ReevesTribe

I'm not sure about the automatic 50% as I was already 50% owner of the assets with the corporate set-up. My husband's 50% will go through probate - my attorney said it's just a time thing, no worries about losing access to that 50% (based on, I assume, there being no one who would challenge ownership). I believe you are correct that it is just paperwork fees when it comes to the transfer of the shares from my deceased husband to my living adult son. Jessica

Patty, My husband passed away in January. We did not have a will & we were each 50% owners of the corporation that owns our house. His 50% has to go through probate, I cannot transfer the shares to my adult son until that process is complete. So, you need to meet with your attorney to begin that process. The very first step is getting the corporate books to the attorney (if you have them) so they can confirm the set-up of the corporation because there are legal steps (like a shareholder's meeting) that has to happen if the corporation wasn't set up a certain way. Excuse the vagueness, I'm not an attorney but this is what I've been focusing on cleaning up for the last month so I can at least tell you that you are not able to do what you've suggested, you must have an attorney straighten it out for you. Jessica

Goodness, I couldn't imagine living on Paseo Colon. But that's just me & my preference, my house is at a beach town in the Central Pacific so I'm definitely not drawn to that type of city living. When I lived in Escazu, I enjoyed living in San Antonio de Escazu (up the mountain, above Escazu Centro, & it's like a different world up there in comparison to San Rafael de Escazu). I do think Sabana is a great park for running - I have a friend who runs it almost daily - so I'd say check out Sabana Sur, where he lives, to start. Jessica

Paseo Colon in San Jose or do you mean Ciudad Colon? Jessica

I bought my esposo a ticket to fly in tomorrow through New Year's so he can surf/rest! I wish we were all going but I didn't plan it far enough ahead to have it work with everyone's schedules (i.e. teenagers with jobs). Jessica

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all!! Jessica

Bejuco, which is the beach immediately next to Esterillos Este. Jessica

eleanor is correct & put the point I tried to make in plain English. Successful rentals in our area have everything to do with the location, the existence of very trustworthy property managers living in our neighborhood (living there means they want good renters), & the fact that it has become an up & coming "hot" area due to lower prices but close proximity to some of the top tourist destinations in the Central Pacific. Jessica

I have many neighbors who rent their homes out. Most do it to break even - rent it enough to cover all operating costs & vacation in it for free. A few seem to be making some money from it. We're at a beach in the Central Pacific that is halfway between Jaco & Quepos. Short-term rentals from VRBO & AirBnB seem to be the preferred method to gaining renters - I do have a few neighbors who will only rent to long-term renters & have no issues finding them. The ones who are savvy about this type of thing will literally have their townhome booked solid for the entire high season & well into the June/July/August months with US vacationers on summer vacation. Jessica

I have a friend who sells real estate in the Tamarindo area - Murray Greer - he used to be my neighbor in Playa Bejuco (south of Jaco). http://www.solrealtycr.com/ Becky Clower also has a good rep - http://bluewaterpropertiesofcostarica.com/ Jessica

I'd try diluted white vinegar. Jessica

When we shipped our flat screen with our container, we paid to have a few things professionally packed & the flat screen was one of those things. They packed it standing & advised us to pack it in the container the same way. Jessica

I don't ever buy tickets, but did for Saturday & did again for tomorrow. I don't think Bernie will let me buy him an election though. Jessica

We're in FL until Saturday & we're going to buy tickets for the Wednesday Powerball drawing - I'd love to return to CR a billionaire Jessica

I can certainly give a list of the things I miss when it's time to leave Costa Rica for Florida: The macaws that fly over my house each morning. My tropical plants & the hummingbirds they attract. Early morning coffee on my porch. The sound of waves crashing (while drinking early morning coffee on my porch). Being able to buy perfectly ripe bananas (or better yet, grow them). Mountain views (breathtaking for this Florida gal). Being greeted with "pura vida." Hearing Spanish on the radio. Being able to order a casado at almost any type of restaurant.