on site. Each lot has an “ecological easement” attached requiring the replanting of at minimum 50% of the surface area with trees. The installation of the eco friendly waste water treatment will serve not only to preserve water, but will also ensure that ground water is protected and preserve the ecological integrity of the project.

Webinar recording

The webinar, "Money Grows on Trees - True or False" on Thursday the 15th was a great success, with attendees from all over the world.

They will receive their beautiful hand carved, gravity defying wine bottle holders, made with teak from Nature Walk, over the coming weeks.

We also recorded the webinar and you can listen to the webinar (or download it to your computer to listen at your convenience) in the Free Downloads and Media section of the Costa Rica Invest website.

The ecological subdivision – a new concept in Real Estate

Costa Rica Invest and PRG Global Realty have recently launched Nature Walk close to Jaco, Costa Rica.

This development represents a totally new concept in real estate - the ecological subdivision.
Costa Rica Invest and PRG Global Realty have recently launched Nature Walk close to Jaco, Costa Rica.

This development represents a totally new concept in real estate - the ecological subdivision.
Fully serviced development lots in Nature Walk, come with the added benefit of 12 year old teak growing on them.

This teak growing on the lots provides additional security and returns for the purchasers of these lots.

James Cahill, from Costa Rica Invest comments “Nature Walk provides an ideal opportunity for both straightforward investors, wanting to benefit from future increases in land prices in Costa Rica, and also for those investors with a medium term plan to build a home in Costa Rica. When investors look at land banking as an investment opportunity, they are entirely dependent on an increase in land prices to generate a return on their investment and that return is only realized when the land is sold. With teak growing on the land, the returns from the teak combine with the appreciation of land prices to provide a double return.”

Tim Alexander, from PRG Global Realty adds “not only is Nature Walk ideal for pure investors, providing an attractive entry into the Costa Rican land market with the added returns and benefit of teak., but it is also ideal for those seeking a second home in Costa Rica. The return from the teak harvest on one or more lots will cover the entire costs of land purchase and provide a significant contribution to the building costs of your home in Costa Rica.”

Nature Walk has launched with a very attractive launch offer, offering initial lots at half the retail pricing with a 10% pa yield paid for 3 years by the developer.

Under the initial launch offer, purchases can be structured to provide full capital purchase cost repayment in 4 years, leaving initial purchasers with 60% of the initial land purchased and the added benefit of 16 year old teak trees growing on their fully serviced lots.

The teak can then be sold and the land developed or sold on in another 4 years.

Returns from the teak and any partial land sale at that time can be used to finance the building costs of a home on the remaining land

Webinar - Nature Walk & receive a FREE teak wine bottle holder

Nature Walk Turribares, Costa Rica

Join us for a Webinar on April 15

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/883233586

James Cahill, Costa Rica Invest, will introduce an opportunity to invest in Nature Walk, Turribares, Costa Rica.

This early opportunity is suitable for investors - giving a guaranteed yield, reduction on retail pricing entry point and it comes with the added benefit of 12 year old teak.

The opportunity is also suitable for those with a medium term plan of having a home in Costa Rica.

The developer has apportioned just 6 ha to the pre-formation lot opportunity, so you will need to be ready to purchase.....

Better still, as a small thank you for attending we would love to send you a FREE gravity defying teak wine bottle holder. This is hand carved from teak from Nature Walk. So don't forget to give your full address details and we'll ship direct to your door after the webinar.

Title: Nature Walk Turribares, Costa Rica

Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT


After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, 2003 Server or 2000

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Why is teak so valuable?

Teak has been used for 100's of years because of its hardness and durability. A natural oil occurring in teak wood makes it very resistant to pests and rotting and in turn this led to its popularity in boat building, a popularity which continues today.

Natural teak takes approximately 20 years to reach a suitable size for harvesting and commercial use. Some recently developed teak hybrids grow more quickly and take 15 years to reach a size suitable for harvesting.

Teak, however, is not a perishable commodity and the teak can be allowed to grow on beyond the 15 or 20 years and then harvested. In the meanwhile the trees have grown further and become even more valuable.

An interesting and little discussed fact about teak trees is that after felling the stumps will grow again and typically these stumps grow faster and produce more of the very valuable dark heartwood.

Currently milled teak fetches about six times the price of pine wood, four times the price of cherry wood and twice the price of mahogany.

A number of factors come into play in pricing teak:

- Growth Rate: teak is slow growing

- Supply: currently more than 95% of the world's teak comes from non-sustainable jungle sources. As world opinion has moved against the logging of our jungles supply of teak has fallen.

- Demand: teak remains in high demand and is particularly popular in the emerging economies of China and India.

World opinion continues to move against logging our jungles and Australia is currently considering making the import of illegally logged timber a criminal offense. Other countries look sure to follow Australia's lead.

Demand for timber is linked to world population growth and demand for teak will continue to increase inline with the world population growth. Demand will be further fueled by the emergence of new economies where teak is particularly popular.

Timber has been a steady performer over the last century and has typically out performed inflation by 3.2% per annum. Teak as a niche product has outperformed timber. Until sustainable teak production fills the demand for teak, teak looks to increase even more strongly in price over the medium term

Another chance to attend the webinar

Due to popular demand another webinar "Costa Rica - a good investment opportunity?" has been scheduled for Wednesday the 16th of September, from 1:00 - 2:00pm EDT (6:00pm-7:00pm GMT).

James Cahill will again talk about Costa Rica, land, timber (and specifically teak) and he will touch upon Finca Di Pacifico Dos, their current project.

After the presentation, James will take questions..... this was the most popular part of the last webinar with the Q & A running to 55 minutes.

But the best part of the webinar is that you can listen in and ask questions from the comfort of your own home or office.

Space is limited.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/727983738

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System RequirementsPC-based attendeesRequired: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendeesRequired: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

Land Banking

What is land banking? - Land banking is the acquisition of land in advance of expanding urbanization. The price of an open space parcel not yet subject to urban development pressures will probably be more closely based on current rather than speculative land uses.

What are the benefits and upsides of land banking?

• Land has the potential to experience tremendous appreciation if bought in the way of growth, or if a higher and better use can be achieved.


• Owner financing can often be obtained through the seller at below-market rates.


• Subdividing can create added value and provide for immediate returns.


• Bricks and mortar depreciate, well selected land increases in value.


• Land is in limited supply “they just aint making any more of it”
  

What are the potential downsides?

• Negative cash flow; usually the land does not generate any income while you pay the principle, interest, taxes and costs of development.


• Tax advantages are scanty as land cannot be depreciated.


• Generally, raw land is considered a long-term ill-liquid investment that often takes time before gains can be realized.


• Risk of loss on resale can occur if you choose poorly, fail to evaluate and negotiate properly, the economy slips or various other unforeseen events occur.


• It is difficult to obtain traditional financing on or borrow against accrued equity.
  

When buying land for land banking what should you look out for?

• The worst you can buy is swamp or marshland.


• Most often flat land is the least expensive to develop and the most desired for building purposes.


• Land with barren rock will increase costs and virtually eliminate a basement just the same as a high water table.


• Plots with trees, a view, rectangular in shape, a gentle slope or none and a good location are most preferred.


• Streams can boost values by 100% in some cases.


• Many people are literally being driven to the hills. Granted the views can be spectacular but roads, utilities, water, sewer, and foundations, such as pilings, can add to building costs
  

How does Finca Di Pacifico Dos stand out?

• Teak growing on your plot offsets the negative cash flow – providing a positive cashflow at harvest, prior to onward sale or development of your plot.


• All plots come with permission to build one residence


• Services - water and electricity are on site.


• Many have river views and sea views


• Tourist development is quickly encroaching on Finca Di Pacifico Dos with a new marina under development, the opening of a new port and docking facility in Puntarenas and many new hotels in Puntarenas and surrounding areas.


• As the baby boomer generation begins to retire your teak will have matured and be ready for harvest as demand for land continues to rise.


• There are multiple exit strategies
  

Finca Di Pacifico Dos may be “the perfect investment”, the teak providing a secure return whilst the land has the potential for spectacular increases in value.

So you can invest right now and have a rich future!

Press Release Listing

Below are a listing of recent Press Releases from Costa Rica Invest. To see the press release just click on the link:



Arenal Volcano and National Park

Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the treasures of any visit to Costa Rica and a must visit destination



Buried Treasure on Cocos Island Costa Rica.

Cocos Island Costa Rica, boasts an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, the best diving in the world and buried pirate treasure!



IMF predicts Costa Rica and Latin America will be first to recover from the global economic crises

Positive predictions from IMF representatives about Costa Rica are great news for investors in Costa Rica.


30 Rare Endangered Scarlet Macaws Released on the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Los Delfines Golf and Country Club set an ambitions target in 1996 - to develop a successful breeding program for the endangered scarlet macaw, and repopulate the Nicoya Peninsula with these beautiful colourful birds.


What sets Costa Rica Apart?

A truly integrated holistic approach to the environment and the country’s economic development is what sets Costa Rica, the principal emerging economy in Central America, apart from every other country worldwide.



Timber the Best Performing Asset of the last 100 years!

Timber has outperformed inflation by 3.3% since 1910 and offers a secure high yield investment despite the global downturn, reduction in construction and reduced consumer demand for timber products.


7th Most Politically Stable Country World Wide Located in Central America

A recent report by The Economist Intelligence Unit lists Costa Rica as the 7th most politically stable country worldwide. Further it is the 7th least likely to encounter social unrest as a result of current global economic conditions.


Price Increase In Finca Di Pacifico Dos Early Investors See the Value of Investments Rise by 142%

Prices in Finca Di Pacifico Dos our premier project have increased further with immediate effect. Early investors have now seen the value of their investment rise by 142% over the past 24 months.


Investors and Businesses in Costa Rica to Benefit from New Tax

Costa Rica has introduced new taxation to benefit business and encourage continuing investment into Costa Rica.


Costa Rica and France Work Together in the Battle Against Climate Change

Costa Rica and France have agreed to cooperate closely in the battle against climate change.



Prospects for Costa Rica Remain Attractive for Investors

Costa Rica has been affected by the global economic downturn, but it has not been as badly affected as many other countries and the prospects remain attractive.


Great News for the Environment, Costa Rica Continues on its Eco Friendly Path

Costa Rica aspires to be the world’s first carbon neutral nation by 2021 and it is right on track.


Is Costa Rica Paradise on Earth? “La Pura Vida” is Good for You and Helps You Live Longer.

Costa Rica has the longest life expectancy in the Western Hemisphere and building your dream home in Costa Rica may actually be good for your health and help you live longer.


Costa Rica chosen as the headquarters of the US Food and Drug Administration in Latin America.

The USA has chosen Costa Rica to locate the headquarters for the Food and Drug Administration in Latin America, because of its strategic location and also because of the excellent relations that already exist between the two countries.


Purchasers in Di Pacifico Dos, Costa Rica, to see the value of their investment rise by 112%

Di Pacifico Dos is a unique opportunity to invest in land and teak in Costa Rica. The land registration process is on track and today price increases for the remaining land are announced.


Good News - Green Investments are the only way forward?

The UN recommends, Deutsche Bank agrees and HSBC’s figures show that green investments will help avoid a severe recession. So you can make a green investment, make a great return and help the global economy.


Recession, What Recession?

3000 new jobs were created in Costa Rica in 2008, with 30 new companies established and US$428.6 million invested. 2009 will present its challenges but the early signs for economic growth in Costa Rica during the forthcoming year are encouraging.


Costa Rica Invest Launches New Website

Costa Rica Invest launched their new website today. The reformatted and redesigned website is designed to be a major information source on teak, development land and Costa Rica.


Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining

Costa Rica Invest’s latest project has sold all of its smaller plots but there are still opportunities available. In particular the re-release to the market of a group of sea view plots represents a “not to be missed” investment opportunity.


Costa Rica is the Second Most Globalized Country in Central and Southern America.

The Latin Globalization index ranks Costa Rica as the second most globalized nation in Central and Southern America. Foreign inward investment will increase due to their increasing trade and tourism combined with a highly educated workforce



More Great News About Trees

We know trees are good for the environment, removing carbon from the atmosphere and reducing global warming. A recent discovery shows that a chemical released by trees helps to cool the planet further by thickening cloud cover over forests.


Costa Rica’s Carbon Neutrality Will Affect Land Prices

Costa Rica aims to be carbon neutral as a nation by 2021. A series incentives have been introduced to achieve this goal. As more land is reforested and preserved, development land will become scarcer and will increase in price


7 More Reasons to Invest In Costa Rica

Costa Rica, has been described by CNBC as “the hottest real estate market on the face of the planet” and Costa Rica Invest lists 15 reasons for investors to consider investing in Costa Rica.


8 Good Reasons to Invest In Costa Rica

Costa Rica, has been described by CNBC as “the hottest real estate market on the face of the planet” and Costa Rica Invest lists 15 reasons for investors to consider investing in Costa Rica.


Early Investors Receive An Unexpected "windfall"

Early investors in a unique teak and development land project received an unexpected “windfall”. The first the thinning of the teak on Finca Di Pacifico Dos has generated a greater than expected return of $86,684


Costa Rica Invest announces that the land registration process is on track to commence in March 2009

Costa Rica Invest announces that the process of preparing for Cadastral registration of the land plots in Finca Di Pacifico Dos is on time to commence registration of the individual land plots in March 2009.


73.6% of Finca Di Pacifico Dos, a unique investment in teak and development land, is now sold

Costa Rica Invest announces that 73.6% of Finca Di Pacifico Dos is now sold. This is an absolutely unique opportunity to invest in development land in Costa Rica with the added advantage and security of teak.


Second Funding Round for Di Pacifico Dos Ltd.

After a fully subscribed first round, Costa Rica Invest announces a second round of fundraising for Di Pacifico Dos Ltd. which is structured for self administered pension fund investments in Ireland.


Costa Rica Invest announces alliance partnership with Peter Quealy, IFG Mortgages Dungarvan, Ireland

Costa Rica Invest today announced a successful launch of their alliance partnership with Peter Quealy of IFG Mortgages Dungarvan. Together they held a successful presentation to Peter’s clients on Thursday the 6th of November.


The Trees are Growing – The Time is Now: 14 year old teak plots sold out already

Diversify. Diversify. Diversify. Smart investors saw the opportunity. They invested in Di Pacifico Dos in Costa Rica at an early stage and have bought all the plots with the oldest teak trees. They are now watching their investment grow. The race is on!

See new video of Finca Di Pacifico Dos

Below you can see a new documentary about the unique opportunity in Finca Di Pacifico Dos.

Prepared by our Polish Office this documentary was broadcast on Polish National television.

It includes interviews with the Minister of Tourism in Costa Rica, Government Officials in Costa Rica, Financial Analysts, Bankers, Real Estate Agents, the teak maintenance company, and Jos Van Veen the developer.






Of course if you would like to talk to one of our consultant about this opportunity, get up to date availability listings or need any further details just contact our office - Ireland +353 1 272 4184, USA +1 210 775 6318, info@costaricainvest.ie or talk to our consultants live on line here

Around the world in 80 Trades

This BBC program tracks the progress of London Financial Trader Conor Woodman as he tracks around the world making 80 trades. Buying goods and (hopefully) selling them for a profit!

Having lost money on trades ranging from horses to vintage tea to camels, Conor hits a winnig streak towards the end of his journey making money trading tequila and surfboards.

Finally ending up in Brazil, Conor risks all by spending his remaining money on a shipment of sustainably grown teak with a plan to sell it in England.

Is the the teak a worthwhile investment, can Conor recoup his previous losses watch and see:

In this part Conor seeks out a sustainable teak supplier in Brazil and purchases a container of teak:



The teak is back in England, but how much is it really worth, can Conor make money on this his largest trade?



To see how you can trade in teak and own development land in Costa Rica, have a look at our website www.costaricainvest.ie and our premier project Finca Di Pacifico Dos.