Why Working With One Buyer’s Agent in Costa Rica Gets You Everything You Want

(And why trying to work with everyone usually leaves you disappointed)

Last week’s article about why people leave Costa Rica struck a nerve. It was honest, a little uncomfortable, and—judging by the response—exactly the conversation many people were already having quietly in their heads.

This week, we’re leaning into that same honesty.

Because there’s another topic that causes quiet frustration on both sides of the table, but rarely gets said out loud:

buyers trying to work with multiple agents at once.

Most buyers don’t do this out of malice. They do it out of fear.

Fear of missing something.
Fear of choosing “wrong.”
Fear that without an official MLS, they’ll only see part of the market.

That fear makes sense—especially for North American buyers. In the U.S. and Canada, however, there’s something worth remembering: working with one buyer’s agent is not unusual at all. It’s the norm. Buyers typically choose a single representative whose job is to show them everything that fits their criteria and protect their interests from start to finish.

Costa Rica works the same way—even if the system looks different on the surface.

So let’s clear something up—controversially, transparently, and in a way that actually benefits you.

 

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The MLS Myth (and Why It’s Keeping You Stuck)

Yes, Costa Rica doesn’t have a centralized, government-regulated MLS like in North America. That’s true.

What many buyers don’t realize is that reputable brokerages compensate for this by building something very close to one.

At our office, this means:

• We curate and constantly update listings across the entire Costa Ballena region

• We monitor every other broker website daily

• We share inventory internally across our team

• We proactively scout properties that aren’t even fully marketed yet

• We match listings to buyer criteria before buyers ever arrive

One important thing we always tell clients early on—because it immediately puts people at ease—is this: all established agencies in this area work together. Choosing one buyer’s agent does not mean you only see that agent’s listings. Your agent can show you properties from any other agency in the region.

In practice, when you work with one committed agent at a well-established brokerage, you are not “limited.” You are actually seeing more—with context, strategy, and filtering.

 

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Why Agents Hold Back (Even If They Don’t Say It)

Here’s the uncomfortable truth.

When a buyer is clearly working with multiple agents:

• Agents stop investing deeply

• Property scouting becomes reactive, not proactive

• Pre-arrival prep is minimal

• Long, thoughtful conversations get shortened

• Creativity disappears

Not because agents are petty—but because deep service requires mutual commitment.

Showing property in Costa Rica isn’t just opening doors. It’s:

• Coordinating access in remote areas

• Calling owners directly

• Investigating water, access, zoning, and easements

• Pre-vetting neighborhoods and micro-locations

• Saving you from wasting precious days on the ground

That level of dedication only happens when there’s trust.

There’s also a very practical, Costa Rica–specific reason this matters. Here, properties aren’t accessed with lockboxes. Every showing has to be coordinated directly with the listing agent, and the listing agent is always present. When a buyer is working with more than one agent, the same seller can end up being contacted multiple times to schedule separate showings for the same buyer. It creates unnecessary duplication, delays, and sometimes quiet frustration before negotiations even begin.

From the buyer’s perspective, having one clear representative streamlines everything. One schedule. One point of contact. One person managing logistics cleanly and professionally—so your search feels efficient, organized, and respectful of everyone’s time.

There’s also a practical reality buyers don’t always see: Costa Rica is a small market. Sellers, attorneys, and agents talk. When the same buyer is introduced multiple times by different agents, it can create confusion—or worse, quietly erode credibility—before negotiations even begin.

 

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Let’s Talk About Polyamory (Yes, Really)

Think of working with multiple agents like dating five people at once.

Some people can do it.
Some people thrive in it.
But for most of us?

It’s exhausting.

You repeat the same story.
You manage multiple personalities.
You never fully relax.
No one really knows you.
No one goes all-in.

Now imagine choosing one partner who actually listens.
Who learns your preferences over time.
Who anticipates your needs.
Who shows up prepared.
Who advocates for you.

That’s what happens when you choose one buyer’s agent.

Most people don’t want endless options.
They want to feel taken care of.

 

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What Buyers Gain by Choosing One Agent

From the buyer’s side, commitment unlocks real advantages:

1. Less Work for You

You don’t need to explain your budget, fears, timelines, family dynamics, or deal-breakers over and over again. One agent carries that mental load.

2. Smarter Property Tours

By the time you arrive, your agent already knows:

• What you’ll love

• What you’ll hate

• What’s worth your time

• What’s a distraction

This makes your trip more efficient—and far less overwhelming.

3. Better Negotiation

An agent who understands why you want something can negotiate with nuance, not just numbers.

4. Faster Decisions, Fewer Regrets

Clarity comes from refinement over time—not from seeing everything all at once.

And this is where many buyers misunderstand the process: the real work begins after you choose a property.

In Costa Rica, a buyer’s agent is not just someone who shows you listings. We coordinate showings across brokerages, represent your interests in negotiations, guide due diligence, and act as the connective tissue between attorneys, escrow, sellers, inspectors, and other professionals.

We also often have insider awareness—properties that may be coming to market, flexible sellers, or nuances that never appear online. Without a designated agent protecting your interests, buyers often assume safeguards exist that simply don’t.

Strong buyer representation doesn’t stop at closing, either. It often extends into utility transfers, local referrals, and helping you establish yourself in the community.

Working with one agent doesn’t mean blind loyalty or obligation. It means alignment. And if at any point the relationship doesn’t feel right, buyers are always free to change course. Commitment here is about intention—not entrapment.

 

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What Our Clients Say (Without Being Asked)

We didn’t pull these quotes to make a point—they are the point.

“Through phone consults, endless text messages, emails, and all the talks about what exactly we were looking for, we found the perfect home.”

“From the very beginning, she helped us find the right house. Her due diligence, transparency, and thoughtful problem-solving helped us move at the speed of light.”

“She never gave up, never got impatient, and is still helping us integrate into the community.”

“It’s not a small matter to purchase a home in a country that is new to you. From the moment we met, we felt guided.”

What these all have in common isn’t luck.
It’s relationship.

 

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A Gentle Truth (That Saves Everyone Time)

If you want:

• Loyalty

• Creativity

• Extra effort

• Honest advice

• Someone who treats your search like their own

Then the most powerful move you can make is simple:

Choose one agent.

Not because you owe them.
But because it gives you the best possible outcome.

Costa Rica rewards trust.
Real estate here rewards relationships.

And the best experiences—just like the best homes—come when everyone is fully present.

If you’d like to start with a simple, no-pressure conversation—just to see if it feels like a fit—we’re always happy to talk. No expectations. No commitment.

But if it does click, we’ll show you just how different this process can feel when someone is truly in your corner.